Kunchitiga

'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 Gowda 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 Gowda leader and great divine Shiva worshiper, Kuruba Gowdas being good from heart wanted to help people who wanted to cross Godavari river. Kuruba Gowda 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 Gowda 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. RagenavaruThey 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]

  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)

Prominent

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. Mittal Publications. pp. 17–. GGKEY:HRFC6GWCY6D. Retrieved 11 March 2011. Cite uses deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 M, Puttaiah (1973) [1973]. Kunchitigara Samajada Charitre. Bangalore. p. 21.

External links

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