Iyengars
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Iyengars".

For the yoga style founded by B.K.S. Iyengar, see Iyengar Yoga.
content
Iyengar
Total population

about 600,000 (0.7% of Tamil populationcitation needed
Regions with significant populations
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, USA
Languages
Tamil, Kannada, Telugu
Religion
Vishishtadvaita Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Madhva, Iyer

Iyengar or Ayyangar (Tamil:அய்யங்கார்), (Kannada:ಐಯಂಗಾರ್) is the name given to Hindu Brahmins of Tamil origin who follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya. They are found mostly in Tamil Nadu as they are generally native to the Tamil country. But they are also found in significant numbers in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Iyengars are Pancha Dravida Brahmins. Their mother tongue can be either Tamil, Kannada or Telugu.

The Iyengars have been thriving as a single community since the time of Ramanuja. However, in many cases, both Iyers and Iyengars are mistakenly referred to as "Ayyar" as they are indistinguishable from Iyers in their adherence of the Brahmanaical tradition. However, devout Iyengars sport a namam as a caste-mark as opposed to Iyers who apply vibhuti[1].

Contents

Origin

There is enough evidence to suggest that Vaishnavite Brahmins have been living in South India since the Christian era.citation neededHowever, the origin of Iyengars as a separate community dates from the 10th century AD when Ramanuja lived.citation needed

The word "Iyengar" is a relatively new name and was not used in any medieval works or scriptures. The word "Sri Vaishnava" would therefore be the right word to describe them, though all of them could be called as Sri Vaishnava Brahmins. The word Iyengar itself, meaning one who is characterized by five attributes (Aindu angangal), is independent of the person's Varna or caste. Rather, it indicates the philosophical affiliation of the adherent. However, in current day practice, the term is taken to indicate brahminical roots as most people who affiliated themselves with the philosophy were from the Brahmin castes[2].

The community started taking shape about 1000 years ago, and traces its philosophical origins to Nathamuni, a Sri Vaishnava Acharya, who lived around 900 CE. Nathamuni, who was exposed to the divine outpourings of Nammazhwar and other Azhwars (Sri Vaishnava Saints from Southern India) introduced the philosophy of Azhwars into temple worship[3]. Nathamuni's efforts were formalized into a religious system of lifestyle, practice and worship by Ramanuja who propounded the philosophy of Visishtadvaita [4][5][6]. Ramanuja showed that the mystic insights of the Azhwars were the same truths enshrined in the vedas, and created a group of people whose identity as servants of Narayana focussed on the fact that all sentient beings were 'equal' being children of the same Supreme Being, and that outward bodily differences in terms of varna and caste were unimportant in terms of one's relationship to the Supreme. Ramanuja had Srivaishnava (Iyengar) disciples spanning the social gamut, including non-brahmin saints such as Pillai Uranga Villi Dasar[7]and Tripura-devi, a lady disciple known for her unwavering devotion to Ramanuja.

It can be argued that Ramanuja's efforts in bringing in people of Non-Brahmnical Origins into the Iyengar fold may have upset a few and might have caused the community divided into two sects, called then-kalai (southern descention) and vada-kalai (northern descention). Vada Kalai Sect aligned more with Vedanta Desikan[8]. Thenkalais held the philosophy of Azhwars on par with the vedas and gave the divine outpourings of the Azhwars in Tamizh a place of primacy in every day worship[8]. The thenkalais, led by the philosophical commentary of Pillailokacharya and Azhagiya Manavalapperumal nayanar, subscribe to the idea that human liberation stems from the uninstigated grace of the Supreme[8].

Two of the Iyer sects vadamas and chozhiars have joined the Iyengar movement in large numberscitation needed. The former are more found among Vadakalais and the latter are found more among Tenkalaiscitation needed.

