Kodavas – The Brave Hearted
Kodagu (anglicized as Coorg), a fertile mountainous region of Karnataka in India, blessed with natural beauty, is the birthplace of Kaveri River. Kodavas (Coorgs or Coorgis) are a peace-loving clan with martial traditions and are the dominant class living in the province inhabiting this rugged and hilly region nestled in the Sahyadri Mountains of the Western Ghats.
 Coffee estate in bloom |
Kodavas are an ancient society, the origins of which are unknown. The people are fiercely independent with a proud martial tradition. The women of Kodagu are known for their beauty and men are ruggedly handsome. The unique Kodava language, without a script, is thought to be one of the Dravidian languages of South India. Due to its geographical location, the Kodava language is influenced by Kannada, Malayalam and Tulu languages.
The Kodavas are reputed to be handsome and hospitable, and are hunters and harvesters. Kodavas are people who are fond of song, dance and merriment and have their own unique and rich customs and worship traditions. Due to their martial traditions Kodavas consider themselves as Kshatriyas.
 A 'Kodava' |
The main crop grown here is Coffee due to the hilly terrain and wet slopes and the heavy rainfall is also conducive to growing rice (paddy) in flatter areas. Some of the best coffee estates in South India, first established by the British, are to be found in Kodagu. Coffee, cardamom, pepper, orange, timber and honey known as 'Coorg Honey' are the major products of Kodagu. Tea, rubber, arecanut, coconut, citrus fruits, pineapple, papaya, plantain, piggery and poultry are other products fueling its economy. Kodagu, which is a district of Karnataka State, has three Taluks namely Madikeri, Somavarapete and Virajapete.
The main river of Kodagu is the legendary Kaveri and is very sacred for the Kodavas. Kaveri takes origin in Brahmagiri hills in Kodagu, in a place aptly called Talakaveri (head of Kaveri).
 Nangada 'KAVERI-AMME' |
Mother Kaveri is the Goddess figure of the Kodavas and the festival of Kaveri’s birth, Tula Sankramana attracts Hindus from neighboring districts and states to bathe in the sacred river. This custom surely is a later addition to Kodava custom as the concept is purely Aryan in its proceedings.
The traditional costumes of Kodavas resemble that of the people of Middle East, with a long coat (Kuppya) down to mid-calf with a band of gold trimmed sash (chele) with tassels, across the waist tied in a bow. The ends of this sash hang gracefully over the left thigh. The headdress is a piece of cloth (vastra) tied around the head, a turban, with the loose end hanging in the back at the nape of the neck. Sports and martial arts like sword wielding are extolled, and hence there are some traditional swords and machetes that are used during ceremonies as well as part of the ceremonial costume. The most important is the peeche kathi, which is an ornamented dagger that can be worn on the waist band.
Kodavas are very fond of dancing. Folk songs are sung while dancing. Even in most of the religious functions, liquor and meat are not taboo. This has given the Kodavas a reputation as fun loving people with little inhibitions, who extol physical strength and skills.
The freshness of jungle with rain forest, the altitude of a hill station with its pleasant summers, the beautiful landscapes of coffee clad hills and paddy green valleys and the fascinating people of Kodagu with their quaint customs makes Kodagu a worthy place to visit.