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The Carnatic Family Association consists of members who are all the descendents of the Nawabs of the Carnatic and the Princes of Arcot. The Association was formed in the year 1940, by eminent senior family members, consisting as follows:

1. Late Mr. Abdul Latif Farookhi, MLC., President

2. Late Mr. Mohamed Abdul Azim, Bar-at-Law, Vice-President

3. Late Mr. Mohamed Mahmood, Advocate, Secretary

4. Late Mr. G.A. Abdul Khader, Councillor, Asst. Secretary

5. Late Mr. Mohamed Munawar Shah, Treasurer

and the Executive Committee members.

The main aim and objective of the Association is to help the members of Carnatic family in providing for their children educationally and economically. It was also established to organise social and cultural activities and to celebrate major religious festivals. It will also felicitate games and sports for the members of the Carnatic family. The Association grants scholarships to the children to execute their studies. The Prince of Arcot Endowments has also sanctioned six scholarships to three deserving families.

The Carnatic Family Association celebrated the 175th death anniversary of Nawab Muhammad Ali Wallajah, the most celebrated and independent sovereign ruler of the Carnatic (1749-1795 A.D) on May 2, 1971 by conducting a "Mushaira", in 'Amir Mahal', the official residence of the Prince of Arcot, in the city of Chennai, under the Chairmanship of His late Highness Nawab Ghulam Mohammed Abdul Khader, the then Prince of Arcot. The "Mushaira" was well attended by many renowned Urdu poets from all over India and was presided over by late Mr. H.K. Ghazi. I.A.S. Officer ­Tamil Nadu.

After the year 1971, the activities of the Association were under low profile since they lost some important active members of the Carnatic Family Association. In the year 1993, the association was again revived by Late Mr. Ikram Mahmood (advocate) and started functioning. At present, there are 186 life members and 49 patron members.

His Highness Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali Azim Jah, the present Prince of Arcot-VIII, is the Head of the Carnatic Family and Chief Patron of Carnatic Family Association.

Donations are collected from well-to-do members, including non-resident Indians of the family. Initially two students were awarded the scholarship and gradually increased to 50 students at present. The President of the present Carnatic Family Association is Nawab Jeelani Begum, wife of Nawab Ghulam Mohammed Abdul Khader, the late Prince of Arcot. Major Syed Hussain Shah and Nawabzada Mohammed Naser Ali (younger son of the present Prince of Arcot) are the Vice-Presidents. Dr. Mohamed Nayeem is the General Secretary. Mr. Mohsin Ahmed, advocate, is the Assistant Secretary and Dr G. M. Yahya, former Dean, Thanjavur Medical College, is the Treasurer of the association besides seventeen Executive Committee Members. Meetings are regularly conducted and the Association is very active and vibrant today.