The past few days witnessed “Bael Pani” celebrations on a scale hitherto not seen in Kodagu. While this is welcome – especially to attract youngsters who reside in cities like Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore, we thought it would be opportune to recapitulate the essence of what happens during the month of Kakkada – besides the legendary Kakkada 18(padinet) festivities. We were fortunate to interact with Paradanda Suman Subramani who described what happened at the Padi Igguthappa Temple, yesterday.
On Monday, August 12th, the Padi Igguthappa Bhakta Jana Sangha undertook the planting of paddy saplings in the temple premises, to restore the ancient practice of cultivation of Paddy in the holy Month of “Kakkada”. The local communities were also encouraged to participate to bring in the sense of “kootu pani” (in the days gone by transplantation involved all communities, who worked and supported each other during paddy cultivation). It was a critical part of community participation and in knitting the social fabric of togetherness.
In the prayers offered prior to “Naati Pani”, the Temple’s Deva Thakka and also the Bhakta Jana Sanga President – Paradanda Subramani Kaveriappa said – Kodavas should make a conscious effort to restore the glorious and luxurious lush greenery of the Paddy fields. Even if not done in large scale – at least enough to sustain the households paddy/rice requirements and to keep tilling their rice fields.
This “symbolic” paddy field is meant to welcome devotees near the “Ashwatha Katte” or “Nagana Katte” prior to entering the precincts of the temple. The younger generation should be inspired and motivated to cultivate paddy in their respective households and should make it a point to involve all communities in the planting process, in order to get back the social sense of interdependency into place as conscientiously done by our ancestors.
These kinds of agricultural activities can help in further strengthening the camaraderie and social structure within all communities who celebrate Puttari, with fervour and passion to maintain our unique and distinctive culture.
We were also reminded of some significant aspects regarding Puthari, based on what happens at the Igguthappa Temple. On the day of Puthari, one should know the difference between “Deva Poud” and “Naad Poud” . The Igguthappa temple will celebrate “Puthari Poud” first within the designated paddy field and the first paddy harvest is offered to Lord Igguthappa. Several minutes after this event, all the Kodava households will follow the “Puthari” festival rituals, popularly known as “Naad Poud”, which should be celebrated in the respective Ainmanes with all the “okka” coming together for the momentous occasion of Puthari, so as to offer the sacred “kadh” first and foremost to our respective Guru Karona.
Everyone should make it a point to come back to their “Okka’s Ainmane” to take part in the “Puthari” celebrations rather than celebrating in Kodava Samajas or their respective homes. This will strengthen the “Okka”. In the past, it was not unusual to resolve disputes amongst the family members, influenced by the elders as they seek their blessings. The womenfolk also congregate with each other before having dinner together – usually prepared at their respective Ainmanes.
(With inputs from Paradanda Subramani Kaveriappa).
Paradanda Subramani hit the nail on the head when he emphasized three points which mainly are central to our culture; ‘Kootu pani’ (renews unity, understanding and camaraderie), ‘cultivation of rice’, ‘the custom of making the first offering of Kadh, first to Paadi Iguthappa and then ‘Okkas’ making their offerings to their respective ‘Guru Karanas’ in their own ‘Ainmanes’ and not at Kodava Samajas.
His lament is palpable as the community has remained ‘mutually dependent’ since its evolution. Through the generations and the Covid- 19, we have developed a detached existence which is impacting us on all fronts. We are in an ‘existential crisis’ and continuing to be egoistic and not willing to take help even during weddings, where every service is now given away to indifferent event managers to handle. Our marriages were relationship builders. Thanks to loud music in the wedding hall and the self-importance, our interactions have diminished to few minutes and few seconds too.
Many have argued that rice cultivation is unviable and that elephants are a bane.
Does the fear of meeting with an accident stop us from buying cars? Have we stopped using 5G mobile phones fearing exposure to radiation?
When Israel discovered its soil was not suitable for cultivation, they exported goods to Japan and imported red mud and layered it on tarmac sheets for growing wheat. They worked for 18 hours a day and have become self-sufficient. There is a lady in KR Pete who has been effectively growing rice in plastic bags. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
Water table is dropping all over Kodagu. We are living in challenging times and so it is inevitable that we come together, network & work for mutual benefit. We will be doing a big favor to ourselves and also the environment of Kodagu.
Importance of paddy cultivation
We need to enlighten our younger generation that paddy cultivation is our way of life. Our roots and identity is connected with bel pani which is paddy cultivation and our our forefathers life evolved with this culture. Scientifically speaking the paddy cultivation practice around kodagu district continueously in the years to come will solve the water crisis in cauvery river belt. To cultivate paddy we need to harvest rain water for more than 100 days thereby we will contribute immensely to increase the ground water level. Our planters must understand the value of water and air which needs to be preserved to the generations to come. Good initiatives by the leaders are highly appreciated and solicited
I have been following the comments of this post with great interest. Each of them brings a different dimension to the importance of Paddy/Rice to Kodavas. Rice is central to their culture and yet it is heart-rending to see huge areas of paddy fields lying uncultivated, different crops being planted and worse – being converted to plots for residential housing.
