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Nattukottai Chettiars also called Nattukottai Nagarathars, are believed to have migrated to Kanchipuram during Kaliyuga era, year 204 and lived there for 2,108 years. Again no written record is available for this. They are said to have moved to Kaviripoom Pattinam, a coastal city and port also known as Poombugar, Capital of Chola Nadu, in Kaliyuga era, year 2312. They lived in Kaviripoom Pattinam for 1463 years until Kaliyuga era, year 3775.They were then known as Nattukottayars. Silapathigaram and Periyapuranam describe Kaviripoom Pattinam and bear testimony to the greatness of Nattukottayar community there. They are said to have traveled from Kaviripoom Pattinam to Melaka during Chola Dynasty as traders in Gem, Pearls, Silk and Spices. But available records indicate they traveled to Kandy, Colombo in 1805, Penang, Singapore 1824, Moulmein 1852, Rangoon 1854, Mandalay 1885 and later to Medan – Indonesia, Hochimin City (Saigon) Vietnam, Pnompen Cambodia, Vientiane Los, Southern Thailand, various States in Peninsular Malaysia, established money lending business and subsequently some of them settled there. It has been said that available records at Patharakudi madam, Thulavoor madam indicate the arrival of Nattukottayrs in Pandiya Nadu during Kaliyuga era, year 3808. They first settled in Ilayathankudi and were called Nagarathar as they had attained Thanavanigar status while at Poombugar. Nattukottayar are said to have lived in splendour at Kaviripoom Pattinam. While the King lived in the City in his castle (kottai), Nattukottayar lived in their countryside mansions (Kottai). Hence, ‘nattupurathil kottai katti valnthathal’ they were then called ‘Nattukottayar’. ‘Thanavanigar’ status attributes to their mercantile activities in Poombugar. Their principal obligation to the Royal family was to Crown the King during Coronation ceremony. King Poovandi Cholan’s misdeed caused 8,000 Thanavanigar families inclusive of women and all female children to perish in suicide to...nagarathar culture
