Mangaloreans

Mangaloreans(Tulu:Kudladaklu;Kannada:Mangaloorinavaruu;Konkani:Kodialkar;Beary:Maikaltanga;Urdu:Kaudalvale) are a collection of diverse ethnic groups that hail from the historical locales ofSouth Canara(Tulunaad) on the south western coast ofKarnataka, India, particularly the residents native toMangaluru.
According to the works ofSangam literature(300 BCE – 300 CE),Tulu Nadu was one of the 12 socio-geographical regions included in the ancientTamilakam.Tulu Nadu must certainly at one time have formed part of ancientKerala(Chera dynasty), where the western coastal dialect ofOld Tamilwas spoken.It must have separated fromTamilakamsometime between 300 CE and 500 CE, when theKadambasinvaded the northern portions ofChera kingdom.No definite historical record relating to Tulu Nadu, other than those were found fromSangam literature, have been found of earlier date than 8th or 9th century CE.
Historically,Tulunaadincluded the two separate lands ofHaivaandTuluva. The Ballal kings ofSulliahad ruled this area around 1100 years back. TheTulu Brahminmigration to Tulunaad might have happened during the lifetime of theKadambakingMayuravarmaat 345 AD. During the 13th century, the Hindu philosopherMadhvacharyabuilt theAshta Mathagalu(eight temple complexes) in the present-dayUdipi district, that was partitioned from the olderSouth Canaradistrict, other parts beingMangalore districtandKassergode district.
During the rule ofVijayanagara, Tulu Nadu comprised twoadministrative subdivisions—MangaluruandBarakurualong with others such as theHosdurg fortin Kassergode. In Tulunaad lied thehome turfof theTuluva dynasty, the third to take charge of theVijayanagara dynasty. Tulu Nadu was governed by feudatories of the Vijayanagara Empire until the 17th century. The longest reigning dynasty of Tulu Nadu were theAlupas, feudatories and nobility of the prominent dynasties ofCarnatic region. TheKadamba dynastyof Banavasi was the earliest, under which the Alupas flourished. Later theRashtrakutasof Manyakheta,Chalukyas of Badami,Chalukyas of Kalyani,Hoysalasof Durasamudra&Rayas(kings) of Vijayanagara were the overlords. The Alupas however, werefeudatories, since they ruled as subordinates in the Vijaynagara dominion of Tulunaad from 14th century onwards. The area became prosperous during the Vijayanagara period, withBarcoorand Mangalore gaining importance. After the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, much of Tulu Nadu came under the control of theKeladi NayakasofIkkeri.
Jain Buntswere already a prominent group and even today are uniquely preserved inTulunaad. Though small in number, the Jains left behind indelible reminders of their past with a number Jain sites (bastis) inMoodabidri; andmonolithsofBahubaliand theGomateshwarainKarkala,Venoor&Dharmasthala. Over the centuries, more ethnic groups migrated to the area. Various HinduKonkani peoplenamelyGaud Saraswat Brahmins,Daivajnya Brahmins,Karhad Brahmins; also a fewChitpavans(Konkanastha Brahmins),Vaishya Vanis&Rajapur Saraswat Brahminsarrived by sea, during the period ofreligious oppressionby the intolerantPortuguese colonialregime.
Mangalore was a majorportcaught up in theIndian Ocean tradesince times immemorial. The area around Mangalore along withSt Mary's islandsandBarcelor, also served as a maritime trade post for thePortuguese in Goa and Bombay,untilShivappa NayakadefeatedPortugal's armadain battle. In the 16th century, the area saw the first arrival of KonkaniNew Christianswho were fleeing theInquisitioninPortuguese Goaand were given refuge byVijayanagar, the influx of migrants resumed with the violentMahratta Invasion of Goa and Bombaywhen they were again given refuge, particularly byRani ChennammaofKittur. The settlements of these New Christians in the area gave rise to their own unique and hybrid culture, they developed into a localised community ofMangalorean Christians, who are distinct fromGoan ChristiansandBombay East Indians. They built a number of prominent educational institutions and contributed tosocio-economicprogress in the area. The Muslims of Tulu Nadu are basically descended fromArabiantraders who intermarried local women and settled there. Muslims in Mangalore speakBearylanguage which is different fromHindi-Urdu. A fewKonkani MuslimsandKonkani Jainsare also found near the border with Karwar district (North Canara).
