Padmasali (caste)

The term Padmasali is derived from two words Padma and Sali, The Padma means lotus and Sali means weaver.[7] The word Padma referring to the myth of the thread was a lotus which sprang from the navel of Vishnu.[8]

The Padmasalis are part of the wider community of Telugu weavers, who are known as "Sale" or "Saliya".

The Padmasalis follow their mythological origins and Puranas such as Kulapurana and Markandeya Purana.[1]

The Padmasalis and the Devangas, who are another caste of weavers, were originally a single caste in ancient times and followed Vaishnavism. The caste then split due to differences in faith, with the Devangas being influenced by Lingayatism and accepting Chamundeswari, the fierce form of Durga as their kuladevi. The Padmasalis maintained their belief in Vaishnavism. The Padmasalis eventually specialised in weaving clothes of all varieties.[1]

The Padmasalis are originally of Brahmin origin and trace their lineage to Sage Bhrigu through Sage Markandeya. Sage Markandeya performed a sacrifice and out of the sacrifice came Bhavanarishi, who married two daughters of the sun god Surya and had 101 sons. The Padmasalis are believed to be the descendants of these 101 sons of sages, and so follow Brahmin rites, though "the Padmasalis are widely scattered and the degree of ceremonial purity of their customs varies in different regions. [For example] In the district of Medak of Hyderabad State, all sorts of religious ceremonies were performed by the Padmasalis, instead of the Brahmins."[9]

Today, while some Padmasali continue to weave expensive and popular saris and maintain showrooms such as Nalli to facilitate commercial sales, there is a growing decline of the traditional occupation as many pursue higher education and "diversification of occupation, thus leading to a "[decrease] in the number of handloom workers from this community".[9]

The Padmasalis are further divided into two groups based on Sampradaya, being the Shaivas and the Vaishnavas. While the Shaivas give preference to worshipping Shiva, the Vaishnavas give preference to worship of Vishnu. These religious and occupational distinctions are no bar to interdining and intermarriage.[1]

They worship local goddesses such as Chamundeswari and Yellamma. The latter is traditionally considered to be the mother of Parasurama and is identified with Renuka.[1]

The Padmasalis identify with Brahmins, conduct all of their ceremonies in the Brahmin style, and wear the sacred thread.[10] As documented in a in-depth study of the Padmasali sabha,

One of the priests from Sholapur stated that the only difference in rituals performed by the Brahmins and the Padmasalis is that a Brahmin follows "puranokta" [stotras] whereas the Padmasali follows "vedokta" [stotras].[9]

• Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti[11]
• Butta Renuka[12]

• Puttapaka Saree
• Kaikala
• Pattusali
• Telugu castes

• Padmasali (Markandeya) Sangam, Padmashali Directory is available here, Hyderabad
• Padmashali International Welfare Association, Vijayawada