Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 3.djvu/342

KOLLI is a corrupt Tamil form of Golla, to which caste the Tottiyans trace their descent.  Kolli (fire-brand). — A sub-division of Kādu Kurumba.  Kolli (a hill-range, the Kollimalais). — A sub-division of Malayālis.  Komāli (buffoon). — An exogamous sept of Oddē.  Kōmanāndi.-— A sub-division of Āndis, who go about naked, except for a small loin cloth (kōmanam).  '''Komāro. —''' Oriya blacksmiths. See Badhōyi.  Kōmati.— The Kōmatis form the great trading caste of the Madras Presidency, and are found in almost all the districts thereof. They are further found in the Mysore State, Bombay Presidency, Berar, Central Provinces, and as far north-west as Baroda. Their wide distribution accounts for the great variety which prevails in the minor details of the religious and social ceremonials. The name Kōmati has been derived in many different ways. By some it is said to be from kōmati, meaning fox-minded. This has reference to the cunning of the Kōmatis in business, and is undoubtedly the outcome of their unpopularity with their customers. The phrase Kōmatiguttu (the secrecy of a Kōmati) is said to be a common one. Others say that it is from gō-mati, meaning the possessor of cows, one of the ordained duties of Vaisyas being the protecting of cows. Others, again, say that it is from gō-mati, meaning cow-minded. A modern redaction of the Kanyakā Purāna, the sacred book of the Kōmatis, gives this derivation. According to this work, the Kōmatis did severe penance, and were consequently invited to live in heaven. Their continued absence from this world gave rise to serious trouble, and Vishnu accordingly asked them to return thither for 