Telugu Brahmin is a sub-caste of the greater Brahmin community whose native language is Telugu. They hail from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.However you can find many Telugu speaking Brahmin families spread across South interior Karnataka and some parts of Tamilnadu.
Tanguturi Prakasam · Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya M. Balamuralikrishna · Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao |
| Regions with significant populations |
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| Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu |
| Languages |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
A Brahmin is a member of a caste of priests within Hindu society. The Brahmins constitute the community of scholars, priests and teachers and consider themselves responsible, broadly speaking, for society's spiritual progress.[says who?]
The Brahmins constitute a small segment of Indian society. In 1931, Brahmins were 4.32% of the total population. Even in Uttar Pradesh, where they are most numerous, the Brahmins constitute just 10% of the total populace. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, they form less than 6% and 5% respectively of the population.[1]
The earliest Brahmins who arrived in Andhra were most probably sage Viswamitra's students around 1200 BC. South Indian kings have patronized Brahmins and Hinduism since ancient times. The Satavahana dynasty, founded by Srimukha (221-198 BC), ruled for five centuries and extended over Andhra and central India supported Vedic religion and its traditions. The Satavahana dynasty granted land to the Brahmins. Sangam era Chera, Chola and Pandya kings in the deep south also gave land to Brahmins.
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Most of the Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh belong to the Smarta Brahmin group, i.e., the followers of smritis and followers of Adi Sankaracharya. The Smarta Brahmins follow Apastamba Smriti, not the Manusmriti. Āpastamba is from a family of Brahmins of the Taittirīya branch Vedic school dedicated to the study of the Black Yajurveda.[2] and he was supposed to be living on the banks of River Godavari. Boudhayana, Parasara, Yajnvalkya sutras and other laws were also important in the courts of Srikrishnadevaraya. Smartha Brahmins are worshippers of both Lord Narayana and Lord Shiva as also the various other Acharyas who have contributed to the spread of the faith. The Smaarta Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh can be grouped into two major divisions: the Vaidiki Brahmins - Learners of Vedas and Niyogi - those appointed to official positions by Kings. There are Vaikhanasas, a tiny vaishnavite brahmin community of about 2,500 families widely dispersed in South India at Vaishnava temples in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka. Today, one can still find Telugu Brahmins practicing the ancient tradition of learning and teaching Vedas in most parts of Andhra Pradesh. There are many sub-sects of brahmins, including Dravidlu, Niyogi (Aru Vela Niyogulu), Vaidiki Velandalu, Telaganyulu, Kanvulu and others. Other important groups that eventually got absorbed into Telugu Brahmins from neighboring state Tamilnadu who are a followers of Sri Vaishnavism who follow Vishishtadvaita espoused by the saint Ramanujacharya.(Reference: Shreeram Balijepalli's articles online)
There are other divisions in vaidiki brahmins. They are velanadu, veginadu, murikinadu, kasalanadu etc., The Brahmins who considered as purohits and who practice smartham as their profession are the well wishers of the society at large. The brahmin community which prophes the vedic rituals and the 'dos' and 'do nots' sacrifies everything for the sake of society.
