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{{About|Valluvar (caste)|Thiruvalluvar|Thiruvalluvar}}
{{Short description|Indian caste}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{About|the social group|the Indian poet and philosopher|Thiruvalluvar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
'''Valluvar''' ({{lang-ta|வள்ளுவர்}})  வள்ளுவர்  is a [[caste]] belonging to the தமிழ் community in the [[Indian people|Indian]] [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. They are the hereditary priests preaching and practicing astrology, astromomy and medicine in [[Tamil Nadu]].
'''Valluvar''' is a caste associated with the Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. They are the hereditary priests of the [[Pallar]]s and [[Paraiyars]] of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="casteandtribes303">[[#Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Castes and Tribes of Southern India]], Pg 303</ref><ref name="saints_goddesses_kings">{{cite book | title=Saints, Goddesses and Kings: Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900| last=Bayly| first=susan| year=2004| pages=387|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=siLzp_4Dwb4C&q=saints+and+goddesses |publisher=Cambridge University Press| isbn=0521891035}}</ref><ref name="charred_lullabies">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bR_1TjNkxFkC&q=charred+lullabies|title=Charred Lullabies: Chapters in an Anthropography of Violence| last=Daniel| first=E. Valentine| year=1996| pages=30| publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=0691027730}}</ref><ref name="astro_magazine">{{cite book | title=Astrological Magazine| year=1986| pages=259}}</ref><ref name="ghuryep361">{{cite book | title=Caste and Race in India| last= Ghurye| first= G. S. | pages=361| authorlink= | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nJMs-r0FY50C&q=caste+and+race+in+india+ghurye|year=1991| publisher= Popular Prakashan| location=Bombay| isbn= 9788171542055}}</ref>


== Origin ==
== Origin ==
Valluvars are believed to have been the priests of the [[Pallava|Pallava kings]] before the introduction of [[Brahmins]] and for sometime after their arrival.<ref name="casteandtribes303" /> The exalted position of Valluvars in the social hierarchy during those times is indicated by inscriptions which refer to Valluvars in a respectful manner.<ref name="casteandtribes304">[[#Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Castes and Tribes of Southern India]], Pg 304</ref> Moreover, the Tamil saint [[Thiruvalluvar]] is believed to have been a member of this community<ref name="encyclopedia_religions">{{cite book | title=Encyclopedia of Religions Or Faiths of Man Part 3: V. 3| last=Forlong| first=J. G. R.| year=2003| pages=432| publisher=Kessinger Publishing| isbn=0766143090}}</ref> and there is a subsect of Valluvars claiming descent from him.<ref name="casteandtribes304" /><ref name="charred_lullabies" /><ref name="astro_magazine" /> The Valluvars are also called Pandaram or Valluva Pandaram.<ref name="casteandtribes310">[[#Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Castes and Tribes of Southern India]], Pg 310</ref> The priests of the Valluvars are sometimes called Vellala Pandaram, Thiruvalluva Nayanar.<ref name="casteandtribes310" />


Valluvars are believed to have been the priests of the [[Pallava|Pallava kings]] before the introduction of [[Brahmins]] and for sometime after their arrival.<ref name="casteandtribes303">[[#Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Castes and Tribes of Southern India]], Pg 303</ref> The exalted position of Valluvars in the social hierarchy during those times is indicated by inscriptions which refer to Valluvars in a respectful manner.
== Culture and practices==
Owing to their occupation as priests, all males over twelve wore the sacred thread.<ref name="casteandtribes310" /> The Valluvars were also noted for their abstinence from beef.<ref name="casteandtribes310" />


== An independent community ==
Valluvars were an [[untouchability|untouchable caste]].<ref name="Untouchable_Community">{{cite book | title=An Untouchable Community in South India: Structure and Consensus |last=Moffatt| first=Michael| year=2015| pages=103| publisher=Princeton University Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Deliege |first=Robert |date=1992 |title=Replication and Consensus: Untouchability, Caste and Ideology in India |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2803599 |journal=Man |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=155–173 |doi=10.2307/2803599 |jstor=2803599 |issn=0025-1496|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="moffat_TamilCaseStudy">{{cite journal|url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=43d2f27151813d7ff466b82429ebc9c67ed8fcf3|title=Untouchables and the caste system: a Tamil case study|journal=Contributions to Indian Sociology|first1=Michael|last1=Moffat|access-date=2025-03-07}}</ref>


