Karhade Brahmin

Karhade (also written as Karada) Brahmins (Devanagari: कर्‍हाडे/कराडे, Kannada:ಕರಾಡ) are a predominantly Pancha Dravida Brahmins Marathi and Konkani speaking (many of them speak dialects closer to Marathi/Konkani influenced by other regional languages, such as Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi etc.) Hindu community in India.

Karhade (Karada )
Classification:	Ethnic group/ Caste/Community of West Coast India. Paternal Attribute: Indo-Scythian
Significant populations in:	Maharashtra - primarily Tal - Konkan, Kolhapur and Karad regions, Goa, Karnataka - primarily coastal Karnataka, Mangaluru, Udupi and interior Shimoga up to Belgaon, Madhya Pradesh - erstwhile Maratha dominions like Gwalior, Indore, Uttar Pradesh - Jhansi, Kanpur, Bundelkhand,Kasargodu regions of Canarese Kerala.
Language	Marathi in Maharashtra, Kannada in Karnataka and parts of Canarese Kerala, Konkani in Goa, Karadi in Canarese Kerala, Bhati Bhasha in Goa and Malayalam in Hosdrug, Kerala.
Religion	Advaita Hinduism Ashwalayansutri Rugvedi Brahman.
Related Communities	Deshastha Brahmins Konkanastha Brahmins Nagar & Bhojaka of Gujarat. Havyaka and Shivalli of Coastal Karnataka.

Etymology and Origin

• The name Karháda or Karáda, is the progressive evolution of the name Kshaharáta^{[citation needed]}, the name of the founding dynasty of the Indo-Scythian (Saka) Western Satraps.Kshaharáta evolved into Khaharáda...Kaharáda...Karáda....and subsequently modern day Karháda.Satrap is the derivation of the Persian word Ksatrapavan which means a governor or viceroy. The Western Satraps were an Indo-Scythian (Saka) viceroyalty of the erstwhile Kushan empire, and belonged to the Gujjar or White Hun subsect of the lost Yuezhi tribes, which set out of the Tocharian homelands in Western China.
• The Western Satraps governed the region which roughly extended from the Chutus (and later Shilahara) borders in the south (near the modern town of Karad) to the northern frontiers with their fellow Mleccha tribesmen, the Kushans which included the fertile regions of modern day Malva near the town of Ujjain and from northern Konkan and parts of Saurashtra to their eastern frontiers with the powerful Satavahanas somewhere in modern day Marathwada.
• It was on their eastern and southern frontiers where the Western Satraps faced most of their military and cultural challenges, until their eventual defeat by the Satavahana Gautamiputra Satakarni.
• During the relentless battles with the Andhra Satavahanas some influential and level headed Kshaharata tried to secure peace by diplomacy through marriage. Kshaharata daughters were regularly given as wives to notable Satavahana gentry. Thus it can be reasonably believed that the modern Karhada race is a result of matrimonial alliances of the Western Satrap and the indigenous Satavahana.
• European theorists like Sir James Campbell and Reginald Edward Enthoven cite historical anecdotes which link the Karhadas to some of lost tribes of Gujjar or Gurjar or Khajjar or Qajar. This view was supported by the eminent historian, D. R. Bhandarkar, stating that certain members from foreign tribes such as the Ahir, Gurjar, Maga etc., were possibly the remnants of the rather short lived Western Satrap dynasty. Bhandarkar includes castes like the Bhojaka, Chitpavan, Havyaka, Karhade and Nagar Brahmins as of partly foreign origin.Medieval Deccan folklore cites some funny anecdotes, namely the Sahyādrikhaṇḍa hints at the resurrection of the tribe from the bones of a camel.
• Other versions are that the word Karhade is perhaps derived from Karhatak, an ancient region in India that included present day south Maharashtra and northern Karnataka.
• Notwithstanding the immense inter-mixing of various tribes, the average Karhade is generally tall, with black wavy hair. The Karhade generally resembles the Havyaka, but is noticeably darker in complexion.^{[citation needed]}
• Most modern Karhada shares the gotra with other Brahmins of the sub-continent. It is not known how the various Brahmin tribes with such diverse origins came upon to inherit the same paternal lineages. It can well be debated, if the Gotra system was philosophical / idealogical at its roots rather than the popular belief that it indicates the genealogical origins.
• Goan historian Balakrishna Kamat Satoskar,in his work Gomantak-prakruti ani sankruti maintains that Goan Padyes started claiming to be Karhades very late in the history,and originally belonged to non-Brahmin, nature worshipping priests native to Goa and Konkan,who did not follow Vedic religion,and later attained Brahmin-hood.

Culture and Language

Amruteshwar temple characteristic of the style popularised by the well known Karhada minister of the Seuna Yadava kingdom of the Deccan - Hemadri Pandith Hemadpant.

