Badagas of the Blue Mountains

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.

By this time, probably, most of us have heard about the sad and shocking incidents that happened at Nanjanadu Village, the biggest Badaga hatti.

About a month back, on 15/16 Feb 2014 to be specific,  in a factional fight, two persons belonging to one group were brutally killed. In retaliation, the other group indulged in arson and set many houses of the minority group on fire and indulged in looting. As a result the minority group [of about 100 houses, out of the total 1000 odd houses in Nanjanadu], in fear for the safety of person and property, have abandoned their houses and fled from the hatti and yet to return to their homes and hearth.

To maintain law and order, the police have arrested, persons belonging to both the groups and have put them in prison. Some of these persons arrested, we understand, are not directly involved in the incidents but volunteered to be arrested. They are yet be granted bail.

The reason and trigger for these killings, arson and looting is, believe it or not, who should perform PUJA in the Shiva temple [see the pix].

The sad truth is that both the groups are very closely related. The shock is that they have gone to the extreme extent of killing and looting. Unheard of traits that are never associated with the peace loving, ever hospitable Badagas.

In a laudable effort, the Nelikolu Trust has taken a great initiative and formed a Peace Committee consisting of many prominent Badagas with the sole purpose of not only uniting people of Nanjanadu and bringing peace and harmony but also to ensure that ‘the cancer of mistrust and jealousy’ is cut off once and for all among Badagas in the long term.

We hope and pray that the initiatives and efforts of Dr.Haldorai, Advocate R.Sivakumar  of Nelikolu Trust with the able advice and assistance of Dr.Sundaradevan, IAS, Thangadu Mohan and Annikorai A.M.Joghee Gowder (Retd -Headmaster) and other members of the peace committee will bring PEACE not only in Nanjanadu but in other Badaga Hattis as well.

In this crucial juncture, we appeal to the people of Nanjanadu belonging to both the factions to fully cooperate with this Peace Committee. We are aware that a few rogue elements among you have been holding the entire hatti to ransom. May be a couple of ‘outsiders’ are interfering by giving ill advice.

But BEWARE, criminal offences like murder, arson and looting cannot be justified in the name of mob mentality and sooner or later the long arm of law will catch up.

May Hethe give us the strength to step forward!

Background Continue reading →

Nilgiri constituency: Vote for Water

Dharmalingam Venugopal [Nilgiri Documentation Centre, Kotagiri]

Since 1957, Nilgiris has been a separate constituency for the parliamentary elections. However, no election has put forth a Nilgiri agenda, except for an occasional mention about some local issue. The Nilgiris was taken for granted as a happy district with no need for parliamentary attention or intervention. The Nilgiris should not lose the forthcoming watershed elections also by default.

The regional, national and global significance of the Nilgiris as a major eco-system service provider is established beyond doubt now. The economic significance of the district as a major provider of tea, hydel power and tourism also cannot be disputed. Any party contesting for the Nilgiri constituency must put forth an exclusive Nilgiri agenda for the next five years.

Foremost is a long term solution to the water needs of the district. It is a travesty of natural justice that when Nilgiri waters are providing drinking water to Coimbatore and Tirupur nearly hundred kilometers away and irrigating 2.5 lakh hectares even farther in the plains below, the Nilgiri district has been facing acute water scarcity for decades and thousands of local farmers have abandoned cultivation for want of irrigation. With tourism and habitations expanding every day, water scarcity may reach a crisis point sooner than later.

Ooty, Coonoor, Gudalur and Kotagiri are no more Hill Stations catering for a seasonal population but are Mountain Cities serving a huge population round the year. Most of the villages are still dependent on local streams and community pipes. Younger generations are leaving the villages for want of piped water and toilets. The desperate and widespread rush for sinking wells is seriously jeopardizing the hydrology and geology of the district, according to experts.

Parties should announce a comprehensive water plan for the Nilgiris by diverting adequate waters from the existing hydel reservoirs to the towns and villages. Till then all new schemes in the plains below for utilizing the waters of Nilgiris from Pillor dam and Lower Bhavani Dam should be put on hold. The Nilgiri people have a right to their waters for domestic and farming purposes. More reservoirs should be constructed to meet the needs of the expanding habitations and remote villages. A massive programme to increase grass lands in the catchment and other areas should be undertaken to preserve ground water and increase flow into the reservoirs. Modern irrigation methods and rain water harvesting can be subsidized to economize and augment domestic water supply.

May the party which promises and commits itself to provide more water to the Nilgiris win the Nilgiri constituency.