Group	Paraiyar
Popplace	Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, South Africa
Languages	Tamil, Malayalam
Religions	Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity
Related	Tamil people }}

Paraiyar or Parayar ( anglicised by Europeans as Pariah) is a caste group found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. In Tamilnadu though they have been enumerated under three different cast names as Paraiyan, Samban and Adi Dravida, they have generally been referred to as Paraiyar. In northern Tamil Nadu they are known as Paraiyar, in southern Tamilnadu they are known as Samban. Paraiyan and samban are synonymous with Adi Dravida.

The Indian census of 2001 reported that in Tamil Nadu the Adi Dravida population was about 5,402,755 and the Paraiyan population as 1,860,519 .

Etymology [link]

Paraiyar [link]

Robert Caldwell conjectured that the ''Paraiyar'' or ''Paraiyan'' name was derived from the Tamil word ''Parai'' (a drum) because some members of the community act as drummers at marriages, funerals, village festivals, and on occasions when Government or commercial announcements are proclaimed. H. A. Stuart, however, later recorded in the 1891 Madras Census Report that "it is only one section of Paraiyars that act as drummers, nor is the occupation confined to the Paraiyars. It seems in the highest degree improbable that a large, and at one time powerful, community should owe its name to an occasional occupation, which one of its divisions shares with other castes." He further claimed that the word was unknown in old works such as the ''Divakaram'' Tamil dictionary of the 11th century AD. This claim was at least in part contradicted by the Census Report for 1901. written by W. Francis, which refers to an inscription of the Chola king Raja Raja of around the eleventh century in which the Paraiyar caste is called by its name.

Gustav Salomon Oppert was another who thought that the derivation from ''Parai'' was unlikely. He argued that it was a "weak foundation" and that the name was "most probably an afterthought, the more easily explicable since the lower classes delighted in the noise of the drum, and the name of the drum-beating class was transferred to the instrument by which the Pariah made his presence known." He thought the name to be "intimately connected" with the names of other communities such as the Paravars, Paradas, Bhars and Mhars.

Pariah [link]

The name ''Pariah'' became famous as the Paraiyars were considered typical of the depressed castes in India. The mistaken use of the term Pariah as being applicable to the whole of the lowest castes, or even to out-castes, became generally known in Europe during the last quarter of the 18th century. The natives of India never designate the lower castes of other parts of the country as Pariahs.

History [link]

An eleventh century A.D. inscription states paraiyars had two sub-divisions, the Nesavu or weavers, and Ulavu or ploughmen and this caste had its own hamlets, wells and burning-grounds. One sub-group of Paraiyars - the Valluvans - were renowned as magicians, astrologers and were priests to the Pallava kings.

A ''Vatteluttu'' inscription of the ninth century A.D., states that ''"Sri Valluvam Puvanavan,the Uvacchan(or temple ministrant),will employ six men daily, and do the temple service."'' The inference is that the Valluvan was a man of recognised priestly rank, and of great influence. The prefix Sri is a notable honorific. By itself this inscription would prove little, but the whole legendary history of the greatest of all Tamil poets, Tiruvalluvar, " the holy Valluvan," confirms all that can be deduced from it.

Caldwell says that, There were various errors respecting the origin of the Pareiyas and their position as low-caste, as they were numerous in Madras presidency and were the majority of the domestic servants than other similar class, frequently brought into contact with Europeans and Anglo-Indians who were not acquainted with the vernacular languages, often designated Pareiyas as outcasts, who were without caste, or who have no caste to lose.

and writes that

Jean-Antoine Dubois writes:

Caldwell states that

and that

Edgar Thurston notes that there is some evidence that their social position may at one time have been higher than it was when he was writing in 1909, and also states that Some of their privileges, duties and facts show that they represent the original owners of the land, subjected by conquerors. Some scholars presume that Paraiyars must have been followers of Buddhism who lost their status in society during the revival of the Agamic cults. The writers Thiruvalluvar and Auvaiyar, as well as the architect of Hastinapur, were all Paraiyars.

Paraiyar and Brahmin connection legends [link]

In a note on the Paraiyans in the ''Gazetteer of Trichinoply District'', it written as follows.

In the Census report of 1891, it is mentioned that

A.C. Clayton records that

The following extract is taken from a note on the Paraiyans of Travancore.