Demographics

Iyengars are native to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. According to estimates, they number 600,000 and form 0.7% of the Tamil population. Their numbers are evenly distributed all over Tamil Nadu with a majority of them, however, residing along the Cauvery Delta.

Fairly significant numbers are present in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A large number of Iyengars migrated to Karnataka in the 11th century AD. Their descendants are called Hebbar Iyengars[9]. There is also a sizeable community of Iyengars in the Purulia district of West Bengal who had migrated from Tamil Nadu by invitation of the King of Bengal around 1100 CE. Today Iyengars are widely spread all over the world.

Language

The mother tongue of most Iyengars is Tamil. However, they speak a unique Iyengar dialect often called Vaishnava Paribhaashai. This dialect is almost identical with the Iyer dialect known as Brahmin Tamil, the difference only being in the level of Sanskritization. Scholars have often refused to recognize it as a separate dialect regarding it only as a sub-dialect of Brahmin Tamil. However, Iyengars in Karnataka speak a dialect that has a significant Kannada substrate[9], which has descended from medieval Tamil. Iyengars in southern Andhra Pradesh speak both Tamil and Telugu.

Some often used Iyengar words include - Perumal - Srimannarayana/God, Dadyodanam- Yogurt Rice, SaatruAmudhu(Chatumadhu) - Rasam, kariamudhu - Vegetable Curry, Thirukkannamudu - payasam, Shree choornam - Vermillion, Aathu(Aagam/) - Home etc.

Subsects

Iyengars are divided into different sects based on their beliefs or region.Based upon their beliefs, Iyengars are classified into Thenkalai , or "Iyengars of the Southern Descencion", and Vadakalai, or "Iyengars of the Northern Descention", with subtly different philosophical and ritual interpretations of Ubhaya Vedanta[8]. Scholarly opinion is mixed as to the origin of the two names. Some believe that the terms Southern and Northern refer to differing regional developments, the Southern or Thenkalai predominating in the south of the Tamil country and the Northern or Vadakalai predominating in the north. Others argue that they reflect the importance or primacy given to Tamil Scripture, Divya Prabandham, by the former and of the Sanskrit Vedanta by the latter[10].The Vadakalais, who trace their philosophical origins to the insightful Vedanta Desika, asseverate primacy to Sanskrit and Vedas, and believe that human effort is a contributory factor to liberation, as is Divine grace. [8]. Despite these differences, however, both traditions uniformly revere the same teachers from the Alvars down to Ramanuja and largely agree in their core philosophies. The differences seen today stem primarily from social conflicts stemming from rivalries at large temples dating from the 18th centurycitation needed. Thengalai Iyengars follow Ramanuja and Manavala Mamuni [8]. While Vadagalai Iyengars follow Ramanuja and Thuppul Vedanta Desika.

Iyengars are classified into different sects based on their region. Kannadiga Iyengars of Tamil origin are called Hebbar.

Geographic Diversity

Iyengars are usually identified on basis of their geographic origins. The Kaveri River basin streching from Talacauvery in Kodagu to Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu forms the core bedrock of Iyengar / Sri Vaishnava culture.citation needed

During the past millennium, Iyengars migrated from Tamil Nadu along the Kaveri river into Karnataka in distinct phases.

Most visible of Karnataka Iyengars are Mandyam Iyengars from Mandya District. They differ from other Karnataka Iyengars in their dialect, which is more influenced by Tamil. As a general rule, all Mandyam Iyengars belong to the Thenkalai sect, while other Iyengars come from both.

Iyengars who migrated usually into Tumkur district of Karnataka are known as Hebbar Iyengars. Most hebbar iyengars have roots from Panchagrama (Sanskrit: Five Villages) in the Tumkur district.

Iyengars who settled in Hassan District of Karnataka are known as Hassan Iyengars.

A Small village in Mysore District called 'Hemmige', is the root for Hemmige Iyengars who came from Kanchipuram and established a Varadarajaperumal Temple in Hemmige.

