[Reader-list] aravanis in madurai-july 2007

[priya babu]

Aravanis in Madurai - Priyababu
  Including Madurai and other districts in Tamil Nadu, aravanis live in a family setup called as ‘Hyderabad Jamath’. Jamath is an Islamic word. Most of the terms or words used by aravanis are a mixture of both Hindi and Islamic language. This was due to the following reasons:
    
   This family system (Jamath) was setup during the Muslim rule  
   Most of the aravanis held a higher position during Muslim rule  
   The Islamic culture also recognised the aravanis
  When I asked about the Hyderabad Jamath system they said: Once upon a time during the Hyderabad Nizam’s rule there was severe drought in Hyderabad. The king (Hyderabad Nizam) was totally upset about the situation prevailing in his dynasty. He thought of seeking the help the pandit in his kingdom. The pandit asked the king to bring two aravanis residing in the temple (kali temple) located in the north side of the kingdom and to perform a dance in the palace and by doing so the drought will get rid off. The king in turn asked his soldiers to bring the aravanis and the aravanis danced in the place. Soon after the dance there was heavy rain. The king was very happy and thanked the aravanis. He decided to give some wish to aravanis. He asked the aravanis what you wish to have? ‘You can ask anything from me’. The aravanis in turn asked the king ‘Maharaj we don’t have a place to stay we would be very happy if you could provide us with a place within your kingdom’. The king
 immediately gifted two palaces for the aravanis to stay. One palace is called as Bade Haveli (Meaning Big Palace) and the other one is Chota Haveli (Meaning Small Palace). The aravanis stayed in the place that was gifted by the king and started expanding their community. Those aravanis who became a part of Bade Haveli becomes Bade Haveli Jamath and the rest Chota Haveli Jamath. Till date, these two Haveli’s are functioning at Hyderabad. It is quite interesting to know how these Jamath system spread over from Hyderabad to Tamil Nadu. Some of the aravanis in Hyderabad Jamath attended the function held at Nagoor darga, in Nagappatinam, Tamil Nadu. At that time there was no Jamath system in Tamil Nadu and all the aravanis in Tamil Nadu were living individually so the Hyderabad Jamath leaders decided to set up a Jamath system for aravanis in Tamil Nadu and this idea ultimately paved way for the establishment of Jamath system in Tamil Nadu. The Hyderabad Jamath leaders adopted
 some chellas (Daughters) from Tamil Nadu and set up the Jamath system. Aravanis in Madurai district also follow the same Jamath system. 
   
   
   

       
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