A subdivision of Tamil Brahmans as Madyana Paraiyans.

and

Caste sub-divisions [link]

The Madras Presidency census of 1891 recorded 348 sub-divisions, of which the following were most prevalent:

Amma found chiefly in Tanjore and Madura

Katti in Salem and Trichinopoly

Kizhakkatti (eastern) in Salem

Koliyan (weavers) in Chingleput, Tanjore and Trichinopoly

Konga in Salem

Korava in Coimbatore

Kottai (fort) in South Arcot

Morasu (drum) in Salem

Mottai in Madura

Pacchai (green) in Coimbatore

Samban in South Arcot

Sangidum (sanku, conch, or chank shell) in Coimbatore

Sozhia (natives of the Sozha or Chola country) in Tanjore and Madura

Tangalan in North and South Arcot, Chingleput, Salem, and Trichinopoly

Valangamattu in South Arcot.

The members of the various sub-divisions do not intermarry. The Morasu Paraiyans, included in the above list, are Canarese Holeyas, who have settled in the Tamil country.

Other additional sub-divisions:

Aruththukattdtha, or those who, having once cut the tali-string, do not tie it a second time, those who do not permit remarriage of widows. Valai.(a net), Paraiyans who hunt. Thatha or Thathan is the name given to mendicants who profess Vaishnavism. Such Paraiyans are Vaishna- vites, and some are beggars.

Valluvans, Valluva Pandarams or Valluva Paraiyans:

Thurston quotes that, Among Tamil Paraiyans there are families in almost every village, who hold a kind of sacerdotal rank in the esteem of their fellows. They are called Valluvans, Valluva Pandarams, or Valluva Paraiyans. Their position and authority depend largely on their own astuteness. Sometimes they are respected even by Brahmans for their powers as exorcists. It is often impossible to see any difference between the Valluvans and the ordinary Paraiyans, except that their houses are usually a little apart from other houses in the cheri. They take a leading part in local Paraiya festivals. At marriages they pronounce the blessing when the tali is tied round the bride's neck.

In cases of supposed possession by demons, or by the mothers, the Valluvan is consulted as to the meaning of the portent, and takes part in driving the spirit out of the victim, sometimes using violence and blows to compel the spirit to deliver its message and be gone.

Thurston notes that, The Census Report, 1901, states that Valluvans do not eat or intermarry with other sections of the Paraiyans and he was unable to confirm this, and is inclined to doubt whether it is generally true.

Francis notes that, the term Paraiyan "is now almost a generic one, and the caste is split up into many sub-divisions, which differ in manners and ways. For example, the Koliyans, who are weavers, and the Valluvans, who are medicine men and priests and wear the sacred thread, will not intermarry or eat with the others, and are now practically distinct castes." As occupational titles of Paraiyans, Francis gives Urumikkaran and Pambaikkaraii, or those who play on drums (urumi and pambai), and Podarayan or Podara Vannan, who are washermen. The title ''Valangamattan'', or people of the right-hand division, is assumed by some Paraiyans.

Right-hand caste faction [link]

Paraiyars belong to the ''Valangai'' ("Right-hand caste faction"). Some of them assume the title ''Valangamattan'' ("people of the right-hand division"). The ''Valangai'' comprised castes with an agricultural basis while the ''Idangai'' consisted of castes involved in manufacturing. ''Valangai'', which was better organized politically, and has most of the agriculture-based higher castes. The Paraiyas are its chief support, as a proof of which they use the title ‘Valangai-Mougattar’, or friends of the Right-hand.

Caldwell states that "In the insane dispute about pre-eminence, which is always being carried on in Southern India between the 'right hand' and the 'left hand' castes, the Pareiyas (Paraiyars) range themselves on the right hand."

British colonial era [link]

Thurston states during his time(1909),The Paraiyars are very largely employed as domestic servants by Europeans and the Christian Paraiyas had become ' Native Christian ' caste, and achieved University honours, the wearing of the surplice, and the rod of the pedagogue, and a number of them emigrated to Ceylon, Mauritius, South Africa, the West Indies, the Straits Settlements, and to Fiji.

Paraiyars as a Disinherited sons [link]

In the second half of the 19th century Paraiyars are described as ‘disinherited sons of the earth’ are found again and again in official documents and reformist tracts. This new definition of the Paraiyars is first found in a text of Francis Whyte Ellis, from the year 1818, in which he writes that the Paraiyars “affect to consider themselves as the real proprietors of the soil”. In 1894,William Goudie, a Weslyan missionary states that the Paraiyars are self evidently the “disinherited children of the soil”.

Paraiyars in Sakya Buddha Society and Theosophical Society [link]

Iyothee Thass, a Siddha doctor by occupation, belonged to a Paraiyar elite. In 1898, Thass and a large number of his followers converted to Buddhism and founded the Sakya Buddha Society (''cākkaiya putta caṅkam'') with the influential mediation of Henry Steel Olcott of the Theosophical Society. Olcott subsequently and greatly supported the Tamil Paraiyar Buddhists.

