SpeakAsia Online ScamThe Marathi Community
The Marathi Community or Maharashtrians (Marathi: मराठी माणसं or महाराष्ट्रीय) are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, that inhabit the Maharashtra region and state of western India. Their language Marathi is part of the southern group of Indo-Aryan languages. Although their history goes back more than a millennium, the community came to prominence when Maratha warriors under Shivaji Maharaj established the Maratha Empire in 1674.
The earliest records refer to the region today known as Maharashtra as Dandakaranyas which means ” Forest of punishment“.In times of Ramayana, it was home of deadly creatures & demons. Only exiled persons and Sages (Rishis) typically resided here.Khar dushan & suparnkha has cited to have met Rama in this region. Around 600 BC, the region today known as Maharashtra was one of the mahajanapadas known as Assaka. Panchavati near City of Nasik is stated in Ramayana, as the place where Lakshman chopped the nose- (nasik in Sanskrit) of Ravana’s sister Shurpankha. It is not known whether prior to the coming of the Aryans, this region was inhabited by other civilizations or not. Emperor Ashoka added Maharashtra and the surrounding regions to the Mauryan Empire. Around 230 BC, a local dynasty, the Sātavāhanas rose to power in the Maharashtra. The kingdom, based in Junnar near Pune, eventually turned into an empire with the conquests of the northern part of what is today known as Karnataka as well as Andhra Pradesh. It is believed that most of the Marathi people today are descendants of this empire. The empire reached its zenith under Gautamiputra Sátakarni, more popularly known as Shalivahan. He started a new calendar called Shalivahan Shaka which is still used by people of Deccan, i.e. Marathi, Kannada & Telugu people today. The empire collapsed around 300 CE. The use of Maharashtri language (proto-Marathi) also started during the Satavahana rule. After which the region was ruled by various small kingdoms. The region was annexed by the Rashtrakuta dynasty in the 8th century. After the Rashtrakuta kingdom fell, the region was ruled by the Yadava Dynasty of Deogiri who made Marathi their official language. They ruled till 13th century after which the region fell under Islamic rule. The Deccan sultanates ruled Maharashtra for around three centuries.
In mid 17th century, Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Empire by reclaiming the Desh and the Konkan region. After a lifetime of exploits and a series of conquests, Shivaji died in 1680. The Mughals who had lost a lot of ground to the Marathas under Shivaji invaded Maharashtra in 1681. Shivaji’s son Sambhaji was crowned Emperor in 1681 after a brief civil war. Sambhaji led the Marathas valiantly against a much stronger opponent. Till 1689, Sambhaji never lost a fort or territory to Aurangzeb. But in 1689, he was betrayed by his own commanders and was captured, brutally tortured and cruelly beheaded by Aurangzeb. With their leader dead, the Marathas were demoralised, but the young Rajaram was put to the throne and then the Maratha crown prince had to retreat to Jinji in South India. But in 1707, under the leadership of Maharani Tarabai, the Marathas won the War of 27 years. The grandson of Shivaji saw the greatest expansion of Maratha power. After his death in 1749 the Peshwa became the real power behind the empire from 1750-1761. The empire was expanded by many Maratha sardars like Shinde, Gayakwad, Pawar, Bhonsale and Holkar, Pandit, Pantpratindhi, Govindpant Bundele, Sardar, Gupte etc. under the coordination of Bajirao and his son Balaji Bajirao until the Marathas ruled practically the whole sub-continent from Attock in today’s Pakistan to Southern India. Pune became the imperial seat with envoys, ambassadors and royals coming in from far and near. However, after the Third battle of Panipat, the empire broke up into many independent kingdoms. However due to the efforts of Mahadji Shinde, it remained a confederacy until the British defeated Bajirao II. Still, several nominally independent Maratha states existed until 1947 when these states acceded to the Dominion of India.
