Babboor Kamme
Encyclopedia
The Babburkamme(alternate spellings: "Bobburukamme", "Babboor Kamme") community is a caste of Smarta
Brahmin
s whose members mainly reside in Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu
states in India
. There also exist sizeable populations of the community in other countries like USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Babburkammes are followers of the Smarta tradition (see Smartism
). Smarta is derived from 'Smrithi', a Sanskrit word with the meaning of "one who remembers or reveres their teacher/Guru". Smarta tradition is closely associated with the Advaita tradition of Sri Adi Shankara
charya. Kamme is derived from 'Karmin' (Karmigalu in Kannada) meaning those who practice "Vaidhika Dharma".
, close to Orissa
. Another version is they have migrated from place called 'Barbara' in central province of India. Another version has it that a small group migrated from the central provinces, following the path set by Babur
on one of his incursions, and the name is hence derived. According to one published source, the Kamme community migrated south through Andhra Pradesh over a long period, where one part of the community settled. Today they are known as "Uluchu Kamme" who mainly speaks Kannada. The other part of the community further migrated through Vijayanagara Kingdom towards Southern Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu
.
It appears that the principal profession was priesthood, and the migration pattern reflects the various Hindu kingdoms and economic centres of their times. Over the last 100 years, the local migration appears to be from small-towns to Mysore and Bangalore, and in recent years to other parts of the world. This trend seems to be coherent with migration patterns of other service-providing communities in the region.
Babburkammes are largely spread in Holenarasipura, Channarayapattana, Konanur, Arkalgud, Bellur, Kanakatte, Mirle, Arasikere, Belavadi, Mayasandra, Bettadapura, Davanagere, Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Bhadravati towns in Karnataka state and Coimbatore & Salem in Tamil Nadu. Community sanghas are spread across Karnataka state in places like Bangalore, Mysore, Davanagere and Shivamogga. Each family has a hometown that is generally added to the name, for e.g. Prakash Belawadi
s community and follow the Smarta
Advaita Vedanta
philosophy of Adi Shankara
charya. Most of the Babburkammes are followers of the Sringeri Shankaracharya Peetha
, which was the first Matha that was established by Sri AdiShankara.
Depending on family tradition, there is a specific form of God that is revered known as Ishta Deva (Family Deity) (colloquially: ಮನೆ ದೆವರು (mane devaru)). These deities can be Shiva-Shakti, Banashankari, Laxmi-Narayan, etc. However, being followers of Advaita Smartism
, Babburkammes worship all the major forms of God including, Shiva
, Vishnu
, Ganesha
, Gowri
, Saraswati
, Laxmi, Durga
, and Karthikeya.
Major festivals celebrated by Babburkammes are Ugadi
, Navaratri, Deepavali and Ganesha Chaturthi.
", whose popularity spreads across the Southern hemisphere including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. Vasubhaga Bhatta proudly calls himself a "Bobbooru Kamme Brahmin" (this is documented by Durgasimha
in 12th century AD in his work "Karnataka Pancha tantram").
The founder of the Vijayanagara empire
, Shankaracharya Sri Vidyaranya
belonged to this community. It is also believed that he brought many Brahmins from his community to settle in Karnataka. Later his brothers Madhavacharya and Sayanacharya have contributed to Indian spiritualogy by documenting the entire Vedas & Upanishads for the first time (hitherto it was spread from guru to shisya by memorizing ). Max Mueller and Swami Vivekananda have applauded the efforts of Sayanacharya in preserving the great heritage of Sanathana Dharma.
books like 'The stand of Yoga in Adhvaitha Philosophy', 'Rama Karnamrutha', 'Yaajusha Shraadhdha Manthra', etc.,
Smartism
Smarta Sampradaya is a liberal or nonsectarian denomination of the Vedic Hindu religion which accept all the major Hindu deities as forms of the one Brahman, in contrast to Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism, the other three major Hindu sects, which revere Vishnu, Shiva, and Shakti,...
Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s whose members mainly reside in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
states in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. There also exist sizeable populations of the community in other countries like USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Babburkammes are followers of the Smarta tradition (see Smartism
Smartism
Smarta Sampradaya is a liberal or nonsectarian denomination of the Vedic Hindu religion which accept all the major Hindu deities as forms of the one Brahman, in contrast to Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism, the other three major Hindu sects, which revere Vishnu, Shiva, and Shakti,...
). Smarta is derived from 'Smrithi', a Sanskrit word with the meaning of "one who remembers or reveres their teacher/Guru". Smarta tradition is closely associated with the Advaita tradition of Sri Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
charya. Kamme is derived from 'Karmin' (Karmigalu in Kannada) meaning those who practice "Vaidhika Dharma".
Origin
The Kamme community is as old as 800 AD. The place of origin of Babburkammes is unclear, although most accounts believe that they migrated from the village of Babbur in Andhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, close to Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
. Another version is they have migrated from place called 'Barbara' in central province of India. Another version has it that a small group migrated from the central provinces, following the path set by Babur
Babur
Babur was a Muslim conqueror from Central Asia who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty of South Asia. He was a direct descendant of Timur through his father, and a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his mother...
on one of his incursions, and the name is hence derived. According to one published source, the Kamme community migrated south through Andhra Pradesh over a long period, where one part of the community settled. Today they are known as "Uluchu Kamme" who mainly speaks Kannada. The other part of the community further migrated through Vijayanagara Kingdom towards Southern Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
.
It appears that the principal profession was priesthood, and the migration pattern reflects the various Hindu kingdoms and economic centres of their times. Over the last 100 years, the local migration appears to be from small-towns to Mysore and Bangalore, and in recent years to other parts of the world. This trend seems to be coherent with migration patterns of other service-providing communities in the region.
Babburkammes are largely spread in Holenarasipura, Channarayapattana, Konanur, Arkalgud, Bellur, Kanakatte, Mirle, Arasikere, Belavadi, Mayasandra, Bettadapura, Davanagere, Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Bhadravati towns in Karnataka state and Coimbatore & Salem in Tamil Nadu. Community sanghas are spread across Karnataka state in places like Bangalore, Mysore, Davanagere and Shivamogga. Each family has a hometown that is generally added to the name, for e.g. Prakash Belawadi
Prakash Belawadi
Prakash Belawadi is a journalist and a theatre person from Bangalore, India. He is a co-founder of Centre of Film and Drama which is set to launch Suchitra School of Cinema and Dramatic Arts at the Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy campus in Bangalore....
Social Structure
Babburkammes place strong emphasis on education that applies to both men and women (a saying in Kannada emphasizes this: "Kamme andre Hemme" - translating to "Kamme means Pride"). Due to their history, most people in the community do not have significant ancestral land or other fixed assets (unlike the business or warrior communities, for example) and therefore formal education is seen as a pathway to success. In addition, and perhaps as a result of advanced education, the community is quite progressive in its outlook. In tradition of marriage, dowry is a concept not practiced or not even recognized.Religious Beliefs
The Babburkamme community are a distinct sub-group of the wider BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s community and follow the Smarta
Smartism
Smarta Sampradaya is a liberal or nonsectarian denomination of the Vedic Hindu religion which accept all the major Hindu deities as forms of the one Brahman, in contrast to Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism, the other three major Hindu sects, which revere Vishnu, Shiva, and Shakti,...
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
philosophy of Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
charya. Most of the Babburkammes are followers of the Sringeri Shankaracharya Peetha
Sringeri Sharada Peetham
Sringeri Sharada Peetham is the southern Advaita Vedanta matha. It is located in Shringeri. It is claimed that it is the first of the four original mathas established by Adi Shankara.-Location:...
, which was the first Matha that was established by Sri AdiShankara.
