Category Archives: About Kodagu / Coorg

Not quite the king’s man!

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Not quite the king’s man!

Chepudira Ponnappa was one of the four dewans in the court of Chikka Veerarajendra, the last raja of Kodagu. During his later years, he was no longer the king’s favourite counsel. However, when the British marched into Madikeri, they chose to continue the services of Ponnappa and other officials, writes C P Belliappa.

Chepudira Ponnappa was one of the four dewans in the court of the last raja of Kodagu, Chikka Veerarajendra. The other three were Dewan Apparanda Bopanna, Dewan Laxminarayana and Dewan Basavanna.

Dewan Ponnappa was a colourful personality. As a teenager, he attracted the attention of Chikka Veerarajendra’s grandfather Lingaraja, when he accompanied the raja on a hunting expedition. They were camping by the side of a stream and the raja was ina relaxed mood. At a distance, a herd of buffaloes was grazing. A crow sat on the back of one of the buffaloes. Lingaraja asked if anyone could shoot the crow without hurting the buffalo. Young Ponnappa took the challenge and impressed the Raja with his marksmanship. He was immediately inducted into the army and rose rapidly in the ranks. He was appointed an army commander during the end of Dodda Veerarajendra’s reign. When Lingarajendra succeeded his brother, Ponnappa was elevated as a dewan.

Ponnappa married Cheyyavva from the Kodendera family. By 1800, they had three sons and four daughters. Ponnappa had additional responsibilities of collecting land revenue and in enforcing law and order. For this task, he had to be away from home for long periods of time.

Cheyyavva, a formidable lady, took on the responsibilities of looking after their vast paddy fields during her husband’s absence. Ponnappa had built a large house in Kirgoor, and at the time it was one of the best constructions. There is an interesting story about the carpenter who built the house. The same carpenter carried out substantial work at the raja’s palace. After settling his dues, the raja gave him a paltry bonus. The carpenter supposedly commented later, “What kind of a raja is this. His official: Ponnappa tipped me with double the number of gold coins.” The raja was furious when he heard this, but by then, the carpenter had safely returned to Kerala!

During one of Ponnappa’s extended tours, he camped in a remote village for a week. He was the guest of the village headman who belonged to the Manjera family. The headman’s beautiful young daughter Somavva was serving food to the important visitor; and Ponnappa was smitten by the attractive damsel. Ponnappa, then in his 30s, mustered all his courage to ask the headman for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

Somavva’s father and Manjera family members were elated at this offer from the powerful and prosperous Ponnappa even though their daughter would be his second wife. The village elders insisted on the marriage taking place immediately, and Somavva gave her much feigned coy assent. Ponnappa extended his stay and the villagers enthusiastically started preparations for the wedding. There was excitement all round. Their new influential ‘son-in-law of the village’ was heartily felicitated.  

A week later, it dawned on Ponnappa that he now had the delicate task of facing his first wife along with his new bride! As he approached his house in Kirgoor, an unsuspecting Cheyyavva came out to greet her husband who had been away for over a month. When Cheyyavva saw Ponnappa with a demure Somavva still in her bridal finery by his side, she flew into a rage. She brandished an odi katthi (sword) and stood menacingly near the entrance. Ponnappa had to retreat, and he soon undertook construction of another house, identical to the one built earlier, to start a family with Somavva. He had four sons and three daughters with Somavva.

Disillusioned dewan

By 1830, Ponnappa was disillusioned with the erratic and despotic rule of Chikka Veerarajendra. By then, he was 66 years old and distanced himself from playing an active part in the administration though he continued as a dewan. Chikka Veerarajendra listened more to the uncouth Dewan Basavanna who was his childhood companion and a kennel-keeper. Basavanna was intensely disliked by the citizens who referred to him as Kunta Basava since he had a limp.

The young raja had gone on a collision course with the British who were well-entrenched in the neighbouring areas of Karnataka and Kerala.

