Mysuru :
Kodagu district, having a rich forest cover and River Cauvery, the lifeline of crores of people, is a blend of natural beauty and serenity.
Kodagu, apart from its many uniqueness and natural beauty, is widely known for its hundreds of warriors who fought for the country against the British and other social evils.
One such great warrior is Malavanda G. Chengappa, 103, residing in the State’s cultural capital Mysuru, which is a matter of pride for we citizens. Chengappa, who fought for the nation’s independence, was jailed by the Britishers. He also waged a battle for liquor ban and created widespread awareness campaigns on the necessity for banning liquors.
Born to Malavanda Ganapathy and Seethamma, a farmer couple from Balyamandur village near Ponnampet in South Kodagu, M.G. Chengappa developed the spirit of fighting for just causes at a young age.
Inspired by his maternal uncle K.C. Karumbaiah (a former MP), he jumped into freedom struggle at the age of 18 years. His sister Akkamma too was a freedom fighter, who joined hands with the then Kodagu District Congress President M.G. Kuttappa in fighting for various causes post-independence.
Chengappa was among the prominent leaders, who fought against the British in Kodagu. Chengappa and other freedom fighters were arrested by the British in 1932 and sent to Kannur Central Jail, from where he was shifted to Tiruchirapalli jail.
During his stay in the jail, Chengappa came across several associates of revolutionary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and expressed his willingness to join them. But due to various reasons, he had to stay back in Kodagu.
In the pre-independence days, the farming community was in deep distress and Chengappa’s family too was not an exception. His family members became helpless when they needed money to get him released from jail. Ultimately, they had to sell a plough (negilu) and a copper vessel to raise enough funds for his release.
Chengappa’s Mysuru connection: M.G. Chengappa has a long connection with Mysuru as he used to take part in Seva Dal camps that were being held at Subbarayanakere grounds, along with other freedom fighters namely Chekkera Monnaiah and Ajjikuttira Chinnappa. The city’s then renowned advocate M.S. Ramaiah had let out his house for camp participants.
Gandhiji’s pat: Mahatma Gandhi, during his freedom struggle campaign in Karnataka, had visited Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Ponnampet when Chengappa was one among the volunteers who were picked for taking care of the Mahatma.
With this, Chengappa got an opportunity to know more about Gandhiji. Chengappa, who served Gandhiji tirelessly, was patted by the Mahatma on his back for his meritorious work.
The large number of liquor-loving people in Kodagu was a cause of worry for Chengappa. So he launched a social campaign calling for a liquor ban. Chengappa’s contention was that liquor consumption habits among the people would lead to devastation of their families, besides becoming a bane to the society.
Fearing that alcoholism would push families to the streets besides destroying the future of youth community, Chengappa launched a relentless campaign seeking a ban on liquor.
A vegetarian to the core, Chengappa’s family members say that pure vegetarian diet is the secret of Chengappa’s long life and health.
Chengappa’s patriotism can also be seen in his outfit as he only wears khadi. This centenarian has kept himself away from non-vegetarian diet and liquor.
At present, Chengappa is staying with his wife Sharada and daughter Prema at Chaitra Apartment in Yadavagiri.
It is a matter of pride for Mysureans that a centenarian freedom fighter, who led an ideal life throughout, is residing amidst us.
His niece Dr. Latha Muthanna has penned about the life of this Kodava warrior in her book “Lopamudra’s Daughter.”
Brijesh Kalappa calls on Chengappa: AICC Spokesperson and Supreme Court Advocate Palachanda Brijesh Kalappa, who was in city recently, called on Chengappa at Yadavagiri and enquired about his health. He was accompanied by his father-in-law Prof. Kambeyanda C. Belliappa, Chairman, Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempunagar and former VC of Rajiv Gandhi Central University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Chengappa, when asked about his health, is said to have replied, “I am quite good” which speaks volumes of his spirit.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 02nd, 2016
