A community called KODAVA’s and its Culture in South India.

Our Customs and creed along with our unique Attire and cuisine defines us as a clan. As a clan we have shaped our social patterns over many centuries and this gives us a special identity.

The many threads of cultural memory have tied us together and serves as a reminder of strong values that can be accessed instantly. For instance, The Aine Mane or Balya Mane (Family’s Main Home) where a lamp is lit to invoke the blessings . This place is hallowed by many people in the family lived and gone before us,every brick and beam is proof of the strength and stability that they intended for their progeny.

There is the Two sentence talk called ”Dhande Thakke”but in some cases runs into a lengthy speech! It is a vocal reminder to all present that we stand here now because of those who took care of us and those who nurtured them and so on. Untill we reach back to our Ansistors in antiquity and to the unseen forces that support us . In order to comprehend such immeasurable benevolence, we condense it to a readily grasped form. So, we bow down with reverence and gratitude to the great nurturing mother,Kaveriammae , the protector – Provider Igguthappa and our forebears Guru Karana,in retual humility . Our Philosophy recognizes that as an individual very little is our own doing . We do not have an independent origin and we owe much to those who preceded us . This awareness has the power to shred arrogance,bringing on gentler emotions and restore a fine balance . so, we touch the feet of elders.Although it may be seen as a social obligation,It is on the deeper level a mark of humility and reverence for the range of human experience that comes of living long.

In every family there is atleast one who becomes the keeper of the tradition . Our “Baalo Paate”i.e treditional songs with history and lore put into song with accompanying beat of drums called ”The duddi” . Through out the song Woven is the tales of our familys heroes and heroines of struggles and success . This part of our oral history has been in decline as the older generation is dying and the young have not fully embraced the tradition . kodavas are a unique community with martail traditions . They are renowned as a handsome,brave and hospitable people. Many of their customs and traditions are different from those of its neighbours .

After India attained independence in 1947,The Chief commissioner’s rule continued in Kodagu until 1952. when it was reconstituted as a part ‘C’ state of the Indian union . Kodagu had a legislative council from 1924 to 1952 . From 1952 to 1956,Kodagu had a Legislative Assembly and a two member Ministry . In 1956,following the reorganization of states on a linguistic basis,Kodagu became a district of Karnataka state.