Valluvar

Infobox Ethnic group


caption=A Valluvan dressed up as Lord Shiva for Malayanur festival
group = Valluvar
"வள்ளுவர்"
poptime = unknown
popplace = Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala
langs = Tamil
rels = Hinduism, Christianity
related = Paraiyar, Tamil people, Brahmin

Valluvar (Tamil:வள்ளுவர்) is a sub-caste belonging to the Paraiyar community in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are the hereditary priests of the Pallars and Paraiyars of Tamil Nadu.Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 303] cite book | title=Saints, Goddesses and Kings: Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900| last=Bayly| first=susan| date=2004| pages=387|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=siLzp_4Dwb4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=saints+and+goddesses&sig=ACfU3U1Q06e-_hI5dolp6aBA_VOVXylBwA#PPA387,M1 |publisher=Cambridge University Press| id=ISBN 0521891035, ISBN 9780521891035] cite book | url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=bR_1TjNkxFkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=charred+lullabies&sig=ACfU3U2uGsEVURV5z7ArOerTKTsb3zBIqw#PPA30,M1|title=Charred Lullabies: Chapters in an Anthropography of Violence| last=Daniel| first=E. Valentine| date=1996| pages=30| publisher=Princeton University Press| id=ISBN 0691027730, ISBN 9780691027739] cite book | title=Astrological Magazine| date=1986| pages=259] cite book | title=Caste and Race in India| last= Ghurye| first= G. S. | pages=361| authorlink= |coauthors=| url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=nJMs-r0FY50C&printsec=frontcover&dq=caste+and+race+in+india+ghurye&lr=&sig=ACfU3U3SVWm036kaSPkstezFBHSh5OYTyw#PPA361,M1|year=1991| publisher= Popular Prakashan| location=Bombay]

Origin

Valluvars are believed to have been the priests of the Pallava kings before the introduction of Brahmins and for sometime after their arrival. The exalted position of Valluvars in the social hierarchy during those times is indicated by inscriptions which refer to Valluvars in a respectful manner.Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 304] Moreover, the Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar is believed to have been a member of this communitycite book | title=Encyclopedia of Religions Or Faiths of Man Part 3: V. 3| last=Forlong| first=J. G. R.| date=2003| pages=432| publisher=Kessinger Publishing| id=ISBN 0766143090, ISBN 9780766143098] and there is a subsect of Valluvars claiming descent from him.

An independent community

Though Valluvars were regarded as Paraiyars by caste Hindus, Thurston mentions that Valluvars did not eat with Paraiyars.Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 310] Valluvar houses were generally located at a significant distance away from the "parcheri" where they lived. Owing to their occupation as preists, all males over twelve wore the sacred thread. The Valluvars were also noted for their abstinence from beef.

The Valluvars are also called Pandaram or Valluva Pandaram. The priests of the Valluvars are sometimes called Vellala Pandaram.

Sub-Sects

The important sub-sects of Valluvans are Paraiyan, Tavidadari and Tiruvalluvan.Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 305] Valluvars are broadly classified into two main sub-divisions: Arupadhu Katchi or sixty clans and Narpadhu Katchi or forty clans

The Arupadhu Katchi considered themselves the descendants of Nandi Gurukkal and have his name as their gotra. The Narpadhu Katchi are of the gotra Sidambara Sayichya Ayyamgar.Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 306] The sub-division alvar claim descent from Tiruppan Alvar.

Practices

Valluvars follow both Saivism and Vaishnavism. Saivite and Vaishnavite Valluvars dine together, but not intermarry.A particular class of Valluvars officiated as priest at Paraiyar funerals.This particular class of Valluvars was known as Paraiya Tadas and were regarded as inferior by other sections of Valluvars. Another section of Valluvars wear a necklace of "tulsi" beads and are known as Alvar Dasari or Tavadadhari. Some hold that the true Valluvan is one who practices astrology and that those whho officiate as priests aren't true Valluvars. The affairs if the commmunity are handled by a caste-council.The community is headed by a "Kolkaran" or a "Kanakkan". There are the hereditary astrologers of the Indian temple town of Vaithiswaran Koil and are considered experts in "Nadi" astrology.cite news | last=Raghavan | first=M. | title= Turning over old leaves | date= | url =http://www.thesundayindian.com/20072008/storyd.asp?sid=5194&pageno=1 | work =The Sunday India | accessdate = 2008-09-20] cite book | title=Slaves of the Soil in Southern India | last=B. Pandian| first=Thomas| date=1895| pages=24| publisher=University of Michigan]

The Valluvars generally officiate in Paraiyar marriages and funerals. During such occasions, Valluvar priests used to chant Sanskrit "shlokas".

Prominent individuals

* Thiruvalluvar
* Iyothee Thass

See also

* Paraiyar
* Dalit
* Brahmin

Notes

References

* cite book | title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India Volume VII| last=Thurston| first=Edgar| authorlink= Edgar Thurston|coauthors=K. Rangachari| year=1909| publisher=Government Press| location=Madras