A Cursory Glance at the Prevailing Socio-Economic Conditions of the Devanga Community. 1998

Devanga Community has a great history with distinct culture and tradition of its own. The people of this are spread over in the Sate of Karnataka, concentrating a large number of families within the jurisdiction of Bangalore, Mysore, Belgaum Divisions and sparsely scattering population of Devanagas in Gulbarga Division too. Bangalore, Mysore, Doddaballapur, Anekal, Dommasandra, C. N. Halli, Tarikere, Hosadurga, Holalkere, Belgaum, Bijapur, Ilkal, Dharawad, Chamarajanagar, etc., may be named as a few places where the Devangas are in large numbers when compared to rest of the places in the Karnataka State. Their Chief occupation continues to be weaving even now. The handloom ndustry has flourished so well, as to attract marketing of the silk fabrics of fine quality even to-day. It is an admitted fact that the powerloom industry has spread s tentacles among the towns in which a large number of Devanga people are concentrated. As a result, the hand-loom industry is bound to face stiff competition from the powerloom Somehow, the families engaged in both the sectors have taken into their strides the trials and tribulations encountered in the process, to eke out their livelihood.

Despite a great heritage, a large number of families are groaning under the spectre of poverty, ignorance and disease owing to meagre income, especially at the lower strata of the Devanga Community. The services of all the members of the family are required to carry on the profession of weaving to its logical end. Both old and young, irrespective of sex, are found to have engaged in different stages of Handloom as well as powerloom industry. Due to poor returns, there is a distant hope of rapid improvement in their economic conditions at the faster pace than expected. It may be pointed out that quite a number of wage earners are forced to leave the places of present living in search of work elsewhere other than the weaving profession with a fond hope of getting good remuneration and other facilities.

With the advancement of science and technology, a great deal of changes are taking place in Industrial Sector and a host of other spheres also. But no tangible improvement worth mentioning appears to have taken place in the Handloom and Powerloom industry of small scale units. Introduction of modern machinery and allied equipments replacing the existing old and obsolete ones, is long over-due so as to step up production. 

This factor may be attributed to either reluctance on the part of the community people directly engaged in the profession or scarce resources at their disposal to embark upon innovations. The cumulative effect of all these factors has pushed the lower and middle class of Devangas to the brink of backwardness economically and socially, let alone politically. Major communities have come forward to grab all possible facilities extended by Government in order to make their presence felt, through the political clout enjoyed by them, it is indeed pathetic to major cities and to say that the Devanga Community should remain with stoic faces in the presence felt, through the political clout enjoyed by them, it is indeed pathetic to say that the Devanga Community leaders of eminence to champion their cause. This sort of helplessnes has precipitated them to think that they are forced to resign to their fate in the existing circumstances.

Even among the elite and educated sections of Devanga community there is lack of cohesion and unity among themselves. They are strictly governed and regulated by the Rules of Procedure and Code of Conduct and as such, the official class may not be able to devote much of their precious time to serve the community to the extent desired even though they have an abiding interest and inclination to expose themselves for rendering social service to their fellow brethren.

In between the two extremities referred to above, we have amidst us a rarest of rare gems who has been acting as a philosopher, guide and friend to all sections of Devangas Community. He is none other than Sri Sri Sri Dayanandapuri Swamiji of Sri Gayathri Peeta of Hampi-Hemakoota. I respectfully pay my humble respects at the Lotus feet of revered Swamiji through this Article and place of record that his spiritual teachings have inspired millions of Devangas spread over entire country in general and the community people of Karnataka in particular. What is lying dormant in the human beings has been enlightened with religious ferver and good sentiments imparted by revered and respected Swamiji ever since his installation as "Jagadguru" of Devangas irrespective of their language, region and tradition. A sense of oneness and realisation has been instilled and ignited in all the mortals with his relentless and ceaseless efforts made from the day one on which Sri Sri Sri Dayanandapuri Swamiji was anointed as Pontiff of Holy "Sri Gayathri Peeta* with all the traditional hymns and rituals in the

presence of Dharma Gurus and millions of devotees. His sustained spiritual endeavour has borne the fruit in the form of All India Devanga Conferece 1998 which is scheduled to take place on 4th, 5th and 6th December, 1998 at Bangalore on a grand scale.

