B. Nanjamma Chinnappa inaugurating the Mysuru Literary Festival organised by Mysore Literary Association on Sunday. Prof. K.C. Beliappa, founder president of the Association and others are present. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram
The ancestral homes of Kodava clans known as Ainmanes are on the brink and only 30% of such homes that are known to exist or have been documented, have survived, said statistician and writer B. Nanjamma Chinnappa, in Mysuru on Saturday.
She was speaking at the 5th edition of the Mysuru Literary Festival organised by the Mysore Literary Association at the Maharaja’s College Centenary Hall.
It is reckoned that there are about 1700 okkas or patrilineal clans and Ms. Nanjamma Chinnappa and her husband had studied and documented 800 Ainmanes besides photographing them about 20 years ago.
She said different clans among Kodavas had their ancestral house which was a meeting point and was central to the Kodava culture but was fast disappearing. Ainmanes were beautiful structures akin to Totti Mane with pillars and courtyard open to sky with woodwork rendered by carpenters from Kerala, she said.
Ms. Nanjamma Chinnappa said they uploaded their documentation of Ainmanes on a website and the directory is complete with the status of each of these ancestral homes.
She also explained how various aspects of Kodava culture and traditions including folk songs, were compiled and documented by her grandfather Nadikerianda Chinnappa in 1924 in a book titled ‘’Pattole Palame’’ and she and her husband went about translating them into English.
During the field work Ms. Nanjamma Chinnappa and her husband travelled extensively, met senior citizens to get a grasp of certain words that had gone out of vogue and came across these Ainmanes that were subsequently documented.
She said her grandfather realised that English would dominate the future and the local culture could be obliterated if not documented for posterity and compiled the traditions and culture of Kodavas and published it in 1924. The Ms. Nanjamma Chinappa translated the Pattole Palame into English.
On a positive note Ms. Nanjamma Chinnappa said today the youngsters take pride in their Kodava culture though some of the traditions have changed with the passage of time. However, she struck a note of caution about the Kodava language itself and said only about 2 lakh people speak the language and the UNESCO in 2009 had classified it as among ‘’vulnerable’’.
Prof. K.C. Belliappa, founder president of the Association and former Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, and others were present.
Other speakers included Prof. R. Indira, sociologist, N. Manu Chakravarthy, cultural critic, Prof. H.S. Shivaprakash, poet and playwright etc.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 21st, 2024
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
MLA A.S. Ponnanna after launching the Koosina Mane at Thithimathi on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Women enrolled under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Kodagu need not have to worry about the safety and medical care of their children when they go out for work. For, a child care center has come up at Thithimathi in Virajpet taluk where the children would be looked after by the caregivers.
Koosina Mane, where the kids are taken care of, was inaugurated on Thursday.
MLA and Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna who inaugurated the child care center said the facility will be helpful to the children of those engaged in MGNREGA works. The center looks after children aged between 6 months and three years by the caretakers. The Thithimati villagers need to make best use of the facility, he said.
The growth of children was key in particular age groups and Koosina Mane will be helpful for the children’s growth as they are taken proper care by the experienced staff, he added.
Koosina Mane has come up in 12 Gram Panchayats in Kodagu and a committee headed by the Zilla Panchayat CEO was monitoring the functioning of Koosina Mane.
The ‘Koosina Mane’ scheme was announced in the budget by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio. The government has proposed to open nearly 4,000 child homes for the benefit of working mothers enrolled under MGNREGA.
The government announced the scheme in the budget intending to provide medical care, nutrition, and safety to the children of women from rural areas enrolled under the MGNREGA. The caretakers of the children at Koosina Mane will be paid a sum of ₹316 a day under the scheme. The women will be financially empowered since 100 days of employment is assured under the scheme.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 18th, 2024
In Kodagu, this performance is called theray. The performer readies himself with a colourful costume, (often red) and intricately done facial makeup along with head and neck accessories. Sometimes he wears a mask during the act.
