396 teams participate marking 25 years of uniting Kodava community through hockey

Madikeri: The Muddanda Hockey Festival- 2025 kicked off this morning with a vibrant cultural and folk procession through Madikeri, marking the start of month-long tournament (March 28-April 27).

The event will be held across three grounds in Madikeri, celebrating both the sport and Kodava heritage. This year, 396 Kodava families will compete for the top honour. The festival holds special significance as it marks its silver jubilee — 25 years of uniting the community through hockey.

Founded in 1997 by late Pandanda Kuttappa, a former State Bank of India employee and first-division hockey referee, the festival continues to fulfil his vision of bringing Kodava families together through their shared passion for the sport.

The procession began at General Thimayya Circle, featuring the traditional Kodava Valaga, Kerala Chande and Dudikottu Paat rhythms that echoed through the venue.

Garland offerings were made to the statues of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, General Thimayya and Major Mangerira Muthanna. Men, women and children, dressed in traditional attire, marched through the streets of Madikeri, culminating at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Grounds.

Grand Torch Run

In the lead-up to the festival, a Grand Torch Run was flagged off on Mar. 28 at the Pandanda Ainmane (ancestral house) in Karada.

The torch covered a distance of 126 km, passing through the Ainmanes of several Kodava families, including Pandanda, Cheppudira, Alamengada, Machhamada, Chekkera, Kallichanda, Maneyapanda, Kuppanda, Nellamakkada, Mandepanda, Thathanda, Muddanda, Ichettira, Mandettira, Ballachanda, Kodira, Biddanda, Madanda, Kaliyanda, Maleyanda, Appachettolanda, Kulletira, Biddatanda, Kundyolanda, and Shantheyanda.

The torch reached General Thimayya Circle this morning and was carried in a grand procession to the festival inauguration venue. Olympian Anjaparavanda B. Subbaiah received the Sports Torch from the marathon runners and lit the ceremonial flame at the hockey arena.

396 families this year

In 1997, only 60 Kodava families participated in the festival. However, over the years, the event grew so significantly that it earned a place in the Limca Book of Records as the largest hockey tournament in the world.

In 2024, the Kodava Hockey Carnival, organised by the Kundyolanda family, made history by achieving a Guinness World Record for the largest field hockey tournament, with 360 Kodava family teams competing.

This year, the festival has grown even larger, with 396 Kodava families participating. As part of the silver jubilee celebrations, a women’s tournament will also be held, featuring 30 teams.

Following the lighting of the ceremonial flame, the flag-hoisting ceremony was held, accompanied by a cultural programme. The Muddanda Hockey Festival was then formally inaugurated.

Exhibition matches

The first exhibition match featured Kodagu District Administration team against the organising Muddanda family. Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja played for District Administration team. He also showcased his hockey skills at last year’s Kundyolanda Cup in Napoklu.

The second exhibition match was played between Kodava Hockey Academy XI and Karnataka XI, with commentary by Maletira Srinivas, Kulletira Arun Beba and Cheppudira Roshan.

The event was graced by Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda K. Bopanna, Virajpet MLA Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda, MLC Mandeypanda Suja Kushalappa, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Kodagu University VC Prof. Ashok Sangappa Alura, Olympian Anjaparavanda B. Subbaiah, Akhila Kodava Samaja President Paradanda Subramani Kaverappa and Madikeri Kodava Samaja President Munduvanda P. Muthappa. Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, former Speaker K.G. Bopaiah and former MLC Shantheyanda Veena Achaiah were also present.

Several Muddanda family leaders participated, including Pattedara Dali Thimmaiah, Hon. President Muddanda B. Devaiah, Festival President Muddanda Rashin Subbaiah, Vice-President Dean Bopanna and Secretary Aadya Poovanna.

Kodava Hockey Academy Working President Mekerira Ravi Pemmaiah and Vice-President Kukkera Jaya Chinnappa were also in attendance.