by Richie Lasrado, Resident Editor
with pics from Kishor Cariappa, Muscat
Muscat, Oct 1: The Kodava (Coorgi) community in the Sultanate of Oman celebrated their traditional festival called 'Kailpoldh' (or Kailpod in short) or Kail Muhurta in style and with colour, on September 22.
Just as the Christians of the western coast celebrate 'Montifest' on September 8 every year, Kodavas celebrate their own festival during the first week of September. As a happy coincidence, Keralites too celebrate Onam around the same time.
'The event marks the end of the transplanting phase in the paddy cultivation. Worship, use of arms and re-dedication to the cause of the land are important aspects of this festival,' says Kishor Cariappa, a prominent Kodava in Muscat, who shows great enthusiasm about observing the traditional feasts like Kailpod or Puttari ('Putri' colloquially, an equivalent of 'Huttari' widely observed in Karnataka), while being away from home.
The celebrations began at 11 am and went on up to 6 pm, with fun and frolic for everyone, irrespective of age.
'Kodavatt', a unique dance performed with fervour and zest by the Kodavas, 'Ummattatt' dance by women etc. are indeed a feast to the observers' eyes.
Kodava Residents in Oman
If at all the Kodava community has been observing the festivals in Oman every year with so much of enthusiasm, perhaps the credit should go to the Biddatanda couple, Madan and Rohini Subbaiah, who took the initiative way back in early 1980's during their stay in Muscat. (They have their coffee estate in Napoklu, Coorg but have settled down at Indiranagar II Stage, Bangalore.)
Ever since, the spirit of celebration has been kept up, especially by the younger generation. The families too join in a matching spirit.
Kodagu and Kodavas
Kodagu, earlier known as Coorg, was a Class 'C' state until the reorganization of states in 1956. Until then it had its its own assembly, chief minister and cabinet.
It is a small territory ensconced amidst Dakshina Kannada, Mandya, Hassan districts from different side, and Kerala state on the southwest. In 1956, it merged with the then Mysore state, which later became Karnataka.
Kodavas or Coorgis are a very distinct community, belonging to a martial race. It has contributed great Generals to the Indian Army (like General Kodandera M Cariappa, who was made a Field Marshal decades after his retirement, his cousin Kodandera S Thimmiah and General B C Nanda).
Diplomats like Chonira Belliappa Muthamma, administrators like former chief minister of Coorg who later served as union minister and governor Cheppudira Muthanna Poonacha, Hockey players and Olympians like Mollera Poovairah Ganesh and M M Somaiah, athletes like A C Pushpa and Ashwini Nachappa, Sandalwood star Prema, judges like Palecanda Medappa, journalists like Raj Chengappa (India Today) and hundreds of others have shone at national and international level. (The list is only representative in nature, with chances of more prominent names having been missed out, unintentionally.)
The late prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, during his visit to Kodagu in early 1950's made a special reference to the place as well known for coffee, organge and army generals but also home for handsome men and beautiful women.
Kodagu, being a hill station with a salubrious climate, attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is being referred to as the "Kashmir of the South". Home stay facilities are also available within the estates.
A not-to-be-missed destination, for sure !