Marathi was the court language during the reign of the Yadava Kings who were of Kannada origin. The Yadava king Singhana is known for his magnanimous donations which are carved in stone slabs in Marathi in the temple of Goddess at Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Composition of famous works of scholars like Hemadri are also found. Hemadri was also responsible for introducing a style of architecture also called Hemandpanth. There are various stone inscriptions in Marathi found at Akshi in Mumbai (former Colaba) district, Patan, Pandharpur, Dive-Aagar etc. The most famous among these is the one found at the bottom of the statue of Gomateshwar (Bahubali) at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka. This inscription goes like “Chamundraye karaviyale, Gangaraye suttale karaviyale” which gives some information regarding the sculptor of the statue and the king who had it constructed.Muslim authors too have contributed to Marathi literature. Poets like Amar Shaikh and Shahir Shaikh wrote some memorable poetry. Shahir Shaikh was an important figure in the “Maharashtra Ekkikaran Chalwal”. The Marathi Muslim Writers Movement which was started in Solapur by Prof. F.H.Bennur to inculcate Marathi literature among young Muslims, has acquired credibility of its own and holds its sessions regularly. Recently, authors like Hamid Dalwai also contributed to the development of Marathi literature.
In the mid fifties, the “Little magazine movement” gained momentum. It published writings which were non-conformist, radical and experimental. Dalit literary movement also gained strength due to the little magazine movement. This radical movement was influenced by the philosophy of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and challenged the literary establishment which was largely middle class, urban and upper caste people. The little magazine movement threw up many excellent writers. Bhalchandra Nemade is a well known novelist, critic and poet. Dalit writer Na Dho Mahanor is well known for his work. Dr.Sharad Rane is a well known Bal-Sahityakar and marathi writer.
Religion
There are also significant minorities of Muslims, Christians and Neo-Buddhists. The Neo-Buddhists are followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Marathi Muslims belong mostly to the Sufi tradition. Visiting the tombs of Sufi saints is very important to this community. Hindus also visit these tombs in great numbers, especially during the annual Urus.
There is also a 3000 strong community of Marathi Jews, popularly known as Bene Israel Most of the rest have migrated to Israel. Before the migration this community numbered at least 90,000.
Communities
The Marathi Brahmins, although they make up only 4% of the Marathi population, have made a significant contribution to the culture of Maharashtra. They are divided into six groups – Saraswat, Deshastha, Chitpavan, Devrukhe,Karhade and Daivadnya.The Marathi Brahmins have long been associated with the freedom struggle,arts, literature, sports and social reform.
The Dalits or scheduled castes make up about 11.0% of Maharashtra population censusindiamaps.net/page/India_WhizMap/IndiaMap.htm and fourth of the total Marathi population. Major Marathi dalit castes are Mahar, Chambhar and Mang. Many of them and particularly the Mahar community under the guidance of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism. They are concentrated in Vidarbha. There are several other artisan communities like Shimpi (tailor caste), Sutar (carpenter caste), Sonar, Teli (oil presser), Gurav and Nabhik (Barber). These communities fall under the OBC category. Other communities like Mali, Dhangars, Khostis are more prosperous than OBCs (other backward castes) from other areas of India and are also mainly concentrated in the region of Vidharba.
Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu(CKP for short) is a highly educated Kshatriya-Kayastha community. Members of this community traditionally competed with brahmins for clerical and administrative positions under Maratha & British rule. Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Bal Thackeray are the noted historic and contemporary members of this community respectively.
Pathare prabhu is another enterprising and highly educated Marathi Hindu community mainly based around Mumbai.
The Indian government does not collect data on the “upper castes”. However, their present numbers may be calculated from the census carried out by the British Raj government a century or more ago.
Other groups include Marathi Muslims. Marathi muslims from the Konkan region have retained many of their preconversion practices including the Marathi language. Other muslims in Maharashtra tend to identify with the islamic culture of North India and mostly speak an Urdu dialect called Dakhni.
The Indian government does not collect data on the “upper castes”. However, their present numbers may be calculated from the census carried out by the British Raj governmefnt a century or more ago.
Food
There are many communities in the Marathi society which gives the cuisine much diversity. One can even say that the diversity extends to the family level because each family has its own combination of spices. The majority of Maharashtrians do eat meat and eggs, but the Brahmin community is mostly lacto-vegetarian, however, many Brahmins have now taken to Non vegetarianism or Ovo vegetarianism.
