Thondaimandala Mudaliars or Thondaimandala Saiva Velala Mudaliars are a high ranking sub-caste of the Tondaimandala Vellalars in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Thondaimandala Mudaliar are classified as a Forward caste from Tamil Nadu , India.

Athondai's Expedition and Vellala Migration

Athondai, the son of Karikala proved to possess heroic qualities. When Karikala wanted to give him a Kingom to rule over, an eye was cast northwards at the Kurumbar Bhumi or Land of Kurumbas. After overthrowing the Kurumbar sovereignity, Athondai sent the news of his victory to his father asking him to send inhabitants from Cholamandalam or the Realm of Cholas to settle in his new country; accordingly 48000 Vellalars migrated to ThondaimandalamKarikala crowned his son Athondai as the ruler of Thondaimandalam, renaming the Kurumba Bhumi after its emperor. He divided Thondaimandalam into 24 Kottams and parcelled it out to the Vellala Chiefs, awarding them the title Mudali or Mudaliyar literally meaning The first ones. Since then, they have been called the Thondaimandala Mudaliars.

Mudi-Sutum Vizha: Right to crown the king

These community members had the privilege of handing over the crown at the time of coronation ceremony (mudi-sootu vizha) of the kings, religious heads etc. This fact can be seen from old Tamil classical literature "Thirukkaivazhakkam" which states "mangaiyoru bhagarkum, madhavarkum, mannavarkum thunga mudiyai sootumkai (the hands that handover the crown to kings/religious heads at the time of coronation ceremony)".

In the great Tamil classical literature Kamba-ramayana, Kavi-chakravarthy Kambar stated that "the great sage Vashista took the crown from ancestors of Vallal Sadaiyappa Mudaliar and crowned the King Rama" ("Vennaiyur Sadayan thangal marabulore kodukka-vangi Vasittaney punainthan mauli")

Sangam Literature

Pattinappaalai, one of the oldest Tamil works of sangam literature, states that the "saiva-velalar community, known for their piousness, honesty, intelliegence and philanthropy, excelled in farming and trading".

It is believed that one "Ekambavanan" of this community from "Aamoor" (Aragalur)once ruled great Magatha (Magadai) empire. From " Kanchipuranam," it is learned that once a member of the Velalar community was elected to be the king in "Thirukanchinadu."

Ekambavanan was featured in 1947 Tamil movie. It will be of interest to note that even to-day, in the Mudaliars' marriage ceremony, the father-in-law ties the "pattam" (meaning crown) on the fore-head of the bride.

Ariyanatha Mudaliar

Ariyanatha Mudaliar, was the Vellala Dalavoy(Chief Office Holder) of the Vijayanagar viceroy Viswanatha Nayaka (1529-64). He took power in the rich Tamaraparani rice lands. He is credited with founding the palayam or smal principalities system ruled by petty chiefs called poligar or palayakarars. He divided the Pandya kingdom in 72 palayams and commanded the 72 dry-zone poligar chiefs.

Ariyanatha Mudaliar was not only the pre-colonial military man but also enjoyed a cult status in southern Tamil Nadu and became a tutelary patron figure amongst some of the region's cattle-keeping predator groups.

Karikala Chola's 24 Kottams of Thondaimandalam

Karikala Chola divided the Tondai country into 24 Kottams or districts for administrative purposes. The list of 24 Kottams are as follows: Pulal, Puliyur, Eekadu, Manavur, Chenkkadu, Payur, Eyil, Thamal, Uttukadu, Kalathur, Chembur, Amur, Eethoor, Venkundram, Palkunram, Ilankadu, Kaliyur, Chriukarai, Paduvur, Kadikai, Chenthirukai, Kunrapattiram, Venkadam Velur.

Culture

Thondaimandala Mudaliars are part of the greater saiva-velaler community, which is spread over the entire length and breadth of Tamilnadu. Saiva-velalars were called by different names in different places. In Thondaimandalam, they were called “Mudaliars”. In some places they were called "Saiva-Pillaimars" and "Karkarthars".

Saiva-velalars are vegetarians and share common beliefs, customs and traditions. This view is supported by the fact that there are a number of religious Mutts (Matha)s in Tamilnadu like "Kanchipuram thondaimandala adhinam" "Dharma-puram adhinam," "Thiruvaadudurai adhinam," and "Thirugnanasambandar swamigal adhinam" whose "Matathipathis" are drawn from these communities.

