Pothu.--Pothu or Pothula, meaning male, occurs as an exogamous sept of Devanga, Medara, and Padma Sale; and Pothula, in the sense of a male buffalo, as a sept of Madiga. Potia.--Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as Oriya mat-makers. They are said to be immigrants from Potia in Orissa, who call themselves Doluvas. The Doluvas, however, do not recognise them, and neither eat nor intermarry with them. Potta (abdomen).--An exogamous sept of Boya. Potti (Tamil, worshipful).--Stated, in the Travancore Census Report, 1901, to be the name applied to all Kerala Brahmans, who do not come under the specific designation of Nambutiris. Pouzu (quail).--An exogamous sept of Devanga. Powaku (tobacco).--An exogamous sept of Mala. Poyilethannaya (one who removes the evil eye).--An exogamous sept of Bant. Pradhano (chief).--A title of Aruva, Benaiyto, Odia, Kalingi, Kevuto, and Samantiya. Pranopakari (one who helps souls).--A name for barbers in Travancore. In the early settlement records, Pranu occurs as a corruption thereof. Prathamasakha.--It is recorded, [112] in connection with the village of Koiltirumalam or Tiru-ambamahalam, that "a new temple has been recently built, and richly endowed by Nattukottai Chettis. There is, however, an old story connected with the place, which is enacted at the largely attended festival here, and in many popular dramas. This relates that the god of the Tiruvalur temple was entreated by a pujari (priest) of this place to be present in the village at a sacrifice in his (the god's) honour. The deity consented at length, but gave warning that he would come in a very unwelcome shape. He appeared as a Paraiyan with beef on his back and followed by the four Vedas in the form of dogs, and took his part in the sacrifice thus accoutred and attended. All the Brahmans who were present ran away, and the god was so incensed that he condemned them to be Paraiyans for one hour in the day, from noon till 1 P.M. ever afterwards. There is a class of Brahmans called Midday Brahmans, who are found in several districts, and a colony of whom reside at Sedanipuram, five miles west of Nannilam. It is believed throughout the Tanjore district that the Midday Paraiyans are the descendants of the Brahmans thus cursed by the god. They are supposed to expiate their defilement by staying outside their houses for an hour and a half every day at midday, and to bathe afterwards; and, if they do this, they are much respected. Few of them, however, observe this rule, and orthodox persons will not eat with them, because of this omission to remove the defilement. They call themselves the Prathamasakha." Prithvi (earth).--An exogamous sept of Devanga.