History of the Sri Anggalaman Temple, 
Gajah Berang and Land TA 5 Lot 94 & Lot 118  

By Mr. S.Vengadesan Naiker PBM Hon.
Secretary SPVM Temple
28th February 1982  

INTRODUCTION       
                           

The intention in writing this is purely to inform the present and future generations of our members, the many historical aspects in our community. Many in the community, especially the younger generation do not know the historical background relating to certain temples and its properties or the way properties were acquired and included into the SPVM Temple trusteeship.    

BACKGROUND  

 I like to touch on the history of the Sri Angglamman Temple situated at Gajah Berang which is one of the riches temples of the Melaka Chetty Community.  The temple’s possession includes the pieces of land on TA 5, Lot 94 and Lot 118. On these two pieces of land stand most of the houses of our community. In the past our community managed, administered and performed numerous ceremonies at the various temples, the same way it does today. However, 85 years ago, before 13th of December 1917, the Sri Anggalamman Temple and the land TA 5, LOT 118 & LOT 94 was managed separately by my ancestors, the “Nyker / Naicker/ Naiker” family and did not come under the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple banner (SPVM Temple).  In the past only a few elders in our community know the circumstances related to the change over of trusteeship of this temple. It is understandable why many would like to suppress and silence this fact, for obvious reasons known to them.   

ASSETS   

The Melaka Chitty Community was and still is organised under the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple (SPVM Temple) banner, under which all the other temples, buildings and landed properties are incorporated. 

The term SPVM Temple encompasses several pieces of land and buildings in the town area of Malacca :-

SCHEDULE OF LANDS:
No. Town area Lot No. Area.

    SCHEDULE OF TEMPLES:

 i) Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple at Temple Street,
 ii) Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple at Gajah Berang,
iii) Sri Kailassnathar Temple at Gajah Berang
 iv) Sri Anggalaman Temple at Gajah Berang

And also all the other open air temples (grammangal kovil )

v) Sri Dharmaraja Temple
vi) Sri Kaliamman Temple
 vii) Sri Ayernar Temple
 vii) Sri Amman Temple
viii) Sri Kathaiamman Temple and
 ix) Sri Linggadariamman Temple

ANNUAL RELIGIOUS CEREMONY  

The annual prayer of the Sri Anggalammen Temple was carried out by the Nyker / Naicker / Naiker family and their relatives. They also invited all the Melaka Chetty Community members to participate in all the prayer ceremonies.   The two brothers   Mr. Lechumana Nyker and Mr. Bandasa Naiker were not rich. They struggled to maintain the temple and the properties. They often had disagreement over financial matters and could not meet the expenses in running the said temple. The estate was a family inheritance and not the personal property acquired by Mr Lachumana Nyker. His only younger brother was Mr.Bandasa Naiker who had equal legal right to administer the estate in the event of Mr Lechumana Nyker passed away.   

The trustees of the SPVM Temple then were Mr. Layna Chalong Pillay, Mr. Dasua Chitty, Mr. Layna Annamalai Chitty and Mr. Chona Tamby Pillay. Being leaders of the Melaka Chitty community, they would have approached and advised the late Mr Lechumana Nyker, that to lighten his financial burden of running the Sri Anggalaman Temple, it would be wise to hand over the management of the said properties to the SPVM Temple, which had the money and the capacity to meet all the expenses in running these temples.   

Whether the intentions of the trustees then, were genuine or a ploy is left to history and the individual to think. Mr. Lechumana Nyker was an uneducated man doing some minor job, while some of the trustees then were clerks at the lawyer office of Rogers & Sons, teachers and businessmen. It is indeed ridiculous that Mr. Lechumana Nyker who had sole jurisdiction over the said estate, would unwittingly hand it over to the SPVM Temple trustees, losing all authority, control and rights to the estate for himself and all his descendents. This was an ill-advised and a misguided action.  

POWER OF ATTORNEY    
 

To their suggestions, he foolishly agreed and gave away Power of Attorney of the Sri Anggalammen Temple and its properties to the SPVM Temple Trustees to manage on the 13th of December 1919. On the same date he also entered into a separate agreement with the same SPVM Temple trustees, to allow him a 10 years lease of the land Lot 118, where his house No. 2, Kampong Tujoh stood. Just 2 years after the PA was signed he passed away in 1919. It should be noted that he only gave the Power of Attorney to manage and administer the properties. He did not sell them or give it away. Power of Attorney can be given to a second party; however, the P.A. becomes invalid and ceases to be effective when the second party ceases to exist.   

ORIGINAL GRANTEE  

The word “original grantee” means that the late Mr Seseiyan Nyker was the person to whom the land was legally transferred. In an official search made at the Department of Land & Mines, it is noted that on the 1st of May 1888 these two pieces of land were registered under Mr Seseiyan Nyker who died “interstate”, at Gajah Berang. Legally speaking, “interstate”, means that he did not leave any Will for his next of kin to administer his properties or estate. His next of kin the late Mr Andayapa Nyker probably took over managing the said properties; unfortunately he did not take legal steps to transfer the title to the current owner.   

LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION  

LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION ( L.A.) can be applied only by the next of kin, through a court when the property of a deceased person is left unadministered. However, it is entirely different from POWER OF ATTORNEY ( P.A.) where relationship does not matter. Any person with vested interest in the matter can legally apply in court for it.   

Since there was no legal Will left behind by his predecessors who died instate, and after a lapse of several years, LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION was applied by the next of kin and grandson Mr. Lechumana Nyker on 6th of June 1904, in the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlement, Malacca, under the British Administration.  These names appeared in the original Letter of Administration Ecclesiastical  1904 No 24.  Mr. Lechumana Nyker being the elder grandson (Mr. Bandasa Naiker was the younger) , took the legal step of applying for L.A.  

In the certificate (Appendix IV ) of the official search made at the land office, the properties were all along registered in the name of Seseiyan Nyker dated 1.5.1988 and no changes were ever made by the next of kin, even though they had the L.A. by the supreme court. It was because of ignorance and no knowledge of land code procedures; they never bothered to change the name. Only after 74 years, that is the 5th of September 1962 when the Trust Deed of the SRI POYATHA VEENAYAGAR MOORTHI TEMPLE was officially made by the law firm Messers Sault & Co., the land was legally transferred.  

Sri Anggalammen Temple and LOT 118, LOT 94 were legally included as the properties of the SPVM Temple. The late Mr Bandasa Naiker or his son, the late Mr. Sithambaram Naiker could have obtained legal action to wrest control and continue the line of trusteeship of the Sri Anggalamman Temple and its estate, separate from the SPVM Temple. They did not do so. It was a sacrifice for the family and a benefit for the community.  

   (Appendix 1) 

LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION taken from original  

“Be it KNOWN that at the date hereunder written Letters of Administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and Effects of Lachumanan Nyker, late of Malacca deceased, (left unadministered by Seiseyan Nyker and Andayapa Nyker since deseased) who died in the year 1853 at Gajah Berang in Malacca  aforesaid.  

