Skip to main content

The Diminishing Population Of Certain Social Groups In India

Budabukkala Vaadu

Are you wondering what's this word 'budabukkala vaadu'? Well, if you are a Telugu, you will surely come to know who is this person. For non-Telugus, this would be a strange word.

This is a small social group that was concentrated in South India. In the olden days 'budabukkala vaadu' used to move around in the early mornings before sunrise, in the lanes / streets of villages, towns and cities. He had a 'damarukam' in his hand. 'Damarukam' is a percussion musical instrument that is believed to be used by Lord Shiva during Siva Tandavam - the Divine Dance. This man is actually is a fore-teller with some extra-ordinary acquired yogic / tantric powers.
Also read: Classical Dance forms of India
Courtesy: Google Images and TV5
The person beats his 'damarukam' rhythmically and speaks the Telugu words "amba paluku jagadamba paluku" (invoking Goddess Jagadamba) and move around in the streets / lanes. In those days it was believed that 'budabukkalu vaadu' speaks out the words (foretells) that are whispered into his ears by Goddess Amba (Mother). He used to unexpectedly stop in front of a house and foretell the happenings of the house. Mostly he used to predict the ill-happenings of the house and not the good events. May be because of this reason people in those days were scared of him and avoided him. They used to shut their doors on hearing the beat of his 'damarukam'.

His appearance and costume are peculiar i.e unique (in present terms). He wears mostly a white dhoti or colored one with a long black coat on top. He has a red cloth as a headgear known as 'talapaga' in Telugu. He also has a bell tied to his waist. The appearance itself is somewhat scary.

It is believed that the 10-headed demon king Ravana appeared in this form only to abduct Sita Devi during their forest exile period in Dandakaranya.

Due to unknown reasons, this particular sect of people has almost completely disappeared from the Indian society. These people are also known by the name 'Jangama Deva'. But there is a slight difference in their costume. They do not beg alms but just accept whatever is offered to them by the people.
Courtesy: Google Images
Dear readers, if any of you happen to know more about this sect of people, please share the information in the comment box. This particular social group in South India has almost disappeared.

Yerukala Sani

Yerukala is yet another social group exists in South India. The population of this group is diminishing. The women folk of Yerukala group are known as Yerukala Sani. These women dress in a unique way and these are the traditional professional fore-tellers. Mostly these women unlike 'Budabukkala vaadu', are soothsayers / fortune tellers.
Courtesy: Google Images
These women carry a big basket made of bamboo and an indigenously made stringed instrument which looks like 'ektara'. Mostly these women accept only rice after fortune telling. Yerukala Sani sits in a typical posture, takes the hand of the person into one of her hands, in her other hand she has the stringed instrument which she plays and speaks out these Telugu words "sodi (eruka) cheputanamma sodi (eruka) cheputanu, Kanchi Kamakshinadigi Cheputanu, Madhura Meenakshinadigi Cheputanau. Unnadunnatu Cheputanu.." in a typical tone of singing.

All the while she speaks these words, she repeatedly turns down the hand of the person that she holds in her hand. Some of the Yerukala Sani hold a bamboo stick in their hand and keep waving it while speaking those Telugu words 'sodu cheputanu'.

It is believed that Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala comes in the disguise of a Yerukala Sani, to Akasa Raju's (Goddess Padmavati's father) palace and explains the person to whom Padmavati lost her heart, he who rescued her from a wild elephant, is not an ordinary man.

Also read: The story of Venkateswara Swamy

This small social group is gradually diminishing from the society and are hardly seen these days. In the recent past, Yerukala Sani was very much used as a fancy dress by the school girls.

There are many more such social groups in India that are fast declining / diminishing.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Seemantham - The South Indian Traditional Baby Shower ceremony

Seemantham is a traditional south Indian way of celebrating baby shower. The same is celebrated in north India as 'godbharai' ('god' means lap in Hindi - 'd' in 'god' is pronounced as 'the' and bharai means 'to fill'). The celebration differs from region to region. Seemantham is also known by the names 'poolu mudupu' (i.e adoring flowers in the hair) and 'gajulu todagadam' (i.e wearing glass bangles) in Telugu. It is celebrated in the 5th or 7th or 9th month of pregnancy. Seemantham is one of the 16 Hindu samskaras known as 'simantonnayana' in Sanskrit. It is a samskara of the embryo / foetus that develops in the pregnant woman's womb. Usually, seemantham is celebrated for the 1st pregnancy only and not for the subsequent conceives. There are certain superstitious believes on celebrating the function. In the olden days, people believed that pregnant women are easily prone to 'dishti' or evil e

How To Perform Aksharabhyasam At Home And Basar temple

Aksharabhyasam Meaning The word 'Akshara' means letters (alphabets) in Sanskrit and 'abhyasam' means practice. Aksharabhyasam is a traditional religious function of Hindus. It is also known as 'Vidyaarambham' which literally means starting of education. In this function a child is given initiation for writing / education. With this function the child is ready to receive formal education in a school. The function is performed in different ways in different regions of India. When to perform aksharabhyasam In the olden days, aksharabhyasam was performed when the child was 5 years old. But presently because of early education at Kindergarten level, parents perform this ceremony when the child is in his 3rd year i.e. after the child completes 2 years. Normally there is a belief that aksharabhyasam should not be performed after the child completes 3 years and is in its 4th year. Where to perform aksharabhyasam The function can be performed either in a temp

School Speeches - Farewell Speech By School Principal to Outgoing Students

Author Reserves All Rights. Listen to the speech in my YouTube Channel: This sample speech would be helpful for the school principal to deliver on the occasion of school farewell day party. Respected teachers and my dear students, Good Morning / Good Afternoon to each one present here and a very warm welcome to you to the school farewell party. It's a nostalgic feeling as I remember my student life in school and my school farewell party. I am sure we all have mixed feelings on this day which is a blend of joy and sadness. On one hand you feel enthusiastic as you will be stepping into a completely new different world where you will find relatively more freedom than in a school life. While on the other hand you will feel sad as you have to depart from your school / classmates. My dear friends the time has come to bid you all farewell with a heavy heart from this esteemed institution which protected you, cared for you, supported you and guided you all these years.