is more in keeping with the regional division assigned to the Eyinas by the ancient Tamil gramınarians.
According to the inscription already referred to, the Paraiyas were divided in ancient times into at least two sub-divisions the Ulavu (ploughing) and Nesavu (weaving); and there probably existed many more occupational groups among them, like Panan &c. Some of the most significant of the sub-divisions returned by them in the Census of 1891 were,—–Valluva, Kottai, Kottakara, Jambu, Virabahu, Panikka, Koliya, Saliya, Kurava and Ambu. The Valluvas are the priests to the Paraiyas, and were formerly superintendents of religious ceremonies (more probably conductors of funeral obsequies) in a king's household :
வள்ளுவன் சாக்கை யெனும் பெயர் மன்னற்
குள்படு கருமத்தலைவற் கொன்றும்.
This may not look strange if we only remember that the Marayans, (a barber caste) officiate as purohits at the funeral rites of the Nambudri or 'Vedic' Brahmans of Malabar. The Valluvas were also heralds under the Tamil kings.
என்புழி வள்ளுவர் யானைமீ மிசை
நன்பறை யறைந்தனர்.—Kam.
(The Valluvan proclaimed the news beat of drum from the back of an elephant.)
Kottai is a fort; Kottakaran is a granary, for in ancient days the land-tax was levied in kind as well as in money ; Sambu is Siva and Virubahu is one of the mythical commanders of Siva ; Panikkan is a teacher ; Koliyan and Saliyan are weavers; Kuravan
