The publication of the monograph by Michael Moffatt (1979) provided an impetus for revival of studies on the culture and cultural autonomy among some of the very low castes in India. Studies have attempted to find further evidence of, or to question the phenomenon of replication of the dominant social order w ithin the 'excluded' communities of the former Untouchables.' Much of the literature pertains to the Tamil speaking areas of India and elsewhere (e.g., Caplan 1980; Deliege 1988,1992,1993a, 1993b,and 1994; Mosse 1986,1994, McGilvray 1983; Vincentnathan 1987), although there are contributions from the other parts of the subcontinent as well (e.g., Patwardhan 1973 and Gellner 1995). Despite the contiguity of the two states, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have important differences in the manner in which the 'social construction of subordination' (Mosse 1994} of the former Untouchable castes are obtained.