Devanga Chettiyar History

Summary of Devanga Purana

Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi envisioned creation, and immediately Parasakthi, the goddess of strength and energy, appeared before him along with Brahma, Vishnu and Kalarudhra. Lord Shiva apportioned to them the duties of creation, protection and destruction respectively. Brahma created the world and also created Manu the saint. Manu created all the creatures of the earth. After his selfless service, Manu attained Shiva's presence, and as a result there was no one to weave clothes for the people, leaving to suffer in leaves and bark until they appealed to Lord Shiva through Brahma.

Lord Shiva created a saint, Devala Maharshi, or "man with divine grace", and bade him to weave clothes for all creation, using yarn from Vishnu. As Devala Maharshi wove clothes and covered the bodies of the people in the heaven he was called Devangan. He ruled Amoda.

After getting the divine yarn from Vishnu, Devala Maharshi returned home but spent the night in a choultry. Devala Maharshi was harassed by evil forces. Vishnu defeated them with his charka but new evil forces appeared out of the blood of the dead evil forces. The goddess Devanga helped Devala Maharshi to overcome this difficulty by dazzling the evil forces with her bright crown and killed them, and the goddess' lion vahana of the goddess caught the arrakas' blood and prevented it from landing on the earth below. As a result of this battle, the goddess was named Sowdeswari, or the Devi with a dazzling crown.

After this adventure Devala Maharshi reached the city of Amoda. Sunaban, the king of Amoda, was informed by Lord Shiva and he welcomed Devala Maharshi to his palaces for as long as Devala Maharshi might wish to stay as his guest. At last Sunaban crowned Devala Maharshi King of Amoda and requested Devala Maharshi's permission to return to his own home, explaining that he was now cleared of Shiva's curse and the time had come for him to return home with his wife. Sunaban and his wife disappeared, leaving Devala Maharshi to rule Amoda.

Devala Maharshi had been ordered by lord Shiva to weave clothes. He was in need of handlooms and wanted to get them from Mayan, living in the Meru hills. Leaving his ministers in charge of Amoda, he travelled to Meru. After a long journey he reached the palace of Mayan, who gave him all the instruments he needed. Devala Maharshi returned home, but before he started weaving, he paid homage to the goddess chowdeswari and prayed for her blessings. chowdeswari appeared before him and gave him a bangle of Gold and blessed him so that he would soon gain fame and great wealth. Devala Maharshi put the bangle on his right arm and started weaving clothes.

Devala Maharshi went to Kailash to present clothes to Lord Shiva and Goddess choowdeswari. chowdeswari was pleased to wear his clothes, while lord Shiva presented him Sudhanthiraham (the divine sword), and a pennant bearing the divine face of Nandhi. “These will protect you and you will never face either failure of setback on your path to greatness.” the lord said.

Lord Shiva ordered Devala Maharshi to use the remaining yarn from his weaving him to make five divine threads, one of which is the sacred thread “Janjam” (a Telugu term), and offered him the hand of the sister of the sun in marriage. All the people in the heaven blessed them. The wife of Devala Maharshi bore him three sons, Divyangan, Vimalangan, and Dhavalangan. They were well versed in all the arts and experts in all the sciences, and when they reached manhood, they married Prabhai, Badhmaatchi, and Sabalaatchi, respectively. Divyangan, the eldest, succeeded Devala Maharshi.

One day the Vidhyadas went to Lord Shiva and demanded a guru to teach them 64 arts the lord replied “Oh my children, Yemavarunan of your kula has been meditating at the bottom of Meru mountain. I will bless him with a son, and you learn the 64 arts under him”. Lord Shiva ordered that Devala Maharshi be reincarnated as the newborn sone of Yemavarunan. Devala Maharshi bade farewell to his wife and children and reached the feet of the Lord Shiva, leaving his body in the form of a linga to be worshipped by his family.

Devala Maharshi took seven avatharas:

1. Devala Maharshi
2. Vidhyadhara
3. Pushpadhandha
4. Vedaalam
5. Varamuni
6. Devasaali
7. Devadasa

These seven begot many children, who grouped themselves into ten thousand kulas which took seven hundred rishis as their gurus. They adopted the names of the gurus as their gothras and followed the same gothras, generations upon generations.

History of Devanga

Devanga is a sub-caste in Hinduism. They were one of the weaving castes in India. This page mainly deals with Devangas of Karnataka.

Origins

Devangas are of Brahmanical origin. They are Prakrut Brahmins (meaning brahmins by birth). The majority of them are weavers of silk and cotton clothes.

There were also famous Devang kings like Boja Raja of Ujjain (Uttar Pradesh, India). Many were also warriors during Vijayanagar times, according to warrior stones found in Hampi, Karnataka. Their native state was the kingdom of Ujjain where even to this day they form the major community. Their chief deity is Chowdeshwari(Chamundeshwari).They are Typical Kshatriyas of South and can be compared with the Rajput and Thakur of North.

As is typical with other castes, Devangas became an endogamous unit of weavers, either due to caste rules or due to typical social conditions of India.

