Ravindran Jevanah(ravindranj62@gmail.com) writes to ask :-
Coming to Jewellery, apart from Chinna, Mookuthi, Belli Ungara, I would like to know about the ‘Cheripenigai and the other broad Belli Bangle which the ladies wear on the lower arms. The Cheripenigai is of two or three designs nowadays we do not see any. Can we have a picture of these if possible?

Please see  Badaga Jewellery and the links given

The gold or silver bangle or rather bracelet around the wrist is known as ‘ KADAGA ‘ or ‘ CHIPPU BAE ‘ and the thick flat armlet just above the elbow is ‘BAE’.

When I took this picture of late Kothiben Hatti Laxmi ‘Karuppi’ Hethai on 09-04-07 and mentioned that the photo had come out well, she mentioned with a great sense of humour, ‘ potto olange bandu ena maaduva, utti enbudhu tha kappu edhaga’ – So what can we do if the photo has come out well, but from birth [I am]  black [colour]’

Thank you Kothiben Karuppi Hethe, it was wonderful meeting you !

– Wg Cdr JP

Today is a clear day with bright sunlight in the hills. The hills, I am referring to is the Nilgiris, my native place. Every time I drive ‘into’ the hills, either from Mysore via Bandipur and Kallatti Ghats or from Mettupalayam via Kotagiri Aravenu and Haakeri or from Karamadai via Mulli and Geddai [Kundah], my heart is filled with happiness and joy. Such beauty is bestowed on these blue hills by the Almighty. Probably, the Nature wants to show off or should I say, show case its glorious exterior in a truly grand fashion.

The Nilgiris – Neela [Blue] Giris [Hills] – literally ‘The blue mountains’ is popularly known to Badagas as ‘Naakku Betta’ – though Naakku Betta means Four Mountains, in fact it refers to all the mountains, hills and hillocks spread around the Nigiri range.

Badaga Villages, called Hattis, are spread far and wide in these hills. These hattis exists ONLY in these hills. In short, there can be no Badagas without the Nilgiris and no Nilgiris [history] without Badagas. Every Badaga, where ever he/she may be, can always trace the roots to some hatti/town in the beautiful blue mountains.  

Blessed are the Badagas. Yes, indeed!

Here are some pix taken by Wg Cdr Bellie Jayaprakash

Mudumalai Forest

Mudumalai

So, to say the least, all of us, the natives of the Nilgiris, have a stake in the ‘well being’ of our district and save it from the mindless destruction of its beauty and eco system. Hence, we must lend our supporting hands to any one who has taken to ‘DO SOMETHING’. Be it, Mª Teresa Llop Navarro (from Spain) who has started a NGO – “Es Purna” to help out the poor especially in the field of girl-child education in the Nilgiris, the NDC of Venugopal Dharmalingam or the bunch of youngsters lead by Prabhu Purnan who have created ‘WOW Nilgiris – now, has the mankind seen any place better then this?’.

‘Wow, the Nilgiris’

What strikes one at the first glance of their web sites is the most beautiful pictures of the Nilgiris. Though born and brought up in this ‘nature’s gift’, some of the pics made me wonder whether they are really taken here.

As ‘WOW Nilgiris’ describes, ‘ Mak’ing YOU wonder if these places do exist in Nilgiris, an out and out “off the regular” escapades, taking you in to the world of sholas, grasslands, thickets and breathtaking vistas to chase the clouds, sight the unique Nilgiri Thar and Martens squirrels’.

Congratulations to Prabhu Purnan and his friends. I understand Deepak Bhojraj, a Badaga, is another gifted photoghapher, and an article on him appears in ‘TheLOCAL’, [Dec, 2009 issue] a monthly published from Aravankadu.

