Thathera: Difference between revisions

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
imported>Powerfultample
No edit summary
 
(Included a reliable source for verification.)
 
Line 2: Line 2:
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox ethnic group|
{{Infobox ethnic group|
|group= Thathera
| group           = Thathera
|popplace =[[India]]
| image            = Thathera shop.jpg
|langs = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]  
| image_caption    = Mid-19th century painting of a metalworking shop
|rels= [[Hinduism]]}}
| popplace         = [[India]]
| langs           = [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
| rels             = [[Hinduism]], [[Sikhism]]
}}
[[File:Thatheras.png|thumb|Thatheras]]
[[File:Thatheras.png|thumb|Thatheras]]


The '''Thathera''' is a Hindu artisan caste in India, who traditional occupation is the making of brass and copper utensils.<ref>People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Three by K S Singh page 1536 Manohar Publications</ref> In 2014, the craft of the Thathera community of [[Jandiala Guru]] were included in [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage]].<ref>Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-brass-and-copper-craft-of-utensil-making-among-the-thatheras-of-jandiala-guru-punjab-india-00845</ref>
The '''Thathera''' (literally meaning 'the beater',<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Kang |first=Kanwarjit Singh |date=21 October 2007 |title=From metal to form |work=The Tribune - Spectrum |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071021/spectrum/main2.htm}}</ref> also known as '''Thathrias<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Robin |first=Ravinder Singh |date=8 February 2010 |title=Artisans keep copper bas-relief art alive in Amritsar |work=Sikh Net |url=https://www.sikhnet.com/news/artisans-keep-copper-bas-relief-art-alive-amritsar }}</ref>''') is a Hindu and Sikh artisan caste in India, whose traditional occupation is the making of brass and copper utensils.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh|first1=K S |title=People of India: Uttar Pradesh |date=2005 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India; Manohar Publishers |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-8173041143|volume=XLII |id=Part 3 |page=1536}}</ref> In 2014, the craft of the Thathera community of [[Jandiala Guru]] was included in the [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists]].<ref>{{citation |title=Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-brass-and-copper-craft-of-utensil-making-among-the-thatheras-of-jandiala-guru-punjab-india-00845 |work=ICH UNESCO |publisher=UNESCO |language=en}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
 
[[File:Repoussé plaque (gilded panel) depicting the Sidh Gosht episode of Guru Nanak's life, from Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai, Amritsar, ca.1896.jpg|thumb|[[Repoussé and chasing|Repoussé]] plaque ([[Gilding|gilded]] panel) depicting the [[Sidh Gosti|Sidh Gosht]] episode of [[Guru Nanak]]'s life, from Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai, Amritsar, ca.1896]]
=== Claimed Origin ===
The Thathera communities of Punjab played a prominent role in developing the [[Sikh art#Embossed metalworking|Sikh School of metal relief artwork.]]<ref name=":2" />'''<ref name=":7" />''' Many of the surviving gilded brass and copper panels affixed to the edifices of the [[Golden Temple]] or [[Gurdwara Baba Atal|Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai]] were crafted by Thathera craftsmen or guilds in the 19th and early 20th century.<ref name=":2" /> The most renowned Thatheras for creating metal panel art were located in Kucha Fakirkhana, [[Lahore]].'''<ref name=":2" />''' Only three or four Thathera families in Amritsar have preserved the knowledge on how to execute this form of metalworking art at present.'''<ref name=":7" />'''
The Thatheras claim to be [[Chandravanshi]], [[Heheya Kingdom|Haihayvanshi]] [[Yaduvanshi]]. They trace their origin from [[Kartavirya Arjuna|Maharaja Sahasrarjun]]. They claim descent from the [[Haihaya kingdom|Haihay kings]], a medieval dynasty of India.<ref name="Singh">People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Three by K S Singh page 1536 to 1540 Manohar publications</ref>


