Illathu Pillai

Illathu Pillai are Tamil speaking Community , spread over entire south Tamil Nadu. They are believed to be related linguistically or socio linguistically to group of words Elu  Hela Seehala Simhala  Salai Seilandiba pointing all to the island of Srilanka.
However solid proof of their origin is still elusive.

The Tirupparangkuntram inscription in Tamil, found near Madurai and dated back to first century BC, refers to a person as householder from Eezham Eezha-kudumpikan. 

Similarly the 3rd Century inscription found in Arittapatti near Madurai talks about ‘Eelava perumal, Chief of Nelveli, has caused the carving of this auspicious cave’. 

The famous Kilavalavu Jain cave inscriptions of same period talks about Ezhavan who built Buddist monastry there.

Legend: According to a legend, a Pandyan princess named Alii married Narasimha, a Rajah of the Carnatic. The royal couple migrated to Ceylon and settled there as rulers. There descedants and adherents migrated to mainland and they were the ancestors . 

In south Travancore , they were known by the title of Mudaliyar, which is surname of a division of vellalas at Jaffna.

Matrilineal inheritance: Contrary to all the other Tamil communities , the inter-relation between the members of the community is based on ‘Thai vazhi’(only through the matrilineal system).

Illam : There are about five illams used in Tamil Nadu and South Kerala, viz

Palli illam
Moottillam
Chozhi Illam
Thoranathu Illam
Manja nattu illam

According to another legend , the five illams originated as the children of five wives of ruler of the island (who has migrated to the island from the mainland), who were inter married . 

Then onwards the children inherited the illam of the mother and marriage between the same illam is considered taboo. While it is common for all other communities of Tamil nadu to marry the maternal uncle (mother’s brother), Illathu Pillaimar is the only community not practicing the unhealthy custom and they stand alone.

They are spread over Srilanka Eezham , Kerala and Tamil Nadu and called under different nomenclature viz. Ezhavar, Panikkar, Sirukudi Vellalar , illathar etc.

Sozhia Vellalars who are predominantly spread over Thanjavur , Nagapattinam areas of erstwhile Chola kingdom are also considered to be part of Sirukudi Vellalar / Illathu Pillaimar.


Ezhava of Kerala : The word Ezhava is believed to be derived from Ezham/Ilam and to have related to group of words pointing all to the island of Srilanka. The most widely accepted theory is that their origin go back to the dim past to those ancient pre-Tamil Sangam days.

 Their Tamil background gave them the God Muruga and Goddess Kali, and host of other village gods like Chathan, Chithan and Arathan. The theory of their existence in Srilanka (as Tamils) during first centuries cannot be ruled out.

Ezhavas served in the armed forces of all important kings of the Malayalam Region, such as Zamorins of Calicut , and Kings of Travancore and Cochin.

The word Ila refers to toddy, the they are involved in toddy tapping as well.

Ezhavas were well known Warriors, Kalari trainers and traders. There were also into the fields like Trading arrack, Traditional Toxology, Distillery, Toddy tapping, Fishing, Weaving etc.

Folklore and written records indicate they were also martial class. Famous warriors such as Unniyarcha, Aromal Chekavar were Ezhavas. Chera kings were actually villavars who were degraded after the arrival of Brahmins .

Ayurvedic practice, Traditional Taxicology, Farming Coconut, ship making , weaving, Theyyam, Mayilpeeli Thookam, Poorakkali, Parichamuttu kali, Makachuttu, Aivar kali etc are related to Ezhavas of Kerala.

Their continuous adherence to the Buddist culture downgraded them socially after the formation of Brahminical order in South India. 

This led to the mass conversion of Ezhavas to Christianity until the arrival of Sri Narayana Guru. 

The majority of the Christian and Central Travancore and especially those in the high ranges were originally Ezhavas and now ardent and orthodox Christians.

Pillai community or called in Tamil colloquially as Pillaimars is also known as
Vellalarfrom the Tamil word Vellaanmai, those who are involved in agricultural activities.

 This community is a small but significant in terms of their contribution to society.

 They are primarily present around southern districts of Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari and are spread
across Tanjavur and a lot of them have migrated to Chennai and other places for employment opportunities.

They are mainly classified as Saiva Vellalar pure vegetarians & worshippers of Lord Shiva
 and Asaiva Vellalar non-vegetarians & worshippers of Lord Shiva.

 The Saiva Pillai or Vellalars are a minority within this community and take great pride in maintaining their community customs and traditions.

They are strict vegetarians, place emphasis on education and are sophisticated like Brahmins but do not perform priestly duties.

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