Featured Image: A Group Photo of Kodavas(Coorgs) taken at Madras in 1870.
This article by Prof Kalam was written sometime ago – but is most relevant for “reflection” by the Kodava and other minority communities living in Kodagu. It is difficult to find any reliable census type of data about Kodavas, let alone figuring out the actual numbers.
To put things in perspective, let us take the Parsi community. Arguably they are smaller in numbers (less than 60,000 per the 2011 census) than the Kodavas. Yet, the Parsis are reported as a separate category in the Census of India, which has historically recorded them as a distinct religious community, Zoroastrian (Parsi), to track their population and demographic trends. They are considered a significant religious minority and have been enumerated as such for many decades, with their population figures documented over time by the census.
Parsi communities were historically documented from the 1872 census onwards. The Parsi community is recognized as a religious minority in India, with their population data collected to monitor their status and demographic changes.
Why this is Important
• Preservation:
Tracking the Parsi population through the census helps in understanding the community’s unique demographics and challenges, such as declining birth rates.
• Policy and Research:
Census data informs researchers, policymakers, and organizations like the Parzor Foundation that focus on the preservation of Parsi culture.
As Kalam argues, Minority communities like Kodavas need precise idea as to their numbers, the average household size, the types of households they have, the sex ratio, their population in different age-cohorts, or the birth rate/fertility among them. Unless such data is made available how can the Community organisations like Akhila Kodava Samaja formulate plans to preserve Kodava Culture and rejuvenate declining numbers.
– CLN Newsdesk
Kodavas ceased to be a census category subsequent to the 1931 census and unfortunately got merged in the general all-inclusive and catch-all category of Hindus from the 1941 census onwards. The distinct identity that the Kodavas lost continues to be so even today. While we know that Kodavas exist as an independent group and self-identify themselves as Kodavas or Coorgs, we have just no precise idea as to their numbers, the average household size, the types of households they have, the sex ratio, their population in different age-cohorts, or the birth rate/fertility among them. This has been such a huge loss to the community! So, what we have now is guesstimates and speculations as regards various aspects concerning the Kodavas.
The ostensible reason for merging and including certain groups with Hindus, as has been done to the Kodavas, has been that from 1941 caste census was given up. But this argument, that of a group of people belonging to a caste, does not, in any way, apply to the Kodavas; ever since the very first census of 1871-2 the Kodavas were an independent and distinct ethnic group and were enumerated as such. They were never a part of the Hindu chatur varna like the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas or Shudras. Also, for that matter, the Kodavas were not a part of any of the so-called untouchable groups. Not being a part of the chatur varna, the Kodavas were never thought of, or constituted a jati (caste). So there has been no justification for including them under the Hindu rubric.
Even much before the 1871-2 census exercise, we have concrete evidence as regards the independent and distinct ethnic status of the Kodavas. The Hukumnama of Lingarajendra Wodeyar, Raja of Coorg, promulgated in 1811, does not bunch the Kodavas with any of the other castes. The Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras are categorised and listed separately and Kodavas are declared separately for all practical purposes as an exclusive and distinct ethnic community, including for taxing purposes and as regards their customary practices including marriages.
So, the argument that the Kodavas were merged with the Hindus since the 1941 census because caste census was being given up is absolutely fallacious and has no validation as far it pertains to the Kodavas.
It is high time the Kodavas take up the issue of losing their distinct identity and strive for independent and separate enumeration in the forthcoming census. They should emphasise that they have to be given the pre-1941 distinct identity as Kodavas. The census is delayed inordinately; it should have taken place during 2021!
M A Kalam is a Visiting Professor, International Institute of Migration and Development, Thiruvananthapuram. Dr. Kalam’s doctoral research was among the Coorgs in South India. His experience includes being founding Dean, Administration and Regulatory Affairs, and Professor of Anthropology, at Krea University, Professor of Applied Social Sciences (Adjunct Faculty) at Loyola Institute of Business Administration; Professor of Eminence at Tezpur Central University, Assam; Professor and Head of Department of Anthropology, and Chairperson (Dean) School of Social Sciences, University of Madras.
We from Connecting Kodavas lead by Shantheyanda Niran Nachappa, have complete data as of November 2023 which was to be released through a Book and launching a website at the GLOBAL KODAVA SUMMIT held in December 2023. It was well attended with a foot fall of 18000 + still Due to some constraints we couldn’t launch.
We are updating the same as on date and the survey has begun. This will be released at the OKKAME THAKKAME convention to be held in December 2025. Looking forward to the support by all OKKAS.
