Jhetty

[1]

Jhetty is a Kshatriya community, which is thought to be originated in Gujarat. Ancient Jhetties were professional wrestlers. They had a good physique compared to others. When Ghazni attacked India, some of them left Gujarat and settled in south India in places like Madanapalle, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mysore, Bangalore, Chikballapur and Chennai, Karaikudi.Since they were wrestlers, they were also called as Mallas. The word Mallas evolves from Malla-yuddha, which is an Indian Martial Art (wrestling) . In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Jhetties are called as Vastad (or Ustad). The evolution of this word is unclear.

Malla Bhasha

This was the language spoken by the ancient Mallas. It doesn't have a script. Though few people speak this language currently, it is not its purest form.

Garadi

It is the place where the clay court is present, where wrestling is done. The equipment meant for exercising is also kept here. During every Avani Avittam, the Mallas fight among themselves to pay tribute to their ancestors.

Current day Jhetties of South India

Telugu remains the mother tongue of present-day mallas settled in South India. They are spread across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which are southern states of India

Basappa Danappa Jatti (1912–2002) Vice president of India during 31 August 1974 30 August 1979

References

  1. ↑ serfoji ii scholar king of thanjavur The cabinet of King Serfoji of Tanjore: A European collection in early nineteenth-century India
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