They are a maritime community dominating Chennai, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Villuppuram, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam districts of the Coromandel Coast, who have traditionally been involved in fishing, shipment, navy, and trade.
The term Pattinam means "sea-port town" which is often seen as a suffix among prominent harbors such as Nagapattinam, Kaveripoompattinam and Chennaipattinam.
[4] Karaiyar means "coast people", which is also term for a dominant maritime caste in Sri Lanka.
[11] They have inhabited the Coromandel Coast since ancient times where they possess a strong system of self-governance.
[15] According to some historians like Hermann Kulke, the Pattinavar community may have played a significant role in the organization and exploits of the Chola navy.
[20] The participants are granted the rights to use padu fishing gears which include beach seine and stake net.