Kodagu, called coorg is a district in the state of Karnataka, known for its culture and. Kodavas the original inhabitants are famous for martial arts, music, nature and dance traditions.
One such component is Kodava festivals that forms a major part of the Kodavas’ culture. The cultural festive calendar is primarily made up of the ‘Hutari’ festival that is held in November honoring the harvest. It features, dance drill, fading ways of fighting, and food brawls. Another important festival is ‘Kailpodh’, which is a hard fought victory of Kodavas over enemies.
The Kodavas are closely endogenous to their territory and remain agricultural from the past times. They are famous for aromatic coffee gardens, spices are cardamom, pepper, etc. They used to eat very well with such foods as the ‘Pandi Curry,’ and the ‘Kadumbuttu.’
The Kodavas possess the virtues of collectivism and conservatism in high de gree. It has been shown that they are hospitable and welcome visitors gladly. However, their culture and traditions keep persevering; thus, Kodagu is a great place for making touring.
Kodagu, the beautiful district of Karnataka mostly famous for its culture and traditions. Kodagu traditional dress, especially which used to be in the earlier days indeed gives the martial stance reflecting the pure aesthetic sense of the Kodagu people.
Traditional Attire for Men
- Kuppya: Kodagu traditional dress code for Kodava men is the Kuppya. It is a shirt length garment, without collar or buttons, shipped to the knee; short sleeved and usually black or white cotton or woolen material . The Kuppya is pinned at the waist with a brightly embroidered silk girdle called the Chele.
- Headgear: Most Kodava men prefer to accommodate a traditional headgear of sorts; it comes either in the form of a white turban or a brightly colored scarf. The style of head gears may differ according to occasion and from one class to another especially the upper class.
- Accessories: Men of Kodava ethnic, prefer to wear conventional dress codes accompanied by ‘Peechekathi’ a type of ceremonial dagger fixed in the waist Chele band.
Traditional Attire for Women
- Sari: Kodagu traditional dress is sari especially a silk or cotton saari for the traditional Kodava wedding. Such sari is more often than not worn in a specific style where the pallu or the free end is placed across the shoulder.
- Blouse: The blouse that is worn alongside the sari can either be sleeved or full sleeved; this has the same fabric as the sari. It is usually made elaborate embroidery and ornamentation.
- Headgear: Kodavas women also fashionable dressed themselves, where females use a colored scarf or use traditional headgear called Vastra.
- Jewelry: The women folk of Kodagu wear traditional ornaments such as necklaces and ornaments for ears, bangle and anklet. Silver ornaments are getting much preference and are traditionally adorned with elaborate work.
The wearing of Kodagu traditional dress is not just a simple question of style but also a question odidentity and tradition of the Kodava people. Mainly it is used during festival season and marriages to depict the identity and pride of Kodava’s.
