Featured Image: © Kaveri Ponnapa as appearing in The Vanishing Kodavas.
The Kodava is a sequel to The Arrow and the Song. This is amongst Appanna Ajja’s finest poems from his book on Kodava poems – A Place Apart. The poems were translated and transliterated in English by Kaveri Ponnapa.
The transliteration has been found most useful for the diaspora who have moved outside of Kodagu – especially those who have travelled abroad. The poem captures the very essence of Kodava pride, inclusive leadership, bravery, integrity, respect, humility… everything so beautifully captured by the term Kodavaame.
The poem describing The Kodava is simple, elegant and is a true representation of the community. What appealed to me most amongst other attributes are:
All faiths are one to him,
greed does not consume him;
and
Fear is unknown to him
I have always maintained that the Sikh and the Kodavas share similar attributes – honour, hard work, Armed Forces, love for Hockey, Agriculture and RESPECT for all!
Reading the poem makes me feel extremely proud – the Poet has captured all the attributes associated with Kodavas succinctly.
It is extremely important that across age groups, concerted efforts be made to preserve this honourable culture with pride and humility – afterall the soul-stirring Kodavaame Balo Nadp was a real life demonstration of all that the community stands for – inclusive leadership, uprightness, community oriented, respect for Nature – in fact RESPECT in all its dimensions!
Mr B P Appanna is a “treasure” – raw talent who has matured exquisitely with time (like wine) to become amongst the genuinely few undisputed custodians of everything to do with Kodava culture, literature and folklore. His writings have moved from singularly bold expression to a more sophisticated and distilled minimalist style.
Kaveri Ponnapa – best known for her exceptional book The Vanishing Kodavas is a perfect partner to make available Appanna’s writing to English. Her transliteration efforts to make the Kodava language accessible to a wider audience and the Kodava diaspora is a very important project – much appreciated in the Tulu Literary circles too.
Translation is good; but those values seem to be diluted now.
Kaveri Ponnapa’s remarkable skill in translating Kodava poetry into English deserves deep admiration and recognition. The Kodava language, with its rich cultural nuances and profound connection to the land, its people, and traditions, is no easy feat to translate. Yet, Kaveri Ponnapa has managed to bring the essence of this vibrant, indigenous language into a global literary space, allowing the beauty of Kodava poetry to resonate with readers far beyond its native boundaries.
What sets Kaveri Ponnapa’s work apart is her ability to preserve the soul of the poems—whether they reflect the rugged landscapes of Coorg, the rituals of life, or the intricacies of emotions that flow through the community. In every verse, there is a sensitivity to the original cadence, alongside a deep respect for the Kodava culture. It’s evident that each word has been chosen with care, bringing forth the power of the Kodava experience with poetic elegance.
Through her translations, Ponnapa not only introduces us to the lyrical beauty of the Kodava language but also to the universal human themes of love, longing, identity, and belonging. Her work acts as a bridge, connecting the hearts of Kodava people with a wider audience, and ensuring that these cultural gems are preserved for future generations.
For this act of cultural preservation, literary artistry, and cross-cultural understanding, Kaveri Ponnapa deserves our deepest appreciation. Her translation work allows the voices of the Kodava community to echo across boundaries, inviting everyone to listen, reflect, and celebrate the beauty of their heritage.