South Indian castes/ tribes (numerically small): V
This article is an excerpt from Government Press, Madras |
Vadakkupurattu .—A synonym, meaning belonging to the north side of the temple, of Mārāns in Travancore.
Vadra .—Vadra, Vadrangi, or Vadla is a name of a sub-division of Telugu Kamsalas, the professional calling of which is carpentering. It is noted, in the Gazetteer of Tanjore, that “wood-carving of a very fair quality is done at several places in the Tanjore district by a class of workmen called car carpenters, from the fact that their skill is generally exercised in carving images on temple cars. They are found at Tanjore, Mannargudi, Tiruvādaturai and Tiruvadi, and perhaps elsewhere. The workmen at the last-named place are Vaddis. The Vaddis of the Godavari district are also found to do wood-carving, sometimes with great skill.”
Vadugāyan (Telugu shepherd).—A Tamil synonym for Golla.
Vagiri or Vāgirivāla .—See Kuruvikkāran.
Vāgiti (doorway or court-yard).—An exogamous sept of Jōgi.
Vaguniyan .—See Vayani.
Vaikhānasa .—Followers of the Rishi Vaikhānasa. They are Archaka Brāhman priests in the Telugu country.
Vairavan Kōvil .—An exogamous section or kōvil (temple) of Nāttukōttai Chetti.
Vairāvi .—The equivalent of Bairāgi or Vairāgi. Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as “a sub-caste of Pandāram. They are found only in the Tinnevelly district, where they are measurers of grain, and pūjāris in village temples.” In the Madura district, Vairāvis are members of the Mēlakkāran caste, who officiate as servants at the temples of the Nāttukōttai Chettis.
Vajjira (diamond).—An exogamous sept of Toreya.
Vakkaliga .—See Okkiliyan.
Vālagadava .—An occupational name for various classes in South Canara, e.g., Sappaligas, Mogilis, and Patramelas, who are engaged as musicians.
Valai (net).—The name, said to indicate those who hunt with nets, of a section of Paraiyans. The Ambalakkārans, who are also called Valaiyans, claim that, when Siva’s ring was swallowed by a fish in the Ganges, one of their ancestors invented the first net made in the world.
Valaiyal .—A sub-division of Kavarai, i.e., the Tamil equivalent of Gāzula (glass bangle) Balija.
Valangai .—Valangai, Valangan, Valangamattān, or Balagai, meaning those who belong to the right-hand faction, has, at times of census, been returned as a sub-division, synonym or title of Dēva-dāsis, Holeyas, Nōkkans, Panisavans, Paraiyans, and Sāliyans. Some Dēva-dāsis have returned themselves as belonging to the left-hand (idangai) faction.
Valayakāra Chetti .—A Tamil synonym of Gāzula Balijas who sell glass bangles. The equivalent Vala Chetti is also recorded.
Vālēkāra .—A Badaga form of Billēkāra or belted peon. The word frequently occurs in Badaga ballads. Tāluk peons on the Nīlgiris are called Vālēkāras.
Vāli Sugrīva .—A synonym of the Lambādis, who claim descent from Vāli and Sugrīva, the two monkey chiefs of the Rāmāyana.
Valinchiyan .—See Velakkattalavan.
Valiyatān (valiya, great, tān, a title of dignity).—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a title of Nāyar.
Vallabarayan .—A title of Ōcchan.
Valli Ammai Kuttam .—A synonym of the Koravas, meaning followers of Valli Ammai, the wife of the God Subrahmanya, whom they claim to have been a Korava woman.
Vallōdi .—The name denotes a settlement in the Valluvanād tāluk of Malabar, and has been returned as a sub-division of Nāyar and Sāmantan, to which the Rāja of Valluvanād belongs.
Valluvan .—A small inferior caste of fishermen and boatmen in Malabar.