Myth of origin

Devangas trace the origin of their weaving tradition to a sage called Devala Maharshi. According to tradition, Devala Maharishi was the first person to weave the cotton cloth and to give it to Lord Shiva, who up until this time had been using animal skin. When Devala was taking the cloth to the king, demons came to attack him. Goddess Chowdeshwari (Chamundeshwari,a form of Durga,a warrior Goddess created by the Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, to fight the demon Mahishasura), perched on a lion, fought and vanquished the demons so that Devala Maharishi could give the cloth to the king.[citation needed].The woven clothes were taken to Lord Shiva. Check Devanga Purana.

Sects

Devanga was originally divided into two groups, the gandoru and namdoru. There were Saivite and Vaishnavite divisions among Devangas in the old days. Every one of the warrior sub sect have a sword in their homes. After the decline they settled in all parts of TamilNadu. Devanga Literacy in TamilNadu is High about 75% of them are doctors, Engineers and also in Leading Government Positions.

source: Rigveda Devanga (Div am ga) was the first ever Bhramin who (OHM) comes to this world to give clothes to human beings Thiruvalluvar in his eighth poem says one cannot reach PARAMAPATHA until one surrendered to this Bhramin(OHM).

Even to this day, the Devangas are either Saivites or Vaishnavites. In any Devanga marriage, bride and groom should not belong to the same sect (Saivite or Vaishnavite).For finding origin we have to explore RIG VEDA and history of Gayatri Peeda at Hampi from Vedic age which was started by Lord Shiva to SPREAD DEVALA Dharma throughout the world asper Sreepathy Panditha. Moreover the Psupatha of Laguleesa emerges and more Hindu divisions like Kasmira Shaiva were created by so many Saints based different areas.

Devanga and Lingayat

Lingayats were the most influential group in Vijayanagara empire. The Lingayats of the western telangana region were the kannada speakers. The Kannada Devanga and Kannada Lingayats were closely associated. Since telangana Lingayats are very highly disciplined and talented, Devangas had a very high respect on them and in fact considered them as a part of their community. At that time the Devangas of the telanga region are vaishnavites. Devangas regarded the Lingayats as shaivites and called them Lingayats.

This group of telangana Lingayats served the Vijaya empire in all disciplines and as well as were the close associates to the King in all ways. Due to this relationship Devangas were able to find a place in the Kings court. At the time of Islamic invasion, this group of people has to leave the empire. The trading members of Devanga community, were able to lead the groups of people in the telangana region towards all of their trading destinations. Many moved towards the south(towards the river cauvery), due to the request from the royal community. This includes the major communities like Kannada Devangas and Lingayats.

These kannada devangas as well as Lingayats due to their close association with telugu devangas and telegu was also predominantly spoken in the region, were using the end slang for respect as “andda” instead of “Ree” (a need of the day for the effective business). This group of kannada devanga where ever they moved, they moved together. Even today this group of kannada devangas does not conduct any festival without the consultation of Lingayats from both with in and outside, due to their very high respect to telengana Lingayats.

These Lingayats of south lives as Lingayats with in the Devanga community and also maintains separate identity by having links with Lingayats of karnataka. Off all the groups moved in all the directions in many a place Lingayats and devangas had close association but live as separate groups.

Geographic distribution

People of the same caste have different names in different states; Devangas are found in the states of Assam, UP, MP, HP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhrapradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Today many languages are spoken by Devanga people. Accordingly, they call themselves as Kannada Devanga and Telugu Devanga.There is no Tamil Devanga as such. Some even speak Marathi in parts of Maharastra. Devangas are found in most of the Indian states.

There is also a large Kannada speaking community of Kannada Devangas in Tamil Nadu are mainly based in Kullichettipatti,Chinnalapatti, T.Kunnathur, Salem, Theni, Palanichettipatti (pcpatti),Theni, Bodinayakanur,Kambam, Tirupur, Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, Komarapalayam, Pallipalayam,Erode, Dindugal, Aruppukottai, Sulakkarai, Madurai,sankaralingapuram, Chennai and Virudhunagar. In Kerala, Kannada Devangas are concentrated in a few villages ,prominently in Kuthampully (Thrissur dist), also in villages ,Karimpuzha, Kallanchira, Vallangi- Nemmara, all in Palghat dist, in pockets of Chittur (Palghat dist)& Kasaragode towns.In Karnataka they are predominantly present in Kollegal, Dodda Ballapur, Bangalore,Mangalore,Mysore, Davangere, Chitradurga, shivamogga, Hubli/Dharwad, Rabkavi, Rampur, Banahatti, Jamkhandi,Bagalkot,Bellary and Belagaum. As per information passed from their ancestors, it was said that they had migrated from Mysore zone, when these areas were under the rule of King Chikka Chamaraja Wadayar of Mysore (around 1660 CE). The migration is said to be due to incompatible sultanate culture and the bitter experiences the community faced in the Vijayanagara empire (1560 AD). These migrations took place in batches after batches, which has branched itself; some on the northern side of the Kaveri River, some on the southern side of the Kaveri and some towards the western coasts, including the present regions of south-western Karnataka and northern Kerala, looking for culturally safe and protective settlement. The high influence of local social structures, local languages, and lack of Kannada literacy has brought in many variations, including the accent among many groups. Their kula devatha(family deity) is Goddess Chamundeshwari, which is also the family deity of the Mysore dynasty.

