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Kodavas of Kodagu

Kodagu (anglicized as Coorg), a fertile mountainous region of Karnataka blessed with natural beauty, is the birthplace of Kaveri River.  Nestled in the Sahyadri Mountains of the Western Ghats, this rugged and hilly region is inhabited by a unique group of people with martial traditions. They are a relatively a small community called Kodavas (Coorgs or Coorgis).  The Kodavas have fiercely guarded their tradition and customs as well as their uniqueness.  Kodavas are the dominant class living in Kodagu though they only form about 15 to 20 percent of the population.  There are 100,000 Kodavas in Kodagu with a total population of 545,000. They co-exist with people of other castes and tribes peacefully that include the Yeravas, Kurubas, the aborigines called Kudiyas, the lower caste called Poleyas.  The region was later settled by Vokkaligas from Hassan and Chikmagalur, Shettys from Dakshina Kannada, who were businessmen and Mapilles (Moplahs), who are the Islamic converts left over from Hyder Ali and Tippu’s era. 

The Kodavas are reputed to be handsome and hospitable, and are hunters and harvesters.  In their customs and worship they distinguish themselves as quite different as compared to Hindus, with whom they now identify.  They have carved out their own unique society.  Kodavas are people who are fond of song, dance and merriment.  They have a rich collection of folk songs fit for every occasion, like birth, marriage and festivals.

The Land

Kodagu is a small mountainous region on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats.  The average altitude ranges from 3000 to 5500 feet.  The highest peak is Thadiyanda Mol at 5729 feet.  Kodagu is bordered by Tulu speaking Dakshina Kannada to its Northwest, Kannada speaking Hassan District to the North and Mysore to the Northeast.  To the South and Southwest are the Malayalam speaking Kannur and Kozhikode districts of Kerala.  Thus all three languages have had an impact on Kodagu.  The region is drenched with heavy rainfall, along with the coastal Karnataka, a result of the deluge of Southwest Monsoon. 

This abundant rainfall has resulted in lush forest growth that is typical of the Western Ghats with its rain forest in this range of mountains.  The heavy rainfall is also conducive to growing rice paddy in flatter areas.  The wet slopes are also ideal for growing coffee beans.  Some of the best coffee estates in South India, first established by the British, are to be found in Kodagu.  A drive through the thoroughfare certainly will reward one with natural scenic beauty of canopies of trees and expansive scenery of the mountains.  It is also not unusual to see coffee plantations, pregnant with red berries on either sides of the road.  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.

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