Saiva Vellalar

Saiva Velaalar () is a Tamil community in The INDIAN state of Tamil Nadu. They trace their lineage to the ancient Velir tribe

Saiva Velaalars have the title of Mudaliar and Pillai. In northern part of Tamil Nadu, they are known as Mudaliars(Thondaimandala Mudaliars) where as in southern part of the state, they are known as Saiva Pillais and Saiva Velaala Mudaliars

Velaalars in Sangam literature

The word 'Velanmai' which we take to mean as agriculture is in fact means 'Benevolence', helping others. The Manimekhalai states "He is a Vellala who would not take his food, keeping the guest hungry outside". In Sangam literature, the chiefs of the vellala tribes were called the Velir. The Velir or the Vellalar tribes are described as a landed gentry who irrigated the wet lands and the Karalar were the landed gentry in the dry lands. Numerous poems in the ancient Sangam literature extol these chieftains' charity and truthfulness. Among the most prominent were those known as the 'seven patrons' (kadaiyezhu vallal); Vel-Pari, Malayaman Thirumudi Kaari, Ori, Adigaman, Began, Nalli and Ay Kandiran.

They had close associations and held high positions of office with the three main Tamil dynasties, Chera, Chola and Pandya. Some of them even had marital relations; Ilamcetcenni, the king known for his fleet of warships, married a Velir princess, and his son Karikala Chola also married a Velir princess from Nangur.

Historical personalities

  • Sekkizhar, the author of the Tamil hagiography Periyapuranam or The Great Purana consisting of the life stories of the 63 Tamil Saiva Saints or the Nayanmars
  • Thirunavukkarusu Nayanar, also known as Appar, one of the 63 Nayanars, celebrated by Sekkizhar in his epic Periyapuranam hailed from this community. He was a contemporary of Tirugnanasambandhar (younger of The Two) and lived during 7th century. Sambandhar affectionately referred to him as appa(father). Though born into an orthodox saivite family, Appar initially embraced Jainism and was known as Dharmasena. He would later convert back to Saivism and travel to many places and undergo ordeals to show his devotion to Siva. He would sing one of his hymns in praise of Siva at Vaitheeswaran Koil.
  • Kotpuli Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanars hailed from Nattiyantankuti. He was so attached to Lord Siva that he allotted a heap of paddy in the form of huge hill in each of the Siva temples to feed the Saiva devotees.
  • Vallal Sadaiyappa Mudaliar, a rich 12th-century Vellala chief who had residences at Puduvai (Pondicherry) and Thiruvenainallur. He was known for his philanthropic activities. He was a close friend and a patron of Tamil national poet Kambar, who wrote Ramavataram and Pararajasingam.
  • Ambi Aramvalartha Mudaliar was a minister during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509-1530 AD).
  • Andhaka Kavi Vira Raghava Mudaliar was a poet of the 16th century. He was from Pon-vilaintha Kalathur.

Modern personalities

Freedom fighters

  • V. O. Chidambaram Pillai:Indian independence activist, Indian trade unionist and lawyer
  • Muthuranga Mudaliar: A well known freedom-fighter; hailed from Vanavarayar Gothram of Nasarath Pettai near Poonamallee in Thiruvallur District

Social work

  • Sarojini Varadappan, Indian freedom-fighter and social activist; daughter of M. Bhaktavatsalam

Literature

  • Makaral Karthikeya Mudaliar: A scholar and poet in the 19th century who hailed from Veyttur, near Maduranthakam. He authored a number of Tamil books, including Veleer varalaatrumanbu, Tamil Solvilakkam, and Mozhi Nool.
  • Mahavidwan Vasudeva Mudaliar: A from Chettipalayam near Pothanur in Coimbatore District
  • Raosahib Vellakal Pa. Subramania Mudaliar: A Tamil poet of the 19th century who hailed from Athur Mappothiyar gothram of Vellakal, Tirunelveli District
  • Rasikamani T.K. Chidambaranatha Mudaliar: A scholar and author of Kambar tharum Ramayanam; hailed from Athur Mopothiyar Gothram of Tenkasi
  • Thiru. V. Kalyanasundaram, Tamil scholar and essayist
  • Maraimalai Adigal, Tamil orator and writer

Arts and music

  • Salem K.Meera is a renowned Karnatic musician in Salem. She is well versed in vocal, veena and keyboard. She is the Joint President of Salem Sangeetha Vidhwath sabha for the past three years. Also she has served as the President of the sabha for six years, secretary for six years, committee member and vice president for 12 years. She is an ACTIVE and creative participant in the sabha activities. She has been performing in the Salem sabha from 1950 until now (2011).
  • KS RaviKumar Famous Cinema Director
  • Vijayalakshmi Navaneethakrishnan Professor, folk song singer

Politics

  • C. Muttukumarasami Mudaliyar, Indian politician and hereditary zamindar of Chunampet. Member of the Madras Legislative Council 1904-7
  • C. Natesa Mudaliar, Justice party leader
  • S. Muthiah Mudaliar, Minister in the Composite Madras Government, 1928-1930 as a member of the Indian Justice Party. He was the author of the Communal Government Order in Madras Presidency in 1928.
  • Sir P. T. Rajan (1892–1974): Justice Party politician and Chief Minister of Madras Presidency in 1936
  • T. N. Sivagnanam Pillai (1861–1936), Indian politician of the Justice Party. Minister of Development (1923–26)
  • Palanivel Rajan (1933–2006): Politician of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Speaker, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, 1996–2001. Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (2006).
  • M. Bhaktavatsalam (1897–1987): Indian freedom fighter and leader of the Indian National Congress. Chief Minister of Madras state from 1963 to 1967.
  • O. V. Alagesan (1911–1992): Indian politician and leader of the Indian National Congress. Minister of External Affairs in the Union Government and Minister of Railways. He resigned his post after a railway accident at Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu.
  • V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (1920–2001): Founding member of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. President of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1962–1967). Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1969 and 1987. He was Education Minister in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Government and Finance Minister in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government during the M. G. Ramachandran period and the J. Jayalalithaa period. He held portfolios as Minister for more than 25 years in the State of Tamil Nadu.
  • Professor K Anbazhagan: General Secretary, DMK Party. He was Minister for Health, Minister for Education, and is currently Finance Minister. He has served for more than 25 years as Minister in the Government of Tamil Nadu.
  • P. Shanmugam: Former Chief Minister of Puducherry
  • Jayanthi Natarajan - M.P. and congress politician, granddaughter of M. Bhaktavatsalam. She is presently Union Minister for Environment & Forests
  • B.S.Gnanadesikan - M.P. and President, Tamilnadu Congress Committee

Spiritual

  • Arumuga Navalar, Tamil scholar and religious reformer preaching Saivite Hinduism
  • Suki Sivam, religious scholar and writer

References

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