Also, in Karnataka a Malayali weavers’ caste called Chaliya officially identifies itself as Devanga. However, culturally they differ completely from Kannada Devangas as the later is patriarchal and Chaliyas are matrilineal and primarily goddess worshipers.

There are 101 sub sects.Some of the prominent sub sects are Ladhegar, Balithars, Siddhu koluthar, Yenthelar, Kappelar, Iremaneru, Kal Kotlar, Chinnu Kotlar, Kanjil Kudithars, Segunthalars,Ampukollars, Sevvelars,Anilar etc.The Balithar sub sect people can marry any of the other 100 sub sects people.

Some of the Devanga’s (Sects like Ladhegar, Balithar, Kappelar – Ship-goers) were traders. Ladhegars more in number and powerfull subsect with most of them in high power in TamilNadu.They having first preferences to do pooja in Sri Ramalinga Devi Temples. Some of them were tax-collectors in Kollegal during Tipu Sultan Days. This association could be the reason that the Chowdeshwari temples Kalasams have a half moon and a star.

Like in old days men are married at a very late age, like 30. Women attain good education even today, hence the family have good growth.

Some schools in Tamilnadu were constructed by Devanga community people and even today associations (Narpani Mandrams) of youngsters are running good schools.

Trivia

Devangas, along with other weaver communities, held good appointments during Vijayanagar King Krishnadevaraya’s rule.

North Karnataka Devangas are primarily cotton or Khan weavers, whereas south Karnataka Devangas primarily manufacture silk sarees, including both pure and art silk. This is due to their association with Sourashtrams (primarily silk traders) when they were in Mysore. It was also said that Saurashtrians migrated from Saurashtra, part of Gujarat/Maharashtra, and settled down in the places where Devangas settled due to their business relationships. Even today we can notice the presence of Saurashtrians in most of the places where Devangas had settled, especially in Madurai and Salem.

Food habits of Devangas also change from place to place. Some of the Devanga communities are vegetarians. The tradition of yagnopaveeta among the brahmans was derived from devangas.

Salem and Komaraplayam Devanga Chettiars are known for their non-vegetarian cuisines.

Associations

The international Devanga community has headquartered in Karnataka.Kannada Devanaga yuvaka sanga has office in lakkasandra bangalore (near to the Sri Ramalinga Chowedeshwari devestana)Andra Pradesh in North America have formed the Andhra Devanga Sangam Of North America (ADSONA).

Tamilnadu Telugu Devangar International Online Society.

Karavai Devanga Samaja has its offices in Bangalore. Its members are from the Devanga community from the coastal regions of Karnataka and Kerala

Devanga marriages

Devanga marriages are like most Hindu marriages in the south with only subtle differences. Devangas generally have sangas or marriage consultants who will have the list of prospective brides and grooms. Most of the devanga marriages are arranged marriages. Generally it is the parents of the groom or bride who search for the prospective partner for their children. The groom or bride generally gives an opinion as to the qualities, education, occupation etc. they would like to see in the future partner.

Once the parents shortlist the girl or boy, horoscope matching is done with the help of an astrologer. Once the matching is agreed by the astrologer, a meeting of the prospective boy and girl is arranged over a cup of tea or coffee. Boy and girl exchange their views and if agreed to by both boy and girl a date is fixed for the engagement, which is a small ceremony, generally held at the girl’s house, wherein relatives of both boy and girl are present. If there are space constraints, the ceremony is held in a hotel or marriage hall. Ring is exchanged after engagement. As among Hindus in general, premarital sex is not permitted.

The marriage date is fixed on the day of engagement. Marriages are generally held at marriage halls, or “choultries” as they are popularly called. Marriages are elaborate ceremonies lasting two to three days. (Due to rising costs, it is nowadays usually restricted to two days.) On the day prior to the wedding day, the bride arrives at the marriage hall. She seeks the blessings of the god. Then rituals will start.

The first of the rituals is harisna, wherein the bride’s hands and feet are massaged with turmeric mixed with oil by all the married ladies. This is followed by the bangle ceremony, wherein new bangles specially brought by the banglewoman to the occasion are worn by all the ladies. This is followed by a nice bath, and other rituals continue whole night.

On the morning of the next day, the groom goes to temple with dhoti and umbrella for a ritual called kashiyatra wherein he is intercepted by the parents of the bride and his feet is washed by the girl’s parents on a silver plate. After this ritual, the groom moves to the marriage hall for the all-important sacred thread tying (mangal sutra) which marks the culmination of bachelorhood and entering into married life. This is followed by lunch to all the invitees. In the evening a reception is arranged wherein the bride and bridegroom sit/stand on a podium. All the invitees greet the newlywed couples. This is followed by dinner.

The couple stays together till they die. Divorces are few or unheard of as of now.

