Kodava Study Centre needed: Folklorist

Speaking at a Kodava literary cultural convention at Kodava Samaja in Virajpet on Thursday, he said an English historian had opined that Kodava language might have its origin from Pancha Dravida language. On Kodava culuture, APMC former President Mookonda Bose Devaiah spoke in length on the Kodava history, culture and status. He also spoke on Jamma land, Kodava attire, language and said that to preserve the culture and Kodava language, there is a need for Kodava Study Centre in Kodagu and both Kodava Sahithya Academy and Kodava Samaja should work towards setting up of a Study Centre.

Ammathi Kodava Samaja President Kuttanda Vinu Poovaiah said “Kodagu is confronted with several burning issues. With the aping of western culture, we are facing threat to our own culture. Our community will not survive if our culture is not preserved. All should work for the uplift of the language and culture.”

Karnataka Kodava Sahithya Academy Registrar Vinodchandra said “the Academy has given a sum of Rs five lakh to Kodava Study Centre in Mangalore University.”

Kodava Sahithya Academy President Aimudiyanda Rani Machaiah was present. Kodava Sahithya Academy also staged ‘Bolakat,’ ‘Kathiyat,’ ‘Kolat,’ ‘Ummathat,’ ‘Porapad,’ and quiz competition. In the valedictory programme, Zilla Panchayat Standing Committee on Health and Education Kallira Kanthi Belliappa, coffee grower Nellamakkada A Somaiah and others were present.