To preserve the rich culture and tradition of the community, a Kodava Heritage Centre is being set up at Balugodu in Virajpet taluk. The centre boasts of state-of-the-art facilities and is being built at a cost of `13 crore.

Federation of Kodava Samajas, which was established in 2000, is setting up the centre on a sprawling 15 acres. With the help extended by former revenue minister H C Sreekantaiah, MLC M C Nanaiah, former CM B S Yeddyurappa and MLAs K G Bopaiah and M P Appachu Ranjan, the centre will soon become a reality.

The heritage centre has received Rs 2 crore as funds and Rs 90 lakh from donors, Federation of Kodava Samajas president M N Belliappa said.

An additional Rs 10 crore is required to complete the work, he added.

The centre will have an ainmane, mundumane (ancestral homes), hockey ground, park for children, martyrs park, guest house with 12 rooms and spice garden, he said. Secretary of the Federation B B Subbaiah said Sports and cultural events were organised last year between the Kodava Samajas registered with the federation at the three-day Kodava Namme. The second year’s Namme will be held from October 25 to 27 and 30. Kodava Samajas from across the country have enrolled for it.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by B.C. Dinesh / ENS – Madikeri / September 09th, 2013