Prominent Persons

Colonel K. Ramaswamy , Indian Army.

Umashree, Well-known Theater & Film Artist, Former Member of Karnataka Legislative council.

Kannada Actress ‘Arthy’

Kannada Actor ‘Srinivas Murthy’

Ashok – Sri Kandan Theatre, Elampillai

Danavira : Shree C.V MURUTY

Ln.J.Ramalingam MA BSc.President of Ramalinga Sowdeswari Arakattalai,Pudhusampalli,Mettur dam

Sir Thiyagarayar: Late Mayor of Chennai (T. Nagar area in Chennai, is named after him)

Sri Chowdeswari Temples

The most famous Godess Chowdeswari temple is situated near Mysore in Chamundi hills(name derived from Chamundeswari).

Chamundeswari_Temple

Many tempels were created centuries ago as people migrate and settle down in secure places. The temple management runs through the biggest family then.

Such a centuries old Temple of Sri Chowdeswari is located in Tiruppur in the village Kanakkampalayam, where many families are still following the family job (Weaving).

Beautiful Sri Ramalinga Chowedeshwari Temple is situated in bangalore (laksandra)[near to NATIONAL DAIRY BANGALORE].The temple contains the gods like Sri Sri Ramalinga Chowedeshwari,ganesha,subriyamanya,ramalinga swamy,devala dasamaya,guru(pragaspathi).

Sri Ramalinga Sowdambikai Amman temple is also located at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in the heart of the city. It is one of the most prominent temples in Coimbatore region. The temple is known for its one-of-a-kind ‘swords festival’ where hundreds and thousands of devotees participate in a long procession.

Sri Ramalinga Chowedeshwari temple is also sutiated in the Hosa Road that is in the the hosour main road Bangalore .Lots of families who are following weaving in the area like Hosa Road and Garvebhavipalaya(hosour main road,Bangalore).

