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Kalyatanda Ponnappa
Kalyatanda Ponnappa was a 17th-century warrior of Kodagu (Coorg).[1] Since he was deified after his death, the people of Kodagu consider him to be a god. He is also known as Kaliat-Achchappa or Kaliat Ajjappa.[2][3]
Early life[edit]
Ponnappa was born in the Kalyatanda (aka Kaliatanda) family as the son of Kuttayya of Naalnaad (Nalknad). Ponnappa's parents were ardent devotees of Igguthappa. [1]
G Richter calls him ‘a Malayalam man who came to Coorg many generations ago, (and) got naturalized.’[2] A Kodava by birth, Ponnappa was also associated with the Malayalam land (Kerala). His forefathers had lived in Kerala and Ponnappa himself had studied tantric magic in Kerala.
His agrarian father was upset that Ponnappa didn't look after the fields. So Kuttayya told his wife not to feed Ponnappa and broke Ponnappa's bow. Upset with this, Ponnappa left home. Ponnappa was betrothed to his aunt's daughter. He also had a friend and assistant called Katala Boltu.[4][3]
Career[edit]
Skirmishes[edit]
He fought with many powerful men and killed several of them.[1] Ponnappa was a contemporary of Vira Raja, the first king of Kodagu. Ponnappa acknowledged Vira Raja's overlordship. But Ponnappa's enemy Karnayya Bavu of Bhagamandala did not acknowledge Vira Raja as the king. Karnayya raised a stealth army against the Raja.[5]
Karnayya wanted to befriend Ponnappa and make him an ally. But Ponnappa refused his friendship (not wishing to betray the Raja) thus insulting Karnayya and making him an enemy.[4]
Practise[edit]
He was a magician as well who was feared by many in Kodagu.[2] He was believed to be an expert at witch-craft and to be able to perform many miracles. People held him in great awe as he claimed to be able to manipulate supernatural beings. Being a practitioner of ritual magic, divination and occult, he was considered to be a sort of warlock or magician.[1][3]
Death[edit]
He was poisoned by an old woman.[1] But Ponnappa survived the poisoning.[4] Afterwards, he visited his fiancée at her home, the Kuttanjetira house in Beth village.[4] However, his enemies fatally shot him near what would later become the Kacheri (office) of Nalknad taluk.[2] Badly wounded, Ponnappa dragged himself to the Makki temple where he died.[4] It was Karnayya's men who had surrounded Ponnappa and killed him. Later, Vira Raja captured Karnayya Bavu and executed him. [5][3]
Legacy[edit]
After his death, his spirit was believed to possess many men who displayed the magic arts that he practised.[2] Ponnappa is a legendary figure in Kodagu where folk ballads are sung about him. Festival performances are held in his honour in the Makki temple near Napoka (Napoklu) and in other temples.[1][3][6][7]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Muthanna, Dr. I. M. (1971). The Coorg Memoirs (the story of the Kodavas). Mysore: Dr I M Muthanna. p. 233.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Richter, Rev G (1870). Manual of Coorg. Mangalore: C. Stolz, Basel Mission. p. 165.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Muthanna, I M (1987). Kodavas and their gala 'lela': Kodava folklores and songs. p. 74.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Chinnappa, Nadikerianda (1924). Pattole Palame.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kushalappa, Mookonda (9 January 2017). "The set-up of Kodagu's royal cemetery". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ↑ "Kalyatanḍa okka". Kodagu Heritage. KodavaClan. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ↑ "ainmanes.com". www.ainmanes.com. Retrieved 30 May 2022.