Madiga


Madiga is a Dalit caste of India. They are also known as matangs in Northern part of India. They are also called, Maadiga, Maatangi, Makkalu and Mahadiga. They mainly live in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Madigas are historically associated with the work of leather skinning, tanning, leather products, drummers,carpenters,bags, gunsmith,rope-making, basket making etc.They are categorised as a Scheduled Caste by the Government of India.

History

Madigas have their own classes, the priestly class is known as Madiga Dasari. The Sangaris, Thothis, etc have different works for their community. They are also village drummers who use Dandora or Dappu in festivals, death and marriage ceremony and announcements.
Madigas have also played an important role in Indian independence movement and some were involved with the Telangana movement.

Madiga Dandora Movement

In 1994, Manda Krishna Madiga and Dandu Veeraiah Madiga formed the Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti to demand the categorisation of the SC reservation quota to ensure equitable distribution of state allocations for all the constituent castes.

In popular culture

The activists Lelle Suresh and Sabrina Francis made a documentary film on the condition and culture of the community, titled Mahadiga, which was released in 2004.

Notable people