Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins

Hoysala Karnataka Brahmin

Raja Rao • S. L. Bhyrappa • Javagal Srinath • KSN
Total population
Est. 20 lakh (2.0 Million)
Regions with significant populations
Karnataka • Delhi • Pune Maharashtra (Gwalior, Indore, Ujjain, Dhar) Gujarat (Baroda) • Tamil Nadu Karnataka • Andhra Pradesh United States • United Kingdom
Languages
First languages – Kannada
Religion
Hinduism

ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರು, ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಪಂಗಡ . ಕನ್ನಡವೇ ಇವರ ಉಸಿರು , ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲೂ ಒಳ್ಳೆ ಹೆಸರು . Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins are one of the prominent communities of Kannada-speaking Smartha Brahmins. The community has many eminent scholars, musicians, philosophers, generals and religious pontiffs. This sect of Brahmins are spread over the Southern Districts of the Indian state of Karnataka such as Shivamogga, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Tumkur, Mysore, Mandya, Bangalore and Kolar. Kannada is the mother tongue of Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins.

Origin of name

Of the two parts of the name of the community, viz. Hoysala and Karnataka, the second part i.e., Karnataka is derived from the fact that the mother tongue of the community, and the region where the community resides are called, respectively, Kannada, and Karnataka. The first part of the name, Hoysala is derived from the Hoysala empire of Karnataka. The Hoysala dynasty was the ruling dynasty of Karnataka for over three centuries, beginning in 950 AD. The earliest mention of the name "Hoysala" occurs in an inscription of the middle of the tenth century, and the origin of the family name is given for the first time in an inscription of 1117 AD as follows: "In the lineage of Yadu there was born a certain Sala. In company with a Jain ascetic, who was versed in all the science of incantation, he was worshipping the goddess Padmavati of Sasakapura with a view to bringing her into their power and so acquiring sovereignty for Sala. A tiger sprang out threatening to interrupt and spoil the efficacy of their rites. On the appeal of the ascetic who cried our `Poy-Sala-`slay, oh Sala`, Sala slew the tiger. And from this exclamation and the slaughter of the tiger he and his descendants acquired the name of Poysala".

The Hoysalas rose to power as feudatory of the Chalukyas, and as their subordinates began to rule over a small tract of territory, with their capital first at Sosevur (now Angadi in Mudagere Taluk), then at Belur, and finally at Dwarasamudra (now Halebid) and acquired control over the Talekad region. The Hoysalas continued the tradition of patronage to men of letters etc. Due to the generosity and broad mindedness of these rulers, the area comprised in the former Mysore State became the home of many non-kannada Brahmins such as the Velandus, Mulakanadus, and the Aravelu Niyogis of the Andhra Country, the Karahadis , Konkanansthas and Desasthas of the Maharashtra Country and the Vadamas of the Tamil Country. There were many sub-sects among the Kannada speaking brahmins such as the Badaganadu, the Babbur Kamme sect, the Seeranadu, and Hoysala Karnatakas. The Havyaka, the Kota and the Sivalli sects of Kannada-speaking brahmins were localized to the western coastal region. It will be readily seen that these names indicate the geographical divisions from which these people hailed. In order to maintain their own customs, rituals, language (dialectal peculiarities), traditions, and individuality, each sub-sect called itself by a distinctive name, usually a town or geographical division of their origin. (This tendency is not very marked and rigid after the Muslim invasion of the South). Thus the Badagandu Karnatakas came from the northern parts of former Mysore State - Bellary and Anantapur districts; the seeranadu Karnatakas from the region, around Sira in Tumkur district.

As noted above, the sphere of authority of the Hoysalas, when they rose to power, was in the region of their birth place - Sosevur, and expanded to Belur, Dwarasamudra and Talakad, situated in the modern districts of Kadur, Hassan and Mysore respectively. This tract of Karnataka was the home province of the Hoysalas and the Brahmins who were residing in this area were therefore called Hoysala Karnatakas. A family's hometown is generally added to the name, for e.g. Chandrashekar Hassan, Mysore Anathaswamy et al.

