Category Archives: badaga

Ooty- Mysore Kallatty Road

Nilgiri Heritage and History  Tour

Dharmalingam Venugopal, Director of Nilgiri Documentation Centre, writes : ‘the Nilgiris is not just famous for its salubrious weather and greenery; it has a significant role in the modern history of the Madras Presidency and India and all that have been well recorded over the last two centuries’. Mrs.Nanji Bellie Gowder, a Badaga lady with a British Lady at Hubbathalai (pix taken around 1920)

Nilgiri Documentation Centre will organize for the first time specialised Nilgiri Heritage and History Tours during May to cater to the demands of the informed visitors to the Nilgiris. The one day tour beginning from Kannerimukku village in Kotagiri, where the story of modern Nilgiris began in 1819, will cover the major heritage and historical landmarks of  Nilgiris in Kotagiri, Ooty and Coonoor.

Coonoor Railway Station then and now

The tour will start with a lecture in the Nilgiri History Museum. Participants can join at Kotagiri or Ooty. The tour group will consist of not more than 20 participants. For details contact dharmalingamvenu@gmail.com or 9444365360.

(photo from the internet – theguardian.com)

The powerful message is when MOTHER NATURE lets out her fury, nothing can remain the same. The Nepal earthquake of 7.9 magnitude is truly devastating. The more you ‘see it’ on the 24×7 TV channels [I prefer ‘TimesNow’] your heart is filled with sadness.

I feel much more ’cause I have traveled to Nepal three times and have very good friends there.

We had three Nepali students who had come to study in GCT, Coimbatore under the COLOMBO plan as the student exchange was known then. I was very friendly with all of them -Upendra Prasad Dhital, my course mate who went on to head the Nepal Airport Authority, Gautam Bahadur Amatya, who rose to head the Kathmandu water board as Chief Engineer and Girija Prasad Ghimire, who became a minister as he was a Nepali Congress leader.

The first time I went to Kathmandu was in 1970 after completing my engineering course from GCT along with Upendra. I remember the long train journey from Coimbatore, the couple of days halt at Calcutta [we stayed at RG Kar Medical College hostel where Upendra’s cousins were studying, at the height of Naxal Problem in West Bengal], reaching Raxaul, Bihar by train and crossing over to Birganj a  Nepal border town. Due to bad weather, our flight was cancelled and we had to take a bus that reached Kathmandu in the night. When we reached UP’s house in Paknajole, Naya Bazaar the children in the house were very curious to see his South Indian friend. After a couple of days, when I became familiar with the family, I asked his elder brother- Dhaju in Nepali, why was the rather strange and curious reception by the childern, he laughed and said,’since they were told that a South Indian friend was coming, they expected to see a very dark skinned person and not a fair skinned one’. I was treated as part of the family and I still carry very pleasant memories of my First Trip.

The second time was in 1980. I did my Basic Mountaineering Course at HMI,Darjeeling as an Indian Air Force Officer. After completion of the course, I had called my wife to join me at the beautiful Darjeeling and along with my son who was about three, flew to Kathmandu. Upendra was away but Gautam and Ghimire looked after us well for the couple of days we spent in Kath.

The third time was in 2000. By then, I had taken voluntary retirement from IAF and living in New Delhi. We were invited by Gautam to stay with him at his house in Kopundole, Lalitpur, Kathmandu. Along with his charming wife Kenny and children Sarina and Karina, he treated us in royal style. Along with his family, Upendras and other friends, we had a wonderful 2000 New Year bash. Sadly, my great friend Gautam passed away a few years back.

When I heard the news about the latest earth quake on 25th April, our first instinct was to find out about Kenny and the girls. After what appeared to be a long wait, atlast, Kenny answered the mobile call towards the afternoon and confirmed that she and her daughter were safe. Along with the neighbours, they have moved to a open ground as a precaution. We were greatly relieved to know that they were safe.

And, Kenny Gautam Bahadur Amatya was very grateful and felt happy that her family friends living so far away in South India remembered and had a word of comfort for them.

We, as Indians, never forget our friends where ever they are in this world and remember the adage ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’.

We are also happy and proud that Prime Minister Modi has galvanized the entire government machinery to render all possible help to Nepal at this hour of need.

Nepal, we are with you to share your sorrow and sufferings!

Now you can access our website www.badaga.co on your smart phone.

