Joshi
- This article is about the family name Joshi. For other uses and people with the name, see Joshi (disambiguation).
Joshi (हिंदू जोशी ಹಿಂದೂ ಜೋಷಿ) is a family name common in India and Nepal. Whereas the Joshi's of India are of Brahmin origin, the Joshi's of Nepal are either Newars (Tibeto-Burman Origin) or Khas-Brahmin (Indo-European Origin). They have dissected to large tribes in Maharashtra and Karnataka where they are also termed under Nomadic Tribes.[1]
Origin
The word Joshi is derived from the Sanskrit word "Jyotishi" meaning a practitioner of Jyotish (astrology) i.e. astrologer. In North India, the Joshi are often employed as village priests, palmists and astrologers. They officiate at weddings and select the muharat for all the life-cycle ceremonies. The Joshi also are involved in pinpointing the auspicious time for commencement of agricultural operations and harvesting.[2]
Joshi's inhabit the Southern part of the country. It is a sect of Hindu religion which is inclined to Vedic studies, practice of astrology and spreading religious consciousness throughout the villages. The Joshi sect in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradeshare of historical importance. During the Muslim rule of India they formed a tribe to educate fellow Hindus about the importance of Vedas.
In the state of Maharashtra and Karnataka this sect is also found in or denoted as nomadic due to their frequent change of location in order to make a living. They tend to return to a nomadic way of life. (See De notified and Nomadic Tribes in Maharashtra, India.[3])
'Ved pathan' (reciting of vedas) is a regular core activity in the life of this tribe.
Distributions
Joshi is a common family name for Brahmins in the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and Farwestern Region (in Nepal). In Nepal, also is a common family name for Newar or a Khas-Brahmin.
Variations
In the Marathi populated Deccan, the last name Joshi is pronounced as ज़ोशी (dental J) as opposed to जोशी in rest of India and Nepal.
In Karnataka, Joshi is sometimes pronounced as Joyisa or Joisa.
Joshi Brahmins of Uttar Pradesh
The Joshi in Uttar Pradesh are a Brahmin sub-caste. They are also known as Bhaddri, Bhattri, and Jotishi. The Joshi are found mainly in the districts of Hardoi, Sitapur, Lucknow, Etah and Mainpuri. They are divided into seven exogamous groups, namely the Bangaraha, Chaubhaiya, Gora Vansh, Kariya Vansh, Panchrauliha, Silautiha Vansh, and Sunaraha. Their gotras are the Bharadwaj, Dhakari and Kashyap, all which are of equal status, and intermarry.[4]
Notable Joshis
Astrologers
- Mangal Raj Joshi: The Royal Astrologer of Nepal, whose family has worked for more than 20 generations for the Nepalese kings.
Politicians and Leaders
- Murli Manohar Joshi: BJP Leader, from Almora in Uttarakhand.
- Manohar Joshi: Shiv Sena Leader & former Chief minister of State of Maharashtra, and Speaker of Lok Sabha India. An eminent educationist, he set up the Kohinoor Institutes in Mumbai and was popularly called Principal Joshi. Later, he has successfully branched out into Hotels and Real Estate.
- Late Comrade P.C. Joshi: Famous Indian Communist leader, hailed from Almora.
- Chandra Deo Joshi: President, Communist of Nepal (United) and Constitution Assembly Member, from Nepal
- Govinda Raj Joshi: Nepali congress leader, from Nepal
- Rita Bahuguna Joshi: UP Congress Chief
- General B.C. Joshi: Late Chief of Army, from Almora, Uttrakhand
- Rohit Joshi: He is one of the best Software Engineers in India. He is currently working with Mphasis(an HP company) in Pune. He belongs to Nashik, Maharashtra and is a Swayamsevak of RSS in Nashik. He is a multitalented personality. He has acted in many state level dramas. He is one of the fine vocalist in Nashik. He plays flute, guitar, synthesizer, clarinet very well and has good influence in politics in Nashik. Coming back to the software, he is most eminent ORACLE developer in India.
- S.M. Joshi: One of the most eminent for-bearers of the socialist movement, whose entire life was a history of ceaseless labour and selfless work, be it journalism, literature, oratory, politics, or social work.
- Sharad Joshi: Sharad Joshi is the most articulate spokesman of the new farmers movement.Agriculturist and Peasant Leader founder of Shetkari Sanghatana - Farmers' Organization in Maharashtra and at national level, of the Kisan Coordination Committee (KCC) composed of sister organizations from 14 states - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
- C. P. Joshi: Minister of Panchayat Raj, Govt of India 2009. C. P. Joshi (born 29 July 1950) is an Indian Politician and Member of Parliament of India from Bhilwara in the 15th Lok Sabha. He was one of the first 19 members of India's new cabinet sworn in on May 22, 2009, despite being a first-time member of the Lok Sabha and he has taken the office of Minister of Rural Development. He is a member of the Indian National Congress.