Similarly, vast number of Iyengars hail from Andhra Pradesh who use Telugu as their mother tongue.citation needed

Philosophy

See Also:Vishishtadvaita and Sri Vaishnavism

Many Iyengars accept Narayana / Vishnu as the Supreme Being (Paramatma), and subscribe to a monotheistic philosophy of a Supreme Being who is the primal, substantive and supportive cause of the manifest and unmanifest universe. But it will appear strange for a Southerner to know that Vichitadvaitam as practised in South India is an unheard term among the Vaishnav Sects in the North India.

They also recognize all other gods such as Brahma, Indra, Shiva, Agni in the Hindu pantheon as subservient to Narayana and amongst the jeevatmas (sentient souls, chit) whose existence is dependent upon the will of the Supreme Being.

The Lord of Kanchi is believed to have manifested Himself to Saint Tirukachi Nambi and have revealed the following six principles which form the six precepts of Visishtadvaita[11][12]:

  1. Sriman Narayana is the supreme self; unparalleled and unsurpassed - Ahameva Param Tatvam.
  2. The lord has all the insentient and sentient as his body, and He is the soul of everything - Darsanam Bhedam Eve Cha.
  3. The way to get salvation is surrendering to the feet of the Lord - Upayeshu Prapatisyaat.
  4. There is no need to adopt contemplation on the Lord during our final breath - Anthima Smruthi Varjanam.
  5. After the soul departs from the material body, it gets salvation if he/she adopted the means of surrender (saranagathi) -Dehaavasaane Mukthisyaat.
  6. One should approach a fully qualified Vaishnava acharya and get enlightened - (Poorna)achaaryam Samaasraya.

Sri Vaishnavam draws authority from the Prasthana Thraiyam, namely, Upanishads, Brahma Sutra, and Bhagavad Gita[13].

In addition to the Prastana Thraiyam, Sri Vaishnavas consider the Tamil hymns of twelve saints called Alvars[14] as equal in authority to that of the Vedas. These hymns are called the Divya Prabandha[3][15]. The teachings found in Divya Prabhandham are completely consistent with the teachings of the Prasthana Thraiyam. Therefore, Sri Vaishnavas consider the Dhivya Prabhandhams to be equal in status to the Vedas. For this reason, Sri Vaishnavas are called Ubhaya Vedantis[13].

The Vaishnavite tradition began in the Puranic period.citation needed Most Iyengars follow an unbroken lineage of Acharyas. After the period of the Tamil Saints called Azhvars, the Divya Prabandha was lost.citation needed During the 9th century C.E., Sri Nathamuni retrieved them by the grace of Nammalvar and re-established Sri Vaishnavism. For this reason Sriman Nathamuni is considered the first Acharya of the modern era. In the line of Acharyas that followed, Ramanuja is considered the greatest. Among his many achievements the commentary he wrote for Brahma Sutra, called Sri Bhashyam is considered by many to be the best.citation needed

Among the Acharyas after Sri Ramanuja, Sri Vedantha Desika and Sri Manavalamamuni are considered preeminent[16] [17] [18] . After the time of these two great saints several Sri Vaishnava religious orders disciples of Swami Sri Desikan. Sri Ahobila Matam is the second oldest in this line[19][20].

Religious Observances

Rituals

The rituals practised by Iyengars are very much the same as that of Iyers. This similarity, is mainly due to the common origin of Iyengars and Iyers. The rituals which form a part of the person's life are Jatakarma, Upanayanam[21][22] and Tarpanam[23].