In 1833, Chikka Veerarajendra angered the British by taking Kulpally Karunakara Menon, an emissary of the BritishEast India Company, as hostage. Karunakara Menon warned the raja not to antagonise the British. In Menon’s famous words: “The British had the capacity to raise troops which could outnumber the trees in Kodagu! Ill-advised by Dewan Basavanna, Chikka Veerarajendra remained defiant and demanded the British to hand over his brother-in-law and sister who had been given asylum in Mysore. Chikka Veerarajendra accused his brother-in-law of hatching a plot to overthrow him.

By early 1834, the British decided to attack Kodagu. British troops encircled Kodagu from Mysore, Kodlipet, Kannur and Mangalore. A besieged raja called Dewan Ponnappa for advice. Dewan Ponnappa’s counsel was to immediately and unconditionally release Karunakara Menon. He was candid that the British could not be countered militarily. This enraged Dewan Basavanna who suddenly struck Dewan Ponnappa. Seventy-year-old Ponnappa momentarily lost consciousness but soon recovered. Without uttering another word, he walked out of Madikeri fort.

This was a defining moment in the history of Kodagu. Dewan Bopanna and other Kodava elders were appalled and they agreed it would be better if the administration of Kodagu was taken over by the British. They decided not to resist the impending British intervention.

On April 10, 1834, the East India Company under Colonel J S Fraser marched into Madikeri fort and announced the ouster of Chikka Veerarajendra. Kodagu was annexed and the raja was permanently exiled from his kingdom.

The British very diplomatically continued the services of Dewan Ponnappa, Dewan Bopanna and many other Kodava officials. Dewan Ponnappa lived to a ripe-old age of eighty-four. Before he died in 1847, his first wife Cheyyavva extracted a promise from him and her sons. Cheyyavva wanted to be buried closer to Ponnappa’s grave than her bête noire Somavva! This wish was fulfilled. The graves of Ponnappa’s two wives are located on either side of his tomb with that of Cheyyavva being closer by a foot!

His legacy

One of Ponnappa’s sons, Madayya was very influential, and in 1866, he renamed a small hamlet known as Balelesanthe (a place famous for selling banana leaves – an important commodity those days) as: Ponnappanapete after his illustrious father. Over the years, it transformed to Ponnampet and is currently a flourishing town in Kodagu. Chepudira family members installed a statue of Dewan Ponnappa in Ponnampet when the clan hosted the Kodava Hockey Festival in the town in 2000. Not to be forgotten , of course, is the fact that in 1957, Dewan Ponnappa’s great-great-granddaughter’s son, K S Thimayya, took charge as the Chief of Army Staff of India!

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum> History / by C.P. Belliappa / May 28th, 2012

Two Kodava Samajas Ban Non-Community Practices

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Madikeri:

The Kodava Samajas of Ponnampet and Virajpet have banned cake cutting and champagne sharing by newly-wed couples of the Kodava community during weddings at community marriage halls.

At the recently held meetings of the Samajas, Ponnampet Kodava Samaja President Chottekmada Rajiv Bopaiah and Virajpet Kodava Samaja President Vanchira Nanaiah have taken a decision along with Samaja administrative board and members that practices that do not represent Kodava culture will not be permitted inside the community marriage halls.

The related resolutions of the Virajpet Kodava Samaja were unanimously passed during its 99th general body meeting on Sunday that was attended by 15 directors and 357 members.

Apart from banning cake cutting and champagne sharing after the groom opens the bottle as a celebratory gesture, the Samajas have decided to strictly adhere to Kodava customs and rituals. For example, the trend of grooms sporting a beard during weddings has been banned.

According to Kodava custom, a beard is sported only when someone dies in the family and growing a beard is part of the ‘pinda pradhana’ ritual after a close family member passes away. Also, women have been told not to enter the auspicious Muhurtha area with their hair let loose as according to customs, hair is let loose only during funerals and funeral-related ceremonies.

Other decisions include, no bursting of firecrackers during Ganga Puja, no showering of flower petals during ceremonies, no playing of ‘Devaata’ tune by drummers (volaga troupe) during weddings as the tune is limited to only temples. If Kodava girls marry boys from other communities, the latter should not be allowed to wear Kodava dress and the bride’s mother should not put the traditional ‘Pathak’ ornament on the bride.

