VELLALA

Ref: http://members.rediff.com/drkansanpillai/vellala.htm

VELLALAS
Cultivators of Tamil nadu , Accuntants & Village Officers of Kerala
cjep_sa@yahoo.com
kalees@hotmail.com
tawady@yahoo.com
Dr.MA.Pillai BAM .MBBS .MS, Adoor
Dr.CS.G.Pillai,MSc.PhD,Pramadom
Dr.Kanam Sankara Pillai, Pandalam
Adv.Sunil Pillai BSc BL Trivandrum
PK.Sankara Pillai, Anickadu
Chidambaram Pillai, Chethalai

According to "Keralolpathy "(Genesis of Keralam) Keralam was created by Parasu

Rama one of the incarnations of Lord MahaVishnu.He threw his Parasu (axe ) to the
sea from Gokarnam and the sea withdraw to the point of fall (Kanyakumari).After
that he gifted the land to Brahmins. When he returned after some years, it was found
that there was total anarchy due to the inefficient administrations of the then rulers.
So he brought efficient and experienced Rulers from Tamilnadu (Paradesom).They
were called "Perumakkanmar". Keralam was under Perumal rule for many years and
the last one was Cheraman Perumal who converted to Islam and migrated to Mecca.

During the Perumal rule they brought "Vellalas"- the cultivatorsand accountants of
Tamilnadu-to Keralam .They settled permanently here and many of them became
Traders and Accontants. They were posted as Accountants in Government posts and
hence were called "KanakkaPilla".In all "Mandapathinkal Vathilkkal"(Thaluk Head
Quarters) there were Vellala houses .As Village officers ("Pillaannan" ) they were
highly efficient .In the famous Malayalam novel Kaya r, Thakazhay Siva Sankara
Pillai admires their efficiency in measurement of land.Vellalas are "Vaisyas" and
majority were Saivas ( follwers of Lord Siva).The foster son of King Rajasekhara of
Panthalam, AyyanAyyappan was "Vellalakulajathan" (see: ancient Elaversevam
Pattu) Most of the Ammankovils in Kerala were created by Vellas.All the 9
Mankombu devi temples( Poonjar ,Kanjar,Kuttanadu ,Kollam etc) were built by
Vellalas.Temples like Erumely Kochampalm ,Kanjirappaly Ganapathiyar kovil
Madura Meenakshy temple of Kanjirappally, Aanakulangara temples of Calicut and
Palai,Thidanadu temple Chotty temple, Chenganoor Devi temple, Chettikulangara
Devi temple Puliyanoor temple etc were built by Vellalas. They had major role in
the renovation work of Sabarimala temple.The "Nayattuvili" at Sabarimala is still
conducted by Vellalas from Perunadu Kottaram.The third temple where the
"Thiruvabharana Charthu" is performed is at Perunadu Sastha temple. The priest
who performes "karappoottu" at Achankovil Sastha temple is a vellala .The sword
of Ayyappan is still in Puthenveedu in Erumely.
Viraminda Nayanar of Chenganoor,Thycaud Ayya swami Thiruvadikal the great
Guru of Sri Narayana Guru and first Social reformer of Kerala , Chief Secretary
Thanu Pillai ,Novelist C.Madhavan Pillai( Alapuzha ) , Kavimani D.Desa Nayakom
Pillai , Sangeetha VidwanT.Lakshmanan Pillai ,author of Manonmaneeyam
Prof.Sundaram Pillai ,Finance minister PS.NataRaja Pillai Scolar and author
ofEnglish-Malayalam Dictionary T.Ramalingom Pillai, Vaikom Padmanbha Pillai
ADC of VeluThampy Dhalava Valiya Melezhuthu Pillai Kuttamperoor Melekkattu
BalaRaman Pillai Samprthy Pillai , his father YogeeswaranRaman Pillai
Vadakkamkoor Padathalavan Nanthiyattu Mootha Pillai, Eravikutty Pillai who died
Kaniyamkulam war ,Historian VK.Parameswaran Pillai , Humorist P.Subbayya
Pillai Prof.Erumely Parameswaran Pillai IMA National President
Dr.VC.Velayudhan Pillai,(who got the first Best Doctor award of Kerala State)
DME Dr.P.Siva Sankara Pillai , Neurosurgeon Dr.Marthanda Pillaii, Physio
Therapist Dr.Rama Swami Pillai are noted vellalas.

