Tag Archives: Balugodu

A hockey story from coffee-country

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Sandhya Kumar’s documentary ‘Hockey In My Blood’ tells the story of the Kodava community’s passion for the game.

Sandhya Kumar

Over 3,000 players — men, women, and children — of the Kodava community from Coorg gather annually for the family hockey tournament in the midst of coffee plantations, summer vacations and the wedding season.

It’s regarded as the world’s largest field-hockey tournament. Curious about this sociological phenomenon and their passionate love for the game that forms the glue, binding generations, Bengaluru-based documentary filmmaker Sandhya Kumar decided to make a film.

After two years of research, several visits to Coorg, interviewing players and hosting families, crowd-funding, and filming the 2013 tournament, her film Hockey In My Blood is ready to be aired at this year’s tournament.

The 52-minute film is in English and Kodava-takk (with English subtitles). The 19th edition of the Kuppanda Cup Kodava Hockey Namme 2015 is currently underway at Virajpet (Coorg) and Sandhya’s film will be screened at the festival on May 7, two days before the finale.

The tournament is played over a month, with a series of about 250 knockout matches, played by anywhere between 220 to 260 teams — each team being one family. Many of the players have played for the State and National teams; some are even former Olympians. Every year, one family hosts the tournament.

“It’s the coming together of people that fascinated me. It’s a family tournament, with no big money or stakes involved. The Kodavas are a sports-obsessed community. Most of the people don’t live in Coorg — they live and work mostly in Bangalore, Mangalore, and Mysore — but have an estate and family to go back to in Coorg. When you have to put together a team of 11, contacting third and fourth cousins you’re otherwise not really in touch with, it is something. Within the clan there are classes — a carpenter may be playing alongside a banker — but the point is every one comes together for this,” explains Sandhya.

Armed with an MFA in Film from the San Francisco Art Institute, and an MA in Mass Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia University, Sandhya has been making documentaries since 2007. She won the President’s National Film Award of India (2013) for her documentary O Friend, This Waiting! After she moved to Bangalore three years ago when she married, she missed her close-knit film community in Delhi; so, along with fellow filmmakers, Sandhya helped revive Vikalp Bengaluru, a forum that regularly screens the best of documentary films from all over the world.

The story of Hockey In My Blood started when a Kodava friend of Sandhya’s was talking about the tournament, and suggested “Why don’t you make a film on it?” “There were no books on the subject, very few people in Bangalore knew about it. I only had newspaper articles to fall back on and I hadn’t been to Coorg before that. Later, when I was in Coorg for a wedding, I became interested in the community sociologically, and their passion for hockey when the rest of the country was obsessed with cricket.”

Her friend Deepthi Bopaiah offered help and introduced her to the host family for 2013 — the Madanda family, and the tournament’s coordinator Thimmaiah Madanda.

There were initial apprehensions about her making the film. But when they met up, they were pleased that someone was interested in this phenomenon, adds Sandhya.

Through the organiser, she identified players she wanted to interview and film. While she started filming impulsively with her own funds, film grants were few to come by. She soon found a need to crowdfund the film — in about five months, she raised Rs. 7 lakhs from family and friends through the Orange Street platform. “I met this young boy called Prajwal. He and his family lived on a small estate, and along with his brother he practised hockey in the coffee-drying yard in front of their home. We filmed him extensively. The film was shot in Balugodu, Virajpet, Palangala, Murnad, and the Karnataka State Hockey Association. Participants start practising just about a week before the tournament, because most live far off; some players have even come in from Dubai to participate.”

Sandhya also met Pandanda Kuttanni, who is well into his 70s, and the founder of the concept of this tournament. “He said he was in Delhi during the 1982 Asiad cup and felt Coorg needed a tournament like this to bring together a people who were moving away from home,” recalls Sandhya.

At the end of it all, Sandhya says: “It’s the commitment of the players to their families, the extent they will go to, to give up whatever they are doing to go back home to Coorg, and play for family — that was my best takeaway from the film.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus / by Bhumika K / April 24th, 2015

Minister directs officials to expedite roadworks in Kodagu

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N.S. Boseraju | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

With the possibility of monsoon rains commencing in the first week of June, Minister in charge of Kodagu district N.S. Boseraju has issued directions to officials to expedite and complete the ongoing roadworks at the earliest.

Chairing the district-level Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) progress review meeting in Madikeri on Tuesday, Mr. Boseraju instructed the officials to take up necessary pothole filling up works across Kodagu district at the earliest.