Interstate locally situated within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, were granted Lachumanan Nyker a person of the Interstate, he having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same by paying his just debts and distributing the residue of such estate and effects according to law and to exhibit a true and perfect inventory and under a just account of his administration unto the said Court whenever required by law so to do of the said account of the said …………………… Wherein it is shown that estate has been delivered. Gross value of the said estate amounts to $ 327. 50 and no more.”  

                      Date issue: 30 October 1904               Dated 6th day of June 1904  


                             ________________                   ______________________
                                     Signed                                              Signed                
                                Asst  Registra                                  Asst. Registra                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
POWER OF ATTONEY      

ON the 13th of December 1917, after 13 years Mr. Lechumana Nyker had administered the said land and the Sri Anggalamen temple, he was persuaded to give POWER of ATTONEY to Trustees of the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple. The agreement was prepared by Rogers & Sons, solicitors in Malacca.   

Below is the POWER OF ATTONEY agreement made between Mr. Latchumana Nyker on the one part and Mr.L.Chalong Pillay, Mr. L.Annamalai Chitty, Mr. Dasuah Chitty and Mr. Chona Tamby Pillay  as Trustees of the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthy Temple, on the other part.                               

(Appendix II)  

TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come I, Lechmena Nyker of Gadja Berang, Malacca, Trustee of the Angalamen Koil at Gadja Berang, Malacca, sending greeting:-  

 Whereas since the 6th day of June 1904 I have been trustee of the Hindoo Temple called “Angalamon Koil” situate at Gadja Berang, Malacca, and in such capacity I have managed all the property belonging to the said Temple and have also collected all the rents and profits derivable from the property of the said temple.  

 AND WHEREAS I have now ceased to act as such trustee as aforesaid and am desirous of delegating all my powers and duties as such trustee as aforesaid to Layna Chelong Pillay, Layna Anamalai Chitty, Dasua Chitty and Chona Tamby Pillay all of Tranquerah, Malacca, Trustees of the Hindu Temple, “Estree Pooyada Venaigar Moortee” at Goldsmith Street, Malacca (hereinaftercalledTrustees)   

NOW THEREFORE  KNOW YE that for the purpose aforesaid I the said Lechmena Nyker hereby irrevocably  appoint the Trustees and any one or more of them or their successors or successor in office, my attorneys and attorney for me and in my name as the Trustee of the said “Angalamen Koil” to do all or any of the following acts and deeds.  

1. To conduct, transact and manage all matters and things whatsoever, relating to or in anywise concerning the execution of the said trust property belonging to the said Hindoo Temple Angalamen Koil and for that purpose to settle and sign and seal and deliver all such acts deeds releases or instruments as they or the survivor of them or their successors or successor in office or the survivor of them shall deep necessary or expedient in that behalf.  

2. To receive and give receipts for every sum of money whatsoever which now or hereafter may be due to the said Temple “Angalamen Koil”  

3. To distrain for all rents and arrears of rent which may be due to the said Temple and generally to do and perform all such other acts deeds matters and things as shall be in anywise deemed necessary or expedient to be done in or about the execution of the aforesaid trust or any of them.  
AND I the said Lechmena Nyker hereby agree to ratify and confirm whatsoever the Trustees shall lawfully do or cause to be done in or about the premises by virtue of those presents.  
AND I declare that the power hereby conferred shall be irrevocable. 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at Malacca this 13th day of December One thousand nine hundred and seventeen ( 1917)  
SIGNED SEALED and DELIVERED  by the said Lechmena Nyker   

                                                                                       _______________________  
                                                                                                        signed

In the presence of E.M. Tozer Solicitor,  Malacca.   
                                                                                      _______________________  
                                                                                                        signed

Registered in the Registry of the Supreme Court Malacca. Entrusted No. 139 of 1917 Original deposited into Registry of Supreme Court Malacca. 

                                                                                       ________________________  
                                                                                                       signed
                                                                                 Registrar Supreme Court Malacca  

After this agreement another separate agreement was signed between the said Trustees and Mr Lechmena Nyker which is self explanatory. LOT 118 was leased to him for 10 years.  

" WE the undersigned Layna Chalong Pillay, Dasua Chitty, Layna Annamalai Chitty and Chona Tamby Pillay, Trustees of the Estree Pooyada Venaigar Moortee Temple at Goldsmith Street, Malacca, do hereby agree to lease to Lechemena Nyker of Gaja Berang, Malacca for a period of ten years from the date hereof all that portion of land situate at Tranquerah Land Grant No. 1179 dated the 1st May 1888 and containing an approximate area of 2856 square foot and on which stands the premises known as No. Gadja Berang Malacca. The said land being part of the Trust property known as the Angelamen Kovil. The rent payable by the said Lechemena Nyker for the occupation of the said portion of land shall be at fifty cents per annum payable on the 1st day of December of every year. The first payment thereof shall be made on the 1st day of December 1917. 

Dated this 13th day of December 1917  
               Witnesse          signed      Layna Chalong Pillay,        ____________________  

                                                       Dasua Chitty,                       ____________________ 

                                                       Layna Annamalai Chitty      _____________________   

                                            and     Chona Tamby Pill                 _____________________

                                                      Trustees of the Estree Pooyada Venaigar Moortee Temple     
                                                                     at Goldsmith Street, Malacca     ”   


NYKER / NAICKER / NAIKER FAMILY TREE  

Mr.Seseiyan Nyker

Mr Adayapa Nyker
   sons  below
1. Mr Lachumana  Nyker and  (wife) name unknown
         Daughter below
              1.  Md L. Meenachi and  husband Mr. Subramaniam Pathair

2. Mr.Bandasa  Naiker  and wife Md. Kathai Pathair (wife )
         they had 4 children below
              1.  Mr.B.S.Naiker
              2.  Md.Kamachi
              3.  Md .Anggamah
              4.  Mr Perumal Naiker

From the chart Mr. Lachumana Nyker had only  one child, a daughter named Md. Meenachi and  Mr Bandasa Naiker  had four children namely  Mr. B.S.Naiker, Md Kamachi, Md. Anggamah  And Mr Perumal Naiker. All these people are deceased; however the descendants are still around.     

It was unbelievable that the late Mr Lechmena Nyker could have sign away something which he inherited from his ancestors and was in his power and authority to manage. He must have been persuaded by dubious means by the SPVM Temple Trustees then.   

Only in 1962, a proper Trust Deed was done where these landed properties were registered under the management of the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthy Temple. This agreement could have been challenged by the family concerned.  While at one time it had been a Nyker family concern, today it has become the community’s property. There is so much of sacrifice done by the Naiker family for the Malacca Chetty Community.  

It was commendable and praiseworthy that action was taken to do a proper TRUST DEEDS for the Melaka Chetty Community by the law firm Sault & Co. on 5th of September 1962 and only from this time onwards all the properties under various individuals were legally transferred and included into the SPVM Temple. These properties were held in trust, by the late Mr. A Rethnasamy Pillay, the late Kunia Pillay and Mr Babok Thambayah Pillay, all trustees of the SPVM Temple and the Malacca Chetty Community at that time. 