Not Kodava culture

Reacting on the issue, Chottekmada Rajiv Bopaiah said “Kodavas have their own distinct culture. We can survive only if our culture survives. Cutting cakes and sharing champagne by new couples during marriage ceremonies is not our culture. The decision has been taken in this regard in our annual meeting.” 

“Ever since the decision was taken, I have been flooded with congratulatory phone calls and messages. We have to pass on our culture to the next generation. Champagne celebration won’t serve the purpose, rather it will misguide the younger generations,” he said.

Also, sporting a beard is against the tradition of Kodavas. There is a ritual in which the beard will be taken off. Likewise, the women can’t come on stage with their hair let loose, which is against our tradition. The meeting has discussed the issue and we are planning to implement it in the coming days,” he added.

When asked how the younger generations of the Kodava community reacted to the ban, Rajiv said they are supporting the move and many organisations have also come forward to create awareness on the matter. “The problem seems to be with people who are in their 50s. They encourage cake cutting and champagne sharing during marriages,” he added.

MAJOR DECISIONS

  • Bridegroom should have a clean-shaven face.
  • Women who bless the newly weds on stage should not let their hair loose.
  • No bursting of firecrackers during Ganga Puja; no uncorking of champagne bottles.
  • If Kodava girls marry boys from other communities, the groom should not wear Kodava dress and bride’s mother should not adorn the bride with the traditional ‘Pathak.’

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 11th, 2021

Website on preserving Kodava culture launched

About Kodagu / Coorg, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

A new website featuring the unique culture of Kodavas, documenting the customs and traditions of the community, has been launched. The website www.kodavas.in has been put together by journalist and author B.T. Bopanna.

“My main intention is to document the customs and traditions of Kodavas, a microscopic minority community, which is slowly losing its moorings in Kodagu. Most of the younger Kodavas, who have been brought up in cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru, are unaware of the essence of Kodava culture. I felt a website was the best medium to increase awareness of the culture and help preserve it”, Mr. Bopanna said in a statement.

Mr. Bopanna, who has also pieced together five websites including his first www.coorgtourism way back in 2005, said the new website will “come in handy for someone wanting to know about the rituals involved in ceremonies connected with birth, wedding, death etc”.

In order to ensure that the content in the website was authentic, Mr. Bopanna said he took the help of Boverianda Chinnappa and Nanjamma Chinnappa, who had researched and written about Kodava culture.

“Much of the content in the website has been taken from the book Pattole Palame, compiled in 1924 by Nadikerianda Chinnappa, where the Kodava language folksongs, proverbs and riddles are transcribed in Kannada script and Kodava customs and traditions are described in Kannada language. The Pattole Palame was translated into English by Boverianda Chinnappa and Nanjamma. I have also borrowed content from their book ‘Ainmanes of Kodagu’”, Mr. Bopanna said.

The topics covered in the website including the origin of Kodavas, their customs, related to birth, wedding, death and their festivals, the religion of Kodavas, Kodava language, Jamma land tenure, their passion for the game of hockey, guns in Kodava culture, their ‘ainmanes’ etc. Mr .Bopanna said the website also contains video clips related to some of the topics on Kodava culture.

The site has been designed by Bhakti Saraswat-Devaiah, he added in the statement.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 12th, 2021

Kushalnagar Formally Gets Taluk Status Amid Fracas

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Madikeri:

Six months after issuing a final notification for the formation of Kushalnagar taluk, the taluk was officially dedicated on Tuesday by Revenue Minister R. Ashoka. The State Government had notified the taluk on Jan. 1 this year and a new taluk was formed adding to the list of existing four taluks — Madikeri, Virajpet, Ponnampet and Somwarpet.

The taluk was created bowing to public pressure and years of struggle as residents were forced to travel 27-km to Somwarpet to get their work done. Cauvery Taluk Horata Kendriya Samiti spearheaded the agitations.

However, Tuesday’s inauguration became chaotic as office-bearers and members of the Samiti alleged that though Kushalnagar taluk was their baby, they had been ignored during the inauguration ceremony, making it an all-BJP affair. They shouted slogans as soon as Minister Ashoka rose to speak. However, they were evicted out forcefully. 

