By Shafee Ahmed Ko, TwoCircles.net,
Tiruvarur is a city in the state of Tamil Nadu with its surrounding area having a strong Muslim belt. Though it is an ancient temple town with the history of Chola heartland famous for Sri Tyagaraja Temple, there are some mosques in the town as well – the oldest near the market and the latest one is just fifteen years old built in modern architecture.
Tiruvarur district is located in the east of the state, roughly halfway between its northern and southern borders. It has an average elevation of 3 metres (9 ft). Tiruvarur is situated at a distance of 24 km from Nagapattinam, 29 km from Nagore, 40 km from Karaikal, 40 km from Mayiladuthurai, 40 km from Kumbakonam, 56 km from Thanjavur, 27 km from Mannargudi and 28 km from Thiruthuraipoondi. Tiruvarur lies in the Kaveri River basin and the main occupation of the inhabitants of the district and surrounding areas is agriculture.
Jambavanodai Dargah in Tiruthuraipoondi Taluk
According to 2001 Census, the Tiruvarur town had a population of 56,280 (about 50% of them Muslims). Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Tiruvarur has an average literacy rate of 81%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 85% and female literacy is 76%.
The Muslims and Hindus of Tiruvarur are quite friendly and no incident of any communal violence has been reported either in the near past or in the distant past. Tiruvarur Muslims have borrowed some festivals like Pongal (Harvest Festivals) and they celebrate it in the same way as Hindu brethren except immolation of animals or offerings to gods and goddesses. They speak fluent Tamil.
The young Muslim children aged five to nine are seen in madrasas generally attached to mosques where free teaching in Arabic and fundamentals of Islam are imparted. Both after Fajar (early Morning Prayer) and Asar (pre-dusk Namaz), children could be seen there – boys with caps and small girls with Niquab or headscarf.
Most of the parents are employed in Gulf countries. Their boys are girls are being educated in colleges. Muslim girls are opting for higher education, and when this correspondent interviewed some of the Muslim elites of the town, they came forward to say, “Our girls should be well educated and should stand at par with others.” However, few old schools of thoughts questioned, “Why girls should be educated; what do they do after marriage?”
There are a number of colleges both self financed and Government run in Tiruvarur. Some of them are: Tiruvarur Medical College of Tamil Nadu, Vilamal, Tiruvarur TMC Paramedical College, Madappuram, Tiruvarur Oviya Paramedical College, Tiruvarur DK Paramedical College, Tiruvarur. Bharath Paramedical College, Tiruvarur.
Devotees offering prayers at the Nagore Dargah
There are some women colleges also: Thiru-Vi-Ka Govt. Arts College, Thiruvarur Nethaji Subash Chendra Bose College, Thiruvarur Rabiammal Ahamed Maideen College for Women, Thiruvarur Sulthana Adbullah Rowther College for Women, Thiruvarur Govt. Cooperative College, Pallivasal Street, Thiruvarur T.T. Narasimhan – Swami Dayananda College of Arts and Science, Thiruvarur Dist. Teacher Training Institution.
Most of the Muslim youths whose parents are in Gulf countries are getting higher education though, they are politically conscious also and they have great social awareness. The youths, to whom this correspondent met, they all speak on world politics. The aged Muslims are more interested in Tablighi Jamaat and they often make trips from 3-40 days to different parts of the country to learn and teach basics of Islam.
An ancient Muslim saint’s tomb is in Nagore, 23 kms from Tiruvarur town. The saint is known as Hazrath Syed Shahul Hameed Khader Wali of Nagore Sharif. Hundreds of Muslims and Hindus visit the Dargah daily. Although there are different opinions with regards to the saint the Dargah worship is still vogue among few Muslims and Hindus from far and near. The anniversary of the saint is celebrated every year for 14 days commencing from the first day of the Islamic calendar month of Jamathul Akhir. The regular celebrity visitor to this Dargah is renowned music director A.R.Rahman.
Nagoor Hanifa is renowned Islamic devotional songster. If one takes any average Tamil Muslim house, there will be Islamic devotional songs by Nagoor Hanifa. “Eraivanidam Kai Enthungal, Avan Illai Enru Cholluvadu Illai…meaning “Extend your hands to God (Allah), He does not say no”, is famous line from his song. Nagoor Hanifa’s voice echoes persistently all around Tamil Muslims whether they are in Gulf countries, Singapore and Malasia.
[Photo by Tiruvarur]