The Colas c26.6.3

c26.6.3

The *pēriḷamaiyār*, and the *śaṅkarappāḍiyār*¹² were other bodies connected with temples though their duties are obscure. There are other names of groups related to temples, but they need not be reproduced. There are also instances of local groups within a village, and professional groups. The villages were often divided into *śēris*, streets or quarters, and the people of each *śēri* formed a group for certain purposes. Uttama Cōḷa appointed the people of two *śēris* of Kāñcīpuram to take charge of the Ūragam temple and manage its affairs.¹³ The *śēris* of Uttaramērūr formed the basis of representation on the executive committees of the village assembly in the constitution agreed to in the twelfth year of Parāntaka I.¹⁴ An inscription of A.D. 1103¹⁵ from Peṇṇāḍam mentions the *sabhās* of the *śēris* of Muḍigoṇḍa-śōḻacaturvēdi-mangalam, and in another instance the *śēris* appear to have been represented on the panel of members for drafting resolutions of the assembly.¹⁶ Examples of professional groups are the *kalanais* of Īḷas, carpenters, goldsmiths, ironsmiths, and washermen in Talaiccangāḍu (Tanjore),¹⁷ and the *Manṟāḍik-kalanai* (shepherds?) in other places.¹⁸ Some of these groups apparently ranked below others and were designated, accordingly, *kīḻk-kalanaigaḷ*.¹⁹