Mr. A.K. Natarajan, Founder And President Vanniar Sangam.
The Vanniyars were known as Vanniakula Kshatriyas and Padayatchis. Depending upon the status, the members of the Vanniyar caste use titles such as Padayatchi, Gounder, Naicker/Nayagar, Kander/Kandar, Palli in Tamil Nadu, in Karnataka they are called Tigala or Thigilaru with a common suffix of Gowda and Nayakar. In Andhra Pradesh, Vanniars are usually known as Pillai, Agnikula, Kshatriya, Vanne Kapu or Naik. There are 92 different names or sub caste/sub titles given for Vanniya Kula Kshatriyas. This can be seen in the book written by A.K.Natarajan of Vanniyar sangam. The sub caste like Gounder, Naicker, Kandar, Padaiyaachi, Raju, Palli e.t.c.