Remember to access many multi media posts like Badaga Songs and Dance.

Enjoy! Your feedback is most welcome!!

ARI JOGHEE from Bangalore sends this interesting information :-

There are many places in the name of Badaga and all are touching the Western Ghats and ending in Udupi –Mangalore

[For confirmation, please go through Google Map – walking (research on olden days hence walking) direction starting with Ooty or Masnagudi] 

Badaga Bellur, Karnataka
Badaga Yekkar, Karnataka
Badaga, Karnataka
Badagabanangala, Karnataka
Badagakajekar, Karnataka
Badagakaranduru, Karnataka
Badagannur, Karnataka
Badagarahally, Karnataka
Badagarakeri, Karnataka
Badagaulipady, Karnataka
Badagayedapadavu, Karnataka
Badagumane, Belle, Karnataka
Badagumijaru, Karnataka
Badagupet Road, Udupi, Karnataka

_________

**********

One of the greatest achievements of Badagas in the last 100 years or so is the importance accorded to Education by  the community. And to a great extent, girl children are encouraged and equal importance given to their education.

Risk and Return in Farming in the Nilgiri Mountains of south India The presentation of Nilgiri Documentation Centre on ‘Risk and Return in Farming in the Nilgilri Mountains of South India’ has been accepted for oral presentation at the global conference ‘Perth III: Mountains of Our Future Earth’ to organized at Perth, Scotland on 4-8 October 2015. A total of 620 abstracts had been submitted from participants around the world. Mr. Dharmalingam Venugopal, Director, Nilgiri Documentation Centre who will be making the presentation said, ‘The indigenous people of the Nilgiri mountains of south India were traditionally herders and small millet cultivators. Around 1800 the British colonists converted them profitably as ‘English’ vegetable growers catering to local European settlers and markets outside. Around 1840 Tea and coffee were introduced as plantation crops. Around 1930 some small cultivators were induced to convert to small tea growers. Around 1980s a windfall Russian demand for tea lured the small cultivators almost en masse to convert to tea growing. The naturally flavored local teas were sold as mere additives to strong outside blends’. ‘By 2000 the market collapsed leaving the small growers highly risk prone to weather and price fluctuations. The extension of tea to their kitchen gardens, growing of shade trees and high dose (taste )of fertilizer brought the man-animal ( monkeys, wild boar, bison and leopard) conflict to the door-steps’ According to Mr. Venugopal, ‘the way forward is finding a niche market for their own value added flavored teas, reducing fertilizer use and going organic. Successful initiatives in the direction are growing but it requires a big push to policy and promotion to save the small mountain tea growers’.

The connection between Badagas and Farming needs no elaboration. The history of Badagas will always mention about the inseparable bond between ‘Hola, Vellamay, Kanje Godhumay, Gaasu and Avare and now ‘Tea Thotta ‘. And herein comes the importance of what Venugopal feels. Time, we have a rethink on our ‘agricultural practices’ and regain our glorious past and place in this important field. We must take maximum benefit of Modi government’s initiatives.- Wg Cdr JP

I received the following email from, obviously, a disappointed girl. Can some learned friends who have intimate knowledge of ‘MORAY’ system, clarify whether there is a BLANKAT ban/bar on any marriage arrangement between Kunday Seemay and Ketti Ooru? Are there any exceptions? Is it just a convention or are there some particular/specific reasons like same ‘kula’ etc

I am aware of ONE Particular marriage between two villages belonging to the SAME OORU in Porangaadu Seemay which the ‘community’ seemed to have accepted.

Please kindly respond – may be we can help a young girl.

Wg Cdr JP

I belong to Kunday seemae and I am in love with a boy from ketti. We love each other sincerely and only after 4months we came to know that we don’t have moray. But I can’t marry anyone other than him, I love him a lot. Now its nearly 2 years since we are in loveCan you please explain why can’t we marry from Kunday Seemay to Ketti. Both are two different semmae, then why is it so?

Emerald Bhojan Hariharan [ebhari@gmail.com] comments :

As far as my knowledge is concerned, irrespective of Seemey, “Kula” or “Kola” (as we called in Badugu) defines one’s Patrilineal bloodline and has the final say in marriages. Every Kola is Exagamous, meaning, one cannot marry within the Kola and has to seek marriages outside the Kola. In all, there are 12 Kolas.

