Wednesday, November 11, 2009
POWER OF KAMMA PARITALA RAVINDRA
Politics
- NG Ranga PCC President AP and Ex Central Cabinet Minister
- Gottipati Brahmaiah - PCC President AP
- Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Former CM of Andhra Pradesh and Founder of TDP (Legendary actor Visvavikyatha)
- Maganti Ravindranath Chowdary(MRC) - Ex Central Minister, Ex Zp chairPerson
- SRMT Chowdary - Ex Minister
- Pinnamaneni Koteswararao - Ex Minister,Ex Zp chairPerson
- Nara Chandrababu Naidu - Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
- Galla Aruna Kumari Minister for Roads and Buildings
- BV Raghavulu (Bodapati Veera Raghavulu)
- Galla Aruna Kumari- Minister for Roads and Building, former Health Minister. MLA from Chandragiri, former Mahila congress President
- Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu - Ex.President of BJP
- Karanam Balaram - Former Cabinet Minister, MP, Ongole and sitting MLA, Addanki; TDP, formerly with Congress
- Paritala Ravi - Ex.Minister
- Devineni Ramana - Ex Minister
- Devineni Nehru - Ex Minister
- Mokkapati Venkateswara Rao-MLA
- Makineni Basavapunnaiah Ex MLA in AP
- Nadendla Bhaskar Rao Ex Chief Minister of AP,Ex MP
- Nadendla Manohar Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh,Tenali MLA,Congress
- Vaiko or Y. Gopalaswami - MDMK, General Secretary
- Nandamuri Balakrishna - TDP Leader
- Nandamuri Harikrishna - MP
- Ram bhoupal Chowdary - Former Cabinet Minister, EX-MLA
- Parvathaneni Upendra - Ex Central Cabinet Minister
- Rayapati Sambasiva Rao - MP
- k.hemanth kumar - s.v.university T.S.F
- Jagarlamudi Lakshmi Padmavathi - Ex.Minister
- Jagarlamudi Raghava Rao - Ex.MLA
- Dr. Kasaraneni Sadasivarao - Ex MP
- Koratala Satyanarayana - Communist Party
- Makkena Malikarjuna Rao- Ex-MLA Vinkonda
- Kakani Venkata Ratnam - Leader of Jai Andhra movement
- D. Ramanaidu - Ex-MP, Bapatla
- Ramdas - MLA (Madanapalli - Chittor)
- N P Durga - Ex MLA
- Manchu Mohan Babu - Ex MP
- Jayaprakash Narayan (Lok Satta)
- Rayapati Sambasiva Rao-MP
- Daggubati venkateswar rao-MLA
- Daggubati Purandareswari-MP
- Gottipati Ravikumar(bujji)-MLA
- vasireddi rama rao-MLA
- Nannapaneni Rajakumari MLC and spokes person, Telugu Desam party
- Pinnamaneni Venkateswara rao - Ex Minister
- Maganti Babu - Ex Minister,Ex MP
- Velagapudi Shankar Babu - MLA
- Kodali Naani - MLA
- P Srinivasan - Former Deputy Speaker of Tamil Nadu
- V. Jayalaxmi - EX MP Sivakasi Tamilnadu
- C. Narayanasamy naidu Leader Indian Farmers Party
- Srinivasan Naidu
kamma varu in Media and entertainment
- Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao — film actor, Ex-CM, founder of TDP
- Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao — film actor, producer, studio owner
- * Akkineni L. V. Prasad — actor, producer, and director
- Ghattamaneni Krishna - actor,producer, director
- T. Krishna - Noted Director
- Uppu Sobhan Babu — Film actor
- Manchu Mohan Babu - Film Actor,Producer
- Manchu Vishnu - Film Actor,Producer
- Manchu Manoj - Film Actor
- Daggubati Venkatesh — Film actor
- D. Ramanaidu - Film Actor, Producer, Studio Owner
- Nandamuri Balakrishna — Film Actor
- Akkineni Nagarjuna - Film Actor, Producer, Studio Owner
- Ghattamaneni Mahesh Babu— film actor
- Jr. NTR — film actor
- Cherukuri Ramoji Rao — Eenadu Group Chairman
- Gummadi Venkateswara Rao— film actor
- Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao — director, producer
- Chalasani Ashvini Dutt - producer
- Nandamuri Harikrishna — film actor
- Veeramachaneni Jagapati Choudary — film actor
- Ram - actor
- Maganti Murali Mohan — producer and Film Actor
- Bhagyaraj — actor, director, producer
- Gadde Rajendra Prasad— actor
- Alur Chakrapani — writer and film producer
- Narla Venkateswara Rao — journalist and politician
- Paruchuri Brothers - Writers
- Y.V.S Chowdary - Producer & Director
- Srinu Vytla - Director
- Sindhura Gadde - Actress, Miss India World
- Sri - Music director
- SS Rajamouli - Film Director
- Narra Venkateswara Rao - Cine and TV artiste
