Billava
Billava Total population
2,000,000 - 2,500,000 (est.)
Regions with significant populations
India
* Karnataka
* Kerala
Languages
Tulu
Kannada
Malayalam
Religion
Om.svg Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Ezhava
The Billava, or Ilava (Tulu: ಬಿಲ್ಲವ , Kannada: ಬಿಲ್ಲವ) people make up one of the largest Hindu communities of the Tulu ethnic group in India. They are also found in the Kannada-speaking Kundapura region of Karnataka and some parts of Kerala, including the Kasaragod District. The Billava were primarily engaged in martial arts (garadi) and practised Ayurveda; the community was reformed under Sree Narayana Guru's teachings.
Contents
Etymology
It is believed that billava and ilava are derived from a proto-Dravidian word. The word "Billava" is a variant of Villavars (archers) – a warrior caste of the Dravidians who ruled most of India during ancient times. Villavars founded the Chera kingdom, and the Chera king was addressed as Villavar Kon. The word billu means "bow" in Tulu. Martial-arts academies of Billavas are known as garadi. Reading, writing and instruction in archery and the martial arts were the main activities of these Garadi – similar to Kalari, which is practised by the Ezhava (an intermediate caste) community in Kerala . Thus the word billava (fighters) could be derived from billu (or Villu) in the Tamil language. Billavas are descendants of the ancient Villavar warriors. They are also known as Biruvas;[1] this strengthens the name derivation from the Dravidian/Tulu root "bow". Tulu words for bow are billu or biru.[2]
Language
Tulu is the main language spoken by the Billavas. In some areas of Karnataka, Billavas also speak Kannada and identify themselves as "Kannada Billavas". The dialect spoken by the Billava people is known as "common Tulu". There are also subgroups within the Billavas (the Thiyyabillas or Malaylali Billavas in the South Canara district) who are considered part of the Malayalee community.
Culture
Garadi (or Gardi)
The Gokarnanatheshwara Temple
The coastal regions of Karnataka and Kerala had a very active martial-arts tradition, and many Billava families still continue this tradition.[3] This helped them develop a community identity. They built Garadis similar to Kalaris in Kerala in honour of their folk heroes Koti and Chennayya. The Tulu term Garadi is derived from the Kannada word Garodi, which means "gymnasium".[3] These garadis became major religious and martial-arts centres of the Billavas throughout the coastal areas of Karnataka. Though this tradition was common to their equivalent caste in Kerala, due to rigid caste rules they lost their independent religious/martial-arts traditions. Maliyali Billawas speak the Byari language and their Kula (god) is Baghavathi. The Billavas believe in ancestral worship.
Nema
Like the Theyyam in Kerala, Tulu regions have Nema (a type of spirit worship), and the Billavas are important part of this native worship. The twin warriors Koti and Chennayya, Koraga Thaniya and Bobbariya are the most common daiva (gods) worshiped by the community.
Tuluva paddanas
Tuluva paddanas are sung narratives which are part of several closely related singing traditions, similar to Vadakkan Pattukal (Northern ballads) of northern Kerala and which may be considered ballads, epics or ritual songs (depending on the context or purpose for which they are sung). The community has special occasions in which it is traditional to sing paddanas. They will sing the Paddana of Koti-Chennaya during a ceremony on the eve of a marriage. Women who sing the song in the fields will sing those verses appropriate for the young heroes.[4]
Aliya Kattu
Aliya Kattu
The Billavas have a matrilineal system and a highly centralised community. Marrying one's sister's daughter is strictly prohibited, except for a few cases among the Belthangady Billawas. Aliya Kattu (nephew lineage) is a system of property inheritance and other associated traditions practiced among Tulu/Malayalee Billavas in coastal Karnataka and Kerala.
Yakshagana
Yakshagana
Yakshagana (Tulu/Kannada: ಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ , yakṣagāna) is a dance drama popular in coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka. It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre, and was taught in Billava garadis. Shri Anada Kuthpady (pen name Yakshananda Kuthpady), from the Billava community, was awarded the "Yaksha Kavya" State Level Award for his contributions to Yakshagana in 2000. [5] Among prominent Billava Yakshagana performers are Shri Sanjiva Suvarna of Yakshagana Kendra, MGM College, Udupi, [6] the traditional badagu thittu artist Shri Airody Govindappa, the hasya kalavida (comedian) Shri Seetaram Kumar Kaleelu, the tenku thittu bhagavatha Shri Ravichandra Kannadikatte (Mangaladevi Mela) and Tonse Jayant Kumar.
The Billava community has several subgroups, based on language and culture. People involved in nagaradhana are known as Baidya, and those involved in spiritual worship (Nema) are Poojary. These subgroups are part of two major groups known as Malayali and Tulu Billava. Malayali Billavas are also called Thiyya Billavas (or Belchadas).
Poojari
Poojary (sometimes spelled Poojari) means "worshipper". In the past the Poojary played an important role in Bhuta Kola (Nema), a practice seen amongst tribal communities in Tulunadu. This subgroup is responsible for building temples and other places of worship, and their worship is known as poojas.
