Varna : Vaishya. Ganigas have been classified as Economically Backward Class in the state if Karnataka and OBC (Other Backward Caste) in Maharashtra.
Language : Ganigas speak Kannada, Tulu or Telugu as their mother tongue.
Regional Spread : Ganigas mainly reside in different parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. A small number of Ganiga community is also settled in parts of Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad and many other cities in India. Members of Ganiga Community have also settled in the USA, Canada and UAE.
Traditional Occupation : In earlier times, Ganigas were engaged in the business of crushing oil seeds to extract oil. Today, many Ganigas have set up their own shops and udupi restaurants.
Food Habits : Mostly non-vegetarian
Marriage Preference : Seek matrimonial alliances within their own community.
Famous Personalities
- TJA Ganiga - Ex Chairman and MD of the Andra Bank.
- Dr JV Subbaraman - Geologist
- R Prabhakar - called the Darshini Brahma. He started the concept of 'Darshini' and made the cost of food affordable to the general public.
- Late Suragikatte Basava Ganiga - leading Maddale player
History and Origin : In ancient India, vegetable oils were extracted by crushing oilseeds using an oil-press called ghana. A Ganiga is a person who extracts oil using a ghana. In Sanskrit literature of about 500 BC there is a specific reference to an oil-press, or Ghanis, although it was never described.
About Ganigas : Enterprising Ganiga entrepreneurs have set up many Udupi Hotels in Bangalore and other prominent cities in Karnataka. Many members of the community though remain economically backward even in present times. Ganigas have been certified as economically backward class in the state of Karnataka. In Bangalore Ganigas are also known as somakshatriyas and are very actively performing tasks of developing the community.
View Comments
| By DINAKAR.S.A. (on Oct 08, 2011 12:31 PM) Hai, all ganiga community peoples i like to say namaskara and also make them to be conscious about our status,position,and improve them in economically and socially as other caste people have the feeling .we all are one ,we shd work for the upliftment of our community and nation ,let modi sir of gujarath become future prime minister . v r ready to serve for the community people in this soverign nation.yours feelings support make our community people to enrich with rich heritage.
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