Kodagu’s rich oral tradition was used to hand down the history, culture and social practices of the people. From the book The Vanishing Kodavas (Eminence Designs, Rs 7,500). Text by Kaveri Ponnapa. Four dudipatkaras (bards) sing the history of the clans
A new book chronicles the cultural history of an enigmatic hill people.
The Kodavas, an agricultural and martial hill community known for their oral cultural traditions, are thought to have migrated to and established themselves in the Western Ghats region of Kodagu.
Despite numerous theories about their origins, none have been conclusively proven.
Organised into patrilineal descent groups, they engaged in agriculture and warfare. They were governed by local chieftains who pledged allegiance to various larger kingdoms during their early history.
Later, a dynasty of Lingayat kings, supported by a council of chieftains, assumed control. In her book “The Vanishing Kodavas”, Kaveri Ponnapa chronicles her observations on field excursions throughout Kodagu, meticulously recording village festivals across several cycles, actively engaging in and observing ancestor propitiations, as well as documenting the significant life events within the community.
The Coorg valley is also referred to as the Scotland of India for it’s ethereal beautyIn the area of Coorg (Kodagu), terracotta tradition may be traced from the Megalithic period. A few terracotta figurines are known from the dolmen site of Moribetta (Cole 1868 and 1869)The person performing ‘bhuta kola’, a traditional dance wears special makeup, jewellery and costumes. He dances to very unique tunes of musicIn the olden days, a simple white length of cloth, tied around the head was worn as a headdress, or mande tuni as referred to in the Coorg dialect. On ceremonial occasions, this was replaced by a cream and gold mande tuniPariyakali harks back to the days when war was a constant reality in Kodava life and men were expected to display their fitness and prowess on many social occasionsAlong with the Saree, Coorgee women wear a piece of cloth on their head similar to the saree known as ‘the vastra’, and they adorn themselves with gold beaded jewellery to add to the beautiful attireThe ‘Kodava costume’ for men is called ‘Kupya’ which is a collar less half sleeve knee length jacket secured at waist with a maroon sash with gold embroidery called as ‘Chela’ and a knife is tucked into the ‘Chela’ that is referred to as ‘a peechekatti’ which represents their culturePuthari, Kodagu’s annual harvest celebration, is the most important festival across Kodagu, a landmark in the agricultural and social calendar
source: http://www.outlooktraveller.com / Outlook Traveller / Home> India / by OT Staff / January 20th, 2024
Bommai inaugurates Appachattolanda Cup Kodava Hockey Festival at Napoklu
Madikeri:
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that Kodava Development Corporation, a long-pending demand of the people of the district, will be a reality soon.
“I will issue an order on the setting up of the Kodava Development Corporation at the earliest,” he said after inaugurating the Kodava family hockey tournament hosted by the Appachattolanda family at General Thimayya Stadium in Cheriyaparambu of Napoklu last evening.
“Kodavas are physically strong and protect the nation. The Government is committed to the welfare and growth of the Kodava community and the Kodava Community Development Corporation that will strive exclusively for the overall development of the unique Kodava community has been a long-pending demand from the community and steps would be taken to realise it,” he added.
Picture shows former Indian Team hockey coaches M.P. Ganesh and A.B. Subbaiah greeting the players.
Heaping praises on the concept of a family hockey tournament, the CM said that the concept is wonderful and unique and brings Kodava families under one roof. “Kodava families are well-knit families. At a time when relationships are waning, the tourney has helped bring together families. Families should be united and relationships should bring together the people,” he said. “This is a special tournament as it is organised by the Kodava families. These families enjoy a good relationship, and family bond and the heritage of the Kodava community is being promoted through the game of hockey. The culture, tradition, and practices of the Kodavas unite all. Their attire and food are special,” he added.
“It is happy to note that this tournament is going on for the last 23 years. Families must unite and relationships must prosper. This is the culture of India. This kind of tournament is not seen anywhere in the world. Hence, the State Government has released Rs. 1 crore for the tournament,” Bommai said.
The hockey festival is being held from Mar. 18 to Apr. 9 on three grounds and a record 336 families or teams have registered for it. This is the 23rd edition of the event which had a four-year break from 2018 onwards owing to natural calamities in the district followed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, the tournament began with a grand procession. Besides this year’s participants, the family teams which have participated in the tournament in the previous years also took part in the procession. Heads of the family teams gave the green signal for the hockey festival by firing 23 rounds of gunshots in the air.
The idea of a family tournament to bring together different Kodava families was conceived by the late Pandanda Kuttappa, popular as Kuttani, and the first edition was held in 1997 and has since then grown into a major event. The first exhibition match was held between the 37th Coorg Field Regiment and Kodava Academy-11. The second exhibition match was held between Indian Junior Hockey team and Karnataka team consisting of Olympian players from Kodagu.
The CM was felicitated by handing over a silver hockey stick and silver ‘odikathi’ on the occasion. Bommai was dressed in Kodava attire, complete with ‘Kupiya-chele’, ‘peechekathi’ and ‘mandethuni’. Several cultural programmes were performed.
Minister S.T. Somashekar, MLAs K.G. Bopaiah, Appachu Ranjan, MP Pratap Simha, MLC Suja Kushalappa, former MLC Veena Achaiah, DC Dr. B.C. Satish, SP Ramarajan, ZP CEO Akash, ADC Nanjundegowda, CCF B. Niranjan Murthy, Kodava Hockey Academy Director Cheeyanda Satya, Hockey Festival Convener Appachattolanda Manu Muthappa, Appachattolanda family Pattedara Erappa, ex-Advocate General and Congress leader A.S. Ponnanna, Bangalore Kodava Samaja President M.T. Nanaiah, Padmashri Rani Machaiah, former hockey coaches M.P. Ganesh and A.B. Subbaiah were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 19th, 2023
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