Which way,option, straight or to the left- I thanked and said left he pressed the signal post indicator button, a White Palm Symbol flashed; right of way electronically given for the pedestrians to cross the busy junction. You are now in West Desmoines ,well, where do you live! though surprised as not yet formally introduced I looked up and mumbled giving a very precise location "North- West", you have come a long way for your evening stroll extending a friendly gesture for a conversation.I am on annual sojourn from Mumbai -India; he responded authoritatively ' I Siva a Tamilian' my ancestors migrated somewhere from the present South India region 650 years ago but I have never been to India; brought up near the boarders of Thailand and Malaysia- educated in Australia ,here on a assignment for almost 7 years. We speak Tamil at home, my children in college and wife a teacher also a prolific Tamil writer. We are looking forward to visit India later this winter. Awesome introduction. I too wanted to be bit Ancient and thus continued ,I am a Tamil Brahman my ancestors hailed from " Kalpati " bordering Tamilnadu and Kerala state ( the only remote region I could authentically extend), brought up in Thar desert of Rajasthan state , settled in Mumbai and our two children happily married to gentle South Indian Brahman family now settled in America. My wife is the only person in our family who practiced Carnatic music and likes devotional songs can read and write Tamil.We met a few times and conversed in Tamil, he observed that my Tamil is slightly flawed and remarked that it looks as if you have picked up the language later probably from your wife.However I was positively intrigued and keen to explore the cause of migration 800 to 1200 years ago from South India.
Historically India was inhabited by the Dravidian's the first original settlers were highlanders who some 3500 BC migrated from North West Iran into India- Subcontinent and played a leading role of Indus Valley ethnographic composition, before they were driven into Deccan beyond Narmada river into the Southern region by the Aryans who were infact semi-nomads invaded India through Khyber Pass at around 1500 BC. Dravidian's urbanized culture,caste was non existent,matriarchal tradition being the special feature and they had a huge respect for women particularly 'Mother' this is the reason folks in rural area of South India worship 'AMMAN" ( Mother ).Also in ancient India three religious traditions rose to prominence namely Saivism, Brahmanism and Jainism of which saivism was the most ancient also from saivism derived the temple traditions of Hinduism enriching in process Hindu mythology.There was considerable tamil diaspora in malaysia, indonesia and far east around early 18th century and the tamil population in malaysia alone was 25 lacs; the migration basically was to work in rubber plantation- a tamil school is on record as early as 1875 ( Tamilians were all over in thailand,manila,vietnam cambodia and even reached reached australia ). The tamil community mainly chettiar under Chola kingdom possessing rich cultural heritage traveled foreign countries by foot, road and set up business, took up small errand or jobs they were known as 'Nagarathans' now estimated to live in 52 countries abroad including west. I am certain that only a person like 'Siva Chinniah' having traits of a true Nagarathan can extend a warm response despite holding a high corporate status of Vice -President of Technology Development had no qualms in meeting me several times during my short stay at Desmoines. I thank him and look forward for his maiden visit to India the country of his ancestors.
Historically India was inhabited by the Dravidian's the first original settlers were highlanders who some 3500 BC migrated from North West Iran into India- Subcontinent and played a leading role of Indus Valley ethnographic composition, before they were driven into Deccan beyond Narmada river into the Southern region by the Aryans who were infact semi-nomads invaded India through Khyber Pass at around 1500 BC. Dravidian's urbanized culture,caste was non existent,matriarchal tradition being the special feature and they had a huge respect for women particularly 'Mother' this is the reason folks in rural area of South India worship 'AMMAN" ( Mother ).Also in ancient India three religious traditions rose to prominence namely Saivism, Brahmanism and Jainism of which saivism was the most ancient also from saivism derived the temple traditions of Hinduism enriching in process Hindu mythology.There was considerable tamil diaspora in malaysia, indonesia and far east around early 18th century and the tamil population in malaysia alone was 25 lacs; the migration basically was to work in rubber plantation- a tamil school is on record as early as 1875 ( Tamilians were all over in thailand,manila,vietnam cambodia and even reached reached australia ). The tamil community mainly chettiar under Chola kingdom possessing rich cultural heritage traveled foreign countries by foot, road and set up business, took up small errand or jobs they were known as 'Nagarathans' now estimated to live in 52 countries abroad including west. I am certain that only a person like 'Siva Chinniah' having traits of a true Nagarathan can extend a warm response despite holding a high corporate status of Vice -President of Technology Development had no qualms in meeting me several times during my short stay at Desmoines. I thank him and look forward for his maiden visit to India the country of his ancestors.
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