Mangaloreans (Tulu: Kudladaklu; Kannada: Mangaloorinavaruu; Konkani: Kodialkar; Beary: Maikaltanga; Urdu: Kaudalvale) are a collection of diverse ethnic groups that hail from the historical locales of South Canara (Tulunaad) on the south western coast of Karnataka, India, particularly the residents native to Mangaluru.[4]

Mangaloreans
Regions with significant populations
Dakshina Kannada2,083,625 (2011)[1]
Udupi district1,177,908 (2011)[2]
Kassergode150 (2020)[3]
Languages
Tulu, Konkani, Kannada, Malayalam, Beary, Urdu
Religion
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism

History

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Classical history

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According to the works of Sangam literature (300 BCE – 300 CE),[5][6][7] Tulu Nadu was one of the 12 socio-geographical regions included in the ancient Tamilakam.[8] Tulu Nadu must certainly at one time have formed part of ancient Kerala (Chera dynasty), where the western coastal dialect of Old Tamil was spoken.[9] It must have separated from Tamilakam sometime between 300 CE and 500 CE, when the Kadambas invaded the northern portions of Chera kingdom.[9] No definite historical record relating to Tulu Nadu, other than those were found from Sangam literature, have been found of earlier date than 8th or 9th century CE.[9]

Emergence of Tulunaad as a distinct cultural entity

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Historically, Tulunaad included the two separate lands of Haiva and Tuluva. The Ballal kings of Sullia had ruled this area around 1100 years back. The Tulu Brahmin migration to Tulunaad might have happened during the lifetime of the Kadamba king Mayuravarma at 345 AD. During the 13th century, the Hindu philosopher Madhvacharya built the Ashta Mathagalu (eight temple complexes) in the present-day Udipi district, that was partitioned from the older South Canara district, other parts being Mangalore district and Kassergode district.

During the rule of Vijayanagara, Tulu Nadu comprised two administrative subdivisionsMangaluru and Barakuru along with others such as the Hosdurg fort in Kassergode. In Tulunaad lied the home turf of the Tuluva dynasty, the third to take charge of the Vijayanagara dynasty. Tulu Nadu was governed by feudatories of the Vijayanagara Empire until the 17th century. The longest reigning dynasty of Tulu Nadu were the Alupas, feudatories and nobility of the prominent dynasties of Carnatic region. The Kadamba dynasty of Banavasi was the earliest, under which the Alupas flourished. Later the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta, Chalukyas of Badami, Chalukyas of Kalyani, Hoysalas of Durasamudra& Rayas (kings) of Vijayanagara were the overlords. The Alupas however, were feudatories, since they ruled as subordinates in the Vijaynagara dominion of Tulunaad from 14th century onwards. The area became prosperous during the Vijayanagara period, with Barcoor and Mangalore gaining importance. After the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, much of Tulu Nadu came under the control of the Keladi Nayakas of Ikkeri.

 
A typical red tile-roofed house in Tulu Nadu

Jain Bunts were already a prominent group and even today are uniquely preserved in Tulunaad. Though small in number, the Jains left behind indelible reminders of their past with a number Jain sites (bastis) in Moodabidri; and monoliths of Bahubali and the Gomateshwara in Karkala, Venoor& Dharmasthala. Over the centuries, more ethnic groups migrated to the area. Various Hindu Konkani people namely Gaud Saraswat Brahmins, Daivajnya Brahmins, Karhad Brahmins; also a few Chitpavans (Konkanastha Brahmins), Vaishya Vanis& Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins arrived by sea, during the period of religious oppression by the intolerant Portuguese colonial regime.

Mangalore was a major port caught up in the Indian Ocean trade since times immemorial. The area around Mangalore along with St Mary's islands and Barcelor, also served as a maritime trade post for the Portuguese in Goa and Bombay, until Shivappa Nayaka defeated Portugal's armada in battle. In the 16th century, the area saw the first arrival of Konkani New Christians who were fleeing the Inquisition in Portuguese Goa and were given refuge by Vijayanagar, the influx of migrants resumed with the violent Mahratta Invasion of Goa and Bombay when they were again given refuge, particularly by Rani Chennamma of Kittur. The settlements of these New Christians in the area gave rise to their own unique and hybrid culture, they developed into a localised community of Mangalorean Christians, who are distinct from Goan Christians and Bombay East Indians. They built a number of prominent educational institutions and contributed to socio-economic progress in the area. The Muslims of Tulu Nadu are basically descended from Arabian traders who intermarried local women and settled there. Muslims in Mangalore speak Beary language which is different from Hindi-Urdu. A few Konkani Muslims and Konkani Jains are also found near the border with Karwar district (North Canara).

Demographics

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Majority of Mangaloreans belong to the Tuluva ethnic group. The Tuluvas have historically been concentrated in the coastal areas. The major Tulu speaking castes are Shettigar, Mundalas, Mogeras, Okkaliga Gowda's, Bairas, Samagaras, Billavas, Sapaliga, Rajaka (Madival), Bunts, Mogaveeras, Kulala's, Devadiga's, Tulu Brahmins, Vishwakarmas& Nayak's.[10] Mangalorean Protestants are mostly Tulu speakers.[11] Beary speaking muslims are next largest community. Konkani people, in particular the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins, Daivadnya Brahmins, and the Mangalorean Catholics whose ancestors migrated here from the Konkan region, to escape the Portuguese Inquisition in Goa and Bombay-Bassein and the Mahratta Sackings of Goa and Bombay-Bassein. Other groups who historically settled in Tulu Nadu, include the Kundagannadans and Byaris and Dakhini Urdu Speaking Muslims.

