Some of our friends asked about various velama divisions. So here is a brief information about the velama caste and subdivisions and existence of velamas in specific locations.
Important NOTE: Though these divisions were done in due course of time, these are no longer a hurdle for velamas growth. You may be called as polinati, padmanayaka, koppula, adi velama, but inturn you are one of those great ancestors of Andhra/Telangana rulers. So lets forget about which division we are:- we are unitedly called as velamas.
Actually I am not interested in explaining all the sub-divisions of velamas initially because in present world what people know is ONE n ONLY ONE VELAMA. The following details about divisions of velamas is given upon requests from our fellow velamaites who want to know more about their subdivisions.
The divisions were done by some of our ancestors depending upon the area of living. Some politicians like JALAGAM VENGALRAO, has brought reservations to two groups of velamas such as polinati and koppula in order to assure those educationally backward velamaites in srikakulam district. Taking this as an advantage, Many of us from Andhra who want BC reservation can turn into Koppula/Polinati Velama and those who doesn't want reservation can remain as OC. This tactic is rightly put by jalagam vengalarao, the then chief minister of Andhra pradesh. So now it is upto you to choose if you want reservation. Those people who are interested to get BC-D reservation can get a certificate at the local MRO office claiming to be a koppula/polinati velama.
Area-Wise possibility of a Certificate -
Apart from reservation criteria, Velamas are all similar in build, beauty, power and wealth in their respective areas. Various sub divisions prove strong and powerful in various places. So be proud to be a velama.
Velama sub divisions
All the divisions are based on their original living location. Major divisions in Andhra Pradesh are:
- Padmanayaka Velama
- Adi Velama
Koppula Velama
- Polinati Velama
Padmanayaka velamas are also called as Padma Velamas. They live mostly in Telangana districts like Karimnagar, Warangal, Adilabad, Nizamabad, Rangareddy, Medak, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, Hyderabad, and Coastal Andhra. They are also found in Addanki (Ongole), Vijayawada, Kakinada, Nuzvidu and the villages surrounding these places. Politically, socially and economically, they played a prominent role in the growth of Andhra Pradesh.
Adi Velamas are seen in Machilipatnam, Rajahmundry, Hyderabad, amongst other regions.
Polinati Velamas are seen in Srikakulam and other coastal Andhra districts. Most Polinati Velamas have Naidu as their middle name, and their primary occupation is farming. They play a dominant role in Srikakulam district politics and form the backbone of this district's economy.
Koppula Velamas live in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Rajahmundry and other coastal Andhra districts. Most Koppula Velamas have Naidu as middle name i.e. suffix in their names and their primary occupation is farming. They play key roles in Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam district politics and are vital to these districts' economy.
