Thuluva Vellala
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2010) |
Thuluva Vellalar is a Tamil caste from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is a farming/agricultural caste and Vellalar means people who control the flood that is irrigation Vellalar. Their original presence is significant in the Northern districts of Tamil Nadu and Southern districts of Andhra Pradesh.
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| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | |
| Languages | |
| Tamil(Mother tongue), Kannada | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Vellalar |
Origin
Thuluva Vellalar or Thondaimandala Tuluva Vellalar(TTV) is a caste of Vellalars who immigrated from Tulunad, a part of the modern district of South Canara, as warriors of King Veera Ballala III.[1]
Thondaimandalam and Thuluvars migration
A Chola king named Athondai Chakravarthy had brought down the Thuluva Vellalars to the present day Thondaimandalam of Tamil Nadu. Athondai Chakravarthy had established his rule over Northern Tamil Nadu after winning the battle over the Kurumbar. This is the reason that part of North Tamil Nadu was named as Thondaimandalam, named after this victorious king. It has also been noted that Athondai Chakravarthy had brought Vellalars from Srisailam to settle down at Thondaimandalam. Since they migrated from various areas, most of the TTVs do not have a clan (Gothram). Also TTVs do not have a distinct physical trait or dialect. It is very hard to identify a TTV. However there are very specific customs that Thuluva Vellalas follow even today that distinguishes them from other castes of present day Tamil Nadu.
Distribution
They form a significant proportion of population in the Thondaimandalam regions of Tamil Nadu which include Thiruvallur, Vellore and Kanchipuram districts. They have also migrated to southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Thuluva Vellalars of Northern districts use the title Mudaliar meaning leader signifying the militaristic (Kshatria] nature of their culture. TTVs of southern districts use Pillai title and Udayar title in the erstwhile South Arcot district. Significant number of people from Vellore area use Arcot as their family name (as initial). Many TTVs joined Indian Railways under British rule and settled in many other states.
Eminent Personalities
- Sir Arcot Ramaswami Mudaliar: Mayor of Madras(1928-30), Member-Advisor in High Level "War Committee" formed by the British PM Sir. Winson Churchill during the World Wars, Member-Advisor in all the 3 London-Round Table Conferences(1930,'31,'32);Commerce member of the Viceroy's Council;Indian Representative & Leader in U.N.in 1945 and his efforts put India as a Member Nation in the U.N.; Chief of U.N. Finance Committee; Diwan of Mysore(1946-49) and his efforts put Mysore in joining the Indian Union in 1949; Vice Chancellor of University of Kerala(1951-61), Travancore ; Chairman-The Shipping Corporation of India; FOUNDER Chairman & Managing Director of ICICI (1955) -Industrial Credits & Investment Corporation of India.
- Dr. A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar: First Indian principal of the Madras Medical College, Served as Chairman-UNESCO; Vice Chancellor, University of Madras for the Longest Tenure of 27 Yrs; Chairman-W.H.O, Younger Twin Brother of Sir. A.Ramaswami Mudaliar.
- C. Natesa Mudaliar: Justice party leader
- Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar: Playwright, known as "Father of Tamil Drama"
- Raja Sir Ramasamy Mudaliar: A well known Philanthropist who endowed a hospital and dispensary in the Native infirmary
- Dr. Gurusamy Mudaliar-Renowned Doctor
- Dr.M.Varadarasan: Novelist and writer also known as Dr. Mu. Va.
- AR Rahman-Eminent Music Director of Hollywood, Bollywood and Kollywood films
- GV Prakash Kumar-Music Director of tamil films
- Mithali Raj-Indian Cricketer
