Vellala Pillais trace their lineage back to Kumbhakonam in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that they migrated to Kochi from Kozhikode. It was a feud between the Zamorin, the ruler of erstwhile princely state of Kozhikode, and Muthaliyar that led to their migration to Kochi. The community members believe that the present day Pillais are the descendants of those who migrated to Kochi with Muthaliyar. Historically they were farmers and landowners. But in Kochi, and also in Travancore, they were mostly confined to clerical jobs. The special relationship that they shared with the kind landed the Pillais in influential posts. They were also renowned as skilled traders and the proof for their expertise still remain. Printing is one area where they were the pioneers and Janaki printing press, established in 1928 is a proud bearer of this legacy.Even though their ancestors are from Tamil Nadu, the community has become culturally indigenized. Tamil is no more their mother tongue. They have adopted the culinary habits of the place and the Tamil roots are slowly but steadily fading off into the oblivion