Malayali Billava
These are the indigenous inhabitants concentrated in an area between north of the Chandragiri river in Kasaragod, south of the Kalyanpura river (in Hejamamdi) and – from west to east – between the Arabian sea and the Sullia region. There are 18 important Bhagavathi Kshetras, in addition to many Tharavadu(family) shrines throughout the Kasaragod, Mangalore and Udupi districts. Although the ruling deity of the community is Bhagavathi, there are also temples dedicated to Vishnumoorthy, Wayandu Daiva and Korathi; the latter two are believed to be incarnations of Lord Shiva and Shakthi, respectively. Chaitanyas such as Kallurutti, Panjurli, Guliga and Naagadevan are forms of worship in the community, and Kola, Thamblia, Kaliyatha and so forth are performed regularly to invoke the gods' blessings. The community is divided into eight Illams; they trace their origins to Amruthamani (who was born out of Lord Shiva's grace) and seven others born to the Sapthamathas through the Lord's divine blessings. This means that Thiyas are the progeny of Lord Shiva. Marriage within the same Illam is taboo (Sagothra).
Surnames
Common surnames in the Billavan community are Amin, Anchan, Baidya, Baishya, Banan, Bangera, Gujran, Jathann (or Jathanna), Karkera, Kirodian, Kotian, Kukian (or Kukiyan), Palan (or Palanna), Poojari (or Poojary), Salian, Sanil, Suvarna, Talwar and Upiyan. "Billava" is used as a surname only in Kundapura Taluk.
Shri Narayana Guru
Sri Narayana Guru, spiritual leader of the Billavas
Sree Narayana Guru (1856–1928), a philosopher and social reformer, was born to a religious Billava family. He improved Billavan life by preaching a message of self-help, self-improvement, and self-esteem. He exhorted people to educate themselves and to improve themselves through industry and thrift; most of all, he preached the dignity of the individual.
He did not attack Hinduism itself, and never advocated hatred for any faith or its priests. "No matter what the religion, man must improve", he said.[citation needed] He believed that the core Vedanta teachings were eternal, truthful and universal; however, the social inequalities which had attached themselves to those philosophies could (and should) be excised. He established an order of monks known as the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP). The SNDP Yogam has become popular for nurturing the material and spiritual welfare of the community at large.
He visited all regions of Kerala, South Canara, Srilanka and Tamil Nadu, built temples for the Billava community, and laid the foundation for community progress. When he established his own temples, he was challenged by the Brahmins. When challenged about his right to consecrate a Shiva image, he replied that it was Billava Shiva which he had consecrated and Brahmins had no right to question it.
Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple
The Billava community was suppressed by the Brahmins in some regions, and at that time the community found a leader in Sree Narayana Guru. He is regarded as an uplifter of the downtrodden and a visionary social servant.
Learning about the work undertaken by Sree Narayana Guru in establishing social equality through his temple in Sivagiri, Kerala, Sahukar Koragappa (a prominent Billava leader from Mangalore) visited the guru with other community leaders in 1908. The delegation apprised Sree Narayana Guru of the problems faced by the Billavas. Sree Narayana Guru visited Mangalore in response to an invitation from the group, and learned the severity of the situation. After his visit, Sree Narayana Guru selected a site in Kudroli; he advised community elders of the suitable location for the temple, and work began under his direction. Elders such as Sahukar Koragappa took the initiative in ensuring smooth progress in the temple's construction.
Sree Narayana Guru consecrated the temple in February 1912 with the installation of the sacred Shiva linga, brought by him, and named it "Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Kshethra". He advocated that all God's creation had the right to worship the Almighty and preached that people (regardless of caste or creed) should worship one divine force, which is known by different names. In accordance with the Guru's advice, idols of Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subramanya, Goddess Annapoorneshwari, Lord Bhairava, the Nava Grihas (Lords of nine planets), Lord Shanishwara and Lord Shri Krishna has been installed at the Kshethra. This has helped devotees worship at all these sannidanams (abodes) and seek blessings and solace for their needs. Sahukar Koragappa donated the land needed for the Kshethra, and was its first administrative head.
Social conditions and status
Once a thriving community, the Billavas endured social restrictions after the arraival of Brahmins from the northand faced many hardships before Sree Narayana Guru's social reforms in the early twentieth century. After the construction of the Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple at Mangalore, he asked community leaders to work together for mutual progress by organising schools and industrial establishments; in accordance with his wishes, many Sree Narayana organizations have sprung up in the community.
Under the leadership of Sree Narayana organizations and by their own efforts, Billavas are gaining strength economically, culturally, spiritually and politically. Many Billavas have settled in the Persian Gulf and in Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.[3] Known for their work as distillers, they have contributed to community development.
The Billavas make up one of the largest communities in the South Canara and Udupi districts ,so these districts are primarily governed by Billavas; there are also prominent Billavas in the Hindi film industry.