The initiative by Connecting Kodavas is laudable and a valuable exercise. For starters, the actual numbers will make the community sit-up and take note of reality.
It is not without reason that in the original charter of The Akhila Kodava Samaja (AKS) in 1942, the dwindling numbers featured prominently. In addition to what Connecting Kodavas do, organisations like Jabhoomi work at the grassroots to educate, bring awareness and support Kodavaame in spirit and action.
However, it is critical for Kodavas to restore their identity and find a separate place in the Census exercise undertaken by the State and Central Government. Community initiatives can at best be treated as a “check” to ensure that the District Administration addresses genuine issues of the community. Some of the essential character of Kodagu is being subsumed – an example is that Dussehra is being celebrated with more pomp and fanfare as compared with our Harvest Festival – Puthari. If the huge budgets for the Dussehra festival is instead spent on improving essential infrastructure like roads and power, it would help the district in a more meaningful manner.
Post the merger with then Mysore State, developmental activity has been negligible and step-motherly. Basic infrastructure is a far cry from what is needed, especially considering the uncontrolled growth of tourism – the footfall is set to cross 25 Lakhs this year. Higher education, Healthcare, promotion of skills based MSMEs, Elderly care, blatant dimuntion of tree-cover, sale of agricultural land to “outsiders” who have little commitment to the sacredness of the land passed on from generation to generation… are some of the critical issues to be handled on a PPP (Public, Private, Partnership) basis. Is there any correlation between revenues generated for the government and actual spend within the district?
This is where AKS ought to step in and become the platform for addressing the critical issues of the community and Kodagu at large. After all, as the Parent organization of Kodava Community, AKS has to restructure themselves to become more representative of the Community’s aspirations. There are too many FOREVER COMMITTEE MEMBERS in many of our organisations that were instituted to serve the Community by the then well-intentioned Founders.
Being counted will give us political heft I suppose. But irrespective of being enumerated or not, we ought to take steps to safeguard and perpetuate our customs and traditions. The Samajas should take a proactive role in doing that.
Reading this article stirs a deep ache in the heart of every Kodava. For generations, our people have lived as a proud distinct community with our own customs, traditions, and way of life that set us apart.
Yet, for more than eight decades now, we have been reduced to a nameless, faceless number in census records, merged into a vast category where our unique identity is lost.
It is time the Kodavas demand what is rightfully ours – restoration of our pre 1941 identity in the census. Let the Government know that we are not just a fragment lost with a larger category. Our ancestors safeguarded this land with their hard work, toil and traditions. The least we owe them is the fight to preserve our name, our identity and our future.
There are certain functions that the Government has an obligation to deliver, and an official Census is one of them. Without basic data, how can any Government, Institution, Organisation work? The District Administration must surely need data on physical numbers of every kind for executing plans – people, households, vehicles, tourists, resource utilisation, crops to name just a few critical data points.
Now if we believe that the people or communities can do it themselves, why will the District Administration accept the data?
As a Kodava, we ought to know for sure what are the factors affecting the future of our community – especially when there are forces at work to vitiate our identity? Ganesh Aiyanna’s assertion is correct – The Akhila Kodava Samaja should be equipped with appropriate platforms which brings the aspirations of the community to fruition. Of immediate consequence is the uncontrolled growth of tourism and its impact on resource utilisation. What impact is this phenomenon having on dilution of Kodava and Kodava Bashikas’ culture? Can the District’s Healthcare, Higher Education, basic infrastructure – roads, power, water – be improved? Promotion of MSMEs to provide value addition beyond growing primary crops of coffee, pepper and paddy.
The Kodava Samajas under the umbrella of the Federation could undertake a voluntary exercise to conduct a census of Kodavas.
Good suggestion but, Most ideal organisation to conduct this survey is not FEDERATION OF KS but only AKHILA KODAVA SAMAJA because every Kodava by birth is a member of AKS automatically unlike Federation where members have to pay a huge amount.
This is a timely reminder to highlight the need for recognising communities like Kodavas who make up the diversity of this blessed country. The Kodavas, like the Parsis’ have contributed immensely to making the country what it is today.
Relative to our size, no other community has representation in the Armed Forces across all ranks and stamped their service with outstanding distinction. The same is with Sports and Agriculture. The Parsis’ have a penchant for business and have done remarkably well for themselves.
but they do not possess a geographical identity like we do.
We Kodavas have a very distinct and unique culture and cannot be subsumed into the Hindu pantheon where we will be lost. Census data is critical to keep track of diversity, which is so essential in defining what our country represents. So even is the caste Census being undertaken in Karnataka, we need our data for the community to be collected separately.