observer can always identify a Velichchapad by the triangular patch over the forehead, where the hair will not grow, and where the skin is somewhat indurated." Veliveyabadina Razu.--The name, denoting Razus who were thrown out, of a class said to be descended from Razus who were excommunicated from their caste. [129] Veliyam.--Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a title of Nayars. In the same report Veliyattu is described as synonymous with Pulikkappanikkan, a sub-division of Nayar. Vellaikaran (white man).--A Tamil name for European. Vellala.--"The Vellalas," Mr. H. A. Stuart writes, [130] "are the great farmer caste of the Tamil country, and they are strongly represented in every Tamil district. The word Vellalan is derived from vellanmai [vellam, water, anmai, management?] meaning cultivation, tillage. Dr. Oppert [131] considers Vellalan to be etymologically connected with Pallan, Palli, etc., the word meaning the lord of the Vallas or Pallas. The story of their origin is as follows. Many thousands of years ago, when the inhabitants of the world were rude and ignorant of agriculture, a severe drought fell upon the land, and the people prayed to Bhudevi, the goddess of the earth, for aid. She pitied them, and produced from her body a man carrying a plough, who showed them how to till the soil and support themselves. His offsprings are the Vellalas, who aspire to belong to the Vaisya caste, since that includes Govaisyas, Bhuvaisyas, and Dhanavaisyas (shepherds, cultivators and merchants). A few, therefore, constantly wear the sacred thread, but most put it on only during marriages or funerals as a mark of the sacred nature of the ceremony."