Badagas of the Blue Mountains

Nanjanadu is the biggest Badaga hatti [a village is known as hatti in Badaga language] with over a thousand houses.

Like any typical Badaga Village, the name Nanjanadu is due to the fact that a thorny plant ‘Nanju Mullu’ was found around this village [Dr.Haldorai] when it was established. By the way, no Badaga village has been named after any deity or person by our ancestors.

As  in any Badaga hatti, there are many ‘Nattaru’ settled in Nanjanadu. A natta is generally a person from a different hatti but married a girl from the hatti where he is settled before or after marriage . The reason for this could be based on many factors – for eg., there is no male member to take care of the elderly in laws or proximity to work place etc etc.

Over a period of time, the number of Nattaru in a hatti grows to be substantial which results in many marriages are arranged between the ‘hattikararu – original settlers’ and ‘nattaru’.

One of the hattis where this matrimonial inter-actions is quite large is KODHUMUDI. On expressing surprise that a Kodhumudian is  married to another Kodhumudian, we realise that there are in fact two distinct factions settled in Mel Kodhumudi and Kiya Kodhumudi, one being largely made of Nattarus and hence with perfect ‘Moray’ to marry.

In Nanjanadu, there are are two factions called A Party [Majority with more than 800 houses] and B Party [minority]. This naming of A and B party is probably is of recent nature after litigation. While it was, generally believed that the B Party people are Nattarus from Porthy and other places, the people belong to B party contest this and claim that they are the ORIGINAL settlers and their ancestors have laid the ‘BALLA Kambu’ – a wooden post – in fact a long trunk of a tree – that was planted by the early/initial settles around which the sacred first house ‘DHODDA MANE’ was built. Of course, this claim is fiercely contested by the A Party.

The planting of Balla Kambu [Kambu Nadodhu] in establishing a new village, existed among early Badaga settlers ‘thousand‘ of years ago.

Badagas are one of the ORIGINAL  tribal settlers/inhabitants of the Nilgiri hills. Unfortunately, there are still many researchers, including some Badagas, who keep harping on the ‘unfounded’ theory that Badagas have migrated from Mysore a few hundred years ago. The main reason for their mistaken theory based on empty enthusiasm is based on the simple assumption that Badaga means Northerner. These learned friends are yet to find and give any conclusive evidence of the origin of other tribes, let alone Badagas, like Thodas, Kothas or Kurumas with which the BADAGA TRIBE was intricately interlinked for time immemorial.

It is due to the sad reality that NATTARUs are not treated as equals in many Badaga Hattis. And,  that is the basic reason for bad blood being permitted to develop and destroy the basic trust and structure. The jealousy – URI in Badaga – grows many folds when Nattaru are economically better positioned. The hattikararu, sometimes, forget that the Nattaru are having a better life due to their shear hard work.

The so called Nattarus were not accepted as full ‘members’ and not  treated as equals, is a matter of fact in Nanjanadu.

Treat Nattaru with respect.

This, could be the first lesson the Badagas will have to learn when we try to solve the Nanjanadu crisis.

[Read more in future posts..]
I am very glad that the above posts have brought in comments from many young friends. These comments are reproduced below and my observations appended below :

1.Murugesh [hmurugesh@gmail.com]

Is it Balla Kambu or Kalla Kambu?

Also I’m asking this question with curiosity. How to treat Natturus? Should we give them all the rights original inhabitants have?

2.Hariharan Emerald Bhojan [ebhari@gmail.com]

Nanjanadu is a good case study for the Badugu Community in the long run. Its a case of how a hatty should be and how it should not be. As a well travelled man but with a strong insight into the Badugu Community, I have my opinions to share, which may or may not go well with the majority but the fundamental basis on which the Badugu Community is built.

