CHELLARAMS-DARYANANIS

 The following appears in 'Sind je Hindun jee Tareek' by Diwan Bherumal Mahirchand Advani:

During the Japanese war of 1942, Sindhis suffered huge losses. Many were confined to detention camps and many killed...

...Three Sindhi firms were considered as pioneers: M/s. Pohumal Bros., M/s. Dhanamal Chelaram and M/s. Wassiamal Assumal. Later, the number grew”... 

...In Egypt: Pohumal Bros., Syria: Mukhi Hiranand Tarachand, North Africa: Pessumal Mulchand, Gibraltar and West Africa: J. T. Chanrai, Kishinchand Chellaram, Metharam Jassumal, M. Dialdas and others.

 ...In West Africa: M/s. J. T. Chanrai, M/s. Metharam Jassumal, M/s. Tarachand Jassumal, M/s. Kishinchand Chellaram and others. Canada, South and North America had a few Sindhis due to immigration restrictions like in Australia.

Due to Second World War, Sindhis ventured out throughout India. 

Leading at Madras: M/s. Chellaram Gianchand. The family split giving birth to 3 firms. M/s. Chellaram Gianchand, M/s. Kishinchand Chellaram and M/s. Kewalram Chellaram.

The following information on 'Chellarams' is an update by Shakun Narain with the kind assistance of Mr. Pishu Chellaram.

Omissions and errors are not intentional

The Kishichnad Chellaram’s name reminds one immediately of K.C. College in Mumbai.

But they are much  bigger than that.

Kishichand separated from his father Mr. Chellaram and brothers Hashmatrai, Kewalram, Roopchand in the year 1914. Kishinchand also had a sister named Keematbai who joined the Bramkumari Movement and is the mother of Mithoo Chanrai.

Kishinchand restarted his retailing business of  fabrics and sundries from Madras (Chennai). Business expanded by leaps and bounds. It spread out to Ooty, Nilgiris, Whole of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore…He then sent a team to Nigeria in 1922, W. Africa Spain…Kishinchand Chellaram became a world wide concern and saw its zenith in the 1950s and beyond…

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The Chellaram’s original surname is Daryanani.

“Daryanani owes its name to Mr Daryanomal, whose grandson was Gianchand, whose son was Chellaram and whose son was Kishinchand...

Kishinchand Chellaram married Rukmanibai Motumal Sabnani,  sired:

1)Tahilram married Satibai  Kimatrai Uttamchandani

2)Asandas married Gangga Hathiramani, separated and

re-married Parpati Ghirdarimal Samtani, daughter of Ghirdarimal Kotumal Samtani

3)Shevakram married Lachmi Kundanmal Mahtani

4)Koonjbai married Gopaldas Topandas Aasoomal

5)Lokumal married kamla Bulchand Mahtani

6)Gopibai married Harkishindas Siroomal Mahtani

Tahilram and Satibai Kishinchand Chellaram sired:

1)      Murli married Nirmala Roopchand Kirpalani

2)      Sundribai married Chatru Sobhraj Vaswani

3)      Pishu married Padu hassaram Vaswani

4)      Duru married Chatru Rewachand Aasoomal

5)      Dhano

6)      Ram married Indu Hassaram Vaswani

Asandas and Parpati Ghirdarimal Samtani sired:

1. Lakshmandas married Aasha Mirchandani , sired:

1. Veena, married Ashok Sirwani, sired:

1. Sunita

2. Sanjay

1. Geeta, married Suresh Kandhari

1. Nari (Dolly) married Sulachini Jhamatmal Sabnani, neice of Rukmanibai Motumal Sabnani, Chellaram sired:

1. Naresh sired

1. Lawrence (Lance)

1. Joey married Maria Editha (Didit) Nacpil, sired:

1. Jonathan

2. Nicole

1. Lovine married Reshu Nanikram Mahboobani, sired:

1. Rahul

2. Sohan

1. Rakesh married Angelica (Angie) Sehwani, sired:

1. Monique

2. Nicholas

1. Mohini married Vashi Sabnani, sired

   a. Rita

2. Hiro married Gopi Genamal Dadlani, sired

1. Sunita married Haresh Gurnamal, sired

1. Pamela

2. Samir

1. Shobha married Madhu Daryanani, sired

1. Anisha

2. Sudhir

1. Ravi married Shirley Hemandas, sired

1. Chand

2. Anil

1. Sanjay

5) Vishnu

Shevakram and Lachmi Kishinchand Chellaram sired:

