A memorandum will be submitted to the State government to name the Kodagu District Central Library and Government First Grade College in Napoklu after Appacha Kavi, along with establishing a study chair on Appacha Kavi either in the University of Mysore or in Mangalore University.

Virajpet: Haradasa Appaneravanda Appacha Kavi has done notable contributions to Kodava language and literature and his works are evergreen. He wrote about Kodava culture in the 19th Century and most of his poems and dramas sprang from his experiences and based on studies conducted by him on the Kodava community, said noted physician from Kodagu Dr. Kalimada K. Shivappa.

He was speaking at a programme organised at Virajpet Kodava Samaja as part of the year-long Haradasa Appacha Kavi’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations organised by Akhila Kodava Samaja in Kodagu, Virajpet Kodava Samaja and Appacha Kavi Janmothsava Samithi on Oct. 10.

“If Kumara Vyasa wrote Mahakavya Mahabharata, Haradasa Appacha Kavi, through his native intelligence, wrote about Kodava culture and tradition. His dramas are the reflection of the rich culture of Kodagu and the people’s practices and aspirations,” he said.

Appacha Kavi was born on Sept. 21, 1868 and he was not only a poet but also a social reformer. He wrote about social issues and rose to be an ‘Amarakavi.’ His thoughts, ideas and feelings for Kodava community are still relevant, Dr. Shivappa added.

In his introductory remarks, Akhila Kodava Samaja President Mathanda Monnappa said that the year-long celebrations become meaningful only if Appacha Kavi’s messages are reached to the nook and corner of the district and Karnataka. Media can play a bigger role here. Through Appacha Kavi’s literary works, youths must be encouraged to read other books that promote the rich culture of Kodagu.

Writer Ithichanda Ramesh Uthappa informed the gathering about notable works of Appacha Kavi that include poems and dramas. He also critically examined some of them.

Presiding over the programme, Virajpet Kodava Samaja President Vanchira Nanaiah said that the Doddatti Circle at Virajpet where there is a statue of Appacha Kavi must be renamed as Haradasa Appacha Kavi Circle.

He also said that a memorandum will be submitted to the State government to name the District Central Library and Government First Grade College, Napoklu after Appacha Kavi, along with establishing a study chair on Appacha Kavi either in the University of Mysore or in Mangalore University.

On the occasion, Kodava achievers from various fields Paradanda G. Chengappa, Dr. Kalimada K. Shivappa, Kullachanda Chippi Cariappa and Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachaiah were felicitated. Bottolanda Kashi Achaiah and Madrira Sanju Appacha sang the songs that were written by Appacha Kavi.

The logo of Appacha Kavi celebrations was handed over to Kushalnagar Kodava Samaja where the next celebration will take place. Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by Mullengada Shankari Ponnappa by garlanding the statue of Appacha Kavi. Appacha Kavi Janmothsava Samithi Working President Prof. Ittira K. Biddappa, Samithi Chief Convener Addanda C. Cariappa and others were present on the occasion.