மூவேந்தர் யார்? பகுதி-3

மள்ளரிய தந்தை

இரா.தேவ ஆசிர்வாதம் 

முன்னாள் டிப்டி கலெக்டர்

Moovendar - Race

[Letter Correspondence by the author with Dr. K.K. Pillay (Historian) On Moovendar race]

From :

R. DEVA ASIRVATHAM, 

Thanjavur

180, Yagappa Nagar 

4-5-1976. .

TO : 

Dr.KK.PILLAY, 

Retired Professor & Head of the 

History Department, 

Madras University,

Chepauk, Chennai - 5

Dearsir,

I had occasion to go through your work “தமிழக வரலாறு; மக்களும் பண்பாடும்” at page 399 of which, it is mentioned that a quarrel arose between Devendra kudumbars and Parayars over the use of certain privileges and as a result of the same, the Parayars were conferred certain privileges like the use of white elephant, white parasol, sixteen pillars pandal, eighteen musical instruments etc. I feel the matter has been misreported. According to Karivalam Vandanallur temple inscription, the above privileges belonged to Devendra Kudumbars from time immemorial and that Tirumalai Nayakkan just recognised the same after verifying old copper plates and as regards the Parayars, he conferred on them a few privileges like the use of three pillars Pandal, orie Kodukku, one marappu etc. Prof. K.R. Hanumamthan, Head of the History Department, Presidency College Chennai, has also mentioned like that in his work "Untouchability in Tamillagham', a thesis submitted to the Madras University for Ph.D. I hope thé facts will be verified again and error if any corrected when reprint of the work is taken up.

I am making a study about the Moovendar race and according to my findings, Devendra kula velalars whom the caste people contemptuously call as pallans and who figure as Mallars in the Sangam literature are the people who produced the Chera, Chola, Pandya Kings both during the Sangam and the latter period. This is just for your information.

With regards.

Your's Sincerely, 

(Sd.) R.D. Asirvatham.

K.K. Pillay, M.A., D.Litt., D.Phil (Oxon), 

Institute of Traditional Cultures, 

Director. University Buildings, Chennai - 5.

15-5-76. 

Sir,

     I thank you for your letter of 4 – 5 - 76, I am sorry for the delay in replying to your letter. I was out ọf station for a time. I am much interested in the question raised by you; viz the conflict between the Devendra Kudumbar and Parayar. My informationis based on records in the Tamil Nadu State Archives Egmore. But if more reliable information is available. I shall be happy to look into it. Kindly let me know the Epigraphic report in which the concerned Karivalam Vandanallur temple inscription is published. I am interésted in writing the social history of the Tamils in an objective manner. Therefore any new and authentic piece of information is welcome.

I would also like to know the connection between the Dévendra Kula Velalar and the Chera, Cholas Pandyas of the Sangam period. 

Thanking you, 

Please reply me, 

Your's Sincèrely, 

(sd) KK. PILLAY

From : 

R. DEVA ASIRVATHAM, 

Thanjavur

180, Yagappa Nagar 

24-5-1976. .

TO : 

Dr.KK.PILLAY, 

Institute of Traditional Cultures

University Buildings, Chennai - 5.

Dear sir,

         Recived your letter dated 15 - 5 - 1976. For Karivalam Vandanallur Culvert, you may please refer to inscription No. 432 / 1914, published in the South indian inscriptions Part II (Tinnevelly District, Sankaranarayanar Koil Taluk) .Devendra Kudumbars or Devendra Kula Velalars are none - else than Mallars, the people of Marudanilam, who founded the three Tamil Kingdoms - Chera, Chola, Pandyas and after the Kalabhra interregnum, they again came to power. After subjugation by the Vijayanaga rulers, they were persecuted and degraded as Pallars by the composition of a large number of pallu songs. The poligar system was introduced only with a view to depriving these people of their land holdings. Because of their liberality, these people were called as velalars and in latter medieval period as Vellalars. When Various sections drawn from Kurinji, Mullai and Neidal regions, who gained in soial status began to style themselves as Vellalars, the original Vellalars assumed the title of Devendra Kulathar - Devendran, Indran, Purandaram all meaning Vendan, the god of Marudanilam. All the Tamil Scholars have deliberately distorted the literature and grammar etc., with the result, historians have not hither to been able to find out the tribe which ruled over Tamil Nadu during the Sangam and the latter period. Historians are confusing themselves with the words Maran Tirayan and Vanavan.

All the Tamil kings were from Mallars only. The study about Mallars has been neglected by scholars. This tribe should have been responsible for the Harappa Civilisation. They have offered resistance to Alexander. They had a republican form of Government during Buddha's period and Buddha is said to have breathed his last in the kingdom of the Mallars. In Nepal also, the Mallars were in power till in 17th century A.D. or so. Whether the Harappa and Adichanallur Civilisation were simultaneous or one preceded the other, is a matter for study by research scholars.

