The Kodavas hail from Kodagu district, which was merged with Karnataka in 1956.
Till then, Kodagu was a ‘C’ category State, and was administrated by the Central government.
Later, as Kodavas migrated to urban centres such as Bangalore, they formed an association to preserve their culture and traditions, which are unique.
The Bangalore Kodava Samaja is one such organisation, formed to safeguard Kodava identity. The Samaja is all set to celebrate its centenary year, come November 11.
The Samaja has its roots in an organisation called ‘Kodagu Sangha’ which was formed in 1911 with 30 members, part of eight Kodava families in the City. The Sangha was rechristened Kodava Samaja in 1962.
Mysore King Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar is said to have gifted an acre of land at Vasanthnagar, near Palace Grounds to the country’s first Field Marshal K M Cariappa in 1960. The Field Marshal donated the land to Kodagu Sangha which was headed by the IGP of the then Mysore State, Rao Bahadur Pemmanda K Monnappa.
A small ‘Samudaya Bhavan’ was constructed between 1962 and 1966. It was in 1975 that a commercial complex was built in the premises. In 1986, a sports and recreation club was constructed. Much later, in 1993-95, the old Samudaya Bhavan was demolished and a new auditorium was constructed at a cost of Rs one crore.
Today’s Kodava Samaja has a Field Marshal K M Cariappa Bhavan, a General K S Thimmayya Bhavan, Haridasa Appaccha Kavi auditorium, Cauvery Hall and a roof garden.
The Kodava Samaja celebrated its platinum jubilee in 1986. In 2007, the Samaja celebrated the silver jubilee of Cauvery school. The sports and recreation club organised a State-level hockey tournament. The Samaja also organised many Kodava festivals.
Contribution to education
In 1981, the Cauvery school was established in Indiranagar in the land donated to the Samaja by the then chief minister R Gundu Rao. In 1996, Pre-University and undergraduate courses were also introduced.
A management college was also established in HAL II Stage. Bangalore has over 40,000 Kodavas. As many as 12,000 of them are members of Kodava Samaja. The centenary celebrations will be held at Palace Grounds between November 11 and 13. Scion of the Wodeyar family, Srikantadatta Wodeyar, will be the chief guest on November 12.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by K M Ashok Kumar / November 07th, 2011
