Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 7.djvu/464

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VINKA
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Vīlyakāra, Vālēkāra and Olēkāra are names indicating the occupation of a servant under Government or a private individual.

Vinka (white-ant: Termites). — An exogamous sept of Jātapu.

Vipravinōdi.— In a note on the Vipravinōdis, Mr. C. Hayavadana Rao writes that they are said to be the descendants of a Brāhman by a Lingāyat woman. They are Lingāyats, and are called Vipravinōdi because they perform acrobatic feats before Vipras, or Brāhmans. They generally travel about the country with their wives and children. One of their favourite feats is throwing up three stone or wooden balls in the air, and catching them, or rolling them over various parts of the body. When they perform before a mixed audience, they call themselves Naravidya vāru, which is said to be an abbreviated form of Narulu Mechche Vidyalu Chēsē vāru, or those who perform feats which men praise. The dead are buried in a sitting posture.

Vīrabhadra.— A synonym of the Tamil washermen (Vannān), whose patron deity is Vīrabhadra, from whom they claim descent.

Viragu (firewood). — A sub-division of Vēttuvan.

Vīrakudiyān.— A synonym of Panisavans, who are engaged in blowing the conch shell on ceremonial occasions.

Vīrala (heroes). — An exogamous sept of Golla and Kāpu.

Vīra Māgāli (a god). — An exogamous section of Kallan.

Vīramushti.— For the following account of the Vīramushtis in the Vizagapatam district, I am indebted to Mr. C. Hayavadana Rao.