Centenary celebrations of Kodava Samaja

BANGALORE: In a bid to preserve and showcase the Kodava cultural heritage, the Federation of Kodava Samaja is soon coming up with a cultural centre at Balugodu near Virajpet, President of the Kodava Samaja, Bangalore, C T Subbaiah said.Addressing the media persons at a press conference held to announce its centenary celebrations scheduled to be held from November 11 to 13 in the city, he said, “About three-fourth of the construction of the cultural centre spread across an area of 2.5 acres is already completed. Once the construction is completed, the centre will serve as a training centre for the youths in various sports, the Kodava folklore comprising temple dance and songs dedicated to the theme of ancestral worship.” “The total cost of the project is `10 crore. The State Government has provided 1.5 crore for the project and the rest is being funded from the members of the federation and philanthropists” Subbiah said.Kodava cultural programmes and seminars would be organised as part the centenary celebrations of the Kodava Samaja. Experts in the field of agriculture, forests, population and education will throw will take part in the seminars.New script for Kodava languageThe Kodava Samaja is also on its way of developing its own script. Subbaiah said, “Like the Konkani script, we are also trying get our own script. Professor Appaiah is working on the project.”He also expressed concern over the of dwindling Kodava population in Kodagu which is mainly because of urban migration and the increasing number of big resorts which are affecting the home stay culture and the revenue generation of the local residents.The Kodava Samaja, Bangalore, has planned to start schools at Dasarahalli, Peenya and a high-tech hospital and a few schools at some important places across the city.Kodava Samaja seems to be open to the idea of declaring the Western Ghats as the World Heritage Site. Commenting on the idea, Subbaiah said, “A major portion of Kodagu falls under the Western Ghats. Once the Western Ghats get the World Heritage Site tag, there would certainly be development  activities, but it should be taken up in such a way that it does not affect anyone.”