Adoption Of the Term ‘Arunthathiyar’ In Tamil Nadu: A Sociological Understanding

Abstract

The adoption of the term Arunthathiyar marks a significant transformation in the historical identity and collective consciousness of one of Tamil Nadu's most marginalized Scheduled Caste communities. Historically, the community was identified by various regional and occupational names, including Chakkiliyan, Madiga, Madari, Pagadai and Thoti, all of which were closely associated with traditional occupations such as leather work, carcass disposal and sanitation services. Over time, these occupational labels acquired derogatory connotations and became symbols of caste-based exclusion and untouchability. Against this backdrop, the emergence of the collective term Arunthathiyar represented an important process of identity reconstruction aimed at replacing stigmatized nomenclature with a socially dignified and inclusive identity.

This article critically examines the historical evolution and adoption of the term Arunthathiyar through a qualitative review of documentary sources. Drawing on colonial ethnographies, government reports, census publications, academic literature and community-authored histories, the study analyses how different historical narratives have shaped the community's identity. Using documentary analysis and sociological interpretation, the article explores the relationship between colonial classification, occupational identity, state recognition and community agency in the evolution of the collective designation. It argues that the adoption of the term Arunthathiyar was not merely a linguistic or administrative change but a socio-political process through which the community challenged caste-based stigmatization, strengthened collective solidarity and negotiated greater recognition within the democratic framework of post-independence India.

The study further demonstrates that caste nomenclature is neither static nor historically neutral. Instead, it is shaped by changing political, social and cultural contexts in which communities actively negotiate their identities. By examining the politics of naming within the broader framework of caste and identity formation, this article contributes to the growing scholarly work on Dalit history, identity reconstruction and social transformation in South India. It also highlights the need for further interdisciplinary research integrating archival evidence, oral histories and ethnographic studies to deepen the understanding of the historical evolution of the Arunthathiyar community.