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Revision as of 11:24, 26 November 2004

Iyengar (or Aiyangar) is the name of a community of Brahmins of South India whose members profess the Visishtadvaita philosophy codified by Ramanuja. The word Iyengar (Anglicised from the Tamil ஐயங்கார்(Aiyaṅkār)) could be derived from the Tamil word Aiyā (used as a term of respect), which in turn derives from the word Arya. It could also mean "people entrusted with five tasks", referring to the five duties that traditional Iyengars perform (see ). The most common spelling is "Iyengar", but "Aiyangar" is the phonetically correct spelling.

Although most Iyengars speak Tamil, there are also large numbers of Kannada speaking Iyengars in southern Karnataka (popularly known as Bangalore Iyengars), as well as smaller numbers of Telugu-speakers in southern Andhra Pradesh. Iyengars are primarily Vaishnavites, and as is the case with the majority of Brahmins, are also vegetarians. Today, Iyengars are divided into two sub-communities of Thenkalai and Vadakalai due to a 13th century schism between the followers of Pillai Lokacharya and those of Vedanta Desika respectively.

This article covers the Iyengars as an ethnic group.

Iyengar

Classification: Ethnic group/ Caste/Community of South India
Total population: 2004: (approx) 1,000,000 (roughly 1% of Tamilians)
Significant populations in: Chennai: XXXX

Mayavaram: XXXX

Palghat: XXXX
Language Mother tongue is Tamil with unique Iyengar accent and dialect. Knowledge in Sanskrit for religious/traditional reasons.
Related ethnic groups Brahmin

  Iyer
  Iyengar

  • Tengalai
  • Vadakalai

Some Famous Iyengars

The following were all born Iyengars, although some of them married into other castes and religions, and still others denied their casteist identity later in life.

External links

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