Bhatraju
| Bhatraju | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Other Backward Classes |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Telugu |
| Country | India |
| Populated states | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
Bhatraju (also transliterated as Bhatrazu) is an Indian caste of Telugu-speaking ballad reciters, panegyrists, and religious musicians.[1][2] They are primarily found in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and also in smaller numbers in the neighbouring states. They are also known as Bhatturaju or Bhataraju or Bhatrajulu[2]
Bhatrajus are classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in most states of Southern India.[3][4][5] They use Raju as their caste title.[2]
History
Bhatraju community originated in the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the Krishna and Guntur districts.They claim descent from the ancient Kshatriyas.Bhatrajus participated in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and later in the Indian National Movement.Many Bhatrajus were landlords, zamindars, and influential figures in local politics. Bhatrajus follow Hinduism, with a strong emphasis on Kshatriya traditions.Bhatrajus were described as "having a wonderful faculty in speakingimprovisatore, on any subject proposed to them."'[6][7] Madras Census Report, 1891, describes them as, "being a class of professional bards, spread all over the Telugu districts. They are well versed in folklore, and in the family histories and legends of the ancient Rājahs.
In the present-day, Bhatrajus are also found in smaller numbers in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.[8][9] In December 2022, Government of Andhra Pradesh banned the phrase Bhatraju Pogadtalu (transl. Bhatraju paeans) in all spheres including media, film, TV, and political meetings. People using the phrase would be liable to legal action.[10]
Notable people
- Rama Raja Bhushanadu (fl. 16th century CE), Telugu poet in the Vijayanagara court[11][12][13]
- Sathya Sai Baba (1926–2011), spiritual guru[2][14]
References
- ^ Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society. The Society. 1977. p. 134. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d Spurr, Michael James (2007). "Sathya Sai Baba as Avatar: "His Story" and the History of an Idea" (PDF). University of Canterbury: 100–102. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 November 2017.
- ^ Central List of OBCs for the state of Andhra Pradesh Archived 2016-11-30 at the Wayback Machine, p. 4 (64 - Bhataraju)
- ^ "Guidance Bureau". Department of Backward Classes - Karnataka. Archived from the original on 15 April 2005.
- ^ Central List of OBCs for the state of Tamil Nadu Archived 1 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine, p. 1 (12 - Bhatraju)
- ^ Spurr, Michael James (2007). "Sathya Sai Baba as Avatar: "His Story" and the History of an Idea" (PDF). University of Canterbury. pp. 100–102. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 November 2017.
- ^ Thurston, Edgar; K. Rangachari (1909), "Bhatrāzu", Castes and Tribes of Southern India
- ^ Report of the Backward Classes Commission, Tamil Nadu, 1970. Government of Tamil Nadu. 1975. pp. 10, 11, 173. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ "Guidance Bureau". Department of Backward Classes - Karnataka. Archived from the original on 15 April 2005.
- ^ Rao, Chandrasekhar (21 December 2022). "ఏపీలో ఆ పదం పలకడం నేరం- నిషేధించిన ప్రభుత్వం: సినిమాలు, సీరియళ్లల్లో కూడా..!!". Oneindia (in Telugu). Retrieved 1 May 2023.
- ^ G. Nagayya (1983). Telugu Sahitya Samiksha (in Telugu). Navyapariśōdhaka Prachuraṇalu. p. 163.
రామరాజభూషణుని (క్రీ. శ. 1510–1580) అసలు పేరు మూర్తి. భట్రాజు కులము వాడగుటచే అతనిని భట్టుమూర్తి అందురు. శ్రీకృష్ణ దేవరాయల అల్లుడగు ఆళియ రామరాజు ఆస్థానమునకు భూషణ మగుటచే అతడు రామరాజ భూషణుడైనాడు. రామరాజ భూషణుడనునది బిరుదు నామము.
- ^ Vellanki Umakantha Sastri (1994). Sri Visvakalyana Bhagavatamu: Drusya Kavyamu (in Telugu). Visalandhra Publishing House. p. 11.
అతను భట్రాజు కులంవాడు.
- ^ Kandukuri Veeresalingam (1949). "22. రామరాజ భూషణుడు". ఆంధ్ర కవుల చరిత్రము - రెండవ భాగము (in Telugu). హితకారిణీ సమాజము. p. 126.
ఈ గ్రామమును కృష్ణదేవరాయలు కవిత్వమునందు బ్రవీణులై ప్రబంధాంకమువారని బిరుదుపొందిన యీతని పూర్వులగు బట్టురాజుల కిచ్చెను.
- ^ Srinivas, Tulasi (10 June 2010). Winged Faith: Rethinking Globalization and Religious Pluralism through the Sathya Sai Movement. Columbia University Press. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-231-52052-2. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
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