Though Valluvars were regarded as a low income and minority group, but maintained uniqueness among Hindu community by caste Hindus.<ref name="casteandtribes310">[[#Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Castes and Tribes of Southern India]], Pg 310</ref> Owing to their occupation as priests, all males over twelve wore the sacred thread.<ref name="casteandtribes310" /> The priests of the Valluvars are sometimes called Vellala Pandaram, Thiruvalluva Nayanar.<ref name="casteandtribes310" />
Valluvars follow both [[Saivism]] and [[Vaishnavism]]. Saivite and Vaishnavite Valluvars dine together, but not intermarry.<ref name="casteandtribes304" /> A particular class of Valluvars officiated as priest at Paraiyar funerals.<ref name="casteandtribes304" /> This particular class of Valluvars was known as Paraiya Tadas and were regarded as inferior by other sections of Valluvars.<ref name="casteandtribes304" /> Another section of Valluvars wear a necklace of ''[[tulsi]]'' beads and are known as Alvar Dasari or Tavadadhari.<ref name="casteandtribes304" /> The affairs of the community are handled by a caste-council.<ref name="casteandtribes306">[[#Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Castes and Tribes of Southern India]], Pg 306</ref> The community is headed by a ''Kolkaran'' or a ''Kanakkan''.<ref name="casteandtribes306" /> There are the hereditary astrologers of the Indian temple town of [[Vaithiswaran Koil]] and are considered experts in ''Nadi'' astrology.<ref name="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}}</ref><ref name="slaves_of_soil_southern_india">{{cite book | title=Slaves of the Soil in Southern India | last=B. Pandian| first=Thomas| year=1895| pages=24| publisher=University of Michigan}}</ref>


== Sub-sects ==
The Valluvars generally officiate in Paraiyar marriages<ref name="slaves_of_soil_southern_india" /> and funerals. During such occasions, Valluvar priests used to chant Sanskrit ''shlokas''.<ref name="slaves_of_soil_southern_india" />


The important sub-sects of Valluvans are Tavidadari and Tiruvalluvan.<ref name="casteandtribes305">[[#Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Castes and Tribes of Southern India]], Pg 305</ref> Valluvars are broadly classified into two main sub-divisions: Arupadhu Katchi or sixty clans and Narpadhu Katchi or forty clans.<ref name="casteandtribes305" />
== Notable people ==
* [[Thiruvalluvar]]


The Arupadhu Katchi considered themselves the descendants of Nandi Gurukkal and have his name as their gotra.<ref name="casteandtribes305" /> The Narpadhu Katchi are of the gotra Sidambara Sayichya Ayyamgar.<ref name="casteandtribes306">[[#Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Castes and Tribes of Southern India]], Pg 306</ref> The sub-division alvar claim descent from Tiruppan Alvar.<ref name="casteandtribes306" />
==References==
 
== Practices ==
 
Valluvars follow both [[Saivism]] and [[Vaishnavism]]. Saivite and Vaishnavite Valluvars dine together, but not intermarry.<ref name="casteandtribes304">[[#Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Castes and Tribes of Southern India]], Pg 304</ref> Valluvars wear a necklace of ''[[tulsi]]'' beads and are known as Alvar Dasari or Tavadadhari.<ref name="casteandtribes304" /> Some hold that the true Valluvan is one who practices astrology and that those who officiate as priests aren't true Valluvars.<ref name="casteandtribes305" /> The affairs of the community are handled by a caste-council.<ref name="casteandtribes306" /> The community is headed by a ''Kolkaran'' or a ''Kanakkan''.<ref name="casteandtribes306" /> There are the hereditary astrologers of the Indian temple town of [[Vaithiswaran Koil]] and are considered experts in ''Nadi'' astrology.<ref name="nadi_astrology">{{cite news | last=Raghavan | first=M. | title= Turning over old leaves | url =http://www.thesundayindian.com/20072008/storyd.asp?sid=5194&pageno=1 | work =The Sunday India | accessdate = 2008-09-20}}</ref><ref name="slaves_of_soil_southern_india">{{cite book | title=Slaves of the Soil in Southern India | last=B. Pandian| first=Thomas| year=1895| pages=24| publisher=University of Michigan}}</ref>
 
