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{{short description|Hindu artisan caste}}
{{Copyedit|article|date=July 2008}}
The '''Vishwakarma''' community are a social group of India, sometimes described as a ]. They claim themselves to be ] or of high-status in the caste hierarchy, although these claims are not generally accepted outside the community. The community comprises five subgroups{{mdash}}]s, ]s, ] smiths, ]s and ]{{mdash}} claim to be descendants of ], the builder and architect of heavenly realm, a Hindu deity.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Streefkerk|first=Hein|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_L3edKpCmm4C&pg=PA103|title=Industrial Transition in Rural India: Artisans, Traders, and Tribals in South Gujarat|publisher=Ramdas Bhatkal, Popular prakasham Pvt Ltd|year=1985|isbn=0861320670|location=Bombay|page=103}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=R.De|first1=Ridder|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQcVAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA161|title=The Leiden Tradition in Structural Anthropology.|last2=J.A.J|first2=Karremans|publisher=E.J Brill|year=1987|isbn=9004085173|location=Netherlands}}</ref>
{{POV|date=September 2008}}


== Origin myths ==
''' Vishwakarmas''' are a community or caste who have adopted engineering, art and architecture professions in India, and are followers of ]. They are found all over India. They comprise ], ], ], ]. Being largely descended from Brahmins, Hindu law permits them to wear the sacred thread, perform various priestly duties and accords them a position equal to that of Brahmins. Hence, they are also known as '''Vishwa Brahmin (विश्वब्राह्मण)'''


The community claims to be descended from the god ], who is considered by Hindus to be the divine architect or engineer of the universe. He had five children — ], ], ], Shilpi and Visvajna&nbsp;— and these are believed by the Vishwakarma community to have been the forebears of their five subgroups, being respectively the ]s (clans) of blacksmiths, carpenters, bell metalworkers (metal casters), stonemasons and goldsmiths.<ref name="Varghese" /> It is not known whether these five subgroups historically practised ], which is a frequently-found feature of the Indian caste system.<ref name="Ramaswamy">{{cite journal |title=Vishwakarma Craftsmen in Early Medieval Peninsular India |first=Vijaya |last=Ramaswamy |journal=Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient |volume=47 |issue=4 |year=2004 |pages=548–582 |jstor=25165073 |doi=10.1163/1568520042467154 |issn=0022-4995}} {{subscription required}}</ref>
==Different names of Vishwabrahmin and its meaning==
Brahminism basically divided in to two groups.


The ]s of the Vishwakarma community were first consolidated in the early 18th century, during the ]. These myths were compiled in the ''Vishwakarma Puranam'', whose original manuscript is undated but was most probably created in the mid-17th or 18th century.{{sfn|Vijaya Ramaswamy|2008|p=277}} According to a popular myth recorded in the ''Vishwakarma Puranam'', the five children of the god Vishwakarma served the gods as artisans, and possessed the ability to create things by simply visualising them. They had conserved their '']'' by being celibates, and lived in a fort on the coast of Ilangapuri (]).{{sfn|Vijaya Ramaswamy|2008|pp=287-288}} The fort was made of ], and the enemy weapons thrown at it were stuck to its walls, rendering it invincible. Their chief enemy was Karunakaran, a vassal of the ] emperor. In order to defeat the Vishwakarmas, Karunakaran planted many beautiful women (Brahmin women according to some versions of the legend) in the fort. These women married the Vishwakarmas, thus destroying their spiritual power, and learned the secret that a certain type of poisonous grass could be used to burn up the fort. Using this secret, the enemy blew up the fort, and the Vishwakarmas were scattered in various areas, where they were forced to work as artisans and craftsmen for mortal humans.{{sfn|Vijaya Ramaswamy|2008|p=288}}
*ARSHEYA BRAHMANEYAM
*PARUSHEYA BRAHMANEYAM.
It is only Vishwakarmabrahmins belong to PARUSHEYA Sect.Rest of all brahmins sects fall under Arsheya sect.


== History ==
Vishwabrahmin are also known as Vishwakarma Brahmin since they have their origin from Lord ]. They are called ] which means specialized in five different works; they are identical to Kavi, Madhvi, Suhastasour and Narashansha castes in ancient Vedic reference. They were called as rathakar because they used to make the chariot for ancient kings. In ] they are called ]. Vishwakarma Brahmins / Vishwa brahmins are called with the following names.
While many sources refer to the five subgroups of the Vishwakarma as artisans, historian Vijaya Ramaswamy<ref>{{cite web |title=Vijaya Ramaswamy {{!}} Jawaharlal Nehru University - Academia.edu |url=https://jnu.academia.edu/VijayaRamaswamy |website=jnu.academia.edu |access-date=14 October 2020}}</ref> believes that the Vishwakarma of the medieval period should be distinguished as craftsmen, arguing that "...&nbsp;while every craftsman was an artisan, every artisan was not a craftsman". Ramaswamy notes that the socio-economic and geographic stability of a medieval village-based maker of ]s differed considerably from that of the various people who banded together as Vishwakarma and lived a relatively itinerant lifestyle that was dependent on the "temple economy" that waxed and waned as dynasties such as the ] were formed and disintegrated. The latter group, who did work in proximity to each other while constructing and embellishing temples, had opportunities for socio-economic advancement but also bore the risks of withdrawal of patronage and changes in religious focus.<ref name="Ramaswamy" />


== Position in society ==
In South India:
In ], ] and ] they come under ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH|url=https://bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/bclist.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Central Government list of OBC - Telangana|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvZW9%2FwXcIbxcNal%2FTghxZUuV7adcx5Bs1cEGdzKqq0GufcXEZAUTq0}}</ref><ref></ref>


In ], the Vishwakarmas have claimed a higher social status for many years, and believe that the trades which they traditionally follow are superior to the work of a manual labourer because they require artistic and scientific skills as well as those of the hand. According to George Varghese, their claim to high status is "one of the mainstays of Vishwakarma identity" in what is otherwise a fragmented, incoherent community that has often suffered from internal differences of opinion.<ref name="Varghese">{{cite journal |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=38 |issue=45 |date=8–14 November 2003 |pages=4794–4802 |first=George |last=Varghese K. |title=Globalisation Traumas and New Social Imaginary: Visvakarma Community of Kerala |jstor=4414253}}</ref> Their claim has been voiced by Edava Somanathan, a member of the community and its only historian in the written word. Somanathan's works, according to Varghese, "...&nbsp;are written from a pro-community perspective. Therefore, there are a lot of exaggerations and ] tirades in Kerala". Somanathan argues that the artisanal groups were a part of the ], pre-dating the arrival of Brahmins and their caste-based division of society. He claims implausible achievements are evidenced in both the arts and sciences during that egalitarian pre-Brahmin era, including the construction of aeroplanes.<ref name="Varghese" />{{fcn|date=July 2023}}
*]
*Acharya
*Vishwakarma
*Vishwabrahmin
*Sharma
*Kammara,Kambara,Pathara,Shilpi, Bhadigere,Shilpi,Kancgara, Shett.
*]