Across all Badugu villages, Nattaru have always been accorded respect by the Original inhabitants (Hatti Kattidhavakka) as people who have left their land of birth for various reasons and found refuge in another village. No restrictions have been made on their way of life, accumulation of wealth, intra hatty relationships, so on and so forth. Having said that, certain ancient privileges have always been reserved for the Original Inhabitants as the true sons of the soil, even if they happen to be a minority. Conducting Poojas inside the oldest temple built by their forefathers is one of them. There are lot of other customs in traditional Badugu culture where the Hatty Kattidhavakka (Original Inhabitants) take precedence over the Nattaru (Settlers). Disturbing these tenets which are fundamentally an integral part of Badugu way of life means disturbing the entire social fabric of the Badugu Community. Hence, as learned socially conscious men, it is very important to carry forward this message to Nattaru in the overall well being of the Community. At the same time, the Hatty Kattidhavakka should refrain from violence of any sorts in future and should maintain cordial relations with the Nattaru for a serene, beautiful Nanjanadu.

3.Kumar Bellie [kumarsk10@yahoo.com]

You forgot to mention that, without nattaru there cannot be certain functions/ceremonies conducted as per sasthra. Nattaru is not a low caste.

To answer Murugesh, Balla Kambu is the correct one that is planted when a hatti was established. Kalla Kambu, as the name indicates, is planted later.

As the Dhoddaru Shlokas mention, ‘Natta elladha hatti holla, gasu elladha udhakka holla’ – Nattaru are an integral part of many ancient rites and rituals. These nattaru are respectfully addressed as ‘Mamma’ and ‘guru mane kaararu’ in some cases.

Coming to Emarald Hari’s comments, he has brought out the points that was forming my second part of the article.

There are certain rites, especially during funerals, the Nattaru do not participate in ‘Akki Eththodhu’ and ‘Korambu Kaipadhu’.

Now let us come to conducting ‘pooje’ in the village which is the crux of the problem at Nanjanadu.

In ancient days, Badagas were nature worshipers and the most sacred area of a hatti was/is the Suththu Kallu with a bikkamora. There were no temples in the name of many Hindu Gods in every village. Definitely not more than one temple as is the case now. There were a couple of Bana Gudis deep in the middle of forests to which annual pilgrimage was undertaken by a cluster of villages. The phenomena of temples and festivals based on the deity installed therein, are of recent origin of about 100/200 years. Recent because Badaga Origin is much more than thousands of years.

Even a hundred years ago, one of the original reformers of Badaga Society Hubbathalai Ari Gowder, identified that some of the problems in our hattis were due to temples and temple management. ‘Hattiga Ettu gudi Katti, kettaru Badagaru’. His man FRIDAY – Haikke Maathi would go around the villages to propagate this with his songs and lectures.

Now, every hatti is having atleast one gudi and the main festival of the hatti is based on the temple deity like ‘Rama Navami, Sivaraaththri, Krishna Jayathi etc’ is a hard reality.

In most, if not all hattis, the poojari is a ‘nominated’ person and selected on certain personal attributes [- pure vegetarian, non alcoholic]. Generally, a non-natta person. It is here that we see an avoidable spark that ignited the Nanjanadu crisis.

I strongly believe that when we go to a temple, our faith is in the deity/GOD of that temple. Think of Palani or Thirupathi. As Dr.Sundaradevan mentions, do we know who the poojari is in those temples?

The painful question that begs for an immediate answer is, a village that was peaceful for many centuries, becomes a hotbed of debates and disputes after a temple is constructed/renovated in late 1980s over who should conduct the daily poojas.

Did the ‘A and B parties’ let a minor point to blow out of proportions by insisting that one among them should be the Poojari?

Or, is the dispute much more fundamental in deciding who are the Hatti Kattidhavakka and who are the nattarus in Nanjanadu.

The Nanjanadu Peace Committee has its hands full.

April 24th. Parliament Elections in Tamil Nadu.

People do not vote due to a couple of reasons. Mainly,

# They are apolitical and do not like any political party.
# They do not like anyone of the candidates in their constituency.

In the olden days, when we are far away from home, like in my case [as being in the Indian Air Force], we had no choice and the so called postal votes never reached us.

Now, in 2014, for the first time in the history of democratic India, the Election Commission has given us a choice, even when we have no choice. Confused?

That choice is called NOTA. None Of The Above. As it comes at the end, as a last button in the Electronic Voting Machine, after all the names of candidates, it means I DO NOT WANT TO VOTE FOR ANYONE OF THE ABOVE candidates.

