Havyakas in England
By Dr. Roopashree.J. Bhat Birmingham.U.K.
roopabhatuk@yahoo.co.uk
Historical Background
In the modern period, India had the longest connection with Britain, stretching to three centuries of British Rule. During this period, a pioneer historian, Buchannan, profiled this ethnic brahmin community living in North Kanara and coastal districts. He wrote about Havyaka language, culture and literacy levels which were authenticated by Gazette notifications pertaining to British Rule in this part of India. Though people from this community did not have high levels of English education, British held them in high esteem for their scholarships in Sanskrit, culture, hard work and integrity. It is because of these traits, British employed them as village heads [Patel], Shanbhaug or revenue accountants. These jobs were conferred hereditary, acknowledging their trust and confidence in this community. Since havyakas had very limited access to English education, they could not go for higher learning in western medicine, engineering etc. Their scholarly pursuits were confined to study of Vedas, Shastras and Ayurveda. Because of this limitation they did not reach higher echelons of administration and could not travel to Britain before the 20th Century.
Early Migrants to Britain
When havyaka youths got access to English education, higher studies in western medicine, technology or science, they started moving to west, initially for higher studies and whenever opportunities came, to work and settle as migrants. At this period opportunities came up both in UK and USA, but many preferred the latter. Several havyaka doctors after few years of study and training in UK chose to migrate to USA because of greater opportunities there. Therefore, the number of persons who came to UK and settled here prior to 1960 is not available. However, among the early migrants one recalls [1] Narayana Nettar, a Bar-at Law who worked closely with V K Krishna Menon and along with him relocated in the Supreme Court of India around 1960. [2] Dr Kainthaje Mahalinga Bhat a doctor who arrived in 1960,married and settled to practice in London till his death. [3] Dr Katar Subramanya Bhat an agriculture scientist came to UK in 1964, married and worked in a university till his death in 2008. [4] Dr Khandige Keshava Bhat came in the year 1972, qualified as a Psychiatrist, practiced as a NHS consultant at Belfast till his recent retirement. He has five children all qualified and settled in UK.
Present Havyaka Diaspora in UK
A detailed survey of Havyaka families spread all over UK was conducted in June 2015.The list enumerating such families, region wise, profession wise, names of spouses, children, their root in India, gothra, year and present status in UK, telephone, mobile and e-mail id were all compiled. According to this study there are 95 such families with over 300 persons of havyaka origin living in UK. They fall under the category of Citizens, Permanent Resident or Work permit holders. Apart from this there may be a few students. Profile of these migrants’ reveals that they constitute the highly qualified doctor/dentist [40] well educated/trained IT/Engineers [45] and the rest with MBA or other specialist skills. They have come from all parts of Karnataka and Kerala states. The arrival of doctors has been restricted post EU and after 2000 the migrants are mainly from the technocrat category.
Havyaka Balaga UK
The above listed families form the core group of the Havyaka Balaga UK.. Its Mission is said to be “To provide a common Forum to establish connectivity among members of this ethnic group and find oneness in their roots and foster their culture” This Balaga maintains a directory of its members with family details as mentioned above, an active email and Whatsapp group for regular communication. Dr Roopashree. J. Bhat, Mr Ramesh Barur and Mr Ganapati Bhat administer the group.
It must be said that this migrant group has been professionally and economically very successful, their children finding places in best of schools/universities and are highly regarded in the British society. Though bright future holds for the past migrants, further migration is becoming highly restricted and difficult in spite of the communities proven record.
(The author is a medical practitioner in Birmingham)