Mysuru: Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, Madikeri and Sri Bhagavathi Kodava Association, Mysuru will organise ‘Kodava Paithande Namme’ on July 12 at Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar here at 5 pm.

According to available records, up to 1956, Kodava society had a practice of honouring mothers who gave birth to ten or more children and they used to be respectfully adored as great mothers. Such mothers used to be honoured in a public function ‘Mangala’ (marriage ceremony) called ‘Paithandekkalapa’ or ‘Paithande Namme’.

Maj. Gen. (retd.) Codanda K. Karumbaya will inaugurate the event. President of Kodava Sahitya Academy Biddatanda S. Thammaiah will preside. Superintendent of Police, Directorate of Civil Enforcement-Mysuru Aramanamada K. Suresh, President of Bhagavathi Kodava Association Ballachanda D. Subbaiah, Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Moovera K. Kuttappa and former Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Corporator Kaddaniyanda Harish Bopanna will be the chief guests.

Keethiyanda Kavya Kuttappa will speak about vanishing Kodava culture and traditions. A book “Kodira Poomale” written by Uluvangada Cauvery Uday will be released on the occasion. A CD that was brought out in 1985 on “Kodava Baalopaat” sung by late Napanda Thimmaiah and team from Garvale village in Kodagu will be released. The original CD was brought out by Thammu Poovaiah and Ambika of Nada Lahari, Madikeri.

‘Kodava Narimangala’ (wedding of a hunted tiger, a practice that was in vogue in Kodagu in the past) will be performed on the occasion along with other cultural programmes. A book sale is also organised.