The Vaniyar, also known as Vania Chettiar, are an ethnic group residing in Tamil Nadu, India . Vaniyar are a mercantile community who are Traditionally engaged in the oil trade, producing and selling oil extracted using chekku (traditional wooden oil presses) and use the title Chettiar. They are classified under the Backward Class in the state's reservation system. Chettiars in Tamil Nadu are split linguistically into Tamil and Telugu-speaking groups. The Telugu-speaking segment is known as Telikula.
References
- Winfred, S. (January 31, 1874). "Cāṉṟōrkula marapukāttal". Ci. Pāsṭṭar aṇṭu Kō Accukkūṭam – via Google Books.
- "Chapter 3". Census Book of India, 1961: Vol. 9 North Arcot District (in Tamil). Madras: The Director of Stationery and Printing, Madras. 1961. p. 16.
- List of Backward Classes approved by Government of Tamil Nadu https://bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/bclist.htm