Later under the patronage of Adi Sankara and Madhwacharya,now Karhades are (Smarta and Vaishnava) and followers of the Advaita or Dvaita school of philosophy. They are Rigvedi Brahmins and follow the Ashwalayana Sutra. Although a vast majority adopted Vedic Hinduism a few profess other religious pursuits.

One of the distinctive features of Karahdes belief system, is that their titulary community deities (Graam Devatha or Kula Daiwat) are almost always different versions of Shakti or Durga. Example: there are four 'Durga' temples in four corners of Kerala-Karnataka region where there is concentration of Karhaade population - Kongoor at Mangalore and Aavala, Agalpaady and Thaire in Kasaragod. Similarly in the Marathi speaking domains, Karhada populations have always patronised Mahalakshmi- Kolhapur and Durga-Goa. Also in the Marathi dominions, there are 3 1/2 'Durga' temples in 4 corners, Kolhapur, Tuljapur, Vani and Mahur.

Originally the Kshaharatas perhaps spoke an old Eastern-Iranian language, however under the increasing cultural influences from the Satavahanas gradually their languages were Prakritised. They are known to have used the Kharoshti and the Brahmi scripts for writing. Subsequent Brahminisation during the Middle Ages inspired the Karhades to learn Sanskrit as a medium to officiate religious ceremonies.

Most modern day Marathi speaking Karhade live in Maharashtra and Goa, though a significant population exists in Madhya Pradesh. A southern branch of the Karhade Brahmins settled around the Kasaragodu region (north of the Chandragiri river) of the Malabar coast and they are called the Karada and share their traditions with fellow Tuluva Brahmins of Kasargode and Dakshina Kannada / Udipi. Other Tuluva Brahmins of the region are Shivalli and Havyaka. South of the Chandragiri river, collectively the Tulu and certain Karhada Brahmins, who assimilated with the Kerala Brahmins are loosely called Embranthiri.

In Goa Karhade have two subcastes viz. Padyes who speak a unique dialect of Konkani/ Bhati Bhasha and Bhatt Prabhus who speak standard Konkani.

In some pockets the Karadi dialect has been preserved or has influenced the spoken languages of Karhade, e.g. the Karada Bhashe of Dakshina Kannada / Kasargodu, the Karhadi Boli of Rajapur / Sawantwadi and some peculiarities of the Marathi spoken by the Karhade of Bundelkhand.

Particular mention is made of the Karhadi language of Kasaragodu, several researchers like Dr. Ramachandra Belluru - Kasargode University, Nozomi Kodama - Tokyo University and Smt. Saraswathi - Hampi University have studied this intra-community language unique to the region. Research has shown that the Kasaragodu Karhadas retained this language which appears to be a dialect of Konkani with significant structural borowings from Kannada and notably Tulu. It should be noted that Kasaragodu Karhadas are essentially multi-lingual, resorting to Kannada, Malayalam and Tulu, when communicating outside their community. Unlike them, other Karhadas like those from Hosdrug, interior and northern Canara, Goa and Maharashtra, are now monolingual and can communicate only in the local languages of their residence, i.e. Malayalam, Kannada, Konkani and Marathi respectively.

The modern Karhade celebrate several festivals according to the Hindu Calendar.

Karhadas have actively participated and patronised classical and folk music and art forms. In the Marathi speaking areas, Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki and several others have contributed immensely to the Hindustani Classical music.Another Karhada from Belgaum, Annasaheb Kirloskar promoted the Marathi Natyasangeet. In Kasaragodu region, they have been involved in the local art forms of Yakshagana and Talamaddale. Balipa Narayana Bhagwat is one of the last remaining vocalists from an era where microphones were not so common. Karhadas like Nataraja Sharma, Balasubrahmanya Bhat ( son of very popular violinist Late Vishnu Bhat, Kolikkaje) Yogeesha Sharma actively run music schools in Kasaragodu. Prince Rama Varma a descendant of Swathithirunal regularly visits - Veenavadini, agalpaady to conduct music classes.

'karhadesamskrithi.in' is exclusively devoted to preservation of cultural ethos and conducting research on the southern Karhaade beliefs,customs, traditions, food habits etc.

Free e-copies of their publications on 'Aahnika Vidhi', 'Brahmopadesha' and 'Vivaaha''' are available on request. these focus on rituals as performed in the Kerala-Karnataka region, explain 'what','how' and 'why' of these samskaaras desisting blind beliefs, Pouranic stories etc.

Population

Exact population of Karhade Brahmins is not known since the sub-caste wise census was not conducted after 1931. In 1931, the population of Karhades in Ratnagiri, Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Satara, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Nasik, Khandesh was 22,997. This is the only concrete data available and is found in the book "Karhade Brahmanancha itihas" by Late V. V. Athalye (Page 37).

