Sutradhar, also known as Sutar or Suthar is a Hindu caste within the Vishwakarma community of Indian subcontinent. Their traditional occupation is carpentry.[1] The great majority of Hindu sutradhars belong to the Vaishnava sect. Vishwakarma is regarded as their patron deity.
| Abbreviation: | Sutar Suthar |
| Varna: | Shudra |
| Gotra: | 120 |
| Kula Daivat: | Vishwakarma |
| Religions: | Hinduism |
| Country: |  India Pakistan |
| Population: | 886,000 |
| Lineage: | Brahmin |
| Status: | active |
| Education Reservation: | 2A Category (In Karnataka, India) and in central level OBC Category |
| Employment Reservation: | 2A Category (Karnataka, India) and in central level OBC Category |
| Original Kingdom: | Panchala Kingdom |
The word Sutradhar literally means thread-holder. Sutra in sanskrit means thread (which is used to mark the course of a saw), and dhara means to hold. The names Sutar and Suthar[2] [3] are abbreviated versions of Sutrahadar.
While some Sutradhars practice Shaktism, the vast majority are members of the Vaishnava sect. They worship Vishwakarma and offer sacrifices to him on Vishwakarma Day and Vasant Panchami.
The Sutradhar caste is subdivided into a number of subcastes including Bardhamenya, Mandaranya, Khadipeda, Astakul, and Airy. The Bardhamenya, Mandaranya, and Astakul are best known as carpenters but are also known as painters, clay image makers, stone carvers as well as constructors of buildings and temples. The Khadipeda were essentially architects, known as designers of temples, palaces, mosques, and building.
Sutradhars are also subdivided into various clans, or gotras. All these clans are totemic. Common Sutradhar surnames include Dutta, Chanda, De, Pal, Sil, Kundu, Mena, Manna, Maharana, Rana, Bandra, Rakhsit, Sutradhar, Sutar, Bhandari, Fouzdar, Das, Kar, and Sharma. Fouzdar would appear to have a royal origin, while Sharma is also a surname of them.