Of the Divinely Resplendent Kongu chieftains

In the history of mankind, humans saw great people being synonymous with light. It was said that kings, who were honoured next to Gods, derived their titles symbolizing the divine resplendent light. And one of such royal titles was ‘Velir’ (Chieftains of the ancient Tamil land). In memory of one such Velir, stands even the village ‘Vellalore’ which could be the corruption of ‘Veliloor’. 

“The Tamil term ‘Velir’ must have been born from the meanings of the terms ‘Venmai’ (Whiteness), Velicham (Light), Veli (Space) and so on. Because, with God being viewed as the divine light, kings too were viewed with such reverence” says eminent archaeologist R. Poongundran, former Assistant Director, Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department. 

“Well-known researcher Mu. Ragava Iyengar traced the root of the term ‘Velir ‘from ‘Velvi’ - the yagna in which animals were sacrificed. Therefore, Iyengar opined that the chieftains were the ones who performed ‘yagna’ or’ velvi’. Nevertheless, the research of eminent Tamil scholar Durai. Arangasamy on the etymology of ‘Velir’ is convincing, for he substantiates his point by citing the 698th couplet of Thirukural” adds Poongundran. 

The couplet “As young and kinsman do not slight; Look with awe ‘king's light’ and might “defines the king as the man who possesses the brilliant light of divinity, which protects the world. 

“Hence, the term ‘Velir’ should be from the words that refer to light,” he describes.

Citing the names related to light which are found in various historical documents, Poongundran points out: 

“A Tamil Brahmi stone inscription discovered at Aritapatti in Madurai district mentions the name of a person as ‘Oliyan’, which is related to light. Also, a potsherd discovered at Keezhadi in the excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India contains the same name ‘Oliyan’. These inscriptions and potsherds date back to 2nd to 3rd century BCE” 

Poongundran underlines that the discoveries from the pre-Mauryan stratum at Thakshaseelam (Taxila) contain references to the gemstones of ancient Kongunadu.

“Moreover, the name of the opalescent gemstone ‘Vaidurium' must have derived from ‘Veluriya’ after the word ‘Velir’. The term ‘ Veluria’ got corrupted as Berylogs, Berylus, and Beryl in Greek, Latin and English respectively” links the eminent epigraphist. 

Poongundran notes that Velirs had been the chieftains of the ‘countries’ located along the ancient highways of Kongunadu including Konga Peruvazhi, Veeranarayana Peruvazhi, and Asura Peruvazhi. The wealthy chieftains, who carried out the trade by selling ornaments made of gemstones, were later defeated by the mighty kings of different dynasties. 

“Kongu Velir, who translated Brihatkadha into Tamil as Perunkathai from the Paisaci language, lived in Vijayamangalam centuries ago in the then Coimbatore. Though his real name is still unknown, the scholar is just known as ‘Kongu Velir’. I would say, in the history of Velirs of Kongunadu, his name is the one that is heard as the last'' says Poongundran.