[Poeetiol]

Certain opportunistic Brahmins claim to be in SC/ST groups to receive favours under law. Similarly, a few people are also trying to become Brahmins fearing in the next cycle of events that group would be on the top rung! (and of course by words and deeds). A few members of this Forum would like to do away with Brahminism. It is an irony of fate or 'prakriti'. Good number of people would avoid the ritualistic procedures even if they would be happy to call themselves Brahmins.

In some petty discussions years before amongst Hindus and non-Hindus, there was an opinion that all 'low caste' gullible people were easily converted into other religion. Hurt by the mention, a christian jumped up and said "we were Brahmins and as the other man showed some magic we changed our faith in awe.

Be that as it may, one set of Poonool of 3 strands, represent a veshti (for Brahmachari), second set an Angavastram (perhaps for receiving aashirvadam by married) and third set a just 'kaipidi thuni'. The practice must have existed when there was no woven fabric. This was the explanation by Vaadhyars. Now because of the leaps of textile industry, does the poonool becomes redundant? You have a set of multi-wear - in the form of brief, veshti, banian, thundu, napkin or a pant and shirt. I think one is a Brahmin only by heart and acts not by wearing a poonool.

Let me add, Chettiyars are actually business people and even the so called 'shudra' is supposed to wear poonool. Thattaan is an oxymoronic name because he actually strikes at your gold!