Philanthropic and liberal in outlook
frugal and calculative in style,
god fearing and sea faring
could turn out to be
the characteristics of this small
merchant community living
in the southern part
of India.
Occupying the driest part of the land
where there is sparse vegetation
voluntarily chosen by these merchants
as they had been ravaged time and again
by Tsunamis when they inhabited the
coastal regions. The move to the barren
soil has enriched them. A migration
with paradoxical connotation.
Such is their status till now
building palatial houses,
investing in commodities
establishing schools, colleges,
universities, hospitals, renovating
temples , all done individually
and collectively by these merchants
who number one hundred thousand in all.
Identified as Nagarathars, the royals
among the Indian merchant community.
Meenas Poems 