This claim to Brahmin status is not generally accepted outside the community, despite their assumption of some high-caste traits, such as wearing the ], and the Brahminisation of their rituals. For example, the sociologist ], who developed the concept of ], juxtaposed the success of the ] caste in achieving advancement within ] society by such means with the failure of the Vishwakarma to achieve the same. Their position as a ] has not aided their ambition.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Modern Anthropology of India: Ethnography, Themes and Theory |first=Aya |last=Ikegame |chapter=Karnataka: Caste, dominance and social change in the 'Indian village' |editor1-first=Peter |editor1-last=Berger |editor2-first=Frank |editor2-last=Heidemann |publisher=Routledge |year=2013 |page=128 |isbn=9781134061112 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sBgLb8XIGR8C&pg=PA128}}</ref> They have been included in the list of ]es in some states of India.<ref></ref>
In North India:


==List of castes==
*Panchal Brahmin
The following castes are considered to be members of the Vishwakarma community :
*Dhiman Brahmin
*Jangid Brahmin
*Maithil Brahmin
*]
*Mistry
*Maharana
*Sharma
*Viswakarma
*]
*]
*Malik
*Mahule
*Sonar
*Swarnakar


* ]<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bfAMAQAAMAAJ&dq=lohar+vishwakarma&pg=PA1520 |title=Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles |page=1519 |year=1996 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India|isbn=978-0-19-563357-3 }}</ref>
Whilst many goldsmiths are descendants of Brahmin ancestry, people of the Kshatriya caste have also adopted the works of Vishwabrahmins, in particular, Goldsmith and Jewellery work. For example, in the Punjab region of North India, another group of Vishwakarmas/Goldsmiths exist, the Mair Rajputs, who have descended from the Rajput warriors of Rajasthan.
* ]<ref name=agg>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=COcwoYRCYhcC&dq=Suthar+sutar+vishwakarma&pg=PA160 |title=Educational and Social Uplift of Backward Classes |page=160 |author=SP Aggrawal, JC Aggrawal |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |year=1991 |isbn=978-81-7022-339-9}}</ref>
* ]<ref name=pasw>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GulBDMgxcU0C&dq=Khati+vishwakarma&pg=PA218 |page=218 |title=Encyclopaedia of Dalits in India: Emancipation and empowerment |publisher=Kalpaz Publications |editor=Sanjay Paswan, Jaideva Paramanshi|year=2002|isbn=978-81-7835-269-5 }}</ref>
* ]<ref name=pasw/>
* ]<ref name=pasw/>


== Synonyms ==
Consequently, Vishwabrahmins have surnames that are similar to those of the Brahmin or Kshatriya caste. For instance:


=== Tamil Nadu ===
*Brahmin: Verma, Sharma, Rao, Rastogi, Acharya/Achari, Chari, Jha, Ranjan, Dixit, Dhiman, Panchal
The Tamil Vishwakarmas are locally known as ], although they prefer to be known as Vishwakarma. They are divided into the ''Kannar'' (brass-workers), ''Kollar'' (blacksmiths), ''Tattar'' (goldsmiths), ''Tatchar'' or ''Suthar''/''Sutar''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EjORKo7maRUC&dq=Suthar+carpenter&pg=PA135 |editor=AM Shah |publisher=Taylor&Francis |page=135 |title=The Structure of Indian Society |year=2012|isbn=978-1-136-19770-3 }}</ref> (carpenters) and ''Kartatchar'' (sculptor), Vishwa Brahim.<ref name="Ramaswamy2007">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H4q0DHGMcjEC&pg=PA107|title=Historical dictionary of the Tamils|last=Ramaswamy|first=Vijaya|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2007|isbn=978-0-8108-5379-9|pages=107–108|access-date=16 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=List of Backward Classes approved by Government of Tamil Nadu|url=https://bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/bclist.htm|website=}}</ref>
*Kshatriya: Soni, Singh, Mair/Mayer/Mehr, Katta, Seth, Chauhan, Babbar, Rana, Sisodia, Gogna Shinh, Sehdev, Sudera, Kanda, Karwal


==Origin== === Karnataka ===
The Vishwakarma caste of south ] is composed of several sub-castes: Kulachar, Uttaradi (goldsmiths), Matachar (founders), Muulekammaras, and Chikkamanes. Sub-castes do intermarry, and have a hierarchy among themselves.<ref name="gold">{{cite book |editor1-first=A. W. |editor1-last=van den Hoek |editor2-first=D. H. A. |editor2-last=Kolff |editor3-first=M. S. |editor3-last=Oort |title=Ritual, State, and History in South Asia: Essays in Honour of J. C. Heesterman |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtwtSZwyWpgC&pg=PA433 |pages=442–455 |publisher=BRILL |first=Jan |last=Brouwer |chapter=The Latecomers: A case study of caste and sub-caste of goldsmiths in Karnataka, South India|year=1992 |isbn=9004094679 }}</ref>{{vs|date=June 2013}}
Vishwabrahmins are descended from five sons of lord Vishwakarma. They are ] (blacksmith), ] (carpenter), ] (metal craftsman), ] (stone-carver) ] (goldsmith). The community is spread widely throughout India and played a vital role in the village economy. Their socio-economic status varied from a very high level to the low level in different parts of India as they earned high wages in towns because of their factory employment and low in villages<ref name=Russell>Russell R.V. and Lai R.B.H., The tribes and castes of the Central Provinces of India, Asian Educational Services, 1995, ISBN 812060833X</ref>.
About Vishwabrahmins Anand K. Coomaraswamy says ‘the ] (i.e. ]) were known as Vishwa or Dev Brahman or Dev Kammalar. They spread gradually towards the south and then reached Ceylon, Burma & Java. The Kammalar claim to have been the spiritual guides and priests and their position in the society survives in the saying The ''Kammalar is guru to the world''. They still have their own priests & do not relay on Brahman. They also perform priestly rites in connection with consecration of images<ref name="IndCraftsman">Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, Indian Craftsman, Probsthain & co., 1909</ref>. They both claim and possess various special privileges, which they always upheld with much vigour, in some cases they claim a rank equal to that of Brahmans.” He also mentions “throughout the rest of ceremony all priest officers had been performed by the craftsman themselves acting as Brahman priest” <ref name="IndCraftsman"/>.