 
   
CONCLUSION  

If members look back a few years ago, during the term of Trustees like M.K.L.Chitty, Mr. T.C. Pillay, Mr. M.T.Pillay, Mr.M.Gurusamy, Mr. Kunia Pillay and even my father Mr. B. Sithambaram Naiker, there was always conflict and disagreement, no matter who was the trustee. Even now the struggle is on and many beneficial undertakings, which should be done for the interest of the community, is either not done or is being opposed. If we analyse and observe carefully, reflecting on past actions of some members, they are always a few who will always oppose whatever good that is done. This way the Malacca Chetty Community as a whole will never improve and progress forward. We will be left behind while other communities have made enormous stride forward. In Malacca I always like to compare with the Straits born Chinese and the Sri Lankan Tamil communities. We are far behind. However, there are many individual Chetty families that have made fantastic progress in education and some are lawyers, doctors and engineers by profession.  My only hope is that these educated ones will come forward to lead this community.   

Leadership is very important. Never put up somebody who has no ideas or cannot do anything beneficial for the community, as leaders. Vote in honest, sincere, respectful and hardworking person for all the post.  Unfortunately, so much precious time were spent on dividing the community over petty rivalry and jealously. Members should avoid being rude, aggressive and violent. If there are continuous disagreements and non cooperation, the better educated ones do not want to be involved with the community affairs. There must be a show of respect and politeness for all especially the leaders. Let there be changes in our community and let the educated people lead the Chetty Community. This community should not be drifting aimlessly, without any directions; leaders chosen must fulfil the necessary criteria to make the changes to improve and not just to feed their egos. The younger generation of this community must realise this and wake up to take up the torch and lead the Malacca Chetty Community to progress.   

The SPVM Temple Management Committee must encourage the children to excel in education, learn Tamil, keep in touch with Hinduism and provide aids for the needy and above all develop our land to benefit the Chetty Community. For the sake of our future generations, let us give them better opportunities to have successful and respectable lives in this country. Everything is in the hands of the younger generations. We will succeed if we stay united !   

Vanakkam,
Thank you.        

S.Vengadesan Naiker  PBM
A well wisher of this historical community.  

  History of the Sri Anggalaman Temple, 
Gajah Berang and Land TA 5 Lot 94 & Lot 118  

By Mr. S.Vengadesan Naiker PBM Hon.
Secretary SPVM Temple
28th February 1982  

INTRODUCTION       
                           

The intention in writing this is purely to inform the present and future generations of our members, the many historical aspects in our community. Many in the community, especially the younger generation do not know the historical background relating to certain temples and its properties or the way properties were acquired and included into the SPVM Temple trusteeship.    

BACKGROUND  

 I like to touch on the history of the Sri Angglamman Temple situated at Gajah Berang which is one of the riches temples of the Melaka Chetty Community.  The temple’s possession includes the pieces of land on TA 5, Lot 94 and Lot 118. On these two pieces of land stand most of the houses of our community. In the past our community managed, administered and performed numerous ceremonies at the various temples, the same way it does today. However, 85 years ago, before 13th of December 1917, the Sri Anggalamman Temple and the land TA 5, LOT 118 & LOT 94 was managed separately by my ancestors, the “Nyker / Naicker/ Naiker” family and did not come under the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple banner (SPVM Temple).  In the past only a few elders in our community know the circumstances related to the change over of trusteeship of this temple. It is understandable why many would like to suppress and silence this fact, for obvious reasons known to them.   

ASSETS   

The Melaka Chitty Community was and still is organised under the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple (SPVM Temple) banner, under which all the other temples, buildings and landed properties are incorporated. 

The term SPVM Temple encompasses several pieces of land and buildings in the town area of Malacca :-

SCHEDULE OF LANDS:
No. Town area Lot No. Area.

    SCHEDULE OF TEMPLES:

 i) Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple at Temple Street,
 ii) Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple at Gajah Berang,
iii) Sri Kailassnathar Temple at Gajah Berang
 iv) Sri Anggalaman Temple at Gajah Berang

And also all the other open air temples (grammangal kovil )

v) Sri Dharmaraja Temple
vi) Sri Kaliamman Temple
 vii) Sri Ayernar Temple
 vii) Sri Amman Temple
viii) Sri Kathaiamman Temple and
 ix) Sri Linggadariamman Temple

ANNUAL RELIGIOUS CEREMONY  

The annual prayer of the Sri Anggalammen Temple was carried out by the Nyker / Naicker / Naiker family and their relatives. They also invited all the Melaka Chetty Community members to participate in all the prayer ceremonies.   The two brothers   Mr. Lechumana Nyker and Mr. Bandasa Naiker were not rich. They struggled to maintain the temple and the properties. They often had disagreement over financial matters and could not meet the expenses in running the said temple. The estate was a family inheritance and not the personal property acquired by Mr Lachumana Nyker. His only younger brother was Mr.Bandasa Naiker who had equal legal right to administer the estate in the event of Mr Lechumana Nyker passed away.   

The trustees of the SPVM Temple then were Mr. Layna Chalong Pillay, Mr. Dasua Chitty, Mr. Layna Annamalai Chitty and Mr. Chona Tamby Pillay. Being leaders of the Melaka Chitty community, they would have approached and advised the late Mr Lechumana Nyker, that to lighten his financial burden of running the Sri Anggalaman Temple, it would be wise to hand over the management of the said properties to the SPVM Temple, which had the money and the capacity to meet all the expenses in running these temples.   

Whether the intentions of the trustees then, were genuine or a ploy is left to history and the individual to think. Mr. Lechumana Nyker was an uneducated man doing some minor job, while some of the trustees then were clerks at the lawyer office of Rogers & Sons, teachers and businessmen. It is indeed ridiculous that Mr. Lechumana Nyker who had sole jurisdiction over the said estate, would unwittingly hand it over to the SPVM Temple trustees, losing all authority, control and rights to the estate for himself and all his descendents. This was an ill-advised and a misguided action.  

POWER OF ATTORNEY    
 

To their suggestions, he foolishly agreed and gave away Power of Attorney of the Sri Anggalammen Temple and its properties to the SPVM Temple Trustees to manage on the 13th of December 1919. On the same date he also entered into a separate agreement with the same SPVM Temple trustees, to allow him a 10 years lease of the land Lot 118, where his house No. 2, Kampong Tujoh stood. Just 2 years after the PA was signed he passed away in 1919. It should be noted that he only gave the Power of Attorney to manage and administer the properties. He did not sell them or give it away. Power of Attorney can be given to a second party; however, the P.A. becomes invalid and ceases to be effective when the second party ceases to exist.   