Kuliya theray in Kadiathur village. Credit: Aiyuda Prasad Ponnappa
In southwestern India, the belief in gods and spirits ritually possessing a ceremonial performer who behaves as an oracle is common. Spirit worship is prevalent in Tulunadu (Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod), Kodagu and North Malabar. A performer in face paint and colourful costume invokes a deity or spirit into themself and then prances around, reminiscent of a Yakshagana or Kathakali dance performance.
This sort of ritualistic dance ceremony is known as kola or nema in Karnataka (especially in Tulunadu) and as theyyam in Kerala. The Tulu-speaking people in the Mangaluru region also call the practice bhuta aradhana, meaning spirit worship.
In Kodagu, this performance is called theray. The performer readies himself with a colourful costume, (often red) and intricately done facial makeup along with head and neck accessories. Sometimes he wears a mask during the act. There are members of a few communities from Kerala now settled in Kodagu (such as the Maleya, Banna or Panika), who perform theray.
Usually, one person who sings accompanies the performer, and another holds a wooden fire torch. During the ritual movements, the performer holds a mirror to his face and sometimes sits on a stool.
When a Kodava, or a Kodava speaker, is possessed, speaks as an oracle, and does not wear the theray costume and mask, he is called a thiralekaara and the performance is called a thirale.
Chaundi theray in Heravanad. Credit: Aiyuda Prasad Ponnappa
Popular deities like Chaundi (Chamundi) and her brother Vishnu Murthy are invoked during these performances. Vishnu Murthy represents a form of Narasimha, the half-man and half-lion.
During a Chaundi theray, the performer wears a long grass skirt and is dragged through a heap of burning coal. It was believed that this performance had the power to save devotees from smallpox and other diseases. The costume is painstakingly crafted with coconut fronds, making the appearance of the performer both subtle and dramatic.
There are also the five companion gods such as Kala Bhairava, Karibala, the young mischievous boy Kuttichatha, the comical girl Nuchchute and Kuliya. Pashana Murthy is another spirit-deity worshipped in Kodagu. Sometimes, a deity named Thotha is invoked before other performances. These are gods associated with the Malabar region who have been adopted into the spiritual pantheon of Kodagu.
Distinct deities
Interestingly, there are at least two animal spirits peculiar to Kodagu. There is the ‘Yeth theray’, where a bovine spirit is called upon and the ‘Nari puda theray’ where a tiger’s spirit is invoked. These are similar to the Panjurli boar spirit-related rituals of Dakshina Kannada, which are also performed in parts of Kodagu.
The therays take place annually or once every few years. Very often, they are organised by a person who made a vow to do it in exchange for divine grace. Few clans (like Nadikerianda, Iychettira, Bollepanda, etc) arrange these events in their ainmanes (ancestral homes). Most villages conduct therays in their village yards.
Kaliat Ajjappa
Kuliya theray in Kadiathur village. Credit: Aiyuda Prasad Ponnappa
Another spirit invoked during the therays is that of Ajjappa, who is widely regarded as a local hero. His mention can be found in the Manual of Coorg (1870), where Reverend G Richter mentions ‘Kalyatanda Ponnappa, or simply Kaliat-Achchappa’ of Naalnaad. He is remembered in folk songs, and worshipped by the people of Coorg.
Ponnappa was much admired for his marksmanship and feared for his prowess in occult magic. His popularity grew and soon, he became the leader of Naalnaad. The legend goes that Karnayya, the head of the neighbouring region, was raising a secret army against the Haleri dynasty’s king at that time. Karnayya wanted Ponnappa to join forces with him. But Ponnappa refused and acknowledged the Haleri king as his overlord.
Alerted to Karnayya’s plans, the king assigned Ponnappa the task of countering him. Ponnappa was given the king’s weapons and an army of 500 men. He was able to counter Karnayya successfully.