Vālmika .—Vālmīka or Vālmīki is a name assumed by the Bōyas and Paidis, who claim to be descended from Vālmīki, the author of the Rāmāyana, who did penance for so long in one spot that a white-ant hill (vālmīkam) grew up round him. In a note before me, Vālmīki is referred to as the Spenser of India. In the North Arcot Manual, Vālmīkulu, as a synonym of the Vēdans, is made to mean those who live on the products of ant-hills.
Vāl Nambi .—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as “a synonym for Mūssad. Nambi is a title of Brāhmans, and vāl means a sword. The tradition is that the name arose from the ancestors of the caste having lost some of the privileges of the Vēdic Brāhmans owing to their having served as soldiers when Malabar was ruled by the Brāhmans prior to the days of the Perumāls.”
Valuvādi .—The Valuvādis are returned, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as cultivators in the Pudukōttai State. I am informed that the Valuvādis are a section of the Valaiyan caste, to which the Zamindar of Nagaram belongs. The name Valuvādi was originally a title of respect, appended to the name of the Nagaram Zamindars. The name of the present Zamindar is Balasubramanya Valuvādiar. Thirty years ago there is said to have been no Valuvādi caste. Some Valaiyans in prosperous circumstances, and others who became relatives of the Nagaram Zamindar by marriage, have changed their caste name, to show that they are superior in social status to the rest of the community.
Vamme .—A gōtra of Janappans, the members of which abstain from eating the fish called bombadai, because, when some of their ancestors went to fetch water in the marriage pot, they found a number of this fish in the water contained in the pot. Vana Palli .—A name, meaning forest Palli, assumed by some Irulas in South Arcot.
Vandikkāran .—An occupational name for Nāyars who work as cartmen (vandi, cart) for carrying fuel. Vandula or Vandi Rāja .—A sub-division of Bhatrāzu, named after one Vandi, who is said to have been a herald at the marriage of Siva.
Vangu (cave).—A sub-division of Irula.
Vāni .—“The Vānis or Bāndēkars,” Mr. H. A. Stuart writes, “have been wrongly classified in the census returns (1891) as oil-pressers; they are in reality traders. They are said to have come from Goa, and they speak Konkani. Their spiritual guru is the head of the Kumbakōnam math.” In the Census Report, 1901, it is noted that Vāni, meaning literally a trader, is a Konkani-speaking trading caste, of which Bāndēkara is a synonym. “They ape the Brāhmanical customs, and call themselves by the curious hybrid name of Vaisya Brāhmans.” Hari Chetti has been returned as a further synonym.
Vankāyala (brinjal or egg plant: Solanum Melongena).—An exogamous sept of Golla. The fruit is eaten by Natives, and, stuffed with minced meat, is a common article of Anglo-Indian dietary.
Vanki (armlet).—A gōtra of Kurni.
Vannattān .—A synonym of Veluttēdan, the caste of washermen, who wash for Nāyars and higher castes.
Vanni Kula Kshatriya .—A synonym of the Pallis, who claim to belong to the fire race of Kshatriyas.
Vanniyan .—A synonym of Palli. The name further occurs as a sub-division of Ambalakāran and Valaiyan. Some Maravans also are known as Vanniyan or Vannikutti. Tēn (honey) Vanniyan is the name adopted by some Irulas in the South Arcot district.
Vantari .—See Telaga.
Vanuvan. —A name assumed by Vāniyans who have abandoned their hereditary occupation of oil-pressing, and taken to trade in grain and other articles.
Vārakurup .—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a title of Malayālam Paravans.
Varige (millet).—An exogamous sept of Kāpu.
Varugu Bhatta .—A mendicant class, which begs from Perikes.
Varuna .—Some Pattanavan fishermen have adopted the name of Varunakula Vellāla or Varunakula Mudali after Varuna the god of the waters.
Vasa (new).—A sub-division of Kurubas, who are said to weave only white blankets.
Vasishta .—A Brāhmanical gōtra adopted by Khatris and Toreyas. Vasishta, one of the seven great Rishis, was the son of Mitra and Varuna, whose quarrels with Viswamitra are narrated in the Rāmayana.