Maharashtrian cuisine is regionally diverse. The staple food on Desh (Deccan plateau) is usually bhakri( In Maharashtra a flat bread preparation made using Indian millet called jowar,bajra or bajri), cooked vegetables, dal and rice. The North Maharashtrians prefer “roti” though. In the coastal Konkan region , rice is the traditional staple food. An aromatic variety of rice called ambemohar is more popular amongst Marathi people than the internationally known basmati rice.
“Thalipeeth” is a popular traditional breakfast bread that is prepared using “Bhajani”,a mixture of many different varieties of lentils.
Marathi Hindu people have many days throughout the year for “fasting”. On most of these fasting days, traditional staple food like rice and chhapatis are to be avoided. However, many other food items such as milk products, potatoes, peanut and sabudana preparations are allowed which result in a full rich alternative “fasting” cuisine.
In Maharashtrian Food there are various different kind of spices used which make the cuisine very distinct from each other. Eg. Malavali Food uses More of wet coconut and coconut milk in the preparation , In vidarbha region the coconut is not used much in daily preparations but dry coconut is used in preparations like Spicy Savaji recipes or Mutton and chicken dishes.
Some Maharashtrian dishes like Sev bhaji, Misal Pav, Patodi are distinctly regional dishes inside Maharashtra.
In South Konkan, near Malvan, an independent exotic cuisine has developed called Malvani cuisine. It is predominantly non-vegetarian. Kombdi Vade, fish preparations and baked preparations are more popular here.
Desserts are an important part of Marathi food. Puran poli, Shrikhand, Basundi,Kheer and Modak are loved by most people. It should be noted that traditionally the desserts were associated with a particular festival, for example, modaks are prepared during the Ganpati festival.
Festivals
* Gudhi Padwa
o The third day of the Vaishak month is celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya. This is one of the 3.5 most auspicious days in the Hindu Calendar (usually comes in the month of April). This marks the end of Haldi Kumkum festival which is a get-together organised by women for women. Married women invite friends, relatives and new acquaintances to meet in an atmosphere of merriment and fun. On such occasions, the hostess distributes bangles, sweets, small novelties, flowers, betel leaves and nuts as well as coconuts. The snacks include Kairiche Panhe (raw mango juice) and Vatli Dal.
o This festival is celebrated on Jyeshtha Purnima (full moon day of Jyeshtha month of Hindu calendar), around June. On this day, women fast and worship the Banyan tree to pray for the growth and strength of their families, like the sprawling tree which lives for centuries. Married women visit a nearby tree and worship it by tying red threads of love around it. They pray for well-being and long life of their husband.
o Ashadi Ekadashi (11th day of the month Ashada – falls somewhere around July -August) is closely associated with great Marathi saint Dnyaneshwar. Twenty days prior to this day, thousands of Varkaris start their pilgrimage to Pandharpur from Alandi with Dnyaneshwar’s Paduka (footwear) in a Palakhi. Varkaris carry Tals or small cymbals in their hand, wear a rosary of tulsi around their neck and sing and dance to the devotional hymns and prayers to Vitthala. People fast all over Maharashtra on this day and offer prayers in the temples. This day marks starting of Chaturmas (The four Monsoon months, from Ashad through Kartik) as per Hindu Calendar.
o The full moon day of the month Ashada is celebrated as Guru Purnima. For Hindus ‘Guru-Shishya’ (‘Teacher-Student’) tradition is very important, be it educational or spiritual. Gurus are often equated with God and always regarded as a link between the individual and the Immortal. On this day spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Maharshi Vyasa, who is regarded as Guru of Gurus.
o One of the many festivals in India, where Marathi people celebrate the nature. Nags (Cobras) are worshipped on the fifth day of Shravan month (around August) of Hindu Calendar. Women put temporary tattoos with Henna on their hand on the previous day and buy new bangles on Nag Panchami day. In a small village named Battis Shirala in Maharashtra a big snake festival is held which attracts thousands of tourists worldwide. In other parts of Maharashtra snake charmers are seen sitting by the roadsides or moving from one place to another with their baskets that hold snakes. While playing the lingering melodious notes on their flutes, they beckon devotees with their calls -”Nagoba-la dudh de Mayi” (give milk to the Cobra Oh Mother!) Women offer sweetened milk, popcorns (‘lahya’ in Marathi) to the snakes and pray. Cash and old clothes are also given to the snake-charmers.
