SOCIO- CULTURAL 

HISTORY OF KOMBAI VILLAGE

INTRODUCTION

Kombai means Interior corner (in the Tamil dictionary) (Mudakku), the bottom of the mountain; Thennai (coconut tree). Even through it has such meanings, it has situated in between Panrimalai West Mountain and Kalugumalai (Eagle Mountain). It is rightly said as Interior Corner (Mudangiiruthal). 

The Valiayars are belongs to the category of tribals was the origner of  Kombai village .They lived at the foot hills of western ghats, collection of honey making spices are their main occupation.

In the front view of foot hills a small pond was digged out by Valaiyars for the purpose of saving rain water. Peoples in early age led their life near by this village.Ottan Kulam, Durai Kulam, Pechi Kulam, Manikam Kulam, Kovichetti Kulam are some of the important water resources during the early stages. 

A Banyan tree is found at the bottom of the western mountain. It is called as Santhai Alamaram. [The market Banyan tree]. This market place is used for buying and selling their goods. The market was conducted every friday of the week. On the basis of this remembrance till today the market in Kombai is conducted  every friday of the week. Even today the people calls the cultivated land at the foot hills of the temple on the direction of south as Kombai Vattam and north as Valazhi Kombai

In the early stage the people got the troubles, from forest  animals and due to the lack of sufficient water for agricultural purposes, they wanted to shift their houses to another places. In summer period, due to the scarcity of water, people decided to shift their places to the plain valley places and made good accommodation in the village.

There are several villages on the name of Kombai  in Tamilnadu .Kombai (Uthamapalayam) AthiKombai (Ottan Chatiram) Pulliman Kombai (Aundipatty). All this villages are located at the foot of several hills. The word Chittroor is originated from the kanadian word Kombo. Presently all the Kombai villages has kanada speaking peoples, the above information explains the reality of Kombai village.

Kombai the village belongs to palayams is orginated in middle ages. Tipu sultan the ruler of Mysore adorned the village by issuing Pallaku.

Scope of the study

The aim of the present thesis is to assess the history of Kombai in the district of Theni. The scope of study includes the importance of education, Socio economic condition, Car festival of Kombai.

Period of study

Since this study proceeds to identify the history of Kombai, the early history available in traditional nature. So, history of the past is presented in traditional way and present history is given higher importance hence no particular period for this study has been attempted.

Area of study

The historical places in around Kombai village. The geographical features, profile of town Panchayat, Car festivals and tourist places in Kombai have been identified and selected for study.

Methodology and source materials

The project work history of Kombai is based on original research. The source for listing the  project is two types .Primary and secondary sources .The primary sources include inscriptions, government order, government and private discussion with research persons, other book lets and pamphlets, detailing the history of Kombai have been consulted for the study.

Published Work

  Publisher works of different authors and unpublished dissertation. Tamil literature, manuals from the bulk of the secondry source of information. Arul Migu Thirumalai raya permal kovil Thalavaralaru, Temple publication [ 2004 ] kumudam Theeranadhi-Vee.Pa.Ka. Sundaram [2005] whos who freedom fighters Tamilnadu Vol-I. Arul Migu Thirumalai Raya perumal kovil Kudamulazhu vila kumbabiseka malar-Temple publication [2002].

Arul Migu Thirumalai raya perumal Ther Thiruvilzha malar [2003]. Huzahithun Niswan Al- Muzmuthiya Theology College for women. 17th  year special magazine Sri Kannika Parameswari middle school centurian special magazine  [ ] Dr S.Varghese Jayaraj, The Zamindarss of Kombai. H.K.R.H College magazine,[1995-1996]. T.Paramasivans panpattu Asaivukal-Kalasivazdu publication [2004] .K.S.Singh ,people of India Tamilnadu [1997].   

V.Aanaimuthu thoughts of Periyar [1994] Thinker forum ThiruchiraPalli Publications K.Rathinams Thennga Kulazngalum,Kudigalum.[1987] University of Tanjore Publication are some of the relevant and relate works of learned scholars.

Chapterisation

The thesis is studied in four chapters excluding introduction and conclusion .The Chapterisation is as follows .The introduction gives the meaning origin and location of Kombai.

The first chapter narrates about Geographical condition, name reason of Kombai. It also deals with town Panchayats history, freedom fighters of Kombai and Gandhi visit to this village. Kombai dog was given importance.

The second chapter informs about Kombai car festival, temples in Kombai and  Kombai sage. Car festivals and sage of Kombai narrated in grand manner.

The third chapter explains about educational institution of Kombai. Commissions for education, impact of education are mentioned here. Origin of the school, types of school and colleges are placed in this chapter. Special importance is given to Sri Kannika Parameswari School. Literate in Kombai.

The last chapter deals with social condition of Kombai people. Economic condition is given secondary importance. Culture, Caste, Customs & manner of the people deals in this chapter. Religion given importance. The 18th channel system is clearly mentioned here.

Conclusion

In Conclusion the history of Kombai form the past and development to present day has narrated National integration in Car festivals, development in Economic condition are  mentioned various demerits .Such as stand storms, Encroachment , Coconut  coir wastage, Clash in Car festival also indicated .Several suggestion were given for the development of Kombai village.