=== Andhra Pradesh & Telangana ===
Dr. Krishna Rao says “The most highly organized & efficient of the industrial classes was Virpanchal comprising of Goldsmith, coiner blacksmith, carpenter and mason. In finest period of Indian art particularly between eighth and ninth century, they claimed and enjoyed a social status in the community, equal to Brahmans. The art of engraving & sculpture had attained a high stage of development. It was exclusively cultivated by Panchals who wore sacred thread & considered themselves as Vishwakarma Brahmans. The craftsman being deeply versed in national epic literature always figured in the history of India as missionaries of civilization, culture & religion. The intellectual influence being creative & not merely assimilative was at least as great as that of the priest and the author” <ref>Krishna Rao M.V., Govardhana Rao M., Jeevanna Rao K., Glimpses of Karnataka, Reception Committee, 65th Session, Indian National Congress, 1960</ref>.
In Andhra they are known as Viswa brahmin or Viswakarma (Ausula or Kamsali, Kammari, Kanchari, Vadla or Vadra or ] and Silpi)<ref>{{Cite web|title=CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH|url=https://bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/bclist.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Central Government list of OBC - Telangana|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvZW9%2FwXcIbxcNal%2FTghxZUuV7adcx5Bs1cEGdzKqq0GufcXEZAUTq0}}</ref>


==See also==
] are called as ''Missionaries of civilization, culture & religion'' because they spread Hindu Religion to the whole world through their art.
* ]
Ernest B. Havell says “The northern quarter of (]) was assigned to Brahmans & certain of the higher craftsman such as armor, ironsmiths & workers in precious stones. The association of skilled craftsmen with Brahmans & Kshatriya is additional evidence that craftsmanship did not hold inferior status in Indo Aryan society<ref>Ernest B. Havell, The history of Aryan rule in India, from the earliest times to the death of Akbar, K.M.N. Publishers; (distributors: Atma Ram, Delhi), 1972, ASIN: B0006C8DA6</ref>. The Stapathy or master builder is described in the Shilpa Shastra as officiating at religious ceremonies which preceded the laying out of the Indo Aryan town or village and some of the metal worker& carpenter of the south of India still retains as their caste indication the name Acharya which denotes a teacher of religion”. In ancient India Vishwabrahmins had great importance. Only Vishwabrahmins could hold the degree Jagatgur i.e. Guru to whole world which can be seen in the saying ‘Kammalar is guru to the world’.
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ] (Vishwakarma Jayanti)
* ]
* ]


== References ==
Lohars established the Lohara dynasty. Further information regarding this dynasty can be found at the following web site:
{{reflist}}
http://www.kashmir-information.com/ConvertedKashmir/Chapter7.html


=== Bibliography ===
==Panchal struggle==
Though the Panchal had great importance in olden times some Brahmins refused to accept Panchal as Brahmins which lead to have bread hereditary feud between two groups of caste i.e. Panchal & other Brahmins. During ] rule they suffered a lot. Since Peshwa were Brahmins. Peshwa even did not allowed Panchal to tide the dhoti or waist cloth up between legs and in at the waist a mark of Brahminic rank.
The Peshwas belonged to the ] Brahmin caste and are later migrants to India from the Middle East and Central Asia. They were at odds with Vishwakarma Brahmins who identified themselves as the original Brahmins and builder of the Aryan Vedic civilization.


{{ref begin}}
*Nelson Hindu Law “Page 139-140 says - “The refusal of many castes in ancient times to accept the Brahmans as their pastors and master would seem to have bread hereditary feud between two group of caste known as right hand and left hand. the origin and history of the feud at present are wholly unknown" but it seem to me to be not improbable that the feud sprang from rivalries & contention between the supporters & adherents of Brahmans on one hand & those of the Goldsmith & other artificers on the other hand. In south of India the Goldsmith’s appear as body strenuously to have resisted the aggressive supremacy of Brahmans & for ages to have claimed for themselves the right to be priest & spiritual guides styling themselves Acharyas (religious teacher) &wearing a sacred.”
* {{cite book |author=Vijaya Ramaswamy |chapter=Traditional Crafts, Technology, and Society in Pre-Colonial Peninsular India |editor=Rajat Datta |title=Rethinking a Millennium: Perspectives on Indian History from the Eighth to the Eighteenth Century |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2H4PGhFB9ScC&pg=PA277 |year=2008 |publisher=Aakar Books |isbn=978-81-89833-36-7 }}
*Meharban once British collector in his book ‘Bombay Gazetteer’ says “Solapur Vol XX page 125:-Panchals are composed of five classes" goldsmith, Blacksmith, carpenter and masons. They consider themselves equals if not superior to local Brahmans. Their family priest who are member of their own community are held in high respect. They grid their boys with sacred thread when they are between seven & nine. A feast called the Brahmans feast or Brahma Bhojan is held when Kin folic and caste follows are asked to dine.
{{ref end}}


== Further reading ==
==Chittoor Judgement==
*{{cite book |first=Jan |last=Brouwer |chapter=The Visvakarma Worldview |title=Prakriti: The Integral Vision |volume=1 (Primal Elements: The Oral Tradition) |editor-first=Baidyanath |editor-last=Saraswati |year=1995 |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-246-0037-6 |url=http://ignca.nic.in/ps_01011.htm}}
*{{cite book |first=Jan |last=Brouwer |chapter=The Story of the Magnetic Fort |title=The Leiden Tradition in Structural Anthropology: Essays in Honour of P.E. de Josselin de Jong |editor1-first=Rob |editor1-last=de Ridder |editor2-first=Jan A. J. |editor2-last=Karremans |publisher=Brill |location=Leiden |year=1987 |isbn=9789004085176 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQcVAAAAIAAJ}}
*{{cite book |first=Jan |last=Brouwer |title=The Makers of the World: Caste, Craft and Mind of South Indian Artisans |url=https://archive.org/details/makersofworld00brou |url-access=registration |location=Delhi |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1995|isbn=978-0-19-563091-6 }}
*{{cite book|first=John Duncan Martin |last=Derrett |title=Essays in Classical and Modern Hindu Law: Dharmaśāstra and related ideas |url=https://archive.org/details/essaysinclassica0001derr |url-access=registration |year=1976 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-04475-3 |pages=–46}}
*{{cite book |first=Vijaya |last=Ramaswamy |chapter=Traditional Crafts, Technology, and Society in Pre-colonial Peninsular India |editor-first=Rajat |editor-last=Datta |title=Rethinking a Millennium: Perspectives on Indian History from the Eighth to the Eighteenth Century : Essays for Harbans Mukhia |publisher=Aakar Books |location=Delhi |year=2008 |isbn=9788189833367 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2H4PGhFB9ScC&pg=PA275}}


