Kail Poud Celebration by CNC

On the 1^st of September, 2016 under the leadership of N.U. Nachappa, CNC (Codava National Council) celebrated Kail Poud festival at the Middle ground mandh, Madikeri. After performing Thok Pooja (Gun Worship) CNC members took out a vehicle procession through the main roads of Madikeri and assembled at Capital Village resort where further cultural activities were held.

CNC Members actively participated in traditional Codava folk dance and other cultural events. Rifle shooting was held for both men and women folks here.

 

 

 

 

 

CNC seeks homeland for Kodavas

The president of the Codava National Council (CNC) fighting for an autonomous Kodava homeland status for Kodagu, N.U. Nachappa, on Friday, cited the struggles of the people of Telangana and Kashmir to justify his claims for carving out an autonomous region for the Kodavas in the district.

The CNC would be organising human chain from January 31 and a satyagraha at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Republic Day.

-The Hindu

CNC plans rally on March 21 in Gonikoppa

CNC will stage a rally demanding the announcement of Kodava land comprising 45 Kodava Naadu on March 21 at Cauvery College Maidan in Gonikoppa.

N.U. Nachappa, secretary general of the CNC

Addressing a press meet on Friday, CNC President N U Nachappa said Kodava land should be announcved on the lines of Goorkha land of Darjeeling. As per Article 370 and 371 of Constitution, special status should be given to Kodava land.

The Kodavas should be considered as minority tribal community members under Article 340 and 342 and must be provided reservation in education and employment, he added. Nachappa said Kodava language should be included in the eighth schedule of the constitution. A separate University should be started from Kodavas on the lines of Banaras Hindu University, Nalanda and Thakshashila University.

The CNC expressed opposition to the proposed railway connectivity to Kodagu as it will destroy forest and coffee estates. Instead of providing railway connectivity, the government should provide proper road connectivity to Soorlabbi, Garvale. 
 

-DHNS

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Need to provide protection to minorities stressed

Speakers at a function to mark Human Rights Day, organised by the Codava National Council (CNC) at the Capitol Village near here on Thursday, expressed support to the cause of the CNC which is demanding an autonomous Kodava homeland status to the Kodavas in Kodagu district.

N.U. Nachappa, secretary general of the CNC

M.C. Nambiyar, journalist, who was a guest, said one of the aims of the human rights charter of the United Nations was to protect all kinds of minority people living in the world.

India had the largest diversity of minority population in the world, including the Kodavas, which ought to be given protection by the majority people, Mr. Nambiyar said, according to information reaching here.

The culture and tradition of Kodava people were unique, Mr. Nambiyar said, and added that securing tribal status for Kodavas and also inclusion of Kodava language in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution were not difficult tasks.

He, however, cautioned the Kodavas against alienation of land by them. When Bodoland and Gorkhaland, could exist why not Kodavaland, he said.

Gunasekaran, anthropologist from Kerala, justified the CNC struggle and said Kodavas deserved the autonomous homeland status since they were distinctly different among other communities. Chendrimada G. Muthappa, a senior member of the Kodava community, said all Kodavas should accept the CNC leadership and continue the struggle for the autonomous homeland status.

N.U. Nachappa, secretary general of the CNC, referring to the development with regard to the creation of Telangana, said the CNC would achieve its goal through peaceful struggle.

Organising programmes at the Kodava “ain mane” (ancestral homes) to spread awareness among Kodavas on the CNC struggle had been a big success.

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-The Hindu

Kodava land to be focus of seminar

Madikeri: M.D. Nalapat, Cleo Paskal and M.C. Nambiar will deliver lectures at a seminar on December 10 to be held at Capitol Village near here. The seminar to be held on World Human Rights Day is being organised by the Codava National Council (CNC).

Speaking to presspersons here, secretary general of the CNC N.U. Nachappa said the speakers would speak on the CNC movement for an autonomous Kodava land for the Kodavas in Kodagu, extending support to the CNC cause.

Mr. Nalapat is an expert in geo-politics, Mr. Paskal is from the Royal Institute of International Studies, Kochi, and Mr. Nambiar is a journalist, he said.