Vastra .—One division of the Koragas is called Vastra, meaning cloths such as are used as a shroud for a corpse, which were given to them as an act of charity, the wearing of new cloths by them being prohibited. Vastrala (cloth) further occurs as an exogamous sept of the Karna Sālē and Dēvānga weavers.
Vattakādan .—Recorded as a sub-division of Nāyar, the occupation of which is expressing oil, chiefly for use in temples. Mr. F. Fawcett writes that, in North Malabar, he has frequently been told by Nāyars of the superior classes that they do not admit the Vattakādans to be Nāyars. According to them, the Vattakādans have adopted the honorary affix Nāyar to their names quite recently. In the Madras Census Report, 1891, Vattakādan is stated to be a synonym of Vāniyan; and in the report, 1901, this name is said to mean a Native of Vattakād, and to be given to the Chakkāns.
Vattē (camel).—A gōtra of Kurni.
Vātti .—Vātti or Vāttikurup has been recorded at times of census as a sub-division of Nāyar, and a synonym of Kāvutiyan and Tōlkollan. Vātti is said to mean one who prays for happiness.
Vayani —The Vayanis, Vayinis, Vaguniyans, or Pavinis, are a section of Mādigas, the members of which play on a single-stringed mandoline, and go about from village to village, singing the praises of the village goddesses. Each Vayani has his recognised beat. He plays a prominent part in the celebration of the annual festival of the village goddess, and receives a sacred thread (kappu), which is usually tied to his mandoline, before the commencement of the festival. He regards himself as superior in social position to ordinary Mādigas, with whom he will not marry. The name Vayani is said to be a corruption of varnane, meaning to describe. In some localities, e.g., the Chingleput district, the Vayani enjoys mirāsi rights in connection with land.
Vēdunollu .—A gōtra of Gānigas, members of which may not cut Nyctanthes Arbor-tristis. The flowers thereof are much used in Hindu worship, as the plant is supposed to have been brought from heaven by Krishna for his wife Satyābhāma.
Vēginādu .—A sub-division of Kōmatis, who belong to the Vēgi or Vengi country, the former name of part of the modern Kistna district. The Vēgina Kōmatis are said to have entered the fire-pits with the caste goddess Kanyakamma.
Vekkāli Puli (cruel-legged tiger).—An exogamous section of Kallan.
Vēl (lance).—A sub-division of Malayālam Paraiyans, and an exogamous sept or sub-division of Kānikars in Travancore. Vēlanmar (spearmen) occurs as a name for the hill tribes of Travancore.
Vēlampan (rope-dancer).—Possibly a name for the Koravas of Malabar, who perform feats on the tight-rope.
Velanāti (foreign).—A sub-division of Kāpus, and other Telugu castes, and of Telugu Brāhmans.
Velanga (wood apple: Feronia elephantum).—An exogamous sept of Mūka Dora.
Velivēyabadina Rāzu .—The name, denoting Rāzus who were thrown out, of a class said to be descended from Rāzus who were excommunicated from their caste.
Veliyam .—Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a title of Nāyars. In the same report Veliyattu is described as synonymous with Pulikkappanikkan, a sub-division of Nāyar.
Vellaikāran (white man).—A Tamil name for European.
Vellān Chetti .—A name, denoting Vellāla merchant, taken by some Vellālas.
Velli (silver).—See Belli.
Velnāti —A sub-division of Kāpu, named after the old Velnādu division of the Telugu country.
Veloma .—Defined as “one of the two classes of Sūdras, viz., Anuloma and Veloma. The term Veloma is applied to those born of a lower caste male and higher caste female.”
Vēmu (margosa or nīm: Melia Azadirachta).—An exogamous sept of Mūka Dora.
Vēngai Puli (cruel-handed tiger).—An exogamous section of Kallan.
Veralu Ichē Kāpulu or Vēlu Ichē Kāpulu (those who dedicate their fingers).—See Morasu.
