COORG NOTES 3

19h May.I and Renjith were on the way to Cheyyandane.After passing Heggala Renjith drove a kilometer or so and parked the car near an estate gate.A few feet away, Inside the estate a middle aged man and woman were cutting some dry and living branches of coffee plants.Renjith asked them what they were doing there.The man replied that they were rounding .The work of cutting some old branches for giving the plant enough space and convenience for allowing it to grow with new vigour without causing any trouble to the nearby plants is known as 'rounding'.The man and his wife were engaged in that work.We asked them what was their wage.'Rs.230 a day'The man replied.Everybody knows that the amount is just enough to pull on meeting only the basic needs. After an hour we got the chance to meet another worker of another estate .He was tipsy,no,he was really fit, but seemed to be aware of many problems related to coffee cultivation.He said, 'Look,the price of coffee varies.Our owners get only a small amount. The middle men and the companies which make coffee powder make money.The estate owners here are not cunning.They don't use pesticides and chemical manures.So the yield is less.But they don't take care.They are interested only in the studies of their chidren and some traditional festivals.With what they get from their ancestral property they can give good education to their chidren.Only that much.But one thing is sure.The coffee here is the best in the world. Oh,really good,great.'

COORG NOTES 2

Kodavas in general are proud of their unique culture.They call themselves ‘Children of Mother Kavery’.Their food habits,dress code,beliefs,rituals and ceremonies are different from those of others living in Kodagu.Outsiders may feel that the community is strong and will continue to be so for many more decades.But it is a sad fact that the number of Kodavas are fast dwindling in Kodagu.Most of the educated youths among Kodavas do not like to continue in their native place.They move to Mysore or Bangalooru for higher studies and seek jobs there itself.Some among them get employed in other cities in the country or get chances to seek their fortune in foreign countries. All of them are almost cut off from the culture nurtured by their parents and ancestors.Many observers fear that after 50 years the traits of original Kodava culture may turn to be a faint memory. Paddy cultivation in Kodagu began to give way to coffee plantations during the British rule.Coorg coffee was recognised as the best in the country .The recognition remains true even now.Coffe estates considerably raised the financial status of many Kodavas and their life rose to very high standards.But the new generation is disintersted in coffee cultivation also.They show haste in leaving Coorg with the hope that a more fashinable,eventful and enjoyable life could be realised in cities.No one can resist or blame them. They have the freedom to act according to their concept of life. But the unpleasent fact that Kodavas are shrinking to a small minority in Kodagu and their culture is slowly vanishing looms over this beautiful land and many feel sorry and helpless. 21/5/2016

COORG NOTES 1

Friends, This is the first note. Here in these notes I inted to share my ‘Coorg experiences’ and some observations based on them which I hope some of you may find interesting. Coorg,the land which enjoys the benevelonce and blessings of nature in abundance has been an irresistible thrill for me for the last four decades. My first visit to Coorg was in 1975.Though it is only 3 hours journey from Thalassery to Coorg my first impression was that I reached a far away land the beauty and attraction of which was boundless.Years passed and from 1985 onwards every year I made 3 or 4 trips to the ‘ Scotland of India’.My latest journey to Coorg was yesterday. This time I went in the company of Renjith Markos whom about 27years back I taught in degree class in Govt.Brennen College. Renjth was in the driver’s seat of his Innova.From Perumbadi, where we reached after a tiresome drive of several kilometres on the winding road ,we turned left and drove towards Heggala and proceeded to Karada and Cheyyandane and returned to Perumbadi via Virajpet.Renjith parked the car at a convenient place and we went to Dr.S.V.Narasimhan’s house. Dr.Narasimhan is a reputed medical practitioner of Virajpet.But we approached him not seeking any medical help.Dr.Narasimhan is the auther of ‘Feathered Jewels of Coorg’ the book that contains authentic descriptions of more than 300 birds in Coorg. Though I had contacted him through email before a few days when quite unexpectedly I along with my friend reached his house,it seemed to me that the doctor was thrilled.We had a matter of fact discussion for about half an hour about the Kodava culture which is unique in many respects. It was with immense pleasure I received ‘Feathered Jewels ’ from the doctor.Thus my latest trip to Coorg also became unforgettable. 20/5/2016