[Reader-list] aravanis in Madurai - Priya Babu 6th posting

[priya babu]

Aravanis in Madurai – Priyababu 6th posting
   
  There is a Panchayat system for aravanis within Madurai and adjacent districts. The system addresses the issues of the aravani community in the areas where it is followed.
  In Madurai, all aravanis come under this system. This system is stronger in the south of Tamil Nadu than in the North. The leader of the system in a given area is the Nayak of that area.
  One bade haveli Nayak and one chhote haveli Nayak will lead the system. 
   
  The selection criteria of the Nayak include one or more of the following:
  1)      The old Nayak’s first chela (first adopted daughter),
  2)      A long follower of the community traditions and laws,
  3)      The verdict of the old Nayak when she is about to die,
  4)      The old Nayak’s sister (must have been close to the Nayak in the community),
   
  To convene a gathering of the community to discuss a particular issue or to fin a solution/judgment for a problem, one can approach the Nayak. The Nayak will then arrange to convene the gathering. The Nayak will communicate the date, time and venue of a particular gathering to the members of the community. Everyone who comes to the gathering will bend down to offer her obeisance to the mat on which she will sit. One sitting, each member will cover her head with the loose portion of her saree or dress. The practices seem very similar to a Muslim gathering. Such Muslim practices point to the fact that these systems must have started in the Muslim period. After the gathering is fully ready, the Nayaks will enquire both the opponent(s) and the respondent(s) of the issue in question. In the event that any party is believed to lie, the Nayak will ask the party to promise on the Quran that they are saying the truth. If anyone wants to leave the gathering early, she can offer her
 respect by saying ‘chhataiku paampaduthi’ and ‘Naayakku pampaduthi’ and then leave the gathering. 
   
  The following are considered wrong and requiring judgement according to the system:
  1)      Eating beaf,
  2)      Beating an older aravani by grabbing hold of the hair on the head,
  3)      Verbally abusing another aravani by referring to the aravani’s caste,
  4)      Disrespecting ones guru,
  5)      Stealing and lieing, etc
   
  As punishments, one or more of the following may be handed down:
  1)      Alienating from the community,
  2)      Punching a hot 25 paise coin into the forehead,
  3)      Fine,
  4)      Force to request for pardon from the opposite side etc,
   
  From the offences and their consequent punishments, it comes to light that the system must be based on Islamic beliefs and practices. Regardless of the religion from which an aravani hails, it is mandatory to cover the head with the loose portion of her dress. Prohibition of beaf as an edible substance has clearly come from Islamic beliefs.
   
   
   
   
   

       
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