]
Details about Chittoor District court judgement
]

]
In Chittoor district, some Brahmins tried to restrict the Viswabrahmins from conducting their marriages without the help of the Purohith Brahmin, and studying the VEDAS, so that we do not have the right to coduct Veda Adhikaram.
It was a controversy between the panchangam gundaiah(brahmin) and the Margasahaya Achari(viswa brahmin). The brahmin community harrassed our community by claiming superiority.
So Mr. M.S Achary put a case on the Brahmin community in the Adalath court Chittoor.
The judge was Mr. Daker Dora.
Mr.Achary showed direct evidence from the VEDAS proving Lord Viswakarma is superior to all gods.
Mr. Gundappa attempted to show evidence from puranas, which was written by VYASA who was a not a brahmin (he is the son of a fisherman). But VEDAS are superior to secondary texts rewritten by vested interests. The Vedas repeatedly praise LORD OF LORDS Bhagwan VISWAKARMA.
Mr.Achary provided logical arguments and bulletproof answers to the questions asked by the brahmins.
Finally brahmins were forced to shut their mouths since the Judge agreed with the answers given by Mr.Achary.
A total of 65 questions were asked by the brahmins and every single of them was answered by Mr. Achary with factual evidence from the Vedas.

== Gotras ==
Vishwabrahmins are divided into five gotras or exogamous clans, each corresponding to a ] named in the ] Veda (4.3.3)
1. Sanaga Rishi,
2. Sanaathana Rishi,
3. Abhuvanasa Rishi,
4. Prathnasa Rishi and
5. Suparnasa Rishi.
Each of the five gotras are also identified with a traditional occupation:
1. Manu (blacksmith),
2. Maya (carpenter),
3. Thwastha (metalcraftsman),
4. Silpi (stone-carver) and
5. Vishvajnya(goldsmith).
The five ] are further divided into a total of 25 sub-clans (upa-gotras).
Because of their fivefold division, they are also known as Panchals. They are said to follow five ] (instead of the standard four), the fifth being the "Pranava Veda",

The Pranava Veda is a text that elucidates the process of energy (Brahmam) turning itself into matter (the material world). In this text, pure energy or consciousness goes through a process that can be observed as a mathematical order. That process can be emulated by humans through applying that mathematical order to dance, music, poetry, architecture and sculpture thus creating arts that vibrate in a way that causes the viewer, listener, inhabitant to vibrate with the Divine qualities that the art form does. This Pranava Veda was cognized by ] about 10,000 years ago. One known copy exists today and it is in the hands of ] of ], TN, ], which is being translated to ] and ]. A translation project is being sponsored by The America University of Mayonic Science and Technology under the guidance of Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati<ref>http://www.aumscience.com/pdfs/pranava%20ved%20project.pdf</ref>.

Many people believe that Pranava refers to the sound AUM. In fact, pranava comes from the roots Pirazh + Nava = Pranava. Turn/Flip or turn into Nine; Pranava means the transformation of 8 into 9. Brahmarishi Mayan says in the Pranava Veda that consciousness multiplies itself into 8 units or pulses (units of Time) of OM light and OM sound.
One unit of TIME has 2 aspects, OM LIGHT and OM SOUND.
OM LIGHT divides itself into 8 light atoms that become the raw material for all visual forms.
OM SOUND divides itself into 8 sound atoms that become the raw material for all aural forms.

Yettin pirazhve navamenavagi - Maamuni Mayan
The flipping or turning of 8 is nine.

This combination of 8 units of Light and Sound form the 'Three Gunas' which then form the five elements or 'Pancha Bhutas'.

The entire process unfolds a mathematical order which can be emulated for the upliftment of humanity.

The individuals in the various Gotras of Vishwabrahmins use this mathematical order in their work to create objects, forms - art that has a definite frequency or vibration that emulates positive qualities of Brahmam.

== Pillars of Indian Culture and Civilization ==

The ] Brahmins have contributed greatly to Indian civilization and culture as temple and city builders, architects, engineers and artists. Without their immense contribution, Indian civilization would be very poor indeed.

Contribution of Vishwakarma Brahmins to Indian culture and civilization:

1) ] - Vishwakarma Brahmins built this giant educational complex accommodating over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. The university was considered an architectural masterpiece, and was marked by a lofty wall and one gate. Nalanda had eight separate compounds and ten temples, along with many other meditation halls and classrooms. On the grounds were lakes and parks. The library was located in a nine storied building where meticulous copies of texts were produced. The subjects taught at Nalanda University covered every field of learning, and it attracted pupils and scholars from Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and Turkey.

2) ] - The pillar is made up of 98% wrought iron of pure quality, and is a testament to the high level of skill achieved by ancient Indian iron smiths in the extraction and processing of iron. It has attracted the attention of archaeologists and metallurgists as it has withstood corrosion for the last 1600 years, despite harsh weather.

3) ] - The earliest known civilization in the Indo-Pak region of South Asia was the Indus Valley Civilization, comprising many urban settlements, including the large cities of Harrappa and Mohenjo Daro, and characterised by a variety of house types, many of which had private baths connected to public drainage systems. The cities consisted of a citadel raised above residential and production districts with streets laid out in a grid plan and lined by drains.The uniformity in urban layouts, house typologies and sizes as well as construction methods of the standard kiln-fired bricks, is evidence of significant social and political co-ordination.

4) ] - A basic Hindu temple consists of an inner sanctum, the garbha griha or womb-chamber, in which the image is housed, often with space for its circumambulation, a congregation hall, and possibly an antechamber and porch. The sanctum is crowned by a tower-like shikara. At the turn of the first millennium CE two major types of temples existed, the northern or Nagara style and the southern or Dravida type of temple. They are distinguishable by the shape and decoration of their shikharas.

5) ] - Viharas (Buddhist monasteries) began to appear soon after the death of the Buddha, particularly during the Mauryan Empire (321 - 232 B.C) with characteristic stupa monuments; and chaityas (meditation halls housing a stupa). The same period saw the beginning of stone architecture, evidenced by palace remains at Pataliputra as well as the Ashoka Stambha - the monolithic free-standing columns inscribed with edicts put up by the Emperor Ashoka. The Ashokan period is also marked for the introduction of brilliant rock-cut architecture, which formed into the 1000-year-long tradition of cutting and sculpting vast, complex and multi-roomed shrines into natural rock, resulting in religious edifices belonging to Ajivika Buddhist, Hindu and Jain faiths.

