Paravan
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Paravan is a subdivision or caste (a person’s caste is determined by birth) in Hinduism. Some castes like this one were considered a "polluting caste" or being "lower" in class and referred to as "untouchables". A person's occupation is also determined by birth. Members of the Paravan caste were assigned the task of plucking coconuts.[citation needed]
Paravan is also a caste name given to the fishermen who are mostly Roman Catholics, living in the region of south Tamilnadu. There are seven villages where these people mostly live. They are Tuticorin, Periyathalai, Uvari, Manapadu, Kooduthazhai, Kootapani, Alanthalai, Amalinagar, and Veerapandiyan pattinam.[citation needed]
In Srilanka, members of this caste are mostly known by the surnames Fernando, Coonghe, Poobalrayer, and Costa.[citation needed]
[edit] Paravans in culture
- In Arundhati Roy's "The God of Small Things", the character Velutha is a member of the Paravan caste.
- K.R. Narayanan, the tenth President of the Republic of India, was a paravan.
