Shilpkar are an artisan community mainly associated with Intaglio techniques and painting. They are largest among

Scheduled Caste The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are officially designated groups of people and among the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups in India. The terms are recognized in the Constitution of India and the groups are designa ...

communities of

Uttarakhand Uttarakhand ( , or ; , ), also known as Uttaranchal ( ; the official name until 2007), is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the "Devbhumi" (literally 'Land of the Gods') due to its religious significance and ...

History

Shilpkars are not a single caste but a collection of different castes who used to do artistic works from paper, iron, stone, and rope. Shilpkar originated from Uttarakhand are considered Dalit, as they used to make things from rope. Shilpkar in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and South India, are not considered a Dalit, but have their category mention in SC and OBC, depending upon the State list. In 1925, they were officially recognized as Shilpkar by the British government. Shilpkars are mainly engaged as Intaglio on stone and gems, Painting, crafting, bronzesmiths, with others engaged in and cultivating, or working as, blacksmiths, weavers, drummers.

Bhankora The bhankora (plural: ''bhankore'') is a type of made of copper that is prominently used in the folk music of Uttarakhand in India, especially in the Garhwal region. The instrument is aerophonic and used in religious Garhwal folk dramas, most not ...

is a native musical instrument and is handmade from copper by Shilpkar artisans of Uttarakhand. They used to perform with it at folk festivals or marriages. In 1913,

Shilpkar Sudharini Sabha Shilpkar are an artisan community mainly associated with Intaglio techniques and painting. They are largest among Scheduled Caste communities of Uttarakhand. History Shilpkars are not a single caste but a collection of different castes who u ...

, held a convention for the uplifting of Dalits and oppressed people of the area, known as the

Shilpkar Mahasabha Shilpkar are an artisan community mainly associated with Intaglio techniques and painting. They are largest among Scheduled Caste communities of Uttarakhand. History Shilpkars are not a single caste but a collection of different castes who u ...

in Uttarakhand.

Arya Samaj Arya Samaj ( hi, आर्य समाज, lit=Noble Society, ) is a monotheistic Indian Hindu reform movement that promotes values and practices based on the belief in the infallible authority of the Vedas. The samaj was founded by the sanny ...

influenced a lot of Shilpkar, especially in the

Garhwal Garhwal may refer to the following topics associated with Uttarakhand, India: Places *Garhwal Himalaya, a sub-range of the Himalayas *Garhwal Kingdom, a former kingdom * Garhwal District (British Garhwal), a former district of British India *Gar ...

region, and many Shilpkars dropped their caste surnames and adopted 'Arya' as a last name. Jayananda Bharati and Baldev Singh Arya were those who promoted "Arya Samaj" in Dalits of Uttarakhand. They started '

Dola Palki Movement Dola may refer to: * Dola (mythology), protective spirits in Polish mythology * Dola, Ohio, United States * Dola, Shahdol, India * Dola, Gabon Dola is a Department (country subdivision), department of Ngounié Province in southern Gabon. The c ...

' and in 1928 he also organised "Garhwal Sarvadalit Parishad". He also stood with

B. R. Ambedkar Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who headed the committee drafting the Constitution of India from the Constituent Assembly debates, served a ...

during the Round Table Conference in 1932. Other notable Shilpkar leaders were Khushi Ram and

Bachi Ram Arya ''Bachi'' (, ; also ''batchi'') are straight, wooden sticks used on Japanese taiko drums, and also the plectrum (written ) for stringed instruments of Japanese origin such as the shamisen and ''biwa''. For percussion Drum bachi (, ) are mad ...

also appealed shilpkars, to break out of mental slavery and exhorted them to recognise the virtues of education, work with the Brahmans on an equal footing and yet be critical of them.

Distribution

Shilpkars form 52% of the total population of the Scheduled caste population in Uttarakhand and are a beneficiary of the reservation policy. About 68.5 percent of Shilpkars are cultivators by profession. Shilpkars are mainly found in the hill region of

and Terai regions of

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 ...

. They are also called

Tamrakar Tāmrakār (Devanagari: ताम्रकार) is a caste of coppersmiths and other metal casters found in Nepal and India. In Nepal, the Tamrakars are found among the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley. Etymology and names The name Tam ...

in Nepal are one of the biggest communities of the country. Shilpkars have surnames like Arya, Ram, Koli, and lal and have a total of 26 sub-castes in the state.

Notable Shilpkars

Yashpal Arya Yashpal Arya is a 7-time MLA from Uttar Pradesh (twice) and Uttarakhand (five times) combined. He is a former Minister of Transportation, Social Welfare, Minority and Students' Welfare in the Government of Uttarakhand under Bharatiya Janata Par ...

, former speaker of

Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, also known as the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, is a unicameral governing and law making body of Uttarakhand, one of the 28 states of India. It is seated at Dehradun, the winter capital, and Bhararisain, the summ ...

References

{{Reflist Castes

History

Distribution

Notable Shilpkars

See also

References