Issues and Concerns of Billava Community : An Empirical Study with Reference to Dakshina Kannada

Billavas are numerically the largest community of undivided Dakshina Kannada and form nearly one - fifth of the total population. They are one among the socially, educationally and religiously down trodden communities and are considered to be the aborigines of Tulu Nadu. The Billavas are also known as 'baidya' and 'poojary'. The word 'baidya' means 'vaidya' or 'medicine man' and 'poojary' literally means 'worshipper' or 'priest'.

The paper aims at recording the historical facts that rendered the Billava community backward from time immemorial to recent times. It tries to analyze some of the major issues and concerns that have been bothering the community in different walks of life like social, economic, religious, cultural and political. Some of the issues like low social status of the billavas in society, their occupation status, status of the Billava women, Billava conversion to protestant religion and their political status have been discussed. It also seeks suggestions for solving the problems that have been hounding the Billava community since long. The role of Billava elite and community organizations in enhancing the status of Billava community is emphasized.