Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 2.djvu/119

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103
CHUNAM

of paint like sealing-wax, and strips of palm leaf smeared with varnish. In addition to the turned toys, models of fruits were made from mud and sawdust, cane cradles made by Mēdaras were painted and idols manufactured for the Holi festival at Bangalore, and the figure of Sidi Vīranna for the local pseudo-hook-swinging ceremony. The Chitrakāras, whom I saw at Tumkūr, had given up making toys, as it did not pay. They manufacture big wooden idols (grāma dēvata), e.g., Ellamma and Māriamma, and vehicles for various deities in the shape of bulls, snakes, peacocks, lions, tigers, and horses. They further make painted figures of Lakshmi, and heads of Gauri, the wife of Siva, decorated with gold-leaf jewels, which are worshipped by Brāhmans, Vakkaligas, Kōmatis, and others at the annual Gauri pūja; and mandahāsa (god houses) with pillars carved with figures of Narasimha and conventional designs. These mandahāsas serve as a receptacle for the household gods (sālagrāma stone, lingam, etc.), which are worshipped daily by Smarta and Mādhva Brāhmans. These Chitrakāras claimed to be Suryavamsam, or of the lunar race of Kshatriyas, and wear the sacred thread.

Chitravaliar. — A synonym of Alavan.

Chōgan. — See Izhava.

Chōlapuram or Shōlavaram. — A sub-division of Chetti.

Chōliya Pattar. — A name for Pattar Brāhmans in Malabar.

Chondi. — See Sondi.

Chōutagāra. — A corrupt form of Chaptēgāra.

Chōvatton. — Priests of Mūttans and Tarakans.

Chuditiya. — See Kevuto.

Chunam (lime). — A sub-division of Toreyas, who are manufacturers of lime. Chunam, made from calcined