2.10.1 M. Srinivasa Iyengar
“Brahmins were living in the city of Kanchipuram ruled by the king Ilantiraiyan whose name has been attested in Perumpaanaarrup patai. By one side of his house, fishermen were residing and on the other side, business people were residing. Surrounding their houses were Mallar or Pallar (agriculturalist) and stone masons. At one corner of the town, there were the houses of shepherds (idaiyar) and beyond that in a remote place there were the houses of eyinar and their chief. Along the Mallar streets were the Tiruvehaa temple and the palace of the king Ilantiraiyan”. (M. Srinivasa Iyengar, Tamil Studies, pp. 76)
2.10.2 Dr. Winslow Tamil – English Dictionary
The Pallars, currently engaged as farm workers by the landlords of Southern states, were the Mallars of those days. The word Pallar is a corrupt form of Mallar. (Dr. Winslow Dictionary pp. 745)
2.10.3 T. K. Veluppillai
The Mallar described in old Tamil literature came to be known as Pallar in later period. (T. K. Veluppillai, Travancore State Manual, 1940)
2.10.4 Dr. G. Oppert
The word Mallar became Pallar due to a change in pronunciation (Dr. G. Oppert, Dravidians, The original Inhabitants of India, pp. 101)
2.10.5 Lingustics Scholar Devaneyap Pavanar
The Pallars are the Mallars, the agriculturalists of Marutam region. (Centamil Selvi, April 1975)
2.10.6 Pandit Saveriyar
The word Palla is a phonetic Variant of Malla. Ancient Mallars are none but the present day Pallars. (N. C. Kantaiyapillai, History of the Tamils, pp 206)
2.10.7 C. Lakshmirathan Bharathi
The word Pallar refers to Mallar, the agricultural population of Marutam region. They are known as Devendra Kula Vellalar.
2.10.8 Census Survey of Salem District
In the census survey of Salem district for the year 1961, the monograph on the survey of a village by name Kanakkangiri it has been stated that the people referred to as Pallar are the Mallar of agricultural region. (Census of India, 1961, Vol XI, Madras Part VI, Village Survey Monograph, Kanakkangiri Village, Salem District)
2.10.9 K. R. Hanumanthan
The valiant people, described as Mallar in Sangam classics, are the ancestors of Pallars (Dr. K. R. Hanumathan, Untouchability : A historical Study, pp. 100).
2.10.10 A. V. Subramania Ayyar
It was only during the 17th century A. D. that a separate genre of literature by name Pallu emerged to describe the social life, customs and beliefs of the people engaged in agriculture. These Pallu works contain a number of references to Tamil literary works describing the social life of the people engaged in agricultural profession, namely, Mallar. They describe the services rendered by these people for the welfare of the society (A. V. Subramania Ayyar, Tamil Studies, Part II pp.67)
2.10.11 R. Deva Ashirwadam
This author, through his extensive studies, published in three books, namely, 1. Pallar alla Mallar, aam Mannar (Not Pallar, but Mallar, yes Kings), 2. Vellalar yaar? (Who are the Vellalas?) and 3. Muuveentar yaar? (Who are the King trio?), has established, citing several literary evidences, that the present day Pallars are our ancient Mallars. The above ten scholars discussed so far have been quoted by scholar Deva Ashiradam in his book entitled Pallar alla Mallar, aam Mannar published in the year 1991.
2.10.12 Pallar and Mallar
It was only during the 15, 16 and 17th centuries that the community name Mallar has been changed into Pallar. The literary works produced in Tamil before 15th century have attested the word Mallar only. The Tamil works in which both the words Mallar and Pallar have been used synonymously and interchangeably have been discussed below together with the notes given by their commentators. Moreover, the authors who have made categorical statements that Pallar and Mallar and vice versa have also been taken up for description below.
2.10.13 Veeramaamunivar
Constantine Joseph Beschi, an Italian scholar, devoted to the study of Tamil language and literature, got his name changed as Veeramaamunivar. His works paved way for the renaisaance of Tamil literature. One of his reputed works is Teempaavani. In this work, in the section on Naattuppatalam (section for the description of the country), in poem number 32, he describes about Mallars. In the commentary written by the author himself, it has been mentioned that Pallars are Mallars.