But eventually, Karnayya tricked his way into drugging and cornering Ponnappa. The hero managed to fight off his enemies, despite being outnumbered. It is believed that Ponnappa invoked the ten spirits of the netherworld in the battle. However, he was mortally wounded by the arrows.
Despite his injuries, he limped and dragged himself to the nearby shrine. He remained there for some days where he later breathed his last. The place where he died is revered as a sacred spot even to this day.
The king pursued Karnayya relentlessly and finally defeated and killed him.
This period can be dated to the time of Vira Raja’s reign (circa 1600), when some of the Kodagu Nayakas, such as Karnayya, were subjugated and put to death. From that time onwards, the Haleri dynasty was firmly established in Kodagu.
Kaarana (ancestral spirit) theray of Mandaneravanda clan in Palur village. Photos by Aiyuda Prasad Ponnappa
It was after his death that Kalyatanda Ponnappa was called Kaliat Achchappa or Kaliat Ajjappa. In Kodagu, there are several shrines dedicated to this folk hero. One of the most famous among them is his samadhi (memorial) near the temple of Makki Makki Sarthavu. This spot is claimed to be the place where he passed away.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka / by Mookonda Kushalappa / January 18th, 2024
Whenever a soldier of my country died in war or peace, I always felt a tad diminished as a citizen of this country. That was how I felt this morning on hearing the news of passing away of Maj. Gen. C.K. Karumbaya SM, (retd.) in city. He belonged to Kodava community of Codanda family and was known by his pet name Keshu. I knew him from my College days in Madikeri, Kodagu, where he was three years senior to me and was in NCC. He was aged 87 when he faded away from amongst us. It is truly said, ‘A soldier never dies, he simply fades away.’
As for me, his memory will linger in my mind for the reason that I was in close and constant touch with him when he came to Mysuru to settle down after retirement in early 90s. In his personality, manner of conduct and character, he was a man cut out by destiny to serve the country where the utmost sacrifice is required — ready to give life, like a true patriot.
As with his men in uniform wherever he was posted, so also after his retirement, he remained a people’s guide and leader with so much of human feelings and concern in his thought and heart. As for courage and selflessness, he was like Julius Caesar of the dim past known for his bravery. Caesar’s military prowess was known when he conquered Gaul (now France) and his selflessness at the time he fought and won the Civil War in Rome against his rival Pompey.
It may sound pompous and improper to compare Gen. C.K. Karumbaya aka Keshu to the legendary Julius Caesar. But I was just drawing a parallel in respect of certain higher qualities by which a man must live by and lead a life not only for oneself but also for others. Let me illustrate these qualities of a braveheart that Gen. Karumbaya was by giving examples.
While he was in the Army, during the Bangladesh War of 1971, then Maj. Karumbaya took over the command of 5th Maratha LI (5th Royals Battalion) when the Commanding Officer of the 5th Royals was wounded in the Battle of Elangi. Maj. Karumbaya acquitted himself so well under challenging circumstances that his Divisional Commander promised to present him with a bottle of Scotch if Maj. Karumbaya succeeded in capturing Magura in the South of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Writing in Star of Mysore, dated 16th December, 2014, about the Victory Day of Bangladesh War, Karumbaya mentions about this episode and how he also won the bottle of Scotch his Commanding Officer Maj. Gen. K.S. Brar had promised. Apparently, the bottle was never emptied and Karumbaya wrote: ‘This bottle of premium Scotch continues to be displayed with much pride in the Officers’ Mess till today.’
Let us hope the bottle remains there when Gen. Karumbaya will not be there to see it anymore. This incident is indeed a testimony to his courage and the confidence his superiors had in his military competence. Except for impairment of hearing due to a blast injury he suffered during Bangladesh War, he lived a healthy life till some months before his end came today.
Gen. Karumbaya was in Kargil, J&K, where he introduced sporting activities for local youths, himself participating. He told me the youths were good and very friendly. About politicians of his days there, he had a different take. Politicians were Janus-faced, he said. One senior politician who ruled J&K during a visit to his camp had whispered to his ears to mix Vodka to the soft drink Fanta at lunch!