After overthrow by the Nayaks, Devendrakula Velalars were suppressed and oppressed and they being deprived of thier holdings, in effect became agricultural serfs. In these days Parayars were set up to spite them and so the conflict between the two sections.

Your's Sincerely, 

(Sd.) R.D. Asirvatham.

Institute of Traditional cultures

K.K. Pillay, M.A., D.Litt., D.Phil (Oxon) Room'No.94, University M.A., D.Litt., 

No.190 / 2 / PP / 76-1 Buildings,

Director. Chennai-600 005.

Dated 127-1976

Dear Thiru Deva Asirvatham :

I thank you for your interesting letter. I do hope that you would make a detailed research on Devendra Kula Vellalars and Mallars and publish a correct documented treatise embodying your conclusions.

With regards. 

Your's Sincèrely, 

(sd) KK. PILLAY

Review of Moovendar Yaar? by the Indian Express (March II, 1978)

The three Tamil monarchs, Chera, Chola and Pandya of yore had a very hoary origin dating back to the pre - Sangam age say two to three thousand years B.C. The author of this book tries, to trace their origin to the three very ancient Tamil people called Mallar or Pallar who were agriculturists by profession and the first builders of cities, towns and kingdoms on river banks. These aborigins were later reduced to the state of serfs under the Telgu and Muslim rulers. They were also known by the name of Devandra Kudumbars or Devendra Kula Velalars who were the founders of the Chera, Chola and Pandya Kingdoms and who came to power again after the Kalabra interregnum. The Poligar system introduced by the Vijayanagar rulers deprived these people of their land holdings and they were, reduced to abject poverty. Being originally inhabitants of the Marudam tract or fertile agricultural land they worshipped Indra (also known as Vendan. Devendran, Purandaran etc.) the Lord of the region and called themselves Devendra Kulathaar. The author charges literature with deliberately attempting to distort historical facts to suppress the truth about the original tribes which ruled Tamil Nadu during the Sangam age and the later period and asserts that all the Tamil Kings were Mallars only who were also responsible for the Harappan civilisation. They met with their fall from the 16 th century A.D. These people were not only agriculturists but also warriors. The author believes that Pandavas of Hastinapur belonged to this ancient tribe.

The compendious name of Thevar, meaning Indra's descendents for the three Tamil group Kallar, Maravar and Ahamudayaar, is derived from the fact that these groups were the progenies of Indra through Ahalya, wife of Gautama. These are interesting points made out by the author. His thesis gives much food for thought and grist for controversy too.

R. Kristinamoorthy.

Review of Vellalar Yaar? by the Indian Express (December, 19. 1981)

There are different theories about the origin of Tamils especially those who occupied the Pandya country. One school of scholars say that they descended into upper India from China via the Himalayan passes and occupied a territory with their capital in a place known as Tamra - lipti or Tamluk in Bengal from which they derived the name of Tamils. They moved further down south. As they were the first to colonise the country. they came to be known as "Pandayar" or old colonialists. Still others claim that they were the original inhabitants of the country. Similar controversies exist about the origin of Vellalars, an ancient Tamil community. Some say that they are Dravidians, while others claim that they came from the Gangetic plains. The book, under review, written by an author whose earlier work on the three Tamil kings, caused. many eyebrows to be raised, presents an extensive study about the origin customs and habits of Vellalas.

First he presents the view of authors like Nelson, Caldwell and others about the origin of Vellalars. Nelson claims that they were foreign immigrants who were introduced by Pandyas into the Tamil country. Caldwell says that the original inhabitants of the Tamil Country cultivated only, dry grains and ate these grains and animals hunted by them. The Vellalars, who derived the name by their being good in controlling floods and using it for irrigation, introduced cultivation of rice in these lands.

Next he discusses the Puranic episode about the Viswakarma community and the theory that Vellalas came from the Gangetic plain. The claim that Vellalas and Ballalas of Karnataka and Velammas of Andhra Pradesh are the same is refuted by the author. He concludes that the original Vellalas of the Tamil lands were the Mallas or Pallas who cultivated lands.

The author also presents details about various sub - sections among Vellalas of the present day and concludes that they are a mixed race. He says that all people employed by Pandya Kings to help them in day – to - day administration proclaimed themselves as Vellalas. He also refutes the theory of Maraimalai Adigal that the term Vellalas refers to a particular group of people who were strict vegatarians.

The author, a former Deputy Collector has extensively quoted the views of foreign and Indian writers and also from ancient classics to support his views. The book which presents an extensive study on the subject is worth reading by all. - TAS.

(தொடரும்)