Koravar

The Koravar were one of the tribes of the Madras Presidency during the British Raj. They were primarily involved in the salt trade. In 1913 they were classed as a criminal tribe by the British authorities.

Today there are an estimated 1.2 million (12 lakh) Koravar in Tamil Nadu. [ [http://www.nowrunning.com/news/news.aspx?it=9785 Protest demo against 'Paruthiveeran' ] ] In 2006 the Koravar applied to gain Scheduled Tribe status. [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/05/stories/2006120504700300.htm The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tirunelveli News : `Koravar' community people seek ST status ] ]

Recently many Koravar activists have protested the Tamil language film "Paruthiveeran" on the grounds that it demeans their culture and even more specifically their women.

ources

[http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=CJN2W9i1Y-IC&dq=Criminal+Tribes&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=6uT2ULruN2&sig=k5RabwriHytJAVzxMdOrsLDSqNY&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result#PPA27,M1 "Dishonored by History", p. 27]