Isai Vellalar
Encyclopedia
Isai Velalar is a caste from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu
. They are also known as Melakkarar. Isai Vellalars predominantly use the title of Pillai, with some using the title of Mudaliar
.
temple
musicians hailing from the Thanjavur, Tiruvarur
and Trichy Districts of Tamil Nadu. The origin of Nattuvanars' arts tradition dates back about 2,000 years ago at the village of Vazhuvoor
, which has a Siva temple
, the presiding deity worshipped as Gajasamharamurti.
from which the modern day Bharatanatyam
has evolved. They trained the women to dance at temples as part of the daily and festive rites. Their greatest strength is playing the mellow Nagaswaram
. During the period of Cholas, around 11th century they were appointed as Dance gurus to teach Bharatanatyam to the Chola princess Kundavai
.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. They are also known as Melakkarar. Isai Vellalars predominantly use the title of Pillai, with some using the title of Mudaliar
Mudaliar
Mudaliar also Mudali, Moodley is a title used in Tamil diaspora. It is derived from the honorary title Mudali meaning a person of first rank in the Tamil language which was bestowed upon top-ranking bureaucratic officials and army commanders in medieval South India...
.
Origin of name
The name "Isai Velalar" is derived from the Tamil words Isai meaning Music and Vellalar meaning Cultivator. Therefore Isai Velalar is a person one who cultivates or creates the music. Isai Velalar is a community of HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
musicians hailing from the Thanjavur, Tiruvarur
Tiruvarur
Tiruvarur is a town and a municipality in Tiruvarur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Tiruvarur is the administrative headquarters of Tiruvarur district. Tiruvarur is one of the oldest towns which has been popular as cultural head quarters for many centuries...
and Trichy Districts of Tamil Nadu. The origin of Nattuvanars' arts tradition dates back about 2,000 years ago at the village of Vazhuvoor
Vazhuvoor
Vazhuvoor is one of the original styles of Bharatanatyam.The main distinctive features include:*rich sringar elements*wide range of dancing pace*softer facial abhinaya*extremely elaborate movements...
, which has a Siva temple
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, the presiding deity worshipped as Gajasamharamurti.
Art skills of Nattuvanar
Isai Velalar who were skilled in Nattuvangam are known as Nattuvanars. They trained women of different communities in performing SadirTemple dance
Temple dance denotes a religious performance held in the temples, such as sadir, prescribed by Agamas...
from which the modern day Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
has evolved. They trained the women to dance at temples as part of the daily and festive rites. Their greatest strength is playing the mellow Nagaswaram
Nadaswaram
The nadaswaram, also spelt nadhaswaram, and also called nagaswaram , is one of the most popular classical musical instruments in the South Indian culture and the world's loudest non-brass acoustic instrument...
. During the period of Cholas, around 11th century they were appointed as Dance gurus to teach Bharatanatyam to the Chola princess Kundavai
Kundavai Pirattiyar
Ālvār Sri Parāntakan Sri Kundavai Pirāttiyār also Parāntakan Kundavai Ālvār or more popularly referred to as Kundavai Pirāttiyār was one of the most powerful queens of the Chola empire. She was the daughter of Ponmaligai-tunjiya-devar , the elder sister of Rajaraja Chola I and the aunt of Rajendra...
.
Politics
- M. KarunanidhiM. KarunanidhiMuthuvel Karunanidhi is an Indian politician and a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is the head of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam , a Dravidian political party in the state of Tamil Nadu. He has been the leader of the DMK since the death of its founder, C. N...
, Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and head of DMKDravida Munnetra KazhagamDravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. It is a Dravidian party founded by C. N. Annadurai as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam headed by Periyar... - M. K. AzhagiriM. K. AzhagiriMuthuvel Karunanidhi Azhagiri , generally known as M. K. Alagiri, is an Indian politician and a Cabinet Minister. He is the second son of the head of Dravida Munnetra Kazagham, M. Karunanidhi. His mother, Mrs. Dayaalu Ammal, is the second wife of M. Karunanidhi...
, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and MP of MaduraiMadurai (Lok Sabha constituency)-Assembly segments:Madurai Lok Sabha constituency is composed of the following assembly segments :#Madurai North#Madurai West#Madurai Central#Madurai East#Madurai South#Melur-Members of Parliament:- Election results : -References:... - M. K. Stalin, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and MLA of KolathurKolathur (Chennai) (State Assembly Constituency)Kolathur, கொளத்தூர் is a state assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu. Not to be confused with Kolathur. Kolathur constituency was carved out of former Purasawalkam and Villivakkam assembly segments after the Delimitation of Constituencies, 2008. It is currently a part of Chennai North .Kolathur...
- M. K. Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP
- Murasoli MaranMurasoli MaranMurasoli Maran was a prominent Tamil politician in India, and an important leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party which is headed by his maternal uncle and mentor, M. Karunanidhi. A Member of Parliament for 36 years, he was made a Union Minister in three separate central governments, in...
, former Union Minister and DMK Leader - Dayanidhi MaranDayanidhi MaranDayanidhi Maran is a member of parliament in India’s 15th Lok Sabha from Chennai Central constituency and Additional Deputy Leader of DMK. He was also the Minister for Textiles in the Union Cabinet, and has also served as the as the Minister for Communications and Information Technology before that...
, Union Minister for Textiles and MP of Chennai Central constituencyChennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)The Lok Sabha constituency Chennai Central is one of three constituencies in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Formerly it was known as Madras Central.-Assembly segments:-Before 2009:...
