Iluvar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Illuvar also known as Iluvar, Ezhuvar, Ezhuva, Izhuva, Illathar are a caste of people from Tamil Nadu or Kerala.

They are mostly engaged in toddy tapping, ayurvedic treatment, martial arts or the liquor business. In parts of Tamil Nadu, they are also known as Vadugan, "people from the north" - a reference to the fact that they have migrated from Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh they are variously known as Edigas, Goud ,Srisayans ,or Setti Balijas.

Ezhuva or Ezhuvar or Izhuva are also from same race but more closer to Kerala's Ezhava caste in language and culture. These people are also found in Palakkad district of Kerala; they speak a mixture of Tamil and Malayalam.

Nadar caste of tamil nadu is also from the same race.

The caste in Tamil Nadu has following names as per the OBC list of Tamil Nadu central government

• Ezhuva
• Illuvar
• Ezhuvar
• Illathar

[edit] See also

• Billava A Tulu and A Malayalam community
• Goud or Ediga A Telugu community
• Ediga or Idiga A kannada community. Also called Deevaru in karanataka.
• Ezhava A Malayalam community
• Nalavar A Tamil community from Srilanka and not found in Tamil nadu
• Durave Srilankan Ezhava community speaks simhala