Weddings

See Also: Iyer Weddings

A typical Iyengar wedding are made up of the following events[24]:

  1. Vethalaipakku
  2. Pandalkal
  3. Janwaasam
  4. Nischayathartham
  5. Nandi or Vratham
  6. Kashiyathrai
  7. Oonjal
  8. Piddishuttal
  9. Kanyadaanam
  10. Mangalaya Dharanam
  11. Akshathai
  12. Homam
  13. Saptapadi
  14. Nagoli Vasthra
  15. Gruhapravesham
  16. Sambandhi Virandhu
  17. Reception

Lifestyle and Culture

An Iyengar boy from Chittoor with a namam on his forehead, circa 1916
An Iyengar boy from Chittoor with a namam on his forehead, circa 1916

See Also: Traditional Iyer Ethics,Traditional Attire

The first and foremost point of references for Iyengars with regard to their legal system is the Manusmriti. The Manusmriti prescribes a set of ethical vales to be pratcised. Iyengars of certain subsects of the Vadagalai sect, in particular, rigorously follow the set of values prescribed by the Manusmriti. However, of late, most of these injunctions have been discarded.

The traditional dress of Iyengars is the same as that of other South Indian Brahmins. During religious ceremonies, Iyengar men clothe themselves in a panchagacham and an angavastram. Just like Iyers, Iyengar women wear a nin-yard long saree known as the madisar.

Politics

Post-independence, Iyengars, along with Iyers, have been marginalized by the anti-Brahmin Movement in Tamil Nadu[25][26]. Prior to independence, Iyengars along with Iyers, held a monopoly over education and had a firm control over the administrative machinery in Madras province[27][28]. The Iyengar community can take just pride in having produced the first Congress Chief Minister of Madras province, the first Indian Governor-General of India and a leading luminary of the freedom movement, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari[29]. However, ironically, it was partially to Rajaji's policies, that Tamil Brahmins, owe their downfall. A couple of legislations brought into effect by the Rajaji Government that ruled from 1937 to 1939 decreed that all male members of a family should adopt the family profession and that Hindi should be made compulsory for government jobs[30][31]. These legislations, more than anything else, were responsible for vitiating the communal atmosphere in the province resulting in the rapid growth of the Dravidian Movement. These were fueled by the jealousy of non-Brahmin upper castes and fears of Brahmin domination amongst the lower castes and Dalits.citation needed Rajaji was elected for a second term in 1952 but with Rajaji's resignation as Chief Minister two years later and his replacement by Kamaraj, the downfall began. Iyers and Iyengars were gradually effaced out of the political scene by the rise of Dravidianism and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam which captured power in 1967. Today, Iyengars, along with Iyers, have almost disappeared from the political arena with the exception of a few individuals. However, despite the elimination of the "Brahmin factor" from Tamil Nadu politics, Brahmin individuals still continue to wield considerable authority as the example of Jayalalithaa Jayaram, AIADMK supremo, two-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the current Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly would indicate.citation needed

Iyengars and Iyers

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Iyengars have much in common with Iyers with respect to their observance of Vedic rituals, lifestyle, traditions, heritage, history and culture. They descend from the same set of Gotras. However significant differences arise mainly with respect to their adherence to the Vishishtadvaita philosophy, monastic affiliation, marriage traditions and to a small extent vocabulary. Another notable difference is the way the traditional nine yards saree(madisaar) is draped by the Iyengar women.

Iyengars Today

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Iyengars today have diversified into a variety of fields—their strengths particularly evident in the fields of law, mass media, science, engineering, mathematics and computer science.citation needed However even today, a few Iyengars choose to pursue the vocation of priesthood. Iyengars have been active in the cultural field too. Music has always been integral to the Iyengar community; Carnatic music has a great tradition within the community. Apart from vocal music, instruments such as mridangam, naadaswaram, veena, ghatam, violin, and more recently, the mandolin etc., Bharatanatyam were also patronized. Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam together enjoy a rich patronage in the cultural festivities in and around Chennai during the months of December and January.

Use of Iyengar as a Last Name

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Due to political persecution in Tamil Nadu and the resulting use of the Initial Prefix system, most Iyengars who grow up in the southern states of current generations have not used Iyengar as a last name. However the practice is still alive among Iyengars who grew up in Northern India, Mumbai or outside India. In recent times there has been a renewed interest in use of Iyengar as the new generation seeks an identity for itself.

