Song and Dance

Kerban Bella Gowder

kerban-bella-gowder.jpg
Over a period of time, I have listened to a lot of Badaga singers [some were as good as professionals] but the best in my opinion is KERBEN BELLA GOWDER who had a golden voice. I met him for the first time all most three decades ago. He could play harmonium, bull bull tara or ‘thambutte’ [drum] with equal elan, His greatest ability was to compose and render songs on the spot, some times suitably changing the verses to suit the occassion.He was a much sought after singer in any function, be it a wedding, savu or anniversary. Just with a couple of his colleagues accompanying on the thambutte [mathalam] and jalra [cymbals], he would sing while playing the harmonium. Sadly, no songs were recorded in any studio. His savu [sad] songs would bring tears streaming down even in the hardest of hearts.Another, great contribution of Bella Gowder is his rendering of many Badaga Ballads – the best being ” BERADA BELLIE “ I had the great fortune of recording [on a tape recorder] some of his songs when he had visited my home at Hubbathalai on a few occassions. Luckily I could trace them recently.It is with a great sense of honour and as a tribute to this gifted singer I have uploaded some of his BERADA BELLIE as well as KAARA CHENNE and other songs on the net so that all of us can listen to his golden voice. The voice quality of some of these streaming songs may not be good due to the original recording having been done on a tape recorder.
I bow my head in dedication to Kerben Bella Gowder who passed away a few years back.

Thangaadu L.Krishnan
I have heard a lot about Thangaadu L.Krishnan, probably a contemporary of Kerban Bella Gowder, but only now had the opportunity to listen to his songs, courtesy Priyaraghava of Eddakkaadu. To say the least, the voice of L.Krishnan, is very unique and the more you listen to his songs, the more you want to listen. Simply great. One of the songs from the album, Priyaraghava has hosted in Cooltoad, is “Kundha Paala Roadu dhoge”…the original Badaga atta song. I remember listening to this dance number fifty years back, a song which was a must in any habba. Old timers will remember this song being referred to as ‘ Baby powder’a bekku endhagha, Bella na hennu en Janagi, Akka akka huttidha awai, ondhu jolia heghine baali’.
An album containing songs, including my favourite ” Kanjikke Kukkiya “of L.Krishnan can be accessed here Badaga Songs on the Web

Badaga Months in ‘Kappu Huttileyu’ Song

The more I listen to the dance song ‘Kappu Huttileyu’, the more fascinated I become. All the 12 Badaga months starting with KOODALU, [the names of the months given in the page ‘badaga language’], are beautifully integrated within the song.

Go here to listen to this and many more songs . Come on , let us make a song and dance about the wonderful Badaga Music


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117 responses to “Song and Dance

  1. M B John kumar (Kundah Mynalay)

    I like this and I am very happy

    Like

  2. santhosh,Nanjanad

    NIce, i’m proude be a badaga

    Like

  3. Really, I respect Badaga’s culture. Its great. I never saw such a culture any where. Recently I went to Ooty Flower show and for the first time, I saw Badagas,their culture and their behavior; really I enjoyed.I love Badagas.

    Like

  4. Dr.N.B.Prakash (Oman)

    Fantastic with adequate information. I am in Oman but I see this site and enjoy every bit of activities.Thanks and hats off to those involved. Really proud to be a Badaga

    Thank you Dr.Prakash, as being the only man involved in creating and maintaining this website, I feel very humbled to see such encouraging words. – Wg Cdr JP

    Like

  5. Karthi [Pedduva]

    Am from Pedduva temple kuttu manne.Pedduva temple head poojari is my grand father. And I see many of people coming from outside to my village to get ” HETHAI YA SATHIYA VAAKKU”. I wish to invite all to come to my village festival [Hethai Habba]

    Like

  6. SUNDARAMOORTHI

    I love Baduga

    Like

  7. B.SEKAR KUMAR (Ebbanad)

    All badaga songs are wonderful

    Like

  8. Saranya(Dhavanai)

    Very good and appreciable work done by you uncle…

    I am a software engineer…Yo know one thing uncle not only me even my colleagues who don’t know our language also used to hear our songs.They say like they feel very relaxed and energetic when they hear our music…I feel very proud when they praise about our songs and music..