For example, Jakkanare in Porangadu Seemey and most villages in Mercunadu seemey belong to Manikka Kola. So, marriage between Jakkanare & Nundhala/Bakola/Mudugula is not allowed, although they are in different Seemey. At the same time, Nattaru of a different Kola may be living within Jakkanare itself, sometimes in the same Thara (Street), but that marriage is allowed since they trace their ancestry to different Kola.It is imperative to check the Kola to which one belongs and cross check if the other party belongs to the same kola or to a different Kola.

God willing, I will come up with a web based solution to ascertain one’s Kola and Moray at the earliest. Cheers!

Hello Hari, Nice to hear from you – thanks for the imputs.

My biggest crib is that there are many of us who are concerned about our community issues like morey, script etc but are not able to work together and find common solutions that are acceptable to most if not all.

Another example is that of Badaga Origin. Like, I am totally convinced that MOST Badagas are original inhabitants/aborgines [as Senthil also keeps writing] of the Nilgiri hills and NOT ALL are MIGRANTS from Mysore as many of us are ‘sort’ of forced to believe.

With some concerted and consistant efforts, we can bring changes in our community. Why wait for others when we can be the ‘changes’ ourselves?

Wg Cdr JP

 

Badaga/Badagu is a rich and sweet language spoken by the Badagas of the Blue Mountains!

Many BALLADS rendered by a singer in any Badaga gathering had added richness to this unique language apart from bringing out many traditions that were passed down many generations.

Though, not having a script of its own is a handicap, many Badaga poets have kept the great art of blending beautifully the Badaga words, by composing many poems where the play of words rhyme so well and sounds musical.

One such poem is ENNA AVVAY – MY MOTHER by Kunna Bikkatti B.MOHAN (published in 1993) that brings out the true and pure love of a mother for her son.

Enna Awai
by B.Mohan [of Kunna Bikkatti]

(From ‘Mandhadha Maathu’ – Published by Badaga Welfare Association, Madras, issue dated 1-4-93 (Hannu 3,- Hoo 10)

Kettu Muridhu Naa Kerio Kulibaneyu,
Huttu Nattu Enna Hollandhu Hegoneyu,
Hethu Thathi Saakidha Awai Enna,
Hollandhu Hegule Maathi Allandhu thallule.

Goonu bhuddu Naa Cooli Geevaneyu,
Huttu Kettu Naa Maasi Kulibaneyu,
Pattu Beetha Batte Ekkoneyu,
Kettandhu Hegule Awai Enna Mattandhu Thallule.

Kottage Huggi Naa Geria Baakoneyu,
Araya Kulidu Naa Danava Mesoneyu,
Horia Thookki Naa Hotte Kaibeneyu,
Gorey Endhu Hegule Awai Ondhu Ariandhu Nudivile.

என்ன அவ்வை

[ பி .மொஹன் – குன்ன பிக்கட்டி]

 (மந்தத மாத்து, படக வெல்ஃபெர் அசொசியெஷன், மெட்ராஸ்,1-4-93 ,(ஹண்ணு 3, ஹூ 10)

கெட்டு முரிது நா கேரியோ குளிபனெயு,
ஹுட்டு நட்டு என்ன ஹொல்லந்து ஹெகொனெயு,
ஹெத்து தத்தி சாக்கித அவ்வை என்ன,
ஹொல்லாந்து ஹெகுலே, மாத்தி அல்லாந்து தள்ளுலெ.

கூனு புத்து நா கூலி கீவனேயு,
ஹுட்டு கெட்டு நா மாசி குளிபனெயு,
பட்டு பீத்த பட்டே இக்கொனேயு,
கெட்டுண்டு ஹொகலி எந்து அவ்வை
என்ன மட்டாந்து தள்ளுலெ.

கொட்டகே ஹுக்கி நா கோரய பாக்கோனெயு,
அரய குளிது நா தனவ மெசுவொனெயு,
ஹோரிய தூக்கி நா ஹொட்டே கைபெனெயு,
கொரெ எந்து ஹேகுலெ அவ்வை
ஒந்து அரியாந்து நுடிவிலெ

English Translation of the above poem by Bellie Jayaprakash

My Mother

Even when I was down with poverty and sat at the front court yard,
Even when the near and dear ones despised and deserted,
My mother who gave birth, cared for and brought me up,
Did not blame me and did not reject me – her son, as bad

Even when I toiled as a Cooli with a bent back,
Even when I sat down with my looks dulled and dirty,
Even when I wore patched up old clothes,
My mother never said that I was down ; never rejected me as poor!

