Kawali
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(From People of India/ National Series Volume VIII. Readers who wish to share additional information/ photographs may please send them as messages to the Facebook community, Indpaedia.com. All information used will be gratefully acknowledged in your name.)
Kawali
Titles: Dhali, Haldar, Mala, Manjhi, Vidyadhara [H.H. Risley] Exogamous units/clans: Aliman [H.H. Risley]
Notes
This caste of musicians, often designated Halwah Kawalis, were originally Kapalis, but having adopted a different occupation, were compelled to enroll themselves in a new caste. The same Brahman however, officiates for both, but intermarriages, or social intercourse, is strictly prohibited. Buchanan found the Kawali very numerous west of Patna, living as petty dealers and carriers. The Kapali, again, he regards as a Bengali tribe, and in Puraniya he found them engaged in burning lime like the Chunari.
In Dacca the Kawalis preserve a tradition that they are the offspring of a Kayasth father and a Dhobin, or washerwoman, and the Sudra servants work for them, as they also do for the Kapalis.
The Kawali of Dacca is a musician, playing on any instrument taught him by his Ustad, Sirdar, or teacher. When young he is apprenticed to a master, whose credit depends on the proficiency of his pupil. Youths are also taught to dance, and, strange to say, the Purohit does not disdain to join in a dance, or to take a part in a theatrical play. The Kawali declines to play in the house of any caste who has not the Sudra Napit, and Dhoba, and refuses to attend at the homes of the Muhammadan Dai, or Hajjam. They have no objections, however, to play in concert with the Nar, Rishi, or Hajjam.
The Kawalis all belong to one gotra, the Aliman. They have no surnames, but several honorary titles, such as Dhali, Mala, Haldar, and Manjhi, and the most respectful term by which to address them is "Vidyadhara," a name given to the dancers in Indra's heaven.
The great annual festival of the Kawalis is the Sri Panchami, in honour of Sarasvati; but its observance is not allowed to interfere with their professional engagements, and they as readily accept employment on that day as on any other. The Kawalis are all Vaishnavas, and are hired by Hindu villagers to sing the religious hymns called Hari San-kirtan.
The dancing girls to whom they usually play are either Muhammadans (Bai), or Chandalnis; but widows belonging to any caste, even to the Brahman, are often found with them.
The Kawalis observe the Sraddha and Shashthi ceremony on the same days as the Kapali, and Sudras generally.
