Manish at 14:47, 31 January 2026

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{{Short description|Indian ethnic group}}
{{About|the ethnic group|their language|Beary language|other uses}}
{{Redirect|Byari|the 2011 film|Byari (film)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=September 2015}}
{{original research|date=July 2016}}
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{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Bearys
|languages =[[Beary language|Beary]]
| image =
| population = 950,000+<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/13/stories/2007101361130300.htm Newspaper: The Hindu, Saturday, 13 Oct 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014083001/http://hindu.com/2007/10/13/stories/2007101361130300.htm |date=14 October 2007 }}</ref>
| popplace = [[Tulunadu]], [[Chikkamagaluru district|Chikmagalur]] district, [[Kodagu]], [[Hassan district]], [[Uttara Kannada]], [[Persian Gulf States]]
| related = [[Nawayath]], [[Malabar Muslims|Mappilas]], [[Labbay]]
| religions = [[File:Allah-green.svg|15px]] [[Islam]]
}}
{{Islam}}
{{Islam in India}}
The '''Beary''' (also known as '''Byari''') are a community concentrated along the southwest [[coast of India]], mostly in the [[Mangalore district]] of the [[south India]]n state of [[Karnataka]].

The Beary community of [[Tulunadu]] is among the earliest [[Muslims|Muslim]] [[inhabitants]] of [[India]], with a clear history of more than 950 years.<ref>[[Ahmed Noori]], [[Maikala]], Preface to 1st edition (1960)</ref>

==Etymology==
The word ''Beary'' is said{{by whom|date=September 2023}} to be derived from the [[Tulu language|Tulu]] word ''Byara'', which means trade or business. Since the major portion of the community was involved in business activities, particularly trading, the local Tulu-speaking majority called them as Beary or Byari.<ref>Ahmed Noori, Maikala p.17 (1960)</ref>

Another popular theory is that the word ''Beary'' comes from [[Arabic]] word ''Bahar'' (Arabic: بحر). ''Bahar'' means ''ocean'' and ''Bahri'' (Arabic: بحري) means ''sailor or navigator''. It is said{{by whom|date=September 2023}} that the Beary community had trade relations with Arab businessmen travelling to Coastal [[South India]], especially the coastline of [[Tulunadu]] [[Malabar Coast|Malabar]]. Inscriptions have been found in [[Barkur]] that prove Arab trade links with [[Tulunadu]].{{cn|date=September 2023}}

A third theory says that the word ''Beary'' is derived from the root word ''Malabar''. The Islamic [[Da'ee]], [[Malik bin Deenar]], had arrived on the coast of Malabar during the 7th century with a group of Da'ees, or Islamic propagators. A member from his group, Habeeb bin Malik travelled through Tulunadu and preached Islam. He had also built Mosques in [[Kasaragod Town|Kasaragod]], [[Mangalore]] and [[Barkur]].<ref name="Ahmed Noori p.11">Ahmed Noori, Maikala, II edition, p.11 (1997)</ref>

===Other sources===
[[Ahmed Noori]], a journalist and himself a member of the Beary community, claimed that there are several documents available which suggest that at least 90 years prior to the invasion of [[Muhammad bin Qasim]] in [[North India]], [[Hadhrami people|Hadhrami]] and [[Persians|Persian]] Muslim businessmen were thriving in the [[South India]]. This would prove that Islam was prevalent in South India much before [[Muslim conquest of India|Muslim conquerors]] came to North India.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

Noori disputes the claim that the first Muslims came to India along with [[Alauddin Khalji]] between 1296 and 1316 AD and points out that according to historian [[Henry Miers Elliot]], writing in 1867, the first ship bearing Muslim travellers was seen on the Indian coast as early as 630 CE. Noori also notes that [[Hugh George Rawlinson]] (1913) claimed the first [[Hadhrami people|Hadhrami Muslims]] settled on the Indian coast in the last part of the 7th century and that Bartholomew also has similar things to say about the early Muslim settlers in India, while J. Sturrock (1894) said that [[Parsis|Parsi]] and Hadhrami businessmen settled in different places of the [[Malabar coast]] during the 7th century. Noori has quoted these and other sources to validate his argument that the Arab and other settlers came to India much before the Arab, Turk and [[Afghans|Afghan]] conquerors came to North India.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

