Do You Know About The Caste Of Your Tailor?

 

Do You Know About The Caste Of Your Tailor?     

    Meru is a specific craftsman community locally named as Meerolu in Telangana, predominately settled in all states of India with different local language names listed below topic. Darji is the widespread name of this community, men are generally involves in tailoring field as their major occupation and women help them in their work like sewing button, embroidery work etc [1]. In times past, Indian marriage ceremonies were celebrated for a week days and more. Like many other caste, Merus were likewise to visit the hindu marriage ceremonies to switch new dresses for bride, groom families and guests attending the marriage. Indeed, Even in warfare activities an expertise Merus were traveled along with war tropes to arrange the tailoring needs of the soldiers, horses, elephants for switching dresses made of leather and metal objects. During the circus glory times, Merus use to serve the tailoring needs of the circus performers. Where ever they serve, they serve for society and named as respectable community members in society. Initially, tailoring occupation was proclaimed by Indian hindu (meru) gradually transferred to multi-religion people. 

Meru community in different state of INDIA:

Based on the local languages spoken across India, Merus were also called as Meerolu, Simpi, Chipollu, Chippi, Darji, Namdeva Darji, Lingayit Darji, Marwadi Darji, Jain Darji and Jingar Darji, Simpi Kshatriya etc.

·                            The Darjis were converted to Lingayitism after its foundation by rulers of Basava period called as Lingayit Darjis. These people mostly found in the Karnataka. Information regarding Marwadi Darji, Jain Darji, and Jingar Darji is not available much.

·                             Maharashtrian Darjis are also called Namdeva Darjis (great saint Namdeva). They incorporate into two classes, Telugu Chippolu and Maratha Shimpi, based upon territorial distinctions. In physical characteristics, the Namdeva Darjis appear to be originally of Telugu or Dravidian origin and to have, in later times, spread over the Maratha.

                       The name 'Chippollu' is derived from the Telugu word chimpi meaning "to cut” and refers to their occupation of cutting clothes. They believe Sri Jadagiri Shankara Dasamaiah as kulaguru.

·                                 In hindi, the name Chippi meant as Chipkaana = one who assemble the cloth pieces to close our body part. People belong to Shimpi caste in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh do not eat non-vegetarian.

·                        Bhavsar Kshatriya Darji (Shimpi Kshatriya) people worship Goddess Hingulambika Devi, “Hinglaj Matha at Kanraj (Lyari district), Baluchistan, the province of Pakistan.

 

STATE	NAME
Andhra Pradesh	Chippollu
Orissa	Shimpi
Telangana	Meru, Chippollu
Rajasthan	Pipa Darzi, Damoder Darzi, Taak
Karnataka	Lingayit Darjis,
Maharashtra	Namdeva Shimpi
Bihar	Simpi, Chhipa
Punjab	Chhimba
Haryana	Chimba, Chhipi, Chimpa, Darzi,

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Evidence of Origin:

According to Varna, There is a multiple bias on the origin of Meru caste.

·         An argument made by Russel and Hiralal, described that Chippi caste came to existence with two Kshatriya brothers who took shelter in a temple to protect themselves from Parshuram’s anger on Kshatriya clan (i.e. sixth incarnation of lord Vishnu). With the suggestions of the temple priest, one brother started sewing dress (Chippi) to idol and another brother started to stamp and dye cloth. Due to this reason, they also believed to be a part of Kshatriya clan i.e. Meru Kshatriya Shimpi. 

·         SYED SIRAJ UL HASSAN stated that Meerolu formed as the tailor caste of the Hyderabad Dominions descended, according to ancient authorities, from a Sudra father and a Bhanda mother. Some trace their origin to Chaundaka Devi, the patron goddess of the Devanga Koshtis [2].  

     Merus customs and traditions are closely related to Koshtis. There is a belief that Koshtis were the descendants of Markandeya Rishi. They are the descendants of the Rajhans, the king of Devagiri (Berar) died in battle with Ilober. The word koshti stands for a man of virtues, a title that the king Rajhans was honoured with in the year 1111 A.D. Moreover, Koshti took jobs as soldiers in different princely states, including the armies of the Peshwas and Tipu Sultan.

About Saint Namdeva Maharaj

Saint Namdeva sprang from a shimpa (shell) found by his mother Gonai in the Bhima or Chandrabhaga river. His Philosophical poetry influenced many people to turn up into followers as Namdeva shimpis.

Christian L. Novetzke, author of the book “Religion and Public Memory: A Cultural History of Saint Namdev in India” described about devotional practice of namdeva created public to remember his abhanga devotional poetry for even centuries. From a simple Hindu tailor family, Namdev is remembered as an innovative composer of devotional songs. He is central to many traditions in Hinduism, Sikhism, and he also played a key role in early figure in Marathi, Punjabi literature.

One more book “Time, History and the Religious Imaginary in South Asia” edited by Anne Murphy explained about the greatness of Saint Namdev maharaj.

 

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Legendary personalities

·         Namdev - 14th Century Revered Saint of the Bhakti Movement and Varkari Sect.

·         Chandrakant Mandare - Marathi Actor, Elder Brother of Suryakant Mandare.

·         Shashikala - Indian Actress.

·         Kashiram Shimpi - Devotee of Sai Baba.

·         Wamanrao Mahadik - First Shiv Sena Legislator, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly [3].

·         N. Shankar - Film Director, Telangana State.

·         Venu Sriram is an Indian film director. 

 

Reference

1.    http://merusangam.org/merucommunity.php.

2.    SYED SIRAJ UL HASSAN, The Castes and Tribes of H. E. H. The Nizam's Dominions, Merton College, Oxford, Trinity College, Dublin, and Middle Temple, London.

3.    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimpi.

 

NOTE -

1.    The main motto of writing this article is to share information about an impressive community serving for society.

2.         All the information is collected from several books, references, internet source and elders.    

3.    To realize the significance of this community, it is very much important to share such information to youngsters.

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