History

The history of Pattagarars, who were clan heads of the communities in the region can be traced to 1000 C.E. from literature and family records. In recognition of the commendable support given to the Pandya kings by his forefathers, they were awarded the title of Uthama Kaminda and also powers to settle social and religious disputes in their community to Vellalas and their sub-castes. The Pattagar is the religious head of his community, the title being hereditary. They also had the titles called Mandradiar.

The families of the Pattagarars / Mandradiars and their cousins of the clan took keen interest in raising livestock and have been contributing their might for the development and sustainability of the Kangayam breed, in spite of the reduction in the grazing area due to several Government policies. A member from the family of Mandradiar’s and an important legend who sowed the seed for the birth of the SKCRF was Kuttappalayam Swaminathan, former Member of legislative assembly, Vellakovil. He was also the Vice Chairman of the Tamilnadu Livestock Development Committee. Swaminathan maintained a major stock of the Kangayam breed.

It was around 2001, a monograph was published by Dr.Kandasamy and Dr. Pannerselvam of the Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in which they provided data about the alarming loss of Kangayam cattle from 1990 to 2001 in this region. The loss of Kangayam cattle directly threatens the native cattle of Tamilndu as all breeds like Umblachery, Bargur, Puliakulam, Alambadi and Malai Madu owe their genetic existence to Kangayam. As soon as these connections were made, the idea of institutionalising the farm was envisaged by Thiru Sivasenapathy and his son Thiru Karthikeya Sivasenapathy. At this juncture the Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation was born with modern ideas to conserve the cattle and the associated habitat for posterity. SKCRF was started with a major donation of the nucleus herd from the family’s livestock farm earlier maintained by K. N. Swaminathan.

SKCRF is now involved in several activities that will promote the Kangayam breed in its habitat namely the Korangaduin Kongu region. For more information see the section Services/Activities of Centre.