Though he could have lived in city in greater comfort, he chose to live in a village farm on Bogadi Road in the midst of a coconut grove. However, his concern for the common man and the common cause of the community did not diminish unlike many inactive social activists who issue press statements using photo-ops, like arm-chair NGOs. He always led a protest movement or public demonstration for a public cause from the front which was why in the 90s and even later we could see Maj. Gen. Karumbaya standing tall among the groups of protestors. He was a member of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), Mysore Lok Swaraj Andolan (MLSA), Elder Citizens Council, a member of Mysore Sports Club, JW Golf Club and Mysore Kodava Samaja.
Understandably, the presence of the General in these organisations and clubs made a difference. He was not the one who would countenance any wrong doing in the administration of these organisations and clubs nor would he compromise on principles. Such people often become thorns in the soles of those who have a different agenda. No wonder he dragged an office-bearer of Mysore Lok Swaraj Andolan (also a senior Defence Officer) as a Convenor of MLSA to Court and won the case.
He was taking active part in MGP, headed by Bhamy V. Shenoy. It was around 1993-94 and the MGP had taken up the cause of protecting the People’s Park where the Government and the MCC had decided to construct a public library (which has now become a fait accompli) in a sinister barter deal with a builder who offered to construct the library pro bono in exchange for land facing the main road for him to construct shopping complexes.
This proposal had the blessings of Corporation Council and the matter had gone to the Court as PIL by MGP. Much heat was generated as a result between the contending parties. One day Bhamy Shenoy, the Convenor of MGP, received a letter from the then Mayor’s Office of the City Corporation stating if the matter was pursued he would be murdered. When Shenoy mentioned this to Maj. Gen. Karumbaya, he was naturally upset and even angry. According to Shenoy, who shared this information with me this morning, the General put on his army gear and appeared before the Mayor in full army uniform taking him to task. Since the Mayor did not deny the charge, it was assumed the intimidating letter was indeed sent.
Bhamy Shenoy said that he had no prior information about the General’s decision to confront the Mayor in this manner. All that I can say is that Maj. Gen. C.K. Karumbaya, SM (retd.) was indeed a braveheart as much as a kind human being that one should always be in one’s life. After all, one cannot be a hero always in life but one can always be a good human being. And he was one.
RIP Keshu
e-mail: voice@starofmysore.com
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra…Abracadabra> Columns> Top Stories / by K B Ganapathy / January 04th, 2024
Discover Coorg Mariott Resort & Spa, where natural beauty, cultural charm, and luxury combine for unforgettable weddings in India “Scotland.”
Coorg, often dubbed the “Scotland of India,” is an enchanting setting for weddings, combining natural splendor, cultural heritage, and a delightful climate. The Coorg Marriott Resort and Spa enhances this allure, providing exceptional experiences in a magnificent environment. Opting for a wedding in Coorg, especially at the Coorg Marriott Resort and Spa, guarantees a distinctive and unforgettable occasion, treasured by you and your guests forever.
Embraced by Nature:
Set in the heart of the Western Ghats, Coorg Marriott Resort & Spa boasts stunning mountain vistas and offers a retreat from urban chaos. Imagine saying your vows with misty hills as your backdrop, creating an enchanting forest ambiance. This 5-star luxury resort in Madikeri, Coorg, offers unique cultural activities for guests, such as visiting coffee estates, traditional dance shows, outdoor dining, and nature trails.
Perfect Climate:
Coorg’s year-round agreeable weather makes it an ideal wedding location for global travelers. From cozy winter nuptials to lively monsoon festivities or peaceful summer ceremonies, Coorg caters to all seasonal preferences. The Coorg Marriott Resort & Spa, surrounded by misty mountains, lush greenery, and cascading waterfalls, invites guests to immerse in the region’s natural beauty.
