Badagas of the Blue Mountains

This article is reproduced as I consider Ms.Rajamma as a role model and inspiration to generations. Many comments on this post are a proof of the esteem her students hold her in.

She is another Badaga woman who has made us all very proud.

D.SENDHIL VIGNESHWAR sent these comments Bravo, Rajamma of Kethorai on 11 Aug 2012

hello maam/maa… i am proud to be your student.. the days when i was put up in a school where no one ever knows my language all i found was hindi hindi and hindi.. u came IN to save me and help me.. now i stand still with my head held high, in MUMBAI.. managing with the hindi that u first taught me..Proud to be ur student maam.

Kethorai Rajamma, who made all  those who had known her , especially the Badagas, very proud by winning an award from the President of India, recently has written to say,

Dear Mr.JP…,
My earnest greetings..Your efforts for the beautiful bagadas of the the most beautiful Nilgiriis make me elated beyond Doddabetta’s height…May the sway of tall dignified trees, the tinkling water falls, the smiling colourful flowers and the hugging chill breeze shower wonderful and abundant blessings to you by laying a green carpet welcome by the tea plantations. God bless you..
With regards,
Kethorai Rajma

Thank you ever so much for these kind words. If I could achieve a small percentage of what you have achieved [that has been recognised by all], then I am truly blessed. With the warmest of regards, JP

Rajamma of Kethorai village has made us proud once again. She won an award from the President of India.

Santhosh Kumar JB has sent the info and the link in ‘The Hindu’ and we have great pleasure in sharing the same with all Badagas.

Dictionary is the only Place where
The word Death comes before Life 

End comes before Start 
Child comes before Parents 

Divorce comes before Marriage 
Evening comes before Morning 

Result comes before Test 
Destination comes before Struggle 

Dinner comes before Lunch 
Doctor comes before Fever

However, the THING I consider right in Dictionary is that  
Friends comes before Relative.

[recd as a fwd email]

There are a few exceptional Badagas whose entrepreneurship and talents  can  take them to places anywhere in this globe. They succeed in whatever field they choose to go ahead with sheer hardwork and dedication.

These Badagas are, an inspiration to all of us.

Lingan Krishnan  [I have never met him so far] is one such person. I was quite surprised but very happy to see his email to me in which he had mentioned that he is a practising lawyer In the Bombay High Court. Wow, a Badaga high court lawyer in Mumbai, was my first thought. Surprise did not end there when I learnt that he is also an ex-fauji. He has started a Trust that can  be of immense help to Badagas.

Thank you L. Krishna. You make us proud!

Email from  Lingan Krishnan [lingan.krishnan@gmail.com], a Lawyer in Mumbai High Court

Hello Sir,

I belong to Adigaratty Village and was  born on 10 May,1946. I do not recollect my father’s face since  he breathed his last  when I was 8 years old. My mother, a poor soul, brought us  up (one elder brother and two younger sisters) and she too passed away  this year ie on 26th April, 2012. Every year, Theer Festival used to be celebrated in our village in a grand way, which continues even today. My mother used to compel me to attend the same but never I was able to do so.

About 20 years back, one day while discussing about the festivals, Mom was bit up set for  my not visiting the Hatty at least  once  a year, and requested me to at least contribute the Theer Festival expenses fixed by our village Gowdars every year.That particular day I decided to keep her wishes alive and promised her that I would  contribute for the festival not only for one year but till my mother’s last breath.

As per my mother’s wishes, my little contribution towards the festival has been going on for the last twenty years and now. My Mom is no more now, hence I decided to continue my contribution till my death. While going through your web site I felt my mother was sitting with me and forcing me to do something for the common needy people.. Thanks for the unforgettable memories flashed back in my mind while going through the wonderful initiations and inspirations exposed vide your web site.

With regards to my education and experiences.   have done M.A and LLB. Had put in 15 years service in the Army, In the Regiment of Artillery.  Joined  as Manager Administration in Lupin Laboratory and left Lupin after 13 Years of service to take up  the responsibilities of a GM with Cybertech Systems and Software Ltd through which I could visit US for six times.  I retired from Cybertech in the year 2007 after rendering 12 years of service and then started practicing Law.

In Bombay, we started Bombay Badaga Association in the year 1990 and I was the President for 7years. Under  my command, we conducted quite a number of Tours and Picnics beside various programmes.  We released a Souvenir in the year 1995, and the interesting things to be  noted here is that, our Souvenir had the messages of celebrities of Politics, Cricket, Films, Police Big Vigs and even Gazal Singers.

This combination  was my personal test and I had taken a month holiday from my job  to meet all those famous people ultimately with the aim of releasing an excellent Souvenir. Subsequently, the Souvenir got appreciated by Badaga Associations of Chennai, Balgalore, Coimbatore, Erode an many more individual personalities of our Baduga community.

