Konaseema Dravida Sisu

The name ‘Konaseema’ in Andhra Pradesh refers to this Delta area of Tanjavur and Thiruvaiyaru districts in today’s Tamil Nadu. As per the narrations given by ‘Mahaperiyava’, in a gesture of goodwill, about 500 families of Vedic Brahmins were gifted by the Cholas to the Chalukyas in those days along with a Chola princess in wedding to their then Chalukya Prince. This Tamil Iyer mix of Vadama, Vathima, Brahacharanam, and Arthashashtram Pundits was provided a settlement area in the Godavari Basin and the town was called the settlement area of the ‘Konaseema Dravida Panthuluvaru’ and hence the name.

There they eventually took Telugu as their Mother tongue considering the lofty Sanskrit influence the language could accept. Some were sent to Hampi in the Tungabadra basin later by King Krishnadeva Raya, to spread the Vedic knowledge there and they grew up as children of Kannada Thayee. These families were in touch with the root clan and it’s the one I belong to.

Now after about 500 years when I stand here somewhere between Nannilam and Valangaimaan in Tamil Nadu, it gives a feel like being incubated in the mother’s womb once again. Happy, that I stand here as one rare person comfortably fluent in all three languages.

If I could only manage to connect the broken link of those from our clan who migrated to Palakkad from here …I would balm my feet a little more – ‘Kettio’.

Sarvejananam Sukino Bavanthu.