The Vanni Heads (A. D. 1750-1895)
In a series of four books in Thamil on the history of Adanka
Pattuattu (Vanni), media person Aruna Selladurai gives information
hitherto unknown to most of us. Adanka Pattu means the region that could
not be subdued. In Part 3 of the series under the head"Sudeshath
Thalaimaihal", he narrates the role played by indigenous leadership
during the period mentioned above. Within 134 pages which include colour
and black and white photographs, the writer attempts to justify the
uniqueness of the Vanni region. The book is available from the author at
A 15 1/1 Manning Town Housing Complex, Mangala Street, Colombo 08 at
300. - Per copy.
For the benefit of readers who cannot read Thamil I give below the
essential points that the writer makes in his own researched material.
The History of Vanni begins before the birth of Christ. During the
British period in the country, there was a one Pariyari (Native
Physician) named Vealan from Mullaitivu who opposed the British rule.
This was mentioned in the notes submitted to the British by Kathirgama
Mudaliyar who was in charge of the Malepattu East sector.
The book is divided into eight chapters: Traditions of Adanka Pattu,
Muslims in Mullaitheevu,, Indigenous Leadership, Kaadu Raasa (The King
of the Jungles) contributed by Attorney P.Lingajothi, The Commonality
between Vanni and other countries, Commemorative Number (1979) Song of
the Kamuham Chandai compiled by Mullaimani in 1979, Kathiravelu Iyaaru
contributed by Sinnathamby Ponnambalam and Vinacithamy Periyavar
contributed in Ariyan Poihai.
Here are excerpts from the first chapter
There were Vanniyars and non-Vanniyars in Adankapattu. Facts
regarding them remain in inscriptions and in the form of Ola writing.
The history of the Vanni is limited only to the 16th century. The
term"Vanni" came to be used only after the advent of foreigner. There
were more than 700 tanks in Vanni.
The Vanniyars rule Adanka Pattu from Panankaamam. They wanted to
bring Mullaitheevu, Mulliawalai, and Kanukeaney under their yoke. They
sought assistance from Mathurai in Thamilnadu. The messenger first
reached Thiruchirapalli. Upon hearing this Varasingha Aarachi, Mullai
Malanaar, Saruhumalanaar, Sivanallamalanaar arrived in Mulliawalai and
settled there. That region as ruled by Saandaar and fisherfolks.Then the
messenger went to Mathurai. Vellalar and Mappanar families came to the
region.
The Vellalars and Maapanars came with Brahmins, Cobblers, Malayalees,
Ahambadikal, Thimilar and Potters belonging to other castes. They came
from Mathurai, Thondai Mandakam, Karaikal, Thiruchirapalli, Koodaloor
and Marunkoor.
They were led by Ilansinha Maapaanar, Allavahu, Aththi Maapanan and
Sinha Mappanaar.The people who came settled in Yaalpaanam and Vanni. The
Vanniars ruled over indigenous population and paid taxes to the king of
Yaalpaanam.
In these regions there were Veddahas, Buddhists and Rakshayars. The
Portuguese has Chettikulan under their control. In 1783 the Dutch
captured Adanka Pattu. The captain named Thomas Nagel urbanized
Mullaitheevu and ruled over there. He introduced laws regarding
allotment of lands.
Chapter 2 talks about Muslims in Mullaitheevu. In 1891 there were 701
Muslims in the Vavuniya district and 438 in the Mullaitheevu district.
Chapter 3 - Indigenous Leadership - Before the reign of Pandara
Vanniyan, there were indigenous leadership in Vanni. Among them was the
generation of Vealar.
Parihari Vealan was very important in that generation. Parihari means
a medicine man. There were 15 such physicians in Vavuniya and 14 in
Mullaitheevu. Another leader was Kaatu Raasa. He was also anti-British.
A relative of the latter is an attorney Paramalingam Lingajothy. He
lives in London. He writes:
"I am aware from the elders of my family that my ancestors have been
credited with many feats may it be traditional medical practices,
administration of the local area, astrology, astronomy, spirituality,
temple building, building an irrigation system for improving
cultivation, etc. They were also warriors who were experts in marital
arts and other forms of fighting..."
"My research proved that there is no other family that could claim
the royal title to the kingdom of Kannukearney other than the family of
Kathiraveku Vinnasythamby.... Kannukerney was renamed Karikaddumoolai....
In the last century Thanniyootu has become the de facto capital of
Kannukerney kingdom. And Mullaitheevu the important town of its coastal
region'
Paramalingam Lingajothi's another account is also included in Aruna
Selladurai's book under review. It's very interesting to learn the
following:
"The culture of Vanni is shaped by its soil. When you talk of Vanni,
you begin to smell a flavour that is unique to that place; its rural
setting and villages, tanks, lush green vegetation, plenty of water and
the abundance of cattle and pasture lands.
"The simplicity of the people, their ever-smiling faces, shows a
candidness that is unique to Vanni.... Similar cultures to Vanni exist
in the Far East including China, India (primarily South India where the
Vanniyars live), as well as part of Africa."
Due to constraints in limitation of space I would stoop with that.
Even if you do not know Thamil or even don't bother to know Thamil, you
may yet read the quotations in the foot note written in English to know
the other side of Lankan history.
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