Jetti
Jetty is also known as 'Chaathurvedi Moda Brahmin' or 'Jyesta Malla Moda Brahmin'. The word 'Jetty' comes from first half of the word 'Jyesta-Malla'. Overtime 'Jyesta' has become 'Jetty'.
The classification is as follows: Brahmins fall into 2 broad divisions 1) South Indian Brahmins 2) North Indian Brahmins
South Indian Brahmins are further classified into: 1) Maharashtra Brahmins 2) Andhra Brahmins 3) Dravida Brahmins 4) Karnataka Brahmins 5) Gurjara (or Gujarathi) Brahmins
'Jetty' is one of the 84 different groups under Gurjara Brahmins. We follow Sri Vaishnavism and are namadharis. Suthra - Aapasthamba Suthra Shaaka - Yajushaaka
History Few of the 'Chaathurvedi Malla' Brahmins migrated from 'Modera' in north Gujarat during 1026 AD. The migration was before the invasion of 'Modera' by Mohammed Ghazni. They migrated and settled near Mysore, Karnataka. The actual place of settlement is called 'Undiganaalu' in present Hassan district. 'Undiganaalu' is 12 miles far from 'Arasikere' (between Harnalli and Javagal).
There is a Chamundeshware temple in 'Undiganaalu'. This temple was built by Muni Jetty during the rule of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana at 1140 AD. The style of this temple resembles Hoysala style. There is an idol of Ramanujacharya within the temple.
Later 'Undiganaalu' was invaded by Rani Chennama of Keladi. People of Jetty community fought bravely and died. People who were left, got dispersed.
Traditional Occupation The traditional occupation is to wrestling (Mushti Yudda or Kusthi in Kannada). This is quite different from mainstream brahmins and has more characteristics of Kshatriyas.
During the world famous Mysore Dasara, there is a tradition that is still being followed. On the Durgashtami day, a wrestling (called Vajra Mushti Kalaga) is organised among two Jettys. The wrestling continues until one of them gets injured with blood stains.
Mythology Based on Brahmanda Purana's Uttara Khanda, Devamallacharya is the root person and he is a Brahma Manasa Putra (son created by Brahma). Devamallacharya killed a demon called 'Vajradanta' and so on..
The article below is taken from the book "People of India, Gujarat, Part one volume XXII, General Editor K.S.Singh Govt of Gujarat"
The Jethi is a small community of wrestlers or pugilists. They are also known as Jyestika, Jaiti, Jetty, and Malla, It is beleived that the wrestlers were known as Mallas and the best among them were called as Jyestikas, These Jyestikas later became known as Jethis or Jetty. Anantha Krishna Iyer opines that the term jetty appears to be a corruption of sanskrit term "jayesi" [ one who is desirous of victory ] . Another interpretation of the term "Jethi" is that it orginated from the term "jyesthika" i.e the eldest. And the Jyesti Mals were Agnihotri Brahmins at the time of invasion of Modhera by Allauddin Khilji in 1299 AD who fought bravely against the enemy. After the fall of Modhera they settled at Delmal and other places of Gujarat and some of them migrated to South India seeking royal patronage. According one story. Lord krishna visited delmal on his way back from Dwaraka to mathura, his brother Baldevji did Mallayuddha with Someswara an agnihotri Brahmin and defeated. Then those Agnihotri Brahmins of Delmal came to be known as Jyestimalla. The Jethis like to be identified themselves as Modh Brahmins. Jetty {1974} has reported that Modh community has built a beautiful temple at modhera. From the fact that the image of godess with six hands and standing on peacock is traced Undiganalu Village in Mysore State unidentified so far with any known diety in South India and that the image of Sri Mataji is missing from Modhera, it may safetly be concluded that the image in question is now available in Undiganalu Village. They claim that Jethimal came to Kutch in the year 1510 where they were employed as body guard to the rulers. They were wrestlers. The estate used to bear their living expenses. It is said that Gangaram Jethi saved the life of Lord Swaminarayan. Trikamji Jethi has constructed a Statue Khengarji III with five metals in Jethi Gnati in Bhuj in late Nineteenth Century. The Jethis are distributed in Delmal Village of Mehasana district and at Bhuj in Kutch District. A Sizeable population of Jethi consisting of 200 families had migrated to Mysore State prior to 1131 AD. They speak in Gujarathi and use Gujarathi Script. Those who live in Kutch also speak kachchi. The Jethi are vegetarian
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan192006/metrothurs135332006118.asp which talks about 'Jetty Agrahara' near Tumkur. 'Jetty Agrahara' is the Agrahara of community, though very few families of our community stay there now. Jetty Agrahara is about 20 kms from Tumkur and is located on Tumkur-Gowribidnur State Highway 13.
Check about Malla Yuddha on Wikipedia http://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/Malla-yuddha[1]
Famous Personalities Famous personalities from our community are given below.
Rajan-Nagendra :[2] The famous Kannada music director duo. They have given melodious tunes to about 180 films in Kannada. They reached their peak during 70's and 80's. They created such a magical, melodious musical wave in Kannada film industry, that they are also called Kalyanji-Anandji of Kannada film music. Check this link for more details - http://www.ourkarnataka.com/Articles/nagendra.htm