The Billawar Association, Mumbai : A journey
The Billawar Association, Mumbai was founded in the year 1932 with an aim to unite & work for the overall development of members of the Billawa community. Shri. Narayana Guru is the main inspiration behind the activities of the association.
It is important to go back in time to understand the magnanimity of the pioneering role played by Shri. Narayana Guru in the then culture prevailing in Kerala and coastal areas of Dakshina Kannada. Women from the downtrodden communities were not allowed to walk around in complete clothing, the men folk were subjugated & forced to perform menial jobs, educational opportunities were denied to children, Untouchability was at its height with clear parameters on the length of distance to be maintained by the downtrodden classes – lest their shadow taint the so-called upper class purists. The height of this insanity was that the CREATOR, who created human beings, was out-of-bounds for people from lower caste.
Deeply anguished by the highly castiest society, Shri. Narayana Guru raised the banner against social inequalities & the caste system by giving a clarion call “Unite to become STRONGER by association and get educated to be Independent – free from the unjust bondages of the society”.
He started the movement in Kerala and after a successful response he spread his reformist vision towards Karnataka. Billawas in Karnataka readily took to the preaching’s of Shri. Narayana Guru. His preaching’s resulted in the formation of many associations and Sangha’s in Dakshina Kannada. Slowly many Billawas moved to Mumbai for livelihood & better opportunities. A few of them understood the importance of unity and ventured to establish social organisations.
Several Samitis and Sanghas of Billawas were formed with different ideology but with a common aim of social and cultural improvement. The contributions made in that direction by Brahmhashree Narayana Paramahansa Smaraka Mandali and Prof. Sheshappa are commendable.
FORMATION
The Billawar Association started activities from a solicitor's office at Meadows Street, Fort under the Presidentship of Shri. M. Appanna. As the organisation grew, the various sub-committees channeled the activities of the association in different thrust areas. Around 1947 & 1952, Billawa Youth League and Barkoor Billawar Charity Sangha merged into the Billawar Association. With increased activities The Association opened several Local offices at Chembur, Bhandup, Dombivili and Bhiwandi. In 1974 the office was further shifted to the spacious new building called 'Mohan Terrace' at Mody Street. Currently, the Billawar association is proudly housed in “BILLAWA BHAVAN” a beautiful structure that stands tall in the Mumbai Skyline.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
The Service rendered in the education field is worth noting. In 1933 the importance of education was emphasised through education sub committee, which provided free scholarships. Understanding the importance of knowledge dissemination & to develop the reading habit amongst billawas, free reading room and Library facilities were introduced. One of the most Visionary activities was the NIGHT SCHOOL facility for billawas who came from Tulunad in search of Livelihood. While EARNING livelihood was a basic necessity, the night school provided LEARNING opportunities to acquire higher education & thereby improve the standard of living.
The tireless efforts made by Late Nagesh R Kotian are worth remembering in securing grant for both the Night High schools when the government red-tapism & the prevailing political climate threatened the very survival of both these schools. The association also sponsored the Kannada Bhavan Society for conducting day school for Kannadigas.
In 1951, the association started the Ladies Industrial School in 1951 to provide vocational training to the lady members of the household with an aim to generate self-employment opportunities. The schools are functional at Bhandup and Dombivli Local offices for the benefits of enterprising women section. In 1979, a nursery school was started in Bhandup local office and is catering to the needs of children & the parents.
The Billawar Association conducts Free Coaching for candidates aspiring for IAS, IPS, IFS & IRS examinations.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The association conducts a range of socio-cultural activities to bring together people and to bring about a sense of belongingness & unity amongst community members.
Faith based activities like weekly Guru Pooja, celebration of important festivals like Shivaratri and Guru Jayanthi, Navratri, Haldi-Kumkum, Discourses by Spiritual leaders / Guru’s, Performance of Yagnas for peace and harmony etc have helped the association to strengthen the social fabric of the community. Various activities are held to promote the teachings of Shri. Narayana Guru.