 
== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==References==
== Further reading ==
* {{cite book | title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India Volume VII| last=Thurston| first=Edgar| authorlink= Edgar Thurston|author2=K. Rangachari | year=1909| publisher=Government Press| location=Madras|ref= "Castes and Tribes of Southern India"}}
* {{cite book | title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India Volume VII| last=Thurston| first=Edgar| authorlink= Edgar Thurston|author2=K. Rangachari | year=1909| publisher=Government Press| location=Madras|ref= Castes and Tribes of Southern India}}{{Unreliable source inline|date=March 2025}}  


[[Category:Social groups of Kerala]]
[[Category:Social groups of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil society]]
[[Category:Tamil society]]
[[Category:Social groups of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Social groups of Kerala]]

Latest revision as of 22:10, 24 May 2025

This article is about the social group. For the Indian poet and philosopher, see Thiruvalluvar.

Valluvar is a caste associated with the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are the hereditary priests of the Pallars and Paraiyars of Tamil Nadu.[1][2][3][4][5]

Origin[edit | edit source]

Valluvars are believed to have been the priests of the Pallava kings before the introduction of Brahmins and for sometime after their arrival.[1] The exalted position of Valluvars in the social hierarchy during those times is indicated by inscriptions which refer to Valluvars in a respectful manner.[6] Moreover, the Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar is believed to have been a member of this community[7] and there is a subsect of Valluvars claiming descent from him.[6][3][4] The Valluvars are also called Pandaram or Valluva Pandaram.[8] The priests of the Valluvars are sometimes called Vellala Pandaram, Thiruvalluva Nayanar.[8]

Culture and practices[edit | edit source]

Owing to their occupation as priests, all males over twelve wore the sacred thread.[8] The Valluvars were also noted for their abstinence from beef.[8]

Valluvars were an untouchable caste.[9][10][11]

Valluvars follow both Saivism and Vaishnavism. Saivite and Vaishnavite Valluvars dine together, but not intermarry.[6] A particular class of Valluvars officiated as priest at Paraiyar funerals.[6] This particular class of Valluvars was known as Paraiya Tadas and were regarded as inferior by other sections of Valluvars.[6] Another section of Valluvars wear a necklace of tulsi beads and are known as Alvar Dasari or Tavadadhari.[6] The affairs of the community are handled by a caste-council.[12] The community is headed by a Kolkaran or a Kanakkan.[12] There are the hereditary astrologers of the Indian temple town of Vaithiswaran Koil and are considered experts in Nadi astrology.[13][14]

The Valluvars generally officiate in Paraiyar marriages[14] and funerals. During such occasions, Valluvar priests used to chant Sanskrit shlokas.[14]

Notable people[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 303
  2. ↑ Bayly, susan (2004). Saints, Goddesses and Kings: Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900. Cambridge University Press. p. 387. ISBN 0521891035.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Daniel, E. Valentine (1996). Charred Lullabies: Chapters in an Anthropography of Violence. Princeton University Press. p. 30. ISBN 0691027730.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Astrological Magazine. 1986. p. 259.
  5. ↑ Ghurye, G. S. (1991). Caste and Race in India. Bombay: Popular Prakashan. p. 361. ISBN 9788171542055.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 304
  7. ↑ Forlong, J. G. R. (2003). Encyclopedia of Religions Or Faiths of Man Part 3: V. 3. Kessinger Publishing. p. 432. ISBN 0766143090.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 310
  9. ↑ Moffatt, Michael (2015). An Untouchable Community in South India: Structure and Consensus. Princeton University Press. p. 103.
  10. ↑ Deliege, Robert (1992). "Replication and Consensus: Untouchability, Caste and Ideology in India". Man. 27 (1): 155–173. doi:10.2307/2803599. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2803599.
  11. ↑ Moffat, Michael. "Untouchables and the caste system: a Tamil case study". Contributions to Indian Sociology. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 306
  13. ↑ Raghavan, M. "Turning over old leaves". The Sunday India. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 B. Pandian, Thomas (1895). Slaves of the Soil in Southern India. University of Michigan. p. 24.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

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