- Gomantak Maratha Samaj
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Gomantak Maratha Samaj, गोमंतक मराठा समाज 
Total population 100,000 (approx) Regions with significant populations Primary populations in: Goa, Sindhudurg, Uttar Kannada Populations in: United Kingdom, United States, Canada
Languages Religion Related ethnic groups Naik Maratha Samaj, Nutan Maratha Samaj
Gomantak Maratha Samaj(गोमंतक मराठा समाज)[1] is a Konkani speaking community found in Indian state of Goa.[2]They are known as Naik Maratha Samaj and Nutan Maratha Samaj Karwar in Karnataka and Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra respectively.
Origin
Gomantak Marathas is relatively a new ameliorative name (coined in late 20th century[3])given to the group of temple service personnels,for uniting and emancipating them. They originally were following temple related groups[4]:
Bhavin,Kalavantini,Kulambini
- Those who participated in music and singing were known as Kalavantini, literally meaning an artist,they always enjoyed a higher position in this community.[5]
- Those who kept the temple lamps,Palanquin,and hold Chamara(Chavar in Konkani) were known as Bhavins,literally a pious lady.[5]
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.Devli males (Jyotkar) lit the temple lamps and mashal(torch) and held Devdanda and acted as attendants (Katkars). Played on ritual musical instruments like Mahavadya,Panchavadya,Ranavadya etc.[5]
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.[5]
Perni
Their main occupation was acrobatics.They used to play Jagar(a form of their play) and it was main source of their livelihood,and held a lower status in their community.[5]
History
Goa and neighboring Sindhudurg and Uttar kannada had a system of temple-artists which degenerated into prostitution.The system of Devadasi was prevelent in Goa since times immemorial and is thought to have been introduced by the Sumerians,though they held high status in the society then.[6]It founds references throughout Goan history[7].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.[8] Portuguese colonial rulers called them "balladares"(singers). 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.[9]
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.[9]
“ In the twentieth century itself, this caste uplifted itself ,with a little help from outside. The Gomantak Maratha Samaj grouping has a success story that would do anyone proud. It has important sociological lessons for all to learn[10] ” 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 take precautionary measures to stop Devadasi system.
- To arrange marriages of their daughters.
- Other community welfare activities for their community.[5]
Demography
- They are concentrated in different parts of Konkan region,viz.Goa,Karwar,Sindhudurga,Mangalore.[5]
- They speak Konkani and use Marathi for correspondence.[5]
- They belong to Shudra Varna,and are not included in the Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes list.[5]
- Bio-anthropological information about this community is not available.Most of them have fair complexion and are good looking.[5]
- Rice and fish is their staple food.They partake flesh of goat and sheep but do not eat beef and pork.[5]
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 the Hindu riots.Marriage is prohibited amongst members of community bearing the same surname as they are believed to belong to the same Kul or clan.Cross-cousin marriages are prevalent and they follow customs followed by other Hindus.Earlier a bride-price was prevalent.Widow marriage is permitted and divorce is not so common[5]
Death
Their dead are cremated,and death pollution is observed.[5]
Occupational activities
Some of them now own lands and are engaged in agriculture(cashewnuts,coconuts).Many are engaged in white color jobs.Most of them are economically sound and educated.Some of them have earned reputation as politicians.[5]
Religion and culture
As Hindus they follow all Gods and Goddesses.They revere their clan deities and celebrate most of the Hindu festivals.[5]
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.[5]
Prominent members of the community