But this NOTA sends a powerful message. Over a period of time, this can open the doors to making the political parties to choose the right candidate.

In 2014, in our mountain district, Nakkubetta, Nilgiris, I am going to opt for NOTA.

I would have voted for MODI [indirectly through a BJP candidate] but that party’s candidate just ‘vanished’- [when is the party going to order a proper enquiry in to this betrayal??]

So, my request to all, please move your bottoms and take the trouble of VOTING. VOTING IS A MUST. Even if it is NOTA.

Remember – NOTA IS A CHOICE and NOT A WASTE!

From time to time, there is a systematic DISINFORMATION about Badagas, their history, customs, culture and rituals in some publications by self claimed ‘authorities’ on BADAGA – both the people and language.

I am informed that in the recent past, the Tamil weekly magazine KALKI, in a series named NAKKUBETTA by one Shyam, had published some highly derogatory information about Hethai [Goddess to Badagas and a mythical figure].

Also I understand, some well known Badaga Leaders like Rao Bahadur HJ Bellie Gowder, who was the contractor to lay the mountain railway line from Mettupalayam to Ooty during the British raj along with his son Rao Bahadur Ari Gowder have been shown in poor light. These two Nakkubetta leaders had brought a lot of reforms in Badaga Society.

We are in the process of accessing these articles to take further appropriate action and request our friends to inform us about exactly what has been published.

Smt.Indu.K.Mallah writes

‘Thank you for your prompt response. Please refer to Kalki issues dating from mid-January 2014 to 6th April 2014. The serial, “Nakku Betta” has some highly inaccurate, as well as derogatory comments about the Badaga community, culminating, in highly-ironical, and erroneous mis-information about the two greatest Nakku Betta leaders, Rao Bahadur H.J.Bellie Gowda, and Rao Bahadur H.B. Ari Gowda. Defamatory action needs to be taken against the author of this shoddy serial through Kalki’.

Chinese Connection and Nilgiris Tourism

By Venugopal Dharmalingam

Nilgiri tourism can be taken to a new orbit if its global historical and heritage connections are imaginatively exploited through public-private collaboration. Very few hill areas can boast of so many foreign imprints as Nilgiris.
The first European to visit and write about Nilgiris was a Portuguese in 1604. The British opened the district to the outside world and laid the foundations of a modern Nilgiris since 1820. Soon after that the Scots brought horticulture, plantations and education. German, Danish, Swedish missionaries followed. The Swiss then paved the way for a mountain railway. Gold rush brought a horde of foreigners.

The prison name board

The high ceiling prisoner’s room with tiny skylight

The hangman’s room

After Independence, the Canadians built hydro electric projects. The French set up the first public sector unit. The West Germans upgraded agriculture. The Americans documented the whole history of the Nilgiris.
However, the Chinese connection still lies buried. There can be no better time to discover it than this year which has been declared as India-China Year of Friendly Exchanges.

The Chinese connection starts from around 1850s when a group of skilled Chinese prisoners following the second Opium War between the British and the Chinese landed up in the Nilgiris. They took part in the construction of the Lawrence School at Lovedale, planted tea for the first commercial tea estate which was aptly named Thiashola (Thia for tea in Chinese and shola for forest in the local language) and pioneered cinchona cultivation to fight the scourge of dreaded malaria.

Of the many Chinese relics, only the Cinchona factory and prison remain intact in the care of Tantea.

In 1864 W.G.McIvor, the superintendent of cinchona plantations and earlier the architect of Government Botanical Gardens asked the British government for 500 convicts to develop the cinchona plantations, having found the local tribal labourers too lethargic. The first convicts arrived in 1865 from the British Straits Settlements.

The Naduvattam jail consisted of two large rooms with brick walls and zinc sheet roof with only a small sky light for each of the nine prisoner’s quarters. Wooden planks served as beds and each prisoner was provided with ‘one rug and two cummlies’.

After serving their sentence and service, the Chinese prisoners are believed to have settled in and around Naduvattam engaged in gardening and dairying, some of them marrying local women.

The Chinese contribution deserves to be remembered and commemorated for its role in controlling malaria and initiating cultivation of tea which remains the backbone of the district’s economy.