Classical arts
- Thanjavur QuartetThanjavur QuartetThanjavur Quartet or Tanjore Quartet were four brothers who lived during the early 19th century and contributed to the development of the Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music. While they excelled in the art of Bharatanatyam, they have also authored a number of Tana varnams and...
- Guru Kittappa Pillai
- Vazhuvoor Ramiah Pillai
- Thanjavur Sugandhavalli
- Thiruvarur BakthavathsalamThiruvarur BakthavathsalamThiruvarur Bakthavathsalam is a Mridangam musician from a family of traditional musicians in the Tanjore district of Tamilnadu, India. He is currently staying in Chennai.- Career :...
- Veena DhanammalVeena DhanammalVeenai Dhanammal was a highly accomplished Carnatic musician, and the torchbearer of the school of Carnatic music that goes by her name. She was both a vocalist and a performer on the veena...
- T.K.Krishnamoorthy Pillai
- Namagiripettai KrishnanNamagiripettai KrishnanNamagiripettai K Krishnan is a Carnatic musician who plays the Nadaswaram. He was born in Sendhamangalam village in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, India. In 1981, Krishnan was awarded the Padmashri by the Indian government for his contributions to Carnatic music. He was also the Asthana Sangeetha...
- BalasaraswatiBalasaraswatiBalasaraswati was a celebrated Indian dancer, and her rendering of Bharatanatyam, a classical dance style, made this style of dancing of south India well known in different parts of India, as also many parts of the world....
- T. RanganathanT. RanganathanTanjore Ranganathan was a Carnatic musician specializing in percussion instruments, particularly the mridangam....
- T. ViswanathanT. ViswanathanTanjore Viswanathan was a Carnatic musician specializing in the Carnatic flute and voice. His brother was the mridangam player T...
- T. Muktha
- T. BrindaT. BrindaThanjavur Brinda was one of the representatives of the Veenai Dhanammal school of Carnatic Music. She was primarily a vocalist, although she also played the Veenai. She is affectionately referred to as 'Brindamma', by her fans....
Film industry
- K.S.Sarankapani Pillai - Tamil film actor
- T. R. RajakumariT. R. RajakumariThanjavur Ranganayaki Rajayee , popularly known by her screen name T. R. Rajakumari was a Tamil film actress, Carnatic singer and dancer. She has been called the first "dream girl" of Tamil cinema.-Early life:...
- Tamil film actress - T. R. PapaT. R. PapaThiruthuraipoondi Radhakrishnan Pappa is a famous music director of Tamil, Telugu and Sinhalese movies. He was born in 1923 at Thiruthuraipoondi, Madras Presidency, British India.-Early life:...
- Tamil film music director - T. A. Mathuram- Tamil actress
- A. V. M. RajanA. V. M. RajanA.V.M.Rajan is a Tamil film actor of the 60s and 70s.He acted in the movie produced by AVM Productions called Nanum Oru Pen. Hence he became 'A.V.M'.Rajan....
- Tamil actor - E. V. SarojaE. V. SarojaE. V. Saroja was a famous Tamil and Telugu actress and dancer. She belonged to Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.Her debut film was En Thangai in 1952 starring M. G. Ramachandran...
- Tamil actress and dancer - M. K. Muthu - Tamil film actor and singer
- C. S. JayaramanC. S. JayaramanC. S. Jayaraman was a playback singer who songs were featured in numerous Tamil films.-Discography:Desam Gnanam Kalvi - C. S. JayaDesam Gnanam Kalvi - C. S. Jaya-References:...
- playback singer in Tamil films - S. ShankarS. ShankarShankar is an Indian film director and producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He made his directional debut in Gentleman for which he was awarded the Filmfare Best Director Award...
- Tamil film director - SripriyaSripriyaSripriya is an actress who played leading roles in the 1970s and 1980s in South India. She has acted in Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films, but her main contribution was in Tamil films, where she has acted in over 200 films.-Personal life:...
- Tamil film actress - Manikka VinayagamManikka VinayagamManikka Vinayakam is a Tamil playback singer and actor. He has sung for all the south Indian language films and acted in several Tamil feature films as a character artist.-Career:...
- Tamil playback singer - Udhayanidhi StalinUdhayanidhi StalinUdhayanidhi Stalin is a Tamil cinema producer. He is the owner of Red Giant Movies banner.His grandfather is M. Karunanidhi, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. His father is M. K. Stalin, the former deputy Chief Minister and former Home Minister of Tamil Nadu...
- Tamil film producer - Dhayanidhi Alagiri - Tamil film producer
- ArulnithiArulnithiArulnithi Tamilarasu is an Indian Tamil actor, who is best known for playing the lead role in Vamsam, directed by Pandiraj.-Acting career:Arulnithi was offered the lead role in Pandiraj's Vamsam after his cousin, Udhayanidhi Stalin, had opted out...
- Tamil film actor
People with Isai Vellalar ancestry or heritage
- Muthulakshmi ReddiMuthulakshmi ReddiDr. Muthulakshmi Reddi was an eminent medical practitioner, social reformer and Padma Bhushan awardee in India. She was the first women legislator in India....
, social reformer - MS Subbulakshmi, Carnatic singer
- M. L. VasanthakumariM. L. VasanthakumariMadras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari , was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi were popularly referred to as the "female trinity of Carnatic Music. A prime disciple of the G. N...
, Carnatic singers - SrividyaSrividyaSrividya was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed....
, Film actress