People of this community are well known for their intelligence and success in the fields of art, education and science. People include top artists, surgeons, educationalists, politicians and others from Goa,Maharshtra and Karnataka.[11][12]
Classical Singers and Playback Singers
- Lata Mangeshkar, Singer
- Asha Bhosle, Singer
- Usha Mangeshkar, Singer
- Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Music Director,Singer
- Meena Mangeshkar Hardikar, Singer
- Kishori Amonkar, Classical Singer
- Kesarbai Kerkar, Classical Singer
- Hirabai Badodekar, Classical Singer
- Anjanibai Malpekar, Classical Singer
- Jyotsna Bhole, Singer
Politicians
- Dayanand Bandodkar, First CM of Goa
- Shashikala Kakodkar, Former CM and Minister of Goa
Film Actors and Actresses
- Kimi Katkar, Hindi Actress
- Namrata Shirodkar, Hindi Actress
- Shilpa Shirodkar, Marathi Actress
- Meenakshi Shirodkar, Marathi Actress
- Indumati Paingankar (Kanan Kaushal)
- Lalan Sarang, Marathi Stage Actress
- Kamlakar Sarang, Marathi Stage Actor/Director
- Ashalata Wabgaonkar, Marathi Actress
Royal Military, India Army Officers
- Raysaheb Dr. Ramaji Dhondaji Khanolkar, Royal British Army Officer
- Major G.Captain Vikram Khanolkar, 5/11th Sikh Regiment
- Savitri Khanolkar, Designer of Paramveer Chakra
- Subhedar Vishnu Sakharam Parulekar, (Royal British Army)
Drama Actors and Actress
- Dinanath Mangeshkar, Marathi theater actor
- Master Mama Mochemadkar, Dashavtar Actor
Instrument Players
- Dattaramji Parwatkar, Sarangi Player
Educators, Institute Founders
- Raysaheb Dr. Ramaji Dhondaji Khanolkar, Royal Military Official, Founder of RDK Highschool in Vengurla and Primary School.
- R.N.Welingkar
- Dr Shyamrao Moolgaonkar
- Narayan Rao Walawalkar, The Great Royal Circus First Owner
- Mr.Pratap Walawalkar, Proprietor of The Great Royal Circus
Musicians,Lyricist,Writers, Novelists,Directors,Producers
- Hirabai Pednekar, Well known Marathi Drama Write (Sawantwadi)
- Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Musician
- Bhalji Pendharkar,recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award
- Baburao Pendharkar
- Master Vinayak
- Prabhakar Pendharkar
Engineer's,Doctors,Scientist and Lawyers
- A. B. Walawalkar (Railway Engineer,Father of Konkan Railway)
- Dr.V. R. Khanolkar was the first pathologist in India, Father of pathology and medical research in India
- Dr.Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, Scientist
See also
- List of Surnames of Gomantak Maratha and Naik Maratha
- Naik Maratha Samaj
- Nutan Maratha Samaj
- Konkan
- Konkani people
- Malvani
- Konkani
References
- ^ Gazetteer of India, Union Territory: Goa, Daman and Diu, Part I which looks at Goa (published in 1979)
- ^ Gracias, Fatima da Silva. Kaleidoscope of women in Goa, 1510–1961. pp. 80.
- ^ "Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D.Satoskar
- ^ Gracias, Fatima da Silva (in English). Kaleidoscope of women in Goa, 1510-1961. pp. 80.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Das, K.C. (2008). Global encyclopaedia of the West Indian dalit's ethnography. Global Vision Publishing Ho. pp. 392 pages (see pages 125-132). ISBN 8182202612, 9788182202610.
- ^ 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 pages310-311).
- ^ "A socio-cultural history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara" By Vithal Raghavendra Mitragotri
- ^ "Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D.Satoskar
- ^ a b About Kalavant Samaj of Goa
- ^ Goa world book review
- ^ "Wind of fire: the music and musicians of Goa" -Page 377,by Mário Cabral e Sá – Music – 1997 – 373 pages
- ^ First CM of Goa belonged to this community. "Great Goans",By Mário Cabral e Sá, Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues- Page 69
External links
Ethnic groups, social groups, and tribes of Goa and Konkan region Saraswats Goud Saraswat Brahmins · Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins · Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins · Kudaldeshkar Gaud BrahmanDaivajnas Karhades Konkanasthas Maratha Bhandaris Gomantak Maratha Vaishya Vaishya VaniVishwakarmas Vishwakarma Manu Maya Brahmins · KansarKulvadi Gauda and Kunbi · KunbiKharvi KharviOthers Roman Catholics Islam Related articles Categories:- Goan society
- Hinduism in Goa
- Religion in Goa
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