Karnam (accountant).--An exogamous sept of Kamma.
Karnataka.--The territorial name of a sub-division of Handichikka and Uppara. It is also the name of a sub-division of Madhva and Smarta Brahmans who speak the Kanarese language, as opposed to the Desastha Brahmans, who are immigrants into Southern India from the Maratha country.
Karo Panikkar.--A class of temple servants in Malabar. "The Karo Panikkar is said to be descended from the union of Vettakorumagan (the God of hunting) and a Kiriyattil Nayar woman. His occupation is to act as Vellichapad or oracle in temples dedicated to his divine ancestor." [119]
Karpura Chetti.--A synonym of Uppiliyans, who used to manufacture camphor (karpura).
Karta.--Karta and Kartavu, meaning agent or doer, is an honorific title of Nayars and Samantas. It is also the name for the chief mourner at funerals of Nayars and other castes on the west coast. Kartakkal, denoting, it is said, governors, has been returned, at times of census by Balijas claiming to be descendants of the Nayak kings of Madura and Tanjore.
Karukku-pattayar (those of the sharp sword).--A sub-division of Shanan. In the Census Report, 1891, the division Karukku-mattai (petiole of the palmyra leaf with serrated edges) was returned. Some Shanans are said to have assumed the name of Karukku-mattai Vellalas.
Karumala (black mountain).--An exogamous sept of Kanikar.
Karuman.--A sub-division of Kammalans, who do blacksmith's work.
Karumpuraththal.--A synonym for the caste name adopted by some Kappiliyans.
Karumpurattan.--It is recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, that "the term Karumpurattan is said to be a corruption of Karu-aruttar, which means the Annihilators, and to have been given to the caste because they are the descendants of a garrison of Chola Vellalas, who treacherously allowed an enemy to enter the Tanjore fort, and annihilate the Raja and his family. Winslow, however, says [120] that Karumpuram is a palmyra tree. [121] and Karumpurattan may thus mean a palmyra man, that is, a toddy-drawer. In the enumeration schedules, the name was often written Karumpuran. If this etymology is correct, this caste must originally have been Shanans or Iluvans. It is said to have come from the village of Tiruvadamarudur in Tanjore, and settled in the north-eastern part of Madura. The caste has seven sub-castes, called after seven nadus or villages in Madura, in which it originally settled. In its ceremonies, etc., it closely follows the Ilamagams. Its title is Pillai."