o This festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan in the Hindu Calendar (around month of August). This is the most important festival for the coastal region as the new season for fishing starts on this day after the rainy season. Fishermen and women offer coconuts to the sea and ask for peaceful season. The same day is celebrated as Rakhi Poornima to commemorate the abiding ties between brother and sister. Narali Bhaat (sweet rice with Coconut)is the main dish on this day. Deshastha Brahmin men change their sacred thread (janve in Marathi) on this day.
Gukulashtami dahi-hundi celebration
o Birthday of the Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fervour all over India on the 8th day of second fortnight of the month Shravan (usually comes in the month of August). In Maharashtra, Gokul Ashtami is synonymous with the ceremony of Dahi handi. Dahi handi is an enactment of Lord Krishna’s efforts to steal butter from Matka (earthen pot) suspended from the ceiling. Large earthen pots filled with milk, curds, butter, honey, fruits etc. are suspended from a height between 20 to 40 feet in the streets. Teams of young men and boys come forward to claim this prize. They construct a human pyramid by standing over each other’s shoulders till the pyramid is tall enough to enable the topmost person to reach the pot and claim the contents after breaking it. Many times currency notes are tied to the rope by which the pot is suspended. The prize money is distributed among those who participate in the pyramid building. The Dahi-hundi draws huge crowd and they support the teams trying to grab these pots by chanting ‘Govinda ala re ala’.
o Pahili Mangala Gaur (first Mangala Gaur) celebration is one of the most important celebration for the new brides in Maharashtra. On the Tuesday of the month of Shravan after her marriage, the new bride performs Shivling puja for the well being of her husband and new family. It is also a get-together of all women folks. It includes chatting, playing games, Ukhane (married women take their husband’s name woven in 2/4 rhyming liners) and great food. They typically play Zimma, Fugadi, Bhendya (more popularly known as Antakshari in modern India) till the wee hours of the next morning.
* Bail Pola/Pithori Amavasya
o Pola or Bail Pola is celebrated on the new moon day (Pithori Amavasya) of the Shravan month (usually falls in August) to pay respect to bulls for their year long hard work. The festival is very important for the farmers. On the day of Pola, farmers take their bulls to the river and clean them thoroughly. They then decorate them by painting horns, putting decorative shawls on their body, ornaments on their horn and flower garlands around their neck. The bulls are then taken in a joyous procession accompanied by music and dancing. Villages have fairs, competitions to celebrate this festival. This is a vacation day for the bulls.
* Hartalika
Ganeshotsav
o fourth day of Bhadrapada is celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm as Ganesh Chaturthi on the in honor of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom. Almost every household in the state installs Ganesha idols at home. Early morning on this day, the clay idols of Ganesha are brought home while chanting Ganpati Bappa Morya and installed on the decorated platforms. During India’s independence struggle, Lokmanya Tilak turned this festival into a public event and united people towards a common goal of throwing British colonizers out of India. The festival is still celebrated as public and private event. The festival lasts for 10 days with various cultural programmes like music concerts, orchestra, plays and skits. Some social activities are also undertaken during this period like blood donation, scholarships for the needy or donation to the people suffering from any kind of natural calamity.
o Along with Ganesha, Gauri festival is celebrated with lot of festivities in Maharashtra. This is three day festival. On the first day, Gauris arrive at home, next day they eat lunch with variety of sweets and on third day they return to their home. Gauris arrive in a pair, one as Jyeshta (meaning the Elder one) and another as Kanishta (meaning the Younger one). They are treated with lots of love since they represent the daughters arriving at their parents place.
o 11th day of Ganesh festival (14th day of the month Bhadrapada)is celebrated as Anant Chaturdashi which marks the end of the Ganesh festival. People bid tearful farewell to the God by immersing the installed idols from home / public places in water by chanting ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya, pudhchya warshi Lawakar ya!!’ (Father Ganesha, come early next year).