- yarlagadda Sumanth-Actor
- meka srikanth-Actor
- sushanth-actor
- Nandamuri Kalyanram-Actor
- Akkineni NagaChaitanya-Actor
- Thottempudi Gopichand-Actor
- Thottempudi Venu-Actor
- Ravi Babu-Actor,Director
- eedara Allari Naresh-Actor
- eedara Aryan Rajesh-Actor
- Myneni Sharvanand actor
- Karanam Vasanthi (BA) - Actress
- TV9 CEO Velicheti Ravi Prakash
- Gemini TV Kiran
- Local TV Chalasani Swapna Dutt
Sportsmen in kamma
- Narain Karthikeyan - Formula One, A1 Grand Prix driver
- Koneru Hampi - Chess
- Dronavalli Harika - Chess, World Junior Girls Champion
- Pendyala Harikrishna - Chess
- Pullela Gopichand - Shuttle Badminton
- Gutta Jwala - Shuttle Badminton
- CHETAN ANAND SHUTTLE BADMINTON
- AMBATI RAYUDU CRICKET
Rulers and Warriors of kamma
Crossroads
Politics
Kammas are politically active, in all the regions of Andhra Pradesh and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. During the twentieth century a number of leaders like Prof N.G. Ranga, Paturi Rajagopala Naidu,Kotha Raghuramaiah, Gottipati Brahmaiah, Moturu Hanumantha Rao and Kalluri Chandramouli played prominent roles in the national freedom movement. Several Kammas were also attracted to leftist ideals and joined the Communist Party. It was a strong political force in the state until the mid sixties. Many wealthy Kammas willingly relinquished their lands and actively worked for the land distribution reforms. This helped many landless individuals attain middle class status and brought about greater economic development of the state as a whole rather than to just one particular community. We are witnessing the benefits of this sacrifice now in the state as Andhra Pradesh has developed into an economic hub. However, their affinity towards the Communist party in the early days led them to lose political clout along with the diminished influence of the Communist party throughout the world.
During the 1980s, they again played a key role in state and national politics with the inception of the Telugu Desam Party by its then President Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao also called as NTR[82]. Nara Chandrababu Naidu gave a progressive direction to Andhra Pradesh and won global recognition to the stateReligion
Sub-Divisions
Medieval history
Identity
The division of warrior class into many castes and their consolidation commenced during the time of Kakatiya king Rudra I (1158-1195 CE). According to Velugotivari Vamsavali and Padmanayakacharitra, texts written in medieval times, farmers (Kapus) became Kammas and Velamas[37][38]. In medieval times the term 'Kapu' meant a farmer or protector.
"...kaalachoditamuna kaakateevarugolchi kaapulella velama kammalairi"
(Telugu: "....కాలచోదితమున కాకతీవరుగొల్చి కాపులెల్ల వెలమ, కమ్మలైరి")
Badabanala Bhatta prescribed Surnames and Gothras of Kammas and Velamas. The affiliation of Kammas as a caste to the ruling dynasties could not be ascribed till 11th century. Traces of evidence were found in the inscriptions of Telugu Cholas/Chodas of Velanadu starting from Gonka I (1075-1115 CE), found in many places in Kammanadu. The Dharanikota kings (1130-1251 CE) who belonged to Kota clan of Kammas and Durjaya ancestry had marital alliances with Telugu Cholas[39][40]. However, there was some controversy regarding the origin of Kota kings[41]. Kota kings married the women from Kakatiya dynasty (E.g., Kota Betharaja married Ganapamba, daughter of Ganapati Deva). The Kakatiya Ganapati Deva married the sisters of Jayapa Senani, a warrior hailing from Diviseema.[42] Jayapa Nayudu is also well known for his contributions to the field of Indian dance (1231 CE)[43] and was the head of the elephant corps in the Kakatiya army. Around this time many warriors from Kammanadu joined the forces of the Kakatiya dynasty. In Warangal region Kammas are called Kamma Kapus.[44]
Famous Telugu poet Srinatha (14th century CE), while describing the social divisions during his time, categorized Padmanayaka, Velama and Kamma in his Bhimeswara Puranamu.[45].