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, Somwarpet MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan and MLC Veena Achaiah were present on the dais. Minister Ashoka praised Appachu Ranjan for his efforts to form the taluk. “He visited my office 20-30 times urging me to accord the taluk status,” he said. 

Ashoka noted that Tahsildar and 12 posts have been created and Rs. 50 lakh had been released for necessary works and assured that all necessary support would be provided to the newly-developed taluk in a phased manner. 

In his address, thanking Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Ashoka, MLA Appachu Ranjan said that a Mini Vidhana Soudha was necessary to house all Government offices. 

Samiti alleges side-lining

Before Ashoka spoke, members of Cauvery Taluk Horata Kendriya Samiti alleged that the BJP had hijacked their efforts to form the taluk for 20 years. Horata Samiti leader and Zilla Panchayat former member K.P. Chandrakala said that Samiti Chairman V.P. Shashidhar’s name was deliberately dropped from the list of guests in the invitation.

“The event has been converted into a BJP event,” she said, as the Samiti members including Shashidhar shouted slogans against the BJP Government. This irked BJP followers and they too shouted pro-BJP slogans. This led to a fracas where both sides accused each other. Some were even pushed around.

Though Pratap Simha tried to calm down the agitated crowd, the fight did not stop and the Police tried to send Shashidhar and other activists outside the hall. Then a fight broke out with Inspector Mahesh. Later, the Police evicted the Samiti members out of the hall. 

Meanwhile, Appachu Ranjan said that he had supported the efforts of all organisations in the formation of Kushalnagar taluk. “When Siddharamaiah was the CM, I led a delegation to Belagavi and Bengaluru. When V.P. Shashidhar had launched a hunger strike, it was I who stood behind him when the then Kodagu District Minister M.R. Seetharam did not care. All this must be remembered by the Samiti,” he added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 08th, 2021

GSI finds 85 places in Kodagu prone to floods, landslips

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Geographical Survey of India (GSI) has identified 85 places in Kodagu district, including areas in Madikeri and Virajpet towns, as vulnerable to floods and landslips.

Deputy Commissioner Charulatha Somal said necessary precautions are in place at those places following the GSI’s report. The officials had also prepared reports on places susceptible to rain emergencies based on previous years’ calamities.

The DC, while responding to Minister for Revenue R. Ashok on monsoon preparedness, gave details of the flood-prone areas and steps taken for the safety of people.

Mr. Ashok directed the DC to take steps to relocate those living in susceptible areas to safer places in view of monsoon. “Just issuing notices to the people to relocate will not serve the purpose. The administration has to persuade them to shift,” said the Minister, at a video conference on Monday with the DCs of some districts, including Kodagu, on Monsoon preparations.

Referring to last year’s landslip that took place at Talacauvery which claimed the lives of people, including the temple priest, the Minister said such instances should not recur. The people living in vulnerable areas must be shifted to relief/rescue centres which can be set up in schools or community halls, he suggested.

Ms. Somal urged the Minister to increase availability of kerosene to Kodagu since its demand goes up during monsoon. The Minister said he would speak to the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – June 09th, 2021

Virtual Museum Of Kodava Heritage

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Sir,

The year gone by will not be forgotten for a long time to come. A year that turned the world upside down. Travel and hospitality sectors which provide most employment were crippled beyond belief. The pandemic has changed the very nature of tourism and travel for ever. Their worlds will never be the same again. Words like hybrid and virtual have come in to the lexicon of tourism. This is the new reality.

Monuments, cultural heritage sites and famous museums across the world have gone ‘hybrid’ to provide online guided tours through their sites and galleries to millions who are unable to travel anymore. In India, Government has announced that many of the country’s UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites and major museums will prepare to provide online access.

Technology not only makes this possible but has opened the magical doors to the creation of virtual museums that are only limited by imagination!

In this brave new world, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA)  — www.indiaifa.org  — has come forward to invite proposals from multi-disciplinary teams for the creation of a Virtual Museum to showcase Kodava Heritage and Culture. The virtual museum will be an interactive online space for the rich and thriving heritage of Kodavas offering a glimpse into their history, customs and cultural practices. IFA has an enviable record of supporting path-breaking initiatives in the field of art and culture.

