Mysuru :

The annual Kail-Poldh get-together was celebrated at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Community Hall in Vijayanagar 1st stage here yesterday under the auspices of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru.

The day-long programme began with Ayyalapanda Pattu Pemmaiah performing Ayudha Puja to the traditional weapons of Kodavas. Kail-Poldh festival is celebrated in Kodagu during the end of the paddy sowing. Kail means weapon or armoury and Poldh means worship. The festival also signifies the day that men should prepare to guard their crop. Hence, on the Kail-Poldh day, the weapons are taken out of the puja room, cleaned and puja is offered.

Kambeyanda C. Biddappa, retired Senior Vice-President, ITC Ltd., who was the chief guest, felicitated eminent Kodavas and senior members of the Samaja in recognition of their service to the Samaja and the society.

Speaking on the occasion, K.C. Biddappa said that higher education was the most important enabler for all-round development of a community. He then said it was unfortunate that while Kodava students in urban areas are doing well academically their rural counterparts are lagging behind and needed help.

“These rural poor Kodava students need support from the community, and organisations like Kodava Samaja, Coorg Education Fund and Deena Bandhu Charitable Trust should help poor Kodava students without making merit the only criteria,” he added.

Stating that in most of the district head quarters every community has hostels to help their poor students to study with free boarding, lodging and financial support, he rued that there was not a single Kodava hostel any where. “If only we were to have Kodava hostels in Madikeri , Mysuru and Bengaluru, a lot of poor Kodava students would have benefited and progressed,” he opined.

Referring to the dwindling population of the community in Kodagu, he said Kodavas are losing relevance in their own homeland and that the Government does not bother because Kodavas are not a vote-bank.

Stating that Kodava population in Kodagu is just between 80,000 and 90,000, he said to become relevant Kodavas needed to take the support of all the moolanivasis of Kodagu like Peggade, Iri, Amma Kodava and other original inhabitants.

“We should all unite and take up our cause under one umbrella to create a sustainable and significant vote-bank, then only the Government will respond to our demands,” he said.

Biddappa reiterated that Kodavas must be united and said if Kodavas have to survive then they should focus on higher education and support poor Kodava students.

The senior members, who were felicitated by the Samaja are: Napanda U. Aiyappa, an exserviceman; Machura N. Kaveriappa, also an exserviceman; Bottolanda M. Ponnanna, who runs a private business; Ponjanda S. Arjuna, retired Circle Inspector and recipient of Chief Minister’s and President’s Medal and Kakamada Ganga Chengappa, who runs Swastha, a school for specially-abled children in Sunticoppa, Kodagu and recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award for service to special kids. The above achievers were introduced by Mandira P. Kalaiah, Ammatanda Madhu Medappa, Machanda S. Muthappa, Thambanda Neena Devaiah and Kekada M. Belliappa respectively.

Replying to felicitations, the senior members, who are actively involved in the Samaja activities, called upon the Samaja, area-wise Kodava Associations and the community members to preserve and promote the unique Kodava art, culture and tradition by encouraging the Kodava youth to come forward and pursue the same.

On the occasion, various scholarships instituted by the Samaja members were presented to meritorious Kodava students (from 7th std. to Post-Graduation) and achievers in sports.

Kattera A. Kariappa, former President of Kodava Samaja and President of Deena Bandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, who also spoke, sought the support of the Samaja members to the Trust, which has been helping poor and needy Kodava students in their studies.

Earlier, Keethiyanda Kavya Kuttappa, Ketolira Bhavani and Appanderanda Thara rendered the invocation. Samaja President Mechanda M. Karumbaiah welcomed and presided. Treasurer Kuppanda P. Subbaiah read the names of the deceased members after which a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Ponnachanda S. Bheemaiah read the names of the scholarship awardees.

Vice-President Moovera K. Kuttappa introduced the chief guest.

Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah compered and proposed a vote of thanks.

Hundreds of Kodavas attended the day-long get-together which concluded with sports and games for the members and their children in the afternoon session.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – September 07th, 2015