Kongu Vellalar
Kongu Vellalar is a sub-caste of Vellalar community found in the western region of Tamil Nadu, which is known as Kongu Nadu. The Kongu Vellala Gounders were classified as a Forward Caste (General class) at the time of Indian independence but they successfully requested to be reclassified as a Backward Class in 1975.[2]
Kongu Vellalar | |
---|---|
Classification | Backward Class |
Languages | Tamil (Kongu Tamil) |
Country | India |
Original state | Tamil Nadu |
Populated states | Major population in Tamil Nadu; Minor population in Karnataka and Kerala; diaspora in United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Sri Lanka[1] |
Region | Kongu Nadu |
Related groups | Vellalar |
Etymology
They are also known by names such as Bupaalan, ''Kudiyaanavar and ''Vivasaayi, and use the title Gounder as a caste appellation in their personal names.[3]
History
The Kongu Vellalar were inhabitants of the Kongu country since atleast the 10th century CE.[4]
The Vellalars of Kongu region came to be known as Kongu Vellalar or Gounder, though both the names have also been treated separately in some regions.[5]
The community plays a significant role in the political and economic life of the Kongu Nadu region.[6][7]
Culture
Wedding
The community has its own style of marriage ceremony. The ceremony is led by person called an Arumbukarar or Arumaikkarar.[8] A long song composed by a Poet and Tamil Saint Kambar, called "Mangala Valthu", is usually sung.[9] In the wedding ceremony, the brother of the bride and sister of the groom play significant roles.[10]
Thaali
A Mangala Sutra is a necklace that the groom ties around the bride's neck in the Indian subcontinent, in a ceremony called Mangalya Dharanam, which identifies her as a married woman.[11] It is called, thaali (தாலி), maangalyam (மாங்கல்யம்) in Tamil. The traditional Kongu Vellala Gounder Thaali is shown below:
- Kongu Vellala Gounder Thaali
References
- Sivan, Jayaraj (21 May 2009). "Gounder consolidation could pose headache to major parties". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- Prasad, K.V. (8 May 2009). "Looking to create a Kongu stronghold". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- Rajannan, Busnagi; India), Institute of Kongu Studies (Salem (1992). Salem cyclopedia: a cultural and historical dictionary of Salem District, Tamil Nadu. Institute of Kongu Studies. p. 340.
- Busnagi Rajannan, Institute of Kongu Studies (Salem, India). Salem cyclopedia: a cultural and historical dictionary of Salem District, Tamil Nadu. Institute of Kongu Studies, 1992. p. 5.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2007). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press. p. 303. ISBN 9780810864450.
- Gounder consolidation could pose headache to major parties – Times Of India
- Menon, Jaya (15 February 2011). "Rahul keen to test western belt". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- Beck, Brenda (1972). Peasant Society of Konku: A Study of right and left subastes in South India. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver. p. 299. ISBN 0-7748-0014-3.
- Sundaram, B. Meenakshi (20 September 2015). "Kambar, Kongunadu's Friend or Foe?". New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- Beck, Brenda (1972). Peasant Society of Konku: A Study of right and left subastes in South India. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver. p. 240. ISBN 0-7748-0014-3.
- Subhamoy Das. "Mangalsutra Necklace – Hindu Symbol of Love & Marriage". About.com Religion & Spirituality. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.