Thuluva Vellala Explained

Thuluva Vellalar, also known as Agamudaya Mudaliar ^{[1] [2]} or Arcot Mudaliars,^{[3] [4]} is a caste found in northern Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and southern Karnataka.^{[5] [6] [7]} They were an elite and dominant land-owning community.^[8]

Etymology

The earliest occurrence of the term Velaalar (வேளாளர்) in Sangam literature is found in Paripadal, where it is used in the sense of a landowner.^[9] The word Vellalar (வெள்ளாளர்) may originate from the root Vellam for flood, denoting their ability to control and store water for irrigation purposes.^[10] which led to the development of various land rights, ultimately giving the Vellalar their name.^[11] The term Velaalar (வேளாளர்) is also derived from the word Vel (வேள்), a title used by Velir chieftains during the Sangam age.

Since they migrated from the Tulu region of ancient Tamizhagam, they are called Thuluva Vellalar.^{[5] [6] [7]}

History

Thuluva Vellalars are part of larger Vellalar community. An early Tamil tradition states that a king known as Ādonda Chakravarthi brought a large number of agriculturists (now known as the Tuluva Vellalas) from the Tulu areas in order to reclaim forest lands for cultivation in Thondaimandalam.^[12] Scholar M. Arokiaswami identifies Tondaiman Ilandiraiyan with king Adondai Chakravarthi, the legendary figure who is referred to in the Mackenzie Manuscripts.^[13]

Sometimes this migration of Thuluva Vellalas is also assigned to later Chola times when Hoysala Ballalas of Karnataka had occupied portions of Kanchipuram and Trichy.^[14]

Demographics

Their original stronghold in present-day Tamil Nadu was Thiruvannamalai in North Arcot district, the town that served as the capital of the Hoysala king Veera Ballala III in the 14th century.^{[15] [16]}

Tuluva Vellalars are progressive and prosperous^[5] in the society. They are considerably advanced in the matter of education^[17] and the community was eagerly involved in business, Government and Non- governmental institutions.

The community commonly use Mudaliar^[18] and Udayar titles. However Naicker,^[19] Gounder, Reddy and Pillai titles are also present in some pockets.

Gotra and Kuladevi

Gotra

In Hindu tradition, Gotra represents a lineage or ancestral family line. The system of gotra is significant for understanding one's heritage and lineage and plays an essential role in cultural and religious practices.

These primary groupings can be further divided into sub-categories, including:

• Vanadhirayar
• Kalingarayar
• Siva Maharshi

These sub-groupings often signify deeper historical and cultural connections within the broader Shiva or Vishnu lineages.

Kuladevi

The Kuladevi refers to the female family deity or guardian goddess worshipped by a specific family or clan across generations. Families revere their kuladevi for protection, prosperity, and familial well-being. Commonly worshipped kuladevis include:

• Pachayamman
• Angala Parameshwari
• Saptha Kannimar: A group of seven divine sisters.
• Ammachchar
• EllaiAmman: Often revered as the boundary guardian deity of a village or a region.

These deities are central to family rituals, festivals, and religious ceremonies, reinforcing the cultural and spiritual ties of a family to their ancestral roots.

Caste-based Reservation Status

In Tamil Nadu

Arcot Mudaliar and Arcot Vellala sects: Classified as Forward Class.^[20]

Other sects of Thuluva Vellala: Classified under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category at both the Central^[21] and State levels.^[22] Thuluva Vellala is listed as entry number 1 alongside Agamudayar.

In Andhra Pradesh

Thuluva Vellala, Agamudi Mudaliar, and Aghamudi Vellala: Recognized under the Backward Class (D) category under the umbrella term ‘Mudhaliar’.^[23]

This reservation status allows these communities to access benefits and opportunities related to education, employment, and other social programs as per their classifications.

Current status

The Thuluva Vellalar community, also referred to as Thuluva Vellala Mudaliars, was historically classified as a Forward Caste (FC) in Tamil Nadu.^{[24] [25]} However, over time, they were reclassified as a Backward Class (BC). ^{[26] [27]} The reclassification has its roots in the socio-political and economic changes that occurred in Tamil society, particularly after Indian independence.

Notable people

Social Leaders, Activists

• Ariyanatha Mudaliar - Dalavoy of the Vijayanagar viceroy Viswanatha Nayaka.
• C. Natesa Mudaliar - ^[28] one of the founders of the Justice Party, politician, activist and philanthropist.
• Muthuranga Mudaliar - A freedom fighter from Poonamallee, participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942. ^[29]
• Thiru. V. Kalyanasundaram - Indian freedom fighter, Indian scholar, essayist, and activist for the Tamil language.
• Pulavar K. Govindan - Historian, rationalist, and Deputy Speaker of the Madras Legislative Assembly. ^[30]

Tamil Literature

• Mu. Varadarajan - Also known as Mu. Va., a Tamil scholar, author, and academic from Tamil Nadu.
• Papanasa Mudaliar - An early Carnatic music composer who lived in what is now Tamil Nadu, India.
• Namakkal V. Ramalingam Pillai - Prominent freedom fighter and writer.

