|
GSB-Gowd Saraswath Brahmins - konkani speaking people
|
Dec 12, 2011 10:49 pm
566 Views
|
Most of my freinds know me as kiran baliga, i am a GSB. Gowd Saraswath Brahmin, basically from Goa from where our forefathers migrated to southern part of INDIA while Portuguese invaded Goa
The surnames of GSBs are
GSB's have surnames like Ajgaonkar, Salkar, Asgaonkar, Bandivadekar, Madkaikar, Borkar, Sakhalkar, Sawerdekar, Haldwanekar, Chimbalkar, Navelkar, Marathe, Lotlikar, Salwankar, Karlekar, Burake, Bhagav,Bhatkar, Tendulkar, Tergaonkar, Patkar, Juvale, Dhonde, Shinkar, Shendre, Shetye, Bokade, Takur, Gawade, Potkar, Askekar, Shenai, Gavalkar, Shembekar, Lanjolkar etc. which are the original local village names of Gomantak. The word 'Kar" means "From" or citizen of
Surnames indicating the profession adopted by the Saraswats like Pai, Purohit, Nayak etc.
Kekre (or Kenkre) were those involved in the highest of the religious practices known as 'Kenkaarya.' Hence this is the highest regarded surname in GSB community. These were originally from Kumbharjuve (in Goa). The Kekres later spread with the advent of Marathas and Peshwas and are known to have settled in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Shenoy- Originally for the Shenvis in Goa. Since most of them took up Administrative jobs they were called Shanbhags (officers) which later became Shenoy.
Pai- Pai in Konkani language means foot or leg. The common person who had not amassed wealth or power was known as Pai.Their job was menial in maintaining ledgers and doing odd jobs. The Pai who was mainly ledger keepers.
Kamat – Those in agriculture were called Kamathi. Mathi means soil and Kama is work, that is working in soil ( Kama + Mathi). Later this became Kamat.
Keni, Kini- Those who cultivated herbs were Kinvis, presently called Kini or Keni/Keny.
Vaidya- Those who prepared the concoction was prepared and dispensed it
Hegde- The animals required for tilling, transportation and other works were under Haya- Gade (actually Horse tenderer), modernized to Hegde. One more realistic origin of this surname is in Kannada and this surname is used by GSBs in Karnataka. He-gade (Hiriya Gade or head man in Kannada) possibly was heading a village or a settlement. A similar surname of Hegde is followed by other communities in coastal Karnataka like Havyakas, Bunts and Jains.
Nayak, Rao- Those worked as Army commandants were called Nayaks. Some Nayaks who were honoured by the King with titles like Ravubahadur adopted Rao as their Surname
Baliga – The daily requirements of every family for survival, presentations, etc. were the responsibility of the Ballo. There is another theory that the foot soldier with a spear was called Ballo. The soldier Ballo (Baliga) was under the command of Nayak.
Prabhu – Feudal lords called themselves Prabhu. He lived in a palatial home called mahal, and the caretaker was known as Mahalyar, presently modernized to Mallya.
Acharya, Bhat and Vadhyar- The poojas in the big temple and its rituals were under Acharya, and in small temples conducted by Bhat. Every family had exclusive priest to perform the rites, and he was the family Purohit and was called Vadhyar.
Mahajan- The temples were administered by Mahajans
Bhandarkar, Divkar- Stores and godown keepers were called Bhandari or Bhandarkar.
Nadkarni, Kulkarni- A person maintaining statistics was called Karni. Land was called Nadu, and the person maintaining land records was known as Nadkarni, and Kulkarni maintained census, and social register.
Bhakta – Doing odd jobs in temples and poojas.
Shanbhag- Shanbhags were mainly Clerks doing administrative jobs as well.
i hope i ve shared some info about our GSb community with all your freinds..
Regards
kiran baliga
|
|
|
4
Comments
|
|
