Fisherman of the coromandel: the social study of the paravas of the coromandel

The book is a study of Paravas, a fisherman caste of Coromandel on the Southeastern coast of India and the transformation it has undergone during the period c.1860-1960. Numbering over 1,25,000, the Paravas are Roman Catholics and besides the Coromandel, are found on the Ramnad coast, and Travancore seaboard and in Sri Lanka. During the period of the present scrutiny, migrations, improved communication, occupational diversification, urbanization and education influenced changes in ideology and social sentiment which in turn affected the structure of Paravas society. The study reveals how Paravas shifted from corporate solidarity under political, communal and religious leadership to a quest for democratic structure under the aegis of an emerging new elite.
This work commences with a brief overview of Parava perspectives of their ancient past. The next chapter focuses on Portuguese and Dutch times stressing the part played by Christianity and colonial economy in increasing the corporate solidarity of the jati. Then follows a picture of commerce and settlement patterns in Paravas centres in the 19th and 20th centuries and the significant alterations therein caused by British measuresn Ceyilon and India.
The next chapter offers an in depth case study of Paravas and the urbanization of Tuticorin. The book concludes. with a detailed treatment of the internal reorganization and reorientation in ideology among the Paravas as a result of modern economic forces.

This study which is as comprehensive as it is well researched, utilises primary sources in Dutch, Portuguese, Latin, French and Tamil and is a valuable addition to caste studies in India

Indian born Patrick Roche has. studied at St. John's University Collegeville, the University of Chicago and the University of Minnesote, He holds degrees in English Literature, Philosophy and Theology in addition to his doctoral studies in History, Anthropology and Educational Administration.

Dr. Roche has been an instructor in Social History at the University of Minnesota and University of Chicago. From 1976 to 1980 he served as Director of the Undergraduate Division of the College of Management at the University of Minnesote. From 1981 to 1983 Dr. Roche has been Dean of Human beina at Lakewood College. currently President of Queen Hills College in Minneaota.