ORIGINAL GRANTEE  

The word “original grantee” means that the late Mr Seseiyan Nyker was the person to whom the land was legally transferred. In an official search made at the Department of Land & Mines, it is noted that on the 1st of May 1888 these two pieces of land were registered under Mr Seseiyan Nyker who died “interstate”, at Gajah Berang. Legally speaking, “interstate”, means that he did not leave any Will for his next of kin to administer his properties or estate. His next of kin the late Mr Andayapa Nyker probably took over managing the said properties; unfortunately he did not take legal steps to transfer the title to the current owner.   

LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION  

LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION ( L.A.) can be applied only by the next of kin, through a court when the property of a deceased person is left unadministered. However, it is entirely different from POWER OF ATTORNEY ( P.A.) where relationship does not matter. Any person with vested interest in the matter can legally apply in court for it.   

Since there was no legal Will left behind by his predecessors who died instate, and after a lapse of several years, LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION was applied by the next of kin and grandson Mr. Lechumana Nyker on 6th of June 1904, in the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlement, Malacca, under the British Administration.  These names appeared in the original Letter of Administration Ecclesiastical  1904 No 24.  Mr. Lechumana Nyker being the elder grandson (Mr. Bandasa Naiker was the younger) , took the legal step of applying for L.A.  

In the certificate (Appendix IV ) of the official search made at the land office, the properties were all along registered in the name of Seseiyan Nyker dated 1.5.1988 and no changes were ever made by the next of kin, even though they had the L.A. by the supreme court. It was because of ignorance and no knowledge of land code procedures; they never bothered to change the name. Only after 74 years, that is the 5th of September 1962 when the Trust Deed of the SRI POYATHA VEENAYAGAR MOORTHI TEMPLE was officially made by the law firm Messers Sault & Co., the land was legally transferred.  

Sri Anggalammen Temple and LOT 118, LOT 94 were legally included as the properties of the SPVM Temple. The late Mr Bandasa Naiker or his son, the late Mr. Sithambaram Naiker could have obtained legal action to wrest control and continue the line of trusteeship of the Sri Anggalamman Temple and its estate, separate from the SPVM Temple. They did not do so. It was a sacrifice for the family and a benefit for the community.  

   (Appendix 1) 

LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION taken from original  

“Be it KNOWN that at the date hereunder written Letters of Administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and Effects of Lachumanan Nyker, late of Malacca deceased, (left unadministered by Seiseyan Nyker and Andayapa Nyker since deseased) who died in the year 1853 at Gajah Berang in Malacca  aforesaid.  

Interstate locally situated within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, were granted Lachumanan Nyker a person of the Interstate, he having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same by paying his just debts and distributing the residue of such estate and effects according to law and to exhibit a true and perfect inventory and under a just account of his administration unto the said Court whenever required by law so to do of the said account of the said …………………… Wherein it is shown that estate has been delivered. Gross value of the said estate amounts to $ 327. 50 and no more.”  

                      Date issue: 30 October 1904               Dated 6th day of June 1904  


                             ________________                   ______________________
                                     Signed                                              Signed                
                                Asst  Registra                                  Asst. Registra                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
POWER OF ATTONEY      

ON the 13th of December 1917, after 13 years Mr. Lechumana Nyker had administered the said land and the Sri Anggalamen temple, he was persuaded to give POWER of ATTONEY to Trustees of the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple. The agreement was prepared by Rogers & Sons, solicitors in Malacca.   

Below is the POWER OF ATTONEY agreement made between Mr. Latchumana Nyker on the one part and Mr.L.Chalong Pillay, Mr. L.Annamalai Chitty, Mr. Dasuah Chitty and Mr. Chona Tamby Pillay  as Trustees of the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthy Temple, on the other part.                               

(Appendix II)  

TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come I, Lechmena Nyker of Gadja Berang, Malacca, Trustee of the Angalamen Koil at Gadja Berang, Malacca, sending greeting:-  

 Whereas since the 6th day of June 1904 I have been trustee of the Hindoo Temple called “Angalamon Koil” situate at Gadja Berang, Malacca, and in such capacity I have managed all the property belonging to the said Temple and have also collected all the rents and profits derivable from the property of the said temple.  

 AND WHEREAS I have now ceased to act as such trustee as aforesaid and am desirous of delegating all my powers and duties as such trustee as aforesaid to Layna Chelong Pillay, Layna Anamalai Chitty, Dasua Chitty and Chona Tamby Pillay all of Tranquerah, Malacca, Trustees of the Hindu Temple, “Estree Pooyada Venaigar Moortee” at Goldsmith Street, Malacca (hereinaftercalledTrustees)   

NOW THEREFORE  KNOW YE that for the purpose aforesaid I the said Lechmena Nyker hereby irrevocably  appoint the Trustees and any one or more of them or their successors or successor in office, my attorneys and attorney for me and in my name as the Trustee of the said “Angalamen Koil” to do all or any of the following acts and deeds.  

1. To conduct, transact and manage all matters and things whatsoever, relating to or in anywise concerning the execution of the said trust property belonging to the said Hindoo Temple Angalamen Koil and for that purpose to settle and sign and seal and deliver all such acts deeds releases or instruments as they or the survivor of them or their successors or successor in office or the survivor of them shall deep necessary or expedient in that behalf.  

2. To receive and give receipts for every sum of money whatsoever which now or hereafter may be due to the said Temple “Angalamen Koil”  

3. To distrain for all rents and arrears of rent which may be due to the said Temple and generally to do and perform all such other acts deeds matters and things as shall be in anywise deemed necessary or expedient to be done in or about the execution of the aforesaid trust or any of them.  
AND I the said Lechmena Nyker hereby agree to ratify and confirm whatsoever the Trustees shall lawfully do or cause to be done in or about the premises by virtue of those presents.  
AND I declare that the power hereby conferred shall be irrevocable. 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at Malacca this 13th day of December One thousand nine hundred and seventeen ( 1917)  
SIGNED SEALED and DELIVERED  by the said Lechmena Nyker   

                                                                                       _______________________  
                                                                                                        signed

In the presence of E.M. Tozer Solicitor,  Malacca.   
                                                                                      _______________________  
                                                                                                        signed

Registered in the Registry of the Supreme Court Malacca. Entrusted No. 139 of 1917 Original deposited into Registry of Supreme Court Malacca. 

                                                                                       ________________________  
                                                                                                       signed
                                                                                 Registrar Supreme Court Malacca  

After this agreement another separate agreement was signed between the said Trustees and Mr Lechmena Nyker which is self explanatory. LOT 118 was leased to him for 10 years.  

" WE the undersigned Layna Chalong Pillay, Dasua Chitty, Layna Annamalai Chitty and Chona Tamby Pillay, Trustees of the Estree Pooyada Venaigar Moortee Temple at Goldsmith Street, Malacca, do hereby agree to lease to Lechemena Nyker of Gaja Berang, Malacca for a period of ten years from the date hereof all that portion of land situate at Tranquerah Land Grant No. 1179 dated the 1st May 1888 and containing an approximate area of 2856 square foot and on which stands the premises known as No. Gadja Berang Malacca. The said land being part of the Trust property known as the Angelamen Kovil. The rent payable by the said Lechemena Nyker for the occupation of the said portion of land shall be at fifty cents per annum payable on the 1st day of December of every year. The first payment thereof shall be made on the 1st day of December 1917. 