".....andu padmanayakulana, velamalana, kammalana trimarga gangapravahambulumbole gotrambulanniyeni jagatpavitrambulai pravahimpachunda" -
(Telugu: .....అందు పద్మనాయకులన, వెలమలన, కమ్మలన త్రిమర్గ గంగాప్రవాహంబులుంబోలె గొత్రంబులన్నియెని జగత్పవిత్రంబులై ప్రవహింపచుండ)
Kakatiya period
Kammas grew to prominence during the Kakatiya dynasty's reign (1083-1323 CE) by also holding important positions in their army. One of the most famous commanders during the time of Rudrama Devi and Prataparudra II was Dadi Nagadeva who played a prominent role in warding off the attack of the Yadava king of Devagiri[46]. Nagadeva’s son Ganna Mantri, also called Ganna Senani or Yugandhar, was a great warrior and a patron of arts and literature. Ganna was the commander of Warangal fort. He was captured, converted to Islam and taken to Delhi along with Prataparudra.[47] Subsequently, he rose to the exalted position of 'Wazir' in Delhi durbar and was sent to rule Punjab.[48][49] Poet Maarana dedicated his Markandeya Puranam to Ganna (Malik Maqbul).[50] Nagadeva’s other sons Ellaya Nayaka and Mechaya Nayaka were also valiant fighters. Another warrior of repute was Muppidi Nayaka who went on an expedition to Kanchi, defeated the Pandya king and merged it with Kakatiya dynasty in 1316 CE. In prolonged battles with Muslims between 1296 and 1323 CE. thousands of Kamma Nayakas perished along with others, in the defense of Warangal. The inhuman atrocities perpetrated by the Muslims on Telugu people later prompted two Kamma chieftains, Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka and Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka, who served the Kakatiya king Prataparudra, to raise the banner of revolt.[51][52] After the fall of Warangal they united the Nayaka chieftains, wrested Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate and ruled for 50 years.[53] (Musunuri Nayaks)
Vijayanagara period
Subsequent to the martyrdom of Kaapaaneedu (Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka) many Kammas migrated to the Vijayanagara kingdom. During the reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya Kammas belonging to thirty seven Gothras were living in the city of Vijayanagar.[54] Kamma Nayaks formed the bulwark of Vijayanagara army and were appointed as governors in many areas of Tamil Nadu.[55] Their role in protecting the last great Hindu kingdom of India was significant.[56] Some of the prominent commanders who achieved fame were:
- Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu was the commander of Vijayanagara army which fought and won the battle of Gulbarga (Kalubarige) in 1422 CE. The grateful king Devaraya II made him the governor of Gandikota (Cuddapah).[57][58] Thimma Nayudu constructed a large number of temples and tanks in the Rayalaseema region. The Gandikota Kammas kept the Muslim rulers like the Bahmanis at bay and protected Telugu land for a long time to come.[59]
- Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu was the most favourite and chief commander of Sri Krishna Deva Raya.[60] The battle of Raichur was won by Ramalinga during which thousands of Kamma warriors perished. The exploits of Ramalinga were extolled by many poets.[61] Portuguese historian Nuniz referred Ramalinga as ‘Camanayque’ in his writings.[62] (Pemmasani Nayaks).
