It is noted by Mr. F. Fawcett that "in the northern districts, among the Telugu population, the toddy-drawers use a ladder about eight or nine feet in length, which is placed against the tree, to avoid climbing a third or fourth of it. While in the act of climbing up or down, they make use of a wide band, which is passed round the body at the small of the back, and round the tree. This band is easily fastened with a toggle and eye. The back is protected by a piece of thick soft leather. It gives great assistance in climbing, which it makes easy. All over the southernmost portion of the peninsula, among the Shanans and Tiyans, the ladder and waist-band are unknown. They climb up and down with their hands and arms, using only a soft grummel of coir (cocoanut fibre) to keep the feet near together." The Idigas claim to be descended from Vyasa, the traditional compiler of the Mahabharata. In a note by Mr. F. R. Hemingway on the Idigas of the Godavari district, they are said to worship a deity, to whom they annually offer fowls on New Year's day, and make daily offerings of a few drops of toddy from the first pot taken from the tree. In this district they are commonly called Chetti. The insigne of the Idigas, as recorded at Conjeeveram, is a ladder. [178] Idiya (pounder).--Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a division of Konkani Sudras. The Idiyans prepare rice in a special manner. Paddy is soaked in water, and roasted over a fire. While hot, it is placed in a mortar, and pounded with a pestle. This rice is called avil, which is said to be largely used as a delicacy in Travancore, and to be employed in certain religious ceremonies. The Idiyans are stated to have left their native land near Cochin, and settled in Travancore at the invitation of a former sovereign. On arrival in the land of their adoption, they were given, free of tax, cocoanut gardens and rice land. In return, they were required to supply, free of charge, the palace of the Maharajah and the temple of Sri Padmanabhaswami at Trivandrum with as much beaten rice (avil) as might be required from time to time. Iga (fly).--An exogamous sept of Mutracha. The equivalent Igala occurs as an exogamous sept of Yanadi. Ilai (leaf).--Ilai or Ele has been recorded as a sub-division of Tigalas and Toreyas who cultivate the betel vine (Piper betle). Elai Vaniyan occurs as a synonym of Senaikkudaiyans, who are betel leaf sellers in Tinnevelly. Ilaiyattakudi.--A sub-division of Nattukottai Chetti. Ilakutiyan.--Recorded, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, as a sub-division of Nayar.