==Language==
{{Main|Beary language}}

The language spoken by Beary community is [[Beary language|Beary]] base (language).<ref>[https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tulu-nadus-bashe-byari-language-and-its-struggle-identity-102414 Beary Language's Struggle for Identity]</ref>
While the [[Nawayath]] Muslims of Uttara Kannada speak a dialect of [[Konkani language|Konkani]], and the [[Malabar Muslims|Mappila]] Muslims of Kerala speak [[Malayalam]] ([[Mappila Malayalam]]), [[Beary language]] is made of [[Tulu language|Tulu]] phonology and grammar with [[Malayalam]] idioms. Due to the trading role of the community, the language acquired loan words from other languages of [[Tulu language|Tulu]], [[Malayalam]], [[Kannada]] and also from Perso-Arabic sources.
This language is traditionally recognized as a dialect of Malayalam because of the similarities with [[Old Malayalam]].
The language uses [[Malayalam script|Malayalam]] and [[Kannada script|Kannada]] scripts for writing.<ref name="Upadhyaya, U. Padmanabha 1996">Upadhyaya, U. Padmanabha. Coastal Karnataka: Studies in Folkloristic and Linguistic Traditions of Dakshina Kannada Region of the Western Coast of India. Udupi: Rashtrakavi Govind Pai Samshodhana Kendra, 1996.P- '''ix''' . {{ISBN|81-86668-06-3}} .
First All India Conference of Dravidian Linguistics, Thiruvananthapuram, 1973</ref>

==World Beary Convention==
In April 2006, The World Beary Convention was held in Dubai ''World Beary Sammelana & Chammana 2006''.<ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=20850&n_tit=Dubai%3A+World+Beary+Convention+Held World Beary Sammelana & Chammana 2006 – convention]</ref> A similar event was held in 2010.<ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=75007 Dubai : World Beary Convention Kicks off in Style – 2010]</ref>

==Ornaments==
The beary women have a love of ornaments and use them on occasions such as ''Mangila'', ''Sunnat Mangila'', ''Appate Mangila'', ''Birnd'', ''Moilanji'' and other social gatherings. There were different types of ornaments used by the Beary community in past which is at the verge of vanishing today due to the cultural invasion and urbanisation. These ornaments are made out of mainly gold and silver and used for the ornamentation of head, ears, neck, waist, wrist, fingers and feet. Beary research scholars are of the opinion that Beary ornaments were largely influenced by Jain ornament patterns. The ornament storage box used by Bearys was made out of brass and other metals was also used by Jain community and was called ''Kharjana'' by both Bearys and Jains.<ref>Ichlangod B.M., Tulunada Muslimaru – Byari Samskruti p.76 (1997)</ref>{{qn|date=September 2023}}

==Cuisine==
[[File:Neer Dosa.jpg|thumb|Poo-pole and pinde]]
[[File:Vodu-Pole on Mannudo-Vodu..jpg|thumb|Vodu-Pole on Mannudo-Vodu]]
[[File:Chekkero-Appa Prepared in Thondhur..jpg|thumb|Chekkero-Appa prepared in Thondhur]]

Beary cuisine is highly influenced by the South Indian cuisine. Just like Mangalorean cuisine it uses a lot of [[coconut]], [[curry leaves]], ginger, chilli and spices like pepper and cardamom. Beary cuisine includes a type of [[biryani]] which is very different from types made elsewhere. Rice preparations, both fresh and dry fish, meat and eggs feature in Beary daily menus.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

