The history of Konaseema Dravidulu is not the usual story of migration of a community, either of choice or compulsion, but a strange one of a precious gift by one ruler to another.
Chalukya ruler Rajendra Cholan had given his daughter, Rani Ammanga Devi in marriage to Raja Raja Narendra, ruler of Vengi (1022-1063) (the capital of which is the present Rajahmundry). It is said that along with the bride were gifted eighteen families of Vedic scholars from Velangaman on the banks of river Kaveri. They travelled on foot carrying 'Agnihotram', the ritualistic fire that is their constant companion. Some more families seem to have joined them subsequently.
The first piece of land gifted to them was Ryali near Ravulapalem in East Godavari District. There they built a small temple and installed the idol 'Jagan Mohan Murti', they had brought along with them. It is a rare piece of artistic sculpture Vishnu from the front and Mohini from the back. These Dravidians seem to have subsequently shifted and settled in Peruru and other neighboring villages, and 'Arava Dibbalu' as they are locally called, stand mute testimony to their first settlement in Ryali.
Naryana Bhat, a pre-eminent scholar among them, is said to have assisted Nannayya Bhat in translation of the Sanksrit Vyasa Bharatam into Telugu. He is also said to have assisted the king in state matters. In recognition and appreciation of his services, Nandampudi Agraharam near Amalapuram was granted to him and some of the Dravidian families settled there.
A major settlement of these Dravidian families from Velangaman was however Peruru ('Peria Ooru' big village in Tamil) near Amalapuram in East Godavari District. It is said to have been gifted by a Palivela ruler.
Chalukya ruler Rajendra Cholan had given his daughter, Rani Ammanga Devi in marriage to Raja Raja Narendra, ruler of Vengi (1022-1063) (the capital of which is the present Rajahmundry). It is said that along with the bride were gifted eighteen families of Vedic scholars from Velangaman on the banks of river Kaveri. They travelled on foot carrying 'Agnihotram', the ritualistic fire that is their constant companion. Some more families seem to have joined them subsequently.
The first piece of land gifted to them was Ryali near Ravulapalem in East Godavari District. There they built a small temple and installed the idol 'Jagan Mohan Murti', they had brought along with them. It is a rare piece of artistic sculpture Vishnu from the front and Mohini from the back. These Dravidians seem to have subsequently shifted and settled in Peruru and other neighboring villages, and 'Arava Dibbalu' as they are locally called, stand mute testimony to their first settlement in Ryali.
Naryana Bhat, a pre-eminent scholar among them, is said to have assisted Nannayya Bhat in translation of the Sanksrit Vyasa Bharatam into Telugu. He is also said to have assisted the king in state matters. In recognition and appreciation of his services, Nandampudi Agraharam near Amalapuram was granted to him and some of the Dravidian families settled there.
A major settlement of these Dravidian families from Velangaman was however Peruru ('Peria Ooru' big village in Tamil) near Amalapuram in East Godavari District. It is said to have been gifted by a Palivela ruler.
Smt. Jyoti Ayyalasomayajula garu,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the posting, I searched and we got your posting in 2012.
This is Ganti Chandrasekahra Sastry (great grand son of Sir Ganti Lakshmana garu of Peruru and grand son of Late Justice G.C. Satry garu ( I am his name sake),.
How were our last names derived as Ganti -- did we first settle in the Ganti Village -- I know it is still there. Any thoughts / elaborations will be most welcome. I was born and was frequently visited our areas -- not any time recently.
Best regards,
C.S. Ganti (aka in India Ganti Chandrasekhara Sastry)
currently Boston Metro resident in the USA
where do we belong to Ganti Chainlu----Ganti Mukhalingam, Ganti chiranjivulu, Ganti Venkatesham, Golladi Agraharam KrishnaraiPuram Vijayanagaram
ReplyDeleteDon't know but I am from same family
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great to know about the origin. We are a konaseema dravida sect who have gone to tamil nadu and settled in places like tirunelveli and Melur near Madurai. Even our great grandparents cultivated speaking telugu at home, though is a little different from Andhra telugu
ReplyDeleteDear Ganti Chandrasekhara Sastry Jr. garu,
ReplyDeleteI met Justice GSS in Kakinada in the early 1960s in the Engineering College campus of Kakinada in the residence of Prof. Ganti Subrahmanyam a renowned professor of Electronics and Telecommunication Enginnering; I was studying Electrical Engineering at that time and graduated in 1963. I met his relatives such as Pappu Somasundaram garu also there. His younger brother Sri Pappu Venkata Rao garu former Chemical Examiner of Madras Presidency happens to be the father-in-law of Prof. Ganti Subrahmanyam. I was very close to these families.
One of the grandson’s of Justice GSS was in Abu Dhabi working as a doctor during the 1990s and his name was Nookala Subrahmanyam and he was married to a descendent of Harikatha Pitamaha Adibhatla narayana Dasu garu of Ajjada in Vizianagaram District (now). Dr. Nookala Subrahmanyam left Abu Dhabi to look after his ailing father and the landed property in Peruru. I have no further contacts with him.
Our Ganti families settled many years ago leaving Peruru in the village of kaluvarayi near Bobbili and we are referred to as Toorpu Dravidulu. Our house in Kaluvarayi was just opposite to that of the house of Kavyakntha Ayalasomayajula Ganapati Sastry Garu who was a close friend and guru of my grandfather Ganti Lakshminarayana garu. Looking at our family name Ganti people refer to us as Peruru Darvidulu.
Very happy to see your comment here.
Be safe and remain protected in these pandemic times.
Best wishes
Ganti Prasada Rao
PS: Look into Google search to know further details about me if you are interested.
Nice comments by a Sri Ganti Prasada Rao renowned IIT professor of Electrical engineering who has been an Advisor in Abu Dhabi,Humboldt Fellow,Visiting profesxor in France and Royal society professor.An intellectual of high calibre.My father in law Sri Maruvada Gowrishanker is a descendant of Harikatha pitamaha Sriadhibhatla Narayananadasu garu.
DeleteI am Justice GCSastry's brother Dr.Ganti Vinayakarao's grandson.He is the first telugu Doctor to obtain MD in Gynecology from Madras medical college in 1943.
DeleteDr.Nukala Subrahmanyam.
Sir. Very delighted to know this details of our Origin. I am Rajappa, born in Kovilpatti, Tirunelveli Dist, Tamilnadu.Our Family name also Ganti.But while comparing, Praravaram, Gothram and House name it is seen that mainly Vathoola Hothram comes under Ganti house.whereas we belong to Kutsa Gothram, but house name is said as Ganti.Now after reading this article,I understand the we come under Peruru Ganti. Any further details is welcome. Rajappa.
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DeleteJyoti and Others, Pranams to you all. very very nice to know the origins of "Konaseema Dravida" in Andhra. We are currently in Kadapa district actually, three families migrated from Konaseema to Rayalaseema; One settled in Proddatur, One in Cuddapah (kadapa) and another one in Kamalapuram. We have relations in Ganti line up as well .. one such family is in Mylapore, Chennai.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this info.It is new knowledge to me , Raja Thatha
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