Majority of Mangaloreans belong to theTuluvaethnic group. The Tuluvas have historically been concentrated in the coastal areas. The major Tulu speaking castes are Shettigar, Mundalas, Mogeras, Okkaliga Gowda's, Bairas, Samagaras,Billavas, Sapaliga, Rajaka (Madival),Bunts,Mogaveeras,Kulala's,Devadiga's, Tulu Brahmins,Vishwakarmas& Nayak's.Mangalorean Protestantsare mostly Tulu speakers.Beary speaking muslims are next largest community.Konkani people, in particular theGaud Saraswat Brahmins,Daivadnya Brahmins, and theMangalorean Catholicswhose ancestors migrated here from theKonkan region, to escape thePortuguese Inquisition in Goa and Bombay-Basseinand theMahratta Sackings of Goa and Bombay-Bassein. Other groups who historically settled in Tulu Nadu, include theKundagannadansandByarisand DakhiniUrduSpeaking Muslims.
Mangalorean cuisine is largely influenced by theSouth Indian cuisine, with several cuisines being unique to the diverse communities of the city.Coconut meatandcurry leavesare common ingredients in Mangalorean curries, as are ginger, garlic& chilli. TheTulu community's well-known dishes includeKori Rotti(dry rice flakes dipped in gravy),Chicken Ghee Roast,Bangude Pulimunchi(silver-grey mackerels),Beeja-Manoli Upkari,Neer dosa(lacy rice-crêpes),Boothai Gasi,Kadabu, andPatrode. TheKube Sukkhe, aclamdish ofMangalorean Protestantsis also very popular. The Konkani community's specialities includeDaali thoy,beebe-upkari(cashew based),val val,avnas ambe sasam,Kadgi chakko,paagila podi, andchana gashi.Tuluvavegetarian cuisine in Mangalore, also known asUdupi cuisineis known for itssignature disheslike themasala dosa. Udupi restaurants are found throughoutsouth India,northwestern India& relished overseas by theIndian diaspora. Since Mangalore is a coastal town,fish dishesare thestaple dietof most people.Mangalorean Catholic cuisineincludesSanna-Dukra Maas(Sanna–idlifluffed withtoddyor yeast;Dukra Maas–Pork),Pork Bafat&Sorpotel; and the MuttonBiryaniof the local Muslims are well-knowndelicacies. Pickles such ashappala,sandigeandpuli munchiare unique to Mangalore.Sheindi(toddy), a countrywineprepared bytoddy tappersfrom coconut flowers ortree sapis local speciality.
Many classical dance forms and folk art are practised among Mangaloreans. TheYakshagana, a night-long dance and drama performance, is held in Mangalore,whileHulivesha(literally,tiger dance), afolk danceunique to the city, is performed duringDasaraandKrishna Janmashtami.Karadi Vesha(bear dance) is another well known dance performed duringDasara.Paddanas(Ballad-like epics passed on through generations by word of mouth) are sung by a community of impersonators in Tulu and are usually accompanied by the rhythmic drum beats.The Bearys' unique traditions are reflected in such folk songs askolkai(sung duringkolata, a valour folk-dance during which sticks used as props),unjal pat(traditional lullaby),moilanji pat, andoppune pat(sung at weddings).TheEvkaristik Purshanv(Konkani:Eucharisticprocession) is an annual Catholic religious procession led on the first Sunday of each New Year.
On 26–27 January 2008, a Konkani cultural event, Konkani Nirantari, held inMangaloreby a Mangalorean organization, Mandd Sobhann, entered theGuinness Book of World Recordsfor non-stop singing ofKonkanihymns. Mandd Sobhann members sang for 40 hours, surpassing the old record of 36 hours held by a Brazilian musical troupe.