== Present circumstances ==
== Present circumstances ==
The Thathera community are divided into 47 clans. The main ones are [[Chauhan]], [[Parmar]], [[Gohil]], Mahecha [[Rathod]], Vadher, [[Solanki (clan)|Solanki]], [[Bhatti clan|Bhatti]], khasi, Kagda and [[Puvar]] . In [[Uttar Pradesh]], they are found mainly in [[Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh|Lalitpur]], [[Jalaun district|Jalaun]], [[Banda district (India)|Banda]], [[Kanpur]], [[Lucknow district|Lucknow]], [[Mirzapur district|Mirzapur]] and  [[Indore]] M.p also In [[Bihar]], they are found in the districts of [[Patna]], [[Nalanda]], [[Gaya, India|Gaya]], [[Nawada]], [[Bhagalpur]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Munger]], [[Purnea]], [[Begusarai]], [[Katihar]], [[Khagaria]], and [[Madhubani district|Madhubani]]. The [[Bihar]] Thathera are divided into a number of [[exogamous]] clans such as the Chandrahar, Chaswar, Mirdang, Amarpallo, and Peswa.<ref>People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 766 to 769 Seagull Books</ref>
The Thathera community are divided into 47 clans. The main ones are [[Chauhan]], [[Parmar]], [[Gahlot]], Mahecha [[Rathod]], Vadher, [[Solanki (clan)|Solanki]], [[Bhatti clan|Bhatti]], khasi, Kagda and [[Puvar]]. In [[Uttar Pradesh]], they are found mainly in [[Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh|Lalitpur]], [[Jalaun district|Jalaun]], [[Banda district (India)|Banda]], [[Kanpur]], [[Lucknow district|Lucknow]], [[Mirzapur district|Mirzapur]] and  [[Indore]] M.p also In [[Bihar]], they are found in the districts of [[Patna]], [[Nalanda]], [[Gaya, India|Gaya]], [[Nawada]], [[Bhagalpur]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Munger]], [[Purnea]], [[Begusarai]], [[Katihar]], [[Khagaria]], and [[Madhubani district|Madhubani]]. The [[Bihar]] Thathera are divided into a number of [[exogamous]] clans such as the Chandrahar, Chaswar, Mirdang, Amarpallo, and Peswa.<ref>People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 766 to 769 Seagull Books</ref>
   
   
The Thathera are basically a community of artisans. Metal work, business and repair of utensils are their traditional occupations. Many of them even cultivate land, and in Bihar, many are also jewellers. In Odisha, they are called 'kansari' and the main ones of this community are the Maharana and the Mahapatra. Basically, they are involved with metal artisan works like 'brass', 'bronze', 'aluminium' and 'copper' etc.
The Thathera are traditionally a community of artisans. Metal work, business and repair of utensils are their traditional occupations. Many of them even cultivate land, and in Bihar, many are also jewellers. In Odisha, they are called 'kansari' and the main ones of this community are the Maharana and the Mahapatra. Basically, they are involved with metal artisan works like 'brass', 'bronze', 'aluminium' and 'copper' etc.


=== In Rajasthan ===
=== In Rajasthan ===
Line 51: Line 53:


== UNESCO Listing and Government Programs ==
== UNESCO Listing and Government Programs ==
Although people of the Thathera community reside across the country, only those from Jandiala Guru in the state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] were included in the UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141213/lifestyle-offbeat/article/preserving-indias-living-heritage-future|title=Preserving India's living heritage for the future|last=roy|first=soumyadeep|date=2014-12-13|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-07-01}}</ref>
Although people of the Thathera community reside across the country, only those from Jandiala Guru in the state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] were included in the UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. <ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141213/lifestyle-offbeat/article/preserving-indias-living-heritage-future |title=Preserving India's living heritage for the future |last=Roy |first=Soumyadeep |date=13 December 2014 |work=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |access-date=1 July 2019 |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210630015659/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141213/lifestyle-offbeat/article/preserving-indias-living-heritage-future}}</ref>


