Kunchitiga

Kunchitiga
Regions with significant populations
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh India
Languages
Kannada
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]

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. Janakal 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. Currently it is recognized with Vokkaliga and emerged as huge brotherhood becoming 2nd largest Hindu community of Karnataka. [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.[3]

Sub Divisions

It is believed that Kunchitigas originally had 101 Gothras. Currently people of the following 48 gothras are found in the Karnataka region.[4]

1. UndenavaruThey were preparing and selling Vibhoothi unde
2. JanakallunavaruThey were the merchants of (satekallu) Sanekallu
3. ArasanavaruThey ruled the Kingdom as kings.
4. JaledenavaruDescendants of Jaladhi Bapparaya who helped to cross the river
5. RagenavaruThey grow ragi and sold as merchants
6. HavinavaruThey are the descendants of Havinakamaraya He was a godly person
7. AttenavaruThe merchants to tamarian fruits.
8. AluvanavaruThose who established new provinces and ruled them
9. DhanyadavaruThose who were looking after stores of food grains
10. EradukereyavaruThose who built two tanks at the same time.
11. KaradenavaruThose catching the bear and giving training to it to move and dance
12. HalanavaruCowherds who collected milk and sold it.
13. SurenavaruThey were worshipping the sun as their God.
14. BasalenavaruThey grow basale plants and sold basale leaves.
15. YammenavaruThey were tending buffalo.
16. YerrenavaruThey were shifting "Asugalu "from one place to the other.
17. HuliyararuThey were establishing tamarind gardens.
18. SettenavaruThey were fully engaged in Business.
19. GonenavaruThey were weaving gunny bags and sold them.
20. AlpenavaruThey rendered their service in the army.
21. BellenavaruMerchants of silver.
22. AndenavaruThey were preparing utensils and sold them.
23. JeerigenavaruThey grew Jeerige and sold it.
24. KattaradavaruThey were holding sword and fight.
25. VanamanavaruThey established groups or cluster of trees or Gardens.
26. KagenavaruThey were worshiping crow as their God's incarnation
27. ManesenavaruThey grow Pepper(Menasu in Kannada) and sold it.
28. KambaliyavaruThey were weaving woollen blankets(Kambali in Kannada) and selling them.
29. EliyavaruThey were weaving Muthugada leaves for meals and selling
30. MayinavaruThey grow mango Gardens.
31. AralenavaruThey grow cotton and sold it.
32. GarikeruThey were worshiping "Garike" plant thinking it as "Benaka"
33. SarangadavaruThey are associated with the animal "Saranga".
34. RavuthadavaruThey rode horses.
35. HuthadavaruThey were worshipping Ant-hill (hutha).
36. GudiyavaruThey were marching in the procession in the holding flags.
37. JariyavaruThey believed centipede as God and do not kill it.
38. GalenavaruThey were catching fish using Hooks(Gala in Kannada)
39. BadavanavaruThey were beating drums on the forts and giving signals to the Army about the enemy.
40. DasalenavaruThey served in Army with their spear (Eeti in Kannada) & Shield (Gurani in Kannada).
41. UllenavaruThey were growing plenty of Horsegram.
42. AstenavaruThey were helping staff to all the eight ministers of the king.
43. ShastradavaruThey were praising their kings in the palace with thousands of Descriptions.
44. DamaguthiyavaruThey were beating drum (Dhakke) in the palace
45. KoggenavaruThey were feeding birds and animals by the help of worm "Kogge"
46. KakkenavaruThey were worshipping plants called "kakke"
47. MeeslenavaruThey were preparing "Bhasinga" and Thondila.
48. VolakalloruThey were sleeping at the time of dividing gothras and came at end.

The following gothras are found outside the Karnataka region.[2]

  1. Kallakanteyavaru
  2. Jakkeladavaru
  3. Thandadavaru
  4. Koddagerenavaru
  5. Saakuvalleru
  6. Kodehalliyavaru
  7. Kottagereyavaru
  8. Huttenavaru
  9. Kalledavaru
  10. Nimbenavaru
  11. Devanavaru
  12. Hallakattanavaru
  13. Uravinevaru (Uravinoru)

References

  1. ↑ K. Balasubramanyam; India. Superintendent of Census Operations, Mysore; India. Office of the Registrar General (1965). Mysore: handicraft survey monographs : crafts using wood as the chief raw material. Census of India, 1961. Manager of Publications.
  2. 1 2 3 4 M, Puttaiah (1973) [1973]. Kunchitigara Samajada Charitre. Bangalore. p. 21.
  3. ↑ M, Puttaiah (1973) [1973]. Kunchitigara Samajada Charitre. Bangalore. p. 32.
  4. ↑ M, Puttaiah (1973) [1973]. Kunchitigara Samajada Charitre. Bangalore. p. 95.
  • This article is extracted from "Kunchitigara Parampare haagu Samaja Sudharakaru" by Dr V. Anjanappa. Published by "Vishwa Kunchitigara Parishath" (first edition-2009)
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