The Vellalar or Vellalan people of south India have a long and proud history. They served as the landed aristocracy, military officers and court officials in three great Tamil dynasties. They were patrons of Tamil literature and the arts. The Vellalans made up the majority of government leaders and administrators in south India during the British Raj period. Lower castes began calling themselves Vellalans and acting like them in order to gain their high status.
All Vellalans originally came from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Some migrated to other south Indian states such as Kerala and Karnataka. Some have moved to the island nation of Sri Lanka. As for the Pattanavan community, they have stayed in Tamil Nadu where they speak the Tamil language.
Today the Pattanavan Vellalans continue to be landowners, military officers, businesspersons, Tamil scholars and Hindu temple patrons. They live at the highest levels of south Indian society. They take pride in their ancient Tamil heritage and are leading scholars in Tamil historical studies. The Vellalan encourage their children to attend universities and gain graduate degrees.
The Pattanavan Vellalan are endogamous, that is they marry within their families and clans. Vellalans often marry their cousins. Sons inherit property from their parents. Most prefer to use their own priests rather than Brahmins in important life ceremonies.
As far as we know, all Pattanavan Vellalans are Hindus. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The Pattanavan Vellalan people worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Many Vellalan people follow a branch of Hinduism called Saiva Siddhantam. In this Hindu order adherents desire to be enlightened by Lord Shiva or Siva, one of the three main gods of Hinduism. Some Vellalans join monasteries and propagate the teachings of Shiva. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Pattanavan Vellalan people visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods.
The main yearly holidays of the Vellalan people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn, and Rama Navami, Rama’s birthday.
The Pattanavan Vellalans need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to see themselves as sinners in need of the Savior. They need to see Christianity lived out in a real way before them.
* Scripture Prayers for the Vellalan Pattanavan in India.
* Pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done among the Pattanavan Vellalan people.
* Pray for a movement of Pattanavan Vellalan households to study the Bible and accept the blessings of Christ.
* Pray for a spiritual hunger that will drive the Vellalan peoples to Jesus.
* Pray for South Indian workers who are filled with the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit to go to and tell the Pattanavan Vellalan people about Jesus.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18317/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vellalar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Vellalar_sub_castes
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Vellalan Pattanavan |
People Name in Country | Vellalan Pattanavan |
Natural Name | Pattanavan Vellalan |
Population this Country | 9,300 |
Population all Countries | 9,300 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Jalari; Karaiyan; Meenavar; Pattapu Kapu; वेल्लालन पट्टनावान |
People ID | 21279 |
ROP3 Code | 118102 |
Country | India | |||
Region | Asia, South | |||
Continent | Asia | |||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||
National Bible Society | Website | |||
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||
Total States on file | 3 | |||
Largest States |
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 3 |
Tamil Nadu 6,700 | |
Puducherry 1,400 | |
Andhra Pradesh 1,100 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
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Primary Language | Tamil (8,800 speakers) | |||
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Tamil (8,800 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Telugu 400 | |
People Groups | Speaking Tamil |
Primary Language: Tamil
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1714-1956) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1715-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1727-2016) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Father's Love Letter |
Audio Recordings | General Ministry Resources |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture (Talking Bibles) |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | Finding Peace |
Film / Video | Following Jesus (India, JF Project) |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Tamil |
Film / Video | Magdalena (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | My Last Day (Jesus Film Project Anime) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project) |
Film / Video | The Prophets' Story |
General | Bible Visuals |
General | Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources |
General | God's Simple Plan |
General | Gospel website in this language |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
100.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |