Kodavas unite in historic march to preserve their cultural identity 

Kodavas march for constitutional safeguards to protect culture and traditions, demanding recognition and preservation of their heritage.

Thousands of Kodavas from different parts of the district and the State congregated at Madikeri on Friday for the last leg of the “Kodavame Balo Padayatra”  - an 84 km long community march seeking constitutional safeguards to protect the community’s culture and traditions.

Nearly 25,000 people had assembled at General K.S. Thimayya Stadium to mark the finale of the march which began at Kutta on February 2 and covered a distance of nearly 84 km spread over 6 days.

Described as historic, it was the first such event in Kodagu that saw the congregation of the community members in thousands.

Organised by Akhila Kodava Samaja, it was to highlight the collective concern of the people of Kodagu over the increasing marginalisation of the community and the imperatives of preserving their culture, customs, and tradition.

Though the people of Kodagu have been raising certain demands and have sought special status, it has been ignored for long. But the immediate triggering point was the incident at Kattemad when a few community members clad in traditional Kodava attire were denied entry into a temple because it violated the dress code.

This led various Kodava Samajas and Sanghas to come together on a common platform to create awareness of the general marginalisation of the community and the imperatives of securing a space for their culture and conserve it for posterity.

Early in the day, the community march commenced from Sri Bhagawathi Temple at 10.30 a.m., and it was joined by citizens, young and old, clad in traditional Kodava attire.