Vellalar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vellalars are a dominant caste of Tamil agriculturalists of Tamil Nadu, Kerala states in India and in neighbouring Sri Lanka. They are also found amongst the Tamil diaspora around the world. Although they were originally associated with farming, today they are found in all walks of life.
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[edit] Origin theories
- From cultivation
The standard theory is that the word Vellalar is from Velanmai or to cultivate. Another one postulates it is derived from Vellam or flood (in Tamil) and "alar" (ruler or controller), so Vellalar means controller of floods. Sometimes they were also known as Karalar which means ruler of clouds in Tamil
- From agro-pastoral warriors
A new theory derives the word from Vel, to win to control, to take, as well as a lance, an old and archaic Tamil weapon. Supposedly cultivation in South Asia was spread by force, people would move out into virgin land, which was used by hunter gatherer or tribal people for slash and burn agriculture or for hunting and convert into prime agricultural land.[1]
This was a honorific title of select few people who would organize such raids and settlements like chiefs who were also called as Vel which spread to all including that of all Ulavar which is Tamil for farmer, the actual Tamil name for cultivators. Today everybody uses it but once it was restricted to village headman or founding chief's lineage. (see also Velama)[1]
- Assimilation of other castes
Most subcastes of Vellalar in general are believed to be the first of the group of Tamils to be Sanskritized.
"Kallar, Maravar, Agamudai-yar mella- mella vanthu Vellalar anarkal"
is a popular Tamil proverb prevalent in India and Sri Lanka about the origin of Vellalars. That is Vellalar are a fusion of upwardly mobile members from castes such as Kallar,Maravar and Agamudaiyar according to the principles of Sanskritisation.[2]
[edit] Common titles
Common titles are Pillai, Mudaliar and Gounder. When southern parts of Tamilnadu came into the control of Telugu Nayak Chieftains, Vellalar were employed by them as accountants, hence they assumed the title Kanakku Pillai, in Kerala they use the title Karnam Pillai.
[edit] Major divisions
Major subdivisions are
There are numerous other subcastes which claim Vellalar roots and identity. Some subdivisions might intermarry yet other will not.
[edit] In Kerala and Sri Lanka
In Kerala, there is a significant population of Tamil and Malayalam speaking Vellalar population. They are believed to have migrated to work in courts of the Travancore kingdom as accountants.
The Vellalars of Jaffna have been chronicled clearly in the Yalpana Vaipava Malai and other historical texts of Jaffna kingdom. These Vellalar chiefs claim descent from traditional minor-kings and chiefs of Tamil Nadu. They have been commanders of Chola and Pandya armies as well as respected ministers and administrators. From the 13th century when migration of Vellalar chiefs to Jaffna took place, Tamil Nadu has seen a decline in the traditional power of Vellars except in Kongu Nadu.[3]
In Sri Lanka, they are currently estimated to form over fifty (50)% of the population of the Sri Lankan Tamils in the Northern Province and Jaffna. (See also Hinduism in Sri Lanka and Caste in Sri Lanka).[4] The Aaarunattu Vellar community also prevails in Sri Lanka.
See the Ponnambalam-Coomaraswamy Family for the Ponnambalam-Coomaraswamy family centric rise of a Vellala elite in 19th century Sri Lanka.
[edit] Saints in Hinduism
[edit] Nayanars (Shaivas)
- Viralminda, born in Sengunru
- Manakanchara, born in Kancharur, in a hereditary family of army commanders, worked for the Chola Dynasty
- Murkha, born in Tiruverkat in the-then Thondai Nadu, had spent all his wealth in feeding Shiva-devotees
- Satti, born in Varinjiyur
- Vayilar, born in Mylapore
- Munaiyaduvar, bonr in Tiru Nidur
- Kotpuli, commander-in-chief of the Chola Dynasty's military