== Beary literature ==
The Beary Sahitya Academy is an association of [[Beary language|Beary]]-speaking people located mainly in Tulu Nadu, which includes the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in Karnataka state and Kasaragod in Kerala state.{{cn|date=September 2023}} In 2022, the foundation-laying ceremony for the construction of a new building for Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy at Thokkottu was held.
<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/foundation-laid-for-beary-academys-new-building/articleshow/88676468.cms|title=Foundation laid for Beary Academy's new building |newspaper=The Times of India |date=4 January 2022 }}</ref>

==Beary organisations==
'''Karnataka Beary Sahithya Academy'''

With the establishment of Karnataka Beary Sahithya Academy, the language got formal recognition and academic status from the government of Karnataka. This led to a boom in Beary literary and cultural activities and a script was developed for the language in 2020.

The main motive of the Academy is to reckon the rich culture and heritage of Bearys and to cultivate and motivate the emerging young talents in the Beary community. By creating awareness of Beary culture, language and literature, the Academy aims to accomplish its goal in overall development of Beary language to build a healthy society.

In 2022, the foundation-laying ceremony for the construction of a new building for Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy at Thokkottu was held.
<ref name=":0" />

===Bearys Welfare Association===
In 2010, the Bearys Welfare Association, based in [[Bengaluru]], distributed 80 scholarships for the needy.<ref>[https://www.deccanherald.com/content/82714/80-students-get-scholarships-bearys.html Bearys Welfare Association's Scholarship Drive]</ref>

===Bearys Welfare Forum===
The Bearys Welfare Forum (BWF) of [[Abu Dhabi]] is an association of Beary [[expatriate]]s in [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates.<ref>[https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/how-an-abu-dhabi-community-group-helps-people-get-married-1.737860 How an Abu Dhabi community group helps people get married.]</ref> It was established in 2004 with an intention of working for all sections of the society. It has helped the victims of [[Communal riot]]s in [[Mangalore]] by providing medical assistance and other aids.{{cn|date=September 2023}} It The BWF has organised several [[mass marriage]] ceremonies in [[Mangalore]].<ref>Anupama monthly, March 2008, page 28</ref><ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=62550 Bearys Welfare Forum, Abu Dhabi organizes Mass Wedding Ceremony at Mangaluru.]</ref><ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=271078 Bearys Welfare Forum Abu Dhabi organizes 5th mass marriage ceremony.]</ref>

===Bearys Cultural Forum===
Bearys Cultural Forum, in the United Arab Emirates, was constituted to provide education to the people of the coastal parts of the State of Karnataka. BCF's main objective is to promote, educate and create social, cultural and educational awareness amongst the Bearys and the population of the coastal Karnataka State and the UAE. The BCF regularly conducts cultural, sports, talent search, educational activities, Career Guidance Seminars, Iftar Party, etc. every year. BCF also provides educational scholarships to students for pursuing their higher studies in the field of Medicines, Engineering, Pharmacy, Business, Nursing, Journalism, Dentistry, etc.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

In April 2012, 'Chammana 2012' hosted by Bearys Cultural Forum, [[Dubai]], at the Radisson Blue Hotel, Dubai, attracted more than 1,200 people to its programme.<ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=135778 Bearys Cultural Forum Hosts Magnificent 'Chammana 2012']</ref>

In August 2018, BCF distributed scholarship to the downtrodden community.<ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=524623 Dubai Bearys Cultural Forum distributes scholarships to nearly 500 students.]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Other sources==
*Bearys of the coast, Article in ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' 12 December 1997 by B.M. Hanif.
*Muslims in Dakshina Kannada: a historical study up to 1947 and survey of recent developments, Author Wahab Doddamane, A. Green Words publication. Mangalore, 1993.

{{Indian Muslim}}

[[Category:Muslim communities of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Mangalorean society]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Iranian diaspora in Asia]]
[[Category:Hadhrami diaspora]]
[[Category:Arab diaspora in India]]

Beary - Revision history

Manish at 14:47, 31 January 2026