o Starting with first day of the month of Ashwin as per Hindu Calendar (around month of October), the nine days and nights festival immediately preceding the most important festival Dasara is celebrated all over India with different traditions. In Maharashtra on the very first day of this 10 day festival, idols of Goddess Durga are installed at many homes. This installation of the Goddess is popularly known as Ghatsthapana. During this period, little girls celebrate ‘Bhondla/Hadga’ as the Sun moves to the thirteenth constellation of the zodiac called “Hasta” (Elephant). During the nine days, Bhondla is celebrated in the garden or on the terrace during evening hours by inviting female friends of the daughter in the house. An elephant is drawn either with Rangoli on the soil or with a chalk on a slate and kept in the middle. The girls go around it in a circle, holding each other’s hands and singing the Bhondla songs. All the Bhondla songs are traditional songs passed down the generations. The last song typically ends with the words ‘…khirapatila kaay ga?’ (meaning ‘What is the special dish today?’). This ‘Khirapat’ is a special dish / dishes often made laboriously by the mother of the host girl. The food is served only after the rest of the girls have guessed the dish/dishes correctly.
o This festival is celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwin month (around October) according to the Hindu Calendar. This is one of the 3 and a half days in the Hindu Lunar calendar, whose every moment is considered auspicious. On the last day (Dasara day), the idols installed on the first day of the Navratri are immersed in water. This day also marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. People visit each other and exchange sweets. On this day, people worship Aapta tree and exchange its leaves (known as golden leaves) and wish each other future like the gold. There is a legend involving Raghuraja , an ancestor of Rama, Aapta tree and Kuber. There is also another legend about Shami tree where the Pandava hid their weapons during their exile.
o Short form of Sanskrit ‘Ko Jagarti?’ (meaning ‘Who is awake?’), Kojagiri is celebrated on the full moon day of the month Ashwin. It is said that on this Kojagiri night Goddess Lakshmi visits every house asking “Ko Jagarti?” and blesses those who are awake with fortune and prosperity. To welcome the Goddess, Houses, temples, streets, etc. are illuminated. People get together on this night usually in the open space (eg. garden or on the terrace) and play games till midnight. At midnight, after seeing reflection of full moon in the boiled milk (boiled with saffron and various varieties of dry fruits), they drink this milk. Eldest child in the household is honored on this day.
o Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important festival in India. Houses are illuminated with rows of clay lamps and are decorated with rangoli and aakash kandils (decorative lanterns of different shapes and sizes). Diwali is celebrated with new clothes, spectacular firecrackers and a variety of sweets in the company of family and friends. This joyous celebration is, on the whole, symbolic of dispelling the darkness of misery and bringing the light of prosperity and happiness into human life.
+ First Day: Diwali starts on the 13th day of the dark fortnight (waning moon) of the month of Ashwin (October / November). This day is known as Dhantrayodashi.
+ Second Day: The 14th day of dark fortnight is known as Naraka Chaturdashi. On this day people celebrate demon Narakasur’s death by Lord Krishna. They get up early in the morning and massage their bodies with scented oil. They make use of ‘utane’ or ‘utanah’ for bath instead of soap. This special bath is referred to as ‘abhyang-snan’. Utane is up made of several things having ayurvedic properties like ‘chandan’ (sandal wood), ‘kapoor’ (camphor), manjistha, rose, orange peel and haldi (turmeric).
+ Third Day: It is believed that Goddess of wealth Lakshmi visits every house in the evening of the new Moon, so this day is celebrated as Lakshmi pujan. Every household performs worship of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesh and money.Unlike Gujarat where Chopdapujan or closing of accounting books takes place in a temple, Marathi people do the same ceremony at home. It is customary in Maharashtra to stay at home on this night to welcome Laxmi.
+ Fourth Day: Next day which is first day of the Hindu calendar observed in North India. Marathi people celebrate this first day of month of Karthik as ‘Diwalicha Padva’. This is a celebration of togetherness and love for married people. To mark the occasion wives usually receive special gifts from their husbands after the ‘aukshan’.