6) ] - South Indian architecture was a style of architecture that emerged thousands of years ago in the Indian subcontinent. They consist primarily of pyramid shaped temples which are dependent on intricate carved stone in order to create a step design consisting of numerous statues of deities, kings, and dancers.

7) ] - Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Sun Temple (also known as the Black Pagoda), at Konark, in Orissa. It was built in red sandstone (Khandolite) and black granite by King Narasimhadeva I (AD 1236-1264) of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The temple is one of the most well renowned temples in India and is a World Heritage Site.

8) ] - Vishwakarmas are the creators of this ancient Indian system of architectural design that has gained national and international respect and following. Vaastu Shastra deals with various aspects of designing and building living environments that are in harmony with the physical and metaphysical forces.

9) ] - The Mahabodhi Temple (Literally: "Great Awakening Temple") is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya is located about 96 km (60 miles) from Patna, Bihar state, India.

10) ] - Indian rock-cut architecture is more various and found in greater abundance than any other form of rock-cut architecture around the world.

11) ] - Ellora represents the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture.The 34 "caves" – Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples and monasteries excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills – were built between the 5th century and 10th century. The 12 Buddhist (caves 1-12), 17 Hindu (caves 13-29) and 5 Jain caves (caves 30-34), built in proximity, demonstrate the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history.

12) ] - Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, India are rock-cut cave monuments dating from the second century BCE, containing paintings and sculpture considered to be masterpieces of both "Buddhist religious art" and "universal pictorial art". Since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

13) ] - The monuments are mostly rock-cut and monolithic, and constitute the early stages of Dravidian architecture wherein Buddhist elements of design are prominently visible. They are constituted by cave temples, monolithic rathas (chariots), sculpted reliefs and structural temples. The pillars are of the Dravidian order. The sculptures are excellent examples of Pallava art. It is believed that this area served as a school for young sculptors. The different sculptures, some half finished, may have been examples of different styles of architecture, probably demonstrated by instructors and practiced on by young students. This can be seen in the Pancha Rathas where each Ratha is sculpted in a different style.

14) ] - The Badami Cave Temples are composed of four caves, all carved out of the soft Badami sandstone on a hill cliff in the late 6th century. The four caves are simple in style. The entrance is a verandah with stone columns and brackets, a distinctive feature of these caves, leading to a columned mantapa and then to the small square shrine (sanctum sanctorum) cut deep into the cave. The temple caves represent different religious sects. Among them, two are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one to Lord Shiva and the fourth is a Jain temple. The first three are devoted to the Vedic faith and the fourth cave is the only Jain temple at Badami.

15) ] - Pancha Rathas an example of monolith Indian rock-cut architecture dating from the late 7th century located at Mamallapuram, a tiny village south of Madras in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The village was a busy port during the 7th and 8th century reign of the Pallava dynasty. The site is famous for the rock-cut caves and the sculptured rock that line a granite hill, including one depicting Arjuna's Penance. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pancha Rathas shrines were carved during the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Each temple is a monolith, carved whole from a rock outcropping of pink granite. The five monolithic pyramidal structured shrines are named after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. As noted, each shrine is not assembled from cut rock but carved from one single large piece of stone. It is likely their original design traces back to wood constructions.

16) ] - The vast scope of the art of India intertwines with the cultural history, religions and philosophies which place art production and patronage in social and cultural contexts.

17) ] - Somewhere around 1st century BC the Sadanga or Six Limbs of Indian Painting, were evolved, a series of canons laying down the main principles of the art. Vatsyayana, who lived during the third century A.D., enumerates these in his Kamasutra having extracted them from still more ancient works. These ‘Six Limbs’ have been translated as follows :
1. Rupabheda The knowledge of appearances.
2. Pramanam Correct perception, measure and structure.
3. Bhava Action of feelings on forms.
4. Lavanya Yojanam Infusion of grace, artistic representation.
5. Sadrisyam Similitude.
6. Varnikabhanga Artistic manner of using the brush and colours. (Tagore.)
The subsequent development of painting by the Buddhists indicates that these ' Six Limbs ' were put into practice by Indian artists, and are the .basic principles on which their art was founded.

18) ] - Buddhist art originated on the Indian subcontinent following the historical life of Gautama Buddha, 6th to 5th century BCE, and thereafter evolved by contact with other cultures as it spread throughout Asia and the world.

19) ] - The Vishwakarma Brahmins minted beautiful coins displaying great artistic talent.

20) ] - History of metallurgy in the Indian subcontinent begins during the 2nd millennium BCE and continues well into the British Raj. The Indian cultural and commercial contacts with the Near East and the Greco-Roman world enable an exchange of metallurgic sciences.

21) ] - The History of Science and Technology in India begins in the pre-modern era. Archaeological evidence from Mehrgarh (7000 BCE) shows construction of mud brick houses and granaries. Farming, metal working, flint knapping, bead production, and dentistry, are known to the people of Mehrgarh. The more advanced Indus Valley civilization yields evidence of hydrography, metrology and city planning being practiced on a sizable scale. Great attention to medicine, astronomy and mathematics is seen during the Vedic period (1500 BCE—400 BCE)—which also witnesses the first inquiry being made into the field of linguistics. Construction of stepwells and stupas, use of diamond as a gemstone, and plastic surgery operations become visible during later periods. Indian mathematicians made early contributions to the study of the decimal number system, zero, negative numbers, arithmetic, and algebra.

22) ] - The Jaivana cannon is the largest wheeled cannon ever constructed. It is located at the Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur.

23) ] - The Yantra Mandir (commonly known as the Jantar Mantar) is an equinoctial dial, consisting a gigantic triangular gnomon with the hypotenuse parallel to the Earth's axis. On either side of the gnomon is a quadrant of a circle, parallel to the plane of the equator. The instrument is intended to measure the time of day, correct to half a second and declination of the Sun and the other heavenly bodies.

24) ] Temples - The Khajuraho temples, constructed with spiral superstructures, adhere to a northern Indian shikhara temple style and often to a Panchayatana plan or layout. A few of the temples are dedicated to the Jain pantheon and the rest to Hindu deities - to God's Trio, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and various Devi forms, such as the Devi Jagadambi temple. A Panchayatana temple had four subordinate shrines on four corners and the main shrine in the center of the podium, which comprises their base. The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: western, eastern and southern. With a graded rise secondary shikharas (spires) cluster to create an appropriate base for the main shikhara over the sanctum. Kandariya Mahadeva, one of the most accomplished temples of the Western group, comprises eighty-four shikharas, the main being 116 feet from the ground level. These temples of Khajuraho have sculptures that look very realistic and are studied even today. The Khajuraho temples are UNESCO World Heritage Site.