- Other illustrious clans which won laurels in Vijayanagara Empire were the Ravella Nayaks and Suryadevara Nayaks. Many commanders of these clans fought and protected the honour of Telugu country.[63]
- Kammas controlled large swathes of southern and northern Tamil Nadu for several years under the title of Nayacker or Naicker or Naidu, which was a legacy of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Zamindaris of Ilaiyarasanadal and Kurivikulam in Tamil Nadu belong to Pemmasani families[64]
Martial clans: Many clans belonging to Kamma social group figure prominently in the battles during Vijayanagara era and in the subsequent years. Some of these clans include Pemmasani, Matcha, Vasireddy, Kodali, Sammeta, Choda/Chode, Dasari, Alamandala, Adapa, Suryadevara, Nadendla, Sakhamuri etc.[5] The most prominent Kamma commanders in Krishnadevaraya’s army belonged to Suryadevara, Vasireddy, Pemmasani, Ravella and Sayapaneni clans.
Golkonda period
Vijayanagara kingdom underwent very difficult times after the battle of Tallikota in 1565. Pemmasani Nayaks, Ravella Nayaks and Sayapaneni Nayaks steadfastly helped the Araviti kings in keeping the Muslims at bay. It took another 90 years to consolidate the Muslim power in Andhra country with the capture of Gandikota in 1652. Kamma nayaks migrated in large numbers to the Tamil region. During the Golkonda period, the Sayapaneni Nayaks (1626-1802) ruled Dupadu region as vassals of the Golkonda sultans.[65][66] Gangappa Nayudu, Venkatadri Nayudu and Rangappa Nayudu were famous among them. Ibrahim Qutb Shah captured Kondavidu in 1579. Rayarao, his Maratha commander, appointed Deshmukhs and Chowdarys in 497 villages. The usage of the title ‘Chowdary’ in coastal Andhra Pradesh commenced at this time.
Vasireddy Sadasiva Nayudu ruled Nandigama paragana from 1550 to 1581.[67] He was granted the paragana by Ibrahim Qutb Shah of Golkonda. According to Mackenzie, Virappa Nayudu was appointed as Deshmukh of Nandigama paragana in 1670. Chinapadmanabha Nayudu got a grant of 500 villages from Abul Hassan Tanisha in 1685.[68] He built a fort at Chintapalli and ruled it until 1710 CE. His successors ruled until 1760. During this period the French and the British were trying to gain control of the Andhra country. Jaggayya ruled Chintapalli from 1763 onwards. He was killed by French troops sent by Basalat Jung, brother of the Golkonda Nawab in 1771. Jaggayya’s wife Acchamma committed Sati. Jaggayya’s son Venkatadri recovered Chintapalii in 1777 and earned fame as a benevolent and illustrious ruler.[69] (Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu and Vasireddy Clan). The British gained control of Andhra by 1788 from Golkonda Nawabs. Another Kamma principality during Golkonda period was Devarakota with Challapalli as its capital. Its ruler, Yarlagadda Guruvarayudu was subdued by Abdullah Qutb Shah in 1576. His successors ruled as vassals of Golkonda till the French took over in 1751 and later the British in 1765.
British period
By the end of 18th century the British East India Company had consolidated their rule in Andhra. The armies of Zamindars and Deshmukhs were dismantled and only the power of tax collection was left intact. The well-known Kamma Zamindaris under the British rule were Muktyala, Chintapalli (Amaravati), Challapalli, Devarakota, Kapileswarapuram etc. These Zamindars encouraged modern education by establishing many schools and libraries.
Modern history
After the decline of major kingdoms, Kammas controlled large fertile areas in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, as a legacy of their martial past. The British recognized their prominence and made them village heads(Talari) also known as Chowdary to collect taxes. The association of Kammas with the land and agriculture is legendary. The martial prowess of Kammas was put to good use to tame the lands in modern times. There are many proverbs in Telugu language which speak of the Kammas’ adeptness in agriculture and their emotional attachment to the soil.
For example: Kammavani Chetulu Kattinaa Nilavadu (Telugu: కమ్మవాని చేతులు కట్టినా నిలవడు) (Though you tie Kamma's hands he will not be quiet) and Kammavaariki Bhumi Bhayapaduthundi (Telugu: కమ్మవారికి భూమి భయపడుతుంది ) (The earth fears Kammas)[70].
English historians like Edgar Thurston and noted agricultural scientists like M. S. Randhawa eulogized the spirit of Kamma farmers.[71][72].