Vēshya (Sansk: Bēshya) .—A name denoting prostitute, applied to dancing-girls.
Vētagiri .—A Tamil class found in the Chingleput district. The members thereof are employed in hunting, cultivation, and the manufacture of wild date baskets. Their title is Nāyakan.
Vettaikāran (hunter).—An occupational name of Bōyas, Irulas, and Koravas, returned at times of census.
Vettile (betel vine: Piper Betle).—A kothu or tree of Kondaiyamkotti Maravans.
Vibhāka Gunta .—Recorded in the Madras Census Report as “a low class of wandering beggars; clubbed with Māla.” Some Mālas in the Vizagapatam district possess gunta mānyams, or petty fields, and supplement their income by begging.
Vignēsvara .—A synonym for the elephant god Ganēsa, which occurs as a gōtra of Nagarālu. The equivalent Vināyaka is a gōtra of Mēdara.
Villasan (bowmen).—A synonym of Malayalām Kammālans, who formerly had to supply bows and arrows for the Travancore army.
Villi .—Villi (bow) or Villiyan (bowmen) has been recorded as a synonym of the Irulas of Chingleput. Villi also occurs as a sub-division of Vēttuvan, a hunting caste of the Tamil country.
Villu Vēdan (huntsmen using bows).—A synonym of Eravallar.
Vīlyakāra .—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as “a sub-caste of Sērvēgāra or Kōtēgāra.” Vīlyakāra, Vālēkāra and Olēkārā are names indicating the occupation of a servant under Government or a private individual.
Vinka (white-ant: Termites).—An exogamous sept of Jātapu.
Vipravinōdi .—In a note on the Vipravinōdis, Mr. C. Hayavadana Rao writes that they are said to be the descendants of a Brāhman by a Lingāyat woman. They are Lingāyats, and are called Vipravinōdi because they perform acrobatic feats before Vipras, or Brāhmans. They generally travel about the country with their wives and children. One of their favourite feats is throwing up three stone or wooden balls in the air, and catching them, or rolling them over various parts of the body. When they perform before a mixed audience, they call themselves Naravidya vāru, which is said to be an abbreviated form of Narulu Mechchē Vidyalu Chēsē vāru, or those who perform feats which men praise. The dead are buried in a sitting posture.
Vīrabhadra —A synonym of the Tamil washermen (Vannān), whose patron deity is Vīrabhadra, from whom they claim descent.
Viragu (firewood).—A sub-division of Vēttuvan.
Virakudiyān .—A synonym of Panisavans, who are engaged in blowing the conch shell on ceremonial occasions.
Vīrala (heroes).—An exogamous sept of Golla and Kāpu.
Vīra Māgāli (a god).—An exogamous section of Kallan.
Vīrānattān .—The name denotes those who play on a drum called vīrānam. It is recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, that the Vīrānattāns “were originally temple servants, but now do miscellaneous day labour. Their females are prostitutes. Their titles are Mēstri and Mudali.”
Vīranollu .—Vīranollu and Viththanollu are gōtras of Gānigas, who may not cut the wood-apple (Feronia elephantum). Vīrasaiva .—A synonym for Lingāyat. Some Lingāyats claim to be Vīrasaiva Brāhmans.
Visālākshiamma .—Recorded, in the Manual of the North Arcot district, as a sub-division of Vāniyan. Visālākshiamma is the goddess of Benares, who is said to be the sister of Minākshi of Madura and Kāmākshi of Conjeeveram. Visālākshi means literally one with beautiful eyes, and is a name of Parvati, who is described as possessing large and beautiful eyes.
Viswakarma .—Viswakarma and Viswa Brāhman are synonyms for Kammālan, the members of which class claim descent from the five faces of Viswakarma, the architect of the gods.
Vitugula-vāndlu .—A fanciful name, meaning hunters or gallants, adopted by Bōyas.
Vodāri .—See Odāri.
Vodda .—See Oddē.
Vōdo .—A small caste of Oriya basket-makers and cultivators in the Vizagapatam agency.
