Naik Maratha Samaj

Naik Maratha(नाईक मराठा)is a Malvani which is dialect of Konkani, speaking community found in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra and Neighboring Pernem.

Naik Maratha, नाईक मराठा

Total population
40,000 (approx)
Regions with significant populations
Primary populations in: Goa, Sindhudurg, Uttar Kannada Populations in: United Kingdom, United States, Canada
Languages
Konkani, Marathi, Malvani
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Gomantak Maratha Samaj, Nutan Maratha Samaj

Etymology

Naik Maratha is relatively a new ameliorative name given to a group of temple related people,to unite them for their upliftment by Shree Guruvary Krishnrao Arjun Kelsukar.

History

Goa and neighboring Sindhudurg and Uttar kannada had a system of temple-artists.

Portuguese colonial rulers called them "balladares"(singers).Whereas in Sindhudurg British and Dutch called them Devalis (Devali means who comes from temple.) Later, with the religious intolerance of the Portuguese rulers, the temples shifted and lost their glory.^[1]

Most of Naik Maratha families from Sindhudurg fled to the neighboring Bombay province. Those who went Mumbai they began organizing themselves. In 1910 Gomantak Maratha Samaj was formed in Goa. At the same time Naik Maratha samaj of Sindhudurg district who went to Mumbai began organizing. On 16th October 1926, on special occasion of Vijaya Dashami Shree Guruvary Krishnarao Arjun Keluskar formed Naik Maratha Mandal for all Naik Maratha from Sindhudurg and Mumbai. This mandal is registered with Govt. of Maharashtra Religious Dept. This Mandal recently completed 83 years.

In the twentieth century itself, this caste uplifted itself ,with a little help from outside. The Naik Maratha grouping has a success story that would do anyone proud.

Prominent members of the community

These include top artistes, surgeons, educationalists,politicians and others Maharshtra.

Royal Military, India Army Officers

• Raysaheb Dr. Ramaji Dhondaji Khanolkar, Royal British Army Officer
• Major G.Captain Vikram Khanolkar, 5/11th Sikh Regiment
• Savitri Khanolkar, Designer of Paramveer Chakra
• Subhedar Vishnu Sakharam Parulekar, (Royal British Army)

Drama Actors and Actress

• Master Mama Mochemadkar, Dashavtar Actor

Musicians,Lyricist,Writers, Novelists,Directors,Producers

• Hirabai Pednekar, Well known Marathi Drama Write (Sawantwadi)
• Bhalji Pendharkar,recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award
• Baburao Pendharkar
• Master Vinayak
• Prabhakar Pendharkar

Educators, Institute Founders

• Raysaheb Dr. Ramaji Dhondaji Khanolkar, Royal Military Official, Founder of RDK Highschool in Vengurla and Primary School.
• Narayan Rao Walawalkar, The Great Royal Circus First Owner
• Mr.Pratap Walawalkar, Proprietor of The Great Royal Circus

Engineer's,Doctors,Scientist and Lawyers

• A. B. Walawalkar (Railway Engineer,Father of Konkan Railway)
• Dr.V. R. Khanolkar was the first pathologist in India, Father of pathology and medical research in India
• Dr.Ramchandra Vishnu Parulekar, Doctor
• Dr.Gangadhar Vishnu Parulekar, Doctor
• Dr.Shrikrishna Khanolkar, Doctor
• Dr.Gholekar, Doctor

See also

• List of Surnames of Gomantak Maratha and Naik Maratha
• Gomantak Maratha Samaj
• Nutan Maratha Samaj
• Konkan
• Konkani people
• Malvani

References

1. ^ About Kalavant Samaj of Goa

External links

• http://konkansthamaratha.blogspot.com/
• http://nmm.co.in/