Luxurious Accommodations:
As the first Marriott International resort in Coorg, the Coorg Marriott Resort and Spa brings Marriott Bonvoy benefits to the area. The resort features 108 elegantly appointed villas and cottages, with stunning views of green landscapes and plantations. Each room includes a private balcony for guests and global travelers to relax and enjoy before the big day. Brides and their friends can indulge in poolside fun or a soothing spa treatment at Quan Spa. Some cottages also boast a private pool for a secluded swim.
Versatile Venues:
The resort offers over 16,000 square feet of event space, including five exquisite venues and a large pre-function area, ideal for destination weddings or intimate family events. The hotel’s adaptable banquet spaces, like the Silver Oak Banquet Hall, are customizable and feature custom floral arrangements. The Kote Betta Terrace, an outdoor venue with an Amphitheatre, showcases Coorg’s breathtaking natural scenery.
Culinary Delights:
The resort’s dining experiences are a culinary exploration. A skilled team of chefs can craft a bespoke menu to delight your guests. From lavish traditional meals to international gastronomic experiences overlooking the valley, your wedding banquet will be a memorable feast.
Madiker Kitchen offers international and traditional Kodava cuisine in a contemporary all-day dining setting. Grills By The Valley allows dining under the stars with forest views, offering reimagined delicacies and expertly crafted drinks. Mercara Outpost is a vibrant space for work, socializing, and relaxation, serving light snacks, innovative cocktails, and a creative cocktail menu. Coco Lab is a modern coffee lounge with an immersive ambiance and skilled baristas, featuring high bar stools for coffee art viewing. The Deck, a swim-up pool bar, is ideal for enjoying sundowners with light bites and relaxed conversations.
Spa and Wellness:
The Quan Spa, with six therapy rooms, blends ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and modern wellness practices, providing a serene environment for relaxation and pre-wedding pampering.
Guest Amenities:
Spread over 37 acres of lush terrain, Coorg Marriott Resort and Spa offers 108 rooms, villas, and cottages, including one- and two-bedroom villas and a Presidential Mansion, catering to your wedding party’s needs.
Local Culture and Activities:
For those wanting to incorporate local Kodava culture and traditions into their wedding, the resort can seamlessly integrate these elements, offering a culturally rich experience for you and your guests and global travelers. Before the wedding, enjoy activities like Coffee & Spice plantation tours, trekking, bird watching, Wildlife Documentary Shows, Arcade Games, and more.
Coorg Marriott Resort and Spa is the perfect choice for a grand destination wedding or an intimate celebration, blending natural beauty, cultural richness, and tailored experiences.
source: http://www.travelandtourworld.com / Travel and Tour World / Home> Asia / January 16th, 2024
After the natural calamities and the pandemic situation, the tourism sector recorded a downfall and was on a gradual recovery mode.
The Iruppu Falls in Brahmagiri Range of Kodagu district attracts many tourists (File Photo)
Madikeri :
The statistics released by the Kodagu Tourism Department shows a 38% rise in tourist inflow to Kodagu in 2023. The percentage is in comparison with the tourist influx recorded in 2022. As per the data, 43,69,507 tourists visited the district in 2023 while the count was at 27,29,711 in 2022.
After the natural calamities and the pandemic situation, the tourism sector recorded a downfall and was on a gradual recovery mode.
However, the inflow was the highest last year since 2018 and a total of 5,82,906 tourists visited the tourist spots of the district in December 2023.
These numbers include the count of the tourists visiting only popular spots in the district.
During the New Year up till January 12, the inflow stands at 6,20,808. As per a survey by the department, Kodagu ranked third in the list of most searched tourist spots online.
Sources confirmed that the inflow was the highest during July and August months last year as Kodagu recorded scanty rainfall.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Shruthi Shruthi / Express News Service / January 15th, 2024
The valedictory of Kannambira N. Girish Kushalappa Memorial Inter-Kodava Association Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament for Mysuru Kodavas and Veterans Cricket Match has been organised at University Hostel Ground in Manasagangothri here at 3.30 pm on Jan. 15, under the aegis of Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru.