ātitirāvịţa jaṉa capai (Adidravida jana sabai) and the term ātitirāvịţa (Adidravida)[link]

The Parayar Mahajana Sabha was founded by Rettamalai Srinivasan in 1892 and in 1895 Thass founded the “People’s Assembly of Urdravidians” (ātitirāvịţa jaṉa capai)or(Adidravida jana sabai) in Madras. Michael Bergunder states that, it was the circles around Iyothee Thass claimed the description ‘Urdravidian’ (ātitirāviţar) or (Adidravidar), still a common synonym for Paraiyars in South India and Iyothee Thass Was the first to introduce the concept ātitirāvịţa (Adidravida) into political discussion and In the 1920s and 1930s E.V.Ramasami ensured the wide dissemination of this term.

List of Paraiyars [link]

Legendary poet and poetess [link]

Thiruvalluvar, poet Auvaiyar, poet

Religious and spiritual leaders [link]

Nandanar Saivite saint, One of the 63 Nayanmar Poikayil Yohannan, rejected Christianity and Hinduism to found the Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha

Social reformers and activists [link]

Iyothee Thass Pandithar (1845–1914), founded the Sakya Buddhist Society (also known as Indian Buddhist Association)

Rettamalai Srinivasan (1860–1945), a Dalit activist, politician from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

M. C. Rajah (1883–1943), a Dalit politician, social and political activist from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu

J. Shivashanmugam Pillai (1901–1975), first Dalit mayor of Madras and first speaker of Madras Legislative Assembly since India's independence.

N. Sivaraj (1892–1964), Indian lawyer and politician. former Mayor of Madras and Member of Lok Sabha.

Politicians [link]

Margatham Chandrasekar, Indian National Congress,Member of Parliament from Tiruvallur and later, Sriperumbudur, Former Union Deputy Minister for Health (1951–1957), Home Affairs (1962–1964), Social Welfare (1964–1967) and former General Secretary of All India Congress Committee(1972).

M. G. Pandithan, Founder & President of "Indian Progressive Front", former vice-president of "Malaysian Indian Congress", Member of Parliament for Tapah, Parliamentary secretary to the Trade and Industry Ministry, Malaysia.

Thol. Thirumavalavan, Member of the Parliament and the President of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal political party,.

Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, Former Minister of Information, Tamil Nadu.

G. Palanisamy, Deputy Secretary for Tamil Nadu State, Communist party of India.

Dalit Ezhilmalai, former Union Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare (Independent Charge), India

A. Raja, former minister, communication and information technology, India

See also [link]

Mauryas

Pariah

Notes[link]

Citations[link]

Bibliography[link]

External links [link]

Category:Social groups of Kerala Category:Kerala society Category:Tamil society Category:Sri Lankan Tamil society Category:Dalit communities Category:Social groups of Tamil Nadu

ar:منبوذون de:Paria eo:Pario id:Paria kk:Пария lt:Parijai ms:Paria nl:Paraiyar ru:Пария ta:பறையர்

landscape
birth name	Jermaine Scott
birth date	March 09, 1985
origin	Tottenham, London, England
genre	British hip hop, grime
years active	2006–present
label	Ministry of Sound(2010–present)
associated acts	The Movement, Bashy, Chip, Ed Sheeran, Skepta, Wiley, Double S, Tinie Tempah, Kano, Example, Angel, Skyhigh, Sherif, Lowkey
occupation	Rapper
background	solo_singer
website	}}

Jermaine Scott (born 9 March 1985), better known by his stage name Wretch 32 (''three-two''), is an English rapper and former Grime MC from Tottenham, London where he grew up the son of a local reggae DJ in the Tiverton Estate. He was a member of the grime collective "Combination Chain Gang", before forming The Movement with Scorcher, Ghetts, and Mercston. The world and online community including the UK music industry especially, first set eyes on Wretch 32 when 32 was given the opportunity to appear on RMC TV Artist Spotlight back in 2005 around the same time as N-Dubz drummer BreakBeat. Wretch 32 – The Beginning! Needless Beef a short film based on UK street life and gun crime starring Wretch 32 was first edited and broadcast exclusively on RMC TV, which later inspired MTV’s Dubplate Drama Series. He is also often associated with the TMT crew, also from Tottenham, due to his close relationship to fellow Tottenham rapper Cell 22. The pair have made several songs together. He released his first single "Traktor" in January 2011.

