Isai Vellalar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Isai Velalar | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Other Backward Class[1] |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Tamil, Telugu |
| Country |  India |
| Populated states | Tamil Nadu • Kerala • Andhra Pradesh • Karnataka |
| Region | Northern Tamil Nadu, Southern Andhra Pradesh |
| Ethnicity | South Asian |
| Subdivisions | • • Nayanakkarar • Nattuvanar • Melakkarar [2] |
Isai Vellalar is a community found in India in Tamil Nadu. They are traditionally involved as performers of classical dance and music in Hindu temples and courts of the patrons.[3] The term "Isai Velalar" is a recent community identity, people of minstrel occupation from various castes such as, Melakkarar, Nayanakkarar and Nattuvanar come under this term.[4][5][6]
Isai Vellalars are a micro community. Out of all the divisions, Melakkarars are the predominant Isai Vellalars. Edgar Thurston noted that the community had two linguistic sects within the state; being Tamil and Telugu. Tamil-speaking Melakkarars traditionally performed both ‘Chinna Melam’(nautch music) and/or ‘Periya Melam’(nadaswaram), while Telugu-speaking Melakkarars of Tamil Nadu performed only ‘Periya Melam.’ and has nothing to do with dancing, The chinna melam tamils are dancing at its core, Telugu Melakkarars had surname like ‘Reddi’ and ‘Naidu’, while the Tamil sect used ‘Pillai’ and 'mudali' title. The Tamil speaking melakkarars are shaivites.[7] There are also other sects like Nattuvanar, naayanakkarar, devaradiyar etc. under Isai Vellalar label.[8] Some from this community were made devadasis until its abolition.
They are listed as a Most Backward Class in the state of Tamil Nadu.[9]
Etymology
The term Isai Vellalar derives from the Tamil words Isai meaning "music" and vellar a generic term roughly meaning "cultivator", thus translates as "cultivators of music".[6] This term was introduced after the legal abolition of the Devadasi system as a result of the reform and anti-nautch movement in 1947.[3]
