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Devakottai [தேவகோட்டை]is a town and a municipality in Sivaganga districtmarker in the state of Tamil Nadumarker, India. Devakottai is one of the biggest cities of the nagarathar community.

History

தேவகோட்டை is the principal residence of Nattukkottai chettiars, they came from Kaviripoom Pattinam in Nagapattinam district few centuries ago. Near Kaviripoom Pattinam there was a place called Devakottai and the immigrants named this place also as "Devakottai" in remembrance of descendant and their nativity. The Tamil meaning of "Devi" is Goddess and fort is "Kottai". The name “Devikottai" which in course of time was became "Devakottai"

Devakottai is noted for its literature, shaivite temple buildings, publishing, judiciary and politics. The town was important during the Indian independence movement. The municipal court in Devakottai was burned to ground during the Quit India Movement and the town suffered punitive fines and some citizens served prison terms.

Today Devakottai is a favoured site for movie shootings, mainly because of its palatial bungalows.

Mahatma Gandhi visited Devakottai in 1934 to condole with the death of Poochi, a Dalit, in the movement against untouchability, and held discussions with Dalits and Nattars, who were opposed to Dalits wearing shirts.The 75th aaniversaryof the Mahatma's visit was celebrated at the site where he stayed- Saraswathi vasaka salai- in January 2009.

Karmaveerar Kamarajar, Perarignar Anna Durai and Kalaignar Karunanidhi have visited Devakottai on many occasions.

In the first half of the 20th century, the temples of Rameswarammarker, Kalahastimarker, Kalayar Koil, Thiruvengadu, Thiruvadanai, Thirupunavasal, Thiru Yedagam, Thiruvisainallur, Thiruvarur, Seerkazhi, Thirukkolakka, Nalla Koorur, Thiruvanmiyurmarker, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thiruchuli, Courtallammarker, Thievennainallur, Kandadevi, Kottur, Pennagarammarker (now Pennadam) were all converted to stone structures in whole or part by pious nagarathar families of Devakottai.

Demographics

 India census, Devakottai had a population of approximately 46,000. Males constituted 49% of the population and females 51%. Devakottai has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: the male literacy rate is 85% and the female literacy rate 75%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.


Education

There are two colleges in Devakottai , Sevugan Annamalai Art College and Ananda Collegemarker, run by the R.C. Diocese of Sivagangai.

Devakottai has many well run schools and educational institutions that include:

NSMVPS Higher Secondary School (Nagarathar Sri Meenakshi Vidhya Paripalana Sangam Higher Secondary School)

De Britto Higher Secondary School

Pethal Achi Girls' Higher Secondary School

St John Girls' Higher Secondary School

St Mary's Girls' Higher Secondary School

Vairam Group Matric Higher Secondary School

Chairman Manickavasagam Middle school

Zamindar Street High School [ஜமிந்தார் பள்ளி]

Sri Ramakrishna Middle School.

Religion

Picture of Devakottai Nagara Sivan Kovil



The Hindu temples in Devakottai include:

1. Nagara Sivan Kovil (maintained by the representatives of 40 sects of Nagarathar Community in Devakottai)

2. Silambani Pillayar Kovil (located near the Silambani Oorani)

3. Vellayan Oorani Pillayar Kovil

4. T. Oorani Pillayar Kovil

5. PL Chellappa Chettiar Kovil

6. Ranganatha Perumal Kovil

7. Karutha Oorani Pillayar Kovil

There are three mosques in Devakottai at

1. Vattanam Road

2. Mogammadiar Pattanam

3. Gandhi Road

There are three churches in Devakottai, two for RC church and one for CSI church:

1. Ramnagar Church

2. Thiruppathur Road Church

3. Saraswathivasagasalai Church



The famous Kandhar Sashti Vizha is being conducted by the Kandhar Sashti Vizha Kazhagam for the past 63 years (as of year 2008) at the Nagara Sivan Kovil at Devakottai. The 10 day festival is celebrated with participation by literary personalities and eminent artistes.

