Are Palakkad Iyers Tamils or Mallus?

 

1. Palakkad Ayyars(of Kerala) community excelled and produced many great personalities, be it in music, film, administration or beuracracy.
2. Palakkad Ayyars (of Kerala) are Tamil Brahmins, migrated from Kumbakonam, Trichy region (present day Northern TN) in 14th century.
3. Their westernly migration followed the events at Madurai Pandiya Kingdom in 1310.
4. History: Chozha Kingdom ended in 1268, by Maravarman Kulashekara Pandiyan. There was a dispute/rivalry between two of his sons for his succession and ended in a civil war. With the help of elder Son Sundara Pandiyan, Malik Kafur, a general of Ala-ud-din Khilji entered Tamil Country in 1311. Kafur and his troops created mayhem in the area, looting, pillaging and finally carrying an immense treasure 312 elephants, 20000 horses and 10crore gold coins installing Sultan Rule in Madurai.
5. Tamil Brahmins, felt insecure about their existence and livelihood. Fearing persecution from Madurai Sultans, Tamil Brahmins started to migrate to the Chera Country. From Thanjavur, Tricy, Madurai, Kumbakonam they reached Karur first and through Dharapuram, Udamalpet, Pollachi to reach Palakkad. Achchan who guided them is believed to be an associate of one of the fighting Pandiyan brother.
6. Unfortunately, in Kerala, Tamils are being treated as second class citizens - Ayyars were not allowed to do perform religious rites, even though they are learned and lettered.
7. Ayyars were usually employed as cooks, musicians and temple assistants - looked down by Kerala Nambuthiris as competetors.
8. In Kerala, these migrant Brahmins are commonly referred to as Bhattars.(Pandis are the term used for illiterate Tamils)
9. Later on they moved to some smaller regional rulers and took professions as astrolegers, accountants, scribes and advisors etc.
10. Over the centuries, as it is a tradition of Tamils all over the globe, Ayyars built their own temples in their Agraharams(over 96) and performed poojas and rites.
11. After over 20 generations, Palakkad Ayyars still try to maintain that they are Tamilians and not Malayalis- insistence may be due to linguistic ties and still they consider Cauvery Delta region as Punya Bhoomi, where their roots are.

Ref: Historic Alleys from Maddy