This must have a very serious impact on the environment, water table and a real eyesore for those travelling to Kodagu to enjoy the verdant landscape.
As a non-Kodava who has lot of friends and associations with the Kodavas, I fervently hope that the resident planters/agriculturists/farmers restore cultivation of their precious and sacred paddy fields. The District Administration could also consider incentivising farmers to restore growing paddy as a monsoon crop.
There are certain fragrant varieties of precious rice that is very hard to find – I was excited to read that there are dedicated farmers growing Gamana/Jeerige Sanna.
There are many voices that claim that paddy cultivation is no longer commercially viable. Historically, Rice was the cash crop during the time of the Haleri Raja’s reign and the wealth of the Kodava clan was proportionate to the rice fields and associated dedicated labour.
According to Buchanan, apparently Mysoreans were dependent on Kodavas for Rice and Salt (Malabar) with 70 bullock-cart loads of rice being exported to Mysore on a daily basis. There are other “interesting” nuggets of history that is best not reproduced here as it bears no relevance to the published article.
As examples of those who have shown exemplary commitment, consistency and endurance to growing paddy, multiple award winning Mr Ravi Shankar Barithaya Padmanabha Rao – many varieties – Hudoor (Halligattu), Capt Rana Nanjappa, Arvathokklu, Ponnampet Taluk – (Gamana Sanna), Kumar Kuttappa – Bettagiri, Nellamakada Somaiah-Ammathi (Jeerige Sanna) and Mandrira D Nanaiah – the venerable BKB and changed to Sanmadhu this year)-Kaggodlu; of course there are many more. Not a year has gone by without them cultivating their paddy fields and they are beacons of light that continue to shine in an otherwise negative mindset.
Speaking to an elder who has grown paddy for over 60 years, he is absolutely grateful to the land that has sustained his family’s table with chemical free rice! That in itself must be a satisfying inspiration to at least grow paddy for one’s table!
Reading the article brought home some fundamental aspects to Land tenure in Kodagu. The concept of Jamma Property germinated from the value and respect given to Paddy Cultivation in the days gone by – it was a right conferred by the authorities in power to encourage rice cultivation with no taxes, in exchange for services rendered to the Raja/Government. This extended to Jamma Bane adjacent to paddy fields for grazing cattle, collecting manure, firewood and tapping Neera/Bolle Kal. Dare one say, even the right to carry arms is linked with Jamma property rights post the arrival of the British.
Therefore, Paddy or Rice cultivation is central to the Kodava way of life that we have a responsibility not to walk away from doing so.
This may come as a surprise but a number of my erudite friends from Kodagu were not aware that Igguthappa Temple had limited access to grow paddy! Apparently the temple paddy fields were usurped by tenants as was the case with large acreage at the Devarkadus at Talacauvery.
The recent efforts to grow paddy is a very encouraging phenomenon. When the authorities at Igguthappa Temple demonstrate their enthusiasm to restore lost practices, it is a great motivation for agriculturists at large to follow suit.
Besides the environmental impact of resurgent paddy cultivation will have a salutary impact on increasing the ground water level associated with standing water in paddy field cultivation.
Yes – one hears if the refrain that growing paddy is commercially unviable. This is not necessarily correct. There are many paddy growers for 40-50 years who affirm that they have never been out-of-pocket.
Lastly, not everything in our life needs to be commercially motivated. Aren’t we better off eating rice from our own paddy fields? And do we not have to contribute to preserving the environment so that we leave the planet in at least as good a state as when we came into this world?
As a resident of Kakkabe I found the article a good read. Now that the Bhaktha Sangha has shown genuine interest in restoring paddy cultivation – an absolute necessity for Igguthappa Temple – they should involve the broader community and take up larger area for cultivation either by leasing or other alternatives.
As the temple stands on table top landscape, development has to be cautious.One sees a lot of money being spent on ostentatious lighting and somewhat loud decorations with accompanying music. That is NOT the Igguthappa Temple surroundings that we grew up with – the temple ambience and surroundings were peaceful with lush green serene surroundings. Yes – there were even emerald green paddy fields to greet devotees in the period leading up to Puthari.
We hope that with community involvement, *sans politics*, much can be achieved with active cooperation from the dynamic DC/DM Venkat Raja and his administration. The offerings at the temple, including Tulabara should be sufficient to fund such well intentioned initiatives.
The significance of growing Paddy (Rice) is very substantial. Our sacred paddy fields is what sustained our ancestors for hundreds of years. Paddy was traded across in Kerala or with the merchants from the Plains for all our household requirements. Wages for workers were paid with paddy and there was a sophisticated system for “measures” duly authorized by the authorities in power.
With the coming of coffee and in more recent times shortage of labour, paddy cultivation became relatively unviable compared with coffee resulting in large scale conversion to growing alternate crops. The less industrious just let it go fallow.
Given the above, it is a joy to see resurgence in cultivation of paddy. There are many iconic growers of paddy – ironically not necessarily Kodavas. Let us embrace best practices.
The article on Igguthappa Temple and it’s relevance on Paddy cultivation is most useful and with concerted efforts and a CAN DO spirit we hope and pray growing paddy becomes a source of pride and joy for all Kodavas and inhabitants of our beloved Kodagu.