After years of neglect and inaction on the part of the government and the civil society, the UNESCO listing prompted the [[Deputy commissioner (India)|Deputy Commissioner]] of [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]] to collaborate with students of [[Shri Ram College of Commerce]] to revive the dying craft form.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/delhi-based-team-comes-to-rescue-of-thathera-community/466798.html|title=The Tribune: Delhi-based team comes to rescue of Thathera community|last=Amritsar|first=Tribune News Service|date=September 14, 2017|website=The Tribune}}</ref> Soon, [[Navjot Singh Sidhu]], the then Minister of Tourism of Punjab pledged Rs. 10 lakhs to this effort, under the umbrella of Project Virasat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/age-old-craft-of-thatheras-to-get-new-life/articleshow/64715430.cms|title=Jandiala utensils: Age-old craft of thatheras to get new life {{!}} Chandigarh News - Times of India|last=Jun 24|first=Yudhvir Rana {{!}} TNN {{!}} Updated|last2=2018|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-07-01|last3=Ist|first3=11:15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/-thatheras-of-jandiala-guru-find-saviour-in-minister/596101.html|title=The Tribune: 'Thatheras' of Jandiala Guru find saviour in minister|last=Punjab|first=GS Paul|website=The Tribune}}</ref>
After years of neglect and inaction on the part of the government and the civil society, the UNESCO listing prompted the [[Deputy commissioner (India)|Deputy Commissioner]] of [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]] to collaborate with students of [[Shri Ram College of Commerce]] to revive the dying craft form.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/delhi-based-team-comes-to-rescue-of-thathera-community/466798.html |title=Delhi-based team comes to rescue of Thathera community |date=14 September 2017|work=The Tribune}}</ref> Soon, [[Navjot Singh Sidhu]], the then Minister of Tourism of Punjab pledged Rs. 10 lakhs to this effort, under the umbrella of Project Virasat.<ref>{{cite news |title=Age-old craft of thatheras to get new life |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/age-old-craft-of-thatheras-to-get-new-life/articleshow/64715430.cms |work=The Times of India |author=Yudhvir Rana|date=24 June 2018|access-date=2019-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/-thatheras-of-jandiala-guru-find-saviour-in-minister/596101.html |title='Thatheras' of Jandiala Guru find saviour in minister|author=GS Paul|work=The Tribune}}</ref>


==Names==
==Names==


Other names of the community include:{{cn|date=September 2017}}
Other names of the community include:{{cn|date=September 2017}}
 
* Hindi-Thathera/Tamrakar/Tamera/Vadhera/hayaran, Tamta (Uttrakhand)
* Hindi-Thathera/Tamrakar/ Tamera/Vadhera/hayaran,Tamta(Uttrakhand)
* Gujarati-Kansara
* Gujarati-Kansara
* Nepali-tamo/tamot/tamrakar,
* Nepali-tamo/tamot/tamrakar,

Latest revision as of 20:47, 23 July 2023


Thathera
Thathera shop.jpg
Mid-19th century painting of a metalworking shop
Regions with significant populations
India
Languages
Hindi, Punjabi
Religion
Hinduism, Sikhism
Thatheras

The Thathera (literally meaning 'the beater',[1] also known as Thathrias[2]) is a Hindu and Sikh artisan caste in India, whose traditional occupation is the making of brass and copper utensils.[3] In 2014, the craft of the Thathera community of Jandiala Guru was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.[4]

History[edit]

Repoussé plaque (gilded panel) depicting the Sidh Gosht episode of Guru Nanak's life, from Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai, Amritsar, ca.1896

The Thathera communities of Punjab played a prominent role in developing the Sikh School of metal relief artwork.[1][2] Many of the surviving gilded brass and copper panels affixed to the edifices of the Golden Temple or Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai were crafted by Thathera craftsmen or guilds in the 19th and early 20th century.[1] The most renowned Thatheras for creating metal panel art were located in Kucha Fakirkhana, Lahore.[1] Only three or four Thathera families in Amritsar have preserved the knowledge on how to execute this form of metalworking art at present.[2]

Present circumstances[edit]

The Thathera community are divided into 47 clans. The main ones are Chauhan, Parmar, Gahlot, Mahecha Rathod, Vadher, Solanki, Bhatti, khasi, Kagda and Puvar. In Uttar Pradesh, they are found mainly in Lalitpur, Jalaun, Banda, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mirzapur and Indore M.p also In Bihar, they are found in the districts of Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, Nawada, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Munger, Purnea, Begusarai, Katihar, Khagaria, and Madhubani. The Bihar Thathera are divided into a number of exogamous clans such as the Chandrahar, Chaswar, Mirdang, Amarpallo, and Peswa.[5]

The Thathera are traditionally a community of artisans. Metal work, business and repair of utensils are their traditional occupations. Many of them even cultivate land, and in Bihar, many are also jewellers. In Odisha, they are called 'kansari' and the main ones of this community are the Maharana and the Mahapatra. Basically, they are involved with metal artisan works like 'brass', 'bronze', 'aluminium' and 'copper' etc.

