Thuluva Vellalar, also known as Agamudaya Mudaliar or Arcot Mudaliars, is a caste found in northern Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and southern Karnataka. They were an elite and dominant land-owning community.

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

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

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. Tuluva Vellalars are progressive and prosperous in the society. They are considerably advanced in the matter of education and the community was eagerly involved in business, Government and Non- governmental institutions. The community commonly use Mudaliar and Udayar titles. However Naicker, 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: 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: 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. Other sects of Thuluva Vellala: Classified under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category at both the Central and State levels. 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’. 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. However, over time, they were reclassified as a Backward Class (BC). 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

Tamil Literature

Philanthropists

Politics

Civil Service and Judiciary

Arts and Cinema

Educationists, Doctors, Scientists, and Academicians

Entrepreneurs and Industrialists