Resolution against cake cutting, opening of champagne bottles at Kodava weddings in Ponnampet and Virajpet
(Like A Khan)
Mysore:
The Kodava societies of Ponnampet and Virajpet in Kodagu district have adopted a resolution against the practice of cutting cakes and opening champagne bottles at Kodagu weddings.
Soon after the Ponnampet Kodava society recently adopted a resolution banning “non-Kodava” customs, the Virajpet Kodava society followed suit.
talking to HinduC. Rajeev Bopaiah, president of Ponnampet Kodava society, said the decision was aimed at protecting the Kodava culture, which is distinctive and unique.
The ban will be enforced at the Kodava Samaj community hall in Ponnampet where Kodava weddings take place. Although marriages of non-Kodava communities are rare at the venue, this restriction does not apply to non-Kodava weddings on the premises.
Mr Bopaiah said that the society has also called upon grooms and women with beards to loosen their hair while climbing the stage at Kodava weddings so as to bless the newly wedded couples. “We have not banned it, but we have tried to create awareness against these inauspicious practices,” he said.
“Similarly, lighting candles is considered auspicious and not blowing them”, he said, adding that the resolution was recently adopted at the 34th General Assembly of Ponnampet Kodava society, where Kodava customs and practices were discussed. Went.
Meanwhile, the Virajpet Kodava society, which held its general body meeting on Sunday, also passed similar resolutions against the practices.
However, Bengaluru-based writer and freelance journalist PT Bopanna Palanganda has objected to the proposals. Stating that society evolves over time, he said that people are exposed to different cultures and they cannot afford to be ‘dogmatic’ in the global world.
“We have a very progressive community consisting of highly educated and qualified people, who are in contact with other cultures in the globalized world. We cannot be too dogmatic. What was implemented a few decades ago cannot be implemented now is”, he said, adding that their customs were not codified but were passed down orally, leaving enough room for the adoption of new practices.
There are over 30 Kodava societies, of which two have accepted the resolution.
Kodava Samaj in Mysore has not taken any such decision. Mysore Kodava Samaj head M. Belliappa said, “We have not discussed the issue yet.” He said the resolutions adopted by both the bodies were only advisory in nature so as to protect the customs and practices of the community.
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