Dated this 13th day of December 1917  
               Witnesse          signed      Layna Chalong Pillay,        ____________________  

                                                       Dasua Chitty,                       ____________________ 

                                                       Layna Annamalai Chitty      _____________________   

                                            and     Chona Tamby Pill                 _____________________

                                                      Trustees of the Estree Pooyada Venaigar Moortee Temple     
                                                                     at Goldsmith Street, Malacca     ”   


NYKER / NAICKER / NAIKER FAMILY TREE  

Mr.Seseiyan Nyker

Mr Adayapa Nyker
   sons  below
1. Mr Lachumana  Nyker and  (wife) name unknown
         Daughter below
              1.  Md L. Meenachi and  husband Mr. Subramaniam Pathair

2. Mr.Bandasa  Naiker  and wife Md. Kathai Pathair (wife )
         they had 4 children below
              1.  Mr.B.S.Naiker
              2.  Md.Kamachi
              3.  Md .Anggamah
              4.  Mr Perumal Naiker

From the chart Mr. Lachumana Nyker had only  one child, a daughter named Md. Meenachi and  Mr Bandasa Naiker  had four children namely  Mr. B.S.Naiker, Md Kamachi, Md. Anggamah  And Mr Perumal Naiker. All these people are deceased; however the descendants are still around.     

It was unbelievable that the late Mr Lechmena Nyker could have sign away something which he inherited from his ancestors and was in his power and authority to manage. He must have been persuaded by dubious means by the SPVM Temple Trustees then.   

Only in 1962, a proper Trust Deed was done where these landed properties were registered under the management of the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthy Temple. This agreement could have been challenged by the family concerned.  While at one time it had been a Nyker family concern, today it has become the community’s property. There is so much of sacrifice done by the Naiker family for the Malacca Chetty Community.  

It was commendable and praiseworthy that action was taken to do a proper TRUST DEEDS for the Melaka Chetty Community by the law firm Sault & Co. on 5th of September 1962 and only from this time onwards all the properties under various individuals were legally transferred and included into the SPVM Temple. These properties were held in trust, by the late Mr. A Rethnasamy Pillay, the late Kunia Pillay and Mr Babok Thambayah Pillay, all trustees of the SPVM Temple and the Malacca Chetty Community at that time. 

 
   
CONCLUSION  

If members look back a few years ago, during the term of Trustees like M.K.L.Chitty, Mr. T.C. Pillay, Mr. M.T.Pillay, Mr.M.Gurusamy, Mr. Kunia Pillay and even my father Mr. B. Sithambaram Naiker, there was always conflict and disagreement, no matter who was the trustee. Even now the struggle is on and many beneficial undertakings, which should be done for the interest of the community, is either not done or is being opposed. If we analyse and observe carefully, reflecting on past actions of some members, they are always a few who will always oppose whatever good that is done. This way the Malacca Chetty Community as a whole will never improve and progress forward. We will be left behind while other communities have made enormous stride forward. In Malacca I always like to compare with the Straits born Chinese and the Sri Lankan Tamil communities. We are far behind. However, there are many individual Chetty families that have made fantastic progress in education and some are lawyers, doctors and engineers by profession.  My only hope is that these educated ones will come forward to lead this community.   

Leadership is very important. Never put up somebody who has no ideas or cannot do anything beneficial for the community, as leaders. Vote in honest, sincere, respectful and hardworking person for all the post.  Unfortunately, so much precious time were spent on dividing the community over petty rivalry and jealously. Members should avoid being rude, aggressive and violent. If there are continuous disagreements and non cooperation, the better educated ones do not want to be involved with the community affairs. There must be a show of respect and politeness for all especially the leaders. Let there be changes in our community and let the educated people lead the Chetty Community. This community should not be drifting aimlessly, without any directions; leaders chosen must fulfil the necessary criteria to make the changes to improve and not just to feed their egos. The younger generation of this community must realise this and wake up to take up the torch and lead the Malacca Chetty Community to progress.   

The SPVM Temple Management Committee must encourage the children to excel in education, learn Tamil, keep in touch with Hinduism and provide aids for the needy and above all develop our land to benefit the Chetty Community. For the sake of our future generations, let us give them better opportunities to have successful and respectable lives in this country. Everything is in the hands of the younger generations. We will succeed if we stay united !   

Vanakkam,
Thank you.        

S.Vengadesan Naiker  PBM
A well wisher of this historical community.  

HISTORY OF THE MALACCA CHETTY COMMUNITY

During the 13th & 14^th century Malacca Sultanate period, a large number of South Indian group especially Tamils, came to Malacca to trade. The early Indian settlers of Malacca, navigated from South India to South-east Asia depending on the North-east and South-west monsoon and stationed themselves in Malacca where traders from China too came to barter trade goods like spices, porcelain wears, silks etc.   This group of people in the past had intermarried with local Malays and Chinese and being the descendants of this group of Indian I wish to reach out, make contacts, share stories, photos of our common ancestors etc. I personally have lost contacts with some of my own relatives living in Singapore and also Malaysia.

I was inspired by the thought how the Straits born Chinese ( Nonayas and Babas) of Malacca and Singapore were united and keep alive their culture through the contacts in their associations. I only wish that we will be able to renew old contacts and also revive interactions among us, just like them. Religion should not impede or shackle our relationship although some of us are Christians, Muslims or Hindus.

          For a start I am including some historical pictures of some momentous events in this community, involving leaders who were recognized by the British Government then and the community for some meritorious deeds.

          I also kindly request members of this community to join in and share views, experiences, photos and advice how we can help this small community, especially those residing in Gajah Berang, Malacca. Your kind participation and encouragement will definitely assist this community to improve in their socio-economic status and be recognized and respected in society. The world is changing and moving forward through vast changes in education, technology and attitude among people. We as a part of the society must not be left behind.

         Recognition and respect in society can only come through education, social and economic standing, that is the reality we must face in today's world. I look forward to seeing co-operations and assistance to this community.


           I am posting the writings of my late father Mr. B.Sithambaram Naiker who was a trustee of the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthy Temple, which is also a kind of association uniting the Chetti Community in Malacca.  I hope you will find it interesting and enlightening. Please give your kind comments on how to assist this community. I believe this community can improve only through education.

        Please give your positive participation to this community.

       Thank you. 

       Vanakkam.

       S. Vengadesan Naiker PBM

       ( Son of the late B.S.Naiker)

No. 119 JALAN GAJAH BERANG,

MELAKA

MALAYSIA

BY

  MR. B. SITHAMBARAM NAIKER

CONTENTS

1.      PREFACE

2.      THE MALACCA CHETTI

           a.       WHO WERE THE “CHETTI” or “CHETTI of MALACCA”

          b.       THEORIES OF THEIR BEING HERE AS TRADERS.

          c.       THEIR CULTURE, CUSTOMS ETC. BEFORE AND NOW.

          d.       IMPROVEMENTS AFTER MERDEKA IN 1957.