While directing the officials to ensure the public do not face inconvenience during the rainy season, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the poor pace of roadwork. Though the government has allocated hundreds of crores of rupees for road maintenance across the State, the delays by engineers were tarnishing the government’s image, he rued.

His observations came amid demands by other people’s representatives including Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda, who sought for not only swift completion of the roadworks in the constituency, but also ensure good quality work.

He also sought early construction of the Aigoor bridge, repair of Galibeedu road and the maintenance of roads in Mutlu, Hammiyala, Devasthuru, Hanchinadu, and other areas.

Vice-chairman of Sports Authority of Karnataka (SAK) Arun Machaiah too pointed out that many roadworks, including Karike Road, were still pending and sought that the works be taken up urgently.

Kodagu District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee president Teetira Dharmaj Uthappa too highlighted the need to repair roads in Bittangala, Titimati, Balugodu, and other areas.

Reviewing works related to the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) in Kodagu, Mr. Boseraju said the government had released ₹110 crore each for the two Assembly constituencies in Kodagu and instructed the officials to ensure proper power supply to the people of the hilly district.

When the CESC officials pointed out that Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) works are in progress in Hudikeri and Balale while work on sub-stations are being initiated in Kalathmadu, Siddapur, and Katakeri, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction that discussions on power substations have been ongoing for over a year without sufficient progress.

Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena, Superintendent of Police Bindu Mani, Assistant Commissioner Nitin Chakki and Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhishek also participated in the meeting.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / May 06th, 2026

Kail-Poldh Fest at Balugodu

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Federation of Kodava Samajas, Balugodu, Virajpet and its Women’s Wing have jointly organised Kail-Poldh Festival  on Sept. 13 (Saturday) at 10 am at the Samaja premises in Balugodu.

Ayudha Puja will be held at 10 am.

On the occasion, coconut shooting and various competitions will be conducted, according to a press release.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / August 26th, 2025

Codavas relentless in saving their heritage

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Buttanagal (Kodagu district):

The Kodava National Council (CNC) organised a human chain demonstration at Buttanagal Junction today, highlighting the rampant misuse of the Karnataka Land Reforms Amendment Act and its devastating consequences on Kodava culture and the region’s ecology. CNC President N. U. Nachappa voiced strong opposition, condemning land grabs facilitated by loopholes in the 2020-21 amendments, impacting the Kodava heartland, including Perumbadi, Balugodu, Nangala, and Buttanagal.

A major concern raised was the ongoing encroachment by external investors, corporate entities, and resort mafias, who are allegedly exploiting fertile agricultural lands and jeopardising the tributaries of the sacred River Cauvery.

Siddaur’s historic BBTC coffee estates, spanning 2,400 acres, are now under threat of urban conversion by powerful external interests. According to CNC, these exploitative developments are destroying green landscapes, contaminating water resources, and undermining Kodava heritage, including sacred spaces like “Mand” and village deities.

Nachappa highlighted a significant case in Nangala, where a businessman from Andhra Pradesh has reportedly acquired 50 acres and plans to construct a massive resort, scaring local residents and threatening essential water catchments. The CNC President also alleged that a prominent Parliament member from South India is using unaccounted wealth to fund real estate acquisitions in Kodava Land, aiming to establish economic corridors and mega-cities at the expense of local communities. Substantial donations are being made to prestigious Kodava clubs to suppress opposition.

The CNC argues that external economic forces are transforming Kodava Land into a playground for urban expansion, negatively affecting agriculture, forest resources, and water systems. The council warns of severe demographic shifts if unchecked migration occurs, with outsiders obtaining local IDs through fraudulent means and becoming beneficiaries of government schemes, thereby destabilising the area’s social fabric.

The CNC further accused resort developers of manipulating regulations to degrade the environment, drawing a direct link to large-scale deforestation and ecological harm. Comparisons were made to Wayanad, Kerala, where similar activities have led to catastrophic landslides and flooding. Nachappa reiterated that only Scheduled Tribe status and self-determination rights for Kodavas can curb the destruction and protect their land.

Echoing the sentiment, CNC members protested against luxury estates and villa projects that are obliterating traditional Kodava home-stay practices and disrespecting the local way of life. The council pointed out the selective application of environmental laws, which are lenient on powerful resort owners but stringent on Kodava farmers. Highlighting corrupt practices, CNC claimed that resort mafias, aided by local and state political support, are destabilising the region.

The protest ended with an urgent call for unity among Kodavas to resist these land reforms and preserve the natural and cultural wealth of Kodava Land.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by M Raghuram / Hans News Service / November 06th, 2024

State Human Rights Commission anguished by plight of Yaravas in Kodagu village

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SHRC flags human rights violation in the hamlet.

