| HISTORY |
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| The late MR..THAIVANAYAGAM CHITTY (1st. Trustee of the Melaka Chitty community - 1781) |
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| The Melaka Chitty community (also known as the Malacca Straits-born Hindus) has been in Malacca, Malaysia since the reign of the Malacca Sultanate in the early 15th. century. |
| Years before Parameswara (the founder of Malacca in 1401) became the first sultan, Hindu traders had already come to Malacca. Trading between the West and East had long been established before then. Due to the distance and weather conditions, traders had to make several stops along their trading route (the Straits of Malacca) and Malacca was seen as the best location. It was exactly the ideal choice for these traders as it was stragically located and food supplies were easily available. |
| As Malacca gained its popularity, more and more traders including the Hindus from the Corromandel Coast, Southern India thronged its port. Inter-marriages between the Hindu traders and the Malays, Chinese, Javanese and Bataks were then unavoidable. Through the process of assimilation, these traders had gradually adapted themselves to a new lifestyle. Thus the term 'Melaka Chitty' was born. |
| As staunch believers of the Hindu faith, the Melaka Chitty community still uphold their religious ceremonies and beliefs but with a unique blend. In Malacca, one can easily notice this unique community in Kampung Chitty, Gajah Berang which is situated about 2.5 kilometres from the city centre. It consists of a few castes namely; Pandaram, Pillay, Neiker, Raja, Pathair, Chitty and Padaichi. They strongly resemble the Malays and Baba Nyonyas (the Malacca Straits-born Chinese) in terms of clothing, spoken language, food and appearance. No doubt they are inarticulate in Tamil (the Hindu language), they still maintain their Hindu names and customs. |
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| The late MR. & MRS. VELOO PANDARAM |
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| As of material importance, need to assert that the Melaka Chitty community is different than the other Hindus, especially the Chettiars (the Hindu money-lenders), in many ways. They had lost all forms of relation with their descendants in India a long time ago. Today, they pledge their loyalty to the Ruler of Malaysia. Most of them are wage earners and lead a simple life. Some have ventured into other types of occupations. A handful of them are living in other parts of the country and some can be found in Singapore too. During festive seasons, most of them would return to Kampung Chitty and they will have lots to talk about. |
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| The wonderful delicacies of the Chitties. |