The CNC will stage a demonstration in front of the UN office in New Delhi on December 18. The CNC will continue with its ‘ain mane’ programmes. One such programme will be held at the Vallanda ain mane at Bollumadu village on December 13 and the next will be on December 21.

-The Hindu

Kodagu celebrates Hutthari

Hutthari—festival of harvest that embodies the rich tradition of Kodagu was celebrated grandeoulsy across the district on Wednesday. 

 
 
After cutting the corn and offering pooja at Paadi Igguthappa Temple field, the corn was cut across the district. Huthari is new rice. It is the tradition of bringing new rice home. The festival is celebrated on new moon day which meets Rohini nakshatra. The festival features bringing home new rice, which carries a special place among the festivals in Kodagu. The preparation for the festival is being done one week in advance. On the day of Hutthari all the family members gather at Ain mane (ancestrol house).

In the evening, various rituals begin. In the house, below the thoogudeepa, the house members keep huthari chape, pot, bamboo basket and others and leave for paddy field. The house will be decorated with ashwatha, mango leaves. After the head of the family offers prayer, they leave for paddy field in a procession. After offering pooja to the corn, they fire in the air and start cutting the corn. By saying ‘Poli poli deva, polio baa’ they return to the Ain mane.

The corn will be tied in important places at the house. ‘Thambittu,’ ‘Elakki putt’ are the traditional delicacies for the day. Some even burst crackers.  Kolata practice will begin in ‘Mand’ at villages in the name of ‘Ead’ on Thursday. Later, village level Kolata competitions will be held.

As part of the festival, people visit houses and sing songs which is called ‘Mane paduvo.’ The raised money will be used for villagers meet called ‘Urorme.’
 

-DHNS

CNC to set up ‘Kodava authority’

Codava National Council (CNC) general secretary N.U. Nachappa announced at the CNC National Day celebrations here on Saturday that the council would set up a “Kodava authority” to ensure all-round development of Kodava people.

This was one of the six resolutions passed at the celebrations held at the Gandhi Maidan.

The authority would be a self-governing body and take steps required for managing rural development, educational institutions, healthcare and sanitation, on the lines of Palestine Authority, Parsi Panchayat and the like.

Another resolution said that the CNC would insist that the Union Government take steps to rename the State as the “State of Kodava and Karnataka”, on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir and others. The CNC would reiterate its demands for carving out Kodava autonomous homeland for the Kodavas in the district by bringing together all the erstwhile 45 ‘nads’ [a ‘nad’ is a cluster of villages], one of the resolutions said.

Other resolutions were, all Kodavas should either prefix or suffix ‘Kodava’ with their names, converse in Kodava language only and cooperate to continue the ‘ain mane’ (ancestral homes) meetings, covering all ‘ain mane’ of the Kodavas, to garner support for the CNC causes.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Nachappa said the struggle of the CNC was not for Statehood to Kodagu, but for autonomous homeland status for the Kodava people. Kodavas were a national ethnic minority and their rights ought to be protected by the majority people in the State. If the State Government did not respond positively to the demands of the CNC, the issue would be taken to the United Nations, he said.

He called upon Kodavas to become aware of their rights. People could oppose Statehood, but not autonomous region status to the Kodavas, Mr. Nachappa asserted. Kodavas were a national minority and it was the Constitutional obligation of the State to protect the minority community, he said.

He took a dig at a recent movement in Kodagu that opposed the CNC.

President of the Supreme Court Bar Association Krishnamani, who was the chief guest, supporting the CNC movement, pointed out that seeking autonomous status well within the limits of the Constitution, without affecting the national unity and integrity, was perfectly justified. He would try his best to mobilise political support for the CNC cause, Mr. Krishnamani assured Mr. Nachappa.

The culture of Kodavas was distinct and unique. The Kodavas had every right to protect it under the provisions of the Constitution, Mr. Krishnamani said. He called upon the Kodava people to display unity to achieve the autonomy goal.

A grand procession, in which traditionally dressed Kodava men and women took part, was taken out from the maidan to the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle and back to maidan.

Kodava flag was hoisted on the occasion and ‘bale kettuvo’ (lopping of banana stems) and ‘meedhi’ (offerings to ancestors) were performed.

Kaliyanda Prakash welcomed. Other speakers included Ramesh Muddaiah and K.B. Muthappa.

 – The Hindu