Famous Iyengars

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Due to education and a progressive outlook, Iyengars have progressed in many fields and have made remarkable contributions, especially in science, bureaucracy (Indian civil services) and more recently industry.citation needed Four of the 19 Indian RBI governors were Iyengars.citation needed

Science and Technology

  • Dr. M.O.P. Iyengar - Known as the Father of Algology in India, did pioneering research in fresh water, estuarine and marine algae, their systematics, life-histories, morphology and cytology.
  • Sir K. S. Krishnan - Physicist, Fellow of the Royal Society, Director of National Physical Laboratory. He along with Sir C.V.Raman discovered the Raman Effect.
  • C S Seshadri - Director, Chennai Mathematical Institute and Trieste Awardee.
  • Dr.Raja Ramanna - Nuclear Scientist.
  • Dr Rangaswamy Srinivasan - Former Scientist, IBM Research Labs, NY and inventor of LASIK laser surgery.
  • Ramanuja Vijayaraghavan (b.1931), Indian physicist specializing in condensed matter physics
  • Dr. V.K. Aatre- Former Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister of India (replaced Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Oceanographic scientist, Fmr. Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister of India and Fmr. head of the DRDO.
  • Dr. Srinidhi Varadarajan - Computer Scientists, Director of Terrascale Computing Facility at Virginia Tech and leader of the team that built the world's cheapest and seventh fastest super computer.
  • Dr Thirumalachari Ramasami- Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India, New Delhi.
  • Dr S Rajappa, Former Deputy Director, National Chemical Laboratories, Pune.
  • Dr Rangaswamy Narasimhan- Designer of India’s first general purpose digital computer. Also, Dr Rangaswamy Srinivasan's brother.
  • Mandyam V Srinivasan - Robotics and Biology.
  • P. K. Iyengar - Former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
  • M. R. Srinivasan - Former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
  • Dr.Rajan K. Sampath - FAO Consultant Head of Economics Dept, Colorado State University and Former Managing Director of ISARD.Author of several books and journals.
  • Dr. S. Rangachari - physician.
  • Dr. P.Vasudevan- Urologist in the US after whom the Dr Vasudevan Wellness Center at the University of Arkansas at Helena, Arkansas is named.
  • Ravi Iyengar- Indian neuroscientist, pioneer in G protein studies.
  • V.L. Narasimhan - Associate Director at High Energy Materials Research Labs Pune and a 2 time AGNI award winner
  • Mannargudi Rengarajan Rajesh - Prominent Home Theatre Professional from Chennai. Involved in widely publicising the concept of Home theatres and micro electronics in Chennai and Singapore.
  • Dr. S.Sampath Iyengar, Geologist and Mineralogist of the Technology of Materials Laboratory, in California, who did original research work on the Mysterious Crop Circles. His work has been covered in shows in History Channel and also in a show called Unsolved Mysteries.
  • Dr.G.Sundararajan-Bhatnagar award winner and Director ARCI, Hyderabad ( Metallurgist)
  • Dr. Prof. Venkateshan Shakkottai - Professor of heat transfer at IIT, Chennai and author of the text book 'First Course in Heat Transfer'.
  • Dr.Venkatavaradan-Astrophysicist and Erswhile Director, Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai
  • Prof Kasturirangan- Prof of Marketing, Mcnair chair, Harvard
  • Prof.G.Sridharan- leading Virologist in India successor to Dr.T.Jacob John
  • Prof N. Mukunda- Erstwhike Prof of Theoretical studies , Indian Institute of Science , SS Bhatnagar award winner 1980
  • Dr. Rangachar S. Keshavaprasad - American trained Interventional Cardiologist who has performed over 10,000 cardiac catheterizations completely free of charge in rural India.
  • Prof. S.Ranganathan- Professor Emeritus ( Metallurgical sciences ),IISc and Bhatnagar award recipient
  • Professor Dr Nallar Chakravarthy Vaijayanthi, Professor Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Banaglore University
  • Late Prof. Sampath -Ertswhile Director IIT Kanpur and a distinguished academic
  • Late Dr. M.D. Rajagopal - MBBS, PhD (Anatomy), Served as Professor of Anatomy at Medical Colleges of Mysore, Hubli & Gulbarga. Had been a visiting Professor of Anatomy at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, pioneered research on comparative anatomy of Indian Elephants.
  • Mr N.V.V.Char, Formerly Commissioner (Eastern Rivers) and Chairman, Brahmaputra Board of the Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India, is a civil engineer and has been involved in negotiations of the Mahakali Water Sharing Treaty with Nepal and the Farakka -Ganga Water Sharing -Treaty with Bangladesh and has played a significant role in resolving issues connected with the controversial Sardar Sarovar Multipurpose Project on the Naramada river. He is now a consultant in the field of Hydropower development in India.
  • Dr. Krishnamachar Harish - Surgical Oncologist for 15 years and contributed towards pioneering research in Cancer surgery, is currently the Dean of the Oncology department at the M.S.R. Hospital, Bangalore
  • Tuticorin Raghavachari Govindachari- Bhatnagar award winner in Chemical sciences, Ex R&D Head, some pharmaceutical multinational
  • TIRUVENKATA RAJENDRA Seshadri - Scientist, Teacher, researcher, winner of Bhatnagar award and winner of Padma Bhushan

