The Hindu : Karnataka News : Academy wants Kodava in VIII Schedule

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Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

Academy wants Kodava in VIII Schedule

By Our Staff Correspondent

VIRAJPET (KODAGU DT.), JUNE 9. Chiriyapanda Raja Nanjappa, President of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, on Wednesday said the main goals of the academy were to see that the Kodava language was included in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution, fight for minority status for the Kodavas, and ensure the conversion of the late General K.S. Thimmaiah's house (now RTO office) into a museum.

Presiding over the decennial celebrations of the academy here, he noted that the State Government, which was about to send its recommendations to the Centre on the inclusion of the Kodava language in the VIII Schedule, had not done so owing to the elections.

The issue would be taken up with the new Government, Mr. Nanjappa said and added that the new body of the academy scheduled to take charge after June 15 should pursue the matter.

Mr. Nanjappa regretted that some members of the community, who had an eye on the post of the President of the academy, tried to create problems when the issue of including Kodava in the VIII Schedule was taken up with the State Government the previous year.

Such activities threatened the unity among Kodavas, he said.

He said the academy had identified 21 Kodava-speaking communities in Kodagu so far. But Kodava-Moplas had not been included in the list as they did not speak Kodava any longer, he said.

Mr. Nanjappa called upon intellectuals, academics, and experts to attend a meeting on June 20 at the academy office here to discuss the publishing of the proposed Kodava encyclopaedia.

In spite of sending invitations, some experts were reluctant to work on the project, he noted.

He said the academy had published 95 books in the past 10 years, revived the "Aat-Pat" programme, and started spreading awareness about Kodava folklore among students and people.

Matanda C. Monnappa, president of the Akhila Kodava Samaja, said the Government should release more grants for the academy.

He noted that though the academy was faced with a paucity of funds, it had managed to hold many programmes, including the revival of Aat-Pat at educational institutions.

He commended Mr. Nanjappa for continuing the good work at the academy. Sounding a note of caution, Mr. Monappa reminded the gathering that shortage of funds could hinder the proposed Kodava encyclopaedia project. He suggested to Mr. Nanjappa to form a team of experts and entrust the work to it.

Boverianda Raghu Achaiah, president of the Cheyyandane Kodava Samaja, said though the academy had done its best to promote Kodava culture and language, much more needed to be done.

Also, there was a dire need to protect the land and water resources of the district, and for this endeavour the academy, the Akhila Kodava Samaja, and the Kodava Samaja units could join hands, he added. Nayada Vasu Nanjappa, president of the Virajpet Kodava Samaja, laid stress on developing "Kodavame" in which women could play a significant role. He decried efforts by some people to denigrate the Kodava culture, and said such developments could lead to degeneration of the culture.

Three compact discs — Cauvery Teertodbhava, Kalladcha at Malma of Lord Iggutappa, and Bodu festival of Chembebellur — were released. A poet's meet was organised to mark the occasion.

Earlier, Ammananda M. Annaiah, a member of the academy, welcomed the gathering. Mukkatira A. Vasant and Tatanda Prabha Nanaiah compered the programme.

The Registrar of the academy, K. Damodar, was present.

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