Pillai (community)
Encyclopedia
Pillai
is a Tamil
speaking community from the Indian states of Tamil Nadu
and Kerala
. They are a landowning upper caste, feudal community.
is derived from two words namely Vellam meaning water
in Tamil
and alar meaning ruler
, management
and the term Vellalar means "Landlords". It is also to be remembered that the word Velanmai means Agriculture
in Tamil. Sometimes they are also referred to as Karalar which means "lord of the clouds" in Tamil.
Vellalars of Thondaimandalam who are actually a sub-caste of Saiva Vellalar
s adopted the title Mudaliar
and became Thondaimandala Mudaliars
, who were connected to Pillai community by origin
There are different theories concerning the meaning of the word 'Vellalar':
It derives from the word Vel meaning a spear or lance and alar meaning "people of Vel", an old and archaic Tamil weapon.
Another theory is that the word Vellalar is from Velanmai meaning to cultivate.
Another one postulates it is derived from Vellam or flood (in Tamil) and alar (ruler or controller), so Vellalar means "Lord of the floods". Sometimes they were also known as Karalar which means "Lord of the clouds" in Tamil.[23][24] The Journal of Indian History, Vol VII, explains that Vellalars, the controllers of the flood, irrigated their fields when the rivers were in flood, and raised the rice-crop on damp rice-fields while the Karalar were controllers of the rain, who looked up to the sky for watering their fields and stored the rain water in tanks.
Some of the sub-castes of the predominant Pillai community are
as well and is now concentrated in mid Travancore
, Kottayam
and Idukki
districts. During their settlement in Kerala they brought an idol symbolising Devi and is now placed in "Mankombu temple" in Kottayam district.
is a Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
speaking community from the Indian states of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
and Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. They are a landowning upper caste, feudal community.
Origin of Vellalar
The name VellalarVellalar
Vellalars were, originally, an elite caste of Tamil agricultural landlords in Tamil Nadu, Kerala states in India and in neighbouring Sri Lanka; they were the nobility, aristocracy of the ancient Tamil order and had close relations with the different royal dynasties...
is derived from two words namely Vellam meaning water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and alar meaning ruler
Ruler
A ruler, sometimes called a rule or line gauge, is an instrument used in geometry, technical drawing, printing and engineering/building to measure distances and/or to rule straight lines...
, management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
and the term Vellalar means "Landlords". It is also to be remembered that the word Velanmai means Agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
in Tamil. Sometimes they are also referred to as Karalar which means "lord of the clouds" in Tamil.
Vellalars of Thondaimandalam who are actually a sub-caste of Saiva Vellalar
Saiva Vellalar
Saiva Velaalar is a Tamil community in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They trace their lineage to the ancient Velir tribeSaiva Velaalars have the title of Mudaliar and Pillai...
s adopted the title Mudaliar
Mudaliar
Mudaliar also Mudali, Moodley is a title used in Tamil diaspora. It is derived from the honorary title Mudali meaning a person of first rank in the Tamil language which was bestowed upon top-ranking bureaucratic officials and army commanders in medieval South India...
and became Thondaimandala Mudaliars
Thondaimandala Mudaliars
Thondaimandala Mudaliar is a Tamil caste in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They trace their lineage to the ancient Chola Velirs...
, who were connected to Pillai community by origin
There are different theories concerning the meaning of the word 'Vellalar':
It derives from the word Vel meaning a spear or lance and alar meaning "people of Vel", an old and archaic Tamil weapon.
Another theory is that the word Vellalar is from Velanmai meaning to cultivate.
Another one postulates it is derived from Vellam or flood (in Tamil) and alar (ruler or controller), so Vellalar means "Lord of the floods". Sometimes they were also known as Karalar which means "Lord of the clouds" in Tamil.[23][24] The Journal of Indian History, Vol VII, explains that Vellalars, the controllers of the flood, irrigated their fields when the rivers were in flood, and raised the rice-crop on damp rice-fields while the Karalar were controllers of the rain, who looked up to the sky for watering their fields and stored the rain water in tanks.
Some of the sub-castes of the predominant Pillai community are
- Arunattu VellalarArunattu VellalarThe Arunattu Vellalar is a subcaste of the Vellalar caste from India. The people originally belonging to six villages near Trichirapalli, Tamil Nadu are named as Arunattu Vellalar.Many people are living Thuraiyur town and surrounding villages. Apart from these six villages near Manachanallur and...
- Cherakula Vellalar
- Chozhia VellalarChozhia VellalarChozhia Vellalar or Sozhia Vellalar is one of the High/Dominate social group from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Chozhia Vellalar caste includes sub-castes of Keerakarar, Mudaliar, Kodikalarar and Vatrilaikarar-Origin:Chozia Vellalar is a sub-caste of the greater Vellalar and Pillai community...
- KarkartharKarkartharKarkathar is a Forward caste in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a sub-caste of the grater Vellalar community. Karkathar are also known as Karalar.-Etymology:Karkathar means protector of clouds in Tamil...
- KaruneegarKaruneegarKaruneegar is a caste in Tamil Nadu, India. Karuneegar Sangams have articles confirming Karuneegar caste's lineage is surya Brahmin.This caste belongs to both Brahmin and Kshatriya Varna . Their main occupation is Teaching, Administration, Science, Accountancy, Mathematicians etc...
- Musuguntha Vellalar
- Nanjil Vellalar
- Nattampadi Vellalar
- Pandiya Vellalar
- Paiyur kottai Vellalar
- Saiva VelallarTirunelveli Saiva PillaiTirunelveli Saiva Pillai or Saiva Pillai is a caste from Tirunelveli District of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are a landowning upper caste, feudal community. They have been the original land lords of South Pandya Country and their major source of income used to come from agriculture...
- Thuluva Vellalar
- Veerakodi VellalarVeerakodi VellalarVeerakoodi Vellalar is one of the sub-castes of Vellalar community. This community people are presently residing across Tamil naduவீரகோடி வெள்ளாளர்-Occupation:...
Distribution
The community is distributed throughout Tamil Nadu and also in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore. However, they form a significant proportion of population in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Few of these people moved to KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
as well and is now concentrated in mid Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
, Kottayam
Kottayam district
Kottayam is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala, India. The district has its headquarters at Kottayam town, located at 9.36° N and 76.17° E. According to the 1991 census, it is the first district to achieve highest literacy rate in the whole of India...
and Idukki
Idukki district
Idukki district is one among the 14 districts of Kerala state, India. The district headquarters is located at in Painavu.It is the second least populous district in Kerala, after Wayanad .-Etymology:...
districts. During their settlement in Kerala they brought an idol symbolising Devi and is now placed in "Mankombu temple" in Kottayam district.
Nayanmars
- Ilayankudi maranarIlayankudi maranarMaranar was born in the Tamil month of Avani at Ilayankudi of tamil nadu. He was a farmer by caste and profession. Maranar was his name and since he lived in a village called Ilayankudi, he got the name ilayankudi maranar. He is an ardent devotee of lord shiva’s devotees...
- KotpuliKotpuliKotpuli was a Nayanar saint of South India. He was one of the 63 Nayanars hailing from Nattiyantankuti. He was so attached to Lord Siva that he allotted a heap of paddy in the form of huge hill in each of the Siva temples to feed the Saiva devotees....
- Manakkanychaara NayanarManakkanychaara NayanarManakkanychaara Nayanar was one of the 63 Nayanmars of the Saivite faith of South India. He lived in the village of Kancharur in the Chola kingdom during the eighth century CE. He belonged to the Vellala cast and was a hereditory commander in the Chola Military of Chola Raajym to day referred as...
- Tirunavukkarasar, popularly known as Appar
- Viralminda NayanarViralminda NayanarViralminda Nayanar was born in Sengundru, a hilly place. He was a Vellala by caste. To him worship of Shiva devotees was equal, if not even superior to the worship of Lord Shiva Himself. He felt that no one could get Shiva’s grace without first worshipping his devotees...
Freedom fighters and social leaders
- Sardar VedaratnamSardar VedaratnamSardar Vedaratnam Pillai was an Indian freedom-fighter, a leader of the Indian National Congress and a famous philanthropist who served as a MLA for three terms over a period of 14 years. He is known for his heroic contributions in the salt march of Vedaranyam in 1930, alongside C...
, Freedom-fighter famous for Vedaraniam Salt March - Gooty Kesava PillaiGooty Kesava PillaiDiwan Bahadur Pattu Kesava Pillai was an Indian journalist, politician and activist of the Indian Independence movement.- Early life :...
(1860–1933), Indian journalist and freedom-fighter. Delegate from Anantapur at the first session of the Indian National Congress. - Maruthanayagam Pillai (1725–1764) Commandant for the British East India Company, later became Administrator for Madurai. Also known as Muhammed Yusuf KhanMuhammed Yusuf KhanMuhammad Yusuf Khan or Maruthanayagam Pillai was born in Pannaiyur, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India in 1725. From humble beginnings, he became a warrior in the Arcot troops, later Commandant for the British East India Company troops...
- V. O. Chidambaram Pillai (1872–1936), famous Indian freedom fighter, the man who first supported a Scheduled Caste sage Swami Sahajaanantha,Founder of first Indigenous Ship Company against British rule.
- JeevaJeevaJeeva may refer to:* Jeeva, P. Jeevanandham , Indian politician* Jeeva , Tamil Movie Director* Jeeva , Indian* Jeeva , Indian Tamil actor* Jeeva, Lollu Sabha actor...
,Communist Leader - L. D. Swamikannu PillaiL. D. Swamikannu PillaiDiwan Bahadur Lewis Dominic Swamikannu Pillai CIE was an Indian politician, historian, linguist, astronomer and administrator who served as the second President of the Madras Legislative Council.- Early life :...
, Indian astronomer,former Speaker of Tamil NaduTamil NaduTamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
Assembly
Bureaucrats
- Navanethem Pillay, South African Judge, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Pradani Muthirulappa PillaiPradani Muthirulappa PillaiPradani Muthirulappa Pillai , son of Sundra Pandya Pillai, of the 18th century was a famous minister of Ramnad during the reign of Muthuramalinga Sethupathy...
, a famous minister of Ramnad during the reign of Muthuramalinga Sethupathy
Academicians
- Subbayya Sivasankaranarayana PillaiSubbayya Sivasankaranarayana PillaiSubbayya Sivasankaranarayana Pillai was an Indian mathematician, well known for his work in number theory. He was from Tamil Nadu....
(1901–1950), Indian mathematician - Dr. Sivathanu Pillai, Head of Defence Research and Development OrganisationDefence Research and Development OrganisationThe Defence Research and Development Organisation is a agency of the Republic of India, responsible for the development of technology for use by the military, headquartered in New Delhi, India...
- Elagu V. ElaguppillaiElagu V. ElaguppillaiDr. Elagu V. Elaguppillai is a prominent Canadian of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, a businessman, nuclear scientist, university professor, medical researcher, municipal politician and a community services volunteer for over 35 years....
-Scientist - Dr. Harish K Pillai, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay)Known in academic circles for his contribution to the field of Behavioral Theory of Systems, a fundamentally new approach to the study of Systems.
Tamil literature
- Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai, Eminent Tamil poet
- Namakkal Kavignar Ramalingam Pillai,Famous Poet, freedom fighter
- Manonmaniam Sundaram PillaiManonmaniam Sundaram PillaiManonmaniyam P. Sundaram Pillai is writer of the famous Tamil drama Manonmaniyam .-History:Born in Alapuzha in Kerala state of India to Perumal Pillai and Madathi Ammal, Pillai studied religious literature such as Devaram thiruvasagam during his childhood. Nagapatinam Narayana Samy Pillai was the...
, eminent writer in Tamil literatureTamil literatureTamil literature refers to the literature in the Tamil language. Tamil literature has a rich and long literary tradition spanning more than two thousand years. The oldest extant works show signs of maturity indicating an even longer period of evolution... - Maraimalai AdigalMaraimalai AdigalMaraimalai Adigal was an eminent Tamil orator and writer. He was a devout Hindu as a staunch follower of Saivism. He has authored more than 100 books, including works on original poems and dramas, but most famous are his books on his research into Tamil literature. Most of his literary works were...
- C. W. ThamotharampillaiC. W. ThamotharampillaiC.W. Thamotharampillai also sometimes the initials are used as S.V , devoted his energies to the work of editing and publishing some of the oldest works of classical Tamil poetry and grammar.Pillai along with his contemporaries such as U. V...
, publisher of ancient Tamil texts - PudhumaipithanPudhumaipithanPudhumaipithan also spelt as Pudumaipithan or Puthumaippiththan, is the pseudonym of C. Viruthachalam , one of the most influential and revolutionary writers of Tamil fiction. His works were characterized by social satire, progressive thinking and outspoken criticism of accepted conventions...
, revolutionery writer from Tirunelveli Saiva PillaiTirunelveli Saiva PillaiTirunelveli Saiva Pillai or Saiva Pillai is a caste from Tirunelveli District of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are a landowning upper caste, feudal community. They have been the original land lords of South Pandya Country and their major source of income used to come from agriculture...
community - JayakanthanJayakanthan- Biography:Jayakanthan was born in 1934 in a family of agriculturists in Cuddalore, in the South Arcot district of Tamil Nadu. He quit school after completing grade 3 education. He was then considered a problematic child. He was close to his mother and grandfather. He had a rocky relationship with...
, A Tamil writer - Makkal Kavingar Pattukottai Kalyanasundranar
Music
- Palani Subramaniam PillaiPalani Subramaniam PillaiPalani Subramaniam Pillai was a well known Carnatic music percussionist. He was adept in playing the mridangam and kanjira. He was the sishya of the celebrated Malikkottai Panchapakesa Pillai .-Early life:Subramaniam Pillai was born on April 20, 1908...
, a leading Carnatic Musician playing the Mrudangam and KanjiraKanjiraThe kanjira, khanjira or ganjira, a South Indian frame drum, is an instrument of the tambourine family. It is used primarily in concerts of Carnatic music as a supporting instrument for the mridangam...
.
Arts and cinema
- N. S. KrishnanN. S. KrishnanNagerkoyil Sudalaimuthu Krishnan , popularly known as Kalaivanar and also as 'NSK' was a leading Tamil film comedian, drama artist, playback singer and writer in the early stages of the Tamil film industry - in the 1940s and 1950s....
, Legendary Comedy actor - Vijayakumar, Film actor
- DharaniDharani (director)Dharani is an Indian film director, who primarily directs action-masala films. He is best known for directing the blockbuster films Dhill, Dhool and Ghilli.-Career:...
, Film Director - VikramanVikramanVikraman is a reputed Tamil filmmaker. He is also one of the most successful Tamil directors.-Early career:Vikraman made his debut with the movie Pudhu Vasantham, a story of four unemployed friends who are musical experts. This movie released in 1989 was successful. Its hero Murali went on to...
, Film Director - Arun VijayArun VijayArun Vijayakumar is a Tamil film actor. He is the only son of veteran film actor Vijayakumar and has been active in the Tamil film industry since 1995. He is also a stunt coordinator in most of his films.- Early life and family :...
, Film actor - Sundar CSundar CSundar C. is a Tamil film director and actor. He has directed 24 films in Kollywood and debuted his acting career in 2006 with the film Thalai Nagaram. His most notable films include Ullathai Allitha, Arunachalam and Anbe Sivam and other notable films include Mettukudi, Winner, Naam Iruvar...
, Film Director cum Actor - Aparna PillaiAparna PillaiAparna Pillai, better known mononymously as Aparna is a Tamil film actress, who has appeared in Tamil films. She is probably best known for her performances in Nenjil Jil Jil and Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan.- Filmography :- References :...
, Actress - Azhagam PerumalAzhagam Perumal-Directorial:-Acting:-External links:...
, Film Director - Vijayalakshmi, Actress.
Spiritual
- Ramalinga Swamigal, known as Vallalar, Saint and author of Thiruvarutpa; born to Ramayyah Pillai
- Arumuka NavalarArumuka NavalarArumuka Navalar was one the early revivalists of native Hindu Tamil traditions in Sri Lanka and India. He and others like him were responsible for reviving and reforming native traditions that had come under a long period of dormancy and decline during the previous 400 years of colonial rule by...
, born as Kandar Arumugam Pillai, a Hindu reformer - S. KanapathipillaiS. KanapathipillaiS. Kanapathipillai was a minority Sri Lankan Tamil literary figure and Hindu revivalist in the school of Arumuga Navalar. His father was Sinnathamby Pillai of Madduvil. Kanapathipillai was enrolled at the Navalar Kaaviya Paadasalai, under Kumaraswamy Pulavar, where he pursued higher studies in...
, Hindu revivalist
Business
- Naraina PillaiNaraina PillaiNaraina Pillai was a social entrepreneur and businessman, who spent most of his life in Singapore during the colonial period. Of Tamil origins, he greatly contributed to the Tamil community in Singapore....
, a social entrepreneur and businessman - I.krishnan Pillai,Cape trust founder
Politicians
- Thalavai SundaramThalavai SundaramThalavai Sundaram was an Indian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Kanyakumari constituency in Kanyakumari district in 2001 election. He served as Anna Dravida Munnetra...
- Ex.Minister - A. L. SubramanianA. L. SubramanianSubramanian, A. L was an Indian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Tirunelveli constituency in 1967, 1991 and 1996 elections....
- Mayor Tirunelveli Corporation - A. R. MarimuthuA. R. MarimuthuA. R. Marimuthu was an Indian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as a Praja Socialist Party candidate from Adirampattinam constituency in 1957 election. He was elected again as a Praja Socialist Party...
- Ex MLA (Pattukkottai) - K. BalasubramanianK. BalasubramanianK. Balasubramaniam was an Indian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly from Sirkazhi constituency as an Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate in 1980, and 1984 elections.- References :...
- Ex MLA (Pattukkottai) - Suresh RajanSuresh RajanSuresh Rajan is the current minister for tourism and registration in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He was born on 31 March 1963 in Nagercoil. he has received education till master of arts . He started his political career in Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam youth wing. He was once before elected for...
- Ex MLA DMK