Devanga ( Devala Maharishi) Devanga is a sub-caste in Hinduism. They were one of the weaving castes in India. This page mainly deals with Devangas of Karnataka. Contents 1. Origins 1.1 Myth of origin 1.2 Sects 2. Geographic distribution 3. Trivia 4. Associations 5. Devanga marriages Origins Devangas are of Brahmanical origin. They are Prakrut Brahmins (meaning brahmins by birth). The majority of them are weavers of silk and cotton clothes. There were also famous Devang kings like Boja Raja of Ujjain (Uttar Pradesh, India). Many were also warriors during Vijayanagar times, according to warrior stones found in Hampi, Karnataka. Their native state was the kingdom of Ujjain where even to this day they form the major community. Their chief deity is Chowdeshwari(Chamundeshwari).They are Typical Kshatriyas of South and can be compared with the Rajput and Thakur of North. As is typical with other castes, Devangas became an endogamous unit of weavers, either due to caste rules or due to typical social conditions of India. Myth of origin Devangas trace the origin of their weaving tradition to a sage called Devala Maharshi. According to tradition, Devala Maharishi was the first person to weave the cotton cloth and to give it to the king, who up until this time had been using animal skin. When Devala was taking the cloth to the king, demons came to attack him. Goddess Chowdeshwari (Chamundeshwari,a form of Durga,a warrior Goddess created by the Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, to fight the demon Mahishasura), perched on a lion, fought and vanquished the demons so that Devala Maharishi could give the cloth to the king.[citation needed] Sects Devanga was originally divided into two groups, the gandoru and namdoru. There were Saivite and Vaishnavite divisions among Devangas in the old days. Every one of the warrior sub sect have a sword in their homes. After the decline they settled in all parts of TamilNadu. Devanga Literacy in TamilNadu is High about 75% of them are doctors, Engineers and also in Leading Government Positions. source: Rigveda Even to this day, the Devangas are either Saivites or Vaishnavites. In any Devanga marriage, bride and groom should not belong to the same sect (Saivite or Vaishnavite). Geographic Distribution People of the same caste have different names in different states; Devangas are found in the states of Assam, UP, MP, HP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhrapradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Today many languages are spoken by Devanga people. Accordingly, they call themselves as Kannada Devanga and Telugu Devanga.There is no Tamil Devanga as such. Some even speak Marathi in parts of Maharastra. Devangas are found in most of the Indian states. There is also a large Kannada speaking community of Devangas in Tamil Nadu mainly based near the cities of Chinnalapatti, T.Kunnathur, Salem, Theni, Bodinayakanur,Kambam, Tirupur, Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, Komarapalayam, Pallipalayam,Erode, Dindugal, Aruppukottai, Sulakkarai, Madurai,sankaralingapuram, Chennai and Virudhunagar. In Kerala, Kannada Devangas are concentrated in a few villages ,prominently in Kuthampally (Thrissur dist), also in villages ,Karimpuzha, Kallanchira, Vallangi- Nemmara, all in Palghat dist, in pockets of Chittur (Palghat dist)& Kasaragode towns.In Karnataka they are predominantly present in Kollegal, Dodda Ballapur, Bangalore,Mangalore and Mysore. As per information passed from their ancestors, it was said that they had migrated from Mysore zone, when these areas were under the rule of King Chikka Chamaraja Wadayar of Mysore (around 1660 CE). The migration is said to be due to incompatible sultanate culture and the bitter experiences the community faced in the Vijayanagara empire (1560 AD). These migrations took place in batches after batches, which has branched itself; some on the northern side of the Kaveri River, some on the southern side of the Kaveri and some towards the western coasts, including the present regions of south-western Karnataka and northern Kerala, looking for culturally safe and protective settlement. The high influence of local social structures, local languages, and lack of Kannada literacy