Nadar (caste)

Nadar (caste)

Nadar (also referred as Nadan, Shanar) is a caste of Tamil Nadu & Kerala, South India. The term, Nadar, in Tamil literally means one who rules the land. The Nadars are an entrepreneurial south Indian caste and constitute 12% of Tamil Nadu's population. It is classified and listed as a Other Backward Class by the governments of both Tamil Nadu and India. The Nadar community was not a singular caste, but an assortment of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which in course of time, came under the single banner Nadar. Nadars are predominant in the southern districts of Tuticorin, Kaniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Virudhunagar. The martial art of Kalaripayattu was historically practiced by the Nadars.

Nadar climber (or palmrya climber) was the largest subsect of today’s Nadar community. A few sub sects of the Nadar community were traditionally wealthy landlords and money lenders. Historically, most Nadars were humble cultivators of palmyra trees and jaggery and a few were also involved in the toddy trade. The small endogamanous group of aristocratic Nadars called Nelamaikkarars who live south of Thamirabarani River had served as tax collectors under the Nayak and Pandya rulers. Those Nadar climbers who lived as minorities had historically faced discrimination in a few localities.

In post independent India, the Nadars have made significant strides through their emphasis on education and entrepreneurship. The socio-economical upliftment of Nadars in southern India has elicited international academic interest and appreciation. Shiv Nadar, a billionaire businessman, ranked as 12th richest man in India by Forbe's magazine in 2012, is one of the examples of successful Nadar entrepreneurs. The Nadars today are a powerful community. They are financially very strong and are also politically influential in the Southern districts of Tamil Nadu.