Traditionally described as commoners, Vaishyas are connected with productive labour, such as trade, agriculture, and pastoralism. According to legend, they sprang from the thighs of Prajapati, after the Brahmans and the Kshatriyas but before the Shudras. They are credited historically with favouring the rise of the reformist religious beliefs of Buddhism and Jainism. In modern times they have beco
me a symbol of middle-class prestige, and many rise to higher classes. Arya Vysyas (Telugu: ఆర్య వైశ్యులు, Kannada: ಆರ್ಯ ವೈಶ್ಯರು) or Komatis are a Telugu speaking Vysya (trading) caste from Andhra Pradesh. They are also found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Orissa. The people of this caste are mainly into business and trading activities. Arya Vysyas are strict vegetarians [1]. Orthodox Vysyas follow rituals prescribed in the Vasavi Puranamulu, a text written in the late medieval times (4). Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Devi is the main Goddess or Kula Devatha of Arya Vysyas. Here is a small List of Telugu Vysyas. Arya Vysyas use the suffix Setty in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and Chetty in Tamil Nadu. Some members of the community are also known to use the suffix Guptha or Gupta. Arya Vysyas in Maharashtra are found in greater numbers in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. They almost exclusively speak Marathi as their mother tongue and have adopted largely Maharashtrian customs. Their last names typically end in "war" like Polawar, Palkrutwar, Raiwar, Mungilwar, Gujalwar, Kankanwar, Yadawar, Pattewar, Revanwar, Raiwar, Yerremwar, Gundawar, Pampatwar, Pokalwar, etc. Some uncommon names are also found in Maharashtra like Lade, Kole, Kotgire, Mahajan, Gadam, Kottur etc. Varaganti's and Varanasi's are some other famous surnames in Telangana Region. But ancestors of such families are known to be speaking Telugu; and till date there are some families residing in Telangana areas of Andhra Pradesh bordering with Maharashtra, who have such surnames, although they identify themselves as Telugus