has brought in many variations, including the accent among many groups. Their kula devatha(family deity) is Goddess Chamundeshwari, which is also the family deity of the Mysore dynasty. Also, in Karnataka a Malayali weavers' caste called Chaliya officially identifies itself as Devanga. However, culturally they differ completely from Kannada Devangas as the later is patriarchal and Chaliyas are matrilineal and primarily goddess worshipers. Some of the prominent sub sects are Laddigars, Yenthelars, Balilars, Kappelars, Iremaneru, Kal Kotlars, Chinnu Kotlars, Kanjil Kudithars, Segunthalars,Ampukollars, Sevvelars.... Some of the Devanga's (Sects like Balilars, Kappelars - Ship-goers) were traders. Some of them were tax-collectors in Kollegal during Tipu Sultan Days. This association could be the reason that the Chowdeshwari temples Kalasams have a half moon and a star. Even though the community is supposed to be vegetarian, nowadays most of them are non-vegetarians. It is also understood that, possibly the Devanga's are settlers from the North West and probably non Hindu with links to Judaism (fire God worship). Like in old days men are married at a very late age, like 30. Women attain good education even today, hence the family have good growth. Some schools in Tamilnadu were constructed by Devanga community people and even today associations (Narpani Mandrams) of youngsters are running good schools. Trivia Devangas, along with other weaver communities, held good appointments during Vijayanagar King Krishnadevaraya's rule. North Karnataka Devangas are primarily cotton or Khan weavers, whereas south Karnataka Devangas primarily manufacture silk sarees, including both pure and art silk. This is due to their association with Sourashtrams (primarily silk traders) when they were in Mysore. It was also said that Saurashtrians migrated from Saurashtra, part of Gujarat/Maharashtra, and settled down in the places where Devangas settled due to their business relationships. Even today we can notice the presence of Saurashtrians in most of the places where Devangas had settled, especially in Madurai and Salem. Food habits of Devangas also change from place to place. Devangas are vegetarians. The tradition of yagnopaveeta among the brahmans was derived from devangas. Associations The international Devanga community is headquartered in Karnataka. Devangas of Andra Pradesh in North America have formed the Andhra Devanga Sangam Of North America (ADSONA). Karavai Devanga Samaja has its offices in Bangalore. Its members are from the Devanga community from the coastal regions of Karnataka and Kerala Devanga Marriages Devanga marriages are like most Hindu marriages in the south with only subtle differences. Devangas generally have sangas or marriage consultants who will have the list of prospective brides and grooms. Most of the devanga marriages are arranged marriages. Generally it is the parents of the groom or bride who search for the prospective partner for their children. The groom or bride generally gives an opinion as to the qualities, education, occupation etc. they would like to see in the future partner. Once the parents shortlist the girl or boy, horoscope matching is done with the help of an astrologer. Once the matching is agreed by the astrologer, a meeting of the prospective boy and girl is arranged over a cup of tea or coffee. Boy and girl exchange their views and if agreed to by both boy and girl a date is fixed for the engagement, which is a small ceremony, generally held at the girl's house, wherein relatives of both boy and girl are present. If there are space constraints, the ceremony is held in a hotel or marriage hall. Ring is exchanged after engagement. As among Hindus in general, premarital sex is not permitted. The marriage date is fixed on the day of engagement. Marriages are generally held at marriage halls, or "choultries" as they are popularly called. Marriages are elaborate ceremonies lasting two to three days. (Due to rising costs, it is nowadays usually restricted to two days.) On the day prior to the wedding day, the bride arrives at the marriage hall. She seeks the blessings of the god. Then rituals will start. The first of the rituals is harisna, wherein the bride's