Hebbar Iyengar

Hebbar Iyengar
Varna Brahmin
Guru Ramanuja
Religions Hinduism
Languages Hebbar Language, Kannada, Sanskrit,
Country India
Original state Karnataka
Populated states Karnataka
Family names Iyengar, Dixit, Murthy
Notable members Raja Ramanna, M. R. Srinivasan
Related groups Iyengars
Website https://hebbariyengar.net/

Hebbar Iyengar or Hebbar Srivaishnava is a caste of Hindu Brahmins of Kannada origin whose members follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Ramanuja. They are found primarily in the Indian state of Karnataka especially in Southern Districts. Hebbar Iyengar diaspora can also be found in major Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi and also in various Foreign countries like Singapore, US, UK, Australia, New Zealand.

The Hebbar Iyengars speak a unique language known as Hebbar which is a Kannadised version of Brahmins Tamil. Hebbar language is highly infulenced by Kannada and uses many loan words from Kannada, Sanskrit and Tamil Vocabulary. [1]

As with other Iyengar community Hebbar Iyengars are also divided into two religious sects, the Vadakalai and the Thenkalai. As with other Hindu communities, they are also classified based on their gotra, or patrilineal descent.

Hebbar Iyengars also display a mark on their forehead known as the Srivaishnava Urdhva Pundra as a caste mark like other Iyengar Communities in Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh etc.,

Etymology

Hebbar is a Kannada word which is a combination of Hiriya Haruva meaning elderly Brahmins in Kannada. Sri Ramanuja Referred his new disciples who converted to Sri Vaishnavism as Hebbar [2]

History

The details of Hebbar Iyengar origin was published long back in the Hebbar Srivaishnava magazine called "Hebbar Kshema". A historical novel written by Smt. Neeladevi about the life of Ramanuja in Karnataka named "Dhanya" gives similar answers to the origin of Hebbar Srivaishnavas. [3]

During 12th Century Sri Ramanujacharya fled Tamilnadu escaping persecution of Vaishnavas by the Chola King who wanted to kill him. He came and settled in the Hoysala Kingdom. When he was in Tondanur (Tonnur) near Melukote, a group of elderly Kannada Brahmins from Ramanathapura, Saligrama came to Tondanur and heard Sri Ramanujacharyas discourses on Srivaishnava Philosophy. Impressed by the preaching of Ramanuja they offered to convert to Srivaishnava Religion and they became followers of Ramanuja. Sri Ramanuja affectionately called this group of Elderly Brahmins who became his disciples as Hebbar. Hebbar is a Kannada word which is a combination of Hiriya Haruva, which means elderly Brahmins in Kannada. Thus the sect called Hebbar Iyengar originated in the erstwhile Hoysala Kingdom of 12th Century. So Hebbar Srivaishnavas are originally Kannada Brahmins (Advaitins) who got converted to Srivaishnavism, impressed by the teachings of Sri Ramanuja and they are not Jains or backward caste as some say. [4]

Sri Ramanujacharya asked them to settle in Ashta Gramas or eight villages namely Bindiganavile, Kadaba, Nuggehalli, Nonavinakere, Shantigrama, Belur, etc., in the Hoysala Kingdom in the present day Southern Karnataka region called Hale Mysooru. Later they spread across various places in the region.

They have their Haathperumal in different places of these districts. Since their ancestor's mother tongue was Kannada they still have the affliction towards Kannada. Gradually they learnt to speak Tamil, mainly to learn the Alwars Divya Prabhandams which are the essential religious works which a Srivaishnava has to learn and recite. [5]

Hebbar Iyengars study Kannada in schools as their prime langauge and cannot read and write in Tamil. They read the Ramanuja’s philosophical works and Alwars Divya Prabhandams that are translated to Kannada or English. However, they recite NalayiraDivyaPrabhandams in Temples in Karnataka forming Goshtis (Groups). They are also called Melnatu Iyengars as they are residing in the High Deccan plateau of Karnataka. [6]

Demographics

Hebbar Iyengars are mainly found in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Tumkur, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Chikkaballapura, Kolar and Chamarajanagar districts of Southern Karnataka. [7]

Hebbar Iyengar diaspora are now found in many states of India and also in UK, USA, Singapore, Australia and other Foreign countries.

Religious observances

Notable people

Scientists

Officers in the Armed Forces

  • Vasanth Venugopal (1967–2007), Commanding Officer of the 9th battalion, Maratha Light Infantry. Awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously.

Writers and Poets

Entrepreneurs, Industrialists and Businessmen

  • Vimala Rangachar Founder Member and President of M.E.S Institutions, President of the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, President of the M.E.W.S Ladies Club, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru


Politicians and Administrators

Film Artists and Director

Musicians

References

Notes

    Citations

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