Global InformationBhatraju information
| Bhatraju | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Other Backward Classes |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Telugu |
| Country | India |
| Populated states | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
Bhatraju (also transliterated as Bhatrazu) is an Indian caste of Telugu-speaking ballad reciters, panegyrists, and religious musicians.[1][2] They are primarily found in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and also in smaller numbers in the neighbouring states. They are also known as Bhatturaju or Bhataraju or Bhatrajulu or Jathikirthulu.[2]
Bhatrajus were originally a caste of court bards, eulogists, and reciters of family genealogy and tradition.[2] After the fall of indigenous kingdoms, they became mendicants or switched to singing religious songs and praises of richer communities and their traditions in weddings and death ceremonies.[3][4] They are typically non-vegetarians and bury their dead.[2]
Bhatrajus are classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in most states of Southern India.[5][6][7] They use Raju as their caste title.[2]
- ^ Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society. The Society. 1977. p. 134. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Spurr, Michael James (2007). "Sathya Sai Baba as Avatar: "His Story" and the History of an Idea" (PDF). University of Canterbury: 100–102. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 November 2017.
- ^ Singleton, Mark; Goldberg, Ellen (27 November 2013). Gurus of Modern Yoga. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-937495-3. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- ^ P. C. Venkatasubbaiah (30 December 2021). "Budubudakkalas, the Traditional Beggars in South India" (PDF). Skylines of Anthropology.
- ^ Central List of OBCs for the state of Andhra Pradesh Archived 2016-11-30 at the Wayback Machine, p. 4 (64 - Bhataraju)
- ^ "Guidance Bureau". Department of Backward Classes - Karnataka. Archived from the original on 15 April 2005.
- ^ Central List of OBCs for the state of Tamil Nadu Archived 1 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine, p. 1 (12 - Bhatraju)