April 2007
People of South Kanara
Bunt people
The origins of the Bunts is not clearly known. Whether they were indigenous or immigrants to Tulu Nadu (coastal Karnataka) is shrouded in mystery. They follow a dravidian social system. The community of Bunts (anglicized from Buntas), also referred to as Nadavas, form an important and integral part of the socio-economic culture of Tulu nadu.
It is also postulated that the Nairs of Kerala are originally migrated from the Tulu nadu as noted here: Manual of Madras Administration Vol II (printed in 1885) notes that the Nadavas are the same people as the Nairs of Malabar and the Bunts of Southern Tulu nadu. “They appear to have entered Malabar from the North rather than the South and to have peopled first the Tulu, and then the Malayalam country. They were probably the off-shoot of some colony in the Konkan or the Deccan. In Kerala and south of Kanara as far as Kasargod, they are called Nairs and their language is Malayalam. From Kasargod to Brahmavar, they are termed as Bunts and speak Tulu. To the north of Brahmavar, they are called Nadavars, and they speak Kanarese.”
Etymology
The word Bunta in Kannada implies soldier This is derived from the Sanskrit word Bhata again meaning 'a mercenary' or 'a soldier'. The Tulu equivalent is Bunte or Bunter(plural).
Geographic distribution
Bunts are mostly found in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka, the Kasaragod district of Kerala and in Mumbai. They share Tulu nadu with other prominent religious, caste and ethnic groups like the Billavas, Mogaveeras, Brahmins, Konkanis, Catholics and Jains. The southern Bunts inhabiting Dakshina Kannada, northern Kasaragod and Udupi and Karkala taluks of Udupi districts are Tuluvas. Bunts in Kundapura speak a dialect of Kannada called Kundagannada.
Subdivisions
The Bunts community is made up of several subcastes. The chief among them include Yadav, Bantaru, Nadavaru, Jain Bunts, Masaadika, Parivaara, Setru, Halarusetru, Baraga, Ullaye, Dokkaludethi, Kartharu, Palavaru and Ikkelakalu.
- Maasaadika Bunts are Tulu-speaking Bunts settled in the southern part of Tulu Nadu (Udupi, Mangalore and Kasargod).
- Naadavas or Nadabunts are Kannada-speaking Bunts settled in the northern parts of Tulunadu, i.e from Brahmavar to Byndoor. They are also known as Badakayeedagulu in Tulu.
- Parivaara Bunts are similar to remaining Bunts, but do not marry outside the division.
- Jain Bunts are Bunts who still follow Jainism. They share surnames like Hegde, Ajila, Ballal with other Bunts. Many of them are associated with the ruling dynasties of the region, like the Chowtas.
Society
Bunts are part of unique culture of coastal Karnataka. These cultural aspects along with the dialect of Tulu spoken are common to many non-Brahmin castes in this region.
Rituals and Worship
Bunts usually follow the Tulu(Also, found in Kerala) traditional rituals of Bhuta Kola or the spirit worship and Nagaradhane or snake-worship. Bunt households in the villages had earmarked spaces for Bhootada Gudi or the rest space for spirits, literally translated it means Spirit House. During Bhuta Kola, the eldest male member of the family will be called by name by the Darshan Paathri (the person who invokes the spirit),in the presence of villagers and prasadam will be given.
Matrilineal System
Bunts historically followed matrilineal system. This system was common to many communities in coastal Karnataka and Kerala. It was called Aliya Kattu. The Gotras or bari were passed from mother to children.
Paād-danāas
Paād-danāas are songs rendered in Tulu language, describing the origin and the deeds of the holy spirits. Paād-danāas are an integral part of Tulu culture and are sung during the Bhuta Kola ceremony. Some of the well known spirits worshipped by the Bunts include Panjurli, Jumādi, Pilichāndi, Ullalthi, Vishnümurthy etc.
Cuisine
The cuisine of Bunts is famous all over Tulu Nadu. Bunts specialise both in vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Among non-vegetarian dishes, Kori Rotti and Kane Gasee are well known. Vegetarian dishes include Gullāa Chutney and Pāthrode.The Bunt's Community are spread widely in hotel and catering business all over the world.They are known for their cook and managerial skill.
Typical last names
Bunts have more than ninety surnames. Some of these surnames are found among Jains and other castes of the region as well.Most widely found amongst them are Shetty's ,Hegde's.
Famous Bunt personalities
BM Hegde, Ramanatha Rai, Shilpa Shetty, Aishwarya Rai, Suniel Shetty, Kayyara Kinzanna Rai,Gurukiran, Sandip Chowta, Prakashraj( Prakash Rai ) See also