Chari (surname)

Chari surname is common in the Iyengar Brahmin community that is found predominantly in the southern region of India.

Chari ('च्यारी/चारी') is a community of artist in Goa and Konkan. They are the traditional Hindu carpenter in Goa. In this community every person has the surname as Chari.

Chari belong to Panchal caste which is also known as Viswakarma. They were also called as 'Shivabrahman'. 'Saiyadri Khanda' of 'Scanda Puran'- puran that gave Puranic importance of Goa says artist of ancient Goa were called as 'Shaivagayatri Brahmins'. Those Chari who fled Goa during Portuguese time to prevent them being getting converted to Christianity & settled in Solapur district are still known as 'Shiva Brahma Sutar' Since Chari are traditional carpenters of Goa their main occupation is carpentry. They do smithery also. In fact, they are master in most of the technical work; so they are also referred as a borne engineers.

Traditionally caste wise Panchal Brahmin of Goa Categorized in 3 different castes. They are Vishwakarma Brahmin Chari, Daivadnya Brahmin (Sonar) and Twasta Brahmin (Kasar) Community. But currently daivadnya doesn't consider themselves under Vishwakarma.

Different names of Chari popular in Goa. Chari were known with the different names since ancient Times. Following are some of the name. Acharya- Meaning teacher of religion. Today it changed Acharya-Achari-Chari.

Mest/Mestri - At many places where Chari stays is known as Mestawado. There is Mestawado in Panchwadi, Mandre, Vasco, Betoda, Kurti, Usgaon etc. In Goa there are places in known as Mestbhat in Mershi & Madgaon.

Kumbhar - The word Kumbar is derived from the Sanskrit word Stambh meaning pillar. A good pillar carver is called Kumbar. At some places in Goa there are paddy field Qumarachi Namshi allotted to old Chari resident.

Shiva Brahmin - Chari was called Shaiva Brahmin in Goa during ancient times. Skanda Purana antargat Sahyadri Khanda refers artist of Goa as Shivagaytri Brahmin.

Vinani - Vinani in old Konkani meaning blacksmith and was adhered to Chari. There are lands allotted by the Gaunkari to Chari in many of the villages of Goa with the name Vinani.

Zo Ferrieiro - All the Portuguese documents refers Chari with surname as Zo Ferreiro. The word Ferreiro has been derived from Latin ferrarius meaning blacksmith. Zo can be from the word Oja. Zo word got corrupted from Oja-OJo-Zo.