Savitrti (Meera) married Kishore Aasoomal

Shiela married Madhu Chanrai

Kanta married Gope Dalamal

Mohan

Haresh married Kanta (Radhika) Roopchand

Bharati married Jagdish Chanrai

Lokumal and Kamla Bulchand Mahtani sired:

Chandra married Sunder Dalamal

Lal married Shobhna Aasoomal

Gunni married Mohan Moorjani

Sham married Radhe Chulani

Geetu married Haresh Chulani

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SAHTA: -

At the time of Arab invasion in the year 711, Sind was inhabited by Chana, Sahta, Lakha, Lahna and others. Sahtas who are Rathod Rajputs, to escape the onslaught of Arabs, fled from Sind. Sahtas residing in Sind during the year 1947, were descendents of those Sahtas who had returned from Marwar during the reign of Mirs.

Due to heavy flooding in Marwar, one group of Sahta went to Sind and another group went to Mandvi (Madaii) near Bhuj in Kutch. The two Sahtas tried maintaining their contact with each other, but with time the dialogue and the dress changed.

Sahtas first lived in Sahiti province but by the year 1947, there were none there as they all had moved to Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana and Sakhar. In Halla Paranan, a street was named after them. Amongst the Sahta were Doctors, traders and many were in service.

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GARIBDASANI: - Diwan Garibdas.

Mukh: Saydan (Sri Daan)

Garibdasanis are Rathod Rajputs and in Sind they were known as Sahta. In 1947 they lived at Halla Paranan in Sahtan Ghitti. See Dhermalani.

Diwan Garibdas had migrated to Sind from Rajputana. Prominent amongst them: Diwan Chandumal, Diwan Khanchand and Diwan Sangatrai Sahibrai. They all were Mukhtiarkars.

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SHEWAKRAMANI: - Seth Shewakram.

Nukh: Saropa.

Shewakramanis are zamindars and traders from Tando Adam.

Seth Shewakram was Mukhi of Tando Adam. After the death of Seth Shewakram, his son Seth Alimchand became the Mukhi.

After the demise of Seth Alimchand, his son Seth Kundomal declined the seat. Seth Kundomal had his kothis (offices) at Tando Adam and at Karachi. He also had Ginning Mills that were managed by his sons Seth Assandas and Seth Radhakrishindas.

Seth Radhakrishindas was Chairman of Tando Adam Municipality for over fifteen years and its President for three years. He was also advisor to the Collector and Commissioner.

Seth Naraindas Kundomal was manager of Tando Adam Academy, Municipal Counselor and chairman of the School Board.

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KARYA: - Seth Thawardas.

Nukh: Karya.

Karya Nukh families lived in Karachi, Halla Paranan and village Alam Khan.

Around three hundred fifty years ago, Seth Thawardas, the elder of Karyas, migrated from Punjab and settled at Halla Paranan. His son, Seth Kotumal was grandfather of Seth Khemchand Vasanmal.

Seth Khemchand’s descendents call themselves Khemani.

Seth Khemchand was a prosperous trader and had a shop in Halla Paranan. He spoke Farsi (Persian) and recited Guru Granth Sahib fluently. Seth Khemchand was a member of the Taluka Local and Collector’s advisory Boards. He passed away at the age of eighty-five.

Seth Khemchand had four sons. M/s. Teomal, Pahlajrai, Parmanand and Tahilram.

Seth Pahlajrai was a zamindar. He was born at Halla Paranan and could read and write Farsi and Sindhi. He was member of the Collector and Commissioner’s advisory boards. Seth Pahlajrai was also Second Class Honorary Bench Magistrate.

He was a philanthropic and was respected by both the Hindus and Muslims. He had one son named Mr. Khushiram who had expired. Seth Pahlajrai’s grandson Mr. Bhagwandas, in the year 1947 was with the Revenue Dept.

Seth Pahlajrai’s one daughter Shrimati Savitribai was married to Karachi’s Seth Sukhdev Udhavdas M.L.A. (Central).

