| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Southern, Central and Western districts of Tamil Nadu[1] | |
| Languages | |
| Tamil | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tamil people |
The Pallar, who prefer to be called Mallar, are an agricultural community from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Pallars traditionally inhabited the fertile wetland area referred to as Marutham in the literary devices of the Sangam landscape. Today, they are the dominant Dalit community of southern Tamil Nadu and have developed a reputation for being assertive about their rights.[2][3] Due to the demand of the pallar community to classify them under a more dignified generic name Devendrakula Velalar, recently they together with six other related castes have been given the name Devendrakula Velalar; however their original caste name remains valid and they are still part of the Scheduled Caste list.[4][5]
- ^ "One Tamil Nadu marginal group has key presence in many areas – but its own divisions may weaken it". Scroll. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Ramaiah-journalwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Venkatasubramanian 1986, p. 51.
- ^ "Not a valid demand, say Dalit intellectuals". The Hindu. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Lok Sabha passes bill to place seven castes under Devendrakula Velalars in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.