Did all South Indians had no surnames in the past or were they only Tamils who didn't have a surname in past? Why are surnames very commonly used in Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra?
In Tamil Nadu, the blood of caste is thicker than the spirit of religion.
The surname is given away by the effort of “Periyar”.
Believe me, EV Ramasamy is an enlightened soul. He wanted to enlighten all his fellow humans and to think rationally- Because of him now over 7 crore tamils have become enlightened souls by giving away their caste identity.
I have got the story to tell, with a different narrative:
Unquote
Boy Ramasamy reached Kaasi (Banaras / Varanasi) for renunciation, a noted sacred town of pilgrimage on the bank of the River Ganges.
There he met a Sanyasi (Periyavar) who guided him through out his stay in Banaras. Sanyasi (Periyavar) advised the boy to rethink renunciation and to go back to his family and think rationally and fight for the evils in society.
During his stay in Banaras, Ramasamy observed that Many disciples come to the sanyasi for his initiation. After initiation, the sanyasi gave a new name to the disciple and advises them that “past baggage should not bother them thereafter”. For example, if the disciple is initiated into (whatever his name or surname) recites “na ma si va ya” he will give a name like “Shiva Das”.
From this, Boy Ramasamy got an idea, that if the people get rid of their caste and birth identity in their way of thinking and acting, the world will present an vast sky of opportunities to explore.
After independance, Periyar made it a point to pressurise Governments to remove surname from one’ s name and to remove caste name from streets.
This is how TN has over 7crore souls free of caste identity.
Unquote
A critique view:
With an epilogue to show how the actual situation, in Tamil Nadu - not only in Hinduism but in other casteless religions.
In Tamil Nadu, the blood of caste is thicker than the spirit of religion.
They used to have surnames in the distant past like Ayyar, Ayyangar, Thevar, Naicker, Pillai, Aasari, Konar, Chettiar, Nadar, Pallar, Parayar, Vannar, Ambattayar, Paravar, Vellalar, Goundar, Sakkiliyar etc.
When the mass conversion took place by Portuguese, Dutch and the British, the first to embrace Christianity is Seafarers “Paravars” in 16th century and “Nadars” in 18th century and other Upper castes and Dalits in 19th century.
They prefix their surnames with the religion - (as the blood of caste is thicker than the spirit of religion), for economic gains in education and in jobs during the British regime / that is at the time of conversion.
Typical surnames sounds like,
- CSI Nadar
- RC Gounder
- Pentacostal Naicker
- CSI Parayar
- RC Vellalar
- RC Naidus
After independence, to avoid caste discrimination, all Tamils, irrespective of religion, use their Father name as Surname identity than the caste name.
Typical Christan names sounds like,
1.Paul S or Paul Sinnappar
2.Sagayam A or Sagayam Aseervatham
3.Mary S or Mary Susai
4.Julie R or Julie Rayappar
5.Yosephu T or Yosephu Thaniel (Joseph Daniel)
Exceptions:
To avoid caste discrimination, Indian Governments provide reservations in Government Jobs, in admissions in Educational Institutions for suppressed Scheduled Castes and Backward Castes.
Because of above reason only Scheduled Tribes and Upper Castes showing their religion as Christian. Scheduled Castes and Backward Caste, which earlier benefitted due to conversion to Christianity, now show their religion as Hindu officially to get these benefits. This will help them in two ways, one from feelings of majority (minority benefits, which is politically used to appease majority), Second to get the benefit of reservations as well as the freedom to worship as their wish.
They should at least show their name as Hindu to receive these benefits. In such a case, Some go for religion neutral names.
Typical neutral names are,
- Senthamizhan Tholkappian
- Aadalarasi Seeman
- Aavani Sinnappar
- Nila Ezhilan
- Thamarai Durai
- Meyyalagi Muththu.
Is Spirit of eightened souls changed?
Even many leaders go one step further to enlighten their Late (deceased) Fathers in the other world by rechristen their names here - like “Some Swamy” to “Agaththiyar or Tholkappiyan and “Sebastian” to “Pachchai Tamizhan or Senthamizhan”.
Vazhga Tamils.
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