Hebbar Iyengar

Hebbar is a Kannada word which is a combination of Hiriya Haruva meaning elderly Brahmins in Kannada. Sri Ramanuja Referred his new disciples who converted to Sri Vaishnavism as Hebbar[2]

The details of Hebbar Iyengar origin was published long back in the Hebbar Srivaishnava magazine called "Hebbar Kshema". A historical novel written by Smt. Neeladevi about the life of Ramanuja in Karnataka named "Dhanya" gives similar answers to the origin of Hebbar Srivaishnavas. [3]

During 12th Century Sri Ramanujacharya fled Tamil Nadu escaping persecution of Vaishnavas by the Chola King who wanted to kill him. He came and settled in the Hoysala Kingdom. When he was in Tondanur (Tonnur) near Melukote, a group of elderly Kannada Brahmins from Ramanathapura, Saligrama came to Tondanur and heard Sri Ramanujacharyas discourses on Srivaishnava Philosophy. Impressed by the preaching of Ramanuja they offered to convert to Srivaishnava Religion and they became followers of Ramanuja. Sri Ramanuja affectionately called this group of Elderly Brahmins who became his disciples as Hebbar. Hebbar is a Kannada word which is a combination of Hiriya Haruva, which means elderly Brahmins in Kannada. Thus the sect called Hebbar Iyengar originated in the erstwhile Hoysala Kingdom of 12th Century. So Hebbar Srivaishnavas are originally Kannada Brahmins (Advaitins) who got converted to Srivaishnavism, impressed by the teachings of Sri Ramanuja and they are not Jains or backward caste as some say.[4]

Sri Ramanujacharya asked them to settle in Ashta Gramas or eight villages namely Bindiganavile, Kadaba, Nuggehalli, Nonavinakere, Shantigrama in the Hoysala Kingdom in the present day Southern Karnataka region called Hale Mysooru. Later they spread across various places in the region. Thus

They have their Haathperumal in different places of these districts. Since their ancestor's mother tongue was Kannada they still have the affliction towards Kannada. Gradually they learnt to speak Tamil, mainly to learn the Alwars Divya Prabhandams which are the essential religious works which a Srivaishnava has to learn and recite. [5]

Hebbar Iyengars study Kannada in schools as their prime language and cannot read and write in Tamil. They read the Ramanuja's philosophical works and Alwars Divya Prabhandams that are translated to Kannada or English. However, they recite NalayiraDivyaPrabhandams in Temples in Karnataka forming Goshtis (Groups). They are also called Melnatu Iyengars as they are residing in the High Deccan plateau of Karnataka. [6]

Hebbar Iyengars are mainly found in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Tumkur, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Chikkaballapura, Kolar and Chamarajanagar districts of Southern Karnataka.[7]

Hebbar Iyengar diaspora are now found in many states of India and also in UK, USA, Singapore, Australia and other Foreign countries.

Scientists

• Raja Ramanna (1925–2004), Indian Physicist, Nuclear Scientist. Awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1975
• M. R. Srinivasan (b: 1930), Indian Nuclear Scientist. Awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2015

Writers and Poets

• Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar (1904–1991), Kannada Writer. Awarded Sahitya Academy Award in 1981
• G. P. Rajarathnam (1909–1979), Kannada Poet, writer
• Nanjangud Tirumalamba (1887–1982), First Female Kannada Writer, publisher, Newspaper Editor. Karnataka Rajya Sahitya Academy honoured her in 1980

Politicians and Administrators

• H. V. R. Iyengar (1902–1978), 6th Governor of Reserve Bank of India and Member of Indian Civil Service. Awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1962

Film/Television Artists and Director

• B. S. Ranga (1917–2010), Kannada Film director
• J Jayalalithaa (1946-2016), Tamil Actress and Chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
• Kalyan Kumar (1928–1999), Kannada Film Actor
• Prithviraj (Kannada actor) (b: 1948), Kannada Film Actor
• Vidya Murthy (b: 1956), Kannada TV Serial and Film Actress

Musicians

• Raghu Dixit (b: 1974) Indian Singer, Music Composer of Indian Ethnic Music

Notes

Citations