Koppula Velama Explained

Caste Name:	Koppula Velama
Classification:	Other Backward Classes
Populated States:	Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Languages:	Telugu
Religions:	Hinduism^[1]

Koppula Velama or Koppu Velama is a Telugu warrior caste found in Andhra Pradesh, India.^[2] They are primarily found in the Uttarandhra region with smaller populations in other districts of the state. They are politically well-represented in the Uttarandhra region.^[3] Koppula Velama is distinct from Padmanayaka Velama or Velama Dora caste.^{[4] [5]}

Etymology

The caste name possibly originated from the practice of their men not cutting their hair but tying it on their heads in the form of a knot, known in Telugu as Koppu (కొప్పు). Hence, they are named as Koppu Velama or Koppula Velama.^[6]

History

In 1972, the Government of Andhra Pradesh included the Koppula Velama community in the Backward Castes-D (BC-D) category due to their backwardness.^{[7] [8] [9]} But the community leaders resent the inclusion of new communities in BC-D category and demanded the state government to stop including any new communities in the list. Koppula Velama community is also seeking their inclusion in Backward Castes-A (BC-A) list of Andhra Pradesh government.^[10]

Koppu Velamas are a kindred group to Polinati Velama caste who are also present in Uttarandhra region. Both of them are distinct from Padmanayaka Velama caste (also known as Velama Dora).^[11]

Koppula Velamas hold key positions in erstwhile Visakahapatnam district along with Kapu and Gavara castes. These three castes are economically and numerically dominant in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts.^[12]

Notable People

• Puri Jagannadh^[13]
• Kinjarapu Yerran Naidu^{[14] [15] [16]}
• Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu^[17]
• Parasuram

Notes and References

1. Book: Bahadur), Sarat Chandra Roy (Rai . Man in India . 2004 . A.K. Bose . 142 . en.
2. Book: Singh, K. S. . People of India: Andhra Pradesh . 1992 . . 978-81-7671-006-0 . 1890 . en . Kumar Suresh Singh.
3. News: Rao . K. Srinivasa . 2022-04-08 . Andhra Pradesh: Koppula Velamas seek representation in State Cabinet . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-04-22 . 0971-751X.
4. Vidyasagar . S A . 2012 . A Saga of Three Villages in Andhra Pradesh . . 47 . 1 . 105–111 . 23065583 . 0012-9976.
5. Book: Murty, K. Ramachandra . Parties, Elections, and Mobilisation . 2001 . Anmol Publications . 978-81-261-0979-1 . 20 . en.
6. Book: Bhaskara Rao . Busi . Man in India . Dharma Rao . B. . 2004 . A.K. Bose . 84-85 . 142 . en.
7. Web site: 12 September 2021 . Koppula Velamas seek priority in political posts . 22 April 2023 . Deccan Chronicle.
8. Book: Naidu, D. Suran . The Congress Party in Transition: A Study in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh . 1991 . National Book Organisation . 978-81-85135-64-9 . 133 . en.
9. Book: Muthyam, Dr Ponnam . Emergence of Gouda Community in Andhra Pradesh Politics: A Historical Perspective (From 1956 TO 2009 A.D.) . 2022-03-06 . K.K. Publications . 114 . en.
10. News: 2021-08-24 . Koppula Velama community seeks BC A tag . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-04-22 . 0971-751X.
11. Book: Singh, K. S. . Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles . 1996 . . 978-0-19-563357-3 . 1854 . en . Kumar Suresh Singh.
12. Book: Kalbagh, Chetana . Women and Development: Women's Struggles for Equality and Emancipation . 1991 . Discovery . 978-81-7141-145-0 . 112 . en.
13. News: Patnaik . Santosh . 2019-04-07 . Ayyanna faces an uphill task . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-04-22 . 0971-751X.
14. Web site: 2 November 2012 . Yerran Naidu: A mass leader . 2023-04-22 . NDTV.com.
15. Web site: A Srinivasa Rao . 2 November 2012 . Senior TDP leader and former Union minister Yerran Naidu dies in a road accident in Andhra Pradesh . 2023-04-22 . . en.
16. News: 2004-04-12 . Srikakulam loves you, Yem brother . The Times of India . 2023-04-22 . 0971-8257.
17. News: 2014-01-12 . Senior politicians' sons to take electoral plunge . The Times of India . 2023-04-22 . 0971-8257.