It is also a fact that even today, in most places, they have common burial ground exclusively for the saiva-velalars community and owned and managed by respective "Mudaliar-Pillaimar Sangams." For any functions in their families like marriage, all members from these communities are invariably invited.

This community had unique names of addressing their relations. Lady members were respectfully addressed as "anni" by all other community members. Sisters-in-law (elder brother’s wife) were addressed as "anniyar" and sisters-in-law (one’s husband’s sisters) were addressed as "aththathai" or "aththachi." Brother-in-law (sister’s husband) is addressed as "aththan". It is of interest to note that lady members of Mysore royal family are addressed as "anni".

Historical Personalities

Sekkizhar

Sekkizhar, the author of the Tamil hagiography Periyapuranam or The Great Purana comprising of the life stories of the 63 Tamil Saiva Saints or the Nayanars hailed from this community. He was a minister in the Chola court of Kulottonga II (1130-1150). Kulottonga was a devotee of Lord Siva Nataraja of Chidambaram and continued the reconstruction of the cult center of Tamil Saivism begun by his predecessors. At the same time he was enchanted by the Jain epic Jivaka Cintamani. To wean him away, his minister Sekkizhar composed the Tamil epic Periyapuranam.

Spiritual

* Namachivaya guru-moorthigal - he was the founder of Thiruvaadudurai Adhinam.
* Gurugnanasambandha Moorthigal – founder of Dharmapuram Adhinam and hailed from Srivilliputtur.
* Arulnandhi tambiran swamigal : hailed from Ariyanagipuram in tirunelveli dist. He was 24th Matapathy of Thiruppanandal Kasi matha.

Mudali title usage

As early as the 13th century, Agamudayars were using the Mudaliar title. The source cited below illustrates the accounts of the temple of Rajaraja-Isvaram-Udaiyar at Rajraja-Kulattur in Tiruvindalur-nadu, a subdivision of Rajraja-valanadu were audited by Kayiladamudaiyan alias Solakon-Pallavaraiyar, an Agambadi-Mudali of Solakon, between the 23rd and 25th As of 2005 there are approximately 100,000 (est.) Karkarthar.

Manimekalai, one of the five great Epics in the Tamil language, mentions Karalar, the name generally believed to denote Karkarthar, twice, using the phrase Karalar Sanbai meaning the city Sirkazhi of the Karkathar.

Sanbai is one of the 12 names of Sirkazhi popularized by Bakthi era poet Sambandar in his song sung before the Pandya prince of Madurai, saying that he hailed from Sirkazhi the holy place with twelve names. Amongst the 12 names he mentions Sanbai as one because of the wild growth of elephant grass, namely Sanban korai around the city.

Sirkazhi has a preeminent place in the literature related toSaiva Siddhanta school of Hinduism.

Social service

* Diwan Bahadur Vedachala Mudaliar:Former chairman,Chengalpet Municipaliy.
* Thiru. V.Masilamani Mudaliar: Founder,Masilamani Mudaliar Thuluva Vellalar Boys free Boarding, Lodging & Education fund,Vellore.

Various religions that used the Mudaliar title in historical times

People from all castes were awarded this title by the kings. Many Brahmins, warriors, poets and sages were awarded this title in various countries. Even Jews in Kerala were awarded this title in 1215 AD by the Maharajah of Cochin, according to the book by Si. Pi. Acyutamenon . In the 17th century a leading Muslim trader Marakkayar was given the title Mudali Pillai by the Nayak king of Madurai.

Sadayappa Mudaliar, patron of the poet Kambar, was a Kongu Vellala (who uses Gounder title now) but he used Mudali title.

Nanjil Mudali

Nanjil Mudali is another group of people who have the Mudali surname. They belong to Nanjil Nadu in Kanyakumari district.

Sengunthar/Kaikolar

The Kaikolars, also Sengunthar, are a large Tamil people in the states of Southern India. Historically, there were seventy-two subdivisions (nadu or desams). Their name comes from the Tamil words "kai" (hand) and "kol" (shuttle used in looming or spear). They consider the different parts of the loom to represent various gods and sages. They are also known as Sengunthar, which means a red dagger in Tamil.