Prominent persons

There is practically no reference to this sub-sect by the name Hoysala-Karnataka, in literature or in inscriptions, till late seventeenth century. Therefore, we must rely only on traditional accounts. According to one such account, the great Madhava-Vidyaranya, renowned pontiff of Sringeri Mutt who was instrumental in the founding of the great Vijayanagara Kingdom belonged to this sub-sect. This tradition is in a way borne out by a contemporary inscription which says that Singambika (Singale) was the sister of Madhava and Sayana, and her son, the Minister Lakshmidhara who is described as "kannadiga kulake ranndha kannadi". Evidently, therefore Madhavacharya, Sayanacharya and Bhoganatha, who were the brothers of Singambika were also "Kannadigas". As the nomenclature Hoysala Karnataka was not applied in literary or other records of this period to this sub-sect, the tradition that they were Hoysala Karnataka gains support. It is well known that Madhava Vidyaranya lived through the reigns of three successive monarchs, viz., Harihara I, Bukka I and Harihara II and guided them administration of their vast territory. He also wrote a treatise on Law and Procedure - Parasara-Madhaviya for the benefit of these rulers. Besides this, his works on the Advaita philosophy are very well known. He was also the author of a work on music entitled Sangitasara.

The youngest of the brothers, Bhoganatha, who is usually known as Bhoganathakavi, was like his brothers a reputed author. He calls himself the born companion of Sangama II, who was the ward of his elder brother Sayancharya.

Due to their accomplishments and influence over the early Vijaynagara rulers, the Hoysala Karnataka Community gained importance and prestige in the social, political and other spheres and occupied prominent official positions of authority.

The earliest and specific mention of the Hoysana Kannadi sect is found in a late seventeenth century inscription. This inscription of 1687 A.D. states that Rama Sastri of Hoysana Kannadi (Hoysala Karnataka) Community received some gifts from Mahadevendra Sarasvati, the disciple of Chandrasekhara Sarasvati, who occupied the pontifical throne of the Saradapitha of Kanchi. This Ramasastri has been identified with his namesake Ramasastri, the elder brother of Kuttikavi (Circa 1700). Both these brothers are known to be the sons of the daughter's daughter of the great Govinda Dikshita, the minister of the Nayaka chiefs of Tanjavur, proving beyond any doubt that Govinda Dikshita belonged to the Hoysala Karnataka Community. Govinda Dikshita was a scholar, philosopher, statesman and musicologist. He was the minister of three successive Nayakas of Tanjavur.

This Nayaka family owed its rise to the relationship of its first prominent member, Sevvappanayaka, by ties of marriage with the Vijaynagar emperor Achyutaraya (1530-1542). Sevvappa's wife Murtimamba was the younger sister of Thirumalamba, one of the Queens of Achyutaraya. Govinda Dikshita was called Ayyan by the Nayaka chieftains due to their affection and regard for him; and he was given the Ardhasana, a signal mark of honour by these chiefs. Due to able guidance, the Tanjavur tract became very flourishing and cultured. He is known to have written a treatise on music called Sangita-Sudhanidhi in addition to his other works. His son, Yajnanarayana Dikshita in his famous work Sahityaratnakara has given many details regarding his illustrious father and his activities. Another son of Govinda Dikshita was the renowned Venkatamakhi, who wrote the work Chaturdandiprakasika which is even to-day regarded as one of the most authoritative books on Carnatic music.

Based on the inscription about Ramasastri mentioned above, we may note that the Hoysala Karnataka sect enjoyed some patronage in the kamakoti Pitha at Kanchi. This perhaps accounts for the choice of the Mathadipatis of this Peeta from among the Hoysala Karnataka Community for some generations. The erstwhile Jagadguru who adorned the Kamakoti Peeta, His Holiness Sri Sri Chandrasekarendra Sarasvati Swamigalu who is held in great esteem for his spiritual qualities, catholicity of outlook and simplicity of life by all the sections of the people in India, is the greatest living luminary of the Hoysala Karnataka Community.

