Thuluva Vellalar is a Tamil caste from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Karnataka. Their original presence is significant in the Northern districts of Tamil Nadu and Southern districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Dr Arcot Ramaswamy Mudaliar Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar Dr Mu Varadarasanar |
Regions with significant populations |
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Tamil Nadu |
Languages |
Religion |
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Thondaimandala Tuluva Vellalar is an agricultural caste of Vellalars who had immigrated from Tulunad, a part of the modern district of South Canara, as warriors of King Veera Ballala III.[1] Only subcaste of Mudaliar with many Vaishnavite people, where as other Mudaliar sub-castes are Shaivites
A Chola king named Athondai Chakravarthy had brought down the Thuluva Vellalars to the present day Thondaimandalam of Tamil Nadu. Athondai Chakravarthy had established his rule over Northern Tamil Nadu after winning the battle over the Kurumbar. This is the reason that part of North Tamil Nadu was named as Thondaimandalam, named after this victorious king. It has also been noted that Athondai Chakravarthy had brought Vellalars from Srisailam to settle down at Thondaimandalam. Since they migrated from various areas, most of the TTVs do not have a clan (Gothram). Also TTVs do not have a distinct physical trait or dialect. It is very hard to identify a TTV. However there are very specific customs that Thuluva Vellalas follow even today that distinguishes them from other castes of present day Tamil Nadu. Thulu is an ancent language. People spoke that language are called Thuluvas. Those having agriculture as their profession are known as Thuluva Vellalas.
They form a significant proportion of population in the Thondaimandalam regions of Tamil Nadu which include Thiruvallur, Vellore and Kanchipuram districts. They have also migrated to southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Thuluva Vellalars of Northern districts use the title Mudaliar and that of southern districts use Pillai title. Significant number of people from Vellore area use Arcot as their family name (as initial). Many TTVs joined Indian Railways under British rule and settled in many other states.