Understanding the axiom “child is the father of a man”, the association recognises the important role in developing the future generation & through it the society at large. The association through its Child Development Committee guides children to develop their personality, to build character and to lead a well-disciplined life thereby shaping responsible citizens of the future. Balavrinda organises many educational & socio-cultural programs & provides a platform for children to experiment with & express their latent abilities.
Shree Guru Narayana Yakshagana Mandali sponsored by the Association performs dramas in different parts of Maharashtra & Karnataka. It is the shining star in the field of Yakshagana. The Yakshagana Mandali has completed 60 years of active existence & is instrumental in keeping the ancient art alive. The Yakshagana team has won various awards. A few notable ones are mentioned. The prestigious Excellence Award in Field Drama, instituted by Cultural Wing of Karnataka Government was awarded to Guru Narayana Yakshagana Mandali. The Diamond Jubilee celebration of Guru Narayana Yakshagana Mandali was attended by the President of Karnataka Yakshagana Academy.
The association has also instituted the “Yakshagana Kala Prashashti”, sponsored by Shri. Jaya C. Suvarna in the fond memory of his beloved Mother, late Acchu Chandu Poojary. The award carries a citation along with a cash award of Rs.10,000/- for outstanding performance in Yakshagana.
The association actively promotes & encourages achievements in the literary field. It has provided the platform for many a budding writers & poets to jump-start in to the Literary arena. The association has instituted the “Shree Narayana Guru Literary Award” - sponsored by Shri. M. B. Kuckian to recognise & acknowledge excellence in the field of literature. The award carries a citation and a cash award of Rs.10,000. Till now, famed literary personalities like Arvinda Nadkarni, Yashwant Chittal, B.A.Sanadi, Dr.Sunita Shetty, Kusumakara Devara Gennura and Dr.A.R.Toro have been the recipients of the prestigious award.
At regular intervals, the association regularly arranges blood donation programs through its local offices thereby helping the society in general.
Mahila Vibhag (Women’s wing) has been formed to give women equal opportunity & say in community matters with the aim to unearth their hidden talents. The mahila vibhag actively organises many socio-cultural programs.
The Shubha Mangala committee brings together brides & grooms from the community. The committee members meet more than once a week & provide a platform for the would-be brides & grooms to find a suitable partner. Shubha Mangala is instrumental for setting many a happy marriages & the committee has now expanded its reach & accessibility through online presence on the billawar.com website.
The Billawar Association has also taken up mammoth task of preparing Directory of Billawas in Mumbai.
YOUTH AND SPORTS
The wise have said - “Sports builds Character”. Considering the importance of sports in building healthy competitive spirit amongst young Billawas, the association promotes sporting activity amongst Billawas.
“A healthy body houses a healthy mind” – and what better way to promote fitness than holding highly competitive athletic meets. Billawa youths earnestly look forward the esteemed ‘KOTI-CHENNAYA” – the Annual Athletics meet conducted around December, every year. This event attracts billawa youths not only from Mumbai & its suburbs but also members from Lonavla, Gujarat etc. Intense competition is witnessed from amongst various local committees for the coveted prizes.
Another event that is closely contested & keenly observed is the KANTA BAARE – BOODA BAARE (Carrom) tournament. Members across all ages, participate enthusiastically in the carrom tournament. This event breaks apart the generation gap & one could see kids competing with senior citizens in this event.
The association also arranges many social activities for the youth to encourage the new generation to take active interest in the noble cause of serving and uplifting the downtrodden.
BILLAWA BHAVAN
A new page has opened after Shri. Jaya C Suvarna was elected as the President of the Billawar Association. The extended BILLAWA BHAVAN, a dream project of the president turned to a pleasant reality on 16th April 2006. The Billawa Bhavan was inaugurated in an impressive ceremony attended by large number of dignitaries and an equally large number of billawas. The function was graced by Shri. Vilasrao Deshmukh – Chief Minister of Maharashtra & Shri. B. Janardhana Poojary – MP & ex-Dy. Finance minister of the Govt. Of India. Please visit the photo gallery page for exquisite photographs of the function.
The Billawa bhavan is a unique & wonderful 6 storeyed building – standing tall gracefully in the Mumbai skyline. The central office of the Billawar Association is housed in Billawa Bhavan. It has a wonderful state-of-the-art auditorium, 2 large halls & a conference room.
