HISTORY
The distinguishing character of the chitpavans has been that they have recorded the history of their evolution in form of Kulvruttants. The Chitpavans, however were very systematic about the ‘Project Kulvruttant’. As many as 112 Chitpavan surnames have their kulvruttant published, in some cases collectively for a group of surnames which were originally the same e.g. our Marathe Kulvruttant includes surnames like Chakradev, Fadnis, Jaeel, Joshi, Khambete, Ratate and Vidwans. Many of the remaining have undertaken the task, though a little late, and their Kulvruttants are still in the process. The main hurdle in this process is the lack of understanding of the process by many a members of the surname and a resultant reluctance to provide the information of their ancestors.
The priests at the Ghats of Godavari in Nasik had a system, equivalent to a computerized one, where they recorded the names of the relations and the important dates in the life of the deceased whose last rites were performed there. This had been the source of information for most Chitpavans. There has been a virtual stoppage to such flow of information as the ritual of performing the last rites of the deceased is dying down due to aloofness of the younger generations towards the religion. A close study of the Kulvruttants of some Chitpavan surnames results into some really interesting facts. The ‘Bapat’s are found mainly in Police departments and Services (at times an entire Gharane).
- The subjects like Maths and Science are dominated by the ‘Kelkar’s whereas the fields of politics and government service
- Some have brought 2nd and 3rd editions also. As for us Marathe’s, Shri.
- Krushnaji Govind Marathe published the first edition of our Kulavruttant in 1946. It included 7 surnames apart from Marathe namely Chakradev
- Fadnis, Jaeel, Joshi, Khambete, Ratate and Viswans. Thus all these 8 surnames are collectively referred to as Marathe in the Kulvruttant.
- The second edition was published in 1992 by the committee headed by the then President of Marathe Pratishthan,
- The result was the 1992 edition of the Kulavruttant of approximately 900 pages and the information about approx 10300 male and 3300 female Marathes.
Interesting Facts
A close study of the Kulvruttants of some Chitpavan surnames results into some really interesting facts. The ?Bapat?s are found mainly in Police departments and Services (at times an entire Gharane). The subjects like Maths and Science are dominated by the ?Kelkar?s whereas the fields of politics and government service have seen many ?Joshi?s.
Surnames to Publish Kulvruttants
‘Apte’s were the first of the Chitpavans to publish their Kulavruttant in 1914 by name ‘Apte Gharanyacha Itihas’. Later, till end of 2013, as many as 92 Chitpavan Brahmin surnames published their Kulavruttants. Some have brought 2nd and 3rd editions also. As for us Marathe’s, Shri. Krushnaji Govind Marathe published the first edition of our Kulavruttant in 1946. It included 7 surnames apart from Marathe namely Chakradev, Fadnis, Jaeel, Joshi, Khambete, Ratate and Viswans. Thus all these 8 surnames are collectively referred to as Marathe in the Kulvruttant and even on this website
The second edition was published in 1992 by the committee headed by the then President of Marathe Pratishthan, Shri. Suresh Sakharam Marathe with Vinayak Gopal Marathe, Madhav Narayan Marathe, Sadashiv Gopal Joshi, Prabhakar Dattatray Marathe as committee members. The work for this 2nd edition had started in 1985 and continued for the next 6 years. The members of the committee showed great resolve in collecting the data not only from the Marathe?s in various cities of Maharashtra but also from other states and even from foreign countries. It was only after numerous letters in form of postcards were exchanged and several personal visits to various places were made by them to collect the data, that they achieved success in this monumental task. The result was the 1992 edition of the Kulavruttant of approximately 900 pages and the information about approx 10300 male and 3300 female Marathes.