Hela Mehtar

The Hela Mehtar are a Sunni Muslim community found in the state of Rajasthan in India.[1]

Origin

The Hela are a community of musicians. They claim to have come from Arabia, sometime in the distant past. The Hela are found in the districts of udaipur Bundi, Kota, Tonk and Jhalawar. They speak the Hadoti dialect of Hindi. According to some traditions, the community are Muslim converts from the Hindu Bhangi caste. The Hela are strictly endogamous, and marry close kin.[1]

Present

Their traditional occupation was musicians,instrumentalists,singers etc. Many are now employed in municipal corporate. They are a landless community, and many are employed as wage labourers. Now Hela lives in udaipur ujjain bundi dhar susner The Hela are well versed inragas such as dadri and thumri, but practice many folk beliefs.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 K.S. Singh, ed. (1998-04-01). and madhyapradesh People of India: Rajasthan: Volume XXXVIII, Part One. Popular Prakashan. pp. 422—425. ISBN 978-8171547661.
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