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Concept
Paravar
Summary
Paravar (also known as Bharathar or Bharathakula and sometimes colloquially as 'Fernando') is a Tamil and Malayali maritime community, mainly living in the state of Tamil Nadu ,Kerala, and in Sri Lanka.Early Pandyas were believed to be Parathavars, due to several similarities of profile. Historically, they were inhabitants of the Neithal (coastal) lands of Tamil Nadu, and find mention in various ancient Tamil literary works.
In modern India, Paravars are concentrated along the coastal belt extending along the Gulf of Mannar, from Kilakarai to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin). They also live in some pockets along the Arabian sea coast in Kanyakumari District as well as central Kerala. Paravars have been significant among the population of the port city of Thoothukudi, since the 1580s. Apart from Thoothukudi, Paravars also live in many of the big cities and towns in South Tamilnadu like Nagercoil, Tirunelveli and Madurai where they are into diverse professions.
In Sri Lanka, the Paravas (called Bharathas in Sri Lanka) have been a more affluent, merchant community since the British colonial times. Today, they are found in significant numbers in the cities of Negombo and Colombo. A section of the Bharathakula community in Sri Lanka has been classified as a separate ethnic group since 2001, whereas another section which identifies itself as Sri Lankan Tamil live in towns such as Vankalai in Mannar District and Puttalam.
The Paravars have a rich history, it is available from some stone inscriptions in Sri Lanka and Sangam literature such as silappathikaram starting from their major economic contributions to the coffers of the ancient Pandya kings through their pearl-harvesting and trade, to their later interactions with the Portuguese in the 16th century and beyond. The arrival of Portuguese soldiers and missionaries, including the great missionary, St. Francis Xavier, in their midst resulted in their conversion to the Catholic faith, adoption of Portuguese names and also protection against marauding enemies.
Official source
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