Kodagu Gowda

Arebhashe gowdas^[1] or Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada Gowdas (Coorg and South Canara Gowdas) are a major ethnic group in parts of Dakshina Kannada, like Sullia, Puttur, parts of Bantwal and Belthangadi Taluks, and in parts of Kodagu. They were mainly living in some of these places called as (Amara Sulya (Sulya), which was part of Kodagu (Coorg) during Haleri Dynasty of Kodagu, hence the Tulu and Dakshina Kannada Gowdas are also called Kodagu Gowdas (Coorg Gowdas). Guddera (Guddemane) Appaiah, whose family was given lands in Kodagu in 1800, along with others from Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada rebelled against the British and hoisted Jangama (Lingayite monk) Kalyanaswamy's flag in Bavuta Gudde in Mangalore.^[2][3][4][5]

Culture

Coorg and Dakshina Kannada Gowdas or Are BhasheGowdas are widespread in various rural and urban parts of South Karnataka,^[1] majorly Sullia,Puttur, Bantwal and belthangadi Taluks Mangalore, Madikeri, Mysore and few in Bangalore. Few of the families are the migrated Gowda inhabitants from Sakaleshpur, Shiraadi and Charmaadi ghats of Hassan & Chikamagalur districts. "10 Kutumba - 18 Bali (Gotra)" is the maxim of Kodagu & Dakshina Kannada Gowdas.This maxim unique them from rest of gowda community but there are more than 100 families in Kodagu, which got separated from the primordial Kutumbas. Gowdas believe that people from same Bali or Gotra cannot marry as they have originated from the same base family. The community follows patrilineal systems. They have good recognition for their renowned culture and various rituals being celebrated in various festivals and occasions.Originally Kodagu arebhashe gowdas celebrated vishu(bishu known in south canara)as there new year but due to influence of other gowda community(vokkaliga).They celebrate ugadi as new year.

The proud Kodagu & Dakshina Kannada Gowdas are basically agriculturists and are very passionate about hunting and bacchanalian revelry. Wines and home-made brewed drinks are very common in the sumptuous formal parties and traditional occasions. The Valaga-Dance is quite famous and frolic for Gowdas during ceremonies. It is very common and a rule for one or two members of a Gowda family to represent Indian Armed Forces in one or the other capacity The Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada Gowdas worship Lord "Tirupathi Thimappa" or Venkataramana of Tirupathi as their Mane/Kula devaru. Goddess Kaveramma (Kaveri) as their kuladevi and lord Igguthappa (shiva) as the kulaguru special offerings are kept on special occasions such as nad jambara or mane jambara(festivals and family gathering) goddesses sabamma(shringeri sharadha)is offered or praised only during the marriages.The Kodagu arebhashe gowdas worship their house deity in form of "mudipu"(the small bronze circular traditional jewellery box called 'cheppu'where the money,gold and silver are stored in name of the god.The money,gold,silver is been collected during "hariseve"(day of worshiping house deity along with kuladevi kaveriavva(kaveri) and kulaguru(iggutappa).

Language

"Arebhashe"^[6] is the main lingo of Kodagu & Dakshina Kannada Gowdas, which is the dialect of Kannada, Tulu,and Hale Kannada (old Kannada words) being spoken in the towns of Sulya, Puttur, Madikeri, Bhagamandala, Kushalanagara and also in other parts of Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu(Coorg). Although Arebhashe is the main language of the Gowdas in Madikeri town and in Sullia of Dakshin Kannada. AreBashe News in Madikeri AIR: the news in Arebhashe "Sudhi Jompe A'rebhashe Varthe" (Arebhashe News) is broadcast on Madikeri AIR daily at 7:45 pm, featuring the local news of Kodagu and various Gowda activities held in Sullia and Mysore and other issues in India as well as International news

festivals

Kodagu arebhashe gowdas are unique to rest of gowda community.Since Kodagu arebhashe gowdas celebrate only three festival in entire year

