The Jabhoomi Charitable Trust held a successful book release function of “Kodava Veera Janangada Antaratma Part-1″, authored by Iythichanda Ramesh Uthappa, at the Kodava Samaja Auditorium in Ponnampet.
The book was officially released by Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna, reiterating the need for Kodavas to maintain all the inherited customs and values without falling prey to external influences. The Author engaged the audience by speaking extensively on the contents of the book with interesting examples of the uniqueness and nuances of Kodava culture. In particular, he emphasised the need to maintain the integrity of our customs, the underlying meaning of some of our practices and the primordial importance of our Guru Karona. His talk was well received by a 700+ attentive audience – who were obviously moved by the deliberations with over 80% actually buying the book. Exceptional outcome by any standard – reflecting the genuine “regard” that Kodavas have of Jabhoomi Charitable Trust.
It must be added that despite the sincere intent and efforts by the organisers, the event had overtones of a political gathering. Jabhoomi are emphatic that “culture” and Community focussed organisations should stay clear of politics and politicians. This was reiterated in the Kodavaame Balo Nadp and interactions at Akhila Kodava Samaja and the network of Kodava Samaja gatherings. This was a calculated departure from that norm.
Also, CLN has not had the opportunity to read the books – either the Kannada or English version to provide any book review. This will be done in the fullness of time. Nonetheless, as stated in our previous article – https://clnews.in/2026/09/13/jabhoomi-kodava-book/ with extensive readers comments, CLN supports well researched writing on Kodavas and Kodagu where the integrity of the source and interpretation of views recorded is properly credited. There is a lot of writing that appears in the format of “pamphlets” passing off as books. In Jabhoomi’s view, this book conceptually passes muster on all counts.
There is an important readers comment that has been “boxed in” below arising out of a group of academics from Mangalore University who have concertedly attempted to rewrite the Kodava identity by selectively quoting sources in the garb of academic scholarship in a deliberately misleading manner. Prominent amongst them is a Kodava professor who has co-authored a book Coorg Invented that disparagingly – as the title suggests, argues that the identity of the Kodava is an “invented” phenomena, for doing the bidding of the Colonial Masters. These peoples works are widely circulated in academic circles without being countered, cornered and made answerable. They appear at Literature festivals, talks on Kodavaame and on prominent websites created to preserve Kodava culture.
Jabhoomi and CLN are firmly against allowing intentional and continuous distortion to become accepted history.
Every Kodava should support this initiative by Jabhoomi Charitable Trust.
S Shetty And P Kaverappa September 13, 2026 At 7:38 pm
There is a sense of urgency about the new book KODAVA : THE SOUL AND SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR RACE. Kodavas definitely need good quality writing, backed by proper research, integrity in interpretation and proper references with due credit.
It is now well established that Colonial History is biased to meet the requirements of the ruling entity. Real history is being unravelled and corrected. This is all the more important with oral traditions being prevalent in Kodagu.
The reference to Coorg Invented and similar writings by a clutch of academics from Mangalore University is a telling revelation of biased and deliberate attempts of putting down a proud and distinct community of Kodavas. The book co-authored/edited by B L Surendra Rao and K M Lokesh, with ample help from Dr T P Vijaya is at best a “collation” of Colonial writing, cherry picked to misinterpret and mislead. The most damaging interpretation is displayed in the INTRODUCTION. If these writings are not corrected, it is already gaining a lot of traction in academic circles, conferences and very soon will become the authoritative narrative.
Here are excerpts from the Introduction:
….” So, when we say the colonial rule “invented” Coorg, what we mean is that the European writings on Coorg, which were at once the instruments and products of colonial subjugation, had indeed created the images and stereotypes which have gone into making the Coorg persona. The Coorg as it is known, is the creation of its history, and those who wrote it.”
… “The Coorg ‘separateness’ which is often romanticised, also becomes a lever of colonial rule, a tune which induces people to pliant collaboration, a lullaby that stokes defiance to restful sleep.”
…” with the dominant Kodava courtiered by the lesser and more unobtrusive communities highlights it’s difference further. The Kodava towers over them, with his turban, kupya, piche Katti, gun and all. The Kodava is the leader of the society. It is he who has given Coorg its stamp of identity, it’s honour; he is it’s mascot. They are told that they are a martial race. The knife, the dance and the ubiquitous gun which are so fondly associated with the manly Kodava from birth to death complete the portrait of the Coorg Highlander.”
…. “before soon the Kodavas were convinced, even more than the British rulers who taught them to believe so, that they were indeed ‘a martial race” and the glories of the two Kodanderas have been elaborately and deservingly showcased, ‘to point a moral and adorn a tale’. Among other things, it seeks to prove with retrospective effect, that the Kodavas are indeed a special martial people….
….“Coorg had been invented…”
It is indeed shocking that these academics from the Forum for Kodava Studies are allowed to get away with their biased writings. Worse they are allowed to participate in lectures on Kodavaame and as experts on Websites that claim to be a Living Museum of Kodagu. The identity of the Kodava and Kodagu existed well before the British arrived – such misguided obfuscation should be put an end to.
The more books and papers that are written on Kodagu with proper research, will go a long way in correcting such biased writing. It is in this context that Jabhoomi’s current endeavours must be supported with strength.
Join our WhatsApp Group for News and Article Alerts
Congratulations to Jabhoomi Charitable Trust and the author on this important work. As Kodavas, our stories, traditions and way of life are an integral part of our identity. It is wonderful to see them being documented which needs to be preserved and passed on to our generation next.
