is divorce recognised. They usually employ Brāhmans at marriages, and Sātānis at funerals. Though they are Vaishnavites, they also worship village deities, such as Gangamma and Ellamma. They bury their dead, and perform annual srāddhas (memorial services for the dead). They will eat with Gollas. Their title is Naidu."
Pātramēla.—Pātramēla, or Pātradēva, is the name of a class of dancing girls in South Canara. Pātramēla, Mr. H. A. Stuart writes,*[1] is the name by which the Konkani Kalāvants (courtezans) are known above the ghauts,
Pātro.——The title of the head of a group of villages in Ganjam, and also recorded, at times of census, as a title of Alia, Kālinga Kōmati, Dolai, and Jaggala. The conferring of a cloth (sādhi) on a Pātro is said to be emblematic of conferring an estate. The Pātro, among other perquisites, is entitled to a fee on occasions of marriage. I am informed that, in the Ganjam Māliahs, if a Kondh was unable to pay the fee, he met his love at night beneath two trysting trees, and retired with her into the jungle for three days and nights.
Pātrudu. — The title, meaning those who are fit to receive a gift, of Aiyarakulu and Nagarālu.
Pāttadhikāri. — A class of Jangams, who have settled head-quarters.
Pattan.— The equivalent of the Brāhman Bhatta. A name by which some Kammālans, especially goldsmiths, style themselves.
Pattanavada.— A synonym for the Mogēr fishing caste, the settlements of which are called pattana.
Pattanavan.— The fishermen on the east coast, from the Kistna to the Tanjore district, are popularly
- ↑ * Manual of the South Canara istrict
