Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin
Chitrapur Saraswats are a small Konkani-speaking community of Hindu Brahmins in India. They are traditionally found along the Kanara coast and call themselves Bhanaps in the Konkani language. Susan Bayly says that they were formed from communities engaged in scribal work and commerce and were of "unclear status" until almost the end of the 18th century when they were "Brahmanised" into a caste by some touring Brahmins or gurus. Frank Conlon says they are originally from North India. Origin
Historian Susan Bayly states that the Ramanandis, who opened up to almost any background were responsible for "Brahmanising" groups of unclear status and Chitrapur Saraswats are one such example. Specifically, she states,

History
This is a small community from India spread the world over. They have taken names of villages in Karnataka as surnames. So, their recent history is associated with the State of Karnataka. But some researchers like Bertrand Renaud and Frank Conlon believe they migrated from the banks of River Saraswati in north India. The estimated population of this community is roughly 25,000. The community members refer to themselves as "Bhanaps". The community also has a magazine published every month called Kanara Saraswat from Mumbai which carries articles by members and other news concerning the community. Notable people

Shyam Benegal, Indian film director and screenwriter
Narayan Ganesh Chandavarkar, Indian National Congress politician and Hindu reformer. Guru Dutt, Indian film director, producer and actor. Girish Karnad, Indian actor, film director, Kannada-language writer
Amrita Rao, Bollywood actress
Karnad Sadashiva Rao, Indian freedom fighter
Benegal Narsing Rau, Indian civil servant, jurist, diplomat, and statesman known for his key role in drafting the Constitution of India

