Social activist and artist Ulluvangada Lohith Bheemaiah was conferred with the prestigious Humanitarian Excellence Award 2025 at a ceremony held in Delhi.
The award function was jointly organised by the Delhi I Can Foundation and NITI Aayog at Abha Mahal, Dwarka, Delhi. The event was graced by Chief Guests – West Delhi Lok Sabha Member Kamaljeet Sherawat, Former Rajya Sabha Member Santosh Bagrodia, ONGC Director Johari Lal, Shri Ram University Principal Simrit Kaur, and I Can Foundation Chairman Gaurav Gautam.
Every year on Independence Day, the I Can Foundation has been recognising and honouring individuals engaged in social change and community service for the past ten years. This year, out of nearly 140 honorees, Lohith Bheemaiah was the only recipient from Karnataka to receive the Humanitarian Excellence Award.
The award was presented in recognition of Lohith Bheemaiah’s 15 years of dedicated social service, including philanthropic initiatives carried out through the Tat Tvam ASI Charitable Trust and his efforts in providing educational assistance to students.
Honourees from Karnataka, other parts of India, and abroad were present at the event. Lohith Bheemaiah, who accepted the award in traditional attire, drew considerable attention and appreciation at the ceremony.
Ulluvangada Lohith Bheemaiah, a well-known social activist, artist, and philanthropist from Kodagu, has been actively involved in community welfare and humanitarian service for over 15 years. Through his initiatives under the Tat Tvam ASI Charitable Trust, he has worked extensively to support underprivileged students with educational assistance while also promoting cultural and social service activities in the region. His contributions have earned him wide recognition as a committed advocate of social change.
He is well known for singing the Jabhoomi Song.
A summary of the Song has been provided to us by Bacharanianda Appanna Ajja:
A Precious Song of Our Sacred Land
“O God, may this sacred land of Kodagu live forever. May the tradition and culture of the Kodavas prosper, shine, and endure for all time.”
From time immemorial, this sacred land has given me birth and sanctuary, family life, and leadership through the village headmen who protected us. May this sacred land of mine prosper and live on forever, together with Kodava culture and tradition.
May this land live long, where the head of the family, supported by his sacred ebony staff, ruled the Ainmane. The entire village gathered at the Mand, where our ancestors displayed the mastered folk songs and dances. They tilled and toiled the land, protected us with bravery, and blessed us with good fortune. May our Kodava way of life, culture, and tradition continue to shine with tenfold brilliance for eternity.
The Kannada Script and English transliteration and translation is mentioned below:
Jabhoomi Balo – Kannada Script
ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ
ಜನ್ಮ ತಂದ ಈ ಮಣ್ಣ್ ಬಾಳೋ……
ಬಾಳೋ……ಬಾಳೋ…….
ಎಲಂಗಿ ಎಲಂಗಿ ಕೊಡಾವಾಮೆ ಬಾಳೋ..
II ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ ಜನ್ಮ ತಂದ ಈ ಮಣ್ಣ್ ಬಾಳೋ II
ಪಂಡ್ ಪಂಡ್ ಕಾಲತಿಂಜ
ಈ ಮಣ್ಣ್ ಲೆ ನೆಲೆ ತಂದ್
ಮಣ್ಣ್ ಮನಸ್ಥಾನ ತಂದ್
ಒಕ್ಕಾಮೆ ತಕ್ಕಮೆ ತಂದ
ನಾಡ ಈ ಪುಣ್ಯ ಭೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ…….
ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ…
ಬಾಳೋ ಬಾಳೋ……
ಎಲಂಗಿ ಎಲಂಗಿ ಕೊಡಾವಾಮೆ ಬಾಳೋ
II ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ ಜನ್ಮ ತಂದ ಈ ಮಣ್ಣ್ ಬಾಳೋ II
ಒಕ್ಕ ಪಿರಿಯಾ ಅಜ್ಜ ಅಂದ್
ಗೆಜ್ಜೆ ತಂಡ್ ಕುತ್ತಿ ನಿಂದ್
ಮುಂದ್oಜ ಮಂದೊಡ
ಪದ್ಧತಿನ ಎಡಮೆಂಗಿ
ಪೋಲತ್ ನ ಈ ಮಣ್ಣ್ ಬಾಳೋ……
ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ….
ಬಾಳೋ……ಬಾಳೋ…….
ಎಲಂಗಿ ಎಲಂಗಿ ಕೊಡಾವಾಮೆ ಬಾಳೋ
II ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ ಜನ್ಮ ತಂದ ಈ ಮಣ್ಣ್ ಬಾಳೋ II
ಮಂದ್ ಲ್ ಅಟ್ ಪಾಟ್ ಪಡ್ ಚಿ ಬೊಳ್oದ್
ಬೆಲ್ ಪಣಿನ ಕೆಜ್ಜಿ ತಿಂದ್
ಬಾಗ್ಯ ಬರ್ಕ್ತ್ ಭೀರ್ಯ ತೊಡೆ
ಮೊಟ್ಟ್ ಮೊಟ್ಟ್ ಲ್ ಕಾತ್ ಚಾಕ್ ನ
ನಾಡ ಈ ಪುಣ್ಯ ಭೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ…..
ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ…
ಬಾಳೋ……ಬಾಳೋ…….
ಎಲಂಗಿ ಎಲಂಗಿ ಕೊಡಾವಾಮೆ ಬಾಳೋ
ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಜಬ್ಬೂಮಿ ಬಾಳೋ
ಜನ್ಮ ತಂದ ಈ ಮಣ್ಣ್ ಬಾಳೋ……
ಬಾಳೋ……ಬಾಳೋ…….
ಎಲಂಗಿ ಎಲಂಗಿ ಕೊಡಾವಾಮೆ ಬಾಳೋ..II 3II
Jabhoomi Balo – English Transliteration
Jabboomi Jabboomi Jabboomi Baalo
Janma tanda ee mann baalo……
Baalo…… baalo…….
Elangi elangi kodavaame baalo..
|| Jabboomi Jabboomi Jabboomi Baalo Janma tande ee mann baalo ||
Pand pand kaalatinja
Ee mannlle nele tand
Mann manasthaana tand
Okkame takkame tanda
Naada ee punya bhoomi baalo…….
Jabboomi Jabboomi Jabboomi Baalo…
Baalo baalo……
Elangi elangi kodavaame baalo
|| Jabboomi Jabboomi Jabboomi Baalo Janma tanda ee mannu baalo ||
Okka piriya ajja andh
Gejje tanda kutti nind
Mundnja mandoda
Paddhatina edamengi
Polatna ee mannu baalo……
Jabboomi Jabboomi Jabboomi Baalo….
Baalo…… baalo…….
Elangi elangi kodavaame baalo
|| Jabboomi Jabboomi Jabboomi Baalo Janma tanda ee mannu baalo ||
Mandhl aat pat padchi bolandh
Bel panina kejji thind
Baagya barkat bheerya thodey
Mott mottl kaat chaakna
Naada ee punya bhoomi baalo…..
Jabboomi Jabboomi Jabboomi Baalo…
Baalo…… baalo…….
Elangi elangi kodavaame baalo
Jabboomi Jabboomi Jabboomi Baalo
Janma tanda ee mannu baalo……
Baalo…… baalo…….
Elangi elangi kodavaame baalo.. ||3||
It is intriguing that in a land of new found festivals where we appear to have a Namme every other day for just about anything, there is none for recognition of REAL SOCIAL WORK! Perhaps the Kodava Samajas, District Administration and popular elected peoples representatives should institute such Prizes and Recognition on the occasion of Puthari or any other sensible occasion!
They say that one should get into SOCIAL service when ones pocket is full and he has taken care of his family and immediate needs. Lohith contrarily is an antithesis to the above statement.
Well knowing Lohit well personally it doesn’t come as a surprise to me at all. Lohith goes out of his way to make the lives of the lesser privileged easier. He on a regular basis takes care of close to 30 poor kodava families by providing them basic provisions every month. Lohith is a very committed kodava dedicated to Kodavaame and doesn’t miss any chance to work for kodavaame. His soul stirring rendering of JABHOOMI BAALO song which is now adapted as an ANTHEM OF JABHOOMI CHARITABLE TRUST is just one example of KODAVAAME IN HIM.
The recently held marathon from Ponnampet to Bekkesodlur in association with Jabhoomi Charitable Trust was spearheaded by Lohith who is also known for his organisational skills.
Congratulations Lohith Bheemaiah and the work you do along with Jabhoomi. There was a joint Marathon recently organized under their banner which had good participation.
Returning to Jabhoomi, I recall overhearing that this organization had a major role to play along with Akhila Kodava Samaja at the soul-stirring outstanding conduct and positive outcome of the Kodavaame Balo Nadp. Their conduct of the Yuva Mela a few years ago was also very well done. Their low profile, yet extremely effective work ethic is what Kodagu needs to retrace our journey to the exalted levels that we had pre-1956. Kodagu was singled out by Sarfaraz Patel and later Lal Bahadur Shastri as a model state – financial prudence with a budget surplus year-after-year, good governance devoid of corruption of corruption and near 100% education.
Fantastic recognition for such a worthy selfless service personality. An acknowledgment of Kodavaame at its best. Loved the pride with which Lohit wore the traditional Kodava attire to receive this distinction.
Very unusual recognition – well deserved for his committed services for over a decade.
What also caught my eye is the noble song that Lohit sings for Jabhoomi. Got me thinking and asked people in my network more about them. First and foremost, what stood out is that Jabhoomi is an organisation which endeavours to protect all things Kodava and Kodavaame without fanfare or publicity.
The members of Jabhoomi do not believe in singling out people for credit – no hero worship nor self-aggrandizement propaganda. They are also completely apolitical. Their work is focused at the grassroots and all their meetings in the villages are on a very participative and egalitarian platform – no public stages nor mikes. They carry a symbolic Gejjethand as their leader and meetings commence with the singing of the Jabhoomi song.
This approach resonates very well with the Kodava way of life and hope to see them more and more to reinstate Kodavamme in every aspect of Kodava existence and the proud legacy of Kodagu.
Good to hear and know that there are many good and interesting people in our community. Well done Lohit.