Philanthropists

• Arcot Narrainswamy Mudaliar - Founded the R.B.A.N.M.'s Educational Charities and R.B.A.N.M.'s Chattram and other charities.
• V. L. Ethiraj - Barrister and philanthropist who founded Ethiraj College for Women.
• V. M. Muralidharan - Chairman of Ethiraj College for Women.
• Vallal Pachaiyappa Mudaliar - Founder of Pachayappa Educational Trust. ^[31]

Politics

• Arcot Ranganatha Mudaliar - Indian politician and theosophist; served as Minister of Public Health and Excise for the Madras Presidency (1926–1928).
• A. C. Shanmugam - Founder of Puthiya Needhi Katchi and Chancellor of Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute. ^[32]
• Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar - KCSI, Founder-Chairman of UNESCO and the Diwan of Mysore. ^[33]
• S. Muthiah Mudaliar - Politician and legislator of the Justice Party.
• P. U. Shanmugam - Former Tamil Nadu minister of Public Works Department.

Civil Service and Judiciary

• C. S. Ratnasabhapathy Mudaliar - Member of the Madras Legislative Council (1926–1936).
• Kanakaraya Mudali - Chief dubash and broker for the French East India Company.
• Salem Ramaswami Mudaliar- was an Indian lawyer, politician and Indian independence activist who campaigned for India's independence.

Arts and Cinema

• A. R. Rahman - Indian music composer and winner of several national and international awards. ^[34]
• G. V. Prakash Kumar - Tamil music composer, actor, and playback singer. ^[35]
• Isari Velan - Indian actor and politician.
• Ishari K. Ganesh - Founder and chairman of Vels University. ^[36]
• Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar - Known as the "Founding Father of Modern Tamil Theatre", playwright, director, and recipient of the Padma Bhushan. ^[37]
• R. K. Shekhar - Malayalam music composer and father of A. R. Rahman.
• R. Nataraja Mudaliar - Known as the "Father of Tamil cinema". ^[38]
• Shoba Chandrasekhar - Playback singer, producer, and mother of actor Vijay.
• Varun (actor) - Tamil actor and grandson of Isari Velan.
• Vikranth - Tamil actor and cousin of Vijay.

Educationists, Doctors, Scientists, and Academicians

• Sir Arcot Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar - First Indian Principal of Madras Medical College and Vice Chancellor of the University of Madras.
• Arcot Ramachandran - Scientist, author, and Under-Secretary-General of UN-Habitat. ^[39]
• Dr. B. M. Sundaravadanan - Chairman of Tamil Nadu Medical Council.
• Dr. M. R. Gurusamy Mudaliar - Renowned Indian medical practitioner.

Entrepreneurs and Industrialists

• Chinnakannan Sivasankaran- founder of Aircel Ltd.
• CK Ranganathan- the Founder Chairman of CavinKare, chairman of CK College of Engineering and Technology and also President of TiE – Chennai Chapter.

See also

• Sangama dynasty
• Arunachalesvara Temple

References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

• Book: Bayly, Susan . Saints, Goddesses and Kings: Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900 . Susan Bayly . Cambridge University Press . 1989 . 2004 . 978-0-52189-103-5 .
• Neild . Susan M. . Colonial Urbanism: The Development of Madras City in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries . Modern Asian Studies . 13 . 2 . 1979 . 217–246 . 10.1017/S0026749X00008301 . 312124. 144309252 .