Notable Personalities

Notable personalities from Devakottai include:



GOVERNMENT SERVICE
  • Dr. Justice AR.Lakshmanan, Chairman, Law Commission of India & Retd. Judge, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi
  • Thiru S.S.Meenakshi Sundaram, Retd. IAS and Secy. to Prime Minister of India
  • Hari Sevugan, National Press Secy for Democratic National Committee, U.S. Presidents Head of Rapid Response Team, Senior Spokes Person for U.S. President Obama.


LITERATURE
  • Thiru Suba Annamalai, renowned Tamil Scholar
  • Thiru. Bala Kavi Vynagaram Ramanathan Chettiar, popular writer and eminent scholar in Saiva Sidhdhantham
  • Porkizhi Kavignar Kasi Sri. AR. Somasundaram, MA. BT.
  • Thiru. So.So.Mee. Sundaram, Eminent Tamil Scholar
  • Thiru.KN.Chitsabesan.Eminent Tamil Scholar.
  • Thiru. Vanathi Thirunavukkarasu Chettiar, Founder, Vanathi Pathipakam
  • Late. Thiru Thamizhvanan, Founder, Kalkandu Magazine
  • Thiru. Lena Thamizhvanan, Eminent Tamil Speaker and Editor, Kalkandu Magazine
  • Thiru. Ravi Thamizvanan, Director,Manimekalai Pathippakam, Chennai.
  • Thiru.saba.Arunachalam. Eminent Tamil Scholar.
  • Thiru. CT.V.Shanmuganatha Pillai - Vaithiyamani,Founder of Muthtamil Vedha Thiruchabai muthaathaal nadu nillai palli,Devakottai.


MUSIC AND ARTS
  • 1. Late Thiru Kandadevi Alagiriswami, violinist and musician
  • 2. Devakottai Late Shri. Narayana Aiyengar, Carnatic veena vidwan, recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Karnatak Instrumental Music from the President of India (Chitra Veenai artist Ravi Kiran's grand father)
  • 3. Late O.M.A.L.Lakshmanan Chettiar - Founder Kandar Sashti Vizha Kazhagam,Devakottai.
  • 4. Late Isai Illam Ramanathan Chettiar - Founder Kandar Sashti Vizha Kazhagam,Devakottai.
  • 5. Late Sangeetham Kasi Chettiar - Founder Kandar Sashti Vizha Kazhagam,Devakottai.
  • 6. Late AL.AR.V.Chokkiah chettiar (Zamindar House)- True lover of Carnatic music.
  • 7. Late Flute Valliappa Chettiar (Thanneer panthalar veedu) - True lover of carnatic music.
CINEMA
  • Director SM. Vasanth, famous film director of Kollywood


