Billavas of Coastal Karnataka: Community with difference

Billavas numbering more than 20 lakhs are basically paddy growing farmers of undivided coastal district of Dakshina Kannada. Quite a number of them however have now migrated to cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Baroda, Ahmadabad etc. to earn their livelihood. Many have even migrated to Gulf countries seeking jobs.  They have settled well and are leading  a contented life.  Even though they are living in far off countries they are very fond of their native land and love to converse in Tulu, their mother-tongue.

With their inborn talents they have excelled in many other professions too. Performing religious rituals at the shrines of the local deities known as theDaivas',  are natural blessing bestowed to them. They are thus a well respected group of people and are referred asPujarys'.

Billavas were good at identifying medicinal plants and they used to collect the medicinal plant parts from the wilds. They could also prepare medicines out of these plant parts. History has many recorded evidence when these BillavaDoctors' treated and cured  Ballals (the ruling class of the region) with very good percentage of success. They were hence fondly addressed asVaidyas' (meaning Doctors in the local languages). They were deft at usingbow and arrow' both in warfare as also during the hunting sessions of wild animals.

They were referred to asBillavas' since they were experts in usingBillu' (locally meaning Bow). Their bold nature and loyalty earned good appreciation from the Ballals, who rightfully appointed them asHalepaikas' (Commanders). Reference to the Billavas in many olden writings places them asKshatriyas', even though there are no written documents to support the same. Later on though they were bracketed asShudras'  byVarnashrama' Pundits without assigning any reasons.

It should also be underlined that even Vedas did not catagorise Billavas as Shudras. Only theVarnashrama' Pundits who advocateManusmriti' should give proper explanation to this. Some name the Billavas astoddy- tappers'. It has to be noted that Billavas resorted to toddy tapping as a secondary source of income. Here too it should be noted that toddy was tapped just because some of the upper caste people wanted to consume toddy as a healthy drink. Also, jaggery made out of toddy is a very healthy sweet supplement.

Billavas fought with courage and did not hesitate even to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the ruling kings. They also fought in order to safeguard the interest of their thePalayas'  (smaller kingdoms), the motherland to which they belonged. Basically Billavas were and are God-fearing in nature.

They treated everyone with due respect.  They were obedient to the elders as well as to their employers (usually the Ballals of the ruling community). However they did not tolerate slightest discrimination or acts of deceit. History has many incidences when Billavas reacted strongly when such kind of deceitful deeds were dumped on done.

There is an adage in Tulunad:Birve Saaruve, Neruve,  Kerve'. This means that in case of any wrong doing by anyone Billava normally would explain and advise them to be calm and quiet. In case when the advises are not taken seriously then the Billava might scold them and finally as a last resort he may even kill them. This of course is an old proverb, not to be taken seriously now.

Times have changed now and so is the nature of the people. Billavas are a totally different and a matured community now. This maturity has come as a part of education received by them. More and more of urban Billavas have become educated and are being employed by Government as well as Private enterprises.

Here one is reminded of important saying of Brahmashree Narayana  Guru thatUnite that you may be strong, Educate that you may be free'. Billavas naturally adore Shree Guru for this advice.

There is another adage thatBirvere ulayi irver', meaningthere are two persons within one Billava'. This is rather a myth. No doubt that historically it was evident that the twinsKoti-Channaya' were inseparable. Even death could not keep them apart. They were consideredtwo bodies with a single soul'. So was the case with another pair of twins Kanthabare- Boodabare'. This close relationship between the two siblings was wrongly interpreted by detractors. It is high time that the Billavas ignore these minor hiccups and look forward and march ahead.

Whereas the urban Billavas have progressed rather well like any other communities those from the rural background still suffer frombackwardness'.

They are intelligent and capable of grabbing anything told to them in the first instance itself. They just need proper guidance to shape themselves for bettering their future life. The political leaders as well as the community leaders should initiate action towards educating the rural poor. The rural populace should be advised to toe the guidelines as suggested by Shree Guru:Unite that you may be strong, Educate that you may be free.'

Local socially involved associations can be contacted to appraise the rural folk about the importance of education at present context. When the basic education provided the people will automatically become aware of the other developmental projects that are available, even locally.

They should be appraised of theGramabhivriddhi' projects of the Government. Dairy projects,Organic Manure manufacturing Projects, Cattle fodder growing Projects etc can be taken up by any number of groups. Presently there is good demand for all the above mentioned projects .It only requires some pep up initiatives at this point of time.

B T SalianKashyap', stepped into literary world after an active life as an Engineer. Basically a Science graduate and an Engineering post-graduate from then Soviet Union, he has now taken writing as a hobby. He has compiled and edited a book on prominent Billava leader Jaya C Suvarna. He published an abridged version on the life of Brahmashree Narayana Guru. He has also written a Tulu novel,Krishnag Gothavare Balli'. He has served as the President of Billava Association Bangalore, President of Mangalore North Rotary Club. He is presently engaged with welfare activities of senior citizens in Mangalore.