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KODAVAME (KODAVA WAY OF LIFE) IS NOT ABOUT BANNING CUTTING OF CAKES

By P.T. Bopanna

In my forthcoming book, I have urged Kodavas (Coorgs) in Karnataka to become global citizens, instead of paying heed to regressive ideas being peddled by a section of the Kodava community.

In my book, ‘Kodava Religion at Crossroads’, I have stated: “Kodavas should strive towards becoming global citizens or ‘Vishwa Manava’ (a man having a universal consciousness, not limited by petty considerations), an idea espoused by Kuvempu, the renowned Kannada writer.”

A couple of years ago, a Kodava Samaja in Kodagu had banned the cutting of cakes, popping of champagne at Kodava weddings, barred bridegrooms from sporting beards and Kodava women from going to the wedding mantap with their hair let loose. These regressive actions were endorsed by another Kodava Samaja.

Though Kodavas are a well-evolved community, who believe in ancestor and nature worship, are now turning regressive in their thinking, under the influence of the Hindutva ideology.

Though Kodava population is around a lakh, they have done very well for themselves mainly because they were exposed to modern education after the British took control of Kodagu in 1834.

Gone are the days, when upper caste Hindus looked down upon the Kodavas. This reporter remembers that in his initial years as a journalist, his upper caste colleagues used to tease “Why have you come to journalism? You could have joined the Army or played hockey”!

But things have changed now after Kodava journalists Machaiah (Mukkatira) and Devaiah (Machimanda) proved their mettle in the media.

Kodavas should be proud of their achievements. The country’s first Indian Foreign Service officer was C.B. Muthamma who had her early education in Kodagu.

Coorg-born Biddu Appaiah, who is a British-Indian singer-songwriter, and composer, produced the internationally famous “Kung Fu Fighting” song and was instrumental in bringing disco music to India.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Coorg-born Poovaiah sisters– Sita, Chitra and Lata (in picture) became renowned Kathak dancers and were much sought after not only for their performances all over India, but also to direct dances in Hindi movies. 

In a book titled – ‘Kathak, Indian Classical Dance Art’ – by Sunil Kothari, he mentions that the sisters were pioneers in popularizing Kathak among educated upper middle-class girls.  Sita, Chitra and Lata were trained by the well-known masters of the Jaipur gharana, Sundar Prasad and Pandit Jailal. 

The sisters were recognized for their highly aesthetic and sophisticated presentation on stage.   Sita went on to earn a PhD in Arts (dance) from Bombay University and became the first Kodava lady to get a Doctorate degree. For more on Poovaiah sisters, follow the link below: