By P.T. Bopanna
In recent years, I dread the month of September. The Kodava festival of Keil Poldu, an occasion for merry-making, falls on September 3. The main dish is pork curry, prepared with that special local Kodava vinegar.
The Coorgs’ (Kodavas) fondness for good food (kadi) and liquor (Kudi) is legendary. The Keil Poldu festival is dedicated to worshipping of the arms. By the way, Kodavas, living in the state of Karnataka, are the only community in India who are exempt from obtaining arms licence, as they are privileged under the “Kodava by race” provision in the Arms Act.
Coming back to why I dread the month of September? With the Kodavas turning increasingly towards Modi’s Hindutva, the Kodava women have increasingly come under the spell of Brahmanism. They run behind dubious godmen. Thankfully, the Kalki ‘madness’ has reduced now.
Hence, pork is a big ‘no no’ if the Kodava festival of Keil Poldu clashes with other Hindu festivals. The reason being non-vegetarian food causes ‘ritual pollution’.
I was happy that this time that the Ganesh festival which normally clashes with Keil Poldu was slated only in the second week of September. This ensured that pork curry could be prepared this time for Keil Poldu fest.
My happiness was short-lived when I was reminded that Krishna Janmashtami was on September 4. Hence it would not be appropriate to prepare non-veg a day earlier.
My observation is that only Kodava women are holy, holy. On the other hand, Kodava men do not bother much with such ritual pollution. The Hindutva of the Kodava men is confined to the whatsapp forwards they receive from the BJP IT cell. Most of the men are rabid disciples of the whatsapp university.
I am sad that the Kodava community has given up its original faith of Kodavame (Kodava way of life), marked by nature and ancestor worship.
Kodavas are basically hunter-gatherers. Hunting used to be a passion among the men till few decades back. With strict enforcement of game laws, there is hardly any hunting now.
I appeal to the Kodavas, especially the women, to celebrate their community festivals. This will make their ancestors happy.
Photo of journalist P.T. Bopanna