ORGIN OF MALLAR

A number of historians support the argument that the Pallar are the same community as that formerly called Mallar in the region

ORGIN:

According to ancient Sangam literature, the Pallar is an ancient group of people originating in the Marutam land. The land was said to be good for agriculture, and situated near a river. As they were the producers of food grains, they lived with self respect.. They claim themselves to be the descendants of Devendran (the god of Marutham)Land.Worship of God Devendran was popular in ancient Tamil Nadu.Their ancestory linkage to sangam age Devendran well explains their rich old heritage. Since they were known for charity,heading and presiding village panchayat meetings and being kind, they were referred to as kudumban; and for their ability to control flood, they were Velallar. From the available research on ancient Tamil paddy history and evolution, there is a strong paddy culture prevailing in Tamil Nadu – Marutha Nilam and it is a continuation of 5000 years old paddy cultivation heritage by native people (pallars).Their age old customs, festivals and day to day life activities supports their claim to be the first cultivators of rice in Tamil Nadu. So they prefer to call themselves Devendra Kula Vellalar

The ancient people were described as warriors and farmers. Their leader of the group, called the vendan(Indran) later was called the god of their land. It is argued with sufficient support of literature that the Pallars of today were actually known as Mallar belonging to the Dravidian race about 2300 years back and were the rulers of Tamil country. It is also asserted that they are the descendants of Pallavas who were ruling the Andhra and Tamil countries once. Putting all these qualities together, the Mallar (Pallar) call themselves Devendra Kula Velalar. There are over 84 branches among Pallars. The Mallar were called Pallar only after 15th century by more powerful tribes from other parts of South India with a view to degrading their social status