25) ] - Wootz is a steel characterized by a pattern of bands or sheets of micro carbides within a tempered martensite or pearlite matrix. It was developed in India around 300 BC.

== Eminent Vishwabrahmin Individuals ==
===Spiritual Saints===
*]
*Siddhar ]
*Saint ] (Guru of great Marathi saint Namadev)
*Saint Jalogi & Malogi Maharaj (Two brother saint from Maharashtra)
*Saint ] (Great saint from Maharashtra who believed to live for 1400 years)
*Saint ] (Famous saint from Maharashtra, India).
*Saint ] (AP, India. He is considered as Indian ])
*Saint Sanari Viswaswara Swamy (AP, India. It is believed that from the past 100 years he is still in tapasya in Nallamala Hills, India)
*Saint Achalananda Yogi
*Saint Bendapudi Swamula Varu( From Andhra Pradesh)
*Saint Eeswaramma Varu( She is grand daughter of Veera Brahmam garu)
*Saint Tadakanapalle Ramayogi( He is From Andhra pradesh)
*Saint Bodabonda Timmagurudu Govinda Swamy ( He is from Andhra pradesh)
*Saint Shivarama Brahmendrula varu (Great saint from AP)
*Saint Ramamadugu Brahmendra swamula Varu
*Saint Mahayogi Yaganteeswara Swamy
*Saint Cherukuri.Shivarama Brahmendra Swamula Varu
*Saint Veeranarayanamma
*Saint Kommuri Balabrahma Ananda Dasu
*Saint Rajupalem Sree Sree Balayogini Amma Varu

===Literature===
*BrahmaSri Kandukuri Rudra Kavi- He is one of the Ashtadiggajas of Sree Krishnadevaraya dynasty. He has authored one of te great books of Telugu language NIRANKUSHOPAKHYANAM
*Brahmasri Repaka Ekamabaracharyulu
*Sunkoji Devendrachary, Legendary writer Currently in USA
*Rohith MISTRY, Author of best selling books like ''Such a Long Journey,A Fine Balance,Family Matters''
*]- A well known Bengali writer and novelist and winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1975

===Shilpacharyulu & Vaasthu===
*Amarashilpi Jakanachari - A legendary sculptor credited with building many fine temples for the Kalyani Chalukyas and Hoysalas, including the famous sculptures at Belur and Halebidu
*Bisu Maharana(Vishwakarma Brahmins have Maharana as their last name in Orissa State. Bisu Maharana Is the prathana Shilpacharya of the world heritage temple KONARK)
*Ramappa Acharya (Any one from telangana area of Andhra pradesh would have heard Ramappa. The Siva temple sculpted in 12th century is called as ])
*Late Shree Narayan Sonaodekar (Famous artist who has created the statue of Swami Vivekananda at Kanya Kumari)
*] (A great living sage who is translating The Pranava Veda and has built the ])
*Gorasa Veera Brahma charylu( He is a living legend in AP author of MAYA VAASTHU book)
*Arasivilli Kameshwara charyulu( He is a well renowned vaasthu siddanthi in AP and author of Kameshra vaasthu book)
*Shri Phani Bhooshanacharyulu - He is feliciated by the title UDDANDA PINDA STHAPATHI,He is known for Vigraha Prana pratishta
*Sri Payyannur Keshavachari - Living legend architect from Kerala
*Vastu Bhramha Melpadi Ragavachari-Writer of VASTURAGAVEYAM from Andhra Pradesh Chittor Dist.

===Vishwakarma Brahmin Priests & Astrologists===
*sri bantumilli srirama murthy siddhanthi - worked as archaka and purohit in mandapeta and he trained many viswabrahmin purohits all over our state.He is feliciated by AP starte govt with andhra rashtra ugadi puraskaram from y .s . raja sekhar reddy in the year 2005
*Shri LK Vishwakarma http://www.vishwakarmavaasthu.com/
*Shri Vangipurapu Veera brahma Daivagna - Famous panchangam writer & astrologer
*Gorasa Veera bhadracharyulu - famous panchangam writer & famous astrologer

===Medicine===
*Prof.Raveesha, Chairman and HOD,Dept. of Microbiology, University of Mysore,is a renowned plant pathologist in this world.

===Film Industry===
*] (First Tamil super star of Tamil film industry also called as MKT)
*Dr.] (Guinness book of world record holder for the highest number of comedian roles in Telugu language)
*] (Viswabrahmins have Dhiman as the last name in Northern India)
*] (Famous creator of television series Ramayana and Shri Krishna. Sagar is a common Vishwakarma surname in the state of MP and UP)
*] (Famous Indian poet, lyricist, film-maker, director - Winner of the Academy Award (Oscar) for best original song lyrics in 2008 for the song 'Jai Ho' from the movie Slumdog Millionarie, along with A.R. Rahman)
*] (He is of Sikh Ramgarhia origin, Vishwakarma)
*] (He is of Vishwakarma caste from Bihar. Jha is usually a Brahmin surname but is used by Vishwakarmas too)
*] (He is of Vishwakarma caste from Bihar. Jha is usually a Brahmin surname but is used by Vishwakarmas too)
*Kadaru nagabhushanam (great producer and great director from telugu industry)
*Eswar (the famous and great artist publicity designer.)
*Anupoju brothers - famous still photographers in film industry.
*Haridas (famous malayalam film industry singer and judge of somany programs)
*Ammu (famous malayalalm film industry and TV child artist)
* ] {Hindi movies superstar actress. Parekh are the Goldsmith caste from Gujarat state)
*Chalam and his son anand sai (famous art directors)
*JAGATHI famous cine camedian in malayalam film industry
*Chintada Girinadh produced movies in telugu film industry
*V Santharam famous hindi film director
*K Vijayabhaskar famous film Director telugu industry (directed mallisweri ,nuvvu naaku nachhav,jai chiranjeeva etc films)
*Chintada mohan basheer babu asst art director Tamil film industry
*Prabhakar famous T V anchor and film artist (father is traditional carpentor)
*KAVIYOOR PONNAMMA (well known actress in Malayalm movies since 1965, still in field and well known for Mother roles, especially Superstar Mohanlal's. She is my mother's 2nd cousine). Try the following link for details http://en.wikipedia.org/Kaviyoor_Ponnamma
*KAVIYOOR REVAMMA (Kaviyoor Ponnamma's younger sisiter- another well-known actress, passed away few years before)
*KP.Nanjundachar ( Film Financiar for Kannada Industry)
*Shruthi - Famous Kannada Actress
*Kaveri Zhaa - upcoming heroine
*Sharath - Famous malayalam music director/composer,judge of Asianet Idea star singer(music reality show)
*Charan
*Elanchezhian (A great patriot of karikala cholan dynasty and plays a major role in constructing kallanai dam)
*Jaya Suriya Malayalam actor
* ] (Veteran Bollywood Action composer and father of Ajay Devgan)
* ] (Indian Film Actress, Zinta is a Tarkhan Vishwakarma surname from Punjab)
* ] (British Film Actor)
* ] (Actor/Comedian Goodness Gracious Me)
* Satnam Bhogal (Actor - Holby City)
* Vicky Bhogal (UK TV Chef & Author)
* Harbhajan Jabbal (TV/Theater artist)
* Kanwaljeet Singh (Punjabi film star, acted in a number of serials and Punjabi films with Harbhajan Maan)
* Kanwaljit Singh Virdi (Journalist at Chandigarh(Buerau Chief North with Standard World TV
* Dev Sagoo (TV/Theater actor and director)
* Jaikishen (Jaikishen Panchal of the famous Hindi music duo of ] fame)

