Life records of the Kudinavitar in the novel Neevali Padoom

Abstract

The life and history of the marginalized people, who are known by many names such as Navitar, Ambattaiyar, Pariyar, etc., are discussed in the novel Neeravai Paduum. The Kudi Navitars were the original doctors, soldiers, astrologers, and worshippers. During the period when the Varnasirma Dharma entered Tamil Nadu, these people were forced to do only the profession of hair cutting. Similarly, female Nasuwattis were the doctors and midwives for women. At the same time, they were people with great love and humanity for their fellow human beings. But it is worth noting that this has changed after the emergence of caste. The role of Vedic religion in completely eliminating medical knowledge and establishing them as cultural slaves is immense. Similarly, the backward caste plays an important role in exploiting them. In this way, the novel Neeravai Paduum records the real life of the Navitars.