Iyengars are Sri Vaishnava Brahmins who follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy. They originated as a separate community from the 10th century AD. Iyengars are mostly found in Tamil Nadu and speak their Iyer dialect. Based on their beliefs or region, Iyengars are divided into Thenkalai or 'Iyengars of the Southern Descencion', and Vadakalai, or 'Iyengars of the Northern Descencion'. Carnatic Music and Bharathanatyam are closely associated with this caste. They wear a namam (Sricharanam) as a caste-mark.