    I wish that our community should grow more and more.

    Like

  9. santhosh kumar...... bygamund

    proud to be a baduga

    Like

  10. Proud to be a Badaga…… Expecting more and more……… all the best for all the work ahead;-)

    Like

  11. Proud to be a Badaga………..I’ll be more happy if we get a script of our own….we are the only Badagas in our area Kanchanbagh, HYD…badagaru community mundhuga bappudhuga ella devaruvu vendine….keep up your good work;-)

    Anandha has done some excellent work on Badaga Script. Details in a new post very soon – Wg Cdr JP

    Like

  12. S.M.GOWTHAM

    WE THE BADUGA’S ALWAYS ROCK IN ALL FIELDS GUYS, AND OUR SONG IS AMAZING AND ROCKING EVERY WHERE THANKS FOR “HETHAI AMMA” FOR BLESSING US.

    Like

  13. I love my community…I proud to say I’m also one of the Baduga ; always baduga rox….

    Like

  14. Proud to be born as a badaga

    Like

  15. kannappan mulligoor

    baduga song and dance very nice

    Like

  16. Lavanya(kotagiri)

    Be proud to be a badaga…………..
    nobody is as helpful as badagas……………..

    Like

  17. Nice songs ………..badagas are really great…………

    Like

    • A.Arunkumar, Kotagiri (Billicombai)

      There is a Badaga in all the fields in the world…. so proud to be a Badaga…Badaga rocks always….

      Like

  18. karthick(Ithalar)

    mamma nanga badagar hembath thoge appara santhoshava hadathe.enthu ninga madithe he olliya vishayaga appara thanks,he website noditha hodane appare santhosha patte.nanga badagar cola ennu ollange thuddathu,ethuga hengala mudatha help kandippa madiniyuo appara santhoshao.

    Like

  19. Great site for badagas like me who have never had the chance to interact with our own community . I am a student and have lived all my life in Bangalore . Now i feel i’ve missed out on all the fun. I will make sure i am no more deprived of my culture and heritage.

    Like

  20. Really Great Job!Congratulation.

    Like

  21. I love Baduga songs 🙂

    Like

  22. Great Job!

    Like

  23. Fantastic sir, we are really proud being Badagas! God bless you

    Like

  24. Sivasankaran

    Badaga anthu agothuga na appara perume pattane,

    Like

  25. POOJA ASHOK

    REALLY SUPERB. I AM PROUD OF BEING A BADUGA.BADUGAS always rock.

    Like

  26. WONDERFUL PEOPLE WITH THESE LOVELY SONGS.BE PROUD BADAGAS.

    Like

  27. buvana sudhir

    we are everywhere in the world. mixed with air.proud to be a badaga

    Like

  28. Proud to be a Badaga

    Like

  29. I LIKE BLOCKBUSTER BADAGU MELODY SONGS. PROUD TO BE A BADAGA .

    Like

  30. me and my family like Baduga songs very much.. the above shown is the great work.. congrats sir…proud to be an baduga

    Like

  31. L.AKASH [Mullimalai]

    I AM VERY PROUD THAT I BELONG TO THIS COMMUNITY. BADAGAS HAVE IMPROVED A LOT.BADAGAS (WE) ARE ALWAYS UNIQUE

    Like

  32. kumar bellie (porthy)

    Great job. nowadays badagas are not speaking (hesitate to talk) badagu longuage in public. i dont know how long we can live as badaga. there is a big revolution needed to improve this. thanks for enna anna thammanavakka dhara ee net ready madidhadhuga……new songs and Hethe Amma songs are welcome

    Like

  33. Suresh [HORASHOLAI]

    badaga people are born to enjoy life…..which is best culture in this universe….love you so much…..always nilgiris rocks

    Like

  34. proud to be a badaga…..

    Like

  35. Gayathri.N.R (Kinnakorai)

    Amazing job…Indeed am proud to be a badaga..

    wish to know more abt our community…

    Like

  36. N.VINOTH KUMAR

    BADAGA IS MY LANGUAGE, CASTE AND ALSO MY BLOOD. I’M PROUD TO BE A BADAGA

    Like

  37. BLR RAVI (MULLIGOOR)

    Great job.

