Gomantak Maratha Samaj is a

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

community found in the Indian state of Goa. They are known as ''Nutan Maratha Samaj'' in the Sindhudurg district of

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...

and ''Naik Maratha Samaj'' in

, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, also Telangana respectively.

Origin

Gomantak Maratha is a relatively new ameliorative name"Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D.Satoskar adopted by a community of traditional

temple servants. They were previously known by the following names:

Kalavantin/ Kulambini

*Those who participated in music and singing were known as ''Kalavantini'', literally meaning ''an artiste,'' they enjoyed a high status in the community. *Those who maintained the temple lamps, '' Palanquin'', and held ''Chamara'' (''Chavar'' in Konkani) were known as ''Bhavins'', literally a ''pious lady''. The Kalavant women (sometimes called as ''Naikinn'') as a custom became mistresses of Brahmin men who paid a huge sum of money to her mother. They also practiced

prostitution Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in Sex work, sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, n ...

Devli

Etymologically ''Devli'', the word Devli is derived from the word '' Devul'' or ''Dev'' meaning God. So Devlis are those who were dedicated or devoted to the temple or to God. The duties of Devli males (''Jyotkar'') included lighting the temple lamps and ''mashal'' (torch), hold ''Devdanda'', act as temple attendants (''Lathkar''), also some were temple architects (''Nayak'') and play the ritual musical instruments like ''Mahavadya'', ''Panchavadya'', ''Ranavadya''.

Chedvaan, Chede, Bandi, Farjand

They were not always connected to the temple but with the Brahmin landlords (Bhatkars), at whose residences they performed all types of household work."Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D.Satoskar

Perni

Their main occupation was acrobatics. They used to perform ''Jagar'' (a form of acrobatics) as the main source of their livelihood and held a lower status in the community."Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D.Satoskar

History

The temple prostitution system was prevalent in Goa since times immemorial. The Kalawantin community finds references throughout Goan history. From ancient times, Hindu Kshatriya widows originally sought shelter in the temples if they did not commit '' Sati'' after the husband's death. These widows would then become the mistresses of the Brahmins. Any resulting illegitimate daughters would also be sold by their mothers to become mistresses of Brahmins, while the illegitimate sons would become temple servants and entertainers. The Portuguese called them ''bailadeiras'' (dancers). In 1598, the Viceroy passed a law on behalf of King Philip I of Portugal that prohibited members of the community from entering the Velhas Conquistas on the grounds that the community members "perform many obscene dances, sing dirty songs and do all sorts of things that only reflect a diabolic state." During British colonial rule, many Kalawantin community members moved for economic reasons to the city of Bombay and other areas of British India. Most of these emigrants followed Hindustani classical music gharanas to improve their art and talent. Those who remained in Goa began organizing themselves after the Portuguese First Republic period. In 1910, Rajaram Painginikar started ''Kalawantin Movement'' from Poinguinim village in Goa. In 1917, ''Maratha Gayan Samaj'' (Maratha Singers Society) was formed in Kakode. In 1937, the Gomantak Maratha Samaj (G.M.S.) was formed under the leadership of Rajaram Panginikar.Goa world book review
The main functions of the G.M.S. are as follows: *To promote the education of its members. *To arrange marriages of their children within the community. *Other community welfare activities for their community. Following the Annexation of Goa, the G.M.S. was formally included by the Government of Goa as a Reserved category.

Notable membersGoa world book review

* Mangeshkar Family * Kishori Amonkar * Dayanand Bandodkar * Shashikala Kakodkar * Kesarbai Kerkar * Moghubai Kurdikar * Raghunath Mashelkar *

Vithal Nagesh Shirodkar V. N. Shirodkar or Vithal Nagesh Shirodkar (27 April 1899 – 7 March, 1971) was an Indian obstetrician and gynaecologist, hailing from the State of Goa. Biography Shirodkar was born in Shiroda, Goa, Shiroda, Goa. He belonged to the ''Kalawantin ...

References

{{Social groups of Maharashtra Goan society Hinduism in Goa Social groups of Goa