The Nagarathars, also known as Nattukkottai Chettiars is a vibrant community originating in the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu, India. Akin to the Jewish community in the US they were traders who ventured to Southeast Asia during the heyday of the Chola empire where they eventually settled and became an integral part of the trading class of the 19th and 20th century. The Chettiars were traditionally involved in moneylending businesses and wholesale trading. Prior to the establishment of banks, they played a crucial role in enabling development in countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Java, Sumatra (Indonesia), and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). Modern bookkeeping practices are said to have been originally developed by Chettiars.

In the last 50 years, modern Nagarathars have diversified, and thrive in the field of medicine with hundreds of Nagarathar physicians globally serving humanity and many more young Nagarathars advancing into the field. NPNA - Nagarathar Physicians of North America was envisioned and established by a few like-minded physicians to unify Nagarathar Physicians in North America, India and internationally under an independent professional association with a focus on professional networking, interaction & development, social well-being, learning, encouraging young Nagarathars to enter the medical field, serve as a hub for our residents, fellows & medical students to interact, enhance and develop skills, and act as a valuable resource to our community.