As pointed out earlier, still a lot of work must be done to ensure perceptible improvement in so far as Socio-Economic conditions of the Devanga Community are concerned. For this purpose, a few suggestions as detailed below, are offered in as unbiased manner

(1) Interaction between the Devanga Community people of North Karnataka and rest while Mysore State is absolutely necessary so as to exchange views on various aspects of manufacturing silks sarees and other allied fabrics as well as cloth dress materials. Even observance of religious functions and ceremonies differs from region to region. The traditional customs seem to vary to a certain extent. Similar situation can be found in the neighbouring States also as far as community people are concerned. "Study Tours" may be conducted at least once in a year for the benefits of weavers.

(1) "Research and Development" is keenly felt in order that modern powerloom machinery/ equipments and other related techniques may be adopted in order to boost up production to meet the requirements and tastes of the customers too. Also, Training Centres be established preferably at the places where a large number of cummunity families are concerntrated.

(iii)There are persons who are well versed in literary field. They find it extremely difficult to get their "literary works on various subjects. Printed and Published by themselves if no established publisher forward for various reasons. There may be instances where the literary works written by some of the community persons after a good deal of pains-taking efforts, remain un-noticed, gathering dust on the shelfs itself, for want of funds at their level.

(iv) There is dearth of services of Purohits and Astrologers among the Devanga Community. their services are quite essential while performing marriages and Annual Ceremonies, etc.. by the families concerned. There is an urgent need to undertake the task of training sufficient number of "Purohits and Astrologers as per the principles and tradition set out by the "Gurupeeta".

(v) Old age has got to be attained and experienced by both men and women in their lives. Therefore, a "Centre for Aged Persons (Vrudhara Ashrama) be opened at the places wherever the Community people are found to be in large numbers.

(vi) The Community people from far off places, sometimes, are required to visit Bangalore City Most of them cannot afford the luxury of staying at hotels by paying exhorbitant rents. Also, all of them may not have dearest and nearest relatives at City for their stay and even if available, the existing accommoation may be insufficient for the inmates themselves. To abviate this contingency, a "Guest House" be constructed by the management of the Devanga Sangha or from the Mutt fixing with nominal rent for the comfortable stay of the Community people visiting Bangalore on various occasions.

(vii) All the members of the families of the Community are directly engaged in the weaving work. The parents do not pay adequate attention and importance to education. a large number of Community people are found to be without formal education, leading them to be ignorant in many aspects. This sorry state of affairs is still existed even after 50 years of independence of India. If at all, there is an educated class of people here and there, whose number may be microscopic, it may be termed as 'creamy layer in the Devanga community. Though Government of Karnataka have initiated several steps for compulsory free education for children and literacy programme for adults, there appears to be no impact on the community due to inherent deficiencies imposed by the weaving profession Those who are in service, can do a lot of voluntary service to motivate the parents to see that their children are given literacy programme for obtaining formal education. In this regard, the office-bearers of Mahila Sanghas can play an important role with active guidance of the Management of the Devanga Sanghas and Hampi-Hemakoota Mutt for achieving this objective.

It is hoped and trusted that trrangible results can be achieved, only if earnest efforts are made, by all concerned on the above points for gradual but perceptible improvement of the the Socio-Economic conditions of the Devanga Community as a whole, in the days to come.

Compiled by:

H. D. Pandurangappa.

Devanga Sangha Devanga Hostel Road Bengaluru conducted All India Devanga conference at Bengaluru in the year 1998.

The organizers commissioned a report on the prevailing social economic condition of Devanga community and this was prepared by Sri H D Pandurangappa who submitted this during the conference.

After detailed discussion, it was adopted with the intentions that it would be implemented for the betterment of our community and hope in time of the next conference the social economic conditions of Devangas would  improve it. 

But nearly a quarter of a century has passed, still the social economic condition of our community is the same as documented by Sri H D Pandurangappa in 1998.

"In my opinion we lack decisive leadership then, and even now. When will we break the threshold of indecisiveness?"

The way to develop decisiveness is to start right where you are, with the very next question you face.

Jai Devanga.

GaviRangappa S P.

Devanga's Vidhana 

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