Photos  by Prabhu Purnan (copyright)

On my request to reproduce some of their pictures, Purnan has kindly sent me his consent and writes > hello mr JP. i am in fact following your blog keenly. its my pleasure to be profiled in your blog, the very purpose of this blog is to send across the messages to folks around. yep you can use any of the fotos you want and let me know if you need any specific fotos from here as well. another thing myself and deepak bhojraj are good friends he keeps telling me that your blog is really informative but cultured a small suggestion thats it you can mail deepak on more about it. With warm Regards, Prabhu Purnan D

Visit their websites where you will not only find some extraordinary photos but also a wealth of information on the beautiful Blue Mountains. I am sure that they will make you say ‘WoW’.

 http://wownilgiris.blogspot.com , http://purnanprabhu.googlepages.com

[This post is reproduced)

Three main factors were high lighted in the last post – Badagas at the cross roads, about the need to change with changing times. One of them is the problem of ‘outside’ marriages and the root causes. ‘Moray’ being one of them.

 Our friend Sivakumar.B (Muckimalai) writes: If we want to remove the restrictions levied by elders, convincing ourselves that they are outdated, then all the customs including blessing, karu haruchodhu, chanting, etc, may  also get removed as outdated.   I think customs and systems are the sovereignty of a community. These are NOT Regulations/Constitution/Law which we can amend from time to time at our will and wish.

Within `Seemay’ means brotherhood (one blood).So, marriage within the `Seemay” will lead to lot of complications. Removal of `moray’ will not be the solution for ‘outside’ marriages. Running to outside is Sick/Crazy and I think it will continue even if `moray’ is removed.

திருடனாய் பார்த்து  திருந்தாவிட்டால்  திருட்டை  ஒழிக்க முடியாது.

Though, I can understand the strong feelings of Sivakumar, some clarifications are called for. Moray, in my opinion, is a very scientifically significant restriction brought in by our Muthappas/Hethappas. This restriction has avoided a lot of health problems associated with ‘in breeding’ and may be one of the reasons for a better health prevailing among Badagas as compared to other native tribes of the Nilgiris.

But, it is mistaken by many that marriages do not take place among people belonging to the same ‘seemay’. Let us elaborate.

A typical Badaga Village [hatti] consists of houses of brothers [both blood brothers and cousins]. Their chiildren are ‘anna thammaru and akka thangairu – brothers and sisters’. So, the ‘moray’ restriction is very much required as otherwise, one will land up in literally marrying a ‘sister’. Many hattis, not necessarily congruent or geographically adjacent, form a OORU. Many Oorus form the Seemay. The number of villages/hattis in one ooru to another differs. Marriages between OORUS within the same Seemay is very much possible and is in vogue. Like for example,  in Porangaadu Seemay which has many oorus, HATHTHOMBATTU OORU [19 villages] and AARU OORU [6 villages] have marriage relationship. See the page on Hattis for more information.

[to be continued]

Are we, the Badaga Community, at the cross roads?

With drastic changes that have engulfed every thing around us, how long can we stay and live unaffected?

With farming, especially growing vegetables [potato in particular] becoming a nightmare with monkey menace and green leaf tea prices on a free fall [mind you, still the tea leaf agents, tea factories, tea brokers are all making money when the actual small tea growers are feeling the pinch of  low price that has fallen below Rs.10/- per kg], agriculture that has always associated with Badagas has become an alien word.

With more and more people being forced to leave their villages/Hatties, both for economic and unimaginable reasons [like what happened in Nanjanaadu], following centuries old customs and traditions are becoming difficult.

Added to this is the growing ‘fashion’ among the young and eligible adults to marry ‘outsiders’ that is driving a society to the brink.

Last but the most disturbing is the conversion to ‘another religion’ that has not shown any decline.

Will there be a Badaga Society that is so proud of its unique history, origin, culture, customs, rituals, language and lifestyle, fifty years down the line?

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We have great pleasure to proudly say that this website crossed the 350,000 visitors mark on 06-01-2015.

Remember we hit the mark of 300,000 hits exactly one year back.

50,000 visitors in one year!

Greatly appreciated. Deeply humbled.

What started as a hobby is now an obsession. To do something for the society that has given everything.

Thank you once again for all your encouragement.

Happy New Year!

