Thathera

Thathera
Regions with significant populations
  • India
Languages
Hindi
Religion
Hinduism 100%

The Thathera are a Hindu community, found in India, who are involved in the production of metal household utensils.[1] In 2014, this brass and copper craft made by Thathera people were included in UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[2]

History

According to their traditions, they are Chandravanshi, Suryavanshi, Agnivanshi, and Rajputs. They trace their origin from Sahastrabhu, who was killed by Parsuram. They also claim descent from the Haihay kings, a medieval Hindu dynasty.[3]

Present circumstances

The Thathera community are divided into 47 clans. The main ones are Chauhan, Parmar, Gohil, Mahecha Rathod, Vadher, Solanki, Bhatti, khasi, Kagda, Puvar all of which Rajput clans. They are known as Rajput. In Uttar Pradesh, they are found mainly in Lalitpur, Jalaun, Banda, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mirzapur and Allahabad districts. In Bihar, they are found in the districts of Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, Nawada, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Munger, Purnea, Begusarai, Katihar, Khagaria, and Madhubani.InBihar Thathera and Kasera are in OBC Bania Category.The Bihar Thathera are divided into a number of exogamous clans such as the Chandrahar, Chaswar, Mirdang, Amarpallo, and Peswa.[4]

The Thathera are basically a community of artisans. Metal work, business and repair of utensils are their traditional occupations. Many of them even cultivate land, and in Bihar, many are also jewellers. In Odisha, they are called 'kansari' and the main ones of this community are the "MAHARANA"s and the "MAHAPATRA"s. Basically, they are involved with metal artisan works like 'brass', 'bronze', 'aluminium' and 'copper' etc.

In Rajasthan

The Thathera in Rajasthan are found in the districts Jodhpur, Alwar, Jaipur, Madhopur, Jaiselmer, Ajmer, Bikaner, Ujjain, Udaipur, Banswara and Dungarpur. They speak Khari Boli and wagri among themselves, and Rajasthani with outsiders. Their main clans in Rajasthan are Kansara:

  • Ravegi
  • Jhaghari
  • Atlas Mewat
  • Atlas Kuntkutia
  • Atlas Patoria
  • Atlas Gondhar
  • Atlas Berenbal
  • Atlas Chonkria
  • Atlas Khankhapra
  • Shadpalia
  • Bhodia
  • Vadia Chaksaka
  • Mahendru Vadia
  • Ravat
  • Lilonia Moharia
  • Mahale
  • Chandoria Rafa
  • Kansara: Kansara is also have 12.5 clans like Solanki, Budh,sisodiya Deora(Bhutda), Mothesara, Kapuria, Panwar, Bhati, Chariya (Bharawa) Bhojani etc.
[5]

In Haryana

In Haryana, the Thathera claim to have been Rajput, who abandoned their traditional occupation and started to manufacture silver and gold coins. They immigrated from Rajasthan in the 19th Century and settled initially in Rewari. The community then took to manufacturing utensils. A small number of Thathera who are found in the town of Jagadhari, are said to have immigrated from Pakistan. The Haryana Thathera have fifty two clans. Their main clans are the Barawashli, Anant, Godomot and Ramgarhia. The community is strictly endogamous.[6]

The Thathera community, and their traditional occupation remains the manufacture of utensils. Many Thathera are now petty traders, involved mainly in the selling of utensils and other household items. The Haryana Thathera are Hindu, but have no particular deities.

Names

Other names of the community include:

  • Hindi-Thathera/Kasera/Tamrakar/ Tamera/Vadhera/hayaran,Tamta(Uttrakhand)
  • Nepali-tamo/tamot/tamrakar,
  • Punjabi-thatheri/thathiyar,
  • Bangla-karmakar,
  • Marathi-twastha tambat kasar,
  • Gujarati-kansara

References

  1. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Three by K S Singh page 1536 Manohar Publications
  2. ↑ Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-brass-and-copper-craft-of-utensil-making-among-the-thatheras-of-jandiala-guru-punjab-india-00845
  3. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Three by K S Singh page 1536 to 1540 Manohar publications
  4. ↑ People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 766 to 769 Seagull Books
  5. ↑ People of India Rajasthan Volume XXXVIII Part Two edited by B.K Lavania, D. K Samanta, S K Mandal & N.N Vyas pages 958 to 963 Popular Prakashan
  6. ↑ People of India Haryana Volume XXIII edited by M.K Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 490 to 493 Manohar
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