# Chari (surname)

Chari/Achari/Achar/Acharya is a Hindu surname found in Vishwakarma Brahmin caste that encompasses various communities across India, with regional modifications as consistent with the local languages.

## Notable people

People who may bear this surname are include:
* Ahalya Chari (1921–2013), Indian educationist
* Brian Chari (born 1992), Zimbabwean cricketer
* C. T. K. Chari (1909–1993), Indian philosopher
* Deepa Chari, Indian actress and swimsuit model
* Nyasha Chari (born 1980), Zimbabwean cricketer
* Raja Chari (born 1977), Indian-American astronaut
* Seshadri Chari, Indian journalist, politician and foreign policy analyst
* V. V. Chari (born 1950s), Indian-born economist
* Vyjayanthi Chari, Indian–American Mathematician

## Background

Chari surname is common in the Iyengar Brahmin community that is found predominantly in the southern region of India.
Chari ('च्यारी/चारी') is a community of artist in Goa and Konkan. They are the traditional Hindu carpenter in Goa. In this community every person has the surname as Chari.
Chari belong to Panchal caste which is also known as Viswakarma. They were also called as 'Shivabrahman'. 'Saiyadri Khanda' of 'Scanda Puran'- puran that gave Puranic importance of Goa says artist of ancient Goa were called as 'Shaivagayatri Brahmins'. Those Chari who fled Goa during Portuguese time to prevent them being getting converted to Christianity & settled in Solapur district are still known as 'Shiva Brahma Sutar' Since Chari are traditional carpenters of Goa their main occupation is carpentry. They do smithery also. In fact, they are master in most of the technical work; so they are also referred as a borne engineers.
Traditionally caste wise Panchal Brahmin of Goa Categorized in 3 different castes. They are Vishwakarma Brahmin Chari, Daivadnya Brahmin (Sonar) and Twasta Brahmin (Kasar) Community. But currently daivadnya doesn't consider themselves under Vishwakarma.
Different names of Chari popular in Goa. Chari were known with the different names since ancient Times. Following are some of the name. Acharya- Meaning teacher of religion. Today it changed Acharya-Achari-Chari.
Mest/Mestri - At many places where Chari stays is known as Mestawado. There is Mestawado in Panchwadi, Mandre, Vasco, Betoda, Kurti, Usgaon etc. In Goa there are places in known as Mestbhat in Mershi & Madgaon.
Kumbhar - The word Kumbar is derived from the Sanskrit word Stambh meaning pillar. A good pillar carver is called Kumbar. At some places in Goa there are paddy field Qumarachi Namshi allotted to old Chari resident.
Shiva Brahmin - Chari was called Shaiva Brahmin in Goa during ancient times. Skanda Purana antargat Sahyadri Khanda refers artist of Goa as Shivagaytri Brahmin.
Vinani - Vinani in old Konkani meaning blacksmith and was adhered to Chari. There are lands allotted by the Gaunkari to Chari in many of the villages of Goa with the name Vinani.
Zo Ferrieiro - All the Portuguese documents refers Chari with surname as Zo Ferreiro. The word Ferreiro has been derived from Latin ferrarius meaning blacksmith. Zo can be from the word Oja. Zo word got corrupted from Oja-OJo-Zo.
Although everyone wants to be called a Brahmin, the above categories are plain OBC and not Brahmin. They want respect of Brahmins but category benifits.

## Culture and religion

The Chari surname is found among various communities in India.
Chari are predominantly Devi worshipers. The village where they settled they accepted village deity as their family deity. Chari are followers of Shiva. Being a shaiva or follower of Shiva they are called 'adave' in local language. In olden times they were referred as Shaiva Brahmins. Even the Sahyadri Khanda of Scanda Purana has the reference of it. They worship Vishwakarma since they have descended from him. Chari are Shaiva still their main community deity is 'Shree Ragunath (Ram)' of Gimoney. This temple has history of more than 500 years. It was destroyed by Moghal aggression in 1684 by Shaijada Shaha Alam. Chari reconstructed it. They have Shree Ram's temples at Mayade & Vasco. Also the main goddess to whom every Vishwakarma people worships is Kalika or Kalamba. Her temple is situated at & Merce Goa & Ancola in Karnataka where she is known as Kallama. The main temple is situated at Shirsangi at Belgaum district of Karnataka.
In South India, the surname is also common within the Vaishnavite community, who worship Lord Vishnu.