Depending on family tradition, there is a specific form of God that is revered known as Ishta Deva (Family Deity) (colloquially: ಮನೆ ದೆವರು (mane devaru)). These deities can be Shiva-Shakti, Banashankari, Laxmi-Narayan, etc. However, being followers of Advaita Smartism
Smartism
Smarta Sampradaya is a liberal or nonsectarian denomination of the Vedic Hindu religion which accept all the major Hindu deities as forms of the one Brahman, in contrast to Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism, the other three major Hindu sects, which revere Vishnu, Shiva, and Shakti,...
, Babburkammes worship all the major forms of God including, Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
, Ganesha
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
, Gowri
Parvati
Parvati is a Hindu goddess. Parvati is Shakti, the wife of Shiva and the gentle aspect of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess...
, Saraswati
Saraswati
In Hinduism Saraswati , is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. She is the consort of Brahma, also revered as His Shakti....
, Laxmi, Durga
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
, and Karthikeya.
Major festivals celebrated by Babburkammes are Ugadi
Ugadi
Yugadi or Ugadi or "Samvatsradi" , Konkani/Marathi: युगादी yugādi, , formed by sandhi of yuga "age" and ādi "beginning": the beginning of an age) is the New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India. It falls on the different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar...
, Navaratri, Deepavali and Ganesha Chaturthi.
Famous Babburkammes
Many great rulers, thinkers, poets, lawyers, doctors, teachers and sportsmen are from Babburkamme community. The earliest evidence of a Babbur Kamme personality comes from Vasubhaga Bhatta ( 8th Century AD ) who is the author of a version of the Sanskrit stories "PanchatantraPanchatantra
The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian inter-related collection of animal fables in verse and prose, in a frame story format. The original Sanskrit work, which some scholars believe was composed in the 3rd century BCE, is attributed to Vishnu Sharma...
", whose popularity spreads across the Southern hemisphere including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. Vasubhaga Bhatta proudly calls himself a "Bobbooru Kamme Brahmin" (this is documented by Durgasimha
Durgasimha
Durgasimha was the minister of war and peace of Western Chalukya king Jayasimha II . Durgasimha adapted the well-known set of fables, Panchatantra , from Sanskrit language into Kannada language in champu metre...
in 12th century AD in his work "Karnataka Pancha tantram").
The founder of the Vijayanagara empire
Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
, Shankaracharya Sri Vidyaranya
Vidyaranya
' is variously known as being a kingmaker, patron saint and high priest to Harihara Raya I and Bukka Raya I, the founders of the Vijayanagar Empire. He was the 12th Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham from 1380 to 1386 A.D. He was born to and in in 1268 CE. Another account has it that he...
belonged to this community. It is also believed that he brought many Brahmins from his community to settle in Karnataka. Later his brothers Madhavacharya and Sayanacharya have contributed to Indian spiritualogy by documenting the entire Vedas & Upanishads for the first time (hitherto it was spread from guru to shisya by memorizing ). Max Mueller and Swami Vivekananda have applauded the efforts of Sayanacharya in preserving the great heritage of Sanathana Dharma.
Social Sciences / Literature
Babburkammes are known for their literary abilities. The community boasts of a number of eminent writers:- B. Chandrashekhar (Popularly known as BC)
- B.M. Srikantaiah
- Maa Naa ChowdappaMaa Naa ChowdappaJournalist, broadcaster and Author Maa.Naa. Chowdappa was born in 1909 July.Chowdappa completed his intermeidate in Mysore. During his Student days he developed an interest in Literature, Radio Broadcasting and theater under influence of his Guru Naa. Kasturi.Chowdappa started his career at...
- Triveni Anasuya ShankarAnasuya ShankarAnasuya Shankar , popularly known by her pen name as Triveni, was a writer of modern Kannada fiction. She advocated the woman's point of view and was among the first of such writers in Kannada, which later included Anupama Niranjana and M. K. Indira...
- Vani Vani (Writer)Vani (Writer)Vani was a renowned Kannada writer. She was born in Srirangapatna . Her father B. Narasinga Rao was a renowned advocate in Srirangapatna. He was bestowed with “Rajaseva Saktha” title by Nalvadi Krishna Raja Wodeyer of Mysore Palace...
