Paravar (also known as Bharathar or Bharathakula and sometimes colloquially as 'Fernando') is a Tamil maritime community, mainly living in the state of Tamil Nadu in India and in Sri Lanka. Pandyas aka Bharathavars are the Ancient Sea Farers and Kings who established First Kingdom (first of its kind) in the world. Historically, they were inhabitants of the Neithal (coastal) lands of Tamil Nadu, and find mention in various ancient Tamil literary works. In modern India, Paravars are concentrated along the coastal belt extending along the Gulf of Mannar, from Kilakarai to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin). They also live in some pockets along the Arabian sea coast in Kanyakumari District. Paravars have been significant among the population of the port city of Thoothukudi, since the 1580s. Apart from Thoothukudi, Paravars also live in many of the big cities and towns in South Tamilnadu like Nagercoil, Tirunelveli and Madurai where they are into diverse professions. In Sri Lanka, the Paravas (called Bharathas in Sri Lanka) have been a more affluent, merchant community since the British colonial times. Today, they are found in significant numbers in the cities of Negombo and Colombo. A section of the Bharathakula community in Sri Lanka has been classified as a separate ethnic group since 2001, whereas another section which identifies itself as Sri Lankan Tamil live in towns such as Vankalai in Mannar District and Puttalam. The Paravars have a rich history, it is available from some stone inscriptions in Sri Lanka and Sangam literature such as silappathikaram starting from their major economic contributions to the coffers of the ancient Pandya kings through their pearl-harvesting and trade, to their later interactions with the Portuguese in the 16th century and beyond. The arrival of Portuguese soldiers and missionaries, including the great missionary, St. Francis Xavier, in their midst resulted in their conversion to the Catholic faith, adoption of Portuguese names and also protection against marauding enemies. Etymology The name Paravar literally means "dwellers on seacoast" and is derived from the Tamil word paravai meaning "sea" or "expanse". The Paravars may have been the Paradavar mentioned in Sangam literature, who are mentioned in the Pattinappaalai. They were maritime inhabitants of the littoral Sangam landscape known as Neithal, who were involved in pearls-harvesting, boat-building, salt-making, fishing, among other maritime activities. The name Parathavar may be derived from the same root word paravai. The Paravars prefer to call themselves Parathar also