In 1931, the population of India was 278,977,238. In 2011, the population of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (that were India in 1931) adds up to 1,545,193,422. Proportionately, Karhades work out to 127,375.

Now, the number in V. V. Athalye's book does not include the Karhades in Kasargod district of Kerala. They were 26,000+ in 2002 (as per their records), including those that migrated to Bangalore, Mangalore and surrounding areas. Adding 30,586 (Indian population grew from 1,028,737,436 in 2001 to 1,210,193,422 in 2011) makes the Karhade population estimate 157,961 as of 2011.

Notable Karhade

• Hemadpant, Prime Minister of Yadavas in 13th Century
• Keshav Pandit (Purohit), Rajpurohit of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Sambhaji and Rajaram
• Chimnaji Damodar (Moghe), Minister of Chhatrapati Shahu and Peshwa of Kolhapur state
• Govind Pant Bundele (Kher), Peshwa Bajirao's General who died in the Battle of Panipat (1761)
• Mahadaji Pant Guruji (Karkare), Advisor and Tutor of Peshwa Madhavrao I and Sawai Madhavrao
• Visaji Krushna Biniwale (Chinchalkar), Peshwa Madhavrao I's General in Northern India.
• Moropant (Paradkar), One of the highly respected Marathi poets
• Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi
• Hardekar Manjappa - 'Gandhi of Karnataka' Freedom Fighter
• Vaidya Purushottamsasthry Nanal - Notable Ayurveda researcher and practitioner from Pune.
• Padmabhushan 'Riyasatkar' Govind Sakharam Sardesai
• Padmabhushan Mahamahopadhyaya Datto Vaman Potdar, Historian & Vice Chancellor of University of Pune
• Padmabhushan Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, Indiologist
• Tryambak Shankar Shejwalkar, historian
• Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar, First Marathi Jnanpith Award winning writer
• Dr. Vishwakumaar Kaayargadde, founder & C.E.O. of Saankhya Labs., internationally recognized technology firm
• Mundodu Gopalakrishna Bhat, winner of a series of kerala state government awards both at district & state level for innovative and progressive approach to dairy farming and fodder development.
• Girish Bharadwaj - 'bridge-man' building eco-friendly, cost effective hanging bridges in remote villages of india.
• Nithyananda Padre, Assistant Editor of the Kannada Daily Udayavani
• Durga Bhagwat The only writer who refused to accept Jnanpith Award.
• Balshastri Jambhekar Father of Marathi journalism and Social Reformer.
• Jayant Narlikar, astronomer, astrophysicist
• Balipa Narayana Bhagavatharu, renowned Yakshagana vocalist.
• Suresh Bhat, famous Marathi Poet, established the form of Ghazal in Marathi
• Shantanurao Laxmanrao Kirloskar, Industrialist
• Narayana Subbarao Hardikar - Freedom Fighter, Satyagrahi
• Ganeshpant Sadashivrao Oze, Diwan of Baroda State.
• Vasant Kanetkar, Marathi - playwright
• Prabhakar Panshikar, Marathi - Stage (theatre)|stage actor
• Jitendra Abhisheki, Veteran Indian Classical Singer and Musician
• Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, classical singer
• Ashutosh Gowarikar, film director and producer
• Ulhas Kashalkar, Noted Hindustani Classical Vocalist.
• Rima Lagoo (maiden name Nayan Bhadbhade), Hindi & Marathi actress
• Hemant Karkare, ATS officer
• Nikhil Kanetkar, Badminton player
• Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (affectionately known as Shri Guruji or Golwalkar Guruji), second Sarsanghachalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
• Mohan Madhukar Bhagwat Sarsanghachalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
• Padmabhushan Shantanurao Laxmanrao Kirloskar, Doyen Of Indian Industry
• Padma Vibhushan B. G. Kher, full name Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher ,Chief Minister of Bombay Province (twice), Member Of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Indian's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Chairman of the Official languages Commission, Chairman of the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi. He even played a notable role in drafting the Indian Constitution.
• Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar (popularly known as Dadasaheb), President of the Central Legislative Assembly, then Speaker of the Constituent Assembly of India, and later the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha
• Govind Ballabh Pant
• Bhalji Pendharkar, Well known Marathi film maker
• Gajanan Pendharkar,Chairman Vicco labs
• Nandu Natekar, Well known Badminton Player of India
• Madhu Sapre, International Model
• Dr. Vijay Ramanan (Bhat), Clinical Hematologist- oncologist, Bone Marrow Transplant Physician
• Prathamesh Laghate, Classical Marathi singer
• Dr.S.V.Jathar- (Doctor and Vidwan)- Chairman, Nityananda trust, Gokarna.
• Renuka Shahane, Actress- Marathi and Hindi Films
• Kishori Shahane, Actress- Marathi and Hindi Films
• Gauri Nigudkar, T.V.actor and model
• Palakala Seetharama Bhat -famous Chutuka writer from Dakshina Kannada.
• Manish Phansalkar, Noted HR personality
• Arun Laxmanrao Deoskar(Deuskar)-IAF pilot, awarded Vir Chakra gallantry award in 1971, Maharastra Gaurav Puruskar,in 1990,from Amravati,ancestral home in bundelkhand since 17th century