===Politics===
*] (Former President of India)
*] - He was the first Asian American, Indian American and Sikh member of the ]
*Professor Kottapalli Jayashankar - He is Siddantha kartha for TRS party in Andhra pradesh
* Music director as "Shankar - Jaikishan, is Panchal, hailing from a small town , Dharampur, located in South Gujarat near small town Valsad.

===Emperor===
*] (The fourth pillar of Buddhism - Harsha belonged to the Vaishya caste. In Bengal, Vishwakarmas are classified as Vaishya and have the surname Kar.)
*Rama(since his ancester was the Sun who is a son of Vishwakarma)
*Maya(father-in-law of Ravana) and many more


===Sports===
*] (Great Indian spin bowler)
*] (Great spin bowler from the UK)
*] (Played for the Indian test team)
*] (Famous right-half of the Indian hockey team that won the 1975 World Cup)
*] (Member, Indian Hockey Team in the 60s)
*praveen pragnaan ozha - india's left arm spinner
===Television Personalities===
*] - Famous BBC News Presenter.
* Ravi Dhiman - Famous Star News India Presenter.

===Artists===
*] - Artist and Famous Religious Painter.
*] (Artist par excellence who painted the bulk of the Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple, Amritsar)

==Books on History of Vishwabrahmins==

* Roberts, A.E. (1909). Visvakarma and his descendants. Calcutta: All-India Vishvakarma Brahman Mahasabha.
* Dr.Gnanananda, G. (Ed.) (1981). Sri Visvakarmayaya bhushanam (Kannada) original by K.P. Dixit (1878). KGF: Jnana Bhandara.Kashyapa Shilpa Shastram,Brahmeeya Chitra Karma Shastram.

* Sharma, A.S. (1989). Visvakarma Smaj ka sankshipt itihas (short history of Vishvakarma Society). New Delhi: Visvakarma Institute of Research and Education.
* {{Citation
| last= Chinmayacharya
| first= K.
| year= 2002
| contribution=
| editor-last=
| editor-first=
| title= Devudu Manavudu
| publisher= Ramesh Kumar, K.
| place = East Godavari.
| pages=
| id=
| doi=
| oclc=
|url=http://www.archive.org/download/devudumanavudu014706mbp/devudumanavudu014706mbp.pdf
}}
*‘Shilpashastra’ (शिल्पशास्त्र In Marathi). It was written on Shake 1165 that is more than 700 years back & was published by B.S. Sutar (Igatpuri, Nasik 1906).
* Vaddepati Niranjana Shastry. Vishwakarma Brahmana Vamshagamamu. Lang.: Telugu.
* Swarna Subramanya Kavi. Vishwabrahmanulaku Prathama Satkara Arhatha. Lang.: Telugu.
* Phanidapu Prabhakara Sharma. Vishwabrahmana Gothra Gayathri. Lang.: Telugu.

==References==
<references/>
6. The Tribes & Caste of Bombay –Enthoven.<br />
7. Shree Scanda Puran (Sayadri Khandha)-Ed. Dr. Jarson D. Kunha, Marathi version Ed. By Gajanan shastri Gaytonde. Published by Shree Katyani Publication, Mumbai.<br />
8. Gomantak Prakrity & sanskriti –B. D. Satoskar. Shubhada Publication <br />
9. The Lohara dynasty of Vishwakarma Hindu Emperors: http://www.kashmir-information.com/ConvertedKashmir/Chapter7.html

10. http://www.viswakarma.info/forum/read.php?1,50,50 Chittoor judgement

==See also==
*]
*]
*]
*]
* ] - An important testimony to the engineering skill of the Vishwakarma Brahmins
* ]
* ]
* http://www.ramgarhiakom.com/legend.html
*http://en.wikipedia.org/Meenakshi_Amman_Temple - Testimony for Vishwakarma Brahmin stahapthis in south INDIA
*http://en.wikipedia.org/Lepakshi - Vishwakarma Brahmin architectural wonders in AP
*http://en.wikipedia.org/Kalahasti_temple#History
*http://vishvakarmas.googlepages.com/

Latest revision as of 21:12, 7 December 2024

Hindu artisan caste

The Vishwakarma community are a social group of India, sometimes described as a caste. They claim themselves to be Brahmin or of high-status in the caste hierarchy, although these claims are not generally accepted outside the community. The community comprises five subgroups—carpenters, blacksmiths, bronze smiths, goldsmiths and stonemasons— claim to be descendants of Vishvakarma, the builder and architect of heavenly realm, a Hindu deity.

Origin myths

The community claims to be descended from the god Vishvakarma, who is considered by Hindus to be the divine architect or engineer of the universe. He had five children — Manu, Maya, Tvastar, Shilpi and Visvajna — and these are believed by the Vishwakarma community to have been the forebears of their five subgroups, being respectively the gotras (clans) of blacksmiths, carpenters, bell metalworkers (metal casters), stonemasons and goldsmiths. It is not known whether these five subgroups historically practised endogamy, which is a frequently-found feature of the Indian caste system.