The SHRC team interacting with members of the Yarava community at Balugodu hamlet in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairman L. Narayanaswamy has expressed anguish over the living conditions of the Yarava community members at Balugodu hamlet in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district.

SHRC has also directed the officials in Kodagu to ensure that basic amenities are extended and a progress report submitted to them. A progress review will be held in 20 days and the officials have been instructed to provide drinking water through tankers with immediate effect to the Balugodu hamlet.

Speaking in Virajpet after paying a visit to the hamlet on Wednesday, Mr. Narayanaswamy said that India boasts of success in Chandrayaan and is among the top five economies in terms of GDP ranking. But there are people who live in dire poverty devoid of basic amenities, lack of housing, electricity and connectivity which makes one wonder whether India was really developing, he said.

He said one has to introspect and question oneself about the prevailing system given the fact that there are Adivasi communities devoid of site, housing, drinking water facilities, electricity, anganwadi or school.  

He directed the officials to ensure that the Yaravas in Balugodu hamlet are provided with basic civic amenities. ‘’Those who are part of the system and in the government enjoy all amenities but those outside it are deprived of basic amenities and is a matter of sorrow’’, said Mr. Narayanaswamy. The Yaravas are economically impoverished and extending all amenities to them by the local authorities should be the first priority, he added, pointing out that not even 5% of the government benefits have percolated to them.

SHRC member S.K. Vantigodi said the living conditions of Yaravas in Balugodu was deplorable and it was a clear case of human rights violation and exploitation.

T. Sham Bhatt, who is also a member of SHRC said government benefits have not reached the people of Balugodu and called upon the officials to take note and act upon it.

During their visit to the hamlet, the SHRC team apprised itself of the living conditions of the Yaravas and rued that they were living in tents devoid of basic amenities. The people of the hamlet bemoaned that they were living in such conditions exposed to vagaries of nature including heavy rains and severe cold. Besides, there was threat of snakes and hence sought concrete houses. A local resident said that 5 kg of rice being supplied by the government was not adequate and they get a square meal a day only when there was work in coffee plantations.

Later, the commission received grievances from the public and people sought for the immediate repair of Morarji Desai Residential School. It also inquired into cases pertaining to human rights violation in the taluk.

Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja, ZP CEO Varnit Negi, Superintendent of Police K. Ramrajan and others were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com/ The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 31st, 2024

Annual ‘Kodava Namme’ At Balugodu From Nov. 16 To 19

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Madikeri:

‘Kodava Namme,’ the annual cultural and sports festival organised by the Federation of Kodava Samajas will be held from Nov. 16 to 19 at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Cultural Centre at Balugodu in Virajpet, Kodagu.

The four-day festival will begin with the inauguration of the hockey tournament, said Federation President Kallichanda Vishnu Cariappa. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Madikeri on Monday, he said that the hockey match will be held between different Kodava Samajas and four matches will be played on the first day on Nov. 16. 

On Nov. 17, there will be another four matches and the first semifinal will be played on Nov. 18 and the second semifinal will be played at 2 pm on Nov. 18. After the first semifinal, respects will be paid to the war memorial constructed by the Kodava Samajas and Maj. Gen (Retd.) Bachamanda Cariappa will be the chief guest. 

This apart, events like tug-of-war, shot put, coconut shooting will be held for both men and women. On Nov. 19, different Kodava Samajas will present cultural programmes in five different venues within the Balugodu campus. The finals of the hockey match will be held on Nov. 19 followed by prize distribution. 

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda and MLC Suja Kushalappa will be present as guests. 

Federation Secretary Vaterira Shankari Poovaiah, Convener Kambiranda Kittu Kalappa, Food Committee President Kumbera Manukumar, Sports Committee President Thambukuthira Madhu Mandanna, Technical Committee Director Achakalira Palangappa, member Pattada Manu Ramachandra, Cultural Committee Convener Boliyangada Dadu Poovaiah were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 15th, 2023

Annual ‘Kodava Namme’ At Balugodu From Nov. 18 To 20

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‘Kodava Namme,’ the annual cultural and sports festival organised by the Federation of  Kodava Samajas will be held from Nov. 18 to 20 at Balugodu in Virajpet, Kodagu.

The three-day festival will begin with the inauguration of the hockey tournament tomorrow morning while the cultural programmes will be inaugurated at 10 am on Nov. 20.

The finals of hockey match will be held at 2 pm followed by prize distribution, according to a press release from the Federation President.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / November 19th, 2022