The Paravars were a Tamil fisher caste who inhabited the fishery coast extending from Cape Comorin (old name of Kanya Kumari) to the isle of Mannar (Rameswaram).  The Paravars plied the trade of fishing which included pearl fishing, diving for pearls to the bottom of the deep where they could stay for many hours. Now most of the people are involved in fishing while diving for pearl is just a seasonal occupation.