Some how due to various exigencies of services, my service to the community  could not  go further.  Now, after 15 years of interval, my mind again started revolving round the Social Welfare Activities and as such I got a Trust named    SENIOR CITIZEN WELFARE ASSOCIATION,THANE (WEST) registered,  under which, I have plans to help the aged people in various grounds.  Further details on this will follow.

Based on this NGO I want to do some favours to the Badagas  staying abroad. Any thing required from Bombay like, transportation
facilities, escorting relatives, children and even sight seeing
arrangements can also be arranged by my NGO at Bombay. Any investment part in Moumbai or educational activities including placement etc can be arranged if any one needs it.

The support extended from our N.G.O is listed below.

  We plan to assist seniors in the following areas:

Regards
L.Krishnan

Ravi Belliraj writes

Mr. L. Krishnan, such a great person I ever met in my life. He was my best friend cum brother in 1990s in Mumbai. Myself also an ex. Member of Bombay Badaga Association in 90’s.
Thanks and Namaskara Krishnanji.
Ondu Saavira Aagi Arasa Kodali.
PROUD TO BE A BADAGA.

This is a poem written by a teenager with cancer. She wants to see how many people get her poem. This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York Hospital.

Badaga connection

A lot of Badagas have died due to the curse of cancer – including breast cancer. Many of them could have been saved had it been treated in the initial stages. Take care of your dear and near ones – Wg Cdr JP

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain  Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down. Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won’t last.

Do you run through each day  On the fly?
When you ask How are you?  Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done  Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores, Running through your head?

You’d better slow down.  Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.  The music won’t last.

Ever told your child,  We’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,  Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,  Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time,  To call and say,’Hi’

You’d better slow down.Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won’t last..

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift. Thrown away.

Life is not a race. Do take it slower
Hear the music.  Before the song is over.

——————-

This poem is supposed to be from a special girl who will soon leave this world due to cancer. This young girl has 6 months left to live, and as her dying wish, she wanted to send a letter telling everyone to live their life to the fullest, since she never will. She’ll never make it to prom, graduate from high school,or get married and have a family of her own.

PS : From the net it is seen that this poem’s original author is David L Weatherford

CULTURAL HERITAGE

by  Dr.R.K.Haldorai [exclusive article]

The innate philosophy of the life of ‘naaku betta’ (the people who live in the hilly region, Badagas) can best be understood from the tradition bound age old hatties (hamlets). The hatty (hamlet,village) is a group of persons as well as an aggregate of land holdings. The village life is highly characterized by various rites and rituals. The village life of Badagas had attracted the serious attention of the scholars even during the colonial administration of the British. Few indigenous scholars’ contribution in this regard is remarkable. The result of these studies have got significant role in reconstructing society’s lost glory and reviving cultural heritage.

The Badagas are an ethnic and linguistic minority tribal group with a distinct culture and heritage of their own. The socio-cultural life of Badaga village is largely influenced by customs and traditions with profound antiquated background. This can be explored and analysed through holistic approach of the regional condition based on certain universal thoughts and ideas as well as unified activities.

The history of a society is largely the history of the thoughts and deeds of masterminds. These men of mighty will, vision and wisdom impart new hopes, new life and new direction to a society. In fact the ancestor of Badagas imparted humanism and compassion to their society that was enmeshed in a complexity of rituals. For example, one can note how a salutation passes between two when they meet each other. The younger stands in front of the elder inclines his head slightly and says bandiya, ayya, mamma etc., (grandfather, uncle etc., you have come). The elder replies ‘badak, badak’ (blessing, blessing) and rests his right or both of his hands on the top of the younger. Though the word ‘badak’ usually means ‘live’ here it is used in the sense ‘flourish, prosper or live long’. Uttering these words the elder reveals his felicitation to younger without any prejudice. Whereas the younger shows his profound reverence to the elder. The elders took up with joy the task of shaping the future generation and discharged their duties in an exemplary manner. The elders of the village settled disputed arising among the village folk who were well acquainted with the norms. Justice was meted out at the very place where the dispute took place. It was inexpensive and immediate.

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Badagas usually grow vegetables in their small patch(es) of land called ‘HOLA’ (see photo) for their regular use apart from other commercial crops like potato, cabbage, carrot and cauliflower etc. These would also include many varities of beans, peas, greens, corn etc. Every variety of avere(bean) has a specific (sometimes unique) badaga name. No Badaga wedding meal is complete without ‘Avare & Gaasu udakka’ [beans & potato curry]. Incidentally, Badagas do not serve non-vegetarian (meat) dishes on the wedding day , main meal is called – ‘maduve hittu‘. Another great trait among these simple peasant people is called ‘nattu‘ – a sort of gift (again mainly the home grown vegetables & grains) given to relatives, friends and guests.

Tea Leaves… the crop on which Badaga ‘economy’ depends so much..

The food, eating habits, preparations of some dishes as well as the ingredients used are covered. along with the methods used in cooking (like in a mud pot known as MADAKE in traditional fire place – OLE)

It must be mentioned that though many masala powders are available in the market, the Badagas use a specially prepared curry powder known as ‘ BADAGARU MAASU HUDI’ in their preparations.

