The NEGLECTED half [part -1]

 

We may be proud of many of our Traditions – note the capital T – that we have followed for thousand of years. I repeat thousand of years though some so called foreign researchers along with many ‘yours truly types’ among us, would give only a few hundred years to Badaga history.

One such tradition, call it a custom if you want, that needs immediate attention is how we treat our WOMEN.

I am a staunch devotee of Hethe(y) Amma and very proud about the fact that Hethe(y) Habba is the ‘mother’ of all festivals for Badagas. But, let us face it. We call ourselves ‘Hethe(y) Makka’ – the children of Goddess Hethe(y).  And we very fiercely follow the strict customs associated with Hethe(y) Habba.

But alas, at the same time, our women are side lined and given only a secondary position in many of the rituals associated with this great and grand festival.

I have discussed about this aspect with many Badagas, including some from Beraganni and Pedhuva – “when we are so devotional to a deity that is personified in the purest female form called HETHE(Y), why are we NOT allowing our womenfolk who form half our population to participate in some of the rituals of Hethe(y) Habba?”

There are no clear answers. We cannot live in isolation.

Traditions need not be changed for the sake of change but surely, by involving the other half of our population in a much more ‘inclusive’ way instead of ‘rash restrictions’, will we not enhance our name and fame as a community that is forward looking?

If we do not change with times and be part of the larger society that encompasses the entire country, then, we will be condemned to face the serious and severe consequences.

May Hethe(y) bless us with the wisdom.

[To be continued …in ‘Part- 2’ we will see the injustice done to our women]

Thank you, your motivation made this site a ‘must see’ for all!

Anything and everything about BADAGA

Happy New Year!!

WordPress – 2012 in review of OUR SITE

Here’s an excerpt:

19,000 people fit into the new Barclays Center to see Jay-Z perform. This blog was viewed about 62,000 times in 2012. If it were a concert at the Barclays Center, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Where did they come from?

That’s 129 countries in all!
Most visitors came from India. The United States & Kuwait were not far behind.

Click here to see the complete report.

Main Festival – Hethe(y) Habba is on 31 – 12 – 2012

Rajeswari Devabettan comments on Hethe(y) Habba

Very nice messages and the details you have given are enormous & I loved reading it. Every Baduga should see this website. My best wishes! Great going!

Thanks a lot Rajeshwari – the motivation I get to keep going – ‘great going’ as you call it – is when I get such encouraging words like yours – Wg Cdr JP

Hethe(y) Habba is always celebrated on the first monday after thirteen full moons

[Hadimooru Hunnavay thaandi da modal sovara].

That is why, it never comes on the same calender day every year.

Saavu Harakke – Karu Harachodhu [1944]

Some time early, VIMAL.S [Manjoo?] had sent me a rare publication of ” Saavu Harakke -Karu Harachodu” by Ketti Achanakal M.K.Nanja Gowder  who had given credit to the ORIGINAL author and his father [Ketti Achanakal] late M.Kaala Gowder who published this on 25-9-1944 (Given below)

Late Mr.M.K.Nanja Gowder, was, in many ways the FIRST BADAGA, to have gathered and recorded a lot of information on and about Badagas and published a few of them. His manuscripts were given to many ‘ Foreign Researchers’ and I am not sure where they are now.

How wonderful it would be if we could access these rare manuscripts!

Thank you, Vimal.

N.BELLIE [LIC] adds

“Dear Sir,
I am the younger son of M K Nanja Gowder Ex MP. Thank you for publishing the Saavu Harakke, originally written by Late M Kala Gowder (Miyya Kala Gowder), father of M K Nanja Gowder of Achanakal, Ketti Village.
As you have mentioned in the article, many manuscripts of my father were given to foreign researchers. Also our Badaga researchers and writers of our community collected a number of details about our community, from my father. Mr K P Raju Gowder of Kadasholai village, some teachers of our community, belonging to Thambatty village, Bikkole village, are among the notable scholars. I do not know all of them.

That documents were used to produce to the Central Govt. Officials, to add evidence to include our Community to Scheduled Tribes list”.

Thank you N Bellie (LIC) for the info – JP

Kadasoley Yogesh’s Badaga Script

It is indeed heartening to know that Yogesh of Kadasoley has been involved in developing a Badaga Script for the past 40 odd years. His tireless efforts, probably, did not receive the attention it deserved so far.

Better late than never, it has come to public domain due to people like Emerald Hari who is bringing out a book of Yogesh during the Hethe Habba festival at Beraganni on 26-12-2012

Read the complete story in Badaga Script page

Set your mood to these songs…

Badagas have made singing and dancing an integral part of their lives.

A happy occasion like a habba [festival] or marriage….there you go….to the foot tapping ATTA – Dance songs like ‘Meley Keriyoge – On the top street‘….even a non dancer will get the inspiration to let the hair loose and join the crowd….
A sad situation….like the demise of a departed dear one…..the sad ‘saavu – death’ songs of Kerban Bella Gowder or Thangadu Krishna Gowder like ‘Ganjikke Kukkeya...’ will make tears roll down the cheeks as they remind you of some one who is no more…
The ever green…Hethe Songs…..
Melodies with a message like ‘Manesella Nondhara – ‘
Or, the melodious modern Badaga songs where the instrumental music has been given more importance…
Or, listen to the powerful ‘Badaga Funeral Prayer – Karu Harachodhu [Blessing the calf]…the famous group rendering of ‘AATHIKKODHU‘

Listen to some of these ‘best of the best songs and sounds’ chosen by me by clicking on the links or ON SOUNDCLOUD given below…
Must see the website on Badaga Songs

The significance of this day is, it comes but for once [in somebody’s life].

Uri Hogi Siri Barali

According to predictions 12.12.12 is a date which indicates that WAVES are our inspiration, not because they rise and fall, but each time they fall , they RISE AGAIN.LET THIS BE FABULOUS DATE FOR EVERY ONE OF US. After 100 years this fabulous date and day will be someone else’s.Todays is ours..

Siri Barali….Santhosha thumbali…

Kethorai Rajma

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That is a really nice thought !

mlle_SUMATHI HALAN [Canada]