Koliyar is a Community (Caste) which originated in the year 1,900 BCE. Since then they have contributed and revolutionized the Indian, mainly South Indian clothing trend.

Country

INDIA

Koliyar Community originated in the Indian Subcontinent around 3916 years ago (1900 BCE). They mainly constituted in the southern Indian region where there was the rule of the Dravidian Empire. To understand this more accurately, the following image must be reffered.

Sri Lanka

Koliyars also expanded their Community over to Sri Lanka over the years. Around 1500 BCE Koliyars carried out entire weaving Industry in the Sri Lanka under Dravidian empire during this span. The expansion of the Koliyar Community over Sri Lanka is represented below with the help the following Image. Entire Sri Lanka was under Dravidian Empire but the most of the Interior was not occupied during 1500 BCE.

State

Tamil Nadu

Koliyar Community originated in Tamil Nadu because Dravidian empire too originated in Tamil Nadu. Koliyar Community emerged with other Communities like Mudaliar, Nadar, Udaiyar, Konar etc. and Higher order Brahmins. Koliyars had a decent population with respect to other Communities during 1300 BCE. Koliyar population was very dense in Tamil Nadu and was comparatively scarce in other states. There were approximately 10,000 Koliyar population during 1300 BCE. The following Image below describes the Koliyar population density in Tamil Nadu during 1300 BCE for better understanding.

Language

Tamil

Koliyars have spoken Old Tamil, Medieval Tamil and Modern Tamil. Koliyars had a very dense population in Tirunelveli from 1300 BCE – 1000 BCE. Tirunelveli Koliyars had a distinct Tamil accent which is now known as Nellai Tamil. Madurai Tamil was the second most spoken by the Koliyar Community. Thoothukudi Koliyars also used Nellai Tamil as their accent. Madras Tamil was also widely used by Koliyars and it was mostly used by people living in Madras (Chennai). Kongu Tamil was mainly used in the north western Tamil Nadu and it was mostly spoken by Koliyars in Coimbatore. The following Image below is the written Tamil script in Stone used by Koliyars during 1000 BCE.

Religious Beliefs

Hinduism

Koliyar Community was originated based entirely on Hinduism during 1900 BCE. The Dravidian Empire was also based on Hinduism Religious Beliefs. These ancient Religious Beliefs of the Dravidian Empire as resulted in 88% Hindus in modern day Tamil nadu State. Koliyar Community Built many Temples and also followed the Temples built by the Dravidian Empire. During 500 BCE there were around 15,000 Hindu Koliyars. There were Koliyars who became saints and managed the Koliyar Community Hindu Temples. The following Image below represents the structure of Hindu Temples built by Koliyar Community around 500 BCE – 200 BCE.

Work

Textile Industry (Weaving)

Koliyar Community’s primary occupation was managing the Dravidian Empire’s Textile Industry by production of Clothing Accessories by weaving in Handloom Machinery. Koliyar Community from its origin started weaving and created the Human clothing trend in the Southern India (Dravidian Empire). If calculated from its origin, Koliyar Community has weaved for around 4 Millennium i.e 4,000 years from its origin. Due to the Koliyar Community’s immense experience in the Textile Industry they were able to produce the finest and excellent quality Clothing during its time. Koliyar Community fabricated Clothing for the Entire Empire because it was able to meet the Dravidian Empire’s demands. The following Image below shows the quality and design of Clothing fabricated by the Koliyar Community for the Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I during 990 CE.

Handloom Production

Koliyars were excellent and experienced in weaving but they also manufactured their own weaving machines i.e Handlooms. They manufactured handlooms for huge mills ordered by the Empire and also manufactured personal handlooms in their houses.