Popular depiction of Tamil warriors used for Vokkaliga chieftains?

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: It has come to light that the photographs that are being used to portray supposed Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda are popular depictions of the 18th century Maruthu Pandiyar brothers who had ruled the Tamil kingdom of Sivaganga.  Alt News reportedly discovered the resemblance through reverse image checks.

Right wing ideologues, including those in the BJP claim the chieftains killed 18th century Mysuru monarch Tipu Sultan, a claim denied by historians who hold that the king was killed by the British in 1799 during the siege of Sriranagapatna. Scholars believe that the two chieftains are fictional characters being utilized by BJP to make Vokkaligas – the populous caste concentrated in Old Mysuru region – heroes in Hindutva narratives so as to win over their electoral support.

The photos depict two bare chested muscular men with prominent moustaches holding swords, a popular portrayal of the Maruthu brothers that developed over time. A poster incorporating the relevant picture was tweeted by BJP’s State Horticulture Minister Munirathna but he went on to delete the same. The film director turned politician had registered a movie with the names of the chieftains with the Kannada Film Chamber.

However, he dropped the plan on the advice of the Vokkaliga pontiff of Adichunchanagiri mutt Nirmalanandanatha Swamy, who questioned the historicity of the two characters.

Who were the brothers?

The brothers Periya Maruthu and Chinna Maruthu were the sons of Mokka Palanisamy Thevar and his wife Ponatha. They served the second king of the Sivaganga kingdom, Muthuvadaganatha Thevar. Some historians are of the opinion that the elder of the two brothers, Periya Maruthu was born in 1748 in Ramnad (Ramanathpuram) state.

The younger Chinna Maruthu is estimated to be five years his brother’s junior. The duo are said to have learned martial skills while serving the king of Ramnad. According to legend, they were given the title Pandiyar after they killed a tiger without weapons to save the king. The brothers are best known for resisting colonial rule and gathering support for said rebellion.

According to a TN government website, when king of Ramnad, Sethupathy decided to give his daughter Velu Nachiyar, in marriage to the king of Sivagangai, he sent his commanders, the Maruthu brothers as protectors