The origin myths of the Vishwakarma community were first consolidated in the early 18th century, during the British colonial rule. These myths were compiled in the Vishwakarma Puranam, whose original manuscript is undated but was most probably created in the mid-17th or 18th century. According to a popular myth recorded in the Vishwakarma Puranam, the five children of the god Vishwakarma served the gods as artisans, and possessed the ability to create things by simply visualising them. They had conserved their veerya by being celibates, and lived in a fort on the coast of Ilangapuri (Sri Lanka). The fort was made of lodestone, and the enemy weapons thrown at it were stuck to its walls, rendering it invincible. Their chief enemy was Karunakaran, a vassal of the Chola emperor. In order to defeat the Vishwakarmas, Karunakaran planted many beautiful women (Brahmin women according to some versions of the legend) in the fort. These women married the Vishwakarmas, thus destroying their spiritual power, and learned the secret that a certain type of poisonous grass could be used to burn up the fort. Using this secret, the enemy blew up the fort, and the Vishwakarmas were scattered in various areas, where they were forced to work as artisans and craftsmen for mortal humans.

History

While many sources refer to the five subgroups of the Vishwakarma as artisans, historian Vijaya Ramaswamy believes that the Vishwakarma of the medieval period should be distinguished as craftsmen, arguing that "... while every craftsman was an artisan, every artisan was not a craftsman". Ramaswamy notes that the socio-economic and geographic stability of a medieval village-based maker of ploughs differed considerably from that of the various people who banded together as Vishwakarma and lived a relatively itinerant lifestyle that was dependent on the "temple economy" that waxed and waned as dynasties such as the Vijayanagar Empire were formed and disintegrated. The latter group, who did work in proximity to each other while constructing and embellishing temples, had opportunities for socio-economic advancement but also bore the risks of withdrawal of patronage and changes in religious focus.

Position in society

In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh they come under Other Backward Class.

In Kerala, the Vishwakarmas have claimed a higher social status for many years, and believe that the trades which they traditionally follow are superior to the work of a manual labourer because they require artistic and scientific skills as well as those of the hand. According to George Varghese, their claim to high status is "one of the mainstays of Vishwakarma identity" in what is otherwise a fragmented, incoherent community that has often suffered from internal differences of opinion. Their claim has been voiced by Edava Somanathan, a member of the community and its only historian in the written word. Somanathan's works, according to Varghese, "... are written from a pro-community perspective. Therefore, there are a lot of exaggerations and anti-brahmin tirades in Kerala". Somanathan argues that the artisanal groups were a part of the Indus Valley civilisation, pre-dating the arrival of Brahmins and their caste-based division of society. He claims implausible achievements are evidenced in both the arts and sciences during that egalitarian pre-Brahmin era, including the construction of aeroplanes.

This claim to Brahmin status is not generally accepted outside the community, despite their assumption of some high-caste traits, such as wearing the sacred thread, and the Brahminisation of their rituals. For example, the sociologist M. N. Srinivas, who developed the concept of sanskritisation, juxtaposed the success of the Lingayat caste in achieving advancement within Karnataka society by such means with the failure of the Vishwakarma to achieve the same. Their position as a left-hand caste has not aided their ambition. They have been included in the list of Other Backward Classes in some states of India.

List of castes

The following castes are considered to be members of the Vishwakarma community :

Synonyms

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Vishwakarmas are locally known as Kammalar, although they prefer to be known as Vishwakarma. They are divided into the Kannar (brass-workers), Kollar (blacksmiths), Tattar (goldsmiths), Tatchar or Suthar/Sutar (carpenters) and Kartatchar (sculptor), Vishwa Brahim.

Karnataka

The Vishwakarma caste of south Karnataka is composed of several sub-castes: Kulachar, Uttaradi (goldsmiths), Matachar (founders), Muulekammaras, and Chikkamanes. Sub-castes do intermarry, and have a hierarchy among themselves.

Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

In Andhra they are known as Viswa brahmin or Viswakarma (Ausula or Kamsali, Kammari, Kanchari, Vadla or Vadra or Vadrangi and Silpi)

See also

References

  1. Streefkerk, Hein (1985). Industrial Transition in Rural India: Artisans, Traders, and Tribals in South Gujarat. Bombay: Ramdas Bhatkal, Popular prakasham Pvt Ltd. p. 103. ISBN 0861320670.
  2. R.De, Ridder; J.A.J, Karremans (1987). The Leiden Tradition in Structural Anthropology. Netherlands: E.J Brill. ISBN 9004085173.
  3. ^ Varghese K., George (8–14 November 2003). "Globalisation Traumas and New Social Imaginary: Visvakarma Community of Kerala". Economic and Political Weekly. 38 (45): 4794–4802. JSTOR 4414253.
  4. ^ Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2004). "Vishwakarma Craftsmen in Early Medieval Peninsular India". Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient. 47 (4): 548–582. doi:10.1163/1568520042467154. ISSN 0022-4995. JSTOR 25165073. (subscription required)
  5. Vijaya Ramaswamy 2008, p. 277.
  6. Vijaya Ramaswamy 2008, pp. 287–288.
  7. Vijaya Ramaswamy 2008, p. 288.
  8. "Vijaya Ramaswamy | Jawaharlal Nehru University - Academia.edu". jnu.academia.edu. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  9. "CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH".
  10. "Central Government list of OBC - Telangana".
  11. Reconfiguring OBC politics in UP - Deccan Herald
  12. Ikegame, Aya (2013). "Karnataka: Caste, dominance and social change in the 'Indian village'". In Berger, Peter; Heidemann, Frank (eds.). The Modern Anthropology of India: Ethnography, Themes and Theory. Routledge. p. 128. ISBN 9781134061112.
  13. Central List of OBCs
  14. Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles. Anthropological Survey of India. 1996. p. 1519. ISBN 978-0-19-563357-3.
  15. SP Aggrawal, JC Aggrawal (1991). Educational and Social Uplift of Backward Classes. Concept Publishing Company. p. 160. ISBN 978-81-7022-339-9.
  16. ^ Sanjay Paswan, Jaideva Paramanshi, ed. (2002). Encyclopaedia of Dalits in India: Emancipation and empowerment. Kalpaz Publications. p. 218. ISBN 978-81-7835-269-5.
  17. AM Shah, ed. (2012). The Structure of Indian Society. Taylor&Francis. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-136-19770-3.
  18. Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2007). Historical dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-0-8108-5379-9. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  19. "List of Backward Classes approved by Government of Tamil Nadu".
  20. Brouwer, Jan (1992). "The Latecomers: A case study of caste and sub-caste of goldsmiths in Karnataka, South India". In van den Hoek, A. W.; Kolff, D. H. A.; Oort, M. S. (eds.). Ritual, State, and History in South Asia: Essays in Honour of J. C. Heesterman. BRILL. pp. 442–455. ISBN 9004094679.
  21. "CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH".
  22. "Central Government list of OBC - Telangana".

Bibliography

Further reading

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