hands and feet are massaged with turmeric mixed with oil by all the married ladies. This is followed by the bangle ceremony, wherein new bangles specially brought by the banglewoman to the occasion are worn by all the ladies. This is followed by a nice bath, and other rituals continue whole night. On the morning of the next day, the groom goes to temple with dhoti and umbrella for a ritual called kashiyatra wherein he is intercepted by the parents of the bride and his feet is washed by the girl's parents on a silver plate. After this ritual, the groom moves to the marriage hall for the all-important sacred thread tying (mangal sutra) which marks the culmination of bachelorhood and entering into married life. This is followed by lunch to all the invitees. In the evening a reception is arranged wherein the bride and bridegroom sit/stand on a podium. All the invitees greet the newlywed couples. This is followed by dinner. தேவாங்க சமுதாயத்தைப் பற்றி ஜப்பானியப் பெண்மணி யுமிகொ நானாமி ஆய்வு செய்துள்ளார். அது பற்றிய விபரம் 1998 ஆம் ஆண்டு தேவாங்க சமுதாயத்தை ஆய்வு செய்யும் பொருட்டு சேலம் வந்துள்ளார். அங்கு, சேலம் திருமண மண்டப நிர்வாகத் தலைவராக அப்போது இருந்த காலஞ் சென்ற திரு.ஓ.எஸ்.சுப்பிரமணியஞ் செட்டியாரை சந்தித்து, தான் மேற்கொண்டு வரும் ஆய்வுப் பணிகள் குறித்து விளக்கியுள்ளார். மேலும், அவருடைய உதவியையும் நாடியுள்ளார். அதனடிப்படையில், தேவாங்க சமுதாயம் குறித்த இரண்டு புத்தகங்களை, யுமிகொவிற்கு அவர் தந்துள்ளார். அதற்காக நன்றி தெரிவித்து 1998 ஆம் ஆண்டு செப்டம்பர் 19 ஆம் தேதியன்று கடிதம் ஒன்றை, திரு.ஓ.எஸ். சுப்பிரமணியஞ் செட்டியாருக்கு யுமிகொ எழுதியுள்ளார். அதன்பிறகு 4 வருடம் கழித்து (07.12.2002) தனக்கெழுந்த சந்தேகங்களுக்கு விளக்கம் கோரி திரு.ஓ.எஸ். சுப்பிரமணியஞ் செட்டியாருக்கு யுமிகொ கடிதம் எழுதியுள்ளார். அவர் கேட்ட கேள்விகளுக்கு வைணவக்கடல் தேவாங்கர் செம்மல் சேலம் புலவர் டாக்டர் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி அவர்கள் பதிலளித்துள்ளார்.  ஜப்பானியப் பெண்மணியின் கேள்விகளும், அதற்கு வைணவக் கடல் அளித்த பதில்களும் பின்வருமாறு கேள்வி: இந்தப் பட்டியலுக்கு மேல் எந்த ஊர்களில் ஏராளமாக உங்கள் குலத்தவர்கள் இருக்கிறார்கள்? பதில்: ஆலாலபுரம், ஆரணி, அருப்புக்கோட்டை, ஆத்தூர், வனவாசி, சின்னாளபட்டி, சிந்தாமணி(மேச்சேரி அருகில்), கோயம்புத்தூர், தாராபுரம், இளம்பிள்ளை, ஜலகண்டாபுரம், ஜேடர்பாளையம், காக்காவேரி, கொமாரபாளையம், மதுரை, மேட்டூர், நாமக்கல், நங்கவள்ளி, ஓமலூர், படவேடு, பள்ளிப்பாளையம், ராசிபுரம், சேலம், (குகை, ஜாரி கொண்டாலாம்பட்டி), சங்ககிரி, செம்மாண்டப்பட்டி, சீராப்பள்ளி, சிறுமகை, சிறுமுகைப் புதூர், தூப்பப்பட்டி, உடுமலைப் பேட்டை மற்றும் வேம்படிதளம். தாங்கள் கொடுத்திருக்கும் பட்டியலில் சேலம் மாவட்டத்தில் விட்டுப் போன ஊர்கள்: சஞ்சீவராயன் பேட்டை, எஸ்.வி.ஆர்.நெசவாளர் காலனி, பெருமாள் கோவில் மேடு, களரம்பட்டி, ஸ்ரீராம் நகர், வேடு குத்தாம்பட்டி, பெருமாகவுண்டம்பட்டி, சின்னப்பம்பட்டி, பஞ்சி காளிப்பட்டி, மலையம்பாளையம், குப்பம்பட்டி, கரட்டாண்டிப்பட்டி. மேலும், தமிழ்நாட்டில் பல மாவட்டங்கள் மற்றும் அதைச் சுற்றியுள்ள கிராமங்களில் தேவாங்கர்கள் பெருவாரியாக வாழ்ந்து வருகிறார்கள் கேள்வி: உங்கள் கூட்டத்தில் செட்டிகாரர்களும், பெத்தர்களும், சேஷராஜுகளும் எத்தனை பேர் இருக்கிறார்கள்? கூட்டத்தின் பெயர் என்ன? பதில்: தேவாங்கர்களில் சுமார் 20, 30, குடும்பங்கள் இணைந்து இருப்பதற்கு பங்களம் என்று பெயர். இதன் தலைவர் செட்டிகாரர். இவருக்கு மந்திரி போன்றவர் பெத்தர். பணியாளர் சேசராஜு . இப்படிப்பட்ட பங்களங்கள் பல்லாயிரக்கணக்கில் இருக்கின்றன. இவற்றைக் கணக்கெடுப்படுது கடினம். எனவே, செட்டிக்காரர், பெத்தர், சேசராஜு ஆயிரக்கணக்கில் இருக்கிறார்கள். கூட்டத்தின் பெயர் பங்களம். பல பங்களங்கள் சேர்ந்தால் அதன் பெயர் ஸ்தலம். கேள்வி: சேசராஜு , சிங்கத்தார் என்ற இரண்டு சமுதாய சேவைக்காரர்களுக்கும் என்ன வித்யாசம் இருக்கிறது? பதில்:சேசராஜு , சிங்கத்தார் என்ற இருவரும் சமுதாயப் பணியாளர்கள் தான். ஆதி காலத்தில் சிங்கத்தார் மட்டுமே சமுதாயப் பணியை செய்து வந்தார்கள். தற்பொழுது சிங்கத்தார் வம்சமென்பது பெரும்பாலும் இல்லை. எனவே, தேவாங்கர்களில் சிலரே சேசராஜு பணியை செய்து வருகிறார்கள். தேவாங்கர்கள் அனைவரும் தேவல முனிவரின் வம்சா வழியினர். சிங்கத்தவர்கள் தேவலர் வம்சா வழியினர் அல்ல கேள்வி: தேவாங்க குலத்தில் தெலுங்கும்,கன்னடமும் இரண்டு பிரிவுகள் இருக்கிறது. அதைப் பற்றி சிலர் இரண்டும் ஒற்றுமையானதென்று சொல்கிறார்கள். பலர் இரண்டு பிரிவுகள் இன்றைக்குத் தனித்து ஏற்பட்டது. ஒற்றுமையானதல்ல என்று சொல்கிறார்கள். உங்களுடைய எண்ணம் எப்படி?  