Kasaragod Havyakas
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Kasaragod Havyaka Brahmins or Kasaragod Havyakas are part of a Kannadiga Brahmin subsect primarily found in the Indian state of Karnataka and Northern Kerala. After the Kasaragod region's merger with Kerala in 1956, where Kasaragod Havyakas have lived for centuries, they have been fully retaining their Kannada culture, language and traditions. There are many Kannada language schools in Kasaragod district supported by the Government of Kerala since Kannadigas, like Tamil-speaking Iyers, are a language minority community in the Indian state.
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[edit] Etymology
The word Havyaka was transcended from words Havyaga or Haveega which means the one who performs Havana (Havya) and Homa (Gavya), since the very purpose of Havyaka Brahmins was to perform the royal rituals and the related functions of the empirical government. In fact, the name "Haiga" persists in Havyaka lexicon.
The word Havyaka might also be derived from the place named Haigunda. That region of Karnataka which has been inhabited by Havyakas from ancient times is also called Parashuramakshethra, Gorastradesha, Gokarnamandala.[1]
[edit] Havyaka festivals
Havyakas of Kasaragod celebrate almost all festivals celebrated in Hinduism. [2]
[edit] Art, literature and culture
As Havyakas gained population in Karnataka and Kasaragod, they became influential in politics and also cultivated fine arts. The Yakshagana folk theatre has been exclusively developed by Havyakas[citation needed]. Music, dance and writing came very attractive to Havyakas. Karki Yakshagana group which toured Maharashtra in the mid-19th century has the credit of inspiring Marathi theatre. In 1842, Karki Mela (group) performed before the Rajasaheb of Sangli (Maharashtra State), who encouraged court artists to learn from the group acting and singing. This laid basis for Marathi Professional theatre.
The first social play in Kannada was written by Suri Venkataramana Shastri in 1887. The play titled Iggappa Hegade Vivaha Prahasana deals with child marriage and evils of incompatibility. There have been a good number of writers, singers, teachers, doctors, industrialists, scientists, engineers and executives from Havyaka community.
A good number of youngsters have taken up Hindustani classical music and Karnataka classical music. [3]