Dravidians who did cultivation, using water were called "Vellalas"(Castes & Tribes
of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361) Plough was their symbol. In Thelunku nadu
they were called "Velar". In Karnataka they had a kingdom. Those vellalas who
migrated from banks of Ganga was called "Gangavamsa vellalar".Their kingdom
was "Ggangawathi".Those vellalas who lived in Kongunadu was called "Gounders".
Ulkala (Orissa) was ruled by vellala kings in 11 century AD.Mudaliars and
Reddiars of Thontaimantalam (Chengalpet & North Arcot Dists),Pillai of Chola
(Kumbakonam ,Thanchavoor,Thrissinappally) Pillai of Pandya (Madura,
Ramanathapuram, Thirunelveli) and Gounder of Kongunadu (Coimbatore & Selam)
were Vellalas .Thry are either "sivas" or "vaishnavas". Some wear sacred thread . In
"Pathittupathu" Vellalas were called "Uzhavar". Vellala King Mavel Aai founder of
"Aai vamsam" created theVenadu . In Tharisappally sasan of 9th century AD, there
is mention about Vellala -"velkulasundaran".(TAS II 70-80) In former Travancore
and Kochi Vellalas were entrusted with account keeping.They were called
"kanakkapillai" accountntant). Muthalpidi and parvathyakars of olden days were all
vellalas. Accountants were respectfully called "Pillaiannan". In all village head
quarters and in all the mandapthum vathilkal (Taluk office) there were vellalas and
their families. During the reign of BalaramaVarma who came after Dharma Raja ,
the melezhuthupillai(Chief secretary ) was vellala The Dalavas of
Marthandavarmm,Arumugham and Thanu Pillai were vellalas Viranminda Nayanar
of Chenganoor who donated lands for the Mahadevar templethere, was a vellala.

SANKRITIZATION
Although the tamil word Vellala means the cultivator, there is ample evidence to
indicate that the original Chera , Chola and Pandia Kingswere Vellalas. Today
vellalas in Tamil nadu is a miniscule minority in southern districts.They are less
than 7% of population. In Kerala and Sree Lanka vellalas are thriving.50% of Sri
Lankan origin Tamilians are vellalas. Almost all political, business and academic
leadership of Tamil community of Sri Lanka has been provided by vellalas. Many
castes merged into vellala.'Kalarum maravarum agamuditarum mella mella koodi
vellalar aayinere"- so goes the saying. Which means Kalar,Maravar and
Agamudaiyar, the three power castes from South Tamilnadu assumed Vellala ID
with the accumilation of wealth. This happens in Elankai too. Many including
Malayalee Nairs have took Vellala ID with them .This is called
"sankritization".Regarding Ayyappan , in Elankai, Ayyanar Swami and among
Singalees Ayyanakaye are popular deities.

ORIGIN OF PILLAI
. Since, time immemorial , clans existed among Dravidians; but they cannot be
equated to castes of later periods. The "Tholkappiam" tells about four groups . The
conversion of clans to caste system - right hand caste and left hand caste - occurred
during Chola ( Kulothunga-AD 1110 ) period. The caste system got a firm footing
after the arrival of Ariyans. Initially there were only two classes: Those who owned
land or go to war and those who depend on manual labour for living ( artisans,
weavers, farm labourers etc) formed first group. Brahmins were on the top in
society and second came Velalars
(cultivators ) , chettiyars (business men) ,warriors (Thevar , Kallar ,
Vanniar ).Others were below these. Due to the process called "sankritization"(every
caste takes up the habits and customs of its immediate superior to reach the superior
status..) many of Kallars , Maravars and Vanniars became Vellalars . Some section
of vellalas gave up meat eating and became vegetarians- they were called "Saiva
Vellalas ".This process started in Pallalav period.The Saiva Vellalas carry titles like
PILLAI and Mudaliar , depending in the area of domicile. The saiva vellalas of
Pandia and Chola K ingdoms carry the title "PILLAI" and those from Pallalva
Kingdom used to carry the title MUDALIAR

Aanakulangara Bhagavathy temple in Arunapuram

Aanakulangara Bhagavathy temple in Arunapuram, Palai, is one of the oldest
temples in Kerala. Vellalas from different parts of Tamilnadu migrated to Malanadu
of Kerala. They were called Thenkasy vellalar (Anjoottikkar-500 families) ,
Kumbakona vellalar etc.From Thenkasi they migrated to different parts of
Thodupuzha .They built the Mankombu Bhagavathy temple. Vellalas from
Kumbakonam got settled at Erattupetta and Poonjar. They built the Ankalamman
Kovil .In Puliyannoor, Ezhacherry ,Arunapuram Panthathala, Mevada, Meenachil
and Poovarani (all in Meenachil Taluk)Vellalas from Kaveripoompattanam settled.
They built the temples at Puliyannoor ,Thidanadu ,Aanakulangara
(Arunapuram) ,Thattarakathu ,Kondoor ,Chotty , Kanjirappally and Meenachil
Valiyakunnel ."Kondudayar" built the Kondoor temple, Chottudayar" the Chotty
temple "Thiruvudayar" built Thidanadu temple and "Kazhivudayar" built the
Kanjirappally Ganapathiyar Kovil. The Vellappattu temple of Palai was also built
by Vellalas. The site where Vellalas used to sing became Vellappattu. According a
Thamra Sasan Vaisyas came from Kaveripoompattanam built Puliyannoor temple in
AD 1242.Vellalas constructed the Palai market. From the Vellala family name of
Palath the place name Palai was derived. Late M.P.George Thomas Kottukappally
was once the accountant of Palath family.(see his biography)

