TameraWhitham at 17:15, 10 September 2025

2025-09-10T17:15:44Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
|group = Chalavadi
| native_name =
|image=
|population =
|popplace =
|regions = [[Karnataka]], India
|languages =[[Kannada language|Kannada]]
|religions =[[Hinduism]]
|related =

}}
'''Chalavādi''' (Chalawadi, Chalwadi, Chelvadi, Chelavadi<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Madiga-Chaluvadi-communities-seek-internal-reservation/article14717514.ece|title=Madiga, Chaluvadi communities seek internal reservation|date=2007-02-08|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-10-25|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>) is a [[Dravidian peoples|Dravida]] community, mainly belonging to [[Maharashtra|Karnataka]], "who are generally called formerly as [[Adi Dravida]] (Balagai), Channaiah or Channayya"<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9B1OAQAAMAAJ&q=Chalavadi|title=The Scheduled Castes|last=Singh|first=Kumar Suresh|date=1995|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195637427|volume=10|page=297|language=en}}</ref>(Bidar, Belgaum, Bijapur and Dharwad districts<ref name=":0" />), Toti, Byagara,{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} Whalliaru or Whallias,{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} Holia's or [[Mahar]] [[Belgaum division|(Belgaum side)]] ([[Synonym|Synonym's]]: [[Holar caste|Holar]]<ref name=":2" />) is the servant of the right-hand, or eighteen-caste section of the community, and the custodian of its symbol, namely, the bell and the ladle (Gandadabatlu). These are made of [[brass]] and are connected together by a chain of the same metal, and sometimes they are placed before [[Pattadakal|Sangameshwara]] gaddige and [[Puja (Hinduism)|Pūjā]] made to them. The members use, among themselves, the term [[Valangai|Balagai]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1XzaAAAAMAAJ&q=balagai|title=Deprived Castes in India: A Profile of Karnataka|last=Rao|first=Nandalike Jagannath Usha|date=1981|publisher=Chugh Publications|page=335|language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Discontent-in-lsquoleftrsquo-group-of-SCs-may-cost-BJP-dear/article16631517.ece|title=Discontent in 'left' group of SCs may cost BJP dear|date=2009-03-07|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-10-15|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> as they are classified among the eighteen castes that form the right-hand section of the community in [[Dravidian people|Dravida]] countries. Chalavadis are well dressed and stands with a blanket under his arm. He carries a brass image of [[Shiva]] seated on a [[bull]]. The image is overshadowed by the hood of a snake and is fixed to the upper end of a brass spoon. A brass bell hangs from the handle of the spoon to the Chelvadi’s knee in front. From time to time, the Chelvadi sings hymns in honour of [[Shiva]] and rings the bell.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}

== Origin ==
Chalvadi is said to be a disciple of [[Basava]]. They came with the Maharaja of the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar empire]] and settled in different districts. They are considered as the right-hand caste as opposed to the left-hand who are the [[Madiga|Madars or Madiga]].{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}

Chalavadi's were [[agricultural labourer]]s during the 17th century to 18th century and were divided into ''Kuliyalugalu'' (hired labourer's) and ''Muladalugalu'' or ''Mulada Holeya'' (hereditary [[serfs]]) depending on nature of employment in [[agrarian society]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z0nZzbFDSAoC&q=holeya&pg=PA194|title=South Kanara, 1799-1860: A Study in Colonial Administration and Regional Response|last=Bhat|first=N. Shyam|date=1998-01-01|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=9788170995869|page=194|language=en}}</ref>

== Subdivision ==
=== Karnataka ===
The important sections of Holeyas were the Pombada (Bhuta dancers), the Bakuda or Mundala, the Holeya or Mari Holeya, the [[Koraga people|Koragar]] (basket maker) & Nalke (Bhuta Dancers).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z0nZzbFDSAoC&q=holeya+bhuta+dancers&pg=PA26|title=South Kanara, 1799-1860: A Study in Colonial Administration and Regional Response|last=Bhat|first=N. Shyam|date=1998-01-01|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=9788170995869|page=26|language=en}}</ref> but only Holeya or Mari Holeya considered Chalavadis, not others.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Reservation in India}}

[[Category:Dalit communities]]
[[Category:Scheduled Castes of Karnataka]]

Chalavadi - Revision history

TameraWhitham at 17:15, 10 September 2025