2.10.14 Kaviraakshasa Shri Kacciyappa Munivar
The work produced by him is Peeruurpppuraanam. while describing about the community of Pattiswarar, he uses both the phrases Patti mallar and Pattip pallar simultaneously in several of his poems. Some poems describe him as Patti mallar while some other poems as Pattip pallar. Thus he states that Pallar and Mallar are one and the same.
2.10.15 Thiruvavadudurai Athinam
Vidhwans and Tamil scholars of Thiruvavadudurai Athinam, namely, S. Dandapani Desikar and T. S. Meenakshisundaram Pillai, in their commentaries for Peeruurppuraanam of Kacciyappa Munivar, have mentioned that the word Mallar refers to Pallar. This commentary has been published under the authority and approval of Thiruvavadudurai Athinam.
2.10.16 Scholars of South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society
Harichandra Puraanam was composed by Nallur Veeraraghavak Kavirayar of 16th century. He speaks about the people belonging to Mallar community in his work. A commentary for this book, written by the official scholars of the Society has been published by the Society itself. In their commentaries, the team of scholars had unanimously stated that both Mallar and Pallar belong to one and the same community.
2.10.17 Mukkuutar Pallu
The name of the author of this work is not known. This work, a pioneering attempt in Pallu literature, belongs to 16 – 17 century. The author of this work mentions that Pallars are Mallars.
2.10.18 South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society
Publication number 880 of this Society is Mukkutarpallu. In the editorial, the publishers have stated that this work is a poetical description about agricultural women, namely, the women of Mallar community. Further, they say that Pallar and Mallar are one and the same.
2.10.19 Vidhwan N. Sethuraghunathan
He is the commentator of Mukkutarpallu, published by the South India Saiva SiddhantaWorks Publishing Society. He has worked as a Professor and Head of the Department of Tamil at Senthilkumar college, Virudhunagar. This reputed scholar in Tamil language has observed that Pallars are Mallars. He further observes that the Pallu literary works are quite popular and they serve as resource material for studying the history of ancient Tamil kings, petty kings, landlords, descendants of kings and other charitable persons.
2.10.20 Palaniccamiin Immudip Patattilakiya Kumaara Visaiyagiri Veelac Cinnoovaiyan
The above person, a hunter and a landlord of Palani, composed a literary work entitled Vaiyapurippallu. He belongs to 17-18 century. He, in his work, has mentioned that Pallars are Mallars. The Pallu literary works listed below, composed during 17 – 18 centuries, also state that the present day Pallars are the Mallars of those days. 2.10.21 Author of Tiruvaaruurp pallu
2.10.22 Author of Kurukuurp pallu
2.10.23 Author of Tirumalai pallu
2.10.24 Author of Sivasayilai
2.10.25 Author of Vatakaraip pallu
2.10.26 Author Urimaip pallu
2.10.27 Author of Siirkaalip pallu
2.10.28 Author of Tillaip pallu
2.10.29 Author of Kannutai Amman pallu
2.10.30 Author of Katirai Malaip pallu
2.10.31 Author of Paraalai Vinaayakar pallu
2.10.32 Author of Tantikaik Kanakaraayan pallu
2.10.33 Author of Ceerruurp pallu
2.10.34 Author of Maantaip pallu
2.10.35 Author of Kuutar pallu
2.10.36 Author of Tiruvitaimarutuurp pallu
2.10.37 Author of Tanjaip pallu
2.10.38 Author of Tenkaasip pallu
2.10.39 Author of Kotumaluurp pallu
2.10.40 Author of Raasaip pallu
2.10.41 Author of Putuvaip pallu
2.10.42 Author of Mukuuttup pallu
2.10.43 Author of Mannaar Mookanap pallu
2.10.44 Author of Tiriccentil pallu
2.10.45 Author of Iiroottup pallu
2.10.46 Author of Senkoottup pallu
2.10.47 Author of Tiruniilakantan pallu
2.10.48 Author of Vaittiyap pallu
2.10.49 Author of Ceemuurp pallu
2.10.50 Author of Nanap pallu
2.10.51 Author of Tiruppuvanavaayil pallu
2.10.52 Author of Kurraalap pallu
2.10.53 Author of Pooruurp pallu
2.10.54 Author of Irumatilip pallu
2.10.55 Author of Poykaip pallu
2.10.56 Author of Koottuurp pallu
2.10.57 Author of Tirukkoottiyuurp pallu
2.10.58 Author of Kattimakipan pallu
2.10.59 Author of Sappendiran pallu
2.10.60 Author of Suvaaminaata puupatip pallu
2.10.61 Author of Cenpaka Kaalinkaraayan pallu
2.10.62 Author of Palani Vadiveelpallu
2.10.63 Author of Vinaayakar pallu
2.10.64 Author of Kancamip pallu
2.10.65 Tiyaakaraayakkaviraayar, the author of special introductory poem to the first edition of Mukkuutar pallu. The authors who use the traditional word Mallar rejecting the later day word Pallar are listed below.