Management Professionals
- Vyomesh Joshi: Vyomesh Joshi has served as a member of Yahoo’s board of directors since July 2005. Mr. Joshi was elected Executive Vice President of the Imaging and Printing Group at Hewlett-Packard in 2002 after serving as Vice President since January 2001. Mr. Joshi also served as Chairman of Phogenix Imaging LLC, a joint venture between HP and Kodak, from 2000 until May 2003. Prior to that Mr. Joshi was Vice President and General Manager of Inkjet Systems. Mr. Joshi holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Ohio State University.
Amit Joshi: Amit Joshi has started his career from BRD Roorkee and now working in Guru Gobind Singh Institute of Tecnhology and Management Studies in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana. Mr. Joshi holds a master's degree in management from maharishi dayananda University, India
Writers, Educationalist and Scholars
- Dr. Kalpana Joshi: Dr. Kalpana Joshi has accomplished her Ph.D in Applied Biology and also done the post-doctoral research in medicine at Loa medicines which is situated at US. She has got patents for 16 medicines. She also accomplished her momentous research in curing the dreaded breast cancer. She is also honorary speaker in more than a few honors like Dr. J.C. Patel award etc.
- Deep Joshi: Prominent Indian social activist Deep Joshi, who has done pioneering work for "development of rural communities", was named along with five others for the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2009, considered as Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Hails from Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand.
- Anandi Gopal Joshi (or Anandibai Joshi) (Marathi: आनंदी गोपाळ जोशी/आनंदीबाई जोशी)(March 31, 1865 - February 26, 1887): was one of the first two Indian women to obtain a medical degree through training in Western medicine. (Kadambini Ganguly earned a medical degree the same year, 1886, as Anandibai.) She was also the first Hindu woman to do so.
- Master Shanker Lal Joshi: A well known educationalist of Pali-Marwar, founder of Shree Ganesh Group of Schools & Colleges.[5]www.gvmlakshya.co.in
- V.K. Joshi: Author of English Novels and translator. His recent work is the novel "Priestly Beastly".
- Laxmesh Joshi : Sanskrit and Vedic scholar; author of numerous books
- Lakshmanshastri Joshi: Eminent Vedic scholar, social reformer and Marathi encyclopaedist.
- Arun Joshi: Noted, vastly under-appreciated Indian writer of fiction in English.
- Manohar Shyam Joshi: Great post-modern Hindi writer and Father of Indian soap operas, belonged to Almora.
- Umashankar Joshi: Famous Gujarati poet.
- Shekhar Joshi: Renowned Hindi author. Born in Almora.
- Prasoon Joshi: Famous Hindi lyricist. Chairman and Executive Creative Director of McCann Erickson. Belongs to Danya, Almora.
- Sharad Joshi: Hindi writer and satirist, awarded Padma Sri. Born in Ujjain, MP.
- Ram Joshi: Eminent Marathi writer of Lavani. A popular prose form in 19th century Maharashtra.
- Ruchir Joshi: Writer and filmmaker. He is the author of a novel, The Last Jet-Engine Laugh.
- Chintaman Vinayak Joshi: Famous Marathi humorist. Author of "Chimanrao" series of books.
- Mahadevshastri Joshi: Marathi writer.
- S. T. Joshi (b. 1958), Indian American literary scholar and HP Lovecraft expert.
- Krishnanand Joshi, At Post - Halgara, TQ - Nilanga, Dist - Latur
Artists and Performers
- Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Bharat Ratna, vocalist of Hindustani classical music
- Gajananrao Joshi, violinist and vocalist Hindustani Classical Music
- Damayanti Joshi, Kathak dancer and guru
- Gayatri Joshi, former actress
- Tulip Joshi, actress, model
- Pallavi Joshi, actress, winner of National award for the film Woh Chokri
- Dilip Joshi, Hindi and Gujarati actor
- Shibani Joshi, on air personality for Fox Business Network
- Sudhir Joshi, eminent Marathi actor.
- Swapnil Joshi, actor
- Prasoon Joshi, Bollywood Lyricist
- Sharman Joshi, Bollywood Actor (a Gujarati), brother of Mansi Joshi
- Nivedita Joshi, Marathi Movie actress
- Mansi Joshi TV Actress, sister of Sharman Joshi and wife of Rohit Roy.
Sports
- Sunil Joshi (cricket), played for Indian cricket team as left arm spinner in one day international and test match cricket.
- Devendra Joshi (Right Handed Cueist), he is the World Pro Billiards Runner-up and Arjuna Award Winner (Highest Sports Award).
- Narayanrao Joshi, Indian Chessmaster and All-India Chess Champion (1924), born in Miraj, Maharashtra, died in Pune, Maharashtra 1950.
Social Service
References