An Ethnological Book - a redaction in
Kannada of its predecessor in English - on Mogaveera Community of Tulu Nadu was
released on 12th October, 2014 at Uchila Mahalaxmi Temple.
Book: Mogaveera Samaja – Ondu Adhyana
Author: Sadananda K. Uchila, A-304, Dheeraj Basera CHS Ltd, Chincholi Bunder
Road, Malad(W), Mumbai-400 064 .Cell: +91
9820774912. e.mail: sadanandauchila@gmail.com
Honorary Publishers: D.K. Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha, Uchila & Mogaveera Seva Sangha (Bagwadi
Hobli 1941), Mumbai; Size: Demy with 329 pages + Front & Back matters. Price: Rs.250/- (Delivery charges not mentioned).
Introduction
Genre of such ethnological books are
available mostly in the form of economic surveys by respective Governments of all
States where fishing is a major occupation. This book, however, is a first of
its kind in Karnataka written by a Mogaveera with first-hand knowledge about
the community. The book gives an introduction
to prehistory of fisher-folk, though without an exhaustive study. A scholastic approach is needed for such a
study. So the author leaves it to the future researchers. Nevertheless, book captures exhaustive pictures
of recent times on the life and culture of Mogaveeras. Kudos to the author for
this yeoman’s service. Despite many Reviews in media and periodicals, this one
is mainly meant for readers of this Blog.
Object
The object of the author is to mirror
the history of the community, known for their co-operative way of living –
socially and professionally –from hoary past to the present day. He gives the glimpses of skilled artisanal
fishing based on co-operative principle and to the modern day technologically
advanced way of labour-intensive fishing with joint or individual ownership of
mechanized fishing boats with Statistics.Mechanized fishing has rung a
death-knell to traditional fishing, such as Ramponi, which was based on
co-operation. Transformation is phenomenal of toilers of river and sea, traversing
hazy past to the present. They were a mere poverty-stricken fishers providing
fish-food to others with low income then and are now highly compensated, commensurate
with their catch of fish.Present generation has forayed into various professional
fields and trade and commerce with modern education. Authentic details given by
the author prove this fact.Thanks to the foresight of community elders, who
left the shores of the district (undivided South Kanara) in search of new
pastures, for giving importance to education and providing financial help to
primary and elementary school students through their individual village-sabhas!
Profile of Study
Profile of the Study is planned in
thirteen sections. Chapters 1 to 9 deal with topics, viz. Origin of Mogaveeras,
their habitats, customs, festivities, occupations, Organizations taking care of the community
from village level to federations, leading to addressing problems – social and
economical, and lastly, some gems of Mogaveera community. Remaining Chapters
pertain to analytical documentation of socio-religious and economic data from
community annals of past and present to Government Studies and back matter (i.e.
acknowledgements, References to further reading and feed-backs).
Evaluation
There is no repository of data
readily available about Mogaveeras, except in legends, oral literature and
caste census done during colonial era in 19thand 20th Centuries and in
some other books on the erstwhile District, known as Tulu Nadu. Legends may not be taken fully on its face
value but it definitely hints at some historical truth.Extra-ordinary patience
and pains taken by the author for collection of data is emulative.
Different caste names of
fishing-folks in India do not make them a homogenous group. So the estimation of time of origin of
Mogaveera, based on generally accepted migration theory, is debatable.
Matrilineal system, based on
Goddess-mother cult, is still followed in many parts of the world. I may point
out a confusion in citing a belief about Babbarya (p.173), identifying him to
Babruvahana and also as son of Arjuna and Pramila, Kerala Queen (as against
Arjuna and Chitrangada, the Princess of Manipur in Mahabharat). Matrilineal system is generally followed
in Western Coast and also in East India.This consideration might have tempted
the author to include this piece of information.
‘Mogaveera’ is an honorific
appellation now adopted by fishing community of Dakshina Kannada. As an
exigency, fishing classes in Karnataka known by different names,forged an
alliance. So the Government applies this single nomenclature to all fishing
communities of Karnataka enabling them to take advantage of
Government-sponsored schemes.
The Book is valuable in that it brings
out many facets of the community hitherto unknown. The Book may generally help both budding
ethnologists and scholars in Anthropology as source book in future.
Design & Style
‘What we see when we read’ is a motto
of Peter Mendelsund, who is a much sought after Designer of Book Covers. The suggestive
Title Cover design of this Book proves this fact.
The style is simple, straight and
informal. Topics are systematically classified and explained as a conspectus. The effectiveness of the book is enhanced by
the informative picture-plates throughout the pages.
Conclusion
The author has achieved a fair
measure of success in giving essential facts in a condensed form with the help
of primary and secondary sources of information from coast to inland. The Book is a welcome addition to one’s
library.
About the
Author
The author, known to the reviewer, was
a Taxation Executive in Government and Corporate Offices. He is engaged in
social work and indulges himself in activities of community organizations.
Beamish photo of the
author on front cover corner, reminds me a stanza in Someshwara Shataka:
ಕೆಲವಂ ಬಲ್ಲವರಿಂದೆ
ಕಲ್ತು ಕೆಲವಂ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳಂ ಕೇಳುತಂ
ಕೆಲವಂ ಮಾಳ್ಪವರಿಂದ
ಕಂಡು ಕೆಲವಂ ಸುಜ್ಞಾನದಿಂ ನೋಡುತ್ತ
ಕೆಲವಂ ಸಜ್ಜನರ
ಸಂಗದಿಂದಲರಿಯಲ್ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞನಪ್ಪ ನರಂ
ಪಲವುಂಪಳ್ಳ
ಸಮುದ್ರವೈ ಹರಹರಾ ಶ್ರೀ ಚೆನ್ನ ಸೋಮೇಶ್ವರ.
This description of a learned fits aptly to S.K. Uchila.
- Hosabettu Vishwanath, Pune
