Kunchitiga
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2011) |
Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, India | |
Languages | |
Kannada | |
Religion | |
Hinduism, Jainism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Dravidian · Kannadiga |
'Kunchitiga is a community of people from Karnataka, India. They are concentrated mostly in Tumkur and the cities of Bangalore and Mysore. They are also found in Chitradurga district.[1] Dasanakoppa of Sirsi Taluk, Karwar Dt and Hangal taluka of Haveri district. In that region, they are called as "kamati" (the word kamata means agriculture). They have their distinct traditions. Kunchitigas are predominantly agriculturists and some are traders and merchants.
Origins and Legends
While the exact origins of the community is disputed till date, there seems a consistent legend describing the migration of the community from the north to the south of India.
Legend has it that Kunchitigas were originally from northern parts of India and were forced to migrate south due to various circumstances prevailing in that region. In most legends concerning this migration a Muslim ruler is involved, who is said to have coveted the daughter of the community's chief.[2] Their leader/progenitor was one Undetharaya who whilst fleeing the said Muslim ruler, was unable to cross an overflowing river( Some legends claim the river to be Godavari and some as Ganges[2]) and was helped by a Kuruba called "Jaladhi Bapparaya" on the promise that the community would be named after him. He is said to have offered himself as sacrifice to the river goddess at which an easy passage was created for the fleeing people. Jaladhi Bapparaya was holding a Kuncha(cluster) used to weave woolen blankets in his hands, a symbol of his profession. Undetharaya is said to have named his community as Kunchitiga in his honour. Undetharaya is also said to have given his daughter in marriage to the corpse of the Kuruba Gowda, who was then revived by divine grace. Their union thus heralded the start of a new community.[2]
The Legend of Jaladhi Bopparaya
Jaladhi Bopparaya is a Kuruba leader and great divine Shiva worshiper, Kurubas being good from heart wanted to help people who wanted to cross Godavari river. Kuruba is the only single community in India who ruled almost India .Jaladhi Bopparaya was ruling the region around Godavari river and he was very famous. With his great sacrifice and devotion he saved many people and from then new caste was formed called as "Kunchitiga". Kunchitiga still work ship the great Kuruba Jaladhi Bopparaya for his great work and sacrifice.[2]
Sub Divisions
It is believed that Kunchitigas originally had 101 Gothras. Currently people of the following 48 gothras are found in the Karnataka region.[2]
1. Undenavaru | They were preparing and selling Vibhoothi unde |
2. Janakallunavaru | They were the merchants of (satekallu) Sanekallu |
3. Arasanavaru | They ruled the Kingdom as kings. |
4. Jaledenavaru | Descendants of Jaladhi Bapparaya who helped to cross the river |
5. Ragenavaru | They grow ragi and sold as merchants |
6. Havinavaru | They are the descendants of Havinakamaraya He was a godly person |
7. Attenavaru | The merchants to tamarian fruits. |
8. Aluvanavaru | Those who established new provinces and ruled them |
9. Dhanyadavaru | Those who were looking after stores of food grains |
10. Eradukereyavaru | Those who built two tanks at the same time. |
11. Karadenavaru | Those catching the bear and giving training to it to move and dance |
12. Halanavaru | Cowherds who collected milk and sold it. |
13. Surenavaru | They were worshipping the sun as their God. |
14. Basalenavaru | They grow basale plants and sold basale leaves. |
15. Yammenavaru | They were tending buffalo. |
16. Yerrenavaru | They were shifting "Asugalu "from one place to the other. |
17. Huliyararu | They were establishing tamarind gardens. |
18. Settenavaru | They were fully engaged in Business. |
19. Gonenavaru | They were weaving gunny bags and sold them. |
20. Alpenavaru | They rendered their service in the army. |
21. Bellenavaru | Merchants of silver. |
22. Andenavaru | They were preparing utensils and sold them. |
23. Jeerigenavaru | They grew Jeerige and sold it. |
24. Kattaradavaru | They were holding sword and fight. |
25. Vanamanavaru | They established groups or cluster of trees or Gardens. |
26. Kagenavaru | They were worshiping crow as their God's incarnation |
27. Manesenavaru | They grow Pepper(Menasu in Kannada) and sold it. |
28. Kambaliyavaru | They were weaving woollen blankets(Kambali in Kannada) and selling them. |
29. Eliyavaru | They were weaving Muthugada leaves for meals and selling |
30. Mayinavaru | They grow mango Gardens. |
31. Aralenavaru | They grow cotton and sold it. |
32. Garikeru | They were worshiping "Garike" plant thinking it as "Benaka" |
33. Sarangadavaru | They are associated with the animal "Saranga". |
34. Ravuthadavaru | They rode horses. |
35. Huthadavaru | They were worshipping Ant-hill (hutha). |
36. Gudiyavaru | They were marching in the procession in the holding flags. |
37. Jariyavaru | They believed centipede as God and do not kill it. |
38. Galenavaru | They were catching fish using Hooks(Gala in Kannada) |
39. Badavanavaru | They were beating drums on the forts and giving signals to the Army about the enemy. |
40. Dasalenavaru | They served in Army with their spear (Eeti in Kannada) & Shield (Gurani in Kannada). |
41. Ullenavaru | They were growing plenty of Horsegram. |
42. Astenavaru | They were helping staff to all the eight ministers of the king. |
43. Shastradavaru | They were praising their kings in the palace with thousands of Descriptions. |
44. Damaguthiyavaru | They were beating drum (Dhakke) in the palace |
45. Koggenavaru | They were feeding birds and animals by the help of worm "Kogge" |
46. Kakkenavaru | They were worshipping plants called "kakke" |
47. Meeslenavaru | They were preparing "Bhasinga" and Thondila. |
48. Volakalloru | They were sleeping at the time of dividing gothras and came at end. |
The following gothras are found outside the Karnataka region.[2]
- Kallakanteyavaru
- Jakkeladavaru
- Thandadavaru
- Koddagerenavaru
- Saakuvalleru
- Kodehalliyavaru
- Kottagereyavaru
- Huttenavaru
- Kalledavaru
- Nimbenavaru
- Devanavaru
- Hallakattanavaru
- Uravinevaru (Uravinoru)
Prominent
- Sri Dharmaprakasha D. Banumaiahgowda (1860-1932) (college of commerce and arts, polytechnic Mysore)
- T V Maruthi -Shanthala Silks and Also president of Indian Silk Board.
References
- ^ K. Balasubramanyam; India. Superintendent of Census Operations; Mysore (1965). Mysore: handicraft survey monographs : crafts using wood as the chief raw material. Mittal Publications. pp. 17–. GGKEY:HRFC6GWCY6D. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
{{cite book}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f M, Puttaiah (1973) [1973]. Kunchitigara Samajada Charitre. Bangalore. p. 21.
{{cite book}}
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- This article is extracted from "Kunchitigara Parampare haagu Samaja Sudharakaru" by Dr V. Anjanappa. Published by "Vishwa Kunchitigara Parishath" (first edition-2009)