Pichiguntala @ Helava @ Vamsharaj: Genealogical nomadic tribes of India

Abstract

Pichiguntala are one of the ancient Genealogical Nomadic Tribes in India. Their existence only found in the southern parts of India. The origins of these nomadic tribes are dating back to 8th Century C.E. These people have very meagre in their populations numbering less than 0.05% of the total populations of the southern states. These Pichiguntalas are basically from the Telugu speaking areas of present day divided Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States. They are found to be the heirs of legendary Shaivite religious Hindu leader Kunti Malla Reddy of Srisailam (Nallamala Hills). The word Kunti means to a lame and Pichi means to mad or beggar in Telugu, hence the Pichiguntala means to a lame beggar who do service the cultivating families on their genealogical aspects for alms. It is found that during times of pre-Medieval Period, these people were engaged to record the population studies, keepers of revenue records and recording of census data under the Rashtrakutas, Kakathiyas and Reddy Rulers in India. It is observed that during 12th Century C.E., the religious movements instituted by lengendary Shaivite leader Basavanna @ Basaveshwara (who formed the Lingayuth Community) against the Jain Rulers of Bijjalas of Basavakalyan; had attracted these Pichiguntalas leading mass migrations to non-Telugu speaking areas of Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa, Pondicherry, Orissa and other parts in India. Presently, their socio-economic conditions are very pathetic due to their nomadic life styles. They do not have the basic facilities such as food, shelter, housing, schooling, educational and economical avenues, etc. Most of them are either school dropouts or illiterates; and have not entered government jobs or have any political representations. Since, their population size and vote bank is meagre; they are living as numerical minorities without any welfare and developmental interests by the Government. There is need for the safe guarding of their dilutions and extinctions in the society. There exists a threat that these people are slowly opting for religious conversions for their betterment. These Pichiguntalas are also called as Helavas in Kannada, Helavi in Marathi, Vamsharaju in Telangana, Kudi Panians in Tamil, and are referring themselves as Kunti Malla Reddy Reddys in Andhra Pradesh. Here, the author is aiming to bring out the details & socio-economic status on the Pichiguntalas in India with an objective to create a reference for the future researchers and the State Governments.