Kamadi (tortoise).--A gotra of Kurni. Kamakshiamma.--Recorded, in the North Arcot Manual, as a sub-division of Vaniyan. Kamakshiamma is the chief goddess worshipped at Conjeeveram. She and Minakshi Amma of Madura are two well-known goddesses worshipped by Saivites. Both names are synonyms of Parvati, the wife of Siva. Kamati (foolish).--A name sometimes applied to carpenters, and also of a sub-division of Okkiliyans, who are said to have abandoned their original occupation of cultivating land, and become bricklayers. Kambalam.--The name Kambalam is applied to a group of nine castes (Tottiyan, Annappan, Kappiliyan, Chakkiliyan, etc.), because at their council meetings a blanket (kambli) is spread, on which is placed a brass vessel (kalasam) filled with water, and decorated with flowers. (See Tottiyan.) Kambalattan.--A synonym of Tottiyan. Kamban.--A title of the Occhans, to which caste the great Tamil epic poet Kamban is reputed to have belonged. Kambha.--Kambha or Kambhapu, meaning a pillar or post, has been recorded as an exogamous sept of Madiga and Komati. Kamma.--Writing collectively concerning the Kammas, Kapus or Reddis, Velamas, and Telagas, Mr. W. Francis states [61] that "all four of these large castes closely resemble one another in appearance and customs, and seem to have branched off from one and the same Dravidian stock. Originally soldiers by profession, they are now mainly agriculturists and traders, and some of them in the north are zamindars (land-owners). The Razus, who now claim to be Kshatriyas, were probably descended from Kapus, Kammas, and Velamas. The Kammas and Kapus of the Madura and Tinnevelly districts seem to have followed the Vijayanagar army south, and settled in these districts when the Nayak Governors were established there. Their women are less strict in their deportment than those of the same castes further north, the latter of whom are very careful of their reputations, and, in the case of one section of the Kammas, are actually gosha (kept in seclusion) like Musalmanis." Various stories are current, which point to the common ancestry of the Kammas, Kapus, and Velamas. The word Kamma in Telugu means the ear-ornament, such as is worn by women. According to one legend "the Rishis, being troubled by Rakshasas, applied to Vishnu for protection, and he referred them to Lakshmi. The goddess gave them a casket containing one of her ear ornaments (kamma), and enjoined them to worship it for a hundred years. At the expiry of that period, a band of five hundred armed warriors sprang up from the casket, who, at the request of the Rishis, attacked and destroyed the giants. After this they were directed to engage in agriculture, being promised extensive estates, and the consideration paid to Kshatriyas. They accordingly became possessed of large territories, such as Amravati and others in the Kistna, Nellore and other districts, and have always been most successful agriculturists." [62]