Ettayapuram

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Ettayapuram | type = city | latd = 9.1500 | longd = 77.9833
state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Thoothukudi
leader_title = Chairperson of Town Panchayat
leader_name = Kiruthika Jeyalakshmi cite web | url = http://gisd.tn.nic.in/tnsec/tpcdetl-web26.htm | title = Details of Town Panchayats and elected Chairpeople | date = 2006-07-07 | work = Official Tamil Nadu State Election Commission results ]
altitude = 60
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 12,800| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 04632
postal_code = 628902 [http://www.bandvalley.com/postalcode.xls]
vehicle_code_range = TN 69 Z
sex_ratio = 52:48
unlocode =
website = www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in/upinfo/tourism/Ettaiyapuram.html
website_caption = www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in
footnotes =

Ettayapuram ("எட்டையாபுரம்" in Tamil) is a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district (also known as Tuticorin district) of Tamil Nadu. It is notable for being the birth place of the great Tamil Poet Mahakavi Bharathiar. Muthuswami Dikshitar, one of the triad of Carnatic music also was patronised in his final years by the ruler of Ettayapuram. [http://www.musicalnirvana.com/composers/subbarama_dheekshithar_articles.html Write-up on patronage of Muthuswami Dikshitar by Ettappan] ] Umaru Pulavar a Tamil Islamic poet also lived here.

History

Ettayapuram was originally Ilasanadu, which was ruled by the Pandya Kings. When they could no longer rule directly, Ettappan was appointed as Zamindar. After 150 years of rule by the descendants of Ettappan, Ilasanadu became Ettayapuram in 1565. [ [http://www.thoothukudi.tn.nic.in/upinfo/tourism/Ettaiyapuram.html Ettayapuram was formed in 1565] .] Even today, some people call it Ilasai. Notable among them is Ilasai Sundaram, who is a Tamil Scholar.

Legacy of Subramanya Bharathy

"See also Subramanya Bharathy". He studied in a local high school named "Raajah's High School", where he showed exemplary poetic talent even at an early age of 11. At various points in time, he was patronised by Ettappan, the local ruler, even though differences used to crop up between them often.

Ettappan

descendant was admired by some of the natives for his welfare activities including arrangements for water supply through huge tanks. He was also a patron of poets and musicians. Notable examples are Bharathy and Muthuswami Dikshitar.

Civic administration

Ettayapuram is a town panchayat that is part of the Thoothukudi district, which was carved out of the erstwhile Tirunelveli district. It comes under the Kovilpatti constituency of Tamil Nadu legislative assembly.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Ettayapuram had a population of 12,800. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Ettayapuram has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 61%. In Ettayapuram, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

People of Ettayapuram are primarily engaged in weaving, making matches and agriculture. Currently all these trades have become less remunerative and the people here migrate to cities like Chennai to work as labourers in grocery shops.

Weaving

Most of the people living here are traditional weavers who weave cotton yarn using handlooms. These handlooms are not suited for weaving complex patterns as designs on the cloth. There are some recent moves by National Institute of Fashion Technology to train people on Jacquard looms, which is suited for weaving complex patterns in a semi-automated way using punched cards. Some people who are relatively wealthy, use power looms. People are also employed in other allied trades of preparing the thread for weaving, dyeing etc.

Making match boxes

The next major occupation here is making match boxes, which includes manufacturing small boxes that contain matchsticks, preparing match sticks and loading them on to the match boxes. Nowadays, as many people have started using mechanical lighters for starting fire and also due to automated match stick makers, this trade is on the decline.

Agriculture

The area of land under cultivation has fallen due to failing rains and relatively poor soil fertility. The soil type is black soil, which supports crops like "kezhvaragu", "cumbu", "cholam", cotton, sunflower etc.

"Kanni" breed of goats, a drought-resistant variety reared for its meat, is most common in this region.

Tourist attractions

Ettayapuram is well connected to Madurai, Thoothukkudi, and Tirunelveli by road. Train services are available from Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai, Thoothukkudi, Tirunelveli and else where in India, up to Kovilpatti, which is 15 km from here.

Places of interest in Ettayapuram

# Bharathiar's House
# Bharathy's Memorial
# Muthuswamy Dikshitar's Memorial
# Umarup Pulavar Dargah
# Ettappan's Palace

Places of interest near Ettayapuram

# Panchalankurichi Fort of Veerapandiya Kattabomman
# Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli
# Courtallam waterfalls near Tirunelveli
# Ottapidaram, the birth place of V.O.Chidambaranar
# Ayyanar temple, Vangarpatti, 5 km from Ettayapuram
# Sinthalakkarai temple - Kalli temple .

References

External links

* [http://www.agaram.tn.gov.in/dtp/panmain.asp?pan_name=Ettayapuram Tamilnadu Government Site on Ettayapuram]
* [http://www.tn.gov.in/dsvp/dtpphoto1/ettaya.htm Tamilnadu Government Site on Ettayapuram History & Tourism]
* [http://www.travellerindia.com/sankarankoil.htm Tourism information on Ettayapuram and near by areas]