By P.T. Bopanna
There was a time when Kodava boys ruled the roost in the matrimonial market a few decades ago. Not anymore. Among the Kodavas (Coorgs), a micro minority community in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka, a new standard has come into play for eligible bachelor boys.
I am told by a person who is familiar with match-making, that the chances of a boy landing a prize-catch of a girl is guaranteed, provided he has 10 acres of coffee estate in Coorg and two houses – one each in Bengaluru and Mysuru.
When I was an eligible bachelor in the late 1970s, the girls’ families sought out boys in the Army, or company plantation executives. Strangely, Army Captains were preferred over Majors (higher rank). Similarly Assistant Managers in plantation companies had a better chance than Managers! I feel this was because the Assistant Managers looked glamourous in their bullet motorcycles.
Even among plantation executives, there was a pecking order. Assistant Manager from Kannan Devan had better prospects than the ones from Harrisons Malayalam.
Being a journalist, I found out my chances of being considered for a matrimonial alliance was almost nil. So I had to settle for a late marriage.
In the last one decade, the situation has dramatically changed. With Kodava girls going in for higher education and landing better paying jobs, the market has tilted in favour of girls. Kodava boys are happy with a basic degree, whereas the girls go for higher studies and specialisation.
Consequently, there is a mismatch between the Kodava boys and girls. This has resulted in girls opting for a match outside the community.
I feel the time has come for Kodavas to change their mindset in matrimonial matters. They should move past their unhealthy obsession with property/estate and look for the achievement of individuals in marriage matters.
