In Andhra Pradesh we are called as Gouds , Idigas or Edigas,Settibalija, and Srisayana. Our people mostly are identified as Idigas or Edigas living in the Rayalaseema area ,but use Gouda,Goud,Idiga,or Ediga as their middle name. We are also called Goud, Goundala and Kalali in the Telangana area, and Gamalia and Setti Balija in the rest of Andhra Pradesh. They consider gangamma/yellamma as their community deity. In TAMIL NADU, we are also known as iluvar, Naidu, Vadugan, Ediga Balija and Gavara. They use Naidu as their title. Naidu, Vadugan, Ediga Balija and Gavara migrated from Andhra Pradesh, while iluvars are indigenous or kerala origin. We have a village council headed by a leader from the Mudaliar community in the area. In Kerala we are called ezhava or Thiyya or Billava (Kasarkode District).In Srilanka we are called Nalavar or Durava.Jaiswal community in North India also is similar caste.
Billava is one of the largest Hindu communities of Tulu and also found among Kannada speaking Kundapura region of Karnataka and some parts of Kerala including Kasargode District. They were previously engaged in Martial Arts (Garadi), practising Ayurveda and racially same as of Ilava (now known as Ezhava) community of Kerala. This community was reformed under Sree Narayana Guru’s teachings.
Ezhavas, Iluvars , Graminis, Gouds, Idigas, Edigas, Thiyyas, Billavas, Swarnis, Poojaris,Shanars, Nalavars, Duravas are the names(According to local language influence) given to same community in different areas.
EZHAVA RELATED CASTS IN INDIA & SRI LANKA
- Idiga Karnataka
- Deevaru Karnataka
- Idigara Karnataka
- Billavas Karnataka
- Halepaik Karnataka
- Namadhari Karnataka
- Ezhava Kerala
- Thiyya Kerala
- Nadar caste Tamilnadu
- Shanars Tamilnadu
- Iluvar Tamilnadu
- Illathu Pillamar Tamilnadu
- Kalal Maharastra
- Goud Kalal Maharastra
- Jaiswal North India
- Bhandari Maharastra, Gujurat and Goa
- Malayali Billava Kerala , Karnataka
- Nalavar Srilanka
- Durave Srilanka
The GOUD caste identified by different names in different regions in South India
- Goud, Gowd or Gouda in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.
- Edigas or Goudu or Gowdu in Rayalaseema region and South Coastal Andhra.
- Setty Balijas in East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Visakhapatnam.
- Gowda or Gamalla in coastal Andhra pradesh (mainly in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, West Godavari, Prakasam)
- Sri Sayanas in Vishakapatanam, Vizayanagaram, and Srikakulam.
- Bhandari in Konkan region of Maharashtra and Goa.
- Goud, Goud Kalal, Kalal in Maharashtra.
Billava is one of the largest Hindu communities of Tulu and also found among Kannada speaking Kundapura region of Karnataka and some parts of Kerala including Kasargode District. They were previously engaged in Martial Arts (Garadi), practising Ayurveda and racially same as of Ilava (now known as Ezhava) community of Kerala. This community was reformed under Sree Narayana Guru’s teachings.
The Goud are one of the largest castes in Andhra Pradesh comprising more than 17% of its population. Gouds are involved in soma and Ayurvedic medicine developers in ancient days who are classified as Somavansh Kshatriyas. At present, they are involved in Palm wine/Toddy tapping, farming and modern professions.
Villavars were the primary rulers among the Dravidians who once ruled the whole of India . Villavars(Bowmen) were archers who once emerged from the hunting clans of India. They were also known as Ezhinar or Eyinars in Chera(Present day Kerala) and Tamil countries respectively. The Bhil tribals, The Billavas of Tulunadu of Karnataka, The Villavar Clans of Kerala who founded the Chera Kingdom all are Villavars. The Ezhavas or Illavas of Kerala are also descendents of this Villavar tribe of Kerala. The Villavars of Kerala and Illavars of Sri Lanka after whom Eeelam or Ezham or Heladipa is named were relatives.[592454] Alwar, Alvar, Aluvar or Alva are the titles shared by all the Villavar tribes.
The Illuvar also known as Iluvar, Ezhuvar, Ezhuva, Izhuva, Illathar are a caste of people from Tamil Nadu or Kerala.
There are Ayurveda Vaidyars, Farmers, Cultivators, Traders. Some are also involved in texile manufacturing, liqour business and toddy tapping.In Andhra Pradesh they are variously known as Edigas, Goud ,Srisayans ,or Setti Balijas.
Ezhuva or Ezhuvar or Izhuva are also from same race but more closer to Kerala's Ezhava caste in language and culture. These people are also found in Palakkad district of Kerala; they speak a mixture of Tamil and Malayalam.
Nadar caste of tamil nadu is also from the same race.
The caste in Tamil Nadu has following names as per the OBC list of Tamil Nadu central government
- Ezhuva
- Illuvar
- Ezhuvar
- Illathar
Nalavar also Nalava is a Sri Lankan Tamil caste of traditional agriculturalists and toddy tapers. But today they are found in all aspects of the society. They are part of a new amalgamation of castes in Jaffna peninsula called as Panchamar or Fives. They are Ambatar or barbers, Vannar or washers, Nallavar, Pallar and Parayar.
Nadar other caste.this group avoid in nadar caste
ReplyDeleteVery informative, thanks for posting such informative content. Expecting more from you.
ReplyDeleteGowda Vokkaliga Matrimony
Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteNadar is not ezhava not related to this cast
ReplyDeleteExallent informative information. To,be,publish to,all,,
ReplyDelete🙏
ReplyDeleteCan you post the common practices and rituals of all these groups. If we tell it with similar practices it will be more factual.
ReplyDelete