The exciting prospect of this museum of cultural heritage of a proud warrior people has  become possible by a CSR grant from Recaero India Pvt. Ltd., which is a pioneer in the field of aerospace engineering. This grant will clearly need to be supplemented with generous donations as the project progresses.

For a project of this kind to be successful, we need to access tangible resources like photographs, video clips of marriages, folk dances and observance of rituals, jewellery and objects which are unique to the Kodava way of life. The design team would also require to reach out to members of the community for intangible resources like accounts of social rituals and customs of Kodavas that may have been lost in antiquity. We, therefore, request  members of the community to volunteer to provide the resource requirement and any other support.

The Project Coordinator in IFA Darshana can be reached at: darshana@indiaifa.org. I can be reached on: rathicodanda.kodavaheritage@gmail.com

— Rathi Vinay Jha, Chair, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA)

Bengaluru

29.4.2021

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / May 05th, 2021

Coffee, critters and climate change

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All

With temperatures rising and pests proliferating, Indian coffee growers are fighting challenges beyond their control.

Unpredictable rise in temperatures followed by an uncertain monsoon cycle has gradually started taking a toll on coffee yields. (Chevanon Photography, Pexels)
Unpredictable rise in temperatures followed by an uncertain monsoon cycle has gradually started taking a toll on coffee yields. (Chevanon Photography, Pexels)

Coffee is the first thing I see, smell and taste in the day. But as caffeine-junkies like you or me ride the wave of premium specialty brews, we need to pay attention to growers across major regions in India, such as Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, who are battling a host of challenges due to a changing climate.

As spring transitions to summer, the pattern of unpredictable rise in temperatures followed by an uncertain monsoon cycle has gradually started taking a toll on yields and impacting the livelihood of coffee farmers.

Bengaluru based Tej Thammaiah, a co-founder of Maverick & Farmer Coffee Roasters and third-generation coffee farmer, says his team of growers on the 150-acre estate have meticulously documented the cultivation process to pinpoint the impact of increasing temperatures over the last decade. The mild, aromatic Arabica plant with its nuanced flavours, second only to Robusta in production volume in India, is highly susceptible to even the slightest change in climate. As temperatures increase, it hastens fruit ripening, leading to a loss in the overall quality of beans.

To fight this temperature change at estates such as Pollibetta in Coorg, his growers strive to find plots at higher, cooler elevations. But in this new environment, the finicky coffee fruit typically takes longer to mature. Moreover, changing plot locations is not a sustainable solution since coffee fruits in India are grown primarily in “shady” conditions, under a canopy of trees. And deforestation and logging is taking a toll everywhere.

It gets worse: When plants aren’t grown in ideal conditions, it leaves them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Sunalini Menon, president of a coffee grading and training institute called Coffeelab in Bengaluru, mentions that a beetle known as white stem borer has been particularly harmful, spreading through India and Sri Lanka. It prefers plants exposed to sunlight and after burrowing in hard wood and roots as a larva, it hatches and feeds off the plant, destroying the woody tissue, leading to stems wilting and leaves yellowing. The beetle seems to have a particular liking for Arabica.

Not all hope is lost, though. Menon says India was one of the first countries to battle another infamous dweller, a fungus known as leaf rust, at the Mysore Coffee Experimental Station established by the British in 1925 at Chikmagalur, Karnataka. Known as the Central Coffee Research Institute, this research centre now run by the Coffee Board of India is researching and guiding growers on pest control, as well as initiatives such as diversifying shade patterns with local balsa and cedar trees and introducing new varietals of Arabica and Robust suited for tropical growth.

But she does believe it’s important to let go of the hesitancy to uproot plants. Farmers, perhaps for cultural reasons, have typically been hesitant to replant their land though research suggests that shorter plant life-cycles increase quantity, improve bean quality and even give growers some reprieve from emerging pests and diseases.

Ultimately, however, no practice can replace the tedious, time-consuming process of screening crops regularly. A task which falls squarely on growers.