INDUSTRY, PROFESSIONALS, PHILANTHROPY, EDUCATION AND OTHER DIVERSE FIELDS
  • Late Shri. PK.AL.Pitchaikutti Udaiar, First Union Chairman of Devakottai
  • Late Shri. Masa.Manickam, eminent Lawyer and Addl public prosecutor of Devakottai Judiciary
  • Late Shri. Chatram Somasundaram Chettiar (Philanthropist)
  • Late Shri. A.RM.A.L.A. Muthuveerappa Chettiar, former President, Kasi Nattukottai Nagara Chattram Managing Society & Former Director, TTK Textiles Ltd.
  • Late Shri. O.RM.M.SP.SV. Sevugan Annamalai Chettiar, Founder, Sevugan Annamalai College and Director, Madras Cements
  • Late Thiru AV.K. Kasinathan Chettiar, Gandhian and Convenor of Thirukural Kazhagam
  • Late Dr. A.Vaidhyanathan, founder, Thiaga Brahma Mahotsava Sabha of Devakottai
  • Late Shri. Dhinamani Chettiar, Freedom Fighter, a staunch Gandhian
  • Late Shri Chinna Annamalai Chettiar. Freedom fighter Pioneer in Publishing Industry.
  • Late Shri D.R.Arunachalam Chettiar. Freedom Fighter.
  • Late Gandhi Narayanan Chettiar - a staunch Gandhian
  • Late Arch Annamalai Chettiar, Freedom fighter
  • Thiru. AL.AR.V Kalairaja Chettiar, Zamindar of Devakottai
  • Late Thiru AL.AR.Subbiah Chettiar, Long serving Secy. NSMVP Sangam
  • Late Thiru N. Arunachalam Chettiar, Member of Parliament from Indian National Congress
  • Late Thiru S.M.M Subramanian Chettiar, Chairman of Devakottai Local Government
  • Late Thiru Rama Vellayan Chettiar,Chairman Devakottai Municipal council.
  • Late Thiru TS.PL.P.CT. Subramanian Chettiar, Chairman of Devakottai Local Government
  • Justice of the Peace (Malaysia) Late Shri. MN.Y. Yegappa Chettiar
  • Justice of the Peace (Malaysia) Late Shri. MN.SP. Subramaniam Chettiar
  • Late Thiru Satyamurthi Iyer, eminent lawyer of Devakottai Judiciary
  • Late Shri. OM.SP.L.M.Meyyappa Chettiar, Director, Indian Bank.Founder,Kwality spinnig mills,Pollachi.
  • Late Shri. O.M.SP.L.AL. Peria Alagappa Chettiar,Director,Bank Of madura,Steward Madras Race Club.Committee Member - Tamil Isai Sangam,Madurai.
  • Late Thiru TamilVallal O.RM.M.SP.SV.Meyyappa Chettiar, prominent Siva follower, philanthropist, supporter of Tamil & Tamil Scholars, Director, Indian Overseas Bank, Travancore Rayons, Premier Fertilisers, Sivakami Mills
  • Late Shri.O.Rm.S.SV.Pl.Peria Lakshmanan chettiar.Past Nagara congress committee president.
  • Thiru Soma Narayanan Chettiar,Zamindar House.Founder vara vazhpattu Mandram.Secretary -Sri Ramakrishna middlle school.
  • Thiru. L. Muthukrishnan, Executive Director, Chettinad Cement Corporation Limited
  • Thiru. AR.L.Sundaresan, Senior Advocate, Madras High Court
  • Thiru. SM.Muthukaruppan Retd Principal, Sree Venkateswara College, Chennai
  • Thiru. SM. Vaidhyanathan, Retd. Scientist from Baba Atomic Research Center Bombay
  • Thiru. N. RM. Lakshmanan, Leading Textile Industrialist
  • Prof. N Sundaramoorthy, Award Holder for his book 'Grama Vangi' by Ministry of Education, Govt of India
  • Thiru. M.M.Rajendran, Retd. IAS
  • Thiru. Lakshmi Narayanan, Chairman, Indian Bank
  • Thiru. VR. Arunachalam, Director, City Union Bank Limited and Chartered Accountant
  • Late Shri. A.RM.A.L.A. Arunachalam Chettiar, Patron, Devakottai Pethal Achi Girl's High School (Unit of NSMVP Sangam) & Former Director, TTK Textiles Ltd.
  • Thiru. Swastik AL.AR.S. Narayanan, Business Leader
  • Thiru. S.Vadivelu Chettiar, Founder-Chairman, Vairam Group Pvt. Ltd.
