Nethakani
Encyclopedia
Nethakani, also known as Netkani,Mala Sale sub-caste of Sale, is a Telugu
caste
of cotton weavers and labourers.In Maharashtra Nethakanis are known as Mahar Caste people. Traditionally they have been associated with the occupation of weaving
(netha neyuta means "weaving" in Telugu
), but they have now largely moved to cultivation and agricultural labour; with a few of them being small land-owners.. According to Bhadravathi Kalyana Natakamu, a folk-drama which hasbeen published, the Nethakani are one among the four sections of Padmasaliyulu who are the sons of one Bhavana Rushi. The Four sections mentioned in this drama are Padmiyulu, Padmasakhiyulu, Padmasalikulu and Padmapulindulu. Padma-pulindulu was the Original Name of the Nethakani. From Padmapulindulu, the name became Chenethakanivaru, which in course of time changed to the present form, Nethakani. [Ref: Global encyclopaedia of the West Indian dalit's ethnography By K.C. Das]
Most of the people related to this caste are located in the northern region of the India
n state of Andhra Pradesh
in the districts of Adilabad
, Karimnagar, Nizamabad
, Khammam
and Warangal
. Nethakanis also migrated to Maharashtra and distributed through out, they speak Marathi in Maharashtra & Adilabad bordering MH. Nethekanis are classified as a scheduled caste (SC) in India, and were considered social pariahs, untouchable, "impure and degraded". Nethakani's are among the smaller SC castes in Andhra Pradesh; a study estimated their population to be around 80,000, constituting about 1% of the state's total SC population.
The Nethakanis are distinguished by their custom of tying their head cloth in a roughly square shape, and by their loin cloths
, which are worn very loose and not knotted.
Telugu people
The Telugu people or Telugu Prajalu are an ethnic group of India. They are the native speakers of the Telugu language, the most commonly spoken language in India after Hindi and Bengali...
caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
of cotton weavers and labourers.In Maharashtra Nethakanis are known as Mahar Caste people. Traditionally they have been associated with the occupation of weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
(netha neyuta means "weaving" in Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
), but they have now largely moved to cultivation and agricultural labour; with a few of them being small land-owners.. According to Bhadravathi Kalyana Natakamu, a folk-drama which hasbeen published, the Nethakani are one among the four sections of Padmasaliyulu who are the sons of one Bhavana Rushi. The Four sections mentioned in this drama are Padmiyulu, Padmasakhiyulu, Padmasalikulu and Padmapulindulu. Padma-pulindulu was the Original Name of the Nethakani. From Padmapulindulu, the name became Chenethakanivaru, which in course of time changed to the present form, Nethakani. [Ref: Global encyclopaedia of the West Indian dalit's ethnography By K.C. Das]
Most of the people related to this caste are located in the northern region of the 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...
n state of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra 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...
in the districts of Adilabad
Adilabad district
Adilabad District is a district in Andhra Pradesh, India. The district headquarters is at Adilabad town. A famous Temple of the Goddess Saraswathi, the Hindu Goddess of Education, is located here in the town of Basara.-Origin of name:...
, Karimnagar, Nizamabad
Nizamabad district
Nizamabad District is located in the north-western region in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is also known as Induru. Nizamabad is the current and official name of the district....
, Khammam
Khammam district
Khammam District is a district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It had a population of 2,565,412 of which 19.81% were urban as of 2001 census. Khammam town is the district headquarters. The present name of Khammam is derived from the old name Kammamet. Later it was called Khammam Mettu and subsequently...
and Warangal
Warangal district
Warangal District is located in the northern area in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The administrative seat is Warangal.Warangal District has an area of 12,846 km², and a population of 3,246,004 of which 19.20% was urban as of 2001...
. Nethakanis also migrated to Maharashtra and distributed through out, they speak Marathi in Maharashtra & Adilabad bordering MH. Nethekanis are classified as a scheduled caste (SC) in India, and were considered social pariahs, untouchable, "impure and degraded". Nethakani's are among the smaller SC castes in Andhra Pradesh; a study estimated their population to be around 80,000, constituting about 1% of the state's total SC population.
The Nethakanis are distinguished by their custom of tying their head cloth in a roughly square shape, and by their loin cloths
Dhoti
The dhoti or pancha is the traditional men's garment in the in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A similar garment is worn in some rural areas of Punjab province in Pakistan, but the use is fast declining...
, which are worn very loose and not knotted.