Some shift to growing other crops. Those who stick it out, especially in smaller estates, need more support–in the form of agritourism, research on new techniques, investment in weather stations or, simply, from consumers.

If that doesn’t happen, we may in time find it increasingly difficult to get that morning fix.

For those new to coffee: Thammaiah suggests Selection 795 or Cauvery to taste domestic Arabicas (while we still can).

Nightcap is a column on beverages by Varud Gupta, author of Bhagwaan Ke Pakwaan and Chhotu. @varudgupta

source: http://www.lifestyle.livemint.com / Live Mint / Home> Mint Lounge> Food / by Varun Gupta / April 26th, 2021

Rebecca And Victoria

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Pocahontas, the beau-tiful daughter of the American Indian chief of the Powhatan Confederacy, was born in 1596 in what is now known as Jamestown, Virginia, in the USA.  Her rank was that of a Princess. 16th and 17th century saw rapid colonisation of the Americas by the European nations.  History is replete with the brave fights the native Americans put-up against the white man who came with superior weapons and technology, and ultimately subdued the original inhabitants.

Chief Powhatan was a formidable opponent of the alien settlers.  One of the British colonisers who encountered chief Powhatan was John Smith.  In a skirmish, the British were outnumbered, and John Smith was taken prisoner.  When Smith was about to be executed, the then 11-year-old Pocahontas intervened and saved his life. John Smith was held captive for a while by the Powhatan chief. The young and impressionable Pocahontas was intrigued by the white man.  She used to visit the prisoner frequently and in time learnt a smattering of English from him.  John Smith subtly introduced Pocahontas to Christianity.

Years later, during the first Anglo-Powhatan war in 1613, Pocahontas was taken hostage by the British.  During this period, she was taught English and the scriptures in more detail. Soon her indoctrination was complete. In  1614 Pocahontas was baptised and was given the name Rebecca.

Fast forward to 1852.  The 11-year-old Gowramma, the favourite daughter of the last Raja of Coorg, was taught English and the scriptures by the British during their exile in Benares. The Raja and Princess Gowramma land in Victorian England in 1852.  Presented at Queen Victoria’s court, the queen took the vulnerable Gowramma under her wing as her God-daughter and encouraged her baptism.  Gowramma was given the name Victoria.  Queen Victoria bestowed Gowramma with a rank equivalent to that of an European Princess. 

During her captivity, Rebecca Pocahontas fell in love with John Rolfe, a British tobacco trader and grower. John  Rolfe was a widower. 18-year-old Rebecca married the much older John Rolfe in  1614.

When Victoria Gowramma was 19 years old, she got romantically involved with a British army officer: Lieutenant Colonel John Campbell, who had served in India.  He was a widower, and 30 years her senior.  They were married in 1860. 

John Rolfe and Rebecca Pocahontas had a son named Thomas Rolfe.  In 1616, John Rolfe brought his wife and infant son to England. Pocahontas was presented at the court of King James I, where she was given a reception with protocol normally extended to a daughter of a king.  

In March 1617 John Rolfe and his family boarded a ship to sail back to America.  Rebecca Pocahontas suddenly took ill and had to be taken  ashore.  Within days Rebecca died, and it is suspected that the cause of her death was either pneumonia or tuberculosis.  She was 21 years old.

Victoria Gowramma and John Campbell had a daughter named Edith Victoria.  Gowramma suffered from tuberculosis and succumbed to the disease in 1864 at the age of 23. 

Rebecca and Victoria, separated by nearly 250 years, had uncanny similarities in their lives.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by C.P. Belliappa / April 30th, 2021

HC directs govt. to transfer 11,722 hectares to Forest Department

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This was decided four decades ago when Harangi reservoir was built

The High Court of Karnataka has directed the State government to transfer within one month the entries in respect of 11,722.29 hectares of identified lands of C and D categories in Kodagu district to the Forest Department as was decided four decades ago to compensate forest area utilised for Harangi reservoir project.

A Division Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice J.M. Khazi issued the direction while allowing a PIL petition filed by K.A. Ravi Chengappa, President of Cauvery Sene, Madikeri, and C.C. Devaiah of Virajpet of Kodagu district.

