Nankudi Vellalar
Nankudi Vellalar, also known as 'Nangudi Vellalar or Sivakalai Pillaimar, is a sub-caste of Vellalar caste in Tamil Nadu, India. This group of people are considered to be believers and followers of Shaivism, a religion that preaches Shiva, a major deity in Hinduism, as the Supreme God. They also claim descent from the Velir hereditary of Irungovel Pandyas The hereditary headman of the caste was always invested with the title Irungovel. Their origination is from Melaselvanur' in the Ramanathapuram District. As they immigrated to Sivagalai, they were highly involved in agriculture activities. Their original stronghold seems to have been southern districts of Tamil Nadu, viz. Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Korkai, Ambasamudram, etc. Some of them migrated to Srivaikuntam during the course of time and came to be known as Kottai Vellalar, or "Kottai Pillaimar,” as they built and lived in forts.
H.R. Pate, the former district collector of Tirunelveli, describes them as great rulers, administrators, agriculturists, merchants, and traders, and as a remarkably prosperous and energetic community.