Valluvar (caste)

Indian caste

This article is about Valluvar (caste). For Thiruvalluvar, see Thiruvalluvar.

Valluvar (Tamil: வள்ளுவர்) is 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

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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

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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

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* Thiruvalluvar

## References

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1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Daniel, E. Valentine (1996). Charred Lullabies: Chapters in an Anthropography of Violence. Princeton University Press. p. 30\. ISBN 0691027730.
4. ^ a b Astrological Magazine. 1986. p. 259.
5. ^ Ghurye, G. S. (1991). Caste and Race in India. Bombay: Popular Prakashan. p. 361\. ISBN 9788171542055.
6. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ a b c d 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 2803599.155-173&rft.date=1992&rft.issn=0025-1496&rft_id=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2803599#id-name=JSTOR&rft_id=info:doi/10.2307/2803599&rft.aulast=Deliege&rft.aufirst=Robert&rft_id=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2803599&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Valluvar+(caste)" class="Z3988">
11. ^ Moffat, Michael. "Untouchables and the caste system: a Tamil case study". Contributions to Indian Sociology. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
12. ^ a b Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Pg 306
13. ^ Raghavan, M. "Turning over old leaves". The Sunday India. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
14. ^ a b c B. Pandian, Thomas (1895). Slaves of the Soil in Southern India. University of Michigan. p. 24.

## Further reading

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* Thurston, Edgar; K. Rangachari (1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India Volume VII. Madras: Government Press.[unreliable source?]