Telugu Brahmins

Telugu Brahmins
Languages
Telugu
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Iyer, Iyengar

Telugu Brahmin are members of the Brahmin community who speak Telugu. They mainly hail from the Indian States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, although several have migrated to the rest of India as well as to countries around the world.A large number of Telugu brahmins have also settled in parts of Karnataka especially Bangalore

Groups

Most of the Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana 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 Krishna Yajurveda.[1] and he was supposed to be living on the banks of River Godavari. However, a small minority of Sage Viswamitra are the followers of Aashvalaayana sutra i.e. the study of Rig Veda. The Smarta Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana can be grouped into two major divisions: the Vaidiki Brahmins - Learners of Vedas and Niyogi - those appointed to official positions by Kings.

Some Telugu Brahmins follow the Dvaita philosophy of Sri Madhwacharya. They are known as Telugu Madhwa Brahmins are concentrated in the Telangana region in the Mahabubnagar, Ranga Reddy, Nizamambad and Adilabad districts of Telangana, Andhra region and in the Anantapur and Kurnool districts of Rayalaseema.

There are many sub-sects of Brahmins, including Vaidiki Brahmins, Vaidiki Velanadu, Vaidiki Murikinadu, Dravidlu, Aaaramadravidlu, Niyogi (Aru Vela Niyogulu), Kanvulu, and others. Other important groups that eventually got absorbed into Telugu Brahmins from neighboring state Tamil Nadu who are a followers of Sri Vaishnavism who follow Vishishtadvaita espoused by the saint Ramanujacharya.(Reference: Shreeram Balijepalli's articles online)

Diet

Telugu brahmins follow vegetarianism and prefer "Satvika" food.

Festivals

Telugu Brahmins celebrate most of the festivals celeberated by telugu people in general like Makara Sankranti and Ugadi. However the festival of Avani Avittam or Upakarma is an important festival exclusive to South Indian Brahmins.

Portrayal in popular media

The portrayal of telugu brahmins in media has generally been in great appraise.Their unique customs and cultural practices have usually been a subject of intricacy and these brahmins are generally always depicted as the main heroes of Telugu movies. [2] [3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Robert Lingat, The Classical Law of India, (Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd, 1993), p 20.
  2. ↑ http://indiatoday.intoday.in/gallery/andhra-pradesh-brahmins-protest-against-telugu-film-denikaina-ready/1/8095.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/City-Brahmins-stage-protest-against-Film/articleshow/16902391.cms. Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links