Ambattar


Ambattar is a Tamil caste found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and northeastern part of Sri Lanka. The Ambattar have traditionally worked as barbers, but also as physicians and midwives.
The Ambattar, known under the term Kudimakkal, had ritual importance as officiators in marriages and funerals.

Etymology and synonyms

The name Ambattar is a Tamilised word originally from Sanskrit word ambashtha. The word is derived from the two Sanskrit words amba meaning "near" and stha meaning "to stand" thus meaning "one who stands closeby" in reference to their occupation as barbers and physicians.
They have also been referred to as Maruttuvar, Pariyari and Vaidiyar, which are all synonyms for physicians. Other names are also synonymous with Ambattar, including Navidhar, Nasuvan, Chakkara Kathi and Kudimagan. According to one member of the caste, the name used varies from one village to another.

History

Myth

According to Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text, the Ambattar or Ambashtha are the offspring of a Brahmin father and a Vaishya mother. According to the folklore of the Ambattar of Sri Lanka, they arrived in the Jaffna Kingdom as attendants of warriors. Since they came without their wives, they married Sri Lankan Vellalar women.

Early history

The Siddhars, the ancient Tamil physicians who claimed to have attained siddhi, hailed mostly from the Ambattar community.