Several members of this community have excelled in Science, Arts, Literature, Sports, and Education etc.They include

• Raja Rao well known novelist (his writings are in English)
• Dr.A.N. Krishna Rao popularly known as Anakru, who wrote more than 200 novels in Kannada, like Natasarvabhoma, Sandhaya Raga.
• Prof. S.L. Bhyrappa who is famous for novels such as Parva, Vamshavriksha, and Avarana (he writes in Kannada).
• K.S. Narasimhaswamy, a well known Kannada poet who is famous for Mysoora Mallige lyrics.
• B. N. Srikrishna, eminent Indian jurist and retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India. He chaired the Srikrishna committee on Telangana .
• Javagal Srinath, former frontline fast bowler for the Indian cricket team.
• Dr. Mysore N. Prakash, author, The Courtesan and the Sadhu[3]
• Shankar S. Sastry, Dean of Engineering at University of California, Berkeley.
• Prof. Raj Gadasalli of Odessa Texas, has become prominent by writing books on Americana for the benefit of foreign students and US immigrants. His much acclaimed book HIS UTOPIA HER UTOPIA- Indo American Vignettes is a treatise on cross cultural understanding and appreciation. His scientific hypotheses on Atman which is included in this writing is breathtakingly simple and path breaking.
• Haranahalli Ramaswany, who was a minister, his son Ashok Haranahalli was a famous Advocate General of Karnataka.
• Dr. Melukote K. Sridhar, a Fulbright Scholar and eminent Indologist is the Honorary Director of the Indological Research Foundation, Bangalore.
• Master Hirannayya (actual name - Narasimha Murthy), one of the popular comedians of Karnataka.
• Prof. A.N. Murthy Rao, English Professor and famous Kannada story writer.
• A.G. Ramachandra Rao former minister from Karnataka
• Humchadakatte Nagaraja Rao was very active in freedom struggle in Shimoga and was also active in Congress Party.
• Ganakala bhushana Vidwan H. K.Narasimhamurthy, a violinist from Mysore.
• Vidwan A.V. Prakash, flutist from Mysore.
• T.N. Srikanthaiah, a famous Kannada Scholar.
• Garudanagiri Nagaraj, being a recipient of the prestigious Karnataka Rajyothsava Award in the year 2006, served as the chairman of Karnataka Press Academy and was the editor of Karmaveera for a brief period; ex chief reporter of Kannada Prabha and has 5-6 books to his credit. Numerous awards have been conferred on him for his achievement in the field of Journalism.
• Mr. Rama Rao eminent Engineer and one of the founders of National Institute of Engineering in Mysore.
• Dr. Kana Kana Halli Nagaraja Rao whom the Maharaja of Mysore sent to the United States for higher studies in 1946.
• Dr Nagaraja Rao after getting Ph D from IIT Chicago served with distinction in the US Government agencies like Economic Commission for Asia in reconstruction in Korea and Indonesia. He also served in Brazil as a Ford Foundation advisor.
• Dr. Suresh Gadasalli the Texas-based cardiologist, voted as the best in Texas, became a pioneer in heart surgery after performing the world’s first simultaneous hybrid revascularization, in 2005.
• A.S. Murthy (Comic Eranna Boranna of All India Radio fame).
• Ram Anand, eminent Internet Marketing speaker, author, coach and a leading entrepreneur.
• B. P. Srikantan, a renowned musician, artist who was called a child prodigy by the Maharaja of Mysore.
• B .R. Srinivas Murthy, former chairman of BEML

Famous Hoysala Karnataka community members

See also

• Brahmins
• Forward Castes

External links

• Organisation site

Even Sri K Pattabi Jois who was famous for his Astanga Yoga was a Hoysala Karnataka legend who passed away recently. He was World famous for his Yogasanas and its research institute in Mysore and around the world.Sri Veene Venakata krishnappa and his one of the sons Sri V. Venakatasubbarao very well known veena vidwan of famous Mysore Bani style of Veena and Karnataka Rajyothsava Awardee.

References

[1] Silver Jubilee Souvenir of Hoysala Karnataka Sangha (Regd.) Bangalore , with the permission of the President Mr..B.S.Ananthanarayana.

[2] Origin of Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins

[3] The Courtesan and the Sadhu, A Novel about Maya, Dharma, and God, October 2008, Dharma Vision LLC.,ISBN 978-0-9818237-0-6, Library of Congress Control Number: 2008934274