Bhatraju

Bhatraju (also transliterated as Bhatrazu) is an Indian caste of Telugu-speaking ballad reciters, panegyrists, and religious musicians. They are primarily found in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and also in smaller numbers in the neighbouring states. They are also known as Bhatturaju or Bhataraju or Bhatrajulu or Jathikirthulu.

Bhatrajus were originally a caste of court bards, eulogists, and reciters of family genealogy and tradition. After the fall of indigenous kingdoms, they became mendicants or switched to singing religious songs and praises of richer communities and their traditions in weddings and death ceremonies. They are typically non-vegetarians and bury their dead.

Bhatrajus are classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in most states of Southern India. They use Raju as their caste title.