The Vellalan or Vellalar of south India have a long and proud history. They served as the landed aristocracy and as military officers and court officials in the three great Tamil dynasties. They were patrons of literature and the arts. The Vellalars made up the majority of government leaders and administrators in south India during the British period. Lower castes began calling themselves Vellalars and acting like them in order to gain their high status. Most live either in Kerala or Tamil Nadu, India's two southernmost states. In Kerala the Vellala use Malayalam as well as Tamil. They migrated from Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu they speak, read and write in Tamil.
Today the Vellalars continue to be agricultural landowners, military officers, politicians, businesspersons, Tamil scholars, and temple patrons. They are considered by the Indian government to be a forward or higher status caste so they are not eligible for special places in education and public service. They often marry their cousins. They do not allow for divorcees and widows to marry again, however widowers can marry again. On the death of the father, the oldest son takes charge of family affairs. Boys and girls both get education. Unlike most Hindu peoples, they allow for either cremation or burial. There are vegetarians and non-vegetarians among them.
The vast majority of Vellalars are Hindus. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Many follow a branch of Hinduism called Saiva Siddhantam. In this Hindu order adherents desire to be enlightened by Lord Shiva or Siva, one of the three main gods of Hinduism. Some Vellalars join monasteries and propagate the teachings of Shiva.
The Vellalars need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to see themselves as sinners in need of the Savior. They need to see obedience to Christ lived out in practical ways.
Pray that Vellala leaders come to Jesus Christ and lead others to a disciple making movement. Pray that gospel materials and the internet will lead them to Jesus Christ. Pray that the church will not neglect to pray for them.
Scripture Prayers for the Vellalan Tondamandalam in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Vellalan Tondamandalam |
People Name in Country | Vellalan Tondamandalam |
Natural Name | Tondamandalam Vellalan |
Alternate Names | Thondai Mandala Mudaliar; Thondaimandala Saiva; Tondaimandala Mudaliar Christian; Tondamandalam Saiva; Vellalar; वेल्लालन तोण्डामंडलम |
Population this Country | 228,000 |
Population all Countries | 228,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 5 |
People ID | 21281 |
ROP3 Code | 118104 |
Country | India | |||
Region | Asia, South | |||
Continent | Asia | |||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||
National Bible Society | Website | |||
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||
Total States on file | 2 | |||
Largest States |
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Districts | Interactive map, listing and data download | |||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 2 |
Tamil Nadu 222,000 | |
Puducherry 3,100 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.85 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.15 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Tamil (228,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Tamil (228,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Tamil |
Primary Language: Tamil
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1714-1956) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1715-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1727-2021) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |