| Isai Vellalar | |||||
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| Classification | Artists and Musicians | ||||
| Religions | Hinduism | ||||
| Languages | Tamil | ||||
| Population | 58,327 (2009) | ||||
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| Related groups | Maaran of Kerala Devadiga of Karnataka |
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| ‡ Shared by other groups | |||||
Isai Velalar (Tamil: இசை வேளாளர்) is a caste from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are also known as Melakkarar. Isai Vellalars predominantly use the title of Pillai, with some using the title of Mudaliar.
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The name "Isai Velalar" is derived from the Tamil words Isai meaning Music and Vellalar meaning Cultivator. Therefore Isai Velalar is a person one who cultivates or creates the music. Isai Velalar is a community of Hindu temple musicians hailing from the Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Trichy Districts of Tamil Nadu. The origin of Nattuvanars' arts tradition dates back about 2,000 years ago at the village of Vazhuvoor, which has a Siva temple, the presiding deity worshipped as Gajasamharamurti.
Isai Velalar who were skilled in Nattuvangam are known as Nattuvanars. They trained women of different communities in performing Sadir from which the modern day Bharatanatyam has evolved. They trained the women to dance at temples as part of the daily and festive rites. Their greatest strength is playing the mellow Nagaswaram.[1] During the period of Cholas, around 11th century they were appointed as Dance gurus to teach Bharatanatyam to the Chola princess Kundavai.