Vellala Gounder

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For other uses, see Gounder.

Kongu Vellala Goundar are a land-owning and a feudal caste of Tamil Nadu, India. They are native Tamil language speakers. Their legends allude to the Chola country as their origin. They are divided into a number of clans and have unique customs that distinguish them from other communities.

Contents

[edit] History

Legendary origins

Vellala Gounder are considered to be native Tamil speakers of the Kongu Nadu, an ancient division of Tamilakam that was also Sanskritized as the Gangavadi region and included parts of northwest Tamil Nadu, portions of neighbouring Kerala, and the southern Mysore region of Karnataka. According to legends the Kongu Vellalars were originally from the Chola empire and later migrated to the Karur, Salem, Namakkal, Coimbatore, and Erode districts in modern day Tamil Nadu owing to a conflict with the Chola rulers.

[edit] Feudal past

The land was divided into 24 regions. These regions are often suffixed by the word "Nadu" (meaning country), such as Annamalai Nadu or Kangeya Nadu. Under their organizational system, the chiefs of the 24 regions would get together and decide on various political and social issues. During different periods the area was under the overlord ship of different dynasties: the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas. The area was very strategic and full of resources and hence there was fierce competition to control the area. Even so, the Kongu leaders had so much freedom, independence, reverence and respect during all three periods, under the Pandyas, Cholas and Cheras, that they often acted as intermediaries in solving issues arising among the three dynasties. The Vellalar were warriors who supported the Cholas and the Cheras during wars. They were of great assistance to the king in various positions and ranks in the army. The community enjoyed high reputation, influence, popularity and respect even from the Sangam age. They got the title 'Kamindan' from the king for their meritorious service and loyalty. Later the title got modified to 'Gounder'. They also had the right to crown the kings of the Cheras, Cholas and the Pandyas.

[edit] Society

Clans
Main article: List of Kongu Vellala kootams

Unlike other Vellalar, whose totemic clan and tribal origins have been eclipsed and totally erased by Sanskritisation, the Kongu Vellalar still maintain their tribal and clan divisions. The Tamil word Koottam or "Kulam" is used to denote a clan. There are about 149 of them listed. People belonging to the same clan do not intermarry. Each clan has its own guru called the Kulaguru and a deity called the Kuladeivam. Some clans betray a totemic origin, whereas others appear to be names of lineage founders or place names of the clan's original habitation. Others show ethnic origins such as Kannadiga and Toda. From the clan names it appears that at some point in history many different people came together to coalesce into this social group. The historical war between Vellala Gounder and Vettuva Gounders is mentioned in the mythical local Annamar Kathai story, in which the latter were defeated.

[edit] Titles

The people of the Kongu Gounder community have two titles in general:

  • The caste title which is Gounder or Goundan. Some use honorary titles like Mandradiar (the Pattakarar of Palayakottai), Vanavarayar (the Zamin of Samathur), Veanadudeyar (Sankarandampalayam), Kalingarayar (Uthukuli), Pallavarayar (Kangayampalayam near Kangeyam) , Parilakottai Pattakkarar (Payira clan), Katayur Pattakkarar (Porulanthi clan), Putur Pattakkarar (Cenkannan clan), Sankarantampalayam Pattakkarar (Periya clan) and Kangeyan.
  • The clan name or kootam, which is the surname really, like Venduvan, Perungudi, Manian etc. Nowadays it's a common practice among the community not to use any titles.

[edit] Marriage customs

The marriage rites of Kongu Vellalar are ancient. Their marriage customs are unique amongst other communities in Tamil Nadu and usually do not accept the officiating of Brahmin priests. Gounders marry outside their Kootam and are renowned for their elaborate three day-marriage extravagenzas. The first day event is called ‘Naal virundhu’. On this day, close relatives of the bride and bridegroom host feasts for the bride’s and the bridegroom’s family respectively. On the second day, marriage arrangements are done by bringing together all relatives. Events such as erection of pandhal, cutting of ‘Muhurtha Kaal’, hairdressing of bridegroom by Kudimagan, informing the marriage event to the village community by drum beating, hosting of feast for the relatives in the bride’s family as well as bridegroom’s family, bridegroom leaving for the bride’s house take place on the second day. The marriage event takes place in the bride’s house. The mukurtham takes place on the third day. The bride and the bridegroom are seated on the marriage platform on the completion of appropriate rites. The Thaali (mangala naan) is tied by the bridegroom around the bride’s neck and "mangala vaazhthu" song is recited. The marriage events come to a close with the serving of a grand feast to all relatives and friends. The marriage events are performed by a respected elderly person of the community who is called "Arumaikaarar". All the rites are performed in the Tamil language. The Mangal Vaazthu song of the Kongu Vellalars is an extremely beautiful song in chaste Tamil and was written by the great poet Kambar in honour of the Kongu Vellalar 'Sadayappa Vallal'.

[edit] Culture

The Kongu culture and world view is reflected in its folklore. Folklore is an archive of human civilization. It consists of customs, beliefs, value systems, festivals and rituals of a community. It also reflects its greatness and short comings. "Kula Puranams" are the chief folkloristic expressions found in many communities in South India. 'Annanmar Kathai' is the national literature of Kongu Nadu. It tells the story of the historic war between the Vellalas and Vettuvans. It was popularized by Sakthikkanal at the regional level and by American Anthropologist Brenda E.F. Beck at the international level.

The characters of this folk epic, Kunnudayak Kavundan, Thamarai Naachiar, Ponnar, Sankar and Thangam represent the kind of human beings we see in every age and in every society. The valor, heroism, social concern and the sacrifice of the brothers Ponnar and Sankar still inspire and guide thousands of people living in and outside Kongu region. Visiting Valanadu Fort - where the brothers are believed to have lived and ruled, Virappur - where Peria Kandi Amman Temple - the clan deity of Annanmars is located and Padugalam where the sister Thangam revived her dead brothers with her divine power, is considered to be a holy task cutting across caste and creed.

[edit] Related groups

Main article: List of castes using Gounder title

Some of the above groups are historically related but seldom intermarry now. It is also a comprehensive list of Tamil-speaking castes that use Gounder as a title.

[edit] Prominent Kongu Vellalar

Main article: List of prominent Kongu vellalar
  • {C Subramaniam -Ex Union Minister}
  • {Mohan Kumaramangalam -Ex Union Minister}

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links