Construction of dams and barrages and establishment of an irrigation system in Godavari and Krishna river deltas by Sir Arthur Cotton was a great boon to the Kamma farmers. Availability of water and the natural propensity for hard work made the Kammas wealthy and prosperous.[73] The money was put to good use by establishing numerous schools and libraries and encouraging their children to take up modern education. Among all communities, Kammas were one of the first to take to education in large numbers.[74] Over a period of 10 years, in Guntur District alone, 130 High schools and hostels were established by their initiative. The zamindars of Challapalli and Kapileswarapuram founded many schools and libraries. In the modern times, the pace of the growth in wealth accelerated due to their enterprise and notable achievements in business, real estate, farming, arts and movie industry, education, medicine, engineering, media and high technology.[75]
The Kammas of Tamil Nadu who are the descendants of migrant commanders of Vijayanagara empire have also excelled in the cultivation of black cotton soils and later diversified into various industrial enterprises, particularly in Coimbatore.[76][77][78][79][80]
In the recent past, enterprising farmers migrated to other regions such as Nizamabad, Raichur and Bellary (Karnataka), Raipur (Chattisgarh) and Sambalpur (Orissa). In the past fifty years, the enterprise of the Kammas has profoundly influenced every aspect of social, economic and political life of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and the country in general. The contribution of Kammas to the economy of the state of Andhra Pradesh is significant.
With the power of knowledge and education, a large number of Kammas have migrated to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc. This migration is continuing in line with the many socio-cultural changes being experienced by the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Distribution
In the state of Andhra Pradesh, Kammas are predominantly found in Guntur and Krishna district, followed by Prakasam and Khammam Districts. Significant numbers are also found in the districts of West Godavari, Chittoor, Nizamabad, Hyderabad (India), Rangareddy, Anantapur, East Godavari and Nellore; Bellary and Bangalore districts of Karnataka; and Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Kovilpatti, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Theni, Karur, Dindigal, North Arcot and South Arcot districts of Tamil Nadu.
Ancestry
Origin
There are many theories about the origins of the word "Kamma" and the social group known as the Kammas but none is conclusive.
- Buddhist origin
The theory is that the people who lived in the Krishna river valley, where Buddhism prevailed, got the name from the Theravada Buddhist concept of Kamma (in Pali) or Karma (in Sanskrit).[5] This region was once known as Kammarashtram / Kammarattam / Kammanadu, which was under the control of the Pallavas, Eastern Chalukyas and Cholas. mentioning Kammanadu are available since 3rd century C.E. According to some historians the Kammas existed since the time of the Christ.
Some historians opined that the name Kamma is probably derived from Kambhoja. Avadh Bihari Lal Avasthi comments as follows: We find Kambhi, Kamma, Kumbhi etc castes in South India. Possibly, there has also been a Kamboja country in Southern India. The Garuda Purana locates a Kambhoja principality/settlement in the neighborhood of Ashmaka, Pulinda, Jimuta, Narrashtra, Lata and Karnata countries, and also specifically informs us that this section of Kambojas were living in the southern part of India.
pulinda ashmaka jimuta narrashtara nivasinah
carnata kamboja ghata dakshinapathvasinah.
- Kurmi origin
Another origin of Kammas is speculated as: Buddhist Kurmis from the Gangetic plains migrated to the Krishna river delta in large numbers to escape the persecution of Pushyamitra Sunga (184 BCE).[18] Buddhism was already flourishing in Dharanikota, Bhattiprolu, Chandavolu etc in this fertile area.[19] Historians surmised that the Sanskrit word Kurmi/Kurma became Kamma in later years.[20] The first records of the word Kammarashtram appeared in the Jaggayyapeta inscription of the Ikshvaku King Madhariputra Purushadatta (3rd century CE).[21] Kammarashtram extended from the Krishna River to Kandukur (Prakasam Dt.). The next record was that of Pallava King Kumara Vishnu II followed by that of Eastern Chalukya king Mangi Yuvaraja (627-696 CE). The subsequent inscriptions of Telugu Cholas/Chodas and Kakatiya dynasty mentioned ‘Kammanadu’. This region is also known as Pallavanadu/Palanadu/Palnadu due to Pallava rule.