 
       S.Shanmugam

PREFACE

                              

Mr. B. S. Naiker is a worthy representative of the Malacca Chetti Community, which group has interested me since I first came to Malacca in 1934. What struck me most on my arrival here was the number of mosques, Chinese Temples and the Hindu Temples. I have found that wherever Hindus congregated they built places of worship. The Malacca Chetti Community, as pioneers of the businesses they participated in before the arrival of the Dutch and the religion they professed, have left much evidence of the practice of Hinduism in Malacca. The numerous Temples built by them in the Town of Malacca will be part of Malaysia) history and show what the Malacca Chetti Community has contributed towards the culture they brought from South India.

Mr. B. S. Naiker has with diligence collected photographs of personalities who played their part to keep their Community together in peace and harmony with the Malays and Chinese of their time.

Mr. B. S. Naiker deserves the thanks of his Community and Indians in general for bringing to light facts which are unknown to many.

S. Shanmugam

(MIDDLE TEMPLE)

HISTORY OF THE 

CHETTY COMMUNITY OF MALACCA

 

 

  

By Mr. B. Sithambaram Naiker

Time and again, I have been asked or approached by friends from north of Malaysia and some from Mother India, who came here on tour, to find out who the 'Malacca-Chetti' or 'Chetti of Malacca' were, their origin, culture, economic status and so forth.

So, instead of speaking to them individually or in groups, I would very much like to write a brief history of this Community, termed as the 'Straits-born Hindu Community' during the Colonial days for easy reference and information required.

The 'Malacca-born Hindu Community' or more popularly known as the “Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca”, has its origin in the era of the Malacca Sultanate of the fifteenth century. Although concrete date of historical importance are not available, we can piece together available information as to the origin of this Community, It is of course an irony that most, if not all historians of this country have conveniently forgotten the existence of this Community.

Sometime, about 1400 A.D. a Hindu Prince by the name of 'Parameswara' came from Palembang (Sumatra), first to Temasek (Singapura) and after that to Malacca and settled down here. The Hindu prince, sometime in 1414, married the princess of Pasai (Northern Sumatra near Acheh) and took the name of 'Sultan Iskandar Shah' in Malacca. During his reign, you will find reference in the 'Sejarah Melayu' or 'Malay Annals', that the “Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca” were in vast numbers and some of them were holding high positions like 'Dato Bendahara' and other positions during 'Sultan Iskandar Shah's reign.

Generally speaking there are two theories as to how the Community came to establish itself in Melaka. The first theory claims that the members of this Community first came to Malacca as traders and that they were Tamils from the Coromandal coast, from Kalingapatnam and other ports of Southern India. They were at that time trading at Kampong Kling and at Kampong Belanda, now known as First Cross Street (Jalan Hang Jebat) and Heeren Street (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) respectively. Then the houses were of plank and attap. During their stay they made contacts with the local inhabitants and married local women, either Malay or Chinese and later settled here on a permanent basis. The local women on seeing that they were influential enough and doing good business were prepared to marry them. Another good reason why CHETTIs decided to stay here could have been the pressure put on them by successive Colonial governments, Portuguese, Dutch and British. Those who took the risk and already had families here had also to be thoughtful of the caste-system in India, then so strict that no outsiders would have been tolerated in the house. Because of this reason they were prompted to make Malacca their second home. In time they called themselves “Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca”, meaning Malacca traders.

The second theory propounded by some Tamil people living in Malacca for a considerable length of time, says that this Community were convicts from Andaman Islands or rebels against the British in the ‘Katapomman’ affairs. They were brought to Malacca by the British as a labor force and later when their term of captivity expired, were permitted to settle down in Malacca.

The validity of the second theory, that is, that the Community originated from convicts brought from Andaman Islands is highly improbable and greatly in doubt. This theory implies that the Community is a recent development, after the British occupation of Malacca, and that the Community sprang up after 1795, the date when the British first took over possession of Malacca or after 1824, the date when the British took over possession of Malacca permanently, in exchange for Batavia (Java), from the Dutch. Whichever the case may be, this is highly improbable due to the fact that there is documentary proof that this Community is much older than that, as stated in the first theory. It is true that Sepoys were brought by the British to Singapore in 1919.

But, Emanuel Cohinho de Bradia's "Description of 'Portuguese Malacca' contains the following reference:

“(The suburb of Upeh) is divided into parishes, S.Thome and

 S' Estevao. The parish of S.Thome is called Campon Chelin - it extends from the Bazaar of the Jaos on the beach in a north-westerly direction, and ends at the stone bastion. In this quarter live Chelis of Coromandel,”

Then the report of Balthasar Bort, a Dutch Governor of Malacca, and dated 1678, clearly mentions Hindus or Gentoos for “Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca”. Bort took a census of the number and types of houses and their occupants, numbering 347 and including males, females and their children.

Finally the Dutch Government granted the Community a piece of land, in the heart of the town at Goldsmith Street and now known as Jalan Tukang Mas, bearing Lot. No.62 Town Area XIU for 15,879 square feet for the purpose of putting up a Temple. The Temple was built up in the year 1781 according to the date mentioned in the Dutch grant (Freehold title). The Temple known as 'Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple’ is the oldest Temple in the Malay Archipelago. The Temple was under the Trusteeship of the late Mr. Thaivanayagam Chitty, whose photograph can be seen hung in the State Museum in Malaka. He was the great grandfather of Mr. K.L.Chitty, retired school-teacher of the Government High School, Malaka, and who has recently passed away on 6th March, 1974 at No.267, Jalan Tengkera, Malaka; Mr.K.S.Chitty, a Government pensioner residing in Singapore and Mr. K.T.Chitty, Executive of Messrs Borneo Co.Senderian Berhad, Ipoh.

The foregoing proves that the Community must have been influential and large, and already in existence and well organised as a group before the coming of the British in 1795. As a matter of fact the Community should have been termed as 'Chettiars' as these immigrants comprised of Komti Chettiars, Vaishiar Chitty (business people) and Vanniar Chettiars (oil merchants) as opposed to the other Varanashiams in existence namely:- Pillays, Naikers, Pandarams, Mudaliars, Padiachees, Pathars, Konars, Rajahs etc. They opened up shops for business and manufacturing things like gingili oil etc, and imported Indian goods like rice cereals, ghee, spices, and other products for the consumption of the Indian population.