    Like

  38. our culture is respectable culture…

    Like

  39. I am very much happy to be a Baduga. Our great respectable culture should be model for the whole world

    Like

  40. vidhyanandhan(kil kundha)

    I FEEL VERY PROUD BELONGING TO THIS COMMUNITY

    Like

  41. badugas rock…im really proud to be a baduga!!

    Like

  42. Bhuvana Bube

    Nanjanadu is great...Enna usray baduga dance…I never miss my culture and baduga dance and songs…

    Like

  43. Proud to be Badagas.

    Like

  44. Ramya Bheeman

    It is a wonderful website. I am very surprised while seeing this website. Very good keep it up. All the best.

    Like

  45. Ramesh (Ramji),Manjoor-CBE-Kuwait

    Below mentioned sites are very helpful for Tamil type and all other doubts and clarification with regard to Computer and computer related service.
    Hope this will be helpful. http://suryakannan.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-post_4564.html , http://www.google.co.in/transliterate/indic/Tamil

    Like

  46. Ramesh (Ramji),Manjoor-CBE-Kuwait

    Thank JP anna for publishing the photo of mine.

    If it is ok with you and the developers of this site, I will send one link which will be very helpful for writing in TAMIL .

    Pl do. If it is ‘Azhagi’ – I am aware of it and it is excellent -JP. Incidentally, I am the only developer of this site. – JP

    Like

  47. Ramesh (Ramji), Manjoor-CBE-Kuwait

    Dear Mr. Vetrivel.N
    Kindly send mail to me, i will send the
    Ganjikke kukkeya song to your email.

    ……வாழ்க வளமுடன் …..ரமேஷ்

    Like

  48. Ramesh (Ramji), Manjoor - Kuwait

    one small request! If possible, Kindly give option to all members, visitors to insert their pic, while put their comments. This will help all members to know each other.

    Hello Ramesh, though I have kept this option open, the web host ‘wordpress’ has not sorted out the problem. However It will be my pleasure to publish photos if sent to me directly to bjaypee@gmail.com

    Like

  49. Ramesh (Ramji), Manjoor

    Dear JP anna, Thanks for your continuous efforts to make the site very popular among our Badaga community.

    தங்கள் விருப்பங்களை கூறி சகோதரர் பெள்ளி ஜெயப்ரகாஷ் அண்ணாவையும் நமது படுகு வலைதளத்தையும் வாழ்த்திய அனைத்து சகோதர சகோதரிகளுக்கும் எனது மனமார்ந்த நன்றிகள் பலகோடி.

    அனைவரும் தங்களால் முடிந்த தகவல்களை அன்னார்க்கு தந்து மேலும் நமது வலைத்தளம் சிறக்க உதவி புரியுமாறு தாழ்மையுடன் கேட்டுகொள்கிறேன் ..
    ……வாழ்க வளமுடன் …..ரமேஷ்

    Like

  50. DINESH D (YEDAKAD)

    simply superb web site for Badagas…… every one make use of it and just inform to our community members………..

    Like

  51. Rajesh kanna, Coimbatore

    it is a wonderful and amazing site for badagas.

    Like

  52. done great job….we need more …

    Like

  53. Harivishnu (Bikkatti)

    how to download our badaga songs?

    To download Badaga songs, see the links I have given above in reply to other comments.

    In case of any problems, contact me – Wg Cdr JP

    Like

  54. Ragunath>.A

    I Like Badaga Songs.I Am Glad To Be An Badugan

    Like

  55. R.JYOTHSNA,,VIJI

    VERY NICE,EXITING WEBSITE. I HAVE NOT YET SEEN THAT PHOTOS.BUT ALL ARE BEYOND MY EXPECTATION….

    Like

  56. Jagadish (Nanjanad)

    The website is awesome you guys are doing a good job. I am going visit this website regularly!