2.10.66 Paranjoti Munivar, the author of Tiruvilaiyaatal puraanam
2.10.67 Sivakkoluntu Desikar, the author of Marutavanap puraanam
2.10.68 Ellappa Nayinaar, the author of Tiruvaaruurkkoovai
2.10.69 Cinnappa Naayakkar, the author of Palanippillaittamil
2.10.70 Puulaanantak Kaviraayar, the author of Arikeesanallur Talapuraanam
2.10.71 Mahavidhwan Tiricirapuram Shri Meenakshisundaram Pillai, author of Aarruurppuraanam and Tiyakarajaliilai.
“Brahmins were living in the city of Kanchipuram ruled by the king Ilantiraiyan whose name has been attested in Perumpaanaarrup patai. By one side of his house, fishermen were residing and on the other side, business people were residing. Surrounding their houses were Mallar or Pallar (agriculturalist) and stone masons. At one corner of the town, there were the houses of shepherds (idaiyar) and beyond that in a remote place there were the houses of eyinar and their chief. Along the Mallar streets were the Tiruvehaa temple and the palace of the king Ilantiraiyan”. (M. Srinivasa Iyengar, Tamil Studies, pp. 76)
2.10.2 Dr. Winslow Tamil – English Dictionary
The Pallars, currently engaged as farm workers by the landlords of Southern states, were the Mallars of those days. The word Pallar is a corrupt form of Mallar. (Dr. Winslow Dictionary pp. 745)
2.10.3 T. K. Veluppillai
The Mallar described in old Tamil literature came to be known as Pallar in later period. (T. K. Veluppillai, Travancore State Manual, 1940)
2.10.4 Dr. G. Oppert
The word Mallar became Pallar due to a change in pronunciation (Dr. G. Oppert, Dravidians, The original Inhabitants of India, pp. 101)
2.10.5 Lingustics Scholar Devaneyap Pavanar
The Pallars are the Mallars, the agriculturalists of Marutam region. (Centamil Selvi, April 1975)
2.10.6 Pandit Saveriyar
The word Palla is a phonetic Variant of Malla. Ancient Mallars are none but the present day Pallars. (N. C. Kantaiyapillai, History of the Tamils, pp 206)
2.10.7 C. Lakshmirathan Bharathi
The word Pallar refers to Mallar, the agricultural population of Marutam region. They are known as Devendra Kula Vellalar.
2.10.8 Census Survey of Salem District
In the census survey of Salem district for the year 1961, the monograph on the survey of a village by name Kanakkangiri it has been stated that the people referred to as Pallar are the Mallar of agricultural region. (Census of India, 1961, Vol XI, Madras Part VI, Village Survey Monograph, Kanakkangiri Village, Salem District)
2.10.9 K. R. Hanumanthan
The valiant people, described as Mallar in Sangam classics, are the ancestors of Pallars (Dr. K. R. Hanumathan, Untouchability : A historical Study, pp. 100).
2.10.10 A. V. Subramania Ayyar
It was only during the 17th century A. D. that a separate genre of literature by name Pallu emerged to describe the social life, customs and beliefs of the people engaged in agriculture. These Pallu works contain a number of references to Tamil literary works describing the social life of the people engaged in agricultural profession, namely, Mallar. They describe the services rendered by these people for the welfare of the society (A. V. Subramania Ayyar, Tamil Studies, Part II pp.67)
2.10.11 R. Deva Ashirwadam
This author, through his extensive studies, published in three books, namely, 1. Pallar alla Mallar, aam Mannar (Not Pallar, but Mallar, yes Kings), 2. Vellalar yaar? (Who are the Vellalas?) and 3. Muuveentar yaar? (Who are the King trio?), has established, citing several literary evidences, that the present day Pallars are our ancient Mallars. The above ten scholars discussed so far have been quoted by scholar Deva Ashiradam in his book entitled Pallar alla Mallar, aam Mannar published in the year 1991.