2009 Mp3 Music Awards announced that Wretch 32 was nominated for an Mp3 Award alongside Chipmunk and Haringey Independent and Channel U / Channel AKA published the story.

On 6 December 2010, the BBC also announced that Wretch 32 had been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll and MTV named him as a nominee for MTV Brand New for 2011.

Career[link]

Early life[link]

Born in March 1985, Scott grew up alongside crews Combination Chain Gang and The Movement, the latter of which featured Scorcher, Ghetto, Mercston and Devlin, Lowkey & Wretch 32 In My Lifetime. Continuing his MC career in 2006, Scott under the name ''Wretch 32'' released a series of mixtapes, including ''Teacher's Training Day'' – which featured guest appearances from Ghetts, Bashy and Scorcher. After coming to the attention of BBC Radio 1 Xtra's DJ Cameo, Wretch went on to win a 1Xtra Mixtape Award.

2007 Early Exposure[link]

Wretch 32 got his first big break when he performed at the first annual MP3 Music Awards in 2007 alongside signed US recording artist Chenelle, signing her chart single “I Fell In Love With The DJ” in front on a live crowd and industry audience that included the likes of the BBC Head of Music Mark Cooper, PRS Chairman Ellis Rich and various other individuals from EMI, Sony, Warner and more. After performing at MMA 2007, his album was released. Wretch 32 Punctuation Live and a Wretch 32 Live Accapella at MP3 Music Awards 2007 on youtube.

2008–2011: Early career[link]

The movement into mainstream began when Wretch 32 appeared at Radio 1's Big Weekend on the BBC Introducing stage in 2009. His debut studio album, ''Wretchrospective'' was released in the United Kingdom during 2008, prior to Wretch's signing with record label Ministry of Sound. Wretch 32 and Chipmunk were both nominees for the UGG Awards, Urban/Garage/Grime category at the 2009 Mp3 Music Awards followed by Haringey Independent Press Release. On 6 December 2010, Wretch 32 was named as one of the nominees for BBC's ''Sound of 2011'', an annual poll which predicts artists that will progress during the upcoming year. In 2010 [Wretch 32] won a [Official Mixtape Award] for the 'best hiphop mixtape of 2009.

2011–present: ''Black and White''[link]

Wretch then continued, releasing his debut single "Traktor" on 16 January 2011 through Ministry of Sound as both a digital download and a CD single. The track saw commercial success, having been selected as BBC Radio 1's Reggie Yates ''Weekend Anthem'' on 19–20 December 2010, before debuting at number five on the UK Singles Chart as the third highest entry of the week. The release was succeeded by second single "Unorthodox", which featured British rapper Example. The song, which sampled The Stone Roses' 1989 hit "Fools Gold" debuted at number two in the UK, also topping the R&B; chart and independent releases chart; having been selected Jo Whiley's ''Weekend Anthem'' on 26–27 March 2011. also he featured on female artist Jaya's single 'Outta Control' along side Diggy Simmon, although this failed to chart due to lack of exposure.

On December 11, 2011 Wretch 32 released the single "Forgiveness" featuring Etta Bond (artist who is signed to Labrinth's record label Odd Child recordings) from the album ''Black and White''.

It is confirmed that Hush Little Baby, featuring Ed Sheeran will be the next single from the album.

Discography[link]

;Albums

2008: ''Wretchrospective''

2011: ''Black and White''

;Mixtapes

2006: ''Learn From My Mixtape''

2007: ''Teachers Training Day''

2009: ''Wretch32.com

2010: ''More Fun! [Wretch 32 + Chipmunk]

2012: ''Wretchercise''

Awards and nominations[link]

{| class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Organisation ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Nominated work ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Award ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Result |- |rowspan="2"|2010 |BBC Sound of 2011 |Wretch32 |Sound of 2011 |style="background:lightgrey" |Nominated |- |MTV Brand New |Wretch32 |New for 2011 |style="background:lightgrey" |Nominated |- |- |2011 |Mp3 Music Awards 2011 |Unorthodox Ft Example |The UGG Award |style="background:lightgrey" |Won |- |- |- |rowspan="2"|2011 |4Music Video Honours |"Traktor" (featuring L) |Best Big Beats |style="background:lightgrey" |Nominated |- |4Music Video Honours |Wretch32 |Best Breakthrough |style="background:lightgrey" |Nominated |-

References[link]

External links[link]

Category:Living people Category:Grime artists Category:Rappers from London Category:People from Tottenham Category:1985 births

de:Wretch 32 it:Wretch 32