Madurai :
Keeping its 300-year-old tradition, Kambalathar community continues to conduct its marriage ceremonies in the village square by trying to keep close to nature.
Jayabalan, 25, son of Bangarusamy and Lingammal of Ezhuvanampatti near Battalagundu in Dindigul district, tied the knot with Sivasakthi, daughter of Ponram of Koduvilarpatti in this traditional manner. As per the tradition, elders of the village went into the forest and brought branches of some perennial trees such as milk tree (brosimum galactodendron). Two huts were made using these branches – one for the groom and other for the bride.
Priest Mookiah performed the marriage ceremony while the bride and groom remained at the huts. The marriage ceremony is performed in front of mud pots containing millets, jaggery and betel leaves. “These were things that our ancestors consumed as food and was given to the bride for prosperity,” he said.
A horse was then brought to the venue and groom mounted it and galloped around the bride’s hut before tying the ‘mangalsutra’ around the neck. Other ceremonies and rituals followed. People gathered at the venue sang songs glorifying their community’s culture and heritage.
These people believe that the ‘thali’ or ‘mangalsutra’ should never be kept down once the goldsmith makes it. A woman from the groom’s family wears it, till the day of the wedding, when he takes it from her and ties it to the bride.
S Siva Murugesan, a siddha doctor from Dindigul, says that the Kambalathar community hail from Bellary in Karnataka which was earlier under Andhra Pradesh. They still speak Telugu. “They were traditionally shepherds who roamed the Himalayas. They were fearless warriors a reason why Vijayanagar empire appointed them as soldiers and made them lead them,” he said. They were tribes that roamed the hills, so they carry out rituals that pertain to nature only.
They crossed the Tungabatra river led by Vijayanagar dynasty’s Viswanadha Naicker and came to conquer Madurai, which was under the rule of the Muslims and succeeded in their quest. The used the tantric method in war and believe only in natural forces.
Veerapandia Kattabomman, the chieftain from Palayamkottai who fought against the British belonged to this community. They were also made zamindars by the rulers for their loyalty.
A closed community, they were known for suppressing their women. It is in the last three decades that these women have ventured out of their homes and gone to pursue their education, he said. One such except was the new bride Sivasakthi who had completed her post-graduation.
K Samikannu an elderly person from the community says it is a must for all members of the community to conduct the initial marriage ceremony in this traditional manner.
“It is something that has been followed for the past 300 years. But the reception and feast can be conducted in a hotel or marriage hall,” he said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Madurai / by Padmini Sivarajah, TNN / October 30th, 2015