Tracing the Roots.....

They are simple but gorgeous, wear heavy jewellery but look graceful, are lively and lovely women. The Halakki Vokkaliga community, a distinct tribal group of Uttara Kannada district that live near the foothills of Western Ghats, has its own unique culture and tradition. 

Halakki Gowdati. Wrinkles on her face contrast with the smooth beads she adores around her neck.

The Halakki women are innocent, hardworkn and kind hearteThe Halakki women are innocent, hardworkn and kind hearted. They have their own distinct identity. Tanned skin and slim physique speak about their hard work. 

Several layers of black bead necklaces entangled with each other, delicate but complicated entanglement of necklaces. Each layer is made up of three lines intertwined into a plait. How sharp and powerful would be her eyes to thread these beads!!

Six or more layers of bead necklaces, metal bangles on arms, very unique way of wearing sarees, big nose studs, pan stained teeth and lips - these are the special identities of Halakki women which make them stand out in the crowd.

Halakki women wear metal armlets on their lower arms above the elbow. These bangles are generally made of brass and are wider than the normal bangles women wear.

According to Dr. L. G. Bhat, who has worked extensively on the tradition and culture of Halakki community, the word ‘Halakki’ might have originated from a wedding ritual of Havyaka Brahmin community.  The Halakkis, who lead the wedding procession, have a special privilege of sprinkling milk and rice (called haalu and akki in Kannada) to please the ghosts. 

It’s their routine and not festive look! 

Burden of beads!! How comfortably women work in spite of heavy jewellery!!

Eye catching layers of beads. As Traditional so Modern!

Halakki Gowdati is proudly showing her beads. Very tiny yellow beads line entangled with yellow-black line to give a good contrast. The little one is wondering.

Though there is no documented literature to prove the origin of Halakkis, their folk songs and folklore tell us an interesting story. Parvati, while carrying lunch for her husband Shiva who was ploughing the field, accidentally spills milk and rice ( haalu and akki in kannada). Sad Parvati makes a male and a female doll out of wet mud mixed with rice. Shiva who comes in search of his wife finds sorrowful Parvati. On his first touch the mud images come alive. He blesses them to continue to be farmers and their community to be known as Halakkis, meaning people born out of haalu(milk) and akki( rice). 

For city girls these beads necklaces are a fashion. They are in great demand. They go well with traditional as well as modern outfits.

Two girls in Halakki get up! Striking a pose and appreciating each other’s look.

During our recent visit to Halakki colonies, we met Halakki Gowda (male head of Halakki family) and Gowdati (female head of Halakki family) and had a casual chat with them. We found the older generation of women are very proud of their attire and culture and very few women follow the traditional dressing. 

Wonder how did she wear them? She smiled, ‘not a problem. I use soap remove the armlets whenever I want to wash them and again with the help of soap I again wear them’

With the changing societies and community needs one has to change the lifestyle, but should not forget the tradition and identity. The younger generation cannot follow the traditional Halakki dressing style for obvious reasons. The vanishing Halakki culture can be preserved only if they follow on special occasions like festivities and wedding celebrations.

She feels proud of her Halakki culture- her attire, celebration of festivals and marriages in traditional way. “Now weddings are done in hired halls. Where is the grandeur of decorating homes, mantapas, rangolis, flowers!”, she lamented.    

Row of colourful bead malas on sale. Look at the variety!

The vibrant culture of Halakki community is fascinating. Their beliefs and life style are very unique and culture rich.