“”కమ్మవాడి చేతులు కట్టినా నిలవడు”
“”కమ్మవారికి భూమి భయపడుతుంది”
“”ఎక్కడ నీరు ఉంటుందో అక్కడ కమ్మవారు ఉంటారు”
“నీటికి నాట్యం నేర్పినవారు కమ్మవారు”
These are some of the proverbs historically being used in the course of Kamma community’s evolution and progression. This article explores the essence behind the emergence of such proverbs and importance of their sustenance over ages.
A Proverb, having a spectrum of synonyms per se an adage, maxim, an aphorism, wise saying, epigram et al, is a plain factual saying that emerged either from an experience or common sense and has become a habitual repetition for ages. Proverbs usually take root from cultures native to a specific region or language and based on the religion existent in that region they get distributed to further generations via holy scriptures of that religion. For example, in India proverbs are taught over the periods using Upanishads, Puranas, Vedas, and holy book of Hindus, The Gita. Likewise Bible and Quran have emerged as chief propagators of such proverbs or maxims for Christians and Muslim brethren respectively.
As every culture has got its distinctive proverbs, Kamma community too has its share of proverbs that have been used for generations. Historians and Anthropologists who have organized an extensive research on Indian caste system have discussed this scrupulously in their writings. Subhamastu.co strives to bring this wealth of information for the advantage of current generations. Being a dedicated Kamma Matrimony Portal our core focus is to furnish information on Kamma caste to the maximum extent possible. Those proverbs which this article covers are age old and were mentioned by an eminent British Historian who authored an almanac (A book in multiple volumes) on caste system in Southern India christened “Castes and Tribes of Southern India” in the year 1909. A kind of encyclopaedia that was thoroughly researched for years and authored more than a century back covering proverbs about Kammas in those days say the importance of Kamma community at any point of time in the history. Also many official gazettes issued by then British government cover these proverbs.
Some Proverbs:
“”కమ్మవాడి చేతులు కట్టినా నిలవడు” (A Kamma will never keep quiet even if you tie his hands)
“”కమ్మవారికి భూమి భయపడుతుంది” (Land fears Kammas)
“”ఎక్కడ నీరు ఉంటుందో అక్కడ కమ్మవారు ఉంటారు” (Where there is water, you can find Kammas there)
“నీటికి నాట్యం నేర్పినవారు కమ్మవారు” (Kammas have a credit of teaching dance to water)
“కమ్మవారు చేరితే మిగతా జాతులు వెళ్ళును” (If Kammas come together others exit)
“”కమ్మవారింట్లో పండింటిగుంజలకు కూడా పని చెబుతారు” (In Kamma’s houses even pillars will also be delegated work).
A glance on the above proverbs distinctly conveys the characteristics of “Kammas” and their shatterproof relationships with land, water, and agriculture. For instance, if we analyse the sayings “Where there is water, you can find Kammas there” or “Kammas have a credit of teaching dance to water” or “Land fears Kammas”, they in shorter words elucidate the expertise of Kammas in cultivation and agriculture related activities. Kammas in the course of history and process of migration explored, identified, and settled in those areas where the land is arable and equipped with water resources. Secondly, to carve the paths for taking the water to drench the lands Kammas have created channels, culverts, and other means of watercourses connecting water resources to land.
“Land fears Kammas” may sound exaggerated but it is not. Kammas are eminent for deriving optimum output from practicing innovative and high-yield producing cultivation methodologies and thus it is said any kind of arable land can be made to perform at its best in the hands of Kamma farmers. Thus the proverb emerged.
Other adage “A Kamma will never keep quiet even if you tie his hands” signifies industrious and hardworking nature of Kammas. These traits of Kammas are well known not only in India but also across the borders. Their energetic approach to any work coupled with inclination to take calculated risks and adopt innovative practices has made them successful creating a chapter for the community in the history of Indian agriculture and business. Not only in India, several of them have success stories in USA, UK, Singapore, Middle-East, Australia, Africa and other countries.
The saying “In Kamma’s houses even pillars will also be delegated work” speaks volumes about their administration and leadership skills. They are proficient and dextrous in putting resources, either human or non-human, to optimum use and derive largest benefit. Though this proverb is used in tongue-in-cheek perspective as any physical pole can’t be directed to do something, it also carries the seriousness about Kammas line of tactic towards organizing resources and executing the tasks.
Akin to the above there are so many maxims and factual sayings created or written on Kammas which Subhamastu.co would bring to you from time to time.