The most noted and well known amongst the Chettiars then were Inchi. Chitty (Thaivanayagam Chitty), Sembrong Chye (which should have been spelt as Sithambaram Pillay) Thamboo Naicker and others, all of whom were noted for their trading in timber, bricks, tiles, and floor stone (Batu Malacca) for the market. However, Mr. Thaivanayagam Chitty had used this name instead of Thaivanayagam Chettiar. Furthermore, the Community takes all the other Varanashiams to be termed as “Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca” so as not to confuse them with the Nagarathar Nattukkottai Chettiar ( Bankers and money lenders ) who came later to do business during the British regime. We are also informed that Inci. Chitty owned motor-vessels for plying trade between Malacca and Indian ports and had a large number of workers under him. Mr. K.T. Joseph F.R.G.S., in his book 'New Comprehensive guide to Malacca' shows that the local Indians (Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca) played a notable part in the Court-life of the Malay Rulers during the reign of Sultan Mohammad Shah. They ( Malacca Chetti ) acted as Envoys and Dato Bendaharas. Then 'Nina Chatu' played an important role in the 'Princess of Malacca' and also wielded a great deal of influence during the Portuguese era.

The 'Sejarah Melayu' or 'Malay Annals' records that these Indian traders and their followers stayed at Kampong Kling in Malacca. This place was named after them because some of them came from Kalingapatanam. This settlement is also shown in later Dutch maps. This proves beyond doubt that the Malacca-born Hindu Community (Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca) are the descendants of the traders and their followers and who certainly were well-established by the Dutch period, if not earlier, than the Dutch occupation.

The traders were all men from South India, and they must have decided to stay put and do local business. They were the pioneer group, who settled down with local Malay and Chinese women. Because of their desire to stay in Malacca they have made themselves well versed in the Malay colloquial language then and up to the present time. But they still embraced the Hindu 'Saiva Faith'. Unfortunately they gradually forgot their ‘ thai bhasha’ or mother-tongue, that is the Tamil language. Some of them had embraced Islam during the Dutch time and were also given a piece of land to put up a Masjid (Mosque) at Goldsmith Street (Jalan Tukang Mas), Melaka, and known as 'Masjid Kampong Kling' which name still remains up to the present time. This generous offer was also extended to the Chinese (Babas) as well, when a piece of land was given to them by the Dutch Government to put up a Chinese Temple, now known as 'Cheng Hoon Teng Temple'. All of these buildings are in the one and same straight road. That is why the road was known as Temple Street until renamed Jalan Tokong.

Failing in their trade due to fire which destroyed all their plank and attap houses, belonging etc., the Malacca Chettis moved to Kampong Belanda, now known as Heeren Street or Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock. Seeing there was no prospect to continue their trading activities further, they retreated into the interior and turned to an agrarian life, agriculture, cattle breeding, farming and to other business like running of kilns and so on.

Their residences were now mostly at Gajah Berang, Tranquerah, Bachang and at Balai Panjang, all in the Malacca urban area, north of the Malacca river. Under the Dutch jurisdiction, Gajah Berang was originally called 'Kanja Pidam' and later 'Kanjapuram' named after a district in South India, but the natives had misused the name as Gajah Berang. Literally Gajah Berang means elephants running amok but where can you find elephants so near to the sea unlike at Alor Gajah, a district about 15 miles away from Malacca Town. Seeing that agrarian life (agriculture) could not go on smoothly because of town life being too near, they gave in to the evolution of time and took up monthly paid jobs working for the Government or Commercial houses.

You will find in some of the grants issued by the Dutch Government to the Temples and individuals mentioning names such as Naicker or Nyker, Pillay, Patter, etc. This proves that there were also goldsmiths within the Community as mentioned in the grants issued by the Dutch Government. Some of the grants issued to our people are in Dutch language.

In those days there were no Tamil schools or Padasalai and when they married local women, either Malay or Chinese, the father would speak in Tamil at home and the mother would speak colloquial Malay. Hence the children who were more attached to the mother could learn more of the Malay language than Tamil. However, as children grew in numbers and were of marriageable age, they still preferred to marry a Hindu girl or boy.

One important aspect of the 'Malacca-born Hindu Community' or the “Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca” is that despite all their worries and setbacks, they still proudly embrace, and are very strict in, the 'Hindu Aythigams' or 'Sanatana Dharma'. They have built the following Temples: 'Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple in 1781, 'Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple' in 1822, Sri Kailasanathar Temple' (Sivan Kovil in 1887; Sri Kaliamman Kovil' in 1804, 'Sri Angalamman Paremeswari Temple' in 1888. All of them are in the Gajah Berang and Bachang areas. There are also 'Grammangal Kovils' or Shrines built in the interior of the territory near padi fields owned by Malacca Chettis in Gajah Berang. The Shrines include Linggadariamman Kovil, Amman Kovil, Dharma Rajah Kovil, Kathaiamman Kovil and Iyenar Kovil.

The 'Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple' although the property of the “Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca”, has been managed by the 'Malacca Nagarathar Nattukkottai Chettiar' for more than 20 years through an Agreement ( since 1962)  made between them because the British State Government had refused to allow them to put up another Temple of their own in the Town area.

In addition there are several other Temples or Alayams namely:- 'Sri Sunthara Moorthy Vinayagar Temple' near the General Hospital site, 'Sri Subramaniar Throbathai Amman Temple' at Gajah Berang, 'Sri Subramaniar Devasthanam' at Batu Berendam; 'Sri Mariamman Temple' at the Municipal Laborer’s lines, Depot Road, 'Sri Muthu Mariamman Munisvarar Alayam' at Bukit Bruang, 'Sri Siti Vinayagar & Sri Bala Subramaniar Temple' at Jalan Pengkalan, Alor Gajah District, and several others in the Estates managed by their respective bodies.

The 'Malacca Chettis' observe various rituals, festivals and ceremonies, such as Thai Ponggol, Madhu Ponggol for those who rear cows, Kani Ponggol especially for maidens, Deepavali, putting Koloms and flowers during the month of Margali on the door-steps, Kelemays Sarasvathi (Ahyutha poojas), Siva Rathri, Egadesi, Amman Thiruviza, carrying of the Kavadis during the months of Thaipusam, Masimagam, Sithrai, Panguni Utharam, Adi matham prayers and the taking out of the Rathams (Religious Chariots) in procession for some festivals.

There are three Rathams made of wood with lovely carvings of Indian Dieties, and dating back some 200 years. They are still in good condition. They are kept next to the S.P.V.M. Temple, Jalan Tukang Mas. One Ratham is for Lord Ganesh, one for Lord Subramaniar Swamy, and one for Lord Rama Swamy. They are used during festive seasons drawn by bullocks and are lighted with decorative lamps making them look beautiful at night. For marriages, festivals, deaths, etc., the services of the priest, a Pandaram, Iyer or Kurukal are necessary in the performance of rites strictly according to the tenets of Hinduism. The priests and others are employed by the Temple. They are  paid extra for any services performed outside their regular duties.

The Community is rather small in Melaka since many have gone elsewhere to places like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and other big towns to earn their livelihood. They do come back to Melaka to attend some festivals. What Easter is to the Christians when they come to Malacca to attend the services and Mass at St. Peter's Church, applies to Malacca Chettis too, in the sense that those from far-off places return home to attend the 'Sri Muthu Mariamman Thiruviza' during the Sitrai matham  ( April / May ).

