The 17th-century Thoduvetty inscription links Chera Perumal ruler Kulasekara Perumal with the Nadar community.

Introduction

A 17th-century Thoduvetty inscription points to a direct link between the Nadars and the Chera Perumal dynasty. Along with literary sources like Valangai Malai, it supports the view that the Nadars share an ancestral lineage with the Chera kings.

Insights from the 17th-century Thoduvetty inscription

A 17th-century Thoduvetty inscription [note 1] records the following text:

Kulacēkarap Perumāḷ am'māveṉṟa toḻuntattu Nāṭā(r) caṉam eḻutivacca taṇṭattiṉpaṭi.

This passage translates to "as per the punishment written by the Nadar people, relatives of Kulasekara Perumal (the Chera Perumal king)." The inscription establishes a direct familial connection between the Chera Perumal rulers and the Nadar community, suggesting that the Nadars were kin to these kings. According to historians Mr. S. D. Nellai Nedumaran and Mr. S. Ramachandran, the title Nadar has been used by the Nadar community since ancient times.

Further corroboration is found in the 17th-century Sanror ballad Valangai Malai, which describes the Chera and Chola kings as descendants of the Sanror clan. Scholarly consensus, supported by anthropological studies, indicates that the Sanror and present-day Nadars share the same ancestral lineage. Future archaeological efforts, such as excavations of associated sites, could provide more evidence to solidify these connections.

Notes

1. Thoduvetty is the old name of Marthandam, a town in Kanniyakumari district.

See Also

• From oblivion to light: Reconstructing Nadar community's history through recently discovered ancient documents.
• Connecting the Dots: Understanding the Relationship Between the Noble Sanrors and the Nadar Community.
• Valangai Uyyakondar: A Forgotten Chola Clan Whose Heritage and History Connect to the Nadars of Today.
• Ezhunutruvars: Descendants of the Muvendar Lineage, Renowned for Their Role in Governance and Military Service.
• The Velirs and the Sanrors: Comprehending Their Shared Customs, Heritage, and Royal Legacy as Historically Related Clans.