# Vellalar

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A member of a non-homogenous group of castes in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and northeastern parts of Sri Lanka, traditionally associated with the landed gentry and agriculture.

## Etymology
From Tamil வேளாளர் (vēḷāḷar). Vellalar denotes landlords and the ruling classes. வேள் (vēḷ, “land, velir class, petty chiefs, and rulers”) + ஆளர் (āḷar, “lord, authority, the one belonging to”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/vellalar