Karnataka Kodava Sahithya Academy Seeks CBSE Review of ‘Coorg’ Chapter Over Origin, Attire References
Madikeri: The Karnataka Kodava Sahithya Academy has urged the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to undertake a scholarly review of certain statements about the origin and traditional attire of the Kodava community in the Class X English textbook Glimpses of India, Chapter II — “Coorg”.
In a representation submitted to the CBSE Textbook Committee on September 17, Academy President Ajjinikanda C. Mahesh Nachaiah raised concerns over passages suggesting that the Kodavas are “possibly of Greek or Arabic descent” and referring to a theory that a section of Alexander’s army moved south and settled in Kodagu.
The chapter also mentions a “theory of Arab origin” and draws a resemblance between the traditional Kodava kuppia and the kuffia worn by Arabs and Kurds.
The Academy said that while historical hypotheses and traditional narratives can be discussed in an academic context, they should be clearly identified as such and supported by credible historical, linguistic, archaeological and anthropological evidence when presented in educational material.
It particularly questioned whether similarities in traditional clothing can be used as evidence to establish the ethnic origin or migration history of a community. According to the Academy, similarities in dress may arise from geographical, environmental, cultural or historical influences and, by themselves, cannot conclusively establish ancestry or genealogical descent.
The Academy has also placed on record its position that Kodagu is the ancestral homeland of the Kodavas and that the community’s history, traditions, mythology, customary institutions and cultural identity are closely associated with the region.
It urged the CBSE to examine the evidence supporting the references to Greek or Arab ancestry, the account concerning Alexander’s army, the theory of Arab origin and the comparison between the kuppia and kuffia.
The Academy has further requested that the historical and cultural association of the Kodava community with Kodagu be considered while reviewing the chapter. It sought correction, modification or withdrawal of statements that cannot be supported by adequate and credible scholarly evidence.
The Academy has recommended that the review involve qualified historians, linguists, anthropologists and other relevant scholars. It has also requested the CBSE Textbook Committee to inform the Academy in writing about the action taken on its representation.
The representation includes an annexure containing copies of the relevant pages from the textbook.
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