A roving tribe of India known as Moddivallu is on the verge of extinction. This tribe is well known in rural areas and bear a special identity because of their clothing and rigid attitude.
As this semi-nomadic tribe are endangered because their present generation is refusing to adopt their traditional profession. Hence, a once famous tribe is now among the endangered ones just like Birjias, Birhors, Korwa, Parhaiyas and Asurs tribes of Jharkhand.
Sadly, their legacy is carried over by just 10 people of the community who are traced somewhere around Nalgonda district. This tribe moves from one village to the other, begging, singing songs, in front of households while making a distinct sound with an iron knife on an iron bracelet.
While speaking to media, a member of the community Nagula Venkulau who is 70, said, “we would be the last generation in continuing the traditional profession”
He added that people would consider them as artists despite them asking and collecting alms from people’s doorsteps. “Our earnings would be more in villages than in towns,” he says, adding that they have also enjoyed special recognition in the earlier days in Telangana on par with artists’ communities of Dasari, Budiga Jangalu and others.
“Interestingly, some would inquire about their continuation in the traditional profession and recollect their old days. Not to make our traditional profession fade out from the memories of people, I am continuing the caste-based profession at the age of 70 even though my sons are objecting,” he said.