    Like

  57. kuppandy damu

    It is ROCKING

    Like

  58. Ganjikke kukkeya song is awsome..i am not able to dowlode it pl..help in this regards sir

    Like

  59. I too visted the weblog,it is very good effort..,
    please keep posting the events that are going on at our Community..,

    Like

  60. I am a software engineer moving across the globe..my only pass time is my Badaga songs…I have never missed any of my villages Hethi and dodha habbas…, I love my culture,..I am very proud to be a Badaga ( who offer world’s best hospitality). I really want live for the community and die for the community.

    It is since a few years the guys from our community came to learn and work in different parts of the world, many are not aware of the culture. This post is to parents, please ask your son/daughter to take part in all the functions (marriage,habba,funeral ) so that they come to know the reasons why we do all these things during festivals,habbas etc. Once a person knows all these things he/she will never go against the culture.

    My dad used to tell me “where ever you may be in this world, dont miss the habba (festival)”. These words are from my heart,” I want to do something to my COMMUNITY before I depart from this WORLD and I WILL“.

    JP adds> Vetrivel, I greatly appreciate your feelings and hope the parents/elders take your advise. Also, hope that you are able to download the Badaga songs I have hosted. You may like to see my other weblog http://badaga-songs.blogspot.com

    Like

  61. Its really great to see a such a wonderful site about Badaga society. I will be more happy if some one starts writing a script for our language.

    JP adds > There are a couple of serious attempts going on this case. Hope they will succeed soon and give us a script

    Like

  62. respected jp sir i am trying for past 1 month to download the song meri keriyoge i am not getting it can you please send me the song to my mail id r even the place where i can get the dvd

    Hello Subhashini,

    Thanks for your comment.Unfortunately, you have not given your email.

    To download ‘Mele Kerioge’ dance number, go to my website http://badaga-songs.blogspot.com/ , 1]scroll down to Badaga Songs (powered by Box) after the Thangadu Krishna’ s songs, 2] click on the folder named dance numbers 3] and when the folder opens up, the first number is ‘Mele Keri’, 4] RIGHT click and you will get the download as an option. 5] download to any folder in your pc and enjoy

    Ok, that was to make you visit my other websites including the one on Badaga songs.

    Alternatively, download the song from this link.
    https://www.box.net/file/162396022/encoded/18144170/32cd8c8b5d631c1d794f178d70355857

    Hope you got the song, and enjoying to dance along with your friends and students.

    In case of any difficulty in downloading pl feel free to contact me, I will email it to you.

    With best wishes,

    JP

    Like

  63. Ramamoothy (Kotagiri) at Jordan

    I am presently in Jordan. I am proud to be badaga because of love and lovable community. I am married and living with daughter and son. Every year I am going to celebrate our beloved hethai habba. In Jordan I am the only person of our community. To see this type of information in internet in non badaga area helped me to feel like our native place. Congratulation to all. If anybody wants to share your feelings and words please contact me.Wish all you a happy new year!

    JP adds -That is wonderful. I am really happy that people from all over the world visit our site. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year !

    Like

  64. I am a teacher. I would like to teach Badaga dance to my students where can I get the DVD?I love the dance so much. Plgive me the address

    JP asks : Of course, you can download Badaga Dance numbers from this website. In case of difficulty please contact me

    Like

  65. I FEEL VERY PROUD BECAUSE I BELONG THIS COMMUNITY.
    INTRESTING WEBSITE

    Like

  66. I AM VERY PROUD THAT I BELONG TO THIS COMMUNITY. BADAGAS HAVE IMPROVED A LOT.BADAGAS (WE) ARE ALWAYS UNIQUE

    Like

  67. Senthil kumar

    In this site we can find out all about our people and great leaders. i would suggest one thng here to improve the information…how can i down load the new songs from the website?

    Like

  68. Proud to be a BADAGA

    Like

  69. ANAND RAJU (Presently staying at USA)

    Going through the site i felt sizzled. Staying far and yet connected. I am happy to go through the website, thanks to all the members involved. Fantastic job done.

