KODAGU HERITAGE & CULTURE

Rathanbabu Kilar - Part of SAMPAJE & KARNATAKA Electricity Legacy of Nativity – Social, Land and Community Responsibility : My roots in SAMPAJE spread in two districts Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada Understanding terrain, access challenges, and seasonal realities . Credibility among local stakeholders. We have grown with Electrification of our Sampaje Engineer Experience from 1965 to 2000 : I had the privilege of exposure to Frequency Conversion from 25 Cycles to 50 cycles & Voltage conversion from 4.6 to 11 Kv & 13.2 to 11 Kv., Maintaining large area distribution of Taluk in CHANNAPANA & DODDABALLAPUR as Assistant Engineer & DANDELI PUTTUR as AEE of Vast areas in western ghats & Exposure to Industrial & thickly populated areas of NORTHERN parts of MYSORE City , Meters & Transformer Testing ,System Improvement cell - feasibility study & Prepare DPR for Technical committee appraisal Privilege of Deputation to State Government Electrical Inspectorate : DAKSHINA KANNADA in two spells as AEI & DEI for 7 years Managing O&M SECTION in CHANNAPATNA & DODDABALLAPUR & Subdivision in Vast areas of DANDELI & PUTTUR as Assistant Executive Engineer (1975 –79) – Multi-Taluk Operational Governance gave the privilege of managing vast areas spanning difficult ghats and forest corridors: SUPA/ HALIYAL/ YELLAPUR, Providing Power to KALI HYDEL Projects in peak working period One year in HUBLI in charge of Major works Circle managing major 220 kv stations & Transmission lines in Four Large districts with Western Ghat from Bhatkal to Karwar & State borders of Maharashtra gave the exposure to visit NPC installations in Construction stage & be part of infrastructure creation. AREKADU – Living Heritage of Kodagu. A cultural, geographic, and ancestral documentation for Kodava natives across the globe 🌿 Introduction : Kodagu (Coorg) is not merely a geographic district — it is a living cultural landscape shaped by forests, rivers, ancestral homes, and oral memory. For Kodava natives settled across the world, reconnecting with these roots preserves identity, language, and collective responsibility. This blog documents Arekadu, a representative village of central Kodagu, as a microcosm of landscape, heritage, and community life. 🗺️ Administrative Context of Kodagu Kodagu district consists of: Five Taluks Eighteen Hoblis Approximately 357 villages Administratively, Kodagu comes under: Two Legislative Assembly constituencies of Karnataka Attached to the Mysuru Parliamentary constituency, representing eight Legislative Assembly segments, including Kodagu. Historically, Kodagu passed through multiple princely regimes until 1834, followed by British rule from 1834 to 1947. These long transitions reshaped land systems, governance, and cultural continuity, slowly impacting indigenous traditions and social structures. Yet, ancestral institutions such as Ainmane, Kaimada, and the living presence of Ajjanga sustained cultural memory across generations. 🏡 Ainmane, Kaimada and Ajjanga – Living Ancestral Systems. Ainmane (Ayyanda Mane) is the ancestral family home of every Kodava lineage. Kaimada is the sacred ancestral worship space located near the Ainmane. Ajjanga refers to ancestors — custodians of lineage, land, and tradition. On auspicious occasions such as marriages, childbirth, and Guru Karona rituals: Families gather at the Ainmane and visit the Kaimada. Traditional dishes are prepared and placed as offerings to ancestors. Elders are served first and honored. Younger members seek blessings by touching elders’ feet.This living cycle preserves humility, discipline, gratitude, and continuity. 🌱 Arekadu – Geographic and Cultural Identity Arekadu is an independent Village Panchayat located in central Kodagu and is known for some of the region’s finest coffee plantations. Key geographic features: Overlooks the River Kaveri along the southern boundary. Enclosed by State Highways SH-89 and SH-91. Connected to National Highway SH-27. The name “Arekadu” means “Half Forest”, reflecting the landscape’s blend of forest cover and scattered human settlements. The village consists of: Dispersed family homesteads Labor lines supporting plantation economy Kodava families /Arebashe-speaking coffee planters Prominent family. Ballachandra of MYSORE Thota Biddanda Dambekodi Kedambadi Belliana Periyana Lakkandra Karnayyana and others RATHAN KILAR