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Discover the history and status of the Boyar (Oddar) community, a Telugu-speaking group in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This article explores their migration under the Nayaka Kings to build the Meenakshi Amman temple, and their traditional occupations as Kal Oddar (stone-cutters) and Mann Oddar (earth-diggers). We examine the confusion surrounding their caste classification - listed variously as Scheduled Caste (SC), Most Backward Community (MBC), and De-notified Community (DNT) in the Idate Commission Report. Learn why community associations like the Boyar Seva Samajam reject the DNT label, citing a lack of criminal history. The post also covers their modern transition from migrant laborers to construction contractors employing workers from eastern India.
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| The Boyar: Architects of the South and their Struggle for Unified Identity |
The Boyar community, widely known as Oddar in Tamil Nadu, represents a complex case of identity, migration, and administrative classification within the spectrum of India's marginalized groups. Currently studied under the People of India project of the Anthropological Survey of India (An.S.I.), the Boyar narrative challenges the standard definition of "De-notified Tribes," blending a history of monumental construction with modern questions regarding caste categorization.
A Multitude of Names and a Singular Origin
The community is known by various names across Southern India, including Bhovi, Waddar, Odde, and Bandi. The term "Boyar" is used as a respectable plural in Tamil, while "Bandi" (literally meaning 'cart') refers to their historical practice of transporting stone and salt on oxen carts.
Despite these regional variations, the group claims a common origin from the Ganjam and Srikakulam districts of present-day Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Their mythology and oral history suggest they are a single people who acquired different identities as they migrated geographically over time.
Builders of History: The Migration
The Boyar played a literal role in building the history of Southern India. Their earliest significant migration occurred when the Nayaka kings of Madurai brought them from the Andhra/Karnataka regions for specific infrastructure projects. They were instrumental in:
- Digging lakes and ponds.
- Constructing the gopuram (towers) and theppa kulam (tank) of the world-famous Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai.
Occupational Sub-Groups and Social Structure
Traditionally, the community was stratified by labor, though these lines are blurring due to urbanization. The primary sub-groups identified in Tamil Nadu include:
- Kal (or Kallu) Oddar: Stone-cutters.
- Mann (or Mannu) Oddar: Earth-diggers and well-diggers.
- Sunnambu Oddar: Lime-workers.
In their village structures, the headman is traditionally addressed as Boyan or Peddha Boyadu (Chief).
The Debate on Classification: SC, MBC, or DNT?
A major challenge facing the community is the inconsistency of state classification.
- In Tamil Nadu: The "Bandi" are classified as Scheduled Castes (SC), while "Oddar" and "Boyar" are listed as Most Backward Communities (MBC).
- In Karnataka: The same group is enlisted as "Bandi Oddar" under the SC category.
Furthermore, the Idate Commission Report (2017) lists "Boyas" as a De-notified Community (DNT). However, community members and the Boyar Seva Samajam strongly assert that they should not be considered a De-notified community. They argue that historical records do not show their involvement in crimes - a prerequisite for the colonial "Criminal Tribe" label - and that their inclusion in this category is a misconception.
Modern Transition: From Laborers to Contractors
Today, the Boyar are heavily integrated into the construction and infrastructure sectors. While many remain mobile wage laborers camping on the outskirts of towns, a section of the community has achieved upward mobility. Interestingly, Boyar labor contractors in major cities now employ migrant workers from West Bengal and Jharkhand to keep pace with the construction industry's demands, marking a shift from being solely the laborers to becoming the employers.