MANKOMPU BHAGAVATHY TEMPLES OF KERALA

"Mr.Vamanan Nambothuri, astrologer, the Week of Manorama- is doing research
on Mankompu Bhagavathy temple. He has evidence to prove that all the nine
Mankompu temples ( Poonjar, Kanjar, Kuttanadu ,Kollam etc.) in Kerala have their
origin from Thenkasi and were brought to Kerala by Saiva Vellalas"

"VELLALA PILLAI" OF KANJIRAPPALLY

A beautiful temple Ganapathy Koil built in granite, stands as a testimony to the

early Tamil influence in religion and culture.There is also indications that Tamil
rulers of Kanjirappally levied tax on live stock or Pothimadu to supplement income
to another temple Bhagavathi Shri Madura Meenakshi.The next batch of Hindu
settlers came two centuries later.They too were traders by profession. Hailing from
Kumbhakonam they were called" Vellala Pillas".Thoug they were merchants
they gradually took to farming. The vellalas attended the Ganapathiyar Koil for
worship but later they built another
temple on the northern side of the temple property, called northern Ganapathiyar
Koil in Pallava style of architecture.
During the reign of Thekkum koor Raja these Vellala Pillas became highly
influential and another temple by the side of River Chittar in the name Madura
Meenakshi was built.

"Vellalar kula jathan" AYYAN AYYAPPAN of SABARIMALA

About ten generations back there lived a Vellala youth by name Kandan Ayyan alia
Kandan Ayyappan in Erumely , Kottayam district of Kerala in India.We do not
know anything about Ayyan's parents except that his father was one Kandan and
uncle was one Perissery Pillai. He became the army chief of Pandalam Royal family
. Ayyan was instrumental in the defeat of Udayanan ,who attacked Sabarimala and
tried to demolish the ancient Sastha temple in the thick forest of present
Pathanamthitta district. The Royal family of Pandalam (King Pandian ) was
migrated from Tamilnadu about 800 years back .Ayyan's family belonged to
"Vellalar kulam", followed them.Rajasekharan ,the Pandian King, reconstructed the
destroyed Sastha temple at Sabarimala with the help of Ayyan , Vavar , a Muslim
youth from Kanjirappally and Kadutha, a Nair youth from
Muzhukkeer ,Chengannoor, Alapuzha district . During the clash Ayyappan was
killed. Perissery Pillai ,the uncle of
Ayyan constrcted the old small Sastha temple (kotchanpalam) at Erumely opposite
the Vavar Mosque constructed by Muslims in memory of Vavar.Temple made in
memory of Kadutha is seen in Sabarimala .After the death of Ayyappan people
thought that he as the avathar of Lord Sastha and began to worship him .Later
Sastha and Ayyappan became synonyms. Some say that Ayyan was the son of a
member of royal family but Nalankal Krishna Pillai in his book
Mahashekthrangulkku Munpil says that Brahmins had never the name Ayyan or
Ayyappan. In the age old Eelaversevam pattu ( songs of Elavar sevam, see ref.no. 3)
it is clearly stated that Kandan Ayyan belonged to Vellalar kulam
Near the Sree Ayyappa talkies in Erumely,Kottayam dist there is a Vellala house
called Puthanveedu, In the same compound there is one 300 year
old ,thatched,diapilated mud house, the house of Perissery Pillai.There we can, even
today see the old sword used by Ayyappan. Even now Ayyappan/Ayyan Pillai
isvery common among Vellalas of Kottayam Alapuzha, Pathanamthitta, Idikki and
Ernakulam districts. A number of Ayyappan kovils are built by Vellala community,
migrated from Tamilnadu following the Pandian King. Lakhs and lakhs of
Tamilians come to Sabarimala every year to worship Tamil origin Vellalar kula
jathanAyyan Ayyappan of Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta dist of Kerala.