  • Thiru AL.Vadivelu, Industrialist.
  • Thiru AL.Chidambaram, Industrialist.
  • Thiru. OM.SP.L.M.Meyyappa Chettiar, Textile Industrialist
  • Thiru P.S.S Somasundaram Chettiar, Founder, Kaleeswara and Somasundara Mills, Coimbatore and Manamadurai
  • Late Shri. AV.K.M.AR. Thiagarajan Chettiar, Long serving Secy. of Madurai Nagarathar Sangam and Pawn Brokers Association
  • Late Shri. AV.K.M. Avichi Chettiar, President, Trichy Nagarathar Association and Tamil Nadu Money Lenders and Bankers Association
  • Late Shri PL. SM. Kailasanathan Chettiar, Nonagenarian who has conducted several traditional temple kumbabishekams
  • Thiru. Lotus Venkatachalam Chettiar, Philanthropist and Textile Industrialist
  • Thiru. Er.M.Velavan, Software Engineer
  • Thiru. A. Ramanathan Chettiar, Secretary, NSMVPS High School, Devakottai
  • Late. Thiru AV.K. Somasundaram Chettiar, Kazhaga Perum Thalaivar, Devakottai Thirukkural Kazhagam
  • Coimbatore Dr. V. Veerappan, Leading Anaesthetist
  • Dr. V. Sankara Narayanan, Leading Neuro Physician
  • Dr. Kasinathan Nachiappan, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and ophthalmologist from Sankara Nethralaya
  • Thiru A.RM.A.L.A.MV.Arunachalam (Sempon), Thirumurai Kavalar and Esani Sivam
  • Thiru R.Karthikeyan, Leading Pharmacy business,Devakottai.
  • Thiru A.Lakshmanan, Land Developer and Builder in Hosur
  • Late Shri AL.AR.Arunachalam Chettiar - Zamindar of Devakottai
  • Late Shri AL.AR.Kalairaja Chettiar - Zamindar of Devakottai
  • Late Shri AL.AR.K.Veerappan Chettiar - Zamindar of Devakottai
  • Dr KK Shanmugam - Joint Director (Mines), Government Of Tamil Nadu
  • Er Ramesh Shanmugam - Project Manager (Civil), Singapore
  • Late Shri O.RM.M.SM.Manickavasagam Chettiar alias Sevugan Chettiar - Chairman Devakaottai Panchayat Board for 19 years
  • Late Shri O.RM.M.SM.SV.A.Arunachalam Chettiar - Land Developer - Malaysia, India & Founder of Chairman Manickavasagam Middle School.
  • M.Sevugan Chettiar Alias Chokkiah chettiar,Philanthropist, Director, Jeyam Properties,Malaysia, American Education Systems, India, Trustee Tamil Vallal Meyyappa Chettiar trust, Manga-Rathnam Trust, India, Ex director of IOB, Travancore Rayons,Rayon Puram, Kerala, Cigfill Ltd.,Banglore & Sivakami Mills, Madurai.
  • AR.Somasundaram - Secretary & Correspondent of Chairman Manickavasagam Middle School.President Nagarathar Sangam,Madurai 2008-2009.Mg.Trustee AR.Somasundaram Trust.Housing Development & Planter -Malaysia.
  • Software Engineer M.DachanaMoorthy
  • Thiru V.Chandramoleeswaran President CHEMSEM,Director Chettinad Power Corpn,Chettinad Quartz,Chettinad Logistics
  • Late RM.Annamalai Chettiar Freedom fighter,Philanthropist,Congress leader
  • Thiru RM.Lakshmanan, Industrialist,Philanthropist
  • Thiru.L.Lakshmanan Former DGM Chettinad Groups,Industrialist,Philanthropist
  • Late Scout Srini Chettiar,Socialist,Philanthropist.
  • Late Thiru Alagu Chettiar,(Grocery Merchant-Vellaiyan Oorani)
  • Thiru L.Lakshmanan Chief Manager,Karur Vysya Bank,Whites Road Branch,Chennai
  • Thiru AL.AR.K.VR.ChinnaVeerappan Chettiar, Zamindar of Devakottai


Colleges

SREE SEVEGAN ANNAMALAI COLLEGE - DEVAKOTTAI ( Arts & Science )

ANANDA COLLEGE - DEVAKOTTAI ( Arts & science )

References



External links




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