    Hello Anand Raj, Thrilled to see your letter from the United States of America. Hope Mrs.Anand Raj, Ganesh, Sajani and the kids at USA and Gopals in Madras and Group Captain Mathan and Family in MP, India, are all Ok. We fondly remember our trip to Appukodu and the great hospitality shown to us. Hope to put up some of the photos on this site soon. This website is my individual effort and there are no other members involved. Though, it takes a lot of my time, I feel committed and motivated when I get appreciative mails from learned people like you. I feel humbled. Thanks once again. – JP

    Like

  70. RajaGopal Kalan(Morigal) Wipro Infotech Cbe.

    I love Badaga songs.. I never seen such lovable people like Bagagas.. proud to be a badaga…

    Like

  71. shona(billicombai)

    i like baduga song which is melody. i am proud to say i am a baduga.

    Like

  72. s.rajendran

    badaga songs are very very nice

    Like

  73. I Luv baduga songs…

    Like

  74. H.sivalingan

    I am searching for badaga songs in web site.

    Pl see my other website http://badaga-songs.blogspot.com/Wg Cdr JP

    Like

  75. H.sivalingan

    I respect our culture. Its great. I can’t find similar culture any where else in this world. One day I met one person in Ethiopia in addis ababa. He asked me about our Hethai amman . I am really lucky b/c I am born as a badaga. I need to listen to our hethai amman song, If its possible please send me some songs, other wise send me web site for down loading.

    Like

  76. superb, excellent, koodi ibbo kodi nanmai barali

    Like

  77. It is always a pleasure to receive appreciative comments from non Badagas…that too , from those living abroad and know about Badagas. Thank you very much, Abdul Niyas.

    Like

  78. I was exited seeing this site,My name is abdul niyas and my native is coonoor ; at present i am working in saudi ,all my friends here love baduga songs,I ad Mr. prakash in yedapally were the first one to open the baduga TV program in CTN coonoor, edited in my Nilgiri Digital studio, I love the comunity, congradulations to all members who had made this excellent site..

    Like

  79. I was a little surprised that the weblog – wordpress- forwarded to me the ‘exact’ words as comments from Hari, Karthik and Prithima. I have edited the comments of the later two.

    Karthik & Prithima —…Please let me know if you had sent the same – similar comments…so that I can make corrections if required.

    Anyway, a BIG THANK YOU to all of you for sending such wonderful and encouraging comments

    Like

  80. Prithima (Puppy), Yedapalli

    excellent

    Like

  81. Karthik (Dikku), Kerban

    great job…..

    Like

  82. Hari Haran (ITHALAR)

    Woh…it’s excellent, superb, great job…..Mamma Superu…
    Olithu aagali, ondhuga saavira aagali……

    Like

  83. sona(jackanarai )

    Really a lovely website because I am being a Badaga came to know a lot about our community. If possible insert some information or images of Jackanarai village (kothagiri). Songs are wonderful. One word to express the thought is: Great!

    JP adds : Thank you Sona, It will be a pleasure to publish any info /pic if you can send me. Please also visit Badaga Songs On the Web in a NEW site

    Like

  84. Arun (small bond)from Kil Kundah

    Great effort…which had impressed me and my friends from all aspects, Need to move forward and do wonders…

    Like

  85. wonderful information when I browsed thro the net for baduga songs I got into this website.great job!………I like badaga songs very much and I could see lots of collections in this website

    Like

  86. some information about our four-fathers and our kulam and kotharam will be more interesting …
    if possible

    Like

  87. dipak viswalingam

    ITS GOOD ……RIGHT NOW I AM AWAY BUT THESE THINGS WILL BE IN HEART ALWAYS . GREAT GREAT AND KEEP IT UP…………

    Like

  88. Senthil kumar

    it’s really great

    Like

  89. m.senthil kumar

    JP sir, I have no words to appreciate you. Really this is a big effort that you have taken. All the songs and vedios arevery nice. Will you please send “MOGANODI MATHADI THINGUVA KANAKATHUNE ” song to my mail because I like that song very much, but I dont know from where I can down load that song.It is not available in net please send that song to my mail. I am very proud to being a baduga. HETTAI AMMAN THUNAI.

    JP adds: Thank you v.much. As soon as I get the song, it will be sent to you and hosted on this site

    Like

  90. senthil kumar.k.j

    I really appreciate you, this website has impressed me, this is really wonderful thought. I like Baduga songs very much. How can I download more baduga songs?