The Chetti men and women have reformed much for the better, as they now will wear vestis and tundoos, and sarees with blouse respectively, for occasions like religious functions, marriages, etc. Some of the older folks still use sarongs and kebayas. The children too have advanced much by attending Sekolah Kebangsaan, Tamil Schools (Palikudams) and Padasalai (Religious class). It is a must for the old and young to attend Temples once a week on Fridays. Better still if they attend every Tuesdays and Fridays and other auspicious days, reciting their prayers (Tevarams, Tirupugal, Siva Puranam) etc. The children who attend religious classes on Sundays get assistance in learning Bahasa Kebangsaan, Tamil and English through the help of volunteer teachers, namely, Mr.V.P.Palaniyandy Ubathiyayar, Mr.R.Govindasamy Ubathiyayar, Mr.T. Kandasamy Naidu and a few others who are giving their free services by sacrificing their leisure hours to back up the children in their studies for which the Temple Management and Community are indeed very grateful. At the point of going to the print Mr. R. Govindasamy was not able to further his teaching due to being fully occupied. It is with much regret to add that Mr. V.P.Palaniandy Ubathlyayar passed away on 26th February, 1975. At present his 2 sons, namely, Mr. V.P.Ponnuthurai and Mr.V.P.Muthukumaru including Mr.T.Kandasamy Naidu are carrying on teaching the classes.

The Community is as a whole poor and not getting any outside help in the running of the Temples, social activities, education and so forth. They believe in self-help, calling themselves Malaysians but belonging to the Hindu (Saiva) faith. Some are office-workers, teachers, clerks, technicians and some doing odd jobs to earn their living.

There were some notable members of this Community like the late Mr. L. Kanagasabai Chitty Office-Assistant to a legal firm Messrs. Rogers & Son, the late Mr. T. Chokanathan Pillay, High School teacher, the late Mr. M. T .Pillay, Accountant in Government Treasury, Singapore, the late Sandy Gurunathan Pillay, Barrister-at-Law, Scout Commissioner, the late Mr. Layna Annamalai Chitty, Municipal Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, Appraiser and Auctioneer. He was detained by the Japanese during the occupation and released after the surrender. He died a patriot and martyr to our Country and our people.

We sincerely hope we have covered, albeit too briefly, all aspects of the Community, now known as “Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca” for those who are curious to know something about this unique community.

B. Sithambaram Naiker,

No.5, Kampong Tujoh,  
Jalan Gajah Berang,  
Malaka.

August, 1976.

Biography

Mr B.Sithanbaram Naiker was born on the 11^th of May 1911 and passed away on the 2^nd of November 1986 at the age of 75.

He served the government as a postal clerk in Post Office Malacca and retired as a Postmaster of Jasin Post Office in 1966.

He also served the nation during the Second World War; he was recruited as a volunteer in the Malacca Volunteer Force 4BN SSVF ( MVC) from 1938 to 1949, army number 80051 and promoted to Sergeant B.S.Naiker.

He was awarded several medals by the British through General Edward Gent in King’s House. He received the 1939-1946 Star, the Pacific Star, the Efficient Service medal and the Defence Medal.

Besides serving as Trustee of the SPVM Temple he was also active in the JKK Committee in the area and also a member of the Historical Society of Melaka.

  

GLOSSARY

          Pather or Pathair  -        -        Goldsmith

          Varanashiams      -        -        Creeds

          Grammangal Kovils        -        Small Village Temples

          Iyerngal or Kurkal         -        Brahmain - High Priest

          Pandarm               -        -        Priest

          Padasalai              -        -        Religious class

          Ratham       -        -        -        Chariot or Religious car

          Hindu Aythigams          -        Orthodox Hindu customs

          Sanatana Dharma         -        The real name of the Hindu religion  

          Campon Chelim            -        Kampong Kling. Name given by the Dutch )                Jaos            -        -        -        Javanese

          Nina Chatu    -  Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca term used by the Dutch.

TEMPLE  CEREMONIES ETC.

1.    Ponggal Pandigai, Madhu Ponggal, Kani Ponggal

2.    Thaipusam at Sri Subramaniar Devasthanam at Batu Berendam,

3.    Maha Siva Rathri at Sri Kailasnathar Temple ( Sivan Kovil)

4.    Masai Magam at Sri Sanasimalai Andavar at Cheng,

5.    Panguni Uthiram at Sri Sri Vinayagar and Sri Bala Subramaniam     

       Kovil, Pengkalan, Alor Gajah

6.    Tamil Varuthapirapu at all Temples,

7.    Sri Muthu Mariamman Kovil Thiruviza at Gajah Berang,

8.    Ahdi Matham at all the Karmanggal Kovils,

9.    Vinayagar Sathurthi at Sri Sunthara Moorthy Vinayagar Temple, 

       General Hospital,

10.  Maha Timithi Ursava at Sri Subramaniar Thiropathai Amman

       Temple,

11.  Sarasvathy or Itha Poojai at Sri Kailasanathar Temple,

12.  Sooren Samaren at Sri Subramaniar and Thiropathai Amman  

       Temple,

13.  Nava Ratri – now performed by the Gujarati Temple,

14.  Deepavali Pandigai,

15.  Karthigai Thibam and Margali Matham ( Thirupali Ehzuchi Vizah)  

       at Sri Kailasanathar Temple and at other Temples as well.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

          Written and compiled by Mr B.Sithambaram Naiker  with the kind assistance of the following:-

          Messrs.    N. Somasundram Pillay   ( Deceased )

                        K. Narinasamy

                        K. T. Chitty    ( Deceased )

                        V. Ramasamy Pillay

                        C.S.Dorai Iyer

                        Dr. S. Thambipillai   ( Deceased )

                        G.B.Pillai      (Deceased )

                        K.T.Joseph, FRGS & Barrister-at-Law (Deceased)

                        E. Gulasegaram    ( Deceased )

                        Kandasamy Varatharuju

                        Miss Jenny Goldsmith

                        S.Vengadesan Naiker   (photography)

Biography

Mr B.Sithanbaram Naiker was born on the 11^th of May 1911 and passed away on the 2^nd of November 1986 at the age of 75.

He served the government as a postal clerk in Post Office Malacca and retired as a Postmaster of Jasin Post Office in 1966.

He also served the nation during the Second World War; he was recruited as a volunteer in the Malacca Volunteer Force 4BN SSVF ( MVC) from 1938 to 1949, army number 80051 and promoted to Sergeant B.S.Naiker.

He was awarded several medals by the British through General Edward Gent in King’s House. He received the 1939-1946 Star, the Pacific Star, the Efficient Service medal and the Defence Medal.

Besides serving as Trustee of the SPVM Temple he was also active in the JKK Committee in the area and also a member of the Historical Society of Melaka.

Below are some medals he received from the British Government after the Second World War.