Poojary (Billava Subcaste) - History

History

L. K. Ananthakrishna Iyer recounted the poojary community's belief that billava means bowmen and that it "applied to the castemen who were largely employed as soldiers by the native rulers of the district" but he could find no evidence in support of their claim. Edgar Thurston had reached a similar conclusion in 1909.

Billavas are also referred to as “Poojari” (meaning the priest) as they were the priests for most of the Daivas in Tulunaadu.Billavas are also called ” Baidya/ Baida” meaning Doctor. Billavas used to practice traditional herbal medicine. Martial arts academies of the Billavas are known as garadi. Reading, writing and instruction in archery and the martial arts were the main activities of garadi – similar to Kalarippayattu, which is practised by the Īḻavar community in Kerala .

Koti and Chennayya were born to the Deye Baidethi of the Billava people of Tulu Nadu in the state of Karnataka. Owing to the brothers heroic deeds, they are worshipped and remembered as protectors. They died in combat near Yenmoor. Memorial temples called garadi "gymnasiums" have been built in the name of Koti and Chennayya all over Tulu Nadu. Once in a year festivals called nema are celebrated in the garadis and village people assemble here to pray for well-being. The valiant twins are also known as the Karnika Purushas. Several Poojarys are given contribution to poojas of Garadis of Koti Chennaya and Bhuta Kolas.

Today most of the people from the Poojary community are well educated. Job opportunities in the MNCs, several high level professional contributed to the economic growth of Poojarys. Some went into hotel business and many are famous professionals in Mumbai.Most of Poojarys are located in mangalore,udupi,mumbai and other parts of india.

Chera dynasty The Chera king had the title Villavar(Billawar) Kon indicating Villavar clans founded the ancient Chera Kingdom. The Emblem on the flag of Cheras was Bow and Arrow. The Chera kingdom was founded by the integration of various Villvar tribes such as Vanavar, Puraiyar, Velliar and Pazhuvettaraiyars After the arrival of Nagas the Villavar culture who cherished Patriarchy and Monogamy was replaced by Matriarchy with Polyandry as the norm. Soon around the 12th century the Chera dynasty came to an end.

The varna designation of several case in south canara is a contested and complex topic. Even after the introduction of the varna concept to south India, caste boundaries in south India were not as marked as in north India, where the four-tier varna system placed the priestly Brahmins on top followed by the Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. In south India, on the other hand, there existed only three distinguishable classes, the Brahmins, the non-Brahmins and the Dalits. The two intermediate dvija varnas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas did not exist.

The ruling castes of south India held a status in society analogous to the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas of the north with the difference that religion did not sanctify them i.e. they were not accorded the status of Kshatriyas and Vaishyas by the Brahmins in the Brahmanical varna system. Historically, land-owning castes in south canara have belonged to the regal ruling classes and are analogous to the Kshatriyas of the Brahmanical society.