Wing Commander JP

2014 in review of this website prepared by WordPress.com

The WordPress.com stats has prepared a 2014 annual report for this website.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 50,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 19 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

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Very pleasantly surprised to see a classical dance by two Badaga sisters K.Niveditha and K.Kavyaa in the following youtube video [uploaded by Krishnamurthy Hallan] to a very classical song in Badaga.

What a fantastic performance both by the sisters and the singer. Can somebody give more information about them?

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The Hethe Habba – Festival

starts from today 5th Jan 2015

in Porangadu Seemay.

The main Habba is on monday, the 12th Jan 2015.

May Hethe’s blessings be showered on all!

Here is a thought from the heart of  Jeeva, Ooty [jeevaooty69@gmail.com]

Dhaari budu Dhaari budu dhodda Hethae bandhaiya…..

Eda budu eda budu kunna hethae eragiya

Kodaiya kaiya ethi Hethaiya namava hegi….

Halukeru haadana haluna poojaiyu nerathara….

Neri mora meduna neravanaiyu nerathara

Alli Hethae bappa saddha ketharae …

Gandhadha gamulu hoothara…

Dhaari budu dhaari budu dhodda Hethae bandhaiya…..

Eda budu eda budu kunna Hethae eragiya

Betthuna thadiyavu ethi bellaiya mundavu suthi

Beraganiya haadatho bettatha jenavu nodithae…

Pethuvana hadana baggi baggi hadili…

Alli aathi ikuva sadha kethara …..

Hethae bappa gaaiyu besira…….

Dhaari budu Dhaari budu dhodda Hethae bandhaiya…..

Eda budu eda budu kunna Hethae eragiya……….

HAPPY HETHE HABBA!

 Sirithumbili..  HEATHAI THA NERA

Click the Blue Button to listen to Hethe Song

or go here

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Click to know more about Hethe Habba or Hethe Amma History

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Birth centenary  of late Mr.A.Dharmalingam

I am happy to announce that the birth centenary of my father late A. Dharmalingam, Journalist, will be celebrated from January 11, 2015 to January 11, 2016. We plan to have activities within our resources which will be beneficial to the Nilgiris and to our community, the two subjects which were always dear to my father.

We are celebrating his centenary not because he was a famous or a rich man. He was neither. He was a good human being- a good Badaga, a good Indian and a good global citizen. He did not leave behind money or wealth. He left behind certain values and principles.

The most remarkable thing about my father was that he was able to rise above the three major weaknesses of Badagas – superstition, prejudice and jealousy. He never saw any differences in religion, caste, colour or creed. He respected tradition but adapted to modernization. He was never jealous of anybody’s wealth, status or popularity. He did not make a virtue of his honesty or integrity. He never cared for money. He was fearless but never showed disrespect or ill will towards anybody.

He was born into one of the leading families of Badagas whose fortunes turned when he was young. But he never showed bitterness or complained. Through sheer hard work he made a name and brought up the family. He helped thousands to get education which was denied to him. He helped hundreds to get jobs which earned them more salary than he ever earned.

My father knew more of our community members than any Badaga at any time. He had their welfare always in his heart though he never hesitated to condemn their unbecoming conducts.

Thanks to the legacy of his values I have been able to serve our district and our community through Save Nilgiris Campaign and later Nilgiri Documentation Centre for over three decades despite ever so many challenges.

I request our community to join us in celebrating my father’s centenary by fighting our three persisting weaknesses – superstition, prejudice and jealousy- at a time when every single Badaga family and many villages are being torn asunder by these evils

Swami Chithbhavananda’s ‘Daily Prayer’ has been my guide for the last forty years. Under the head ‘Monkey’ he says that an unrestrained mind is like a monkey. When it drinks the wine of desire it becomes uncontrollable. Then if the scorpion of jealousy bites it, its suffering is indescribable. The message should be clear to all of us.

Tomorrow, 5-1-2015, the Hette Habba for this year starts in Porangadu Seeme. Hette is a symbol of sacrifice and giving in, the two characteristics which have enabled the Badagas to survive and thrive for centuries. These qualities remain the best antidote for the evils of superstition, prejudice and jealousy which threaten our community today.

