Kodikaal Vellalar is a subcaste of Vellalar from Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They belong to the Shudra varna.
Etymology.
The earliest occurrence of the term "Velaalar" (வேளாளர்) in Sangam literature is in Paripadal where it is used in the sense of a landowner. The word "Vellalar" (வெள்ளாளர் ) may come from the root "Vellam" for flood, which gave rise to various rights of land; and it is because of the acquisition of land rights that the Vellalar got their name. The term Velaalar (வேளாளர்) can be derived from the word Vel (வேள்), Vel being a title that was borne by the Velir chieftains of Sangam age among other things. The Vellalars who do "Kodikaal" (betel leaves) farming came to be known as Kodikaal Vellalar. They predominantly use title "Pillai" as a surname.
"Kodikaal Vellalar (Kodikaal Pillaimar)
Surname - Pillai,Moopanar."
-"Tamilar Varalaru" by Devaneya Pavanar.
History.
The Vellalars have a long cultural history that goes back to over two millennia in southern India, where once they were the labourer and courtesan community.
According to Edgar Thurston's 1909 work Castes and Tribes of Southern India - most of the temple Devadasis in the Tamil region of Madras Presidency were primarily from the Vellalar community.Also it has been stated that the "Tevadiyal" or Devadasis in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore were Nanchinad Vellalars. 
It can be known from Sekkhizhar that they used to protect the country after the kings and this Vellalar is said to be Karkathar of who stood as a hostage for the sake of Indra for the Pandyan who imprisoned Clouds, Cholan's Daughter Nagavalli who was married to Nagakanni is called "Kodikaal Vellalar" because he produced the betel vine in this land, and "Tuluvar" of Torathal who was brought from Tuluva country to Thondai country by Chola.
Vellalar Slavery.
There are several references to Vellalars being sold as slaves alongside Dalits in the early and late medieval period.A document dated to 1431 C.E , gives reference to an instance where Vellalar men and women slaves were given as dowry alongside Paraiyars and livestock.. In an inscription found in the Thiruchirappalli district dated to the early 14th century Vijayanagara period , a potentate by the name of Mazhavadharaiyan is said to have had an enslaved Vellalar family consisting of a Vellala man named Thavanjeidhan and his wife along with his sons.
Distribution.
Kodikaal Vellalars are mainly distributed in Pandya Nadu-(Lit:Madurai,Theni,Dindugul,Ramanathapuram,Thirunelveli,Virudhunagar,Tenkasi,Sivagangai,Thootukudi etc..,)
References.
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