kailmuhurtha

The kailmurtha(prounced in arebhashe) is the first festival celebrated among the community.The kailmurtha is celebrated in "sona thinga" (according to tulu calender)its "shravana"(according to kannada calender)usually on (3rd of september).This festival resembles the happy times of this community after the stressfull and long tiring paddy cultivation in "ati thinga"(mid june -mid august).This festival resembles the ayudha pooja .(People with agricultural land) On this day the head of family bathes the cows(used for ploughing),washes the tools used for paddy cultivation(plough) then the guns "deva ayudha"(weapons of the house gaurding deity).the goddess kaveriavva (kaveri) and lord iggutappa's photos are placed on "bidar chappe"(bamboo mat)in "nellaki bade"(worshiping place) the "mukhali"(small woodden traditional stool) is placed in front with the bronze plate on it with banana leaf with rice is placed on it,the small bronze lamp with betel leaf and arecanut is placed,the weapons and tools are decorated with flower,cows are tied outside house decorated with flowers.The head of family prays in name of kaveravva and iggutappa and throws rice on weapons and tools (thanking gods for protection and protecting their tools and thanking tools for their work)the cows are offered rice starch with"kujje"(unripe jackfruit) banana and"hudri"(puffed rice made from whole paddy grain).people are served with "prasada"(puffed rice with jaggery with til seeds banana and grated coconut).In olden days people used take a bird(hen or duck or turkey)around the weapons and sacrifice in name of lord and weapon's.The "hatti"(cow shed is cleaned and decorated with flowers) at the entrance of the shed banana leaf is spread out and rice is poured onto leaf a lamp is placed and the opened coconut is placed the two balls of curd rice with flowers and a glass of milk with honey ghee is placed and rice is thrown in worship of "angara"(gaurdian of cows) thanking him for his grace on cows with good health.the weapons are taken out the elders guide their young ones how to use them.The sports are played such as thenge kai gundu(shooting coconut tied to a tree) "kai ge kal"(throwing stones at coconut) earlier day on this the weapons were taken for hunting as this was one kind of sport.On this day akki payasa(rice kheer) "handi gaipu"(pork curry) koli gaipu(chicken curry) are served along with the alcoholic drinks.A day before this festival people shoot pigs and flesh them for the festival.On kailmurtha day evening the family gathers in the "ainmane" light nellaki lamp(traditionl lamp) and offer to gurukarnav(ansectoral offering) pray to them for their family well being and their protection.

Sports & fun

The cricket matches between many Gowda families will be held in Madikeri or Sullia for Gowda Cup the famous Kedambadi cup is held before the Gowda cup in Madikeri in the month of April. Also hockey matches are held in Coorg as well as Bangalore (Kaveri cup), the other games such as nati gaddhe oota (athletics in paddy field), Kabaddi, volleyball matches are organised for Gowdas during various occasions like Kailu Muhurtha, Huttari, Kaveri Sankramana. Since Gowdas are widely present in the Indian Armed Forces, they engage themselves in many athletic activities and boxing. For fun Kodagu Gowdas indulge in various cultural activities such as dance,songs etc. As a dance Gowda boys indulge in various dances such as Belakatt (dance around lamp), kathi att (dance with odi kathi or bal kathi, a type of sword used in Coorg gifted by the ancient kings for bravery), navil att (dance with peacock feathers), Komb att (dance with antlers of a deer they have hunted) and kolatt (dance with a 6m long bamboo stick).

Notable people

• • D. V. Sadananda Gowda (central Railway Minister + 26th Chief Minister of Karnataka + ex-BJP President Karntaka State unit)^[7][8]
  • Guddemane Appaiah Gowda (a freedom fighter from Kodagu, during 1834-1837)^[9][10]
  • Kedambadi Rama Gowda, a supporter of Kalyanaswamy who fought against British Rule during 1835-39^[9][11]
  • Shri. Nidyamale Somana, Member, First Lok Sabha (1952–1957), Parliament of India, represented the State of Coorg; MLA (1957–1958), Karnataka State, represented Piriyapatna Constituency^[12]
  • Dr. Kurunji Venkatramana Gowda,founder president of AOLE, also renowned as "Amara Shilpi of Sullia"^[13]
  • K.G. Bopaiah (Speaker of Legislative Assembly/ Virajpet MLA)^[14]
  • Dr.Purushothama Bilimale (Director of American Institute of Indian Studies), October 2009
  • Dr. KV Chidananda Gowda, Former Vice Chancellor, Kuvempu University and NASA Scientist,
  • Baddana Raj Chengappa - Editor-in-Chief, Printer & Publisher, The Tribune; Chandigarh, India.^[15][16]
  • Shri Kolambe Puttanna Gowda, who wrote Kaluru Cheluve and an excellent Talamaddale artist^[17]
  • Kedagadi Guddappa Gowda, finest Yakshagana performer^[18][19]
  • N.S.Deviprasad (Sampaje Deviprasad), Film Producer and Cultural activist & Activist for 'Praja Vedike'^[20]
  • Dambekodi S. Madappa (Ex-MLA)^[10]
  • Dr. K.V. Venkataramana, Poet, Reviewer, Translator and Writer^[21]
  • Shobha Karandlaje, BJP Leader and Minister, Government of Karnataka
  • Koorana Praveen Executive Manager Kodagu channel Madikeri -- media publicity in Kodagu Gowda

See also

• Gowda

References

kodagu channel

External links

• Vokkaligas Website

• Travel guide site