Dharmalingam Venugopal

[Honorary Director, Nilgiri Documentation Centre, Kotagiri]

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Recently I received  strongly worded comments from santhosh  on  my earlier post Religious conversion (given below) :

This message is for the Badaga people who converted to Christianity….”Be with your originality! Don’t spoil our culture by converting yourself to any others religion, else run away from Badaga community.. go somewhere else and live the way you want….. Don’t rob our cultural treasures…”

Even after a couple of years of writing that post, I am still convinced that the biggest threat to the glorious customs, culture and traditions of Badagas is posed by many Badagas being religiously converted. The first ever conversion of Badagas was carried out by German Missionaries in Ketti in 1854. In the name of GOD, a  grave sin was committed, by dividing a community on religious lines and by sowing the seeds that destroyed the very fabric and foundations of peace loving Badaga Community.

It is high time, this evil practice of religious conversion is brought to an end

Henry Marriiott commented on Religious Conversions Sir, a person can be a Christian and still be a Badaga and an Indian. …. Dear Henry, If you think changing the ceremony associated with birth – including naming [giving only Christian names], teaching the children that praying to any other Deity/God other than Christ is a sin, marrying in a Church – not in a village or manner as Badagas usually do or not following any rituals associated with funeral/death can still allows somebody to remain as a Badaga, well, ….- Wg cdr JP

[post dated  2-7-2011] I have strong religious feelings. Born as a HINDU as most Badagas are, I am very proud of  being a Hindu. But I respect other religions and some of my best friends are Muslims, Christians and Sikhs [courtesy Air Force].

But I am against any conversion from one religion to another by means of compulsion, force or inducement. Of late, it has become a ‘fashion’ for some Badagas to convert to Christianity for no rhyme or reason. But it appears that  many have done this due to inducement of money.

Worst is, when some of these ‘converts’ claim sole right to some very old Badaga Traditions and Customs. One such is, the funeral prayer – Karu Haruchodhu which forms an important part of funeral rites of Badagas. It is claimed by an IDIOT called HN Devaraj of Otti Mora Hosahatty to be part of Bible. His booklet called ‘Pappa Parigaara Aagili’ is given to me by a concerned Hindu Badaga. Outrageous !

Will educated and knowledgeable elders among the Badaga Christians care to correct this offending practice?

RaviChandran Balraj had sent the following link ; http://www.tamilhindu.com/2011/06/nilgiris-baduga-struggle-against-conversion/

image from http://www.tamilhindu.com

நீலகிரியில் மதமாற்ற வைரஸ் – குமுறும் படுகர் சமுதாயம்

15 Jun 2011 |

அண்மையில் ஜூனியர் விகடன் இதழில் வந்த ஒரு செய்தி கவனத்தை ஈர்த்தது.
அடிக்கிற வெயிலுக்கு ஆளாளுக்கு ஊட்டி யைத் தேடி ஓட… அங்கேயோ அதைவிட உஷ்ணமான விவகாரம் ஒன்று சுழன்று கொண்டு இருக்கிறது. அது, படுகர்கள் நடத்தும் மத மாற்றத்துக்கு எதிரான போராட்டம்!
நீலகிரியின் மண்ணின் மைந்தர்களான படுகர் சமுதாய மக்கள், கட்டுப்பாடான வாழ்க்கை முறை, கலாசாரத்துடன், ‘எங்க வழி தனி வழி’ என்று வாழ்பவர்கள். அவர்களை, கிறிஸ்துவ மதத்தினர் கட்டாய மதமாற்றம் செய்வதாகத் தகவல்கள் பரவவே, சலசலப்பு எழுந்துள்ளது. இது தொடர்பாக, கடந்தமே 25-ம் தேதி நீலகிரி மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் அலுவலகம் முன்பு,‘நாக்குபெட்டா படுகர் குல பாதுகாப்பு சங்கம்’ கண்டன ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் நடத்தியது……

read the full article here

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