 He notes that they had historically adopted various titles and terms that signified a self-image of Kshatriya status, including the "Vanniyar" name itself, and that

The caste has also been significant in the practices of the Draupaudi cult, together with the Konars and Vellalar Mudaliars, and quite possibly were the instigators of it, with the other two communities being later adopters.In addition to domestic slavery there were number of agricultural labor relationships.According to Ravi Ahuja, Paraiyar or Palli farmhands sometimes called pannaiyals were collectively bound to their home village soil.