Congratulations to the author Iythichanda Ramesh Uthappa and Jabhoomi Charitable Trust for bringing out a book written with the genuine intention to document and preserve aspects of Kodava life and identity. This book should be welcomed for its intention and effort. At a time when many of our traditions are changing rapidly, any sincere and meaningful effort to record our cultural inheritance deserves appreciation. The pricing of this voluminous book was a pleasant surprise as it makes it affordable. Also, the fact that it is available both in Kannada and English is perhaps a plus point – although it is debatable that it could have been made available in Kodava Thakk written in Kannada script, rather than in Kannada.
The book certainly brings together a considerable amount of information about Kodava customs, practices, terminology and cultural life. In that sense I found it almost like a Kodava cultural dictionary – something that records what we do, the terminologies used to identify artifacts and other items and an explanation on the meaning of our traditions. The Pattole Palame written by Nadikerianda Chinnappa in 1924 has always been considered a monumental effort in transcribing spoken words into written text – but included many flaws attributed especially with the inclusion of Brahminical influence, which was more an exception (of adoption by individuals) than the rule. There have been many other well acknowledged books in this field, but one has to assume that it was the Author’s prerogative to focus and write what he wanted to focus on and not give reference to these important books in the Bibliography and its contents.
At the time of the launch of this book at Ponnampet Kodava Samaja, CLN spoke to the founders of Jabhoomi Charitable Trust; they have positioned the book as a powerful message from our elders to our youngsters, a bridge between the wisdom of yesterday and the generations of tomorrow. They reiterated that this is a comprehensive work that documents the history, traditions, beliefs and identity as a legacy to be understood, protected and carried forward.
A community’s identity is shaped not only by its rituals and traditions but also by its social and political history. Kodagu’s rule under the Lingayat Haleri and the British colonial influence on its administration was very significant. It affected the laws of the land, development of the economy, demographic changes due to migrations, conflicts, education and its relationship with neighbouring communities. This important segment has not necessarily been addressed in the book. This being Part 1 of the Book, it is possible that it will be covered in the next edition. The danger of not doing so would encourage academics and biased authors concerted attempts 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 is understandably firm against allowing intentional and continuous distortion to become accepted history.
Surprisingly the Bibliography was also rather sparse on reference to a wide number of well acknowledged and authoritative books on the Kodava community. One was bemused by Appanna Ajja’s comment that “No book of this kind has previously been written about the Kodava community’. Coincidentally the same learned man has written previously that… “Though I am a history student, and have a collection of many books on Kodagu history, culture and tradition, I could collect many more unknown and unheard stories from The Vanishing Kodavas….In my personal opinion, this book surpasses other books published earlier, in its lucid style…supported by relevant photographs. Similar quotes are reproduced below:
The Vanishing Kodavas is a remarkable, comprehensive study of Kodava life…Kodavas would do well…to possess this book and assimilate the content to serve as a guide for their children about their rich history, customs and traditions.
—Biddatanda C. Ponnappa, Napoklu, Kodagu
The book bears the stamp of not only the scholarship of the author, the love of labour of a patriotic Kodavathi but also the tremendous research and leg-work that have gone into its making. It has between its 360 pages, 12 chapters devoted to specific subjects, 300 colour and sepia photographs of superb quality and of archival value, most helpful guide to a reader of this kind of a researched book.
The glossary of Kodava words is exhaustive and descriptive to leave no doubt in the mind of a serious reader about the import of those Kodava words and names; the select bibliography authenticates what is researched and will help those who wish to write on Kodavas and Kodagu in future.
—KB Ganapathy, Star of Mysore
And lastly:
As a meticulously compiled history of a community, gradually losing touch with its heritage, The Vanishing Kodavas is equally relevant to both scholars and lay readers. Ponnapa’s easy and lucid writing style steers clear of dense academic theory and jargon of any kind, widening her readership. But perhaps its biggest contribution to contemporary writing on the Kodavas, aside from the wealth of information it contains, is the manner in which it blends the voice of the neutral, observing academic with that of the sensitive, ardent insider in its endeavour to encourage recognition for a community; their culture, history and identities, that are unfortunately, even if inevitably, slipping away.
— Shilpa Vijayakrishnan, Tasveer Journal
In my view, the book would only enhance its reputation as an authoritative work by building on the scholarship, erudition and research of previous books – especially those like The Vanishing Kodavas.
It would have helped enormously if the book included a chapter that demands deeper examination of the merger of the former Coorg State with the Mysore State in 1956. Whatever one’s interpretation of that political transition, it fundamentally changed the political and social framework within which Kodagu existed. It deserves much more than a passing reference in any attempt to understand the modern Kodava community. In this context, ‘Rise and Fall of the Coorg State’, published in 2009 by P T Bopanna is noteworthy.
My personal impression of the book is that it presents itself more like an encyclopaedia or dictionary of Kodava culture. As mentioned earlier, I was particularly looking for a deeper examination of the different historical periods that shaped Kodagu – the rule under the Lingayats, and the Colonial period, the political transformation under British rule and the changes that came after Independence. Perhaps that could be part of the agenda in Part 2.
A new book can become another important brick in the house of Kodava History. But we cannot build that house by overlooking the foundation, plinth and structure created by those who came before us. That, for me, is the real conversation this book should begin with. Ramesh Uthappa is clearly a prolific writer having published over 35 books. His most recent book is a mega 808-page tome on Kadiyatnad, astutely released to coincide with Jabhoomi Charitable Trust’s endeavours in making the Kodava book available to the public at large.
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