I remember my childhood days when the dried GANJE / GHODUME (barley/wheat) used to be spread in the fore court of the houses called KERI (street) , between two groups of Hatti HEMMAKKA (ladies) squatted opposite to each other with GANJE DHADIS (sticks of about four feet long and an inch thick) systematically & alternatively beating to remove the chaff. The rhythmic ‘tak tak’ noise would be accompanied by some folk lore Badaga songs. This is known as GANJE SACHODHU.

How can anyone forget the GANJE that would be HURUTHU – fied (fried) in a HURI MADDAKKE (mud pot with a hole on its side) through which a HURI KOL (a short stick with cloth tied at one end as a ball) would be inserted and the contents stirred constantly for uniform frying?

Huri Maddakke

The fried ganje called GANJIKKE would be taken with BELLA (jaggery) and THENKE (coconut). The taste of this would increase if hurutha keerai is added. Used to be a very common snack during the “kodai” season when no one can venture out on account of severe wind and rain.

This ganjikke would be powdered in a ‘ BEESA GALLU ‘ or ‘BEESARAN KALLU’ ( grinding stone ‘flour mill’) that was a permanent feature in the EDHA or NADU MANE and stored for furture use. People who go on long journeys (in olden days travel was by foot only) took this powder along with them, a very handy and healthy meal. This powder would be mixed with hot water to make a gruel. Salt and jaggery could be added to taste.

You were everything for us for all those glorious 99 years and 10 months.

When we were preparing to celebrate the ‘century’, you chose to leave this earth just a couple of months earlier ….. to bless us all from the heaven far above.

Elle idhale’yu engava harachu

[Bless us all from where ever you are]

First Death Anniversary (13-7-2012)

Idyammal Bellie Gowder
Born	September 05, 1912 Hubbathalai, The Nilgiris
Died	July 13, 2011 (aged 99)
Parents	Rao Bahadue HJ Bellie Gowder and Nanji Hethe
Sister of	Rao Bahadur HB Ari Gowder
Spouse	B.K.Bellie Gowder [Bearhatti]

[Autographed pencil sketch of Mom by JP in 1964 while she was reading Femina ]

“I know my mother looks much older than what she is but those wrinkles have the charm of their own. They indicate the signs of her great endurance; and the hard life she has to lead through to bring her children to lead a life that is respected and regarded by others” – JP 24-1-68

Dear Hands

[Grace Noll Crowell]

My mother’s hands were beautiful,
They are not always smooth and white
They were so busy making dull
And lusterless things clean and bright.

They reached so often to caress
A hurt child crying in the night
They moved as quick as fluttering birds
Among the cups and spoons at tea

They did a thousand lovely things
And did them all so graciously
There is no way to sum them up
The countless things she did for us.

[photo of  Idy Hethe’s hand by her grandson Abhi Ari -2010]

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Kumar’s [vina.vinasa@gmail.com]  comments in the page https://badaga.wordpress.com/burning-issues/

First regarding Karthick, I wil better say go ahead with your idea. Compatibility is a big issue with all the communities. If you are sure that you have good understanding with the girl, nothing should bother you. Marriage is the biggest burning issue in badagas. As youngsters are well educated and have more exposure, its common to fall in love with another community person. 10 to 20 is the growth period and 20 to 30 is the fertile period in a human life. But today there are lot of 30 plus badaga girls and boys yet to get married. Just think what will happen to all in another 5 to 10 years?.. Marriage is an important aspect in a person’s life, without marriage life never gets fulfilled, but at the same time it should not happen for namesake and run around for divorce. I am not against our culture, it has to be preserved, but not at the cost of our life. As someone quoted, did we forget badaga after learning english??

To our respected elders and the chairpersons of YBA, its time for you people to think hard and do some reforms in our society regarding marriages and functionality in our community. India is reeling under recession in financial terms and our community is reeling under marriage recession. Politics has intruded all the villages and has affected us badly, forget about who rules the country and think about how to solve the issues in our community. I dont know how many of you know about the arrest of 200 plus people from our community in Tirupur, I dont want to discuss in detail. Elders please think in a practical manner, LIVE AND LET OTHERS LIVE.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Its good to see many from our community work in IT and R&D fields, but for the people in our villages, mother nature has given us abundance of opportunities in our own place. Cost of labor, fertilizer price, and el nino has affected agriculture and tea farming very badly. Let us be smart, try alternate crops like jatropha curcus or croton, these are cash crops used to extract biodiesel. i learnt that an acre can produce 3000 ltrs of biodiesel per year and cost of 1 liter is 34. It is grown extensively in Nagaland and Burma, so i think it should adapt our climate condition (any agri experts, pls share your thought). Dairy farming is another option for us. Than working in places like Tirupur and get lured by others for money, its better to try some alternative crops in our own place.