Two Netizen groups have been formed to spread these facts Kindly join them by
sending e-mails to:
vellalaindia-subscribe@egroups.com
sabarimala-ayyappan-subscribe@egroups.com

REFERENCES:
1. Mahashektrangalkku Munpil, NBS 1st Edn. 1969 Nalankal Krishna Pillai
2. Pettathullalum Kshethra Puravrithangalum 1977 Dr.Kanam Sankara Pillai
3. Sreebhothaonatha Srvaswam 16th Edn.1998 Kurumulloor Narayana Pillai
4. Dravida Samskaram Sahyadry sanukkalil 1stEdn.1987 V.R.Parameswaan Pillai
5.Social History of the Tamilians. DK 1st Edn 1996 P.Subramanian

AYYAVU SWAMIKAL

The Great Vellala Yogi Sivarajayogi Ayya Swami Thiruvadikal was the Guru of
Sree Narayana Guru , Chattampi Swamikal and Ayyankal. He was the First and the
Greatest social reformer of Kerala. He was a Yogi cum Family man Ayyaswamikal
started "Panthbhojanam" in Kerala
He argued that any Yogi can install idols in temples, that inspired Sreenarayan Guru
to install idols
"Oru jathy, oru matham ,oru Daivom" is his teaching .Sreenarayan Guru
popularized the slogan
The Thycaud Ayyaswami Trust & Temples are made in memory of this Great Guru
of Guru

His original name was Subbarayan. He lived during the period of 1814-1909 His
parents were Sri.Muthukumaran(Nakalapuram-TN) and Smty.Rugmini Ammal
(Kollam)
He was Manager of Thycaud Residency
His deciples were
Chempazhanthy Nanu (Sree NarayanaGuru)
Kollur Kunjan Pillai (Chattampi Swamikal )
Swayam Prakasa Yogini Amma
Kollathamma
AyyanKali
A.R.Raja Raja Varma
Chithramezhuthu RaviVarma
Appavu Vakil
Thottahil Raman Kaniyar
Manakkattu Bhavani
Fernandez,Petta
Thakkala Peer Mohammad
Velutheri Kesavan Vaidhyar
Makkadi Labba etc.etc ( more than 50 )
His works were

Brahmothara Khandom · Ulloor amarntha Guhan·Ramayanam Bala khandom ,· Ente

Kasi yathra
Pazhani vybhavom, Hanuman pamalai Ramayanam pattu Ujjayani mahakali
pancharatnam
Thiruvaroor murukan Kumarakovil murukan

The Doctrine he propagated

"Intha ulakathile orae oru jathy than, Orae oru matham than,orae oru kadavul than"
(" Oru jathy ,Oru matham, Oru Daivom" Malayalam translation by Sree Narayan
Guru.)
-
References:
1.Sivarajayogi Thycaud Ayyaswami Thuruvadikal-A.C.Raja
2.Brhamasree Thycaud Ayyaswamikal-Ayyamission,Thiruvananthapuram
3.Sree Narayana Guru Sathavarshika Smaraka Grantham(1954)
4.Upahara Mala(1950)-Salkavi P.K.Kesavan
5.Sree Narayan Gurudevan(1971)-P.Parameswaran
6.Guru(1996)-K.surendran
7.Thiruvithamkoorile Mahanmar(1121)-Sooranadu Kunjan Pillai
8.Albutha SidhanSree narayana Parama guru(1974)-VidhvanK.E.Neelakondan
9.Vivekodayam (1084 Karkidakom)-Kesari BalaKrishna Pillai
10.upahara Malika( 20.4.1950)-Kesari Bala Krishna Pillai
11.Ayyankali-T.P.H.Chentharassery
12.Chattampi swamikalum Navothanavum-K.G.neelakandan Nair
13.Sree Narayan Paramahamsan-Pandit K.K.Panicker
14.Narayana guru(1978)-Prof.M.K.Sanu
15. http://expage.com/page/guruofsreenarayanaguru
16.http://expage.com/page/ayya
17.http://expage.com/page/ayyavu
18. http://home.beseen.com/alumni/drkanam/vellal.html
19.http://home.beseen.com/alumni/drkanam/vel.html
20.http://home.beseen.com/belief/drcyber/ayyaswamikal.html

References
1.Dravid Samskaram Sahyadrisanukkalil-VR.Parameswaran Pillai
2.www.kanjirappally.com
3.www.palai.com
4.Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361
5.Rajesh G Pillai-Pampavalley Civilization Research Centre, Aranmula
6.Petta thullalum kshethrapuravrithangalum PK.Sankara Pillai& Dr.Kanam Sankara
Pillai
7. http://expage.com/kannaki
8. http://expage.com/ganapathiyarkovil
9. http://expage.com/anakulangara