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The spread of the Padmasaliyar community around the world

From other states of India to countries abroad — where the community has spread, which organisations are at work, and what is still undocumented.

Chapters (15)
  1. Who are the Padmasaliyar?
  2. Bhavana Rishi and the Padmasaliyar tradition
  3. The puranic tradition of origin
  4. Lotus, Padma and the weaving tradition
  5. Ancient homeland and migration
  6. Andhra, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
  7. The weaving trade and contribution to society
  8. Padmasaliyar in the age of kings
  9. Temples, religion and culture
  10. Social structure, gotras and divisions
  11. The tradition of the curse — a separate section
  12. The colonial period and its records
  13. Padmasaliyar in modern times
  14. The community around the world
  15. Conclusion
Chapter 14

The spread of the Padmasaliyar community around the world

Starting in the Telugu-speaking regions, the Padmasaliyar have spread to many states of India and later to other countries. But I could not find any reliable, community-specific number for this spread abroad. This chapter clearly separates the evidence that is available from the gaps where none is.

  • Living community
  • Written evidence
  • Yet to be verified / collected

Within India

Abroad

Community organisations

Some organisations found on the internet are listed below. I have written about them only on the basis of the organisations’ own statements or public records; this must be confirmed with them before the site publishes it.

OrganisationWhat is recorded
North America Padmashali AssociationA public charity registered in New Jersey, USA; a summary of its tax return says it gave about 23,617 dollars in grants in 2022
Padmasali International Welfare Association (PIWA)A charitable body started on 24 December 2008; it says it helps with the education and health of weaver families; it states that it obtained foreign contribution (FCRA) registration in 2012
padmashali.caA community website run from Canada; it says it helps with cultural heritage and community contacts
Telangana Padmashali Udyogula Sangham; Padmashali Graduates and Students AssociationFound as external links on an encyclopaedia page
Local welfare associations (e.g. a township association that began with 18 families in 1992 and grew to more than 400)What the association says on its own web page

Connections through the internet

Yet to be collected

At a glance

StatementCategory
Spread over six states; Kerala mentioned on one websiteWritten record
The spread of Telugu people abroadGeneral population record (not for the Padmasaliyar alone)
Associations in the USA and Canada; PIWAThe organisations’ own statements / public record
An overseas number for the PadmasaliyarNot available
Settlements in Mumbai, Gujarat, KeralaYet to be collected

Next chapter

15. Conclusion — from heritage to the future — a summary of what we have seen so far, what is documented, the evidence still needed, and the next tasks of the site.