The kurumas trace their descent from their tribal god Mallanna (Malia Reddy) who was fabled to have originally been a Kapu by caste. It is believed that Mallanna was born out of Mali Chemata (the next sweat) of Lord Siva. Malia Reddy was the son of Neelamma and Adi Reddy, the ruler of Kolhapur. However, Prof. M.L.K. Murthy gives a different story and says that Elanagi Reddy was the forefather of the kurumas Elanagi Reddy was the son of Adi Reddy and Ademma. He says that Elanagi Reddy and Beerappa are one and the same.
According to E.Thurston and K.Rangachari, Undala Padmanna was the ancestor of the Kurbas. Padmanna was the son of Masi Reddy and Neelamma, who lived on the eastern ghats. Mallikarjuna, the founder of the kurumas was the son of Chokkam Devi and Adiredu who was the ruler of Chandikapura. Mallanna was made the God of shepherds by Lord Mahadeva. Once Mallanna, having ploughed his farm, collected the rubbish and disposed of it by burning it on an ant hill. Two sheep had already been sheltered by Parvathi in the ant-hill, and being oppressed by the intense heat of the fire, they came out and solicited Mallanna for protection. Mallanna reluctantly consented and desired them to follow him to his dwelling. On arrival at his house, he found that thy sheep had multiplied ihto thousands. Dismayed and confused at this strange development, he appealed for relief to the God Siva, who came down from Kailas, transformed him into a god, and assigned to him the duties of presiding over the destinies of the shepherd class.
According to E.Thurston and K.Rangachari, Undala Padmanna was the ancestor of the Kurbas. Padmanna was the son of Masi Reddy and Neelamma, who lived on the eastern ghats. Mallikarjuna, the founder of the kurumas was the son of Chokkam Devi and Adiredu who was the ruler of Chandikapura. Mallanna was made the God of shepherds by Lord Mahadeva. Once Mallanna, having ploughed his farm, collected the rubbish and disposed of it by burning it on an ant hill. Two sheep had already been sheltered by Parvathi in the ant-hill, and being oppressed by the intense heat of the fire, they came out and solicited Mallanna for protection. Mallanna reluctantly consented and desired them to follow him to his dwelling. On arrival at his house, he found that thy sheep had multiplied ihto thousands. Dismayed and confused at this strange development, he appealed for relief to the God Siva, who came down from Kailas, transformed him into a god, and assigned to him the duties of presiding over the destinies of the shepherd class.
For Mallanna katha visit Mallanna Charitra
ReplyDelete