Seth Pahlajrai expired at the age of seventy. His brother Seth Parmanand’s grandson Mr. Valabdas Mohandas BA, was an Advocate in Mirpur Khas.

Another family with Karya Nukh lived at Village Alam Khan Marri i.e. Seth Balchand Tilanmal. He was a zamindar.

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KANJHAN: - Diwan Chandumal.

Nukh: Kanjhan.

The elders of Kanjhan Nukh family, Diwan Chandumal and others lived in Kherpur Mirsahib Ghitti. Later they moved to Larkana. In 1947, there were around 25 Kanjhan households in Larkana.

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KIRPALANI: - 1. Mr. Kirpaldas.

Nukh: - Chhug.

Kirpalanis are found both in Amils and Bhaibunds. Chandiramani, Shinghwani and Manglani have the same Chhug Nukh. Bhambhani and Karnani Diwans of Navsheri Firoz also have the same Nukh. Families having Chhug Nukh were also living at Llar and in Punjab. They are Lohanas.

The ancestors of Kirpalani lived at Peryag. Their Shijro (family tree) starts with Diwan Lakhomal who had four sons: M/s. Askarandas, Kalyandas, Rangomal and Chaturdas.

Mr. Askarandas had two sons: M/s. Jeetdas and Maniram. Mr. Maniram’s one son Mr. Kirpaldas held a very high and important post in the government and had reached the height of glory. Mr. Kirpaldas had no children. His cousins and family members gave Mr. Kirpaldas the respect he deserved and proudly called themselves ‘Kirpalani’. The street in which they lived was called Kirpalani Ghitti.

A)      Diwan Lakhomal’s eldest son Diwan Askarandas sired Mr. Jeetdas. From his roots came Mr. Topanmal Jethmal, Advocate.

Diwan Askarandas’ second son Diwan Maniram had four sons: M/s. Atalrai, Mansharam, Kirpaldas and Harpaldas.

Prominent amongst Diwan Mansharam’s roots was Master Dayaram Lekhraj and others. Their close cousins were Mr. Gagoomal Detaram Advocate, Mr. Kotumal Jhangimal retired Excise Inspector and others.

Diwan Harpaldas had two sons: M/s. Ajaibrai and Chanrai. Diwan Ajaibrai’s grandsons Diwan Gangaram Mukhi and Bhai Khemchand Sahib were renowned.

From Diwan Gangaram’s roots came Mr. Chaturbhuj Tejumal and from Bhai Khemchand’s root came Mr. Sawaldas Mohanlal and others.

Diwan Chanrai Harpaldas sired Diwan Thawardas. He had seven sons:

1)        Diwan Vishindas. He sired two sons: Diwan Bajasingh and Diwan Kesavdas. They had a large family.

2)        Diwan Nirbhdas. He sired Diwan Mulchand who sired Diwan Parumal. Diwan Parumal sired Diwan Parmanand, the retired Deputy Collector and others.

3)        Diwan Tirthdas. He expired without an issue.

4)        Diwan Gurdasmal. From his roots came Mr. Thakurdas Khanchand Advocate and others.

5)        Diwan Relaram sired Mr. Jashanmal.

6)        Diwan Khatanmal sired Satramdas and he sired Diwan Khushiram.

Diwan Khushiram had five sons: M/s. Dharamdas, Hiranand, Hashmatrai, Santdas and Motiram. The last three viz. M/s. Hashmatrai, Santdas and Motiram were I. C. S. (Indian Civil Service). In those days it was rare to have three brothers from one family to do I. C. S. exam.

Diwan Lakhomal’s second son was Diwan Kalyandas. He sired Diwan Shamdas. From his roots came Diwan Rochiram Gajumal who was the official Sindhi translator. Diwan Rochiram’s brother Diwan Hassomal was Mukhtiarkar (District Administrator). Diwan Hassomal sired Mr. Detaram who was alive in the year 1947. Their close cousins: Mr. Daryadinomal Naematrai and others.

Diwan Kalyandas’ other son was Diwan Issardas. From his roots came Mr. Khiomal Obhriyomal who was railway ticket inspector. 

Diwan Kalyandas’ son Sawaldas sired Diwan Pohumal. Diwan Pohumal sired three sons:

1)         Master Khubchand. He sired 5 sons: Diwan Naraindas Deputy collector, Mr. Hardasmal, Mr. Bhagchand, Mr. Pritamdas and Mr. Khushiram who expired in the year 1901.  

2)         Babu Parmanand who sired Mr. Dharamdas and others.

3)         Diwan Tejumal. He sired Mr. Jiwatram who was Superintendent at Marepur Salt Works and others.

The third son of Diwan Lakhomal was Mr. Rangomal. From his roots was born Mr. Chhajomal. His descendents are called Chhajwani.          

Mr. Chaturdas was the fourth son of Diwan Lakhomal. He had five sons. M/s. Ramchand, Dharamdas, Datomal, Deenchand and Harjivan. Out of the above five, Deenchand prospered the most.

Deenchand had two sons, M/s. Menghraj and Thakurdas.

1)      Menghraj’s eldest son Bulchand expired without any issue. The second son was Mr. Mangatram who had two sons: M/s. Bagomal and Kodumal. Diwan Bagomal had one son named Diwan Verhomal who sired four sons: M/s. Manghanmal, Teckchand, Gaganmal and Udharam.

Diwan Udharam Verhomal was Head Clerk with M/s. Mackinnon Mackenzie Co. He did trading on the side. After retirement he became Mukhi of Kirpalani Ghitti for eleven years. Diwan Udharam passed away at the age of 69 in 1926 and left behind three sons named M/s. Parsram, Kalachand and Motiram.

Diwan Udharam’s son Diwan Parsram worked with M/s. Volkarts Bros. and held a high post. Diwan Parsram expired at the age of 53 in the year 1934. He left behind two sons: M/s. Navalrai and Chanderbhan. Mr. Navalrai was in fact son of Mr. Kalachand and had been adopted by his brother Mr. Parsram. Mr. Chanderbhan was born thereafter. Diwan Kalachand expired at the age of 57 in the years 1939-1940.

Mr. Motiram had his own business and enjoyed good reputation and respect in the community.  

2)      From Mr. Thakurdas Deenchand’s (brother of Menghraj) roots was born Bhai Mulchand Aaj (Ivory) Waro. Bhai Mulchand was a highly respectable man.

Diwan Lakhomal’s (the ancestor of Kirpalani) three sons were called Diwans as they worked for the Mir and later for the British Government. Quite a few descendents of the fourth son Mr. Chaturdas were traders. They were considered and called Bhaibunds.

Bhai Mulchand Aaj (Ivory) Waro was born on 12th May 1850 at Hyderabad. His father Bhai Menghraj Chhatomal was a Munib (manager) and worked on salary with a firm at Halla. Thereafter he joined Mukhi Chandumal and Mukhi Hiranand’s firm as a partner at Bombay.

Bhai Mulchand’s Kako (uncle) exported Halla’s handicrafts to Bombay. Bhai Mulchand, at the age of 20 followed his uncle’s footsteps and went into the same trade. After two or three years, at his father’s instance, he switched over to buying and selling Ivory and was sent to Bombay. Ornaments made out of Ivory were very popular and in vogue with the Amil and Bhaibund ladies. He made good money out of it.

Bhai Mulchand’s mother Shrimati Piyonandbai was a very gentle and soft-spoken lady. She was religious and fed grain and water to the birds daily. Bhai Mulchand could read and write Hindi, Sindhi and Gurmukhi. After performing his pathh (Pooja) he went to Bhai Lachmandas Beragi’s (Berag = a person who isolates himself from earthly ties and devotes his entire time praising and worshiping the Lord) Thakur D’war to seek darshan of the Thakurs (Idols of God). 

Returning from the darshan, Bhai Mulchand did marketing for his household and then went to Sain Kesoram Sufi’s Tikano (Gurdwara) located in Sipahmalani Ghitti. Both Sain Kesoram Sipahmalani and Bhai Khemchand Kirpalani were shish (disciples) of Sain Daulatram Sufi.

Sain Kesoram served the poor and handicapped persons and contributed to the charity with an open heart. Bhai Mulchand succumbed to the influence. He also served and cared for the poor and handicapped.