The Naduvattam jail and factory remains almost intact along with the hangman’s room. The location is still breathtaking and convenient for access, being just on the roadside. Some efforts are on way to make it a tourist attraction. However, it has the potential to be made into a major tourist attraction together with a museum, a model mini tea factory, a cafeteria and heritage cottages by suitably modifying the existing vintage staff quarters beautifully dotted around the factory.

One of the unique customs/rituals/rites that can make Badagas proud is the way, the entire village joins together and conducts the funeral rites. Even if a death has taken place away from the village still, it is ensured that the body [ ‘saavu’ in Badaga] is brought to the native village and a dignified and graceful funeral is conducted by the ENTIRE VILLAGE.

There is even a proverb in Kodagu[Coorgis] – ” Badagana Saavu Chanda, Kodavana mangala Chanda ( Badaga funeral and Kodava marriage are great).

But, in the recent past, the so called majority party of Nanjanadu has the dubious distinction of preventing the minority party [who have been forced to flee their homes as there is no guarantee to their persons and properties] from conducting the funeral of two persons in their own village. One was cremated at Coimbatore and another in Chennai . The relatives had NO CHOICE. Not only that, we also hear that the big vessels/utensils that are used used for preparing ‘hittu- food’ have been looted from the minority common house.

Every Badaga should bend his head in SHAME. More so the villagers of Nanjanadu. Especially belonging to to the majority group who is preventing the minority party from returning to the village.

Every community hall/ grave yard/ cremation ground  belongs to the entire village. It is no body’s private property. It is against law to prevent social events for personal reasons.

Some of those living in Nanjanadu are under the impression that  ‘misguided youth’ can take care of the village and loot at will. Mistaken. If the Police are slow in taking preventing action, it is more due to the compulsions like elections etc. But when the long arms of law strikes, the blow is going to be severe. Remember that.

Remember also, when we say we want PEACE, we want TRUE and Permanent Peace. The peace every Badaga can be proud of.

As per the resolution passed at the 2nd meeting held at Ooty on 12.04.2014, our members will visit Kadanadu HIRIODAIYYA  Temple seeking forgiveness – on behalf of all – for mistakes committed and unfortunate incidents at Nanjanadu [Thappu Harakke -தப்பு ஹரக்கே]

at around 9 a.m on 21.04.2014.

We humbly request you to join us in this prayer meeting and help us to bring permanent peace and normalcy in Nanjanadu.

Nanjanadu Peace committee

[see the note below for details]

After the sad incident at Nanjanadu – where lives were lost and property looted some sort of ‘peace’ is creeping back.

But, those who were ‘forced’ to flee their homes are yet to return to thier homes.

The good news is that most of the people [both men and women] from both the groups [called A Party – majority & B party – minority] are out on bail with the great efforts of Nanjanadu Peace committee formed by  NELIKOLU Trust  who are are initiators of this peace committee.

The second meeting of Nanjanadu Peace Committee was held at Ooty on 12-4-2014 with Dr.Sundradevan IAS, Mr.Dharuman, Mr.Sivakumar and Dr.Haldorai of Nelikolu Trust in the lead and about 15 odd members drawn from all the Seemays being in attendance.

The great and comforting news is that all those involved in this effort to bring peace NOT only in Nanjanadu but among all Badagas, are non political and have no vested interest or ego hasseles.

But, yes, this is a BIG BUT, unless all the people of Nanjanadu Hatti are not fully involved and come forward to bury the bad memories behind and cooperate wholeheartedly, there cannot be permanent peace.

On behalf of NPC, we make a humble appeal to all in Nanajandu – to forget, forgive and move forward.

Yours is the biggest hatti and we also know you have BIGGER hearts .

May the blessings of Hethe and Hiriodaiya  be with us.

Thank you, Nelikolu Trust for making us believe that we can do something for the community. We TRUST you!

Every vote makes a difference.

Remember, voting is a sacred duty.

Seeing the deep rooted corruption all around, I am convinced that we need a strong PM to lead the country and cleanse the system.

Narendra MODI can give us the much needed focus in all fields.

Let us ensure that NM is our next PM !

