Potia.— Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as Oriya mat-makers. They are said to be immigrants from Potia in Orissa, who call themselves Doluvas. The Doluvas, however, do not recognise them, and neither eat nor intermarry with them.
Potta (abdomen). — An exogamous sept of Bōya.
Potti (Tamil, worshipful). — Stated, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, to be the name applied to all Kērala Brāhmans, who do not come under the specific designation of Nambūtiris.
Pouzu (quail). — An exogamous sept of Dēvānga.
Powāku (tobacco). — An exogamous sept of Māla.
Poyilethānnāya (one who removes the evil eye). —An exogamous sept of Bant.
Pradhāno (chief). — A title of Aruva, Benāiyto, Odia, Kālingi, Kēvuto, and Sāmantiya.
Prānōpakāri (one who helps souls). — A name for barbers in Travancore. In the early settlement records, Pranu occurs as a corruption thereof.
Prathamasākha. — It is recorded,*[1] in connection with the village of Kōiltirumālam or Tiru-ambamahālam, that "a new temple has been recently built, and richly endowed by Nāttukōttai Chettis. There is, however, an old story connected with the place, which is enacted at the largely attended festival here, and in many popular dramas. This relates that the god of the Tiruvālūr temple was entreated by a pūjāri (priest) of this place to be present in the village at a sacrifice in his (the god's) honour. The deity consented at length, but gave warning that he would come in a very unwelcome shape. He appeared as a Paraiyan with beef on his back and followed by the four Vēdas in the form of dogs, and took
- ↑ * Gazetteer of the Tanjore district.