பதில்: தேவாங்க குலத்தில் தெலுங்கு மொழி பேசுவோர்கன்னட மொழி பேசுவோர் என இரண்டு பிரிவுகள் தமிழ்நாட்டிலும், கர்நாடகத்திலும் உள்ளனர். இந்தியப் பெருநாட்டில் மத்தியப் பிரதேசம், மகாராஷ்டிரம், குஜராத், உத்திரப் பிரதேசம், நேபாள எல்லையில் கோரக்பூர் என்னும் ஊர்களில் அந்தந்த மாநில மொழிகளைப் பேசிக் கொண்டு தேவாங்கர்கள் இன்று உலக அளவில் வாழ்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள். தேவாங்கர்கள் எந்த மொழி பேசினாலும் குல தெய்வம் ஸ்ரீசவுடேஸ்வரி அம்மன் மட்டும் தான். ரிஷி கோத்திரங்கள் 700, குலங்கள் 10 ஆயிரம், ஜகத்குரு பீடங்கள் 5. எனவே, எந்த மொழி பேசினாலும் அனைவரும் ஒன்றே. வழிபடும் தெய்வம்--கோத்திரங்கள்--குலங்கள்--ஜகத்குரு பீடங்கள்--அனைவருக்கும் மூலகர்த்தா தேவல மாமுனிவர் என்பதினாலும், தேவாங்கர்கள் அனைவரும் ஒன்றே. எனவே, தேவாங்கர்களை மொழிவாரியாக அல்லது தமிழ்நாடு, கர்நாடகம் என்ற பிரதேச வாரியாகப் பிரித்துப் பார்க்கக் கூடாது. அப்படிப் பார்ப்பது பெருந்தவறு கேள்வி: அமாவாசையில் கத்தியடிப்பதற்கு உங்கள் குல உறுப்பினர் யாவரும் பங்கெடுக்க முடியுமா? இல்லை என்றால் எப்படி ? பதில்: கத்தி போட்டுக் கொள்வது என்பது ஸ்ரீ சவுடேஸ்வரி அன்னையின் திருவிழாவில் மட்டும் தான். மற்றும் அமாவாசை நாட்களில் ஸ்ரீசவுடேஸ்வரி அம்பிகைக்கு பூஜை நடக்கும் பொழுதும் கத்தி போட்டுக் கொள்வது வழக்கம். இதற்கு அலகு சேவை (Traditional Name) என்று பெயர். தேவாங்க குலத்தில் பிறந்த ஆண்கள் அனைவரும் ஸ்ரீசவுடேஸ்வரி அம்மன் சந்நிதியில் தீட்சை பெற்றுக் கொண்டு அலகு சேவை செய்யலாம். (கத்தி போடுவதற்கு அலகு சேவை என்று சொல்லப்படும்). கேள்வி: ஐந்து திணைகளில் நெசவாளர்களுக்கு எந்தத் திணைக்குத் தொடர்பு இருக்கிறது என்று சொல்ல முடியும்? பதில்: நெசவுத் தொழில் குறிஞ்சித் திணையோடு தொடர்பு உடையது. கேள்வி: எந்த வருடத்தில் உங்களுடைய சமுதாயத்தின் சபை அமைக்கப்பட்டது? பதில்: 25 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன் ஸ்ரீசவுடேஸ்வரி நற்பணி மன்றம் என்ற பெயரில் தமிழகம் முழுவதும் அமைக்கப்பட்டது. அதற்கு முன் தேவாங்க மகாசபை என்கிற பெயரிலும் வேறு பல பெயர்களிலும் நாடு முழுவதும் ஆங்காங்கே இருந்து வந்தன. கேள்வி: ஒஸக்கோட்டை உங்களுடைய கூட்டத்திற்கு எப்படி முக்கியம்?  பதில்: சேலம் மாவட்டத்தில் தாராபுரம், ஒஸக்கோட்டை, அமரகுந்தி, காரிமங்கலம், சேலம் என்னும் ஐந்து ஸ்தலப் பட்டக்காரர்களுக்கு உட்பட்டவர்களாக தேவாங்கர்கள் வாழ்ந்து வருகிறார்கள். ஒஸக்கோட்டை ஸ்தலத்தின் தலைமை திருக்கோயில் ஸ்ரீசவுடேஸ்வரி அம்மன் திருக்கோவிலாகும். கேள்வி: சேலத்தில் பட்டக்காரர் இருக்கிறாரா? யார்? பதில்: சேலத்தில் பட்டக்காரர்கள் இருக்கிறார்கள். 1.ஒஸக்கோட்டை, 2.அமரகுந்தி, 3. காரி மங்கலம், 4. சேலம் ஆகிய ஸ்தலங்களில் பட்டக்காரர்கள் வசிக்கிறார்கள். தாராபுரம் பட்டக்காரர் மட்டும் திருப்பூரில் வசிக்கிறார். கேள்வி: செட்டிதனக்காரர், பெத்தர் இவர்கள் பதவி பரம்பரையாகச் செய்யும் வீட்டின் பெயர்கள் என்ன? பதில்: செட்டிதனக்காரர், பெத்தர் இவர்கள் பதவி பரம்பரையாக வருவன. வங்குசம் என்று கன்னடத்திலும், இண்டி பேரு என்று தெலுங்கு மொழியிலும் வீட்டின் பெயர் என்று தமிழிலும் சொல்லப்படுவன மூன்றும் ஒன்றே ஆகும். இத்தகைய பெயர்கள் தேவாங்கர் குலத்தில் 10 ஆயிரத்திற்கும் மேற்பட்டு இருக்கின்றன. இவற்றில் ஒழுக்கமும், நேர்மையும் உள்ளவர்கள் செட்டிகாரராகவும், பெத்தராகவும் இருக்கலாம். கேள்வி: நேபாள நாட்டின் ஐஸ்வரி தேவி அவரோடு உங்கள் சமுதாயத்துடைய முறை எப்படி இருந்தது?  பதில்: நேபாள நாட்டின் ஐஸ்வரி தேவி என்று நீங்கள் யாரைக் குறிப்பிட்டிருக்கிறீர்கள் என்று புரியவில்லை. நேபாள நாட்டின் மகாராணியாக இருப்பின் அவர்களுக்கும் தேவாங்க சமுதாயத்திற்கும் என்ன சம்பந்தம் என்பதற்கு சரியான ஆதாரம் கிடைக்கவில்லை. மேலும், நேபாள மன்னர் தேவாங்கர் என்று செவிவழிச் செய்தி ஒன்று சேலத்தில் உலவுகிறது. இதற்கும் சரியான ஆதாரங்கள் கிடைக்கவில்லை. நேபாள நாட்டில் தேவாங்கர்கள் வாழ்ந்தார்கள். மேலும், நேபாள எல்லையில் உள்ள கோராக்பூரில் இன்றும் தேவாங்கர்கள் வாழ்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள் என்று தெரிகிறது. கேள்வி: உங்களுடைய குலம் தமிழ்நாட்டில் எத்தனை பிரிவு இருக்கிறது? பெயர் எழுதுங்கள். அ) சேலம்: ஆ)மதுரை/அருப்புக்கோட்டை:  இ)ஒன்பது நாடு: ஈ: ? பதில்: உலகம் முழுவதும் தேவாங்கர்கள் 700 கோத்திரம் பிரிவுகளிலும், 10 ஆயிரத்திற்கும் மேற்பட்ட வங்குசப் பிரவுகளிலும் வாழ்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள். இந்தச் செய்தி எல்லா தேவாங்கர்களுக்கும் பொருந்துவதாகும். ரிஷி கோத்திரம் என்பது அண்ணன் தங்கை திருமண உறவு ஏற்படாமல் தடுக்கிறது. உலகில் எந்த மூலையில் வாழ்ந்தாலும் கோத்திரத்தின் வழியாக சகோதரர்களா? அல்லது சம்பந்திகளா? என்பதைத் தெரிந்து கொள்கிறோம்.  இவ்வாறு யுமிகொவின் கேள்விக்கு வைணவக்கடல் பதிலளித்துள்ளார். இவரைப் போன்றே தில்லி பல்கலைக் கழகத்தில் பணியாற்றிய முனைவர் விஜயா ராமசாமி,ஆக்ஸ்போர்டு பல்கலைக் கழகத்தின் முனைவர் பட்டத்திற்காக 'டெக்ஸ்டைல் கம்யனிட்டி' என்ற தலைப்பில் ஆய்வு செய்துள்ளார். அப்பெழுது தேவாங்கர் சமூகத்தைப் பற்றியும் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டார்.