Culture

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Cuisine

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Neer dosa, a variant of dosa, is native to Mangalore.

Mangalorean cuisine is largely influenced by the South Indian cuisine, with several cuisines being unique to the diverse communities of the city. Coconut meat and curry leaves are common ingredients in Mangalorean curries, as are ginger, garlic& chilli. The Tulu community's well-known dishes include Kori Rotti (dry rice flakes dipped in gravy), Chicken Ghee Roast, Bangude Pulimunchi (silver-grey mackerels), Beeja-Manoli Upkari, Neer dosa (lacy rice-crêpes), Boothai Gasi, Kadabu, and Patrode. The Kube Sukkhe, a clam dish of Mangalorean Protestants is also very popular. The Konkani community's specialities include Daali thoy, beebe-upkari (cashew based), val val, avnas ambe sasam, Kadgi chakko, paagila podi, and chana gashi. Tuluva vegetarian cuisine in Mangalore, also known as Udupi cuisine is known for its signature dishes like the masala dosa. Udupi restaurants are found throughout south India, northwestern India& relished overseas by the Indian diaspora. Since Mangalore is a coastal town, fish dishes are the staple diet of most people.[12] Mangalorean Catholic cuisine includes Sanna-Dukra Maas (Sanna –idli fluffed with toddy or yeast; Dukra Maas –Pork), Pork Bafat& Sorpotel; and the Mutton Biryani of the local Muslims are well-known delicacies. Pickles such as happala, sandige and puli munchi are unique to Mangalore. Sheindi (toddy), a country wine prepared by toddy tappers from coconut flowers or tree sap is local speciality.[13]

Traditions

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Many classical dance forms and folk art are practised among Mangaloreans. The Yakshagana, a night-long dance and drama performance, is held in Mangalore,[14] while Hulivesha (literally, tiger dance), a folk dance unique to the city, is performed during Dasara and Krishna Janmashtami.[15] Karadi Vesha (bear dance) is another well known dance performed during Dasara.[13] Paddanas (Ballad-like epics passed on through generations by word of mouth) are sung by a community of impersonators in Tulu and are usually accompanied by the rhythmic drum beats.[13] The Bearys' unique traditions are reflected in such folk songs as kolkai (sung during kolata, a valour folk-dance during which sticks used as props), unjal pat (traditional lullaby), moilanji pat, and oppune pat (sung at weddings).[16] The Evkaristik Purshanv (Konkani: Eucharistic procession) is an annual Catholic religious procession led on the first Sunday of each New Year.[13]

World record

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On 26–27 January 2008, a Konkani cultural event, Konkani Nirantari, held in Mangalore by a Mangalorean organization, Mandd Sobhann, entered the Guinness Book of World Records for non-stop singing of Konkani hymns. Mandd Sobhann members sang for 40 hours, surpassing the old record of 36 hours held by a Brazilian musical troupe.[17]

Notable Mangaloreans

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Dakshina Kannada District Population Census 2011-2021, Karnataka literacy sex ratio and density".
  2. ^ "Udupi District Population Census 2011-2021, Karnataka literacy sex ratio and density".
  3. ^ "Kerala chucks out 150 Mangaloreans at night from Kassergode".
  4. ^ Venkatesh Srinivas Kulkarni Journal of South Asian Literature, vol. 25, no. 1, The City in South and Southeast Asian Literature (Winter, Spring 1990), pp. 55-66. Published by: Asian Studies Center, Michigan State University
  5. ^ Upinder Singh (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Education India. pp. 27–28. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0.
  6. ^ Nadarajah, Devapoopathy (1994). Love in Sanskrit and Tamil Literature: A Study of Characters and Nature, 200 B.C.-A.D. 500. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 978-81-208-1215-4.
  7. ^ University, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Jawaharlal Nehru (25 August 2017). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-5381-0686-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ A handbook of Kerala Band 1 (2000), T. Madhava Menon, International School of Dravidian Linguistics, p.98
  9. ^ a b c J. Sturrock (1894). Madras District Manuals - South Canara (Volume-I). Madras Government Press.
  10. ^ Shetty, Malavika (2010). Telling Stories: Language, Narrative, and Social Life (Identity building through Narratives on a Tulu Call-in Show). Georgetown University Press. pp. 95–108. ISBN 9781589016743.
  11. ^ Fernandes, Denis (2012). "Responses of Kanara Christians to the Indian National Movement in the Early 20". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 73: 686–696. JSTOR 44156264.
  12. ^ "Typically home". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 11 August 2007. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
  13. ^ a b c d D'Souza, Stephen. "What's in a Name?". Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd Mangalore. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2008.
  14. ^ Prabhu, Ganesh (10 January 2004). "Enduring art". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
  15. ^ Pinto, Stanley G (26 October 2001). "Human 'tigers' face threat to health". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2007.
  16. ^ "Beary Sahitya Academy set up". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 13 October 2007. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  17. ^ "Mangalore: Guinness Adjudicator Hopeful of Certifying Konkani Nirantari". Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd Mangalore. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2008.