Palandira K. Somanna, President, Sri Bhagavathi Kodava Souhardha Sahakari Niyamitha Sangha, Mysuru, will be the chief guest.
Ponjanda A. Ganapathy, President, Kodava Samaja, Mysuru and Kannambira Neeta Kushalappa (wife of late Kannambira N. Girish Kushalappa), sponsor of Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament, will be the guests of honour.
Kuttimada D. Muthappa, President, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru, will preside.
Earlier at 2 pm, an Exhibition Cricket Match by veterans (sponsored by Mrs. & Mr. Palandira K. Somanna) will be held at the same venue, according to a press release.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / January 14th, 2024
Loss of habitat and knowledge could adversely impact diets of tribal communities living in Western Ghats .
A tribal man foraging benne genasu or sweet potatoes. Photo: ATREE
During summers, members of the indigenous group Soliga form teams to collect honey. The honey bees make their hives in the cracks and crevices of rocky cliffs in the Western Ghats. Collection is not an easy task but the Soligas have centuries of experience and know exactly what to do. They hang from the cliff edges using ropes made from vines and bamboo to first smoke the bees away from the hive and then collect the combs in baskets. The work is done during the night, which makes it more difficult.
Indigenous groups Soligas and Yeravas have been living in the Cauvery Basin and the surrounding hills of peninsular India for thousands of years. A recent book has looked into the diets of these communities, giving fresh insights into the foods that these two tribes forage from the forests.
Honey is an important part of the diet for the Soliga people, who still forage large parts of their food from the biodiversity-rich Ghats. The Western Ghats are one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, with over 5,000 flowering plants, 139 mammals, 508 birds and 179 amphibian species. Many of these are part of the diet of the tribal communities in the region.
Soligas, one of the oldest indigenous communities in the country, are the original inhabitants of Karnataka and live mostly in the Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts. The Yeravas, on the other hand, came to the state from Wayanad district in Kerala and settled in Kodagu district of the state.
The recently launched Forgotten Trails: Foraging Wild Edibles, authored by Malemleima Ningombi and Harisha RP, chronicled the foods that these two tribes forage from the forests. Such foods form around 25 per cent of the Soligas diet and around 30 percent of the Yerava diet, said Harisha RP, who is a conservation biologist at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment or ATREE.
Women cook ragimudde (finger millet balls). Photo: ATREE
There is not much difference between the diets of these two communities other than that Yeravas use more tubers than Soligas. There are some 10-12 wild food plants that are unique to each community as they live in different landscapes, he added.
The Soligas and the Yeravas cook using the simplest of recipes — their sambar recipe is extremely similar — but the ingredients can change according to the season. The area witnesses four main seasons: Summer, monsoon, retreating monsoon and winter.
In the summers, they relish fruits like wood apples and mangoes and greens such as mushte soppu (Holostemma annulare), kaddi soppu (Jasminum sp) or anne soppu (Celosia argentea).
Mushrooms become part of the Yerava diet during monsoons, when they emerge overnight from barren land. Doddbidru or Indian thorny bamboo, shoots up during the rainy season too. The bamboo shoot sambar is consumed with much enthusiasm by the Soligas.
Cold and local multicoloured corn roasted over the fire used to be consumed often during retreating monsoons. However, this has become rare as communities have stopped cultivating the crop because it was frequently raided and destroyed by animals.
In winter, when warm foods are needed, the Yeravas, who work as labourers in coffee plantations, depend on the wild berries of various nightshade plants and edible ferns that grow along the streams.
The authors highlighted that the food that Soligas and Yeravas depend on for survival is now affected by changes in land use and shifting policies. Worse, traditional knowledge is steadily being lost as young people are migrating out. This knowledge is important for foraging for the right food.