The petitioners had pointed out that the reservoir was built during 1970s near Hudgur village in Somwarpet taluk and the government had on May 12, 1972, ordered release of 900 acres of land from the Yadavanadu forest area and 3,000 acres from the Atturu forest area to rehabilitate the persons who had lost their lands on account of the reservoir project.

Also, the government in 1972 and 1994 had directed that 18,000 acres of land from the Revenue Department should be handed over to the Forest Department to re-compensate the forest land utilised for the reservoir project, the petitioners said.

Though orders were passed in 1972 and 1994 for transferring 11,722.29 hectares of land to the Forest Department, the revenue authorities, including the Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu, till today had not transferred the records of these lands in favour of the Forest Department, the petitioners contended.

During the hearing of the petition, the government counsel told the Court that only formal handing over of lands to Forest Department was not done while clarifying that the Forest Department is at liberty to take charge of the 11,722.29 hectares of lands and the court issue such a direction.

The Bench, while referring to apex court’s judgements in T.N. Godavarman Thirupulkpad case on protection of environment and forest lands, said that the Government was required to transfer these lands to Forest Department as the 11,722.29 hectares of lands were mean to re-compensate the forest area used for the reservoir project.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / Bengaluru – April 28th, 2021

HC Orders Tahsildar To Survey Madikeri Gaddige Land

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Bengaluru/ Madikeri:

The Karnataka High Court has directed Madikeri Tahsildar to conduct a survey of 19.86 acres of the area where Raja’s Tomb (Gaddige) is situated at Mahadevpet near Madikeri.

A Division Bench, headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, was hearing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by J.S. Virupakshaiah, a former State Information Commissioner. It might be mentioned here that Virupakshaiah had even filed a PIL regarding the pathetic state of Madikeri Fort and had drawn the attention of the High Court contending that the Fort and Palace premises are heritage sites, dating back to more than three centuries and have been grossly neglected. 

In his PIL on Gaddige, Virupakshaiah alleged that there are several encroachments in the historical tomb area. Rajara Gaddige is one of the tourist attractions in Kodagu and tourists who visit Abbey falls will pass Rajara Gaddige en route to it. However, it is in deplorable condition owing to the negligence of the Government and encroachment of land by local residents and vested interests. 

Encroachments galore

Initially, the Gaddige had 19.86 acres of land. However, the land has been encroached. Some have even built houses on the encroached land. Even a Government building has come up on the Gaddige land. The Gaddige area has become land for immoral activities in the evening.

Hearing the petitioner, the High Court directed the Tahsildar to visit the Gaddige with a view to ascertain the present condition of the tomb. The Bench said the Tahsildar has to ascertain in the report whether there are any encroachments. The Bench has also directed the Tahsildar to prepare a sketch of the entire land and point out encroachments, if any. The Tahsildar has been directed to submit the survey report within six weeks.

Also, the High Court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Centre to file affidavits stating whether the Raja’s tomb is an ancient monument and is of national importance. It asked the State Government to consider whether powers, under Section 19 of the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1961, should be exercised for the declaration of the protected area.

Deep-rooted history

The Rajara Gaddige situated in a hilly region at Mahadevpet has been built in such a way that it can be seen from all the four directions. They have been built in Mohammedan style with tombs at the centre and turrets at the corners. Nandi figures are carved on top of the corners.

The entrance of the tombs has carvings too. Lord Shiva is placed and worshipped inside the tomb since the king was Hindu. There are three tombs built for the royal dynasty. The central tomb which is the largest among the three is of Kodava king Doddaveerarajendra and his wife Mahadeviamma. The right tomb is built by Chikkaveerarajendra for his father Lingarajendra in 1820. 

The left tomb belongs to Veerarajendra’s guru Rudrappa built in 1834. Closer to the tombs is the burial place of the two brave royal officials Biddanda Bopu — Bopu Dandanayaka — and his son Biddanda Somaiah who sacrificed their life fighting with Tipu Sultan. In fact, Doddaveerarajendra had erected a plaque in the memory his soldiers in 1779.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 29th, 2021