Castes and Tribes of Southern India/Urumikkāran

by Edgar Thurston

Urumikkāran.— The Urumikkārans, or those who play on the drum (urumi), are said *^[1] to be "Tottiyans in Madura, and Parayans elsewhere." The Kāppiliyans say that they migrated with the Urumikkārans from the banks of the Tungabadra river, because the Tottiyans tried to ravish their women. At a Kāppiliyan wedding, a Urumikkāran must be present at the distribution of betel on the second day, and at the final death ceremonies a Urumikkāran must also be present.

1. * Madras Census Report, 1901,