Pallar

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Pallar are a caste of upwardly mobile agriculturalists and agricultural workers of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. They are considered to be Dalits.

Contents

[edit] Brief History


Pallan(Devendrakulam) is the name of a caste in India. The members of the caste claim (Please review the 'News and Links' page that has links to evidence that supports these claims) they have this name because they are the descendents of Lord Indra, King of the Devas. Majority of the people of this caste are involved in agriculture. The people of this caste are also called by Palla, Pallan, Kudumban, Pannadi, Devendrakulla Vellalar. Though People of this caste claim superiority of their origin, the caste is included in the Scheduled Caste and many of its members were held as agriculture slaves and bonded agriculture labourers during the 17th Century until mid 20th Century.


Research done by Dr.K.R.Hanumanthan and extensive research by Thiru.R.Deva Asirvatham and later by Dr.Guruswamy Siddan and others indicate that the people of this caste are the descendents of the famous ancient Tamil Kings Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas and Pallavas who ruled the current Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Part of Andra and Maharastra during ancient period and ruled Tamilnadu up to the 16th Century. Most of the ancient, Temples in and around Tamilnadu were built and owned by this community. After the invasion of Vijaynagar Empire and Marata Kings, the Tamil Kings and their community were removed of their title, land and were made as agricultural labourers in their own farms for which they were the then owners. To hide this Historic fact these people who were then called as Mallar (Malla, Mallan) were named as Pallas (Palla, Pallan) and many poems were written during 17,18,19 and beginning of 20th Century in the name of Pallu Poems with the encouragement from Vijayanagar (Nayak) dynasty. Before that period the People were called as Mallas Meaning warrior, Oolavar meaning plougher (farmer) and Vellalar meaning great gift giver. These people were regular farmers and land lords during peace time (Oolavar) and warriors (Mallars) during war time. The Sangam poems written before 1 century BC sing of the Gods Lord Shiva, Godess Umadevi, Lord Tirumal (Lord Vishnu), Godess Lakshimi, Lord Brahma, Godess Saraswati, Lord Muruga (Lord Karthik), Lord Vinayega (Lord Ganesh), Lord Indra as Mallas and as Pandian and Chola Kings. Though the Pallu Poems denigrated the Mallas and also called them as Pallas, they also say that Palla's ancestors were Mallas and sing that the Gods were Mallas and then were Pallas. During 16th Century AD, Nayak King passed a law ordering people not to have any contact with the Pandian dynasity (in general with Mallas) and prevented the 18 communities that supported the Tamil Kings from having contact with one another and from inter-marriage between these communities. (This was the origin of Untouchability and modern caste division in Tamilnadu). The Mallars were ex-communicated, then gradually over the next 300 years, their lands were removed and given to other new formed upper castes that were loyal to Telugu Kings. The Mallars were named as Pallas and were made as agricultural labourers in the land in which they were once owners. Then after a few generations they were made as bonded labourers and then were removed of all basic human rights (Prevented from having education, access to public places and Temples built by their own ancestors, prohibition from wearing Ornaments and dress on the upper part of the body, shoes etc). To hide the truth that all Temples built upto 16th Century AD were built by the ancestors of these people, attempts were made to hide Temple Paintings by redrawing new paintings on the old ones (Tanjavur Periya Koyil, Mariamman Koyil). During 1932 when British gave self-autonomy to Indians, 1000s of new castes sprung up claiming superiority on one over the other. Several actions were directed by other communities to keep the Pallas at a low profile for fear of the other communities (new formed higher castes) loosing their claim for high caste and land ownership. In 1957 the Pallar, Devendrakula Vellalar Community was included to the Scheduled Caste by Kamaraj, then Chief minister of Tamilnadu, owing to the poverty of the community.


Day-to-day activity shows evidence of the rich heritage these people had from ancient times. The community people have their own village self government (Panchayat), have special priests for Temples, Barbers, Dobbies, Doctors etc in villages. These people also have their own temples that are called as King Temples. They are also the priests in village Temples, exclusively owned by these people. In ancient temples like Perur, Samayaburam, Tirunelvelli and so on, leaders of this community are brought to the Temple with festivities on Elephant with White Umbrella coverage, playing trumpts and drums and given the first respect during Temple festivals and are asked to touch the TempleCaravan (Thear) first before it comes on procession. These were the privileges only the ancient Tamil Kings had and were passed on to their descendents that still continues. Priests of these ancient Temples accept and agree that the ancestors of DevendraKulathar are the ancient Tamil Kings, Cheras, Cholas Pandyas and Pallavas.


There are ownership documents (Pattayam signed during 1500s) that show that the Palani Murugan Temple and numerous ancient Temples belong to people of Devendrakulam. These ancient Temples were built by ancient Tamil Kings thus these documents and respect given to people of this community at these temples bridge the relation between the ancient Kings and the Devendrakula community. Stonescriptures (Kalvettu) and inscription written in the 1500s also claim that the Devendrakulathars are the descendents of the Pandya dynasty.

