Madikeri: ‘Kudiyada Samskruthika Namme–26, the unique cultural exhibition of the Kudiya community in Kodagu, was inaugurated at Yavakapadi in Kodagu. The programme was organised by the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy in collaboration with the Nalnad Pommale Kudiya Cultural Committee.“Only when culture and tradition are combined can any community see intellectual progress,” said AC Mahesh Nachaiah, president of Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy. He said that the Kodavas, known for their uniqueness, have also progressed in all fields. He said that the Kudiya community has contributed to Kodava culture, language and folklore since time immemorial.
PG Aiyappa, president of Kodava Takk Janangakaranda Union, stressed for the preservation of language and culture.Kudiya community functionary Kudiyara Muthappa said that if any language, culture and tradition must take root in a person’s heart, “home should be the first school”. “Every mother at home should teach her children Kodava language and culture from the time they are born. If one learns the Balopat, the entire culture will shine,” he said.Meanwhile, several achievers from the community were felicitated at the event. The history and evolution of Kudiya community was explained by K Bopaiah, who shared that the community currently has a population of about 2000 people. Various cultural programmes that highlighted the folklore of Kudiyas were exhibited.
