Thondai Mandala Mudaliars are part of the Saiva Vellala Community and are now spread all over the world. It is no doubt a tiny community compared to its counterparts, the Arcot Mudaliar Community and the Sengundha Mudaliar community. The Thondai Mandala Mudaliars are born vegetarians but now some families have converted themselves into non-vegetarians mainly due to inter caste marriages.
The Thondai Mandala Mudaliars share common customs and traditions. They have also developed a distinct and authentic cuisine. You can check out some of the Mudaliar recipes in this portal's recipe section.
Qualities of a Mudaliar:
So if Chettiars are known for their business acumen, what are Mudaliars known for? They are known for their honesty, intelligence, loyalty, high value systems and administrative abilities. During yester years as well as during modern times Thondai Mandala Mudaliars have occupied high ministerial posts as well as regional rulers in southern kingdoms. . "Pattinapalai", one of the oldest Tamil classic sangam literature states that this "saiva-velalar community known for their piousness, honesty and philanthropy excelled in farming and trading".
How did this community get its name?
Karikal-chola the great king of the Chola dynasty had two sons. He divided his kingdom into two and gave the northern part including the Kanchipuram region to his second son Aathondai Chakravarthi. This region has come to be called as "Thondai-mandalam", named after the founder-emperor. Aathondai chakravarthy divided his kingdom into 24 divisions (kottams) and appointed members from 'Saiva-vellala" community as "rulers" of these regions or "kottams", under his empire.
The Chola king Karikal Cholan awarded the title "Mudaliars" (meaning muthanmai (first) citizens) to these community members. Since then we are called as "Thondaimandala Mudaliars".
Different names in different regions:
Saiva-velalars were called by different names in different places. In Thondaimandalam, they were called "Mudaliars". In some places they were called "Saiva-Pillaimars" and "Karkarthars". In some places, they were also called "Chettiars" as they were engaged in business, particularly in jewellery trade. But one common fact is that they are all pure-vegetarians and share common beliefs, customs and traditions. This view is supported by the fact that there are a number of religious mutts in Tamilnadu like "Kanchipuram thondaimandala adhinam" "Dharma-puram adhinam", "Thiruvaadudurai adhinam", "Thirugnanasambandar swamigal adhinam" etc. whose "Matathipathis"are drawn from these communities.
The Mudaliar privilege:
Coronation ceremony or the Mudi Sootu Vizha is of great significance in Tamil History. The Thondai Maandala Mudaliars performed a very significant role during these ceremonies. They were the ones who handed over the crown to the kings. This fact can be seen from old tamil classical literature "Thirukkaivazhakkam" which states "mangaiyoru bhagarkum, madhavarkum, mannavarkum thunga mudiyai sootumkai (the hands that handover the crown to kings/religious heads at the time of coronation ceremony)".
Sekkizhar:
"Sekkizhar" the legendary author of yet another great classic Tamil literature "Peria-puranam" who was also a reputed prime-minister of the Chola kingdom hailed from this community from Kuntrathur.
Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/culture-articles/thondai-mandala-mudaliar-community-4212081.html#ixzz1Eh0AEbKh
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