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Devendrakula Velalar

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Devendrakula Velalar
ClassificationAgriculturist
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesTamil
CountryIndia
Original stateTamil Nadu

Devendrakula Velalar is an agricultural community found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu comprising seven subcastes: Devendra Kulathar, Kudumbar, Kadaiyar, Kaladi, Pallar, Pannadi and Vathiriyar.[1][2]

History

The Devendrakula Velalar traditionally inhabited the fertile wetland area referred to as Marutham in the literary devices of the Sangam landscape.[3] Vendan, also known as Devendra and identified with Indra, is the god of the Marutham landscape and also one of the chief deities of the Devendrakula Velalars[4] They are mentioned in Purananooru as involved in agriculture.[5] Agriculture, being the dominant occupation in Sangam society, had gained a status and expertise.[6] [7] The territorial divisions among the Devendrakula Velalar are Devendra, Chozhiya, Pandiya, Kongan, Eshwaran.[8][9] The common honorofic titles used by the Devendrakula Velalars are "Devendrar", "Kudumbar", "Mooppanar", "Pannadi", "Mannadi" and "Kaladi" varying according to their territorial divisions. According to Uthiramerur inscription, the villages in Chola administration were termed as "Kudumbu".[10]

Inscriptions

Two 17th-century inscriptions calling them as Devendra Kudumban and "son of the celestial woman" have been found in Tirunelveli and Ramanathapuram districts.[11]

Structure

In Pandiya Nadu region, the headman of Devendrakula Velalars were known as "Kudumbar" and he was assisted by "Kaladi" and a messenger called "Variyan" who summons people to attend council-meetings, festivals, marriages and funerals. In Chola Nadu region, the headman of Devendrakula Velalars were known as "Nattu Moopar" and each village also has a peon called "Odumpillai".[12] In Kongu Nadu region, the headman of Devendrakula Velalars were known as "Pattakkarar" and he is assisted by various subordinate officers and a caste messenger called "Odumpillai".

Temple festivals

According to mythology, the presiding deities, Lord Pateeswarar and Pachainayagi, of Patteswarar Temple in Perur, Coimbatore, were farmers who took up the task of sowing and cultivating paddies. The Devendrakula Velalar community celebrate Paddy Sowing Season in the name of Chithiramezhi Ponnaer Natru Nadu Thiruvzha at Patteswarar Temple and initiate the car festival of the temple.[13]

At the Koniamman car festival in Coimbatore, Devendrakula Velalars are traditionally given the right to start pulling the chariot and worn "Parivattam", according to a tradition dating to the 11th century.[14][15]

At the Mariamman Teppakulam float festival in Madurai, Devendrakula Velalars from Anupanadi village are traditionally given the right to start pulling the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple float, according to a tradition dating to the 17th century.[16]

The Puliakulam Vinayagar Temple in Coimbatore was opened in 1982 by the Devendra Kula Trust and the Vinayagar Chathurthi celebrations are held every year[17]

The Devendrakula Velalars play a major part in the Aravan Festival in Coimbatore especially in Singanallur, Kurichi and Vellalore.[18][19]

Marriage

In Kongunadu region, the clans regulate marriage alliances. Their clans namely Devi kulam, Eshwaran kulam,Kandhan kulam, Masaniamman Kulam, Karupparaayan Kulam, Ankalamman Kulam, Adi Kaliamman Kulam, Maduraiveeran Kulam and Kamakshiamman Kulam. Each kulam is affiliated to a deity.[20]

Occupation

Their traditional occupation is that of cultivation, although by the 1990s large minority of them were employed in government or private services. As of now, many of them work in factories, offices, government jobs and other non-agricultural occupations.[21] [22].

Politics

In Tamil Nadu, Devendrakula Velalar make up 11.45% of the state's population.[23] The Devendrakula Velalar, Mutharaiyar and Brahmin play a major role in Srirangam Assembly constituency, as a majority of voters are from these communities.[24]

References

  1. ^ "Lok Sabha passes bill to place seven castes under Devendrakula Velalars in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  2. ^ "President gives assent to Devendrakula Velalar Act". The Hindu. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  3. ^ General, India Office of the Registrar (1964). Census of India, 1961. Manager of Publications. p. 11.
  4. ^ Ramaswamy, Vijaya (25 August 2017). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 371. ISBN 9781538106860.
  5. ^ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 207. ISBN 9788122411980.
  6. ^ Subrahmanian, N. (1996). Śaṅgam polity: the administration and social life of the Śaṅgam Tamils. Ennes.
  7. ^ Sinha, Sachchidanand (1982). Caste system: myths, reality, challenge. Intellectual Pub. House. ISBN 9780836407914.
  8. ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (1992). People of India:India's communities,Volume 4. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 793. ISBN 0195633547.
  9. ^ "Divisions of Devendrakula Velalars in Pazhani Inscription". The Hindu Tamil Thisai. Retrieved 2 March 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  10. ^ "Villages were termed as Kudumbu". The New IndianExpress. Retrieved 11 December 2020. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  11. ^ Venkatasubramanian 1986, p. 51.
  12. ^ "Castes and Tribes of Southern India". Retrieved 11 December 2020. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  13. ^ "Seedling Planting Festival at Perur Pateeswarar Temple in Coimbatore". Maalai Malar. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Koniamman car festival". Thamizhe. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "Koniamman car festival-2022". Maalaimalar. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "Grandeur marks float fest in Madurai". Times Of India. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "Puliakulam temple background". The Tamil Samayam. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  18. ^ "A Koothandavar fest without TGs in Coimbatore". The New Indian Express. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Aravan festival in the city of Coimbatore". The Hindu Tamil. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  20. ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (1992). People of India:India's communities,Volume 4. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 793. ISBN 0195633547.
  21. ^ Wyatt 2012, p. 141.
  22. ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (1998). India's Communities. Oxford University Press. p. 2755. ISBN 9780195633542.
  23. ^ Priyanka Thirumurthy, Bharathi Sp (21 February 2021). "NDA's caste consolidation exercise ahead of TN assembly polls". The News Minute. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  24. ^ MADALA, JAYAKUMAR (3 March 2021). "Why both AIADMK and BJP want Srirangam". The New Indian Express.
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