+ Fifth Day: Last day of Diwali festival is called Bhau Bij. On this day, sisters pray for long life of their brothers. Brothers, in turn bless their sister and pamper them with gifts.
* Tulsi Vivah (Tulshicha lagna)
o The Tulsi (Holy Basil plant) is held sacred by the Hindus as it is regarded as an incarnation of Mahalaxmi who was born as Vrinda. End of Diwali celebrations marks the beginning of Tulsi-Vivah. Maharashtrians organize marriage of sacred Tulsi plant in their house with Lord Krishna. On this day the Tulsi vrindavan is colored and decorated as a bride. Sugarcane and branches of tamarind and amla trees are planted along with the tulsi plant. Though a mock marriage, all the ceremonies of an actual Maharashtrian marriage are conduncted including chanting of mantras , Mangal Ashtaka and tying of Mangal Sutra to Tulsi. Families and friends gather for this marriage ceremony which usually takes place late evening. Various poha dishes are offered to Lord Krishna and then distributed among family members and friends. This also marks the beginning of marriage season.
* Kartiki Ekadashi
o 11th day of the month Kartik marks the end of Chaturmas.
* Bhogi
o Eve of Hindu festival ‘Makar Sankranti’.
* Makar Sankranti
o Sankraman means passing of the Sun from one Zodiac sign to the other. This day marks the Sun’s passage from the Tropic of Dhanu (Sagittarius) to Makar (Capricorn). Makar Sankranti falls on January 14 in non-leap years and on January 15 in leap years. It is the only Hindu festival which is based on the Solar calendar rather than the Lunar calendar. The day starts becoming longer from Jan 14 as the Sun moves from Southern hemisphere to Northern hemisphere. For Maharashtrians, Sankrant is the festival of friendship, a time to celebrate the old friendships, to form new ones and repair the old ones. Maharashtrians exchange sweets with each other saying “Tilgul ghyA Ani goD bolA” which means “Accept tilgul (sweets) and speak sweet words”. Tilgul is a sweet concoction made out of til – sesame seeds and gul – jaggery. Friends are asked to emulate the quality of Tilgul and stick together in lasting friendship and love. Sweet rotis (bread) made from sesame seeds and jaggery called “gul-poli” is the special dish of the day. The special significance of “til” is because of its nutritive and medicinal qualities and as this festival falls in the winter season the combination of til and jaggery is extremely beneficial and nutritive. People wear black clothes on this day. Maharashtrian women wear a special black saree called ‘Chandrakala’ which is embossed with crescent moons and stars and married women celebrate the festival by getting together for “haldi Kumkum”.
* Holi The festival of Holi falls in Falgun, the last month of the marathi Shaka Calendar. Marathi people celebrate this festival by lighting a bonfire and offering puran poli to the fire. In North India, Holi is celebrated over two days with the second day celebrated with throwing colors. In Maharashtra it is known as Dhuli Vandan. However, Maharashtrians celebrate color throwing five days after Holi on Rangpanchami.
* Urus /Jatra A large number of villages in Maharashtra hold their annual festivals (Village carnival) in the months of January -March. These may be in the honor of the village deity or the tomb (darga) of a local sufi saint. Celebrations may include cart racing, kabbadi & wrestling tournaments, a fair and lavani/tamasha. A number of families eat meat only during this period.
Marathi people outside India
Large scale immigration of Indians into United States started when Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 came into effect. Most of the Marathi immigrants who came after 1965 were professional such as doctors, engineers or Scientists. A second wave of immigration took place during the I.T. boom. The Marathi community in USA is currently about 35,000 people.
Mainly due to the I.T. boom and general ease of travel, Marathi people may be found in all corners of the world including Australia, Canada, Gulf countries, European countries, Japan and China.
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1:35 pm
Amazingg skills! Continue man,I just added this blog to my rss reader, excellent stuff. I wish I had your passion for writing!
7:22 pm
to divas ata lamp nahi jevha pratek padavar marathi manus ch asel “marathi manus jaga jhala ahe”
” jai bhavani jai SHIVAJI “