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Mathematics

Music

Monarchs

There is altleast one prominent theory which suggests that the Pallavas might be of Brahmanaical origins. See: Origin of Pallava.

Journalism

Industry

Diplomacy, Bureaucracy and Politics

Sports

Films and Entertainment

Army and Police

Miscellaneous

  • Belur Yogish Apurva Iyengar (born in 1986)- Limca Record Holder (2003) -India's Youngest Poetess. Creative writing - Lyricist, poet, short story writer, also writes articles and essays.
  • Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya - Father of modern Yoga, great Yogi and healer who taught B.K.S. Iyengar, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Indra Devi.
  • B.K.S. Iyengar - Yogi and founder of Iyengar Yoga.
  • Srinivasa (Hal)Iyengar - Chief Structural Engineer of the Sears Tower, John Hancock Tower and Spain's Guggenheim Museum.
  • Dr. K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar - Former Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, who pioneered Indian writing in English
  • V. Krishnaswamy Sharma - Founder LIFCO Books
  • S.K.Venkataranga Iyengar - alias Writ Iyengar - Supreme court advocate.
  • S.G.Vasudev - Artist
  • Vimala Rangachar - Social activist , Chairperson Karnataka Craft Council, Karnataka Rajyotsava winner
  • V V Chari - Noted Economist
  • Dr. Sampathkumaracharya - Scholar in Hisory and Music - Has authored several authoritative books on Musicology, Musicians, History of Music, and an encylopaedic work on Karnataka Sangitada Paribhashika Shabdakosha. He is the recipient of several state awards
  • Dr.Setlur B.N.Prakash former District and Sessions judge. now working as the Professor of law at National Law school india university. Has authored the work Mental health and law, Karnataka High court reference citation. popularly called S.B.N.Prakash.

References

  1. ^ Photos of Iyengars, From Kamat's Potpourri
  2. ^ Meaning of Iyengar; from Answers.com
  3. ^ a b A brief description of Nalayira divya prabandham
  4. ^ A brief biography of Sri Nathamuni, from srivaishnava.org
  5. ^ Ramanujar and 74
  6. ^ Ramanuja from stephen-knapp.com
  7. ^ [ http://www.saranagathi.org/acharyas/ramanuja/life.htm Biography of Ramanuja]
  8. ^ a b c d e f