Coimbatore, Aug 3: Can anyone imagine a small group of Rajput Bondilis, who had their origins in Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Pradesh, migrating all the way from North India and making Coimbatore their home? Yes, the members are now residing at Sukrawarpet, RS Puram and Ramanthapuram in the city. And a majority of their clan in Coimbatore are mainly engaged in making Tanjore paintings while a few are into other vocations like legal and other business interests.

Speaking to Covai Post, Yuvaraj Singh, a lawyer by profession, belonging to Rajput Bondili Association, Coimbatore branch, said that there were about 150 families, i.e., roughly 500 to 600 members in the city. A sizeable number of the members were now involved in making paintings and other art forms. And, they have displayed their creative work at Tanjore Art Gallery located at RS Puram.

Shedding light on the origin of Rajput Bondilis, he said that the Rajputs were the linear descendents of the famous Hindu Kings of ancient India. They spread to various parts of the country from the original homes of Rajputana and Budh, assimilating a number of fighting clans and binding them together within a common code.

In the Madras (formerly composite state of Madras and Andra Pradesh) state Census Report, 1891, the Bondilis are said to have derived their name from BUNDHALKHAND, which is a hilly town in Banda District of Uttar Pradesh. From this place their ancestors were said to have migrated to the Southern part of India. This is confirmed by the Director of Rajasthan State Archives, Bikaner. They claim to be Rajputs but appear to have degenerated in the course of time due to the political situation then.

There were 36 (Chatis) Rajkul among the Rajputs that had been divided into three great dynasties (viz), Suryavamsa (the clan of solar dynasty) descended through Manu, Ishvaku, Harischandra, Raghu, Dasaratha and Sri Rama; Chandravamshis or Somavamshis (the clan of lunar dynasty) desended through-Yayati, Devanusha, Puru, Yadu, Pandu, Yudhistra and Sri Krishna; and Agnikula (the clan of Fire dynasty) desended from Agnipala, Sevacha, Mallan, Gulunsur, Ajpala and Dolai Rai.

Yuvaraj expressed concern that Bondili community people did not have any representation in either Central or State Governments as they were engaged in small work for their livelihood. “To be precise, there are no rich persons, industrialists, business magnets, politicians. But for inclusion of the community in the list of Backward classes, there is no patronage for the community.”
A movie named Gulal released in 2009 was about Rajputana, the place of origin of Rajput Bondili.

Recently, the Rajput Bondil Association organised their 32nd annual meet in the city wherein over 100 members from across Tamil Nadu took part. A matrimonial web portal was also launched during the meet. A book portraying the valour of Maharana Pratap Singh titled ‘The History Of Maharana Pratap’ was released at the function. Added to this, the website of Bondili Association for matrimonial (WWW.dakshinrajputmatrimony.com) was also launched on the occasion.

Prizes were distributed to the toppers of Standard X and Plus-Two. Monetary assistance was given to weaker sections of people belonging to their community