Thuluva Vellala

Thuluva Vellalar, ^[1][a] also known as Agamudaya Mudaliar ^[3][4] or Arcot Mudaliars,^[5] is a caste found in northern Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and southern Karnataka.^[6][7][8] They were originally significant landowners.^[9]

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.^[10] The word Vellalar (வெள்ளாளர்) may originate from the root Vellam for flood, denoting their ability to control and store water for irrigation purposes.^[11] which led to the development of various land rights, ultimately giving the Vellalar their name.^[12] 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.^[6][7][8]

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.^[13] Scholar M. Arokiaswami identifies Tondaiman Ilandiraiyan with king Adondai Chakravarthi, the legendary figure who is referred to in the Mackenzie Manuscripts.^[14]

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.^[15]

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.^[16][17]

Tuluva Vellalars are progressive and prosperous^[6] in the society. They are considerably advanced in the matter of education^[18] and the community was eagerly involved in business, Government and Non- governmental institutions.

The community commonly use Mudaliar^[19] and Udayar titles. However Naicker,^[20] Gounder, Reddy and Pillai titles are also present in some pockets.

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.

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.

In Tamil Nadu

Arcot Mudaliar and Arcot Vellala sects: Classified as Forward Class.^[21]

Other sects of Thuluva Vellala: Classified under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category at both the Central^[22] and State levels.^[23] 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’.^[24]

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

The Thuluva Vellalar community, also referred to as Thuluva Vellala Mudaliars, was historically classified as a Forward Caste (FC) in Tamil Nadu.^[21] However, over time, they were reclassified as a Backward Class (BC). ^{[25] [23]} The reclassification has its roots in the socio-political and economic changes that occurred in Tamil society, particularly after Indian independence.

• Arcot Ranganatha Mudaliar- was an Indian politician and theosophist from Bellary. He served as the Minister of Public Health and Excise for the Madras Presidency from 1926 to 1928.
• A. C. Shanmugam- is the founder and president of the Puthiya Needhi Katchi, a caste-based political party for the thuluva Vellalar caste in Tamil Nadu, India. He is also the founder and chancellor of Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Rajarajeswari Group of Institutions, and ACS group of institutions in Arani.^[26]
• A. R. Rahman- Allah Rakha Rahman born A. S. Dileep Kumar; is an Indian music composer, record producer, singer, songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist, and philanthropist^[27]
• Arcot Narrainswamy Mudaliar- philanthropist, He Founded the R.B.A.N.M.'s Educational Charities and R.B.A.N.M.'s Chattram and other charities.
• Sir Arcot Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar- first Indian Principal of the Madras Medical College and longest-serving Vice Chancellor of the University of Madras; Chairman of UNESCO;First chairman IIT MADRAS, awarded Padma Vibhushan for Medicine, 1963.
• Sir Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar- ^[28] KCSI - Founder Chairman of UNESCO and the Diwan of Mysore.
• Sir S. Muthiah Mudaliar- Indian politician and legislator of the Justice Party.
• Arcot Ramachandran- was an Indian scientist, anthropologist, author and a former Under-Secretary General of United Nations Centre for Human Settlements. The Government of India honoured him in 2003, with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, for his services to the fields of Science and Engineering.^[29]
• Ariyanatha Mudaliar- Dalavoy of the Vijayanagar viceroy Viswanatha Nayaka.
• C. Natesa Mudaliar- ^{[30][need quotation to verify]} one of the founders of the Justice Party, politician, activist and philanthropist.
• Chinnakannan Sivasankaran- founder of Aircel Ltd.
• C. S. Ratnasabhapathy Mudaliar- was an Indian industrialist and politician who served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1926 to 1936.
• CK Ranganathan- the Founder Chairman of CavinKare, chairman of CK College of Engineering and Technology and also President of TiE – Chennai Chapter.
• Dr. B. M. Sundaravadanan- Chairman of Tamil Nadu Medical Council.
• Dr. M. R. Gurusamy Mudaliar- An Indian medical practitioner.
• G. V. Prakash Kumar- G. V. Prakash Kumar (born 13 June 1987) is an Indian music composer, playback singer, actor, and film producer known for his work in Tamil cinema.^[31][32]
• Isari Velan- was an Indian actor, politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu.
• Ishari K. Ganesh- is the founder, chairman and chancellor of Vels University in Chennai, India.^[33] a former Member of Legislative Assembly in the state government of M. G. Ramachandran.
• Kanakaraya Mudali- was the chief dubash and a broker for the French East India Company. He remained in service for the longest period of 24 years.
• Mu. Varadarajan- also known as Mu. Va. and Varatharasanar, was a Tamil scholar, author and academic from Tamil Nadu, India.
• Muthuranga Mudaliar- was a well known freedom-fighter from Poonamallee in Thiruvallur District. He participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942 along with Prakasam, V. V. Giri, M. Bhakthavatsalam, K. Kamaraj and other freedom fighters^[34]
• P U Shanmugam- ^[3] - Former Tamil Nadu minister of Public Works Department.
• Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar- who has been described as "the founding father of modern Tamil theatre",^[35] was a playwright, director, producer and actor. He was a recipient of the civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan.^[36]
• Papanasa Mudaliar- he was an early Carnatic music composer who lived in what is now Tamil Nadu, India.
• Pulavar K. Govindan- was a writer, historian, rationalist and politician. He was an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly of Madras State and later, the state of Tamil Nadu. He served as the Deputy Speaker of the Madras Legislative Assembly.^[37][38]
• R. K. Shekhar- was an Indian music composer who worked mainly for Malayalam movies. He composed music for 52 films (23 in Malayalam with 127 songs), and was the music conductor for more than 100 films. He is the father of music composers and singers A. R. Rahman and A. R. Reihana. His grandsons G. V. Prakash Kumar and A. R. Ameen are also involved in music production.^[39]
• Salem Ramaswami Mudaliar- was an Indian lawyer, politician and Indian independence activist who campaigned for India's independence.
• Shoba Chandrasekhar-Shoba Chandrasekhar is an Indian playback singer, screenwriter, film producer and film director. She is the mother of actor Vijay
• Thiru. V. Kalyanasundaram- Indian freedom fighter, Indian scholar, essayist and activist for the Tamil language.
• V. L. Ethiraj- Barrister and philanthropist who founded Ethiraj College for Women.
• V. M. Muralidharan- The Chairman of Ethiraj College for Women.
• Varun (actor)- Varun is an Indian actor who predominantly works in tamil cinema. He is the grandson of Isari Velan.
• Vikranth-s an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films. He is the cousin of popular Tamil actor Vijay
• Vallal Pachayappa Mudaliar^[40]- a famous Dubashe of Madras and the founder of Pachayappa Educational Trust.

• Sangama dynasty
• Arunachalesvara Temple

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

• Bayly, Susan (2004) [1989]. Saints, Goddesses and Kings: Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-52189-103-5.
• Neild, Susan M. (1979). "Colonial Urbanism: The Development of Madras City in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries". Modern Asian Studies. 13 (2): 217–246. doi:10.1017/S0026749X00008301. JSTOR 312124. S2CID 144309252.