Sri Lankan Vellalar

The collapse of the Chola empire in Tamil Nadu together with the formation of a new and vibrant Tamil Kingdom in Jaffna meant many distinguished clans from Thamizhagam migrated to Jaffna. The Kailaya Malai below gives a brief description of the important clans and their place of origin in Tamil Nadu.

The king after ascending the throne appointed as his Primo Minister, Buvaneka Vaku, a learned Brahman of a high family in Madura, and made him reside at Nallur. He made Pandi Malava of Ponpattiyur, formerly of Venkatagiri, a man of Gengakula a man who had a plough flag, a man of great generosity and liberality, who was fully disposed to feed the poor and rich alike, to reside as Tirunelveli with his brother and brother-in-law. Chempaka Malava. Next came in Narasinga Deva of the Tuluva clan of the Vellala division; a man of Gengakula and a nobleman of worldwide fame. who freely patronised the learn, and used to wear a garland of waterlilies, was a great lover of learning, whose native place was Kaviriyur. He was made to resider at Mayiliddi.

Then came another leading Vellala who had a plough flag whose native place was Valinagar. He had the appearance of cupid; he was well versed in all the three branches of Tamil and his name was Chenpala Mappana. He and a relation of his called Chandrasekar Mappana and another called Kanakaraya. a Vellan Chetty by caste who used to wear a garland of cummin, were made to reside at Tellippalai, a place of great. fertility and of never-failing water-supply and of unique distinction. The next was the Vellala of Kovalur who had a plough flag and a garland of water-lilies, He was a man of great influence, learning and charming appearance, and his name was Perayiraua He was made to reside at Inuvil, a village abounding with sugarcane, plantain and arecanut trees and with paddy fields.

The next was a Vellala of Kachehur, whose hands were liberal as the Kalpa tree. He had a garland of water-lilies, he was a man of great wealth and of handsome appearance. He was of incomparanle valour, and of great devotion to Siva, and his name was Nilakanda. He and his four brother were made to reside at Pachilatpalli. The next was the Vellala of Sikari, a man of great intelligence who had a garland of water-lilies. He was famous for truthfulness, learning, civility, industry and was full of resource. He had a commanding appearance, and his name was Kanaka Malava. He with his four brothers was made to reside at Puloli.

The next was the Vellala of Kupakam. He was as wealthy as Kubera, he had a garland of water-lilies, he was a patron of the learned, he had a plong fiag and his name was Kupakarendra. He and Narangufeva a relation of his, famous for charitable deds, were made to rsside at Tholpuram, a town without an equal. The next was the Vellala of Pullur, an Arjuna in archery a Bhima in warfare, a Karna in liberality, a Dharma in fame and forbearance, whose name, was Devarajendra. He had corwn of gold set with precious stones, He was asked to reside at Koyilakkandi.

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 ehief of Neduntiva. The next was the Vellala of Vanchi, whose name was pallava. He with two other chiefs, was placed at Velinadu.

The kind having appinted these, thought of appinting headmen and other servants and accordingly appointed Valliamatakan, a man of great valour and power, to be the headman of the Western division; Imaiyana to be the headman of the Northern division; Chenpaka Matakan, a powerful man whose name was known even as far as the Himalayas, to be the headman of the Eastern division; Vetti Matakan, a man of great power, to be the headman of the Southern division; Virasingan who fought several battles and an experienced soldier, to be the commander-in-chief of his army.