For example, the Soligas have learned that bamboo shoots have to be uprooted and de-skinned with bare hands to ensure that they do not become poisonous. Similarly, the Yeravas know first, that all mushrooms are not edible and, second, that care has to be taken that they do not mature and get infested with insects. The skill of collecting the right ones at the right time is getting lost among the younger generation.
There have been efforts to ensure that the next generation understands the value of these plants. For instance, the Soliga community-run business ADAVI promotes the processing and value addition of some cultivated foods and nontimber forest products. The book has documented the wild plants in the area, along with recipes to prepare food from them. This, too, will help preserve and pass on traditional knowledge to the next generation.
The foraging trips help members of the tribe bond and help the next generation assimilate the skill. Foraging together, bonding, coexisting, laughing, arguing, taking risks, making do with what is found and sharing are what bring the community together, said the authors.
source: http://www.downtoearth.org.in / Down To Earth / Home> News> Food / by Vibha Varshney / January 14th, 2024
Postal covers on seashell artist Radha Mallappa from Mysuru and ‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma from Kodagu released
Mysore/Mysuru:
As part of its ongoing effort to redefine ‘connecting people’ in the online era, the Karnataka Postal Circle organised its annual State-level Philatelic Exhibition — 13th State-level Philatelic Exhibition, Karnapex 2024: Festival of Stamps between Jan. 5 and 8 — at Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. The Festival was last held in 2019 in Mangaluru.
A total of 700 frames, with each containing multiple stamps and postal covers, were displayed and 17 stalls were put up. Postal covers on Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar, Sir M. Visvesvaraya setting up FKCCI, 100 years of Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysuru and Mysore Sandal Soap were also released.
Notably, postal covers on ‘Kalashree’ a museum of artworks made of seashells and conches by Radha Mallappa, a resident of Hanumanthanagar in Mysuru and Karnataka’s first woman coffee entrepreneur Sakamma from Kodagu, known as ‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma were also released, as part of women empowerment.
Addressing reporters at Pathrakartara Bhavan on Tuesday, Mysuru Division Postal Deputy Superintendent Sunil Halepete said that Mysuru has already made a mark in the postal covers released by the Dept. in the past as postal covers of Lalitha Mahal Palace, Rashtrakavi K.V. Puttappa (Kuvempu), Mysuru Vilyadele and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa.
This year, the Karnapex 2024 featured Radha Mallappa who has done sculptures made of seashells and conches. She has accomplished the magnificent recreation of Taj Mahal and she has been working on products of the sea since more than two decades and designed different items.
‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma
Beginning from the smallest flower to the giant-sized Taj Mahal, Shiva temple, church, each piece is unique and eye-catching. The 11ft x 18ft tall Ganesha idol bagged the Guinness World Records. Each artefact is better than the other one and there are over 300 models on display, he added.
Likewise, a postal cover on D. Sakamma, popular as ‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma, was also released. Sakamma’s name remains somewhat obscured in the records of Indian entrepreneurs. However, her venture, ‘Sakamma’s Coffee Works’ in Bangalore gained widespread recognition in the 1920s, playing a pivotal role in the early 20th century by introducing authentic cured and powdered coffee from Kodagu to the residents of the Princely State of Mysore. Widowed at the age of 18, Sakamma chose to channel her education into managing the coffee estate left by her husband, Savkar Doddamane Chikkabasappa Setty, a prosperous coffee planter from Somwarapet in Kodagu. Relocating to Bangalore, she established a coffee curing and powdering unit near Bull Temple Road in 1920. Swiftly, her distinctive coffee blend gained immense popularity across the city, making Sakamma Coffee Works an integral part of the lives of Bangaloreans.
The attractive postal covers feature Radha Mallappa and ‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma with imagery of their respective fields of achievements. A short description has been printed at the back of the postal cover.
Marimallappa’s PU College Educational Officer Mangala Muddumadappa, Radha Mallappa, Postal Department Sales Division Manager Sureshkumar were present at the press meet.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 11th, 2024
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