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The Caste System in Tamilnadu

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This book discusses in a nutshell the origin and development of the caste system in India with special reference to TamilNadu. It elaborates the caste system followed in Tamilnadu along with their customs and traditions. It gives an interpretation of the role of various caste societies along with their merits and drawbacks.

186 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2007

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KK Pillay

2 books

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Rick Sam.
453 reviews169 followers
November 27, 2021
A Concise Introduction to Caste System in Tamil Nadu

0. What is your background?

Growing up in Southern part of Tamil Nadu; Caste is normative endogamous social order.

I'd say chuck older people's aphorism. Let all of us think for our own-selves.

1. Why care about this

Anyone from Tamil Society, at certain point in their life must face reality of this.

Practically their life journey is affected by this.

Perhaps, to be more informed?

2. What do Tamil people say about this?

A Topic, that I have spent time, understanding, mulling from multiple-perspectives.

People might declare popular aphorisms:

1] We need to get rid of Caste System
2] Caste System is Evil
3] Caste is the root of Tamil Nadu’s problems

To which, I’d say; Yes - it is evil.

How do you achieve this?

Since 1700’s in reality - what has happened?

Many writers, people like you have pondered about it.

3. So, What is this author saying?

In this work, the author gives theosophy as solution to it.

History has answered, it is the wrong answer.

Sadly, the theosophical movement died out from Tamil History.

These days, only avid history loves would remember, theosophical society.

Famous chapter of Theosophical school located in Adyar, Chennai.

The Author says, "The conversion of Hindus to Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity or Islam has not succeeded in obliterating the distinctions of caste."

This is true.

In my journey of figuring out about caste system;

I found Fijian Indians not practicing any caste system.

4. So, What is your take on this?

In my understanding, this is a problem of human heart.

Can laws, external forces change the Human heart?

May you ask intriguing questions, discovering the answers.

5. So, Who should read this?

Anyone who wants to know Tamil Society

Deus Vult,
Gottfried
Profile Image for Christopher David.
67 reviews5 followers
July 8, 2019
Prof. Pillay's research into the history and the numerous distinctions and trivialities of the Tamil caste system is well laid out and informative. The negative of the book is that it tends to go around in circles and Prof. Pillay has a tendency to keep repeating things he had already stated.

I enjoyed the book and learned much about a system that I grew around but never was ever exposed to. So this introduction to what Tamil caste is was an eye opener.
Profile Image for Ganapathy.
28 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2022
A synopsis for the prevailing caste system in tamilnadu..A remark from this book is "Lord Curzon is said to have made the shrewd remark that what India needs is a new grandmother"
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews