CHAPTER - V

CONCLUSION
 CONCLUSION

Fiecognition to the importance of social history is a modern concept.

Researchers have been quite fascinated by the dynastic history, but the

social life of the people, the study of the origin, history and characteristic

of various castes and subcastes that constitute a society have been rather

unattractive to them. The present work is an attempt to probe into the

oripn and history of Thuluva vellalas which hitherto remained an

unexplored one and the following conclusions have been arrived.

The presence of endogamous groups namely castes had been a unique

feature of the Indian society. Though caste system was an all India

phenomenon, the origin and development of the caste system was not on the

same lines in different parts of the country. Especially the caste system of

Tamilnadu was different from the varna system of the north. The Tamil

society was divided on the geographical basis of land occupied by the people.

Another point of difference between caste system of the North and that of

Tamilnadu was the absence of Kshatriva class in the Tamil society and the

concept of intermarriage between kings and vellalas who constituted the

farming class. But later with the arrivals of Aryans the caste system of

Tamilnadu became more rigid.

 The vellalas were the farmers of the marudam region. They had

consistently held a high position in society from the Sangam age to the

modern period. Whenever there was an attempt at degradation of their

social status, they were quick to rise against that as it happened during the

enumeration of census of 1871 and very zealously guarded their social

status. This had lead to many other castes identifying themselves with

vellalas which is brought out in the Tamil proverb A Kallan may come to

be a Maravan. By respectability he may develop into an Agamudaiyan and

by slow degrees, become a vellala.

Though one speaks of the endogamy of a caste, traditionally each

caste, or'& has been a category embracing a number of endogamous sub

castes. Within the caste, the distinctions of sub castes are basic for each

may be ranked hierarchically just as the caste is ranked with the larger

system. Each individual is traditionally a member of both a caste and

sub-caste'. The vellala caste is comprised of as many as 110 subsects. The

main subdivisions of the vellala class were tondaimandala vellalas, sozhia

vellala, pandya vellala and kongu vellala. Thuluva vellalas belonged to the

p u p of tondaimandalam vellalas. They migrated from Tulu in south

Robert L. Hardgrave (J.R.) The Nadars of Tamilnad (Berkely and Los

Angeles, 19691, p.2.
Canara and settled in Tondaimandalam in 2nd century A.D. The emigration

of vellalas has been a policy of the Cholamandalam. Forest regions were

converted into cultivable lands and to increase its fertility the Chola rulers

tried their best to develop agriculture by extending their patronage more

than any other dynasty in the history of India. The Thuluva vellalas

contributed their might to the conversion of forest land into cultivable land.

They were main contributors of revenue to the government. Tulu in those

day formed a part of Tamilnadu and hence Thuluva vellalas were also

Tamils.

From Tondaimandalam Thuluva vellalas had migrated to different

areas of Tamilnadu. During the reign of Raja Raja they migrated to

Nulambadi in Kolar region. Epigraphic evidence throws light on the

migration of Tondaimandalam vellalas, the major constituents of whom

were the Thuluva vellalas to Nulambadi. The Thuluva vellalas had moved

to the Kongu region as well. The palayapattu geneologies record these

migrations. Copper plates in possession of the natives of Jawadu and Kolli

hills speak of migratation of vellalas to these places, During the days of

Ariyanathamudali the Dalavai of Nayaka kingdom of Madurai the

Thuluva vellalas had moved as far as Timevelly. Thus Thuluva Vellalas

moved from Tondaimandalam to different regions of Tamilnadu. They have

assumed different titles in different places of the state. They were referred

to as Mudalis in Madras and Chengleput, Udayar in certain areas of south

Arcot, Nayakar in Salem and Pillai in other areas.

The Thuluva vellalas who were primarily agriculturists in course of

time indulged in maritime activities. They invested their wealth earned

through agricultural enterprise in trading activities. With the advent of

Europeans, they have assisted the Portuguese in their business transactions

in the Coromandel coast. During the rule of the East India Company, they

held sway over the land as Mirasidars enjoying mirasi or kaniyatchi rights.

They were recognised as owners of land, given power to collect taxes from

tenants and exempted from payment of certain fees. They have played an

active role in the nationalist movement and in self respect movement in

Tamilnadu.

In modem times the concept of caste has assumed more significance.

As M.N.Srinivasa points out 'caste is everywhere the union of social action'.

He argues that the development of modern communications, the spread of

education and literacy and rising prosperity have contributed not to the
disintegration of caste, but to its strengthening. The development of

transport and communication facilitated the process of self awareness of

different castes. Roads and railways enabled members of the caste spread

over a wide area to come together. The availability of cheap paper and

printing facilitated the founding of caste journal, to promote the interests

of the community, record its grievances and give permanent form to the

aspiration. These associations sought to organise and unite all members of

the caste so that their claims might be advanced more effectively against

other castes. Thuluva vellalas caste was not an exception to this rule. The

self awareness resulted in the founding of Thuluva vellala association as

early as 1914. Over the years the association had played a key role in

maintaining the link among the members and safeguarding their rights. It

is evident from the role played by the association in retaining the

backward status of the community.

The customs and traditions of Thuluva vellalas are many spreading

over the life of an inhvidual from birth to death. Cradling, tonsuring,

earboring, mania1 nirittu, betrothal, marriage ceremonies are the rituals

celebrated by members on joyful occassion. Nadappu and karumathi are the

M.N. Srinivas, Caste in Modem India and Other Essays (Bombay,

19621, p.41.
rituals observed by them during sad event of death in a family. The

performance of the rituals had necessitated the contact with other

communities. This had helped in ensuring co-operation among members of

different communities. Caste system can in fact be seen in terms of

interdependency which link together members of different castes in local

societies. Caste system is what Alan Beal Calls 'being together

separately"."To survive" he says is required 'the cooperation of only a few

-
Jiti, to enjoy life and do things in proper manner one require the co-

operation of many'3. The various rituals practiced by the Thuluva vellalas

only highlight this fact. Their rituals involve the participation of members

of other communities like brahmins, barber, gold smith, washer men,

potter, dasaris, pandarams etc.

Religion plays a predominant role in society. "It has not merely been

the serious business of mankind but the business of the bulk of mankind".

Religion was certainly associated with rituals and as regards religion of

Thuluva vellalas there are both Saivites and Vaishnavites in the

community. They have made endowments to temples and they celebrate

various festivals in honour of different forces of nature like sun, water, fire,

etc.

Alan R. Beals, Go-palur-a South Indian Village (New York, 1963),

p.41.
 Greatmen stride the stage that is the world and their doings which

change the course of history must be recorded. These men had a burning

desire to serve their fellowmen and they set up institutions which function

for the welfare of mankind. These men by their very presence and by the

inspiration they give to other individuals have something to do with the

making of history. They have gwen to the community a great deal, more

than what they have received from it. Theirs had been a life of dedication

and service. By virtue of their sterling character, scintillating intellect,

outstanding calibre and single minded devotion to lofty ideas they have left

an indelible imprint in every sphere of constructive activity. Narration of

the qualities of eminence would inspire young and old in this country to

emulate them and serve the society.

Tamilnadu has a hoary heritage of possessing a long line of eminent

men in different fields of activity. Eminent personalities of the Thuluva

vellala community have made considerable contributions to society.

Parnmal Sarnbanada flbdalikr a greatest dramatist had made many

contributions in the field of Tamil theatre. He had many firsts to his credit.

He was the first to write plays of tragedy and satire types of Tamil

language. By organizing the Suguna vilasa sabha the amateur drama

troupe and staging more than 90 plays penned by him and introducing

welcome changes in the Tamil theatre like restricting the duration of plays

to three hours and quick transformation of scenes he had revolutionised the

field Tamil drama. His greatest contribution was the respect he earned for

the artists of the stage. He has rightly been called the father of Tamjl

drama, Dr.Mu. varadarajan, had enriched Tamil literature by his novels,

dramas, essay, letters and work on linguistics. As Vice-chancellor of

Madurai University, he had introduced the system of correspondence

education which had benefitted students who could not attend colleges

during regular working hours. He had liberally contributed to Thiru.Vi.Ka

school functioning at shenoy nagar. Dr.A. Ramaswami Mudaligr had

contributed to the cause of Non-Brahmin by his involvement in Justice

Party. As mayor of Madras Corporation, member of the Madras Legislature,

Central Legislature, Delhi, Round Table Conference of 1932 he was

instrumental in introduction of several welfare measures and constitutional

reforms. He had projected the cause of India in international bodies and

played a significant role in getting beneficial measures for his mother

country. As Director of many companies he had helped in the economic

development of the country as well. Dr.A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliir was

a famous surgeon and administrator. The public of Tamilnadu especially

womenfolk have gained much by the services of this eminent gynaecologist.

Medical students had benefitted from his books on gynaecology. As

Vice-Chancellor of Madras University for twenty five years he had

contributed much to the field of education. Introduction of many new

courses, starting of many colleges, inauguration of Alagappa Chettiar

College of Technology are some of the administrative reforms introduced by

him. As a member of the legislature, he had served as guardian of

democratic and constitutional concepts. Dr.Guruswami ~ u d a l i a rwas the

doyen of medicine. He was a saint like physician diagnosing the ills of

patients and providing them relief from diseases without any insistence on

consultation fees. His philanthropic deed had assisted the scheme of mid-

day meals to school students in George Town area and in the foundation of

Tondaimandalam Thuluva vellala school named after him in the same area.
Barrister V.L. Ethiraj was another eminent member of the Thuluva Vellala

community who reached the pinnacle of fame as a lawyer. His greatest

contribution was to the cause of Women's education. He had created history

by making a munificent donation of ten lakhs of rupees to this noble cause

and had founded The Ethiraj College for Women, Madras which serves the

cause for which it had been established. Mailai Guruji Sundararama

Swamigal had served the society by renovating many temples that were in

ruins and individuals by relieving them from sufferings of diseases and

many personal problems.

Thus the Thuluva vellala caste is one of the ancient communities of

Tamilnadu with a hoary past, distinct customs and traditions and

comprising of eminent personalities who have enriched the society.