During his time the Old Civil Hospital was located at west Katchha near Pakhey Peer Chari that was later converted into a Ladies Hospital. Bhai Mulchand resided nearby and spent most of his spare time in the hospital caring for the sick. He got food cooked at home and served it to the patients. In case of a death of a patient, he paid the expense for cremation and last rites.

Bhai Mulchand served the sick for 28 years and provided monthly dole to the needy that cost him Rs. 100/- per month.

During Bhai Mulchand’s time, famine struck Kutch and Thhar that led to an exodus to Sind. Rajarshi Diwan Dayaram Gidumal and Bhai Mulchand opened their shops and sold the grain at half the cost to the refugees. Bhai Mulchand bore the bill that cost him Rs. 36,000/-.

In the year 1897, the plague struck Sind. Both Rajarshi Diwan Dayaram Gidumal and Bhai Mulchand stood shoulder to shoulder and cared for the sick. After the epidemic was over, his (Bhai Mulchand’s) father found that during the three months of epidemic, Bhai Mulchand had withdrawn from his office (Kothi) a sum of Rs. 24,000/- for providing relief to the sick.

Hyderabad’s Bhai Partab (founder of Gandhidham, Kandla), son of Bhai Dialdas Mulchand, a philanthropic, was very close to Bhai Mulchand who had played his role in contributing to the needy and sick. Every month he gave Rs. 80/- to the Civil Surgeon at the Civil Hospital to provide milk and fruit to the sick.

Bhai Kotumal Khubchand Shroff, who was in their group, participated and contributed to the worthy cause. Bhai Gangaram Tilokchand also played his role. Bhai Mulchand passed away on Jan. 2nd 1934.  

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KIRPALANI: - 2.   Mr. Kirparam.

They are named after their forefather Diwan Kirparam.

These Kirpalanis migrated to Sind from Ach. They neither stayed in Shahdadpur, nor did they stay in Shahdadpuri Paro at Hyderabad and yet they were called Shahdadpuri Kirpalanis and were in the employment of Mir Shahdad Khan. They lived near Khiyanti Tando and Chetel Chari.

Some of these Kirpalanis are off shoots of Diwan Sachanand and call themselves Hasrajani. They preferred to be called Shahdadpuri and for many years they married their children amongst Sindhis living in small towns and villages (Barari). They were not considered Amils either.

However, Diwan Tarachand, Mukhi of Hyderabad after reading their Shijro (family tree) determined that they are Khudabadi Amils and since ancient days their forefathers had participated in the affairs of Khudabadi Amil panchayat.  Even in the year 1947, they were connected with the Amil panchayat.

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KHATWANI: - Seth Khatumal.

Nukh: - Lahar.

There are many families having the same Nukh.

Khatwanis originally lived at Alarpur near Kotri. They then shifted to Khasayun village and then to Manjhand and Karachi.

Their forefather Seth Khatumal had two sons: M/s. Gangaram and Nathurmal.

Seth Gangram’s son Seth Wadhumal was the manager of Seth Vishindas of Manjho. He, Seth Wadhumal, was in charge of the Grain warehouse at Karachi.

Seth Nathurmal’s son Seth Ratumal also worked for Seth Vishindas and was manager of one of his branches.

In 1947, Seth Ratumal and his brother Seth Varandmal started their own commission agency business under the name of M/s. Ratumal Varandmal at Karachi.

Seth Varandmal’s son Seth Khialdas was the President of Gudami Panchayat (Godown owner’s Association). Seth Khialdas’ brother Seth Issardas, who was a staunch Congressy (Member of Congress Party), was the President of Karachi Cotton Association and member of Sind Assembly.

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KHARNA: -

Nukh: - Kharna.

Kharnas are from Jacobabad. Prominent amongst them: Mr. Madhavdas Shivalomal B. A. He was in the year 1947 member of Sind Assembly and a staunch Congressy (Member of Congress Party). Mr. Madhavdas was joint Editor of ‘Sindhu’, a newspaper published from Shikarpur.

Read: Pere Pavandee saan

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'The Source of Sindhi Surnames' is a translation into English, by Mr. Narain Sobhraj Kimatrai from the original in Sindhi by Mr. Diwan Bherumal Mahirchand Advani