2.10.12 Pallar and Mallar
It was only during the 15, 16 and 17th centuries that the community name Mallar has been changed into Pallar. The literary works produced in Tamil before 15th century have attested the word Mallar only. The Tamil works in which both the words Mallar and Pallar have been used synonymously and interchangeably have been discussed below together with the notes given by their commentators. Moreover, the authors who have made categorical statements that Pallar and Mallar and vice versa have also been taken up for description below.
2.10.13 Veeramaamunivar
Constantine Joseph Beschi, an Italian scholar, devoted to the study of Tamil language and literature, got his name changed as Veeramaamunivar. His works paved way for the renaisaance of Tamil literature. One of his reputed works is Teempaavani. In this work, in the section on Naattuppatalam (section for the description of the country), in poem number 32, he describes about Mallars. In the commentary written by the author himself, it has been mentioned that Pallars are Mallars.
2.10.14 Kaviraakshasa Shri Kacciyappa Munivar
The work produced by him is Peeruurpppuraanam. while describing about the community of Pattiswarar, he uses both the phrases Patti mallar and Pattip pallar simultaneously in several of his poems. Some poems describe him as Patti mallar while some other poems as Pattip pallar. Thus he states that Pallar and Mallar are one and the same.
2.10.15 Thiruvavadudurai Athinam
Vidhwans and Tamil scholars of Thiruvavadudurai Athinam, namely, S. Dandapani Desikar and T. S. Meenakshisundaram Pillai, in their commentaries for Peeruurppuraanam of Kacciyappa Munivar, have mentioned that the word Mallar refers to Pallar. This commentary has been published under the authority and approval of Thiruvavadudurai Athinam.
2.10.16 Scholars of South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society
Harichandra Puraanam was composed by Nallur Veeraraghavak Kavirayar of 16th century. He speaks about the people belonging to Mallar community in his work. A commentary for this book, written by the official scholars of the Society has been published by the Society itself. In their commentaries, the team of scholars had unanimously stated that both Mallar and Pallar belong to one and the same community.
2.10.17 Mukkuutar Pallu
The name of the author of this work is not known. This work, a pioneering attempt in Pallu literature, belongs to 16 – 17 century. The author of this work mentions that Pallars are Mallars.
2.10.18 South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society
Publication number 880 of this Society is Mukkutarpallu. In the editorial, the publishers have stated that this work is a poetical description about agricultural women, namely, the women of Mallar community. Further, they say that Pallar and Mallar are one and the same.
2.10.19 Vidhwan N. Sethuraghunathan
He is the commentator of Mukkutarpallu, published by the South India Saiva SiddhantaWorks Publishing Society. He has worked as a Professor and Head of the Department of Tamil at Senthilkumar college, Virudhunagar. This reputed scholar in Tamil language has observed that Pallars are Mallars. He further observes that the Pallu literary works are quite popular and they serve as resource material for studying the history of ancient Tamil kings, petty kings, landlords, descendants of kings and other charitable persons.
2.10.20 Palaniccamiin Immudip Patattilakiya Kumaara Visaiyagiri Veelac Cinnoovaiyan
The above person, a hunter and a landlord of Palani, composed a literary work entitled Vaiyapurippallu. He belongs to 17-18 century. He, in his work, has mentioned that Pallars are Mallars. The Pallu literary works listed below, composed during 17 – 18 centuries, also state that the present day Pallars are the Mallars of those days. 2.10.21 Author of Tiruvaaruurp pallu
2.10.22 Author of Kurukuurp pallu
2.10.23 Author of Tirumalai pallu
2.10.24 Author of Sivasayilai
2.10.25 Author of Vatakaraip pallu
2.10.26 Author Urimaip pallu
2.10.27 Author of Siirkaalip pallu
2.10.28 Author of Tillaip pallu
2.10.29 Author of Kannutai Amman pallu
2.10.30 Author of Katirai Malaip pallu
2.10.31 Author of Paraalai Vinaayakar pallu
2.10.32 Author of Tantikaik Kanakaraayan pallu
2.10.33 Author of Ceerruurp pallu
2.10.34 Author of Maantaip pallu
2.10.35 Author of Kuutar pallu
2.10.36 Author of Tiruvitaimarutuurp pallu
2.10.37 Author of Tanjaip pallu
2.10.38 Author of Tenkaasip pallu
2.10.39 Author of Kotumaluurp pallu
2.10.40 Author of Raasaip pallu
