Malakars lived around Dhaka and other smaller towns of Bengal. The origin of the word Malakar came from Sanskrit. It is a Sandhi of mala and akar, which means a person who shapesmala, i.e a garlander. They are expert shola craftsmen. The Malakars are one of the nine artisan class that constituted the Navashākha and for generations they are involved in this craft. The nine trading castes that constitute Navashaka are Kumbhakar, Karmakar, Malakar, Kangsakar, Sankhakar, Swarnakar, Sutradhar, Chitrakar and Tantubaya.
Occupation
Malakars were employed to provide garlands and flowers for the village deities and also for the religious and social functions of the society. The profession of a Malakar required a considerable knowledge of flowers, for some were forbidden to be used in religious services and others could only be exhibited before the shrines of the deities to whom they belonged. But their principaloccupation used to be Sholapith craft, one of the primordial handicrafts of both the Bengals. Sholapith craft of West Bengal was recognized as one of the best example of elegance, exquisite beauty and finest craftsmanship. Like many other traditional crafts, it has its origin in the ritual and religious requirements of old days. In ancient times these artisans held a respectable position in society and used to supply the Daker Saaj for the regional deities on occasions. Sholapith items formed an integral part of the major religious rituals in West Bengal. Fine examples of craftsmanship can be seen during the Durga Puja celebrations. At marriages their services are indispensable, for they prepare the crowns called topor worn by the bridal pair. No puja or marriage could be celebrated without the floral decoration for the deities or the topor made by the Malakar. Every community in each village, town and city needed an idol as fine as they could afford, so the craft flourished there.
Caste and religion/rituals
Malakars are mainly Vaishnava by creed, Shaivism and Saktism are also found among Malakars. Malakars who have their ancestral origin in Dhaka have a single gotra, Alamyan. During marriages, the bridal dress must be made up of red silk brought from Murshedabad. The bride is always carried in a palki or palanquin. The caste of Malakar is not well classified among the modern-day classifications. Traditionally they are Nabasakhas whose family rituals are performed by Kulin Bhramans. Even though in 1991, government of Indian classified many surnames including Malakars into the other backward classes, most of them still belong to the general caste of the modern day classification throughout West Bengal and Bangladesh.
