- Isai Velalar
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Isai Vellalar 
Veena Dhanammal M. Karunanidhi Classification Artists and Musicians Religions Hinduism Languages Tamil Population 58,327 (2009)[citation needed] Subdivisions - Pillai ‡ — Tamil Nadu
Related groups Maaran of Kerala
Devadiga of Karnataka‡ Shared by other groups Isai Velalar (Tamil: இசை வேளாளர்) 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.
Contents
Origin of name
Gajasamharamurti
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.[citation needed] Isai Velalar is a community of Hindu 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.
Art skills of Nattuvanar
Isai Velalar who were skilled in Nattuvangam are known as Nattuvanars. They trained women of different communities in performing Sadir 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.[1] During the period of Cholas, around 11th century they were appointed as Dance gurus to teach Bharatanatyam to the Chola princess Kundavai.[citation needed]
List of Isai Velalar
Historical personalities
Modern personalities
Social reformers
Politics
- M. Karunanidhi, Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and head of DMK
- M. K. Azhagiri, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and MP of Madurai
- M. K. Stalin, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and MLA of Kolathur
- M. K. Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP
- Murasoli Maran, former Union Minister and DMK Leader
- Dayanidhi Maran, Union Minister for Textiles and MP of Chennai Central constituency
Classical arts
- Thanjavur Quartet
- Guru Kittappa Pillai[1][2]
- Vazhuvoor Ramiah Pillai[1]
- Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam
- Veena Dhanammal
- T.K.Krishnamoorthy Pillai
- Namagiripettai Krishnan
- Balasaraswati
- T. Ranganathan
- T. Viswanathan
- T. Muktha
- T. Brinda
Film industry
- K.S.Sarankapani Pillai - Tamil film actor
- T. R. Rajakumari - Tamil film actress
- T. R. Papa - Tamil film music director
- T. A. Mathuram- Tamil actress
- A. V. M. Rajan - Tamil actor
- E. V. Saroja - Tamil actress and dancer
- M. K. Muthu - Tamil film actor and singer
- C. S. Jayaraman - playback singer in Tamil films
- S. Shankar - Tamil film director
- Sripriya - Tamil film actress
- Manikka Vinayagam - Tamil playback singer
- Udhayanidhi Stalin - Tamil film producer
- Dhayanidhi Alagiri - Tamil film producer
- Arulnithi - Tamil film actor
Media
- Kalanidhi Maran - Chairman and Managing Director, Sun Network
People with Isai Vellalar ancestry or heritage
- Muthulakshmi Reddi, social reformer
- MS Subbulakshmi, Carnatic singer
- M. L. Vasanthakumari, Carnatic singers
- Srividya, Film actress
See also
References
Categories:- Indian castes
- Social groups of Tamil Nadu
- Tamil society
- Social groups of India
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