Devanga
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala | |
| Languages | |
| Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam | |
| Religion | |
 Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Thogataveera |
Devangas are a community from South India that traditionally followed the occupation of weaving.
Origins, location and languages
The caste claims to be descended from Devala, an ancient Hindu sage.[1]
Today, the community are mostly found in the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu.[1] Most are weavers of silk and cotton. They follow Veerashaivism or Shaivite practices and also those of Lingayatism, and they consider the Viramustis as their traditional preceptors, from whom they take precepts and wear lingam.[1]
The Devangas and Padmashalis were once the same community. The two divided when the Devangas began to follow Shaivite practices and the Padmashalis continued as Vaishnavites.[2]
Devanga Puranamu
The Devanga Purana throws light on the early origins of this caste.[3] In c.1532, Devanga people requested Telugu poet Bhadralinga Kavi to write their kulapuranam and Bhadralinga Kavi composed (translated) Devanga Purana in dasimatra-dvipadi.[2]
Occupation
Devangas are known for good craftsmanship in weaving clothes of all varieties and they weave superfine quality cotton clothes.[1] Weaving the loom is usually done by men whereas women dye the yarn and spin the thread and children assist in looming etc.[1] They are also very good entrepreneurs and expert in marketing the clothes and some of them are also engaged in other trade like vegetables, groceries etc.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Acharya, Prasant Kumar. Sacred Complex of Budhi Santani: Anthropological Approach to Study Hindu Civilization (2003 ed.). New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. pp. 240–246. ISBN 978-8-18069-049-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Swarnalatha, P. (2005). "The Social World of the Weaver". The World of the Weaver in Northern Coromandel, c. 1750 - c. 1850. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan. pp. 39–45. ISBN 978-8-12502-868-0.
- ↑ Devangas of Karnataka: A sociological case-study of Kollegal
Further reading
- Parthasarathi, Prasannan (2001). The Transition to a Colonial Economy: Weavers, Merchants and Kings in South India, 1720-1800. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-52157-042-8.