References:


From Tamil Books


1. Moovendar Yar (Who are the Three Kings)

2. Pallar alla Mallar aam Mannar (Not Pallas but Mallas, Yes Kings)

3. Tamil Elakiyathil Pallar yendra Mallar, Devendrakula Vellalar ( Adipadai Saandrugal).

   (Tamil Literature portraying Pallar alias Mallar, Devendrakula Vellalar (Basic Facts))


List of Recent Books on Mallar (Pallar), Devendrakula Vellalar[1]

[edit] Conflict with other castes

They are in intense competition with upwardly mobile but numerically superior mid level castes such Kallar, Maravar and Vellala Gounder across Southern and western Tamil nadu. As the first amongst the Dalits of Tamil nadu in hierarchy as well as numerically, they are using their collective strength to upgrade themselves from the degrading practices of the mid level castes that want to keep them in slave like servitude. This results in many instances of violence against them as reported by international NGOs. But Pallar's themselves have attacked other Dalit castes considered to be lower than them in the polluting scale such as the Sakkiliar[2]

[edit] In Sri lanka and abroad

In Sri Lanka, they are currently found in Jaffna and eastern Batticalo region and were primarily agricultural workers. But there is evidence that some have assimilated with the dominant Vellala caste over the last 100 years. They have played and important role in the formation many Tamil nationalistic militant groups namely EPRLF that was eventually eclipsed by the more militant LTTE. Today amongst the Tamil diaspora across the world Pallars are found as part of the greater Tamil community and caste distinctions are minimal.

[edit] Notable PALLARS

Arts

  • VIKRAM(John Kennedy, cheyan, kenny)- Tamil Actor
  • Thiyagarajan(Vikram's relative and Prashant's father)- Tamil Actor
  • Ponnamballam - Villian Actor

Collectors / IAS Officers

  • Mr. Christdas Gandhi IAS

Mr. Christdas Gandhi IAS, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamilnadu Warehousing Corporation.

  • Mr. V Kanagaraj IAS

Mr. V Kanagaraj IAS, DIPR/Additional Secretary of Information and Tourism Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.

  • Mr. Karthik IAS

Mr. Karthik IAS, DIPR/Additional Secretary of Information and Tourism Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.

  • Mr. P A Ramiah IAS

Mr. P A Ramiah IAS, Secretary Tamil Development-Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Government of Tamilnadu.

  • Mr. C.Umashankar IAS

Mr. C.Umashankar IAS, is an e-governance expert. He spearheaded the computerisation of land records when he was the collector of Thiruvarur. Under his leadership Thiruvarur became the first district in Tamilnadu to get its land records computerised. Now he is the Commissioner of Disciplinary Proceedings, Salem.

[edit] Judges / Judicial officers

  • Justice S. Ashok Kumar M.Sc., B.L

Mr. Ashok Kumar MSc., BL, Judge at Chennai high court.

  • Justice S. Marimuthu, B.A, B.L
  • Justice M. Maruthamuthu, B.A, B.L

[edit] Former Members of Legislative Assembly (M.L.As)

Mrs. Gomathy Srinivasan Mrs. Gomathy Srinivasan was a minister in the AIADMK cabinet of MGR between 1981 and 1986. Later she joined the DMK and was elected as MLA from Valangaiman reserve constituency in 1996 elections. Recently she quit the DMK and joined the BJP and is now the member of the All-India SC/ST committee of BJP.

Dr. Krishnasamy Dr. Krishnasamy of the founder and the leader of Puthiya Tamilagam, a state political party in Tamilnadu. He is a Medical doctor by profession.

Mr. Murugavel Rajan Mr. Murugavel Rajan is a sitting M.L.A Tamilnadu state legislative assembly. He belongs to PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi).

Mr. Paramalai Mr. Paramalai is a sitting M.L.A Tamilnadu state legislative assembly, got elected from Manamadurai. He belongs to Congress(I), a national political party.

Late Mr. A.K. Subbaiyah Mr. A.K. Subbaiyah was an M.L.A. He was with Communist party, later he joined DMK. His son is Mr. A.K.S Vijayan M.P (Nagapattinam constituency).

Mr. Thittai R. Subramaniam Mr. Thittai R. Subramaniam was an M.L.A and he belonged to Congress party. He is retired from active politics.


[edit] Political / Social Leaders

Veeran Sundara Lingam Veeran Sundara Lingam was one of the generals of Veera Pandiya Kattabomman. There is a bronze statue for him in Mudukulathur. legendary freedom fighter from the Devendra Kula community, Veeran Sundaralingam, at his native villave, Gavarnagiri in Tuticorin district,

Immanuel Sekaran Immanuel Sekaran, a youth leader "martyred' during the infamous Thevar assault at Mudugalathore, in 1957

Mr S. Deva Asirvatham Mr S. Deva Asirvatham is a Devendra Kula Vellalar historian. He wrote the famous book "Muvendar Yaar?". The book is the well researched one and gives enough evidence about forefathers. We are undoubtedly the descendants of the great Tamil Kings (Chera, Chola and Pandyas). He has also written other books on our history.

