This is an electronic publication of the VAMSAM (CLAN) of "KOTTARUDAIYAR " (TRIBE) of Northern Jaffna peninsula Vadamarachi in Thunnalai South Karavedy- Sri-Lanka. The unpublished book last complied by my father Rev.Dr.Arasaratnam Iyadurai before his demise on the 06.01.2020.It was also my cousin M/s Nanthini Balasingham Colletti wishes to make known the family trees to the public before she passed away on 31st May 2021 . We dedicate this as a Tribute to our loved ones who are no longer with us . We have done this publication on the web , so that it would have an International coverage of the "ROOTS" and the relevant "FAMILY TREES" Translated by M/s Kala Iyadurai
THUNNALI
An inhospitable terrain with minor pockets of fertile areas ,is bored by Manthikai hospital in the North, -Vallipurakovil on the east ,Yakkarai in the south and Arasady on the west.
Early inhabitants were said to be "SALIYAR", who are they and what are they ? This would mean most of the inhabitants were settlers form other villages. It is no secret that people of those days eked out a living very much below the poverty line without education, healthcare or sanitation.
KOTTAR UDAY AR FAMILY TREES
Born out of ignorance ,illiteracy, poverty, numerical superiority ,above all, primitive thinking by the inhabitants of this terrain insulted each other to claim superiority over the other.Common form of insult was to pick out a non-farming function and label the entire clan as such .Were there inter-clan murders ? The answer is yes. Kottar Moolai and Klan Moolai clashed very often indulging in tit for tat activities. Kottar and Klaniyar shared common koviars. Out of revenge of murders committed by the Kotar clan, the Kilanayar with better muscle power prevented the Koviars from working for Kottar.Then the Koviars from Vathiry came to work for the Kottar Udayar clan.Present situation whether there are Koviars working is not known with education ,better employment ,empowerment etc. The nalavar were sirari or bonded labour to Kottar Udayar ,this is according to Seeniyan a respected Nalvan of that time. Who was Kottar Udayar ? Where or when did he come from to settle down in the all important intersection of Thunnalai (i.e.Kaligai Junction) ?
Kaligai could refer to the Kalinga rule.That year 1800 or thereabout could be the start year or prior to that ? When was the Kaddaiveli church estabilished ? Church records will reveal the early baptisms, who they r were or from which clan OR area. These may throw some useful information on the inhabitants of the area , settlers or arrival from other area. Who among the Kottar Udayar clan became Christian? Is it not 2 daughters of Vallipuram pariyari, one of whom was barren and other 7 sisters remained attached to the Hindu Faith ?
The Kovil belongining to the Kottar Udayar clan was known as "Pootha Rayar" kovil until about 50 years ago or thereabout and after a Kumbaabishekam or such ritual as Sivan Kovil.
It is said there was only another Pootarayar Kovil existed was connected to Sankili the King of Jaffna situated in Nallur.
The term "Know your past" or better still"your ancestry" is o.k but "for a better future" is irrelevant.The past is blurred and nothing to crow about-backward and primitive -not just the Kottar udayar all other clans.
According to Thombu (land deeds), in possession of some family memebers,the pre-amble is :
KARAVEDDY VEL(VELLAR), THUNNALI KUDI ARNUM,PENNUMAI VANTHANAR(HUSBAND AND WIFE CAME TO SETTLE DOWN ) from Karaveddy.This indicates purity at the outset (not mixed with locals whoever was there)
Kottar Udayar is supposed to have had sub-groups or bringing together of such group by marriage .