Vōjali .—See Ojali.
Vokkiliyan (cultivator).—A sub-division of Kāppiliyan, and Tamil form of Vakkaliga. (See Okkiliyan.)
Vudupulavallu .—An occupational name for Balijas, Velamas, etc., who paint chintzes.
Vyādha (forest men).—A synonym of Myāsa Bēdars.
Vyāpāri .—A trading section of Nāyar.
Vyāsa (the name of a sage or rishi).—A sub-division of Balija.
References
1 Malabar Law and Custom, 3rd ed., 1905.
2 Father Coleridge’s Life and Letters of St. Francis Xavier.
3 History of Tinnevelly.
4 Indian Medical Gazette, XLI, 8, 1906.
5 Cochin Census Report, 1901.
6 Madras Census Report, 1901.
7 Mysore Census Report, 1891.
8 Madras Census Report, 1901.
9 N. Sankuni Wariar, Ind. Ant. XXI, 1892.
10 Gazetteer of the Madura district.
11 Madras Census Report, 1901.
12 Ibid., 1891.
13 Gazetteer of the Tanjore district.
14 Gazetteer of the Madura district.
15 The land of the Permauls, or Cochin, its past and its present, 1863.
16 Manual of the Madura district.
17 Manual of the Madura district.
18 Madras Census Report, 1891, and Manual of the North Arcot district.
19 See Divakaram and Chudamani Nikhandu.
20 See Life of Tiruvalluvar, in Lazarus’ edition of the Kural.
21 Madras Census Report, 1891.
22 Gazetteer of Malabar.
23 Manual of the South Canara District.
24 Madras Census Report, 1901.
25 Manual of the North Arcot district.
26 Madras Census Report, 1901.
27 Manual of the Tanjore district.
28 Manual of the North Arcot district; Madras Census Report, 1891.
29 Madras Census Report, 1901.
30 Malabar and its Folk, 1900.
31 Madras Dioc: Magazine, 1906.
32 Manual of Malabar.
33 Madras Museum Bull. III, 3. 1901.
34 Manual of the Salem district.
35 Native Life in Travancore.
36 Madras Museum, Bull. III, I, 1900.
37 Crawley. The Mystic Rose. Fide Jagor. Zeitsch: Ethnol. XI, 164.
38 Manual of the North Arcot district.
39 Ind. Ant. VIII, 1879.
40 History of the Military Transactions in Indostan.
41 Ind. Ant. VIII, 1879.
42 Ind. Ant. XX, 1891.
43 Monograph Eth. Survey of Cochin, No. 12, 1907.
44 Madras Museum Bull. III, 3, 1901.
45 Rev. J. Cain, Ind. Ant., VIII, 1879.
46 Madras Census Report, 1891, and Manual of the North Arcot District.
47 Madras Journal of Literature and Science, 188–788, p. 134, where the etymology of the name Vellāla is fully discussed.
48 Section III. Inhabitants, Government Press, Madras, 1907.
49 Thondai-nandalap-paddiyam.
50 The zamindars of Cheyur, Chunampet, etc., in the Chingleput district.
51 Manual of the Madura district.
52 Pen and Ink Sketches of South India.
53 Madras Census Report, 1901.
54 M. Paupa Rao Naidu. History of Railway Thieves, 1900.
55 Ind. Ant. III, 1874.
56 Madras Census Report, 1891.
57 Baramahal Records.
58 Manual of the Madura district.
59 Manual of the Madura district.
60 Manual of the North Arcot district.
61 Manual of the Madura district.
62 Madras Museum Bull., V. 3, 1907.
63 Manual of the Salem district, 1883.
64 A. Chatterton. Monograph on Tanning and Working in Leather, 1904.
65 Madras Mail, 1907.
66 Ibid.
67 Malabar and its Folk, 1900.
68 Monograph, Ethnological Survey of Cochin, 1905.
69 Gazetteer of Malabar.
70 Monograph, Eth. Survey of Cochin.
