Padmashali

Padmashali (also spelt as Padmasali) is a Hindu caste residing in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,[1] Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.[2][3] Their traditional occupation is weaving.[4][5]

Padmashali
Regions with significant populations
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu
Languages
Telugu
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Saliya, Devanga, Pattusali, Pattariyar

The Padmashalis are sometimes called Senapati, meaning leader. They wear the sacred thread like members of the Pancha Brahma castes.[6]

Etymology

The term Padmashali is derived from two words Padma and Shali, The Padma means lotus and Shali means weaver.[7] The word Padma referring to the myth of the thread was a lotus which sprang from the navel of Vishnu.[8]

History

The Padmashalis support their mythological origins and Puranas such as Kulapurana and Markandeya Purana.[9]

The Padmashalis and the Devangas, who are another caste of weavers, were originally a single caste in ancient times and followed Vaishnavism. The caste then split due to differences in faith, with the Devangas being influenced by Lingayatism and accepting Chamundeswari, the fierce form of Durga as their kuladevi. The Padmashalis maintained their belief in Vaishnavism. The Padmashalis eventually specialised in weaving clothes of all varieties.[9]

Present

The Padmashalis are further divided into two groups based on Sampradaya, being the Shaivas and the Vaishnavas. While the Shaivas give preference to worshipping Shiva, the Vaishnavas give preference to worship of Vishnu. These religious and occupational distinctions are no bar to interdining and intermarriage.[9]

They worship local goddesses such as Chamundeswari and Yellamma. The latter is traditionally considered to be the mother of Parasurama and is identified with Renuka.[9]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "From scrolls to masks: how Telangana's 400 years old cheriyal paintings have evolved". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  2. Singh, Kumar Suresh (1996). Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 1654. ISBN 978-0-19-563357-3.
  3. Singh, Kumar Suresh; India, Anthropological Survey of (1996). Identity, ecology, social organization, economy, linkages and development process: a quantitative profile. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-19-563353-5.
  4. Shivappa, H. V. (2001). Indian silk industry. Ganga Kaveri Pub. House. p. 67. ISBN 9788185694351.
  5. Roy, Sarat Chandra (1992). Man in India. A. K. Bose. p. 143.
  6. Subrahmanyam, Y. Subhashini (1975). Social Change in Village India: An Andhra Case Study. Prithvi Raj Publishers. p. 76.
  7. The Indian Textile Journal. Business Press. 1984. p. 63.
  8. Arterburn, Yvonne J. (1982). The loom of interdependence: silkweaving cooperatives in Kanchipuram. Hindustan Pub. Co. p. 46.
  9. P, Swarnalatha. The World of the Weaver in Northern Coromandel, C.1750-C.1850 (2005 ed.). Hyderabad: Orient Longman Private Limited. pp. 31–41. ISBN 978-8-12502-868-0.
  10. "The `soft' corner for silks". @businessline. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
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