2.10.41 Author of Putuvaip pallu
2.10.42 Author of Mukuuttup pallu
2.10.43 Author of Mannaar Mookanap pallu
2.10.44 Author of Tiriccentil pallu
2.10.45 Author of Iiroottup pallu
2.10.46 Author of Senkoottup pallu
2.10.47 Author of Tiruniilakantan pallu
2.10.48 Author of Vaittiyap pallu
2.10.49 Author of Ceemuurp pallu
2.10.50 Author of Nanap pallu
2.10.51 Author of Tiruppuvanavaayil pallu
2.10.52 Author of Kurraalap pallu
2.10.53 Author of Pooruurp pallu
2.10.54 Author of Irumatilip pallu
2.10.55 Author of Poykaip pallu
2.10.56 Author of Koottuurp pallu
2.10.57 Author of Tirukkoottiyuurp pallu
2.10.58 Author of Kattimakipan pallu
2.10.59 Author of Sappendiran pallu
2.10.60 Author of Suvaaminaata puupatip pallu
2.10.61 Author of Cenpaka Kaalinkaraayan pallu
2.10.62 Author of Palani Vadiveelpallu
2.10.63 Author of Vinaayakar pallu
2.10.64 Author of Kancamip pallu
2.10.65 Tiyaakaraayakkaviraayar, the author of special introductory poem to the first edition of Mukkuutar pallu. The authors who use the traditional word Mallar rejecting the later day word Pallar are listed below.
2.10.66 Paranjoti Munivar, the author of Tiruvilaiyaatal puraanam
2.10.67 Sivakkoluntu Desikar, the author of Marutavanap puraanam
2.10.68 Ellappa Nayinaar, the author of Tiruvaaruurkkoovai
2.10.69 Cinnappa Naayakkar, the author of Palanippillaittamil
2.10.70 Puulaanantak Kaviraayar, the author of Arikeesanallur Talapuraanam
2.10.71 Mahavidhwan Tiricirapuram Shri Meenakshisundaram Pillai, author of Aarruurppuraanam and Tiyakarajaliilai.
Confusion among the Historians
The list presented above makes it celar that many authors have attested the fact that Pallars are Mallars. However, the History of Tamilnadu, which cites evidences extensively from literature, in its chapter on Sangam Age (Politics) page number 352 mentions that there are no evidences to show that Pallars are Mallars. Further, the authored by a Committee of Experts, unwarrantedly mentions that Kongu pallars served as menials to Kongu Vellala (page 424) quoting no evidence from any source. This is not only a deplorable statement but also a foolish and ignorant statement. The change from mallar to pallar took over only during 15 – 16 centuries; the word pallar was non existent prior to that period of time. The readers are requested to think over this without any bias and understand the truth. Truth cannot be changed by a group of few persons who claim to write the history. No one can eradicate literature. These literary works bear clear – cut evidences to our conclusion. Those who try to hide the truth and give a wrong picture and description in our history will be criticized in the future, when the truth comes out. It has to be noted here that no other caste living in Tamilnadu has a glorious and continuous history for more than two thousand years as the pallars have. Ripe time has come to make the people of Tamilnadu to understand this truth.
Cats have started to come out of the bags!
The list presented above makes it celar that many authors have attested the fact that Pallars are Mallars. However, the History of Tamilnadu, which cites evidences extensively from literature, in its chapter on Sangam Age (Politics) page number 352 mentions that there are no evidences to show that Pallars are Mallars. Further, the authored by a Committee of Experts, unwarrantedly mentions that Kongu pallars served as menials to Kongu Vellala (page 424) quoting no evidence from any source. This is not only a deplorable statement but also a foolish and ignorant statement. The change from mallar to pallar took over only during 15 – 16 centuries; the word pallar was non existent prior to that period of time. The readers are requested to think over this without any bias and understand the truth. Truth cannot be changed by a group of few persons who claim to write the history. No one can eradicate literature. These literary works bear clear – cut evidences to our conclusion. Those who try to hide the truth and give a wrong picture and description in our history will be criticized in the future, when the truth comes out. It has to be noted here that no other caste living in Tamilnadu has a glorious and continuous history for more than two thousand years as the pallars have. Ripe time has come to make the people of Tamilnadu to understand this truth.
Cats have started to come out of the bags!
Tamil Ilakiyathil Pallar (Mallar) Devendra Kula Velalar- Adippadai Sanrugal
By, Dr.Guruswamy Siddhan
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