Welcome to Arya Vysya
The Arya Vaishya or Arya Vysya (also known as Komati) is a Telugu-speaking Indian caste. Orthodox Komatis follow rituals prescribed in the Vasavi Puranam, a religious text written in the late medieval times. Vasavi (Kanyakamba) is the kuladevi of the Komatis. The Komatis are divided into two sub-sects, the Gavara Komatis and the Kalinga Komatis.
Inclusion into the Vaishya Varna
The Komatis became a part of the Vaishya during British colonial times. The Komatis desired to be members of the Vaishya caste. However, the Niyogi (Brahmin) councillors who controlled the powerful Mandri Mahanad did not accept or support their claim.
Attempts by Komatis to adopt orthodox Vaishya rituals drew the hostile attention of Niyogis. When a Komati family in Masulipatnam announced their intention to perform the Upanayana ceremony for their son, leaders of the Mahanad invaded the house, polluted the fire and stopped the ceremony. Violent encounters along these lines leading to loss of lives were noted in 1784, 1803, 1809, 1817 and 1820.