- B.S. Kapinipathiah (1902-1995)- Author of Babboorkamme Yasho Dindima - He has traced the origin of Babboorkammes and has also written
books like 'The stand of Yoga in Adhvaitha Philosophy', 'Rama Karnamrutha', 'Yaajusha Shraadhdha Manthra', etc.,
- M.V. Seetharamiah - a famous literary figure in Kannada and a Professor who has many books to his credit.
- B. Chennakeshaviah - Mysore Palace Asthana Vidwan
Sports
- Anil KumbleAnil KumbleAnil Kumble is a former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian Test cricket team. He is a right-arm leg spin bowler and a right-hand batsman. He is currently the leading wicket-taker for India in both Test and One Day International matches...
- Indian Cricketer and Leg Spinner - B.S. Chandrashekar - Indian Cricketer and Leg Spinner
- Chetan BaboorChetan BaboorChetan Baboor is an Indian international Table Tennis champion and winner of the Arjuna Award for 1997 - an award recognizing outstanding achievement in sports in India. He belongs to the Babooru Kamme community of Holenarasipura, Karnataka...
- International table tennis player - B.L. Rama Rao - State Tennis Player
Science and Technology
- K.N.ShankaraK.N.ShankaraKoodli Nanjunda Ghanapathi Shankara is a space scientist from India. He was the Director of ISRO's Space Applications Centre , Ahmedabad and ISRO Satellite Centre , Bangalore and presently working as a senior scientist in ISAC...
- One of the greatest Space Scientist in India. He is said to be the person who conceptualized Chandrayaan, India's first venture to Moon.
Music
- Mahesh - Flautist, singer and music composer
- ChiranjeeviChiranjeeviChiranjeevi is a Telugu film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinema along with a few Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu . However, Pranam Khareedu released at the box office earlier...
- Vocal Bhavageete - Pt N.R.Rama Rao - Sitarist
Films
- Vishnuvardhan - Famous Kannada Cinema Actor
- Dheerendra GopalDheerendra GopalDheerendra Gopal was a popular Kannada actor and stage artiste. The multi-faceted character was popular in Kannada cinema as a supporting actor mostly playing the role of a villain or a comedian. He was known for his perfect dialogue delivery. He died in Davangere on December 25, 2000, at the age...
- Sudha RaniSudha RaniSudha Rani is an Indian actress born August 14, 1974, in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.-Early years:Rani was born into a conservative Brahmin family based in Malleswaram, Bangalore. She has two older brothers. She began modeling in print ads at the age of three. Her mother nurtured Rani's talent by...
- Chi Udayshankar- playwright
Theater
- Prakash Belavadi - Theater Artist, Film and Television Director and son of "Makeup" Nani.
Law
- B.N. SrikrishnaB.N. SrikrishnaBellur Narayanaswamy Srikrishna known as Justice Srikrishna is an Indian jurist and a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India. From 1993-98, he headed the well-known Commission of Inquiry, the "Srikrishna Commission" as it became known, which investigated causes and apportioned blame for the...
- Supreme Court Judge and head of the Srikrishna Commission to investigate the 1992-93 Bombay RiotsBombay RiotsThe Bombay Riots usually refers to the riots in Mumbai, in December 1992 and January 1993, in which around 900 people died. An estimated 575 Muslims and 275 Hindus died, and 2,000 people were injured in the riots. . An investigative commission was formed under Justice B.N. Srikrishna, but the...
Others
- Maya SharmaMaya SharmaMaya Sharma is a fictional character on the soap opera Coronation Street. She was played by Sasha Behar. She appears between 2003 and 2004.-Controversy:...
- NDTVNDTVNDTV is an Indian commercial broadcasting television network founded in 1988. It was founded by Prannoy Roy, an eminent journalist and current chairman and director of NDTV Group. NDTV currently has more than 1,000 employees producing news from over twenty locations in India...
journalist - Prof. Krishna Ramaswamy - Edward Hopkinson, Jr. Professor of Investment Banking; Professor of Finance, Wharton, University of Pennsylvania.