In Rajasthan[edit]

The Thathera in Rajasthan are found in the districts Jodhpur, Alwar, Jaipur, Madhopur, Jaiselmer, Ajmer, Bikaner, Ujjain, Udaipur, Banswara and Dungarpur. They speak Khari Boli and wagri among themselves, and Rajasthani with outsiders.

  • Ravegi
  • Jhaghari
  • Atlas Mewat
  • Atlas Kuntkutia
  • Atlas Patoria
  • Atlas Gondhar
  • Atlas Berenbal
  • Atlas Chonkria
  • Atlas Khankhapra
  • Shadpalia
  • Bhodia
  • Vadia Chaksaka
  • Mahendru Vadia
  • Ravat
  • Lilonia Moharia
  • Mahale
  • Chandoria Rafa

In Haryana[edit]

In Haryana, the Thathera claim to have been Rajput, who abandoned their traditional occupation and started to manufacture silver and gold coins. They immigrated from Rajasthan in the 19th Century and settled initially in Rewari. The community then took to manufacturing utensils. A small number of Thathera who are found in the town of Jagadhari, are said to have immigrated from Pakistan. The Haryana Thathera have fifty two clans. Their main clans are the Barawashli, Anant, Godomot and Ramgarhia. The community is strictly endogamous.[6]

In Bihar[edit]

In Bihar, the Thatheras are classified as a Backward Caste.[7]

UNESCO Listing and Government Programs[edit]

Although people of the Thathera community reside across the country, only those from Jandiala Guru in the state of Punjab were included in the UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. [8]

After years of neglect and inaction on the part of the government and the civil society, the UNESCO listing prompted the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar to collaborate with students of Shri Ram College of Commerce to revive the dying craft form.[9] Soon, Navjot Singh Sidhu, the then Minister of Tourism of Punjab pledged Rs. 10 lakhs to this effort, under the umbrella of Project Virasat.[10][11]

Names[edit]

Other names of the community include:[citation needed]

  • Hindi-Thathera/Tamrakar/Tamera/Vadhera/hayaran, Tamta (Uttrakhand)
  • Gujarati-Kansara
  • Nepali-tamo/tamot/tamrakar,
  • Punjabi-thatheri/thathiyar,
  • Bangla-karmakar,
  • Marathi-twastha tambat kasar

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Kang, Kanwarjit Singh (21 October 2007). "From metal to form". The Tribune - Spectrum.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Robin, Ravinder Singh (8 February 2010). "Artisans keep copper bas-relief art alive in Amritsar". Sikh Net.
  3. Singh, K S (2005). People of India: Uttar Pradesh. Vol. XLII. New Delhi: Anthropological Survey of India; Manohar Publishers. p. 1536. ISBN 978-8173041143. Part 3.
  4. "Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India", ICH UNESCO, UNESCO
  5. People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 766 to 769 Seagull Books
  6. People of India Haryana Volume XXIII edited by M.K Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 490 to 493 Manohar
  7. Vidyarthi, Lalita Prasad; Prasad, Ramakant; Upadhyay, Vijay S. (1979). Changing Dietary Patterns and Habits: A Socio-cultural Study of Bihar. Concept. p. 11.
  8. Roy, Soumyadeep (13 December 2014). "Preserving India's living heritage for the future". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  9. "Delhi-based team comes to rescue of Thathera community". The Tribune. 14 September 2017.
  10. Yudhvir Rana (24 June 2018). "Age-old craft of thatheras to get new life". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  11. GS Paul. "'Thatheras' of Jandiala Guru find saviour in minister". The Tribune.