It is recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1891, under the conjoint heading Muttan and Tarakan, that "these two are allied castes, but the latter would consider it a disgrace to acknowledge any affinity with the former. Tarakan literally means a broker. Dr. Gundert says that these were originally warehouse-keepers at Palghat. Muttan is probably from Muttavan, an elder, Tarakans have returned Muttan as a sub-division, and vice versâ, and both appear as sub-divisions of Nayar. We have in our schedules instances of persons who have returned their caste as Tarakan, but with their names Krishna Muttan (male) and Lakshmi Chettichiar (female). A Muttan may, in course of time, become a Tarakan, and then a Nayar. Both these castes follow closely the customs and manners of Nayars, but there are some differences. I have not, however, been able to get at the real state of affairs, as the members of the caste are very reticent on the subject, and simply assert that they are in all respects the same as Nayars. One difference is that a Brahmani does not sing at their tali-kettu marriages. Again, instead of having a Marayan, Attikurissi, or Elayad as their priest, they employ a man of their own caste, called Choratton. This man assists at their funeral ceremonies, and purifies them at the end of pollution, just as the Attikurissi does for Nayars. Kali temples seem to be specially affected by this caste, and these Chorattons are also priests in these temples. The Muttan and Tarakan castes are practically confined to Palghat and Walluvanad taluks."