Chalavādi (Chalawadi, Chalwadi, Chelvadi, Chelavadi[1]) is a dravida community, mainly belonging to Karnataka, "who are generally called formerly as Adi Dravida (Balagai), Channaiah or Channayya"[2](Bidar, Belgaum, Bijapur and Dharwad districts[2]), Toti, Byagara,[citation needed] Whalliaru or Whallias,[citation needed] Holia's or Mha'rs (Belgaum side) (Synonym's: Holar[1]) is the servant of the right-hand, or eighteen-caste section of the community, and the custodian of its symbol, namely, the bell and the ladle (Gandadabatlu).
The members use, among themselves, the term Balagai[3][4] as they are classified among the eighteen castes that form the right-hand section of the community in Dravida countries.
The image is overshadowed by the hood of a snake and is fixed to the upper end of a brass spoon.
A brass bell hangs from the handle of the spoon to the Chelvadi’s knee in front.
[citation needed] Chalavadi's were agricultural labourers during the 17th century to 18th century and were divided into Kuliyalugalu (hired labourer's) and Muladalugalu or Mulada Holeya (hereditary serfs) depending on nature of employment in agrarian society.