Vedha Muthu Mukandar

Vedha Muthu Mukandar was born into the Nadar caste in Solaikudiriruppu, an oasis village in the Kudhremozhi Theri, part of the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu state, and close to Korkai, the site of the capital of the ancient Pandyan Kingdom.

[1] He became a Mukandar of Megnanapuram village, through his apparent prophetic intuition, and wisdom in solving disputes, an ancient title originally bestowed by Arab rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire.

[3] Before British supremacy was established in the region it had been part of the Vijayanagara Empire, whose appointed Nayaks, (governors), had restricted the life of the members of Vedha Muthu's Nadar caste, regardless of status, and denied them access to the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple.

After the mysterious death of the Nadar Christians' leader Chinnamuth Sundaranandam David,[7] Rev.

Alternative Prayer Halls were established, one by Vedha Muthu close to his home at Jebagnanapuram, Solaikudiyiruppu.

[11] Vedha Muthu married Thiraviyam Nadathi; they are buried together at St Stephen's Church, Jebagnanapuram, Solaikudiyiruppu.