So, the general elections have been announced. There used to be a time when we were not bothered about voting and meekly accepted whosoever, from whichever party, was elected as our representative.

No more. Our ignorance and indifference should not result in our silently suffering for the next five years.

So please make it a point to VOTE. Our votes make a difference.

I do not belong to any political party but seeing the deep rooted corruption all around, I am convinced that we need a strong PM to lead the country and cleanse the system.

In my opinion, Narendra MODI of BJP can give us the much needed focus and development.

In our Blue mountains, the biggest problem, affecting all of us is DRINKING. Even the school going children have taken to this evil due to its free  easy availability.

In Gujarat, Modi, has successfully implemented prohibition and has done away with another big drawback – ‘FREE BIE’ culture.

Let us ensure that NM is our next PM !

——————–

Rajma, an award winning teacher, writes :-

It is a matter of shame that NILGIRIS & DRINKING HAVE become integral parts. I have been seeing and hearing for the past four decades, the number of families ruined in our hattis because of this evil habit. There are untold stories of miseries, tears, humiliations,sufferings because of this dreadful drinking habit. The list of educated people who have lost their dignity and self esteem, is endless.

Being a Govt. servant and a lady, I have my own limitations.  Still tried my best to create awareness, but miserably failed in the circle of my own relatives.

Changes are inevitable. If a positive change comes, our people are blessed. I donot belong to any political party either.Let us hope and elect a deserving candidate who would bring revolution. No night is so long that cannot find the day. Hope that good day would come for Nilgiris.

KUMAR BELLIE [email id not made public] writes from his heart ;

Very sad to hear this news [of what happened  in Nanjanadu] in Badaga History. Go to other Badaga villages – there is big improvement. Unfortunately, Nanjanadu is still backward.

These prople do not want to comeup from their level.We do not have time to think. Everybody need money, money and money for the present. Those who are fighting in Nanjanadu like animals are not REAL BADAGAS.I want to appeal to them seriously. As per Court Orders, [Ooty] Mariamman temple poojari can advise them how to perform pooja. so, the [hatti] people are ready to listen to an ‘outsider’ but not ready to listen and come to an understanding with others in the village who have been living there for decades.

There was a time when Badagas would form groups to fight. But nowadays, there is no time to think even about our own lives.But, to perform pooja and for that to fight and kill is very shameful.When will these people grow up? They do not want to listen to any advice given by anybody. There are some 20 odd uneducated people behaving like goondas.For their illegal activities inside the village, nobody can ask them. If anybody does, he is attacked.

These 20 odd people must be strictly handled and made aware of what is life. And then, rest will come/take their way. I am so sad about the killing of the two who were like my brothers. May their souls rest in peace.I am ashamed to say that I am a Badaga after this incident [of killing]. But, I pray sincerely. People of Nanjanadu, please come up; life is different. Show you are all united. I worry about all those ‘minority’ people who have not returned back to theie homes. Understand and act accordingly.

I again request the people [to shun violence] ; what ever has happened , has happened. Let us ensure that nothing [ of this nature] will happen in future. In the world map, Badaga is a very small community but we have very appreciable [traditions and] habbits that should not be destroyed. Is there anybody who can make the Nanjanadu people aware about where the Badaga life is leading by this sort of incidents??

Wg Cdr JP adds :-

Part of judgement of the Honourable High Court of Madras dated 29.06.2011 in A.S.No.1268 of 2003 reads:

[para] 21.During the year 1987, the temple….was constructed by the entire village by contributing money, men power and by getting contribution from the public of entire Nilgiris District….Temple kumbabiskam was performed on 11.11.1987 by the general public of Nanjanadu village and persons have been appointed to perform poojas at the temple one from [each] side..During 1988..the Plaintiffs along with ‘A’ party people created problems and made the temple to be closed for nearly 7 to 8 years. During this period, Panchayats have been held and in every Panchyat having agreed and accepted to perform poojas by representatives of both parties and signed the memorandum of agreements, the Plaintiffs have gone back from the agreement and created problems because of the only reason that they have men and money power.

[para]133.Finally the two party people have the right to perform poojas …daily in the morning ..and in the evening.