GUIDANCE
The Billawar Association championed the cause of Billawas for inclusion of “Billawa” community in the OBC list of the Maharashtra State. Because of its untiring efforts, the OBC status was declared in August 1995. In order to help community members to take full advantage of benefits of Other Backward Class (OBC) status, the Association guides members through the process of obtaining OBC certificate. Due to the able guidance provided by the OBC guidance team of the association, many students of the community could secure admission to professional courses like Medicine, Engineering, etc.
ORGANISATIONS FLOATED
Another great achievement to be noted with satisfaction is the founding of THE BHARAT CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. In 1973 a sub committee to work in that direction was appointed and on 14-4-1975 the intending Promoters were called. The name “The Bharat Co-operative Bank Ltd” was registered in 1977 and the Bank commenced business operations from August 1978. Shri. Varad Ullal was the founder Chairman. The Bank progressed very fast and as on 31st March 2007, it had a business mix of around 2500 crores. The Bank has been a launch pad for many small-time enterprenuers to leapfrog in to the big business league. After Shri. Jaya Suvarna took over the reins as Chairman of the bank; the Bank saw rapid progress & growth. The bank currently is one of the TOP-TEN Co-op banks in India.
The Billawar Sevadal run by the Association consists of 60 well-disciplined volunteers who help to maintain discipline and decorum in the meetings, functions and processions. They also help in conducting and organizing festivals/celebrations. The Sevadal has earned a good reputation for their excellent organising capabilities. Other sister organisations with origins from DK, also requisition the services of Seva Dal.
AKSHAYA MAGAZINE
In 1988 another chapter was added to the history of the Association by starting the Akshaya magazine to bring out the literary talent within the community. Akshaya has been a launch pad for budding writers & poets who have soared to greater heights after the initial nurturing by the Akshaya editorial board. Akshaya – a popular magazine in Mumbai, has also gained good ground in the literary world in South Kanara.
Mr. N. P. Suvarna was the first Managing Editor and Mr. M. S. Kotian was the first Editor. Today, the Akshaya is the most awaited magazine in Billawa households as it brings out complete information about the happenings in the Billawa community along with good quality articles on various topics. The editorial board under Shri. M B Kuckian has made the magazine a household name in Tuluva families with original content & equally aesthetic presentation. The frank & forthright editorials ignite the thinking process in the readers & is one of the main attractions in Akshaya.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Space constraints restrict the listing of activities done by the association. But the significant ones are Mumbai Kannada Sahitya Parishattu held in 1960 and 1969. The Innovation adopted in the fund raising programs especially from 1974 is worth noting. The first fund raising in big scale - Image of India on 1-1-1974, Mahendra Kapoor Night in 1975 & Mahesh Kumar Night in 1976 were of special significance. In addition there were school days, anniversaries, Silver Jubilee and Golden Jubilee celebrations which gave different waves of support from members and well-wishers. The Association celebrated Silver Jubilee in 1957 in the gracious presence of Shri. Jayachamarajendra Wadeyer while the Golden Jubilee in 1983 graced by Shri S. P. Godrej.
CONCLUSION
Local Offices & Co-ordination Offices of the Association backed with other sub committees have all single-mindedly worked on the one point agenda of uplifting of needy & destitute in the community. All in all, the Association has echoed the teachings of Brahmashree Narayana Guru in the best possible manner with the help of selfless service of many persons.
The Billawar Association today is in the doorsill of PLATINUM ERA after celebrating its Diamond Jubilee. The majestic BILLAWA BHAVAN is made available to the Billawas in Mumbai to propagate the cultural, social and educational activities.
The history of Billawar Association since 1932 has been made and led under various dynamic presidents beginning from late M. Appanna to the current highly charismatic president Shri. Jaya C. Suvarna. Though a few names are mentioned in this document, lots & lots of members - right from 1932 till today, have selflessly & tirelessly contributed to make the association what it is today. Though listing the names of all major contributors may not be possible, it is important to not forget their contributions in building the awesome BILLAWAR ASSOCIATION.