Ambattar

Ambattar
Religions Hinduism, Christianity
Languages Tamil
Related groups Tamils, Sri Lankan Tamils

Ambattar (Also known as Navidar) is a Tamil caste found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and northeastern part of Sri Lanka. They are traditionally occupied as barbers but also as physicians and midwives.[1][2][3]

The Ambattars, known under the term Kudimakkal (domestic servants), gave ritual importance as officiators in marriage and funeral.[4][5][6]

Etymology

The name Ambattar is a Tamilized word originally from Sanskrit word ambashtha.[7] The word is derived from the two Sanskrit words amba meaning "near" and stha meaning "to stand" thus meaning "one who stands closeby" in reference to their occupation as barbers and physicians.[8]

The term Nāvitar is derived from the Tamil word Nāvicar literally meaning "holy man".[8] Other titles used by them include Maruttuvar, Pariyari and Vaidiyar which are all synonyms for physicians.[2][9]

History

A Sri Lankan Ambattar dressing a man's hair.

Mythological origin

According to Manusmriti, are the Ambattars or the Ambashtha, the offspring of a Brahmin father and a Vaishya mother.[10][3]

Early history

The Ambattars were the surgeons of the kings and soldiers who practiced Siddha medicine.[11] The Siddhars, the ancient Tamil physicians who claimed to have attained siddhi, hailed mostly from the Ambattar or Maruttuvar community.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gough, Kathleen (1989). Rural change in southeast India: 1950s to 1980s. Oxford University Press.
  2. 1 2 Béteille, André; Beteille, Professor Emeritus of Socio Logy Andre (1965). Caste, Class, and Power: Changing Patterns of Stratification in a Tanjore Village. University of California Press. p. 89. ISBN 9780520020535.
  3. 1 2 Pillay, Kolappa Pillay Kanakasabhapathi (1979). Studies in Indian history: with special reference to Tamil Nādu. K.K.Pillay. p. 339.
  4. ↑ Jacob, George; (Organization), I. S. P. C. K. (1995). Religious life of the Ilavas of Kerala: change and continuity. ISPCK. p. 146.
  5. ↑ Singh, Nagendra Kumar (2006). Global encyclopaedia of the South Indian Dalit's ethnography. Global Vision Publishing House. p. 695. ISBN 9788182201675.
  6. ↑ Tamil Nadu. Affiliated East-West Press [for] Anthropological Survey of India. 1997. p. 1512. ISBN 9788185938882.
  7. ↑ Menon, T. Madhava; Linguistics, International School of Dravidian (2002). A handbook of Kerala. International School of Dravidian Linguistics. p. 764. ISBN 9788185692319.
  8. 1 2 Bhanu, B. V. (2004). Maharashtra. Anthropological Survey of India: Popular Prakashan. p. 1169. ISBN 9788179911013.
  9. ↑ General, India Office of the Registrar (1966). Census of India, 1961: Madras. Manager of Publications. p. 7.
  10. ↑ Raghavan, M. D. (1961). The Karāva of Ceylon: Society and Culture. K.V.G. De Sīlva. p. 89.
  11. ↑ Singh, Kumar Suresh; Menon, T. Madhava; Tyagi, D.; India, Anthropological Survey of; Kulirani, B. Francis (2002). Kerala. Affiliated East-West Press [for] Anthropological Survey of India. p. 925. ISBN 9788185938998.
  12. ↑ State), Madras (India :; Baliga, B. S.; Bahadur.), B. S. Baliga (Rao (1999). Madras District Gazetteers: Tiruchirappalli (pt. 1-2). Superintendent, Government Press. p. 1447.
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