    JP adds : You must have received an email from me by now

    Like

  91. How can I download these songs. My mail has restrictions of 1MB only.

    JP adds : Due to copyright issues, most of the email providers do not permit mp3 songs being sent/received. But there are ways to download directly through the browser (Firefox is the best in my opinion). I have sent you an email. Enjoy!

    Like

  92. i cann’t download kerben belli gowder songs…….
    pls send those songs to my mail if its possible

    JP replies : Done, friend. Check your email.

    Like

  93. S.HARIHARAN (ATHIGARATTY)

    GREAT JOB! HATS OFF!!
    THIS SITE HAS TAKEN OUR COMMUNITY TO THE WORLD.
    ONE SUGGESTION I HAVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SITE -PLEASE CHOOSE FONT COLOR AND SIZE SO THAT IT IS PLEASANT TO READ (highlighting is irritating for the eyes).

    JP adds : Thanks for your comments. Your suggestion about the site – font colour and size including high lighting, is being seriuosly considered and to the extent possible, implemented.

    Like

  94. viswanath anand

    great work !!

    Like

  95. Raman Nandhi (Iduhatty), Sharp, Coimbatore

    Great Job! Hats off!

    Like

  96. b.nagalingem,member ,badagar welfare association, chennai, 9444046735.

    I WELCOME YOUR EXTRODINARY CONTRIBUTION AND COLLECTION TO OUR COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, KINDLY MAINTAIN CERTAIN CODE AND INVITE FEEDBACK FROM BADAGA ASSOCIATION. IT IS HIGH TIME WE SHOULD FIND FEW LEADERS FOR OUR COMMUNITY .IT COULD BE YOU ALSO.

    JP adds : Thank you very much for your comments.It encourages me a lot when I receive letters/comments like yours.

    As I have always maintained , my website is open to all and I welcome all comments – both positive and negative – and I can proudly tell you that all comments received have been published excepting one from a guy who used filthy language to describe Badagas.

    Like

  97. I am not able to download the songs

    JP adds: which songs are you talking about ?

    Like

  98. super!

    Like

  99. Its great….

    Like

  100. good,this site gives more information and could be utilse for the purpose of community development

    Like

  101. SHANMUGHAM.K, Advocate – High Court, Chennai

    I happened to see the website, which had impressed me a lot from all aspects, you have nicely expressed Badaga’s culture etc.. Great. Keep it up.

    Like

  102. Rajesh ramakrishnan

    Fantastic……… cheer up!!

    Like

  103. I found Bugiri in my home.. does anybody know how to play.. I’m very much interested to learn this.

    JP adds: There are quite a few Badagas in Beragani, Pedduva etc {Hethe Mane Hattis] who play Bugiri. Pl send a photo of the one you have with any info on how it came to your possession [ like grandfather owned it] so that it can be published on this site

    Like

  104. It is great to have such sites on badaga culture and customs. Everything is good but the black layout irritates the eyes when viewed for a long time, it would be better if that is changed.

    JP adds : Thank you, the point on ‘black’ layout is noted.

    Like

  105. I like baduga songs. Can you tell me the link to download ?

    JP’s answer : http://music.cooltoad.com/music/category.php?id=10593

    Like

  106. All the worthy information provided here should stand forever. There are a lot of information about our great community yet to come on net. I hope it will come soon.

    Like

  107. Rajeshkumar Maniraj

    I’m proud to be a Baduga and I want many to know more about our culture and our traditions.I wish you could add our traditional marriage [without dowry] and our hospitality.

    Like

  108. The website impresssed me a lot…expecting a lot more……..Wonderfull….

    Like

  109. Its great….

    Like

  110. Thank you BSK, Your desire is my command. Tell me on the other topics that we should add and I will be only too happy to make an attempt

    Like

  111. Bellie Sundaram Krishnamoorthy

    Really good and neat work. All the worthy information provided here should stand forever. There are a lot of information about our great community yet to come on net. I hope it will come soon.

    Ninga sevaya thodaruthuga ella devaru singarava, balava tharalindhu vendine…..

    Like

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