Tied to their roots even after migration

Bhavsarcommunity members are largely found in Maharastra and Gujarat. Over the decades,a large number of the community members migrated to different parts of Indiaparticularly to southern states in search of jobs. A few among them migrated toKarnataka several generations ago. Though they have been staying here sincelong, many still maintain their cultural ties. According to acommunity member, K Y Rama Rao (79), over 10,000 members are living in differentparts of Mysore and a majority of them are still practising their traditionalprofession of tailoring. Those who migrated from Maharashtra speak Marathi andfrom Gujarat speak Gujarati. "Even after settling in Karnataka for generations,we still continue to speak in our mothertongue. However, we have learnt thelocal dialect for trade purposes'', he said. But nowadays, a sectionof them feel that the profession is not a flourishing job like in previousyears. Owing to difficulty, a lot of them are not willing to carry on with theirtraditional profession, showing interest in public and private sector jobs. ButRama Rao regrets that their community members have been neglected by thegovernment since decades. The members have been deprived of facilities which areonly considered during elections. Briefing about his journey toMysore, Rama Rao said they are Marathi-speaking people and his forefathers mayhave migrated from Maharashtra and settled in Kodagu district. His father,grandfather and great grandfather were all in the tailoring profession. However,Rama Rao, apart from being a tailor, also started brick and timber business.Later, their family members relocated to K R Nagar in Mysore taluk, for businesspurpose. They were staying in a joint family with around 35 members. Afterselling their property in 1976, the family got divided and spread across otherplaces including Bangalore. Rama Rao's daughter Susheela shifted toMysore along with her husband M R Suresh. The couple is blessed with two sonsYeshaswi and Tejaswi. Rama and his wife Anusuya joined their daughter Susheelain Mysore later. Even at this age, Rama Rao still continues to practisetailoring.Like in other communities, Bhavsars too have associations,called Bhavsar Kshathriya Samaj, in the city. Elected members of the associationencourage community students by providing scholarships. They also support everymember of the association in times of difficulties, he said. Regarding financialstatus of their community members, Rao said only 10 pc of them are financiallystable. Marriage: Earlier marriage was a five-day affair but now ithas come down to two days. Marriages are held according to Hindu traditionincluding rituals like varapuje, arasina and ville shastra. On the eve of thewedding day, the community leaders, minimum two visit the couple at the marriagehall and ask whether they have resolved to tie the knot. Only after theirconsent, the members allow the marriage programme to continue after obtainingsignatures from family members and the couple in a book for their record. Aunique thing about their marriages is a ritual where a boy and a girl dress likebridegroom (called Varadava) and bride (Karavalli) respectively and be part ofthe marriage ritual. While they are tying the knot , the bridegroom standsinside a decorated basket whereas the bride on a flat stone. Susheela claims allgifts including cash and other items received by the bride during the marriagewill be given to bridegroom. Festivals: They celebrate Deepavali,Dasara and Holi with great religious fervour and carry out rituals according tothe occasion. Community members prepare special dishes and relish them withfamily members.