K. Natarajan, J.

1. This second appeal has been preferred against the judgment and decree of the learned Subordinate Judge, Devakottai, dated 12. 1997 in A.S. No. 10 of 1986, reversing the judgment and decree of the learned District Munsif in O.S. No. 262 of 1977, dated 1. 1986.

.2. The plaintiff/respondent instituted the suit for declaration and permanent injunction, alleging the family of the plaintiff is a prestigious family in Kunnankottai Nadu, spread over 22 villages mainly comprising Kallar community. Further, the family of the plaintiff continued as the Pattathu Ambalam for the 22 villages and the successor is either the son or the grandson of the family. In the days of Pandya Kings, the precedessor of the plaintiff has been appointed as the Pattathu Ambalam for Kunnankottai Nadu and the Pattathu Ambalam is the representative of the Kunnankottai Nattars and he was permitted to negotiate with the Jamindar of Sivaganga. He also has a right to inaugurate the car festival in the Shiva Temple at Kallal village and receive other honours. The plaintiffs natural fathers junior paternal uncle Subbaiah Servai was the last Pattathu Ambalam. Since Subbaiah Servai had no mal