Kakkada Padnett Celebrated With Call to Protect Codava Identity

The celebrations began with traditional rituals at the lineage Mandh, including ceremonial gunshots in reverence to ancestors, followed by the Baalebenguva ritual in honour of the chief guest.

Madikeri: Kakkada Padnett, one of the most significant festivals in the Kodava calendar marking the peak of the monsoon and the beginning of the agricultural season, was celebrated by the Codava National Council (CNC) at Capitol Village Resorts in Madikeri on Sunday. The event marked the 31st annual public observance of the festival.

The celebrations began with traditional rituals at the lineage Mandh, including ceremonial gunshots in reverence to ancestors, followed by the Baalebenguva ritual in honour of the chief guest. Participants later proceeded to paddy fields, where ceremonial gunshots marked the beginning of the agricultural season before community members planted paddy saplings.

A deliberation meeting followed, during which CNC chairman N.U. Nachappa presented the organisation's 10-point constitutional resolution, covering issues such as constitutional protection for indigenous Codavas, recognition of the Codava language, protection of hereditary lands and greater political representation. Participants unanimously endorsed the resolution.

Senior media personality, Deepak Thimaya, who was the chief guest, said that the land forms the foundation of Codava identity. "Only displaying Codava attire and dance is not enough to determine Codava identity. Codava self-esteem and ethos rests only in our hereditary lands and our homeland," he said, urging the community to safeguard its ancestral land, water and nature.

The programme concluded with a collective oath in the name of Guru-Kaaronas, Mother Earth, Mother Nature and the Constitution, followed by the National Anthem and traditional Kodava hospitality.

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