Notes and References

1. News: 2012-08-16. ப உ சண்முகம் பிறந்தநாள் விழா. Dinamani.
2. Web site: 2012-05-14. துளுவ வேளாளர் சங்கம் கோரிக்கை. 2021-11-12. Dinamalar.
3. Book: Caste, Nationalism and Ethnicity: An Interpretation of Tamil Cultural History and Social Order. Jacob Pandian. Popular Prakashan. 1987. 115.
4. Web site: Census of India 1961 - District Handbook of Chingleput . Census of India . Volume 9: 16. 16 . 2024-11-23.
5. Book: Tañcai Tamil̲p Palkalaik Kal̲akam, Tañcai Tamiḻp Palkalaik Kaḻakam . Glimpses of Tamil Civilization. Articles from the University Quarterly, Tamil Civilization . Tamil University . https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZU6kuUy/page/142/mode/1up?q=Vel . 1994 . 142 . en . Tuluva Vellala is a prosperous and progressive caste in Tamil Nadu and they migrated from Tulu Nadu to Tamil Nadu in ancient times..
6. Book: New Place, Old Ways, Essays on Indian Society and Culture in Modern Singapore. Anthony R. Walker. 200. 1994. Hindustan Publishing Corporation. The names of these four main Vellalar divisions are the Tondaimandalam (residents of the Pallava country), the Sōliyan (of the Cōla country), the Pandya (from the ancient Pandyan kingdom) and the Konku (from Konku country). Each of these four great divisions is further divided on a territorial basis. For example, the Tuluva are that branch of the Tondaimandalam Vellalar with origins in the Tulu country..
7. Book: Tamil Culture in Ceylon: A General Introduction. M. D. Raghavan. Kalai Nilayam, 1971. 130. The Thondaimandalam Vellalas are sub-divided into the Tuluvas, originally of the Tulu country..
8. Book: Response to John Harriss . S. V. . Rajadurai . V. . Geetha . Decentring the Indian Nation . Andrew . Wyatt . John . Zavos . Routledge . 2004 . 978-1-13576-169-1 . https://books.google.com/books?id=0L6RAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA115 . 115.
9. Dev Nathan (1997). From Tribe to Caste. Indian Institute of Advanced Study. p. 233.
10. Book: Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Vijaya Ramaswamy. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 390. 2007.
11. Book: Venkatasubramanian, T. K. . Societas to Civitas: Evolution of Political Society in South India : Pre-Pallavan Tamil̤akam . 1993 . Kalinga Publications . 978-81-85163-42-0 . en.
12. Book: Untouchability: A Historical Study Upto 1500 A.D. : with Special Reference to Tamil Nadu. Krishnaswamy Ranaganathan Hanumanthan. 101. Koodal Publishers.
13. Book: The Early History of the Vellar Basin, with Special Reference to the Irukkuvels of Kodumbalur. A Study in Vellala Origin and Early History. M. Arokiaswami. Amudha Nilayam. 72. 1954.
14. Book: Proceedings and Transactions of the All-India Oriental Conference. 1964.
15. Book: Census of India, 1961. India. Office of the Registrar. Manager of Publications. 1962. xxii.
16. Book: Topics in South Indian From Early Times Upto 1565 A.D. History. A. Krishnaswami (Professor of History). 212. 1975.
17. Book: Census Book of India 1961. The Director of stationery and Printing, Madras.. 1961. 9 North Arcot District . Madras. 31. Tamil. 3.
18. Web site: AP court orders . Doctypes .
19. Glossary of Caste Name, North Arcot District, 1951
20. Web site: 2019-07-18. அரசியல் ரீதியாக அங்கீகாரம் கிடைத்தாலும் 10 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீடு நிறைவேறுவதில் சிக்கல். 2021-02-06. Dailythanthi.com.
21. Web site: CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF TAMILNADU. www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in . Department of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, Tamil Nadu . 11 March 2021. 1. Entry.No 1.
22. Web site: List of Backward Classes approved by Government of Tamil Nadu . Department of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, Tamil Nadu . 6 March 2021. Sl.No 1.
23. News: Staff Reporter. 2016-12-12. 'Mudaliar' title added in BC (D) list. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-02-06. 0971-751X.

    "The State government has decided to add the title ‘Mudaliar’ in the first line of Sl. No. 39 of Group D of BC list following a request from the Mudaliar community. This will benefit Agamudimudaliar, Agamudivellalar, and Agamudimudaliar, including Thuluva Vellalas."

24. Web site: 2019-07-18. அரசியல் ரீதியாக அங்கீகாரம் கிடைத்தாலும் 10 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீடு நிறைவேறுவதில் சிக்கல். 2021-02-06. Dailythanthi.com.
25. Book: Rajadurai . S. V. . Geetha . V. . 2004 . Response to John Harriss . Wyatt . Andrew . Zavos . John . Routledge . 115 . 978-1-13576-169-1 . 2024-11-23.
26. Web site: CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF TAMILNADU. www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in . Department of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, Tamil Nadu . 11 March 2021. 1. Entry.No 1.
27. Web site: List of Backward Classes approved by Government of Tamil Nadu . Department of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, Tamil Nadu . 6 March 2021. Sl.No 1.
28. Book: K, Kumaresan. Dravida Thalaivar C. Natesanar. 1984. Madras. Introduction, p.4.
29. News: Courage was his watchword . https://web.archive.org/web/20040728222145/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/12/16/stories/2002121601420200.htm . dead . 28 July 2004 . 16 December 2002 . . 13 June 2016 .
30. Web site: Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly: Details of terms of successive Legislative Assemblies constituted under the Constitution of India. Government of Tamil Nadu.
31. Web site: Vallal Pachaiyappa Pachaiyappa's College. 2021-11-13. pachaiyappascollege.edu.in.
32. Web site: Demu . Blessey . Honorary Fellowship for A C Shanmugam . news18.com . News18 . 13 October 2020.
33. Book: Andrew Wyatt, John Zavos. Decentring the Indian Nation. 115.
34. Web site: A. R. Rahmam Biography. arrahman.com. 14 April 2023.
35. News: Balu . Aparijitha . GV Prakash Kumar On A Signing Spree . Silver Screen . 14 September 2019 . 17 September 2019 .
36. Web site: Rs.686 crore for conservation, protection of natural resources . https://web.archive.org/web/20110629050547/http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/28/stories/2010122853330400.htm . 28 December 2010 .
37. News: The Mount Road congregations . https://web.archive.org/web/20041225203457/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/30/stories/2003073000230300.htm . 25 December 2004 . 30 July 2003 . The Hindu . Chennai . S. . Muthiah . usurped . 20 March 2012.
38. News: Classics must be preserved, says B. Mahendra. 5 June 2013 .
39. Web site: Padma announcement . 13 August 2014.