Wikipedia
Parava or Paravar, also known as Parathavar, Paradavar, Bharathar, Bharathakula Pandyar or Bharathakula Kshathriyar is a caste in southern India that in ancient times were coastal inhabitants, seafarers, maritime traders and subordinate rulers to Pandyas, as well as according to at least one modern writer, described as "ferocious soldiers". There are many theories as to their origins but they have since ancient times been recorded in the area of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
In modern India, Paravars are concentrated along the coastal belt extending around the Gulf of Mannar, from Kilakarai through to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) and then on almost as far as Trivandrum. and their 60 or so villages are solely occupied by caste members and are interspersed with villages occupied by Muslims. There are also Paravar settlements on the outskirts of inland villages, and there has been a significant number among the population of Tuticorin, a major town, since the 1580s.
Paravar (known as Bharathas in Sri Lanka) are also found in significant numbers in Sri Lanka, especially in Negombo and also in and around the capital Colombo. They are an official gazette-notified separate ethnic community in Sri Lanka. In the present day, Bharathas are a socially and economically active, prosperous trading community in Sri Lanka