Surnames

Marathi-Speaking Karhade Brahmins

Names of Marathi speaking Karhadas is characterised by three part structure;

- Part 1 = Given name, this is the name which is granted to the infant typically during the first month, moreso during the Barsa ceremony. Traditional examples being, Vishnu, Mahadeo, Durgadas, Bhagwan, Ramachandra, Bhargavram, Shankar etc. Often honourary suffices like -pant, -rao, -shastri, - bhat etc were attached to signify status. Likewise traditional examples amongst females being, Savitri, Narmada, Ahilya, Ganga etc, honorary suffices like - bai, -tai, -akka etc were attached.

- Part 2 = Father's name, this is the given name of the father (or husband of married women). The honorary suffices are usually dropped when used in this context.

- Part 3 = Surname, is often derived from the village, where from the family believes it hails from. Like other Marathi people, the suffix -kar is attached at the end, eg. one who hails from the village Satavla, would call himself Satavlekar. Other surnames suggest the occupation or simply ones gotra. Listed below are Karada surnames.

Thus when asked, a Karhada would recite his name typically like Vishnupant Mahadeo Satavlekar and his other half would call herself Savitribai Vishnu Satavlekar.

It was also not uncommon that nicknames such as Dada, Tatya, Nana, Anna, Appa etc, would replace the first and middle names in more familiar circles such as the immediate family and in case of socially imminent personalilities in their sphere of influence. In the later case the suffix -saheb to such affectionate nicknames. Thus our average Karhada would have been Dada Satavlekar to his close relatives and Dadasaheb Satavlekar to his community.

Some Karhada families which assimilated into Hindustani and Gujarati speaking regions of Northern and Western India, modified their erstwhile Marathi surnames. Thus surnames ending with a -e were altered to end with a -ia or -iya. Thus Jade became Jadiya, Athale became Athalya and Nawathe became Nawathia.

Karhade Brahmins settled in Kannada and Malayalam-Speaking regions

Names of Kannada and Malayalam speaking Karhadas is also characterised by three part structure;

- Part 1 = Given name, this is the name which is granted to the infant typically during the first month, moreso during the Barsa ceremony. Traditional examples being, Srirama, Ballala, Shankaranarayana, Venkatesha, Ganapathi etc. Likewise traditional examples amongst females being, Savithri, Narmada, Ahilya, Ganga etc.

- Part 2 = the southern Karhadas merely use the honorary title assigned to them like - bhat, - bhatta, -sharma, -sasthry, -rao. in this context it may be noted that (a) 'bhat' is indicative Brahmin status - every Brahmin including Havyaka or Shivalli is called 'bhat' irrespective of his sub-caste or family name (b) it is a common practice to append 'sharma' to one's name at the time of Munja i.e. Brahmopadesham to indicate that after Upanayana Samskaara, one attains 'brahminhood' (3) it may be noted that the early migrants were priests, scholars, astrologers and cooks - considered from this angle, they are all Bhats, Jois, Sharmas, Shastrys', Paadhyes' and Upaadhyes'.

- Part 3 = Surname, like Marathi speaking Karadas is often derived from the village, where from the family believes it hails from. However unlike the northern Karhadas, the suffix -kar is not attached at the end, eg. one who hails from the village Pathanadka, would merely call himself Pathanadka. This is distinct from the Shivalli practice of using the suffice -aya - where the surname in the example above would have been Pathanadkathaya. Other surnames suggest the occupation or simply ones gotra. Surnames - Karhade (Padye) Brahmins of Goa

Thus when asked, a southern Karhada would recite his name typically like Srirama Sasthry Pathanadka or Pathanadka Srirama Sasthry and his other half would call herself Savithri Sasthry Pathanadka.

See also

• List of Goan Brahmin communities

External links

• Karhade Samskruti
• The Karhaadaa
• Karada Samaja

Further reading

• The Tribes and Castes of Bombay – R.E.Enthoven ISBN 81-206-0630-2 to 81-206-0633-7.
• The Tribes and Castes of H.E.H The Nizam's Dominions-Syed Siraj-ul-Hassan ISBN 81-206-0488-1.
• "Foreign Elements in the Hindu Population," Indian Antiquary, no. 40 (1911):7-37, 179-180 Bhandarkar, Devadatta Ramakrishna