Mrs. Gomathy Srinivasan Mrs. Gomathy Srinivasan was a minister in the AIADMK cabinet of MGR between 1981 and 1986. Later she joined the DMK and was elected as MLA from Valangaiman reserve constituency in 1996 elections. She quit the DMK and joined the BJP and is now the member of the All-India SC/ST committee of BJP.

Dr. Gurusamy Siththar Dr. Gurusamy Siththar is a Civil Engineer by profession. He is running an organisation called Devendrar Kalai Panbattukkazhgam. Through that he is publishing more research articles about our life and cultures .

Dr. Krishnasamy Dr. Krishnasamy is the founder and the leader of Puthiya Tamilagam, a state political party in Tamilnadu. He is a Medical Doctor by profession and a Ex M.L.A of Tamilnadu state legislative assembly.

Mr. Paramalai Mr. Paramalai is an M.L.A of Tamilnadu state legislative assembly, got elected from Manamadurai. He belongs to Congress(I), a national political party.

Mr. S Murugesan Mr. S Murugesan M.P, got elected from Tenkasi in 1999 general election. He belongs to A.I.A.D.M.K (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam). He was also elected from Tenkasi in 1998 for the 12th Lok Sabha. Mr. S Murugesan is a lawyer by profession.

Mr. A.K.S Vijayan Mr. A.K.S Vijayan M.P, got elected from Nagapattinam. He belongs to D.M.K (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam).

[edit] Scholars and Artists

Dr.Mozhignayiru Devaneyap Pavanar

Dr.Mozhignayiru Devaneyap Pavanar was a renowned Tamil scholar, had written many works and one of them is Commentary on ThirukkuRaL called 'thamizh maraburai'. Devaneya Pavanar's works were in many ways pioneering and few had the insight he possesed. BRIEF HISTORY OF PAVANAR Name: Gnanamuthu Devaneyan. Place of birth: Sankaranayinar Koil, Tamilnadu, India. Date of birth: 7-2-1902. Father's Name: Gnanamuthu. Mother's Name: Paripuranam. Education: C.M.J. High School, Palayankottai, S.S.L.C. (1916-1918) Madras University M.A. Private Study 1952. Married: 1930 Children: 4 Sons and 1 daughter, the daughter being 4th child. Brief career summary:

  • Tamil teacher in Several High Schools 1922-1944
  • Tamil Professor, Municipal College, Salem. 1944-1956
  • Reader in Dravidian Pilology Annamalai University. 1956-1961.
  • Director Tamil Etymological Project of the Tamilnadu from 1974 till probably in 1987

Career-related activities:

  • President, International Tamil League, Tamilnadu. (U.Tha.Ka.)

Awards and Certifications:

  • A Silver plate presented by the Tamil Peravai, Salem in 1955 in appreciation of his service to Tamil.
  • A Copper Plate presented by the Governer of Tamilnadu 1960 in appreciation of his contribution to the collection of Administrative terms in Tamil.
  • A Silver Plate presented by the South Indian Saiva Sinddhanta Works Publishing Society, Thirunelveli Ltd., in 1970 in appreciations of his research work in Tamil Philology an Etymology.

Professional and Association Memberships:

  • Member of the tamil Development an Research Council Govt. of Tamilnadu.

Writings and Special Achievements:

  • Author of more than twenty research works in Tamil and English on the Tamil Language literature and culture and compentary on Thirukkural.

Mr. Deva Asirvatham Mr. Deva Asirvatham is a research historian. He wrote a book called "Muvendar Yaar?" in Tamil. This book has become the de-facto book on the history of our community. He also wrote couple of other books on the history of our community. He is a retired Revenue officer.

Dr. Gurusamy Siththar Dr. Gurusamy Siththar is a Civil Engineer by profession.He is running an organisation called Devendrar Kalai Panbattukkazhgam.Through that he is publishing more research articles about our life and cultures .

[edit] Dalit Leaders

  • Immanuel Sekar - Dalit Leader

[edit] Freedom Fighter

  • Veeran Sundralingam

[edit] Genetics

According to Sengupta et al., 2006 study Pallars have Y-chromosome-Haplogroups that show a curious mix of South Asian haplogroups. Their biggest lineage is R1a1 which forms 24% of their male population. This Y-chromosome lineage predominates North-West of the Indian subcontinent. They also have L1 and L3 where L1 is one of the most common Haplogroup in South India with an appreciable presence in North India and Pakistan, L3 is mostly observed among Pakistanis and almost absent among South Indians. Other pan-Indian Haplogroups like H, R2 and J2 are observed at frequencies greater than 10%.

[edit] References

≠==External links==

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