Even when I entered the stables and cleaned the dung,
Even when I sat on the rock and tendered the cows,
Even when I lifted loads to earn so as to suppress the hunger,
My mother never found any fault ; never scolded me as ignorant.

I have great pleasure in ‘putting’ that poem in the following audio/video

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Of late, there has been some serious efforts to have an unique script for Badaga. Though welcoming the initiatives, I do not know how effective it is to make it known/understood ‘universally’ in the short term.

Since most of the Badaga children are studying/sent to English medium schools and many Badaga elders are familiar with both Tamil and English, is it not possible to have an effective communication by simply using English and Tamil ?

Reproduced

JP’s Badaga ‘Script’ – BADDU

Though some friends may feel odd about my adopting an existing Language – English – and adapting it to write in Badaga, for the time being, I will stick to English to express in Badaga (Script).

The conventions used are;

1. Capital letter brings out emphasis – like o is just o – ஒ [ like in only] but O is OH – ஓ [like in old].  For example, oday – break -ஒடெ,  Odhivi – read – ஓதிவி
2. OHdhidhama niddhana, OHdidhama erindina – ஒதிதம நித்தன ஓடிதம எரண்டின   – one who is educated stops [to analyse the situation] but one who is hasty – trips [to fall]. See the subtle difference of OHdhina – ஒதின and OHdina – ஓடின
3. Extra ‘a’ is stretching the letter – like kade [move] is கடெ but  Kaade [a female name] is காடெ
4. Letters which are not in English alphabet but available in Badaga (and Tamil) can be accessed by using the shift key(Capital) – like l is ல but L is ள , n is ந but  N is ண் . zh is ழ
5. Capital S is ஸ, small s is ச (ch will also brings out ச)

Now some sentences typed in English and what they bring out in Tamil [I have used ‘Azhagi’ translirate software which when installed, lets you to type in English to convert  the same into Tamil script] to show my ‘Badaga Script – Baddu’

• enna heNNU enna kaNNU maakke – என்ன ஹெண்ணு என்ன கண்ணு மாக்கெ- My daughter is like my eyes
• ELaya nOdi Edasa bE da – ஏளய நோடி ஏடச பேட – Donot redicule the poor
• Kalla maaththi kaLLa alla – கல்ல மாத்தி கள்ள அல்ல – Kalla’s son is not a thief.
• Maadhi mammi madhi kettudhuve – மாதி மம்மி மதி கெட்டுதுவெ – Madhi aunty’s mind is gone

Baarivi, Nodivi, Odhivi & Oridivi !

[Come, See, Read & Listen!]

பாரிவி, நோடிவி, ஓதிவி & ஓரிடிவி

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

I had written some time back

It has always been felt that for a language to survive, it should have its own script. It cannot remain only as a spoken language for long. But of course, the script need not be peculiar and specific one pertaining to that particular language. So too is the necessity of a script for Badaga.

Many have attempted to achieve this objective with various degrees of success. But unfortunately, to my knowledge, no records exists, if any. I am no expert on phonetics or languages or much less innovating an unique script. But the urge to have a separate script has convinced me that it is very much possible to ‘ADOPT’ an existing script and ‘ADAPT’ it to Badaga language.

To know more about the BADAGA SCRIPT or rather the need for one go here

She was the first Badaga woman [teacher] to win the President of India award in 2010. Now she was awarded the Woman Achiever’s Award -2015 under the banner ‘Talent South” in recognition of her pursuit of excellence in the field of Education and for being  the change in society [social work] by RajTV along with other sponsors. She was one of the six  women chosen from different walks of life in Tamil Nadu.

She is Rajma from Kethorai hatti.

Rajma, you make us proud again!

__________

Congratulations akka. Hope for many more achievers from our community. However I thought we had forgotten the ambitious personality Rao Bahadur H.J. Belle Gowder who had enlightened our community through education. I hope, to keep our community identity we need to erect a statue in ooty or coonoor and explain to the world about his achievements through tourists. This may be a small gratitude we can show to our beloved great personality.

J.K.Manoharan [mano.nilgiris@gmail.com]