Gomantak Maratha Samaj
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
|
Primary populations in: Goa, Maharashtra Populations in: United Kingdom, United States, Canada | |
| Languages | |
| Konkani | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Maratha, Naik Maratha Samaj, Nutan Maratha Samaj |
Gomantak Maratha Samaj is a Konkani speaking community found in Indian state of Goa.[1] They are known as Naik Maratha Samaj and Nutan Maratha Samaj in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra and Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, respectively.
Origin
Gomantak Maratha is a relatively new ameliorative name (coined in the late 20th century[2]) given to the group of temple service personnel, for uniting and emancipating them. They were previously known by the following names:[3]
Kalavant, Kulambini (Devadasi)
- Those who participated in music and singing were known as Kalavantini, literally meaning an artist, they always enjoyed a higher position in this community.
- Those who kept the temple lamps, Palanquin, and hold Chamara (Chavar in Konkani) were known as Bhavins, literally a pious lady.
Devli
Etymologically Devli, the word Devli is derived from the word Devul or Dev meaning God. So Devalis are those who were dedicated or devoted to the temple or to God. The duties of Devli males (Jyotkar) included lighting the temple lamps and mashal (torch), hold Devdanda, act as temple attendants (Katkars), and play the ritual musical instruments like Mahavadya, Panchavadya, Ranavadya.
Chedvaan, Chede, Bandi, Naik, Farjand
They were not always connected to the temple but with the landlords (Bhatkars), at whose residence they attended all type of household work.
Perni
Their main occupation was acrobatics.They used to play Jagar (a form of their play) and it was the main source of their livelihood and held a lower status in their community.
History
Goa and neighboring Sindhudurg and Uttar Kannada had a system of temple-artists. The system of Devadasi was prevalent in Goa since times immemorial and is thought to have been introduced by the Sumerians, though they held high status in the society then.[4] It finds references throughout Goan history.[5] It is said that the widows of Marathas (and sometimes even other castes) sought shelter in the temples as they were forced to follow the Sati tradition.. The society got the Maratha name from the Marathi language. Temple songs were mostly in Marathi ,Hhnce the command over Marathi language. People are mostly fluent in Marathi language attributed to the ancestry.[6] Portuguese colonial rulers called them "bailadeiras" (dancers). Whereas in Sindhudurg, British and Dutch called them Devalis (Devali means who comes from temple). Later, with the religious intolerance of the Portuguese rulers, the temples shifted and lost their glory.[7]
People fled to the neighboring Bombay province, where they had joined the music gharanas to perfect their art and talent. They began organizing themselves after the post-1910 liberal period of Portuguese rule. In 1910, Rajaram Painginikar started Movement from Paingini Village of Goa. In 1917, Maratha Gayan Samaj (Maratha Singers Society) was formed in Kakode. In 1937, in the leadership of Rajaram Panginikar Gomantak Maratha Samaj, Mumbai's Goa branch started. This community being educated has a large number of doctors, actors, engineers etc.[7] Today we belong to one of the most artistic and technologically advanced caste. Education is given foremost importance in the caste.
| “ | In the twentieth century itself, this caste uplifted itself ,with a little help from outside.[8] | ” |
At present, all the above-mentioned once exogamous divisions of the community have become united under Gomantak Maratha Samaj. The main functions of the society were as follows:
- To promote their education.
- To arrange marriages of their daughters and sons.
- Other community welfare activities for their community.
Demography
- They are concentrated in different parts of Konkan region such as Goa, Karwar, Sindhudurga, Ratnagiri, Mangalore.
- They speak Konkani and use Marathi for correspondence.
- Bio-anthropological information about this community is not available.
- Rice and fish is their staple food. Vegetarianism is also practiced. Mutton is also eaten by the community, but they do not eat beef and pork.
Social system
Marriage and Divorce
Marriage was not prevalent amongst many in the past. In the present era, all the old customs have been banned. They marry according to the Hindu rites. Marriage is prohibited amongst members of community bearing the same surname as they are believed to belong to the same Kul or clan. They follow customs followed by other Hindus. Widow marriage is permitted and divorce is not so common.
Death
Their dead are cremated,and death pollution is observed.
Occupational activities
Some of them owned lands and were engaged in agriculture (cashew nuts, coconuts). Many lost their lands owning to fights from other castes. Today majority are engaged in white collar jobs. Majority from the community belong to an economically sound and educated family. This has been attributed to the hard work of the individuals from the community. Some of them have earned a reputation as politicians.
Religion and Culture
As Hindus they follow all Gods and Goddesses. They revere their clan deities and celebrate most of the Hindu festivals.
The community is noted for excellence in music and dance. While worshiping deities in the temples they played the ritual music.They play classical Indian musical instruments besides the temple instruments.
Notable people
- Dayanand Bandodkar, First CM of Goa[9]
See also
References
- ↑ Gracias, Fatima da Silva. Kaleidoscope of women in Goa, 1510–1961. p. 80.
- ↑ "Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D.Satoskar
- ↑ Gracias, Fatima da Silva. Kaleidoscope of women in Goa, 1510-1961. p. 80.
- ↑ Sinai Dhume, Anant Ramkrishna (1986). The cultural history of Goa from 10000 B.C.-1352 A.D. the University of Michigan: Ramesh Anant S. Dhume. pp. 335 pages (see pages 310–311).
- ↑ "A socio-cultural history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara" By Vithal Raghavendra Mitragotri
- ↑ "Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D. Satoskar
- 1 2 About Kalavant Samaj of Goa
- ↑ Goa world book review Archived 5 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Great Goans", By Mário Cabral e Sá, Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues- Page 69