Heartiest congratulations to Jabhoomi Charitable Trust and the author. It is a wonderful feeling to see the rich culture and customs thoughtfully penned down, ensuring they are preserved for the next generation to learn from and appreciate. Wishing the book great success and wide readership. Looking for to read this book.
Our culture lives on when we take the effort to understand, document and pass it forward. Books like this can become a bridge between our elders and the generations to come. A commendable effort by Jabhoomi Charitable Trust.
I am awaiting a copy of Iythichanda Ramesh Uthappa’s book. Hopefully, it will make a significant contribution towards establishing the credentials of Kodava history and culture in the manner they deserve, and, most importantly, will be based on rigorous and well documented research.
The is relevant at a time when, in academic circles and conferences, some professors continue to rely heavily on colonial writings and interpretations, particularly the narrative advanced by Coorg Invented.
It is hilarious that the authors of Coorg Invented attempt to portray the identity of Coorg and the Kodavas, as well as attributes such as their traditions and association with firearms, as largely products of colonial writing and influence. Such an argument risks reducing a much older and demonstrably pre-colonial identity to a construct created or substantially shaped by colonial observers.
If the contention is that the distinct identity of the Kodavas was essentially an invention of colonial writers, then how does one account for the much earlier historical evidence that predates British rule?
A particularly relevant example is the 10th-century inscription found at Hunsur, recorded as HS 20. The inscription refers to the Kodagas (Coorgs/Kodavas) of the various nāds in connection with the Changalva king Pemma Virappa.
It states:
“But before long he (Bettarasa) was attacked by the Changalva king Pemma Virappa, who was assisted, it says, by the Kodagas (Coorgs) of all the nāds.”
This is evidence from centuries before the colonial period and raises a fundamental question for the authors’ argument: if the Kodava identity was merely a colonial invention, who were these “Kodagas” referred to in a 10th-century inscription?
Were they simply an unnamed population subsequently given an identity by colonial writers? Or does this early epigraphic reference indicate that a community known by the name Kodaga(in Kannada) already existed, with a recognised collective identity and geographical association, long before the the arrival of the British?
Academic research should engage seriously with such pre-colonial evidence rather than allowing the colonial period to become the starting point for explaining the origin of Kodava(Coorg) identity. Colonial writings may have documented, classified, or in some respects reshaped perceptions of the community, but that is fundamentally different from claiming that the community itself, its identity, or its distinctive characteristics were created by colonialists.
While colonial records are undoubtedly important historical sources, they should not automatically be treated as evidence that the identity, history or cultural characteristics of the Kodavas (Coorgs) themselves were created by colonial writers.
Any interpretation that overlooks or inadequately addresses such earlier epigraphic and other evidence risks presenting a historically incomplete narrative under the guise of academic research.
The overwhelming response for the book, reflects the community’s genuine interest in well-researched writing on Kodava history and identity.
At a time when interpretations of Kodava history and identity are increasingly being debated, such efforts to document and examine our heritage assume greater importance.
Jabhoomi’s initiative underscores the need for credible research, proper references and integrity in recording the history, traditions and lived experiences of the Kodava community.
The continued encouragement of meaningful and well-researched literature can help ensure that Kodava heritage is understood, preserved and carried forward for future generations.
Congratulations on the release of the book. A BOOK on culture and community deserves to be launched in an atmosphere that keeps the focus firmly on its purpose, content and cultural significance. The fact that close to 80% of the audience bought the book is a vindication that the event was successful.
While the commitment to buy large numbers of books by the guests at the podium is laudable and well-meaning, it somewhat defeats the purpose of reaching the book to really interested readers. Anything handed free to individuals is generally under-valued, especially precious books. This is my humble observation for future launch of serious knowledge/content based books. After all the spirit of the event was purely the cultural dissemination of the community’s history, customs and to safeguard misleading information from being spread by academics, false appropriation of the Kodava identity and the protection of the Kodava aesthetics and values (Kodavaame).
Also, I must hasten to add that a fair discussion of the book can only begin after sufficient number of people have actually read it in either Kannada or English. Until then any comment would be superfluous or premature. This would be the fairest way to respect the author and “select” readers comments.
Finally – I have to emphatically add that the comments on the book Coorg Invented really shocked me. It is time that the authors intent and basis for such damaging commentary on Kodavas is totally uncalled for. Their only real contribution in the book was in the “Introduction” and the conclusions therein are truly damaging. Everything else was a mere collation of colonial writing to underscore the narrative in their introduction. Kodagu, Kodavas and Kodavaame existed well before the British or the Haleris’ arrived. So, the damaging intent of Coorg Invented needs to be exposed. Any sensible writing, including that of Iythichanda Ramesh Uthappa’s current tome, serves the purpose.
What a powerful editorial by CLN. Like CLN, JABHOOMI also believes in bringing out well researched books. Our endeavour has been to identify good writers and authors of repute to wroite more on Kodavas and Kodagu. There may be discrepancies or shortcomings in our first edition of KODAVA: THE SOUL AND SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR RACE, but rest assured our conviction remains steadfast to encourage authors to pen more on KODAVAS AND KODAVAAME.
The track record of integrity, steadfastness, selfless service and trust of Jabhoomi Charitable Trust is impeccable. They are deserving of the wholehearted support from all Kodavas. Sincerely hope the book by Ramesh Uthappa is in keeping with the standards set by Jabhoomi. We need more good books on everything to do with Kodavas, Kodavaame and the preservation of the Kodava identity.