Devendrakula Velalar


Devendrakula Velalar also known as Kudumbar, Vaikkaran, Kaladi, Pannadi, Pandyan, Pannikan, Palakan, Mooppan is a Tamil speaking community prevalent in southern India. The community is mostly distributed in the Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Thiruparankundram, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Coimbatore and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu.

Etymology

The term Devendrakula Velalar resp. Vellalar is used as an umbrella term for the castes which were related. The term means "farmer of celestial being" or "Devendra community farmer", connoting that they were created by the god Devendra resp. Indra.

History

K. R. Hanumanthan is of the view they were an ancient community of Tamil Nadu who worked under the Pallavas as political chieftains with the title Kurumbar.

Devendrakula Velalar Chola kings

Poets have praised them as Mallar among Mallars.

Inscription

The Devendrakula Velalar young mens excelled in some martial arts such as silambam. During festivals and other important occasions they simply thrilled the audience by exhibiting this skilful art. Other caste people learnt silambu from Devendrakula Velalar teachers. They were very industrious and generous.