The Sangam literature "Paṭṭiṉappālai", mentions "Eelattu-unavu" (food from Eelam). One of the prominent Sangam Tamil poets is known as Eelattu Poothanthevanar meaning Poothan-thevan (proper name) hailing from "Eelam". (Akanaṉūṟu: 88, 231, 307; Kuṟuntokai: 189, 360, 343; Naṟṟiṇai: 88, 366). The Tamil inscriptions from the Pallava & Chola period dating from 9th century CE link the word with toddy, toddy tapper's quarters ("Eelat-cheri"), tax on toddy tapping ("Eelap-poodchi"), a class of toddy tappers ("Eelath-chanran"). Eelavar is a caste of toddy tappers found in the southern parts of Kerala. "Eela-kaasu" and "Eela-karung-kaasu" are refers to coinages found in the Chola inscriptions of Parantaka I.