During Chola rule Kaikolars served as soldiers and were called "Terinja kaikolar padai". (Terinja means "known" in Tamil and Padai means "regiment"), so "terinja-kaikolar padai" were the personal bodyguards. Kaikkolars were militarised during the Chola empire and formed a major part of the Chola army from 8th century to 13th century. There were no Kaikolar army before or after the Chola empire. Kaikkolar formed merchant groups and maintained a military unit to protect the merchants.

They formed many regiments in the Chola army. Kaikolars were prominent members of Tamil society even during the 10th century AD during Chola rule. Smarakesarit-terinja-Kaikkolar and Vikramasingat-terinja-Kaikkolar derived their names from possible titles of Parantaka Udaiyar-Gandaradittatterinja-Kaikkolar[8] must have been the name of a regiment called after king Gandaraditya, the father of Uttama-Chola. Singalantaka-terinda-Kaikkolar (a regiment named after Singalantaka i.e. Parntaka I) Danatonga-terinja-Kaikkola (regiment or group). The early writing of the record and the surname Danatunga of Paranataka I suggests its assignment to his reign. Muttavalperra seems to indicate some special honour or rank conferred on the regiment by the king.

Sri Lankan Mudaliyars

Jaffna has two or three clans from Thondaimandalam with the Mudali surname. Irumarapum Thooya Thaninayaga Mudali from Seyyoor and Mannadukonda Mudali whose clan has been quoted even during famour poet Kambar's time.

Here is the direct quotation from Kailaya Malai, a historical book of Jaffna on the migration into Jaffna from Thondai Nadu. The other clans may come under this section or under Sri Lankan Vellalar section.

The next was the Vellala of the family of him who shed over kamban a shower of gold for the work of Erezhupatu, whose country was Tondainade, who had a widespread name, who used to wear a lotus garland and whose name was Maanadukanda Mudali. He was made to reside at Irupalai. The next was the Vellala of Seyur, who was as wealthy as Indra, and who never deviated from the path of visture. whose garland was of water lilies. Whose fame was great and whose paternal and maternal lines were matchless and pure and whose name was Taninayaga. He was made a chief of Neduntiva.

See Sri Lankan Mudaliyars for the class of Mudaliyars created by the British administrators during 19th century Sri Lanka.

Thondaimandala Kondaikatti Vellalar

Tradition suggests that this group were the first Vellalar groups that were settled in Thondaimandalam by Adondai Chakravarti after overthrowing the Kurumbar sovereignty. Adondai Chakravarti is described in various ways:

* as a lieutenant in the Chola empire,
* as the son of ancient Chola King Kokkili and a Naga princess,
* as the illegitimate son of Rajendra Kulotunga Chola I and a palace attendant ,
* son of Karikala Chola
This claim appears blurred due to the ambiguous identity of Athondai Chakravarti and the time of such settlement. There are conflicting sources, some that say, the settlement was in 7th or 8th century AD and others that say that it was much later in 11th or 12th century AD. Nevertheless, this settlement is much later than Karikala Chola's settlement of Tondaimandalam. There were many Mirasidars and Zamindars belonging to this group. They are mainly concentrated in Madras, Chingleput, Kanchipuram and Vellore districts. Their mother tongue is Tamil. Sekkizhar, the author of the Tamil epic Periyapuranam is from this community.

Thondaimandala Saiva Vellalar

The Thondaimandala Saiva Vellala Mudaliars are forward-caste and are vegetarians. They are the original homogeneous group of Mudaliars who were settled in Thondaimandalam or Thondai Nadu in South India by Chola King, Karikala Chola. Karikala Chola annexed Thondai nadu and gave it to his son Athondai after whom the region is named. They are feudal lords and major landowners in the Thondaimandalam area which includes the present day areas of Chennai, Chengalpet, Kanchipuram and Vellore. A significant population of Thondaimandala Saiva Vellala Mudaliars have also migrated to other areas such as Madurai and Tirunelveli. Dalawai Ariyanatha Mudaliar, who is regarded as the founder of the Poligar system, also settled some of them in areas outside of Thondaimandalam. They are endogamous and inter-marriage with other Mudaliars is quite rare. Their mother tongue is Tamil. Some of the Tamils in Ceylonalso trace their lineage to this group some of whom had become saints called Nayanars The book: The Tamils in Early Ceylon By C. Sivaratnam traces some of the Mudaliyars in Ceylon to Thaninayaka Mudaliyar (among other), a rich Saiva Vellala who emigrated to Ceylon from Tondaimandalam.