|
Ponnampet, Apr. 17 (BRS)- The inter-family annual hockey festival being organised for the past nine years on the trot, Kallichanda Cup Hockey tournament, mainly for fostering bonhomie among the large number of families of the Kodavas, got off to a colourful start here yesterday in a fitting function.
This year's festival, hosted by Kallichanda family, will witness friendly yet competitive games among teams representing 217 Kodava families. The matches, being played over a period of 19 days are conducted at Ponnampet Junior College Grounds and three other grounds.
Member of Rajya Sabha and former Mayor of Bangalore, Ichettira Prema Cariappa inaugurated this year's decennial tournament by lighting the traditional lamp.
Later, the friendly match between the team of South Kodagu and North Kodagu that began at 1.30 pm was inaugurated by former Minister M.C. Nanaiah who was introduced to the players of the two teams. Prema Cariappa also joined in the formal inauguration by pushing the hockey ball by wielding a silver hockey stick.
The North Kodagu hockey team scored a 2-0 win over the South Kodagu team in the exhibition match.
Earlier, the new playground, gifted by the members of Kallichanda family, was inaugurated by Nanaiah.
Speaking after inaugurating the tournament, Prema Cariappa observed that the hockey festival had paved the way for removing whatever inter-family discord and differences were thought to be vexing the Kodava fraternity. It has admirably fostered the sense of harmony and amity among them, she added. Further, the festival has enabled coming together of the Kodavas living in different corners of the country.
The Kallichanda family's gift of the new playground on the eve of this year's hockey festival is praise worthy, Prema Cariappa said, adding that steps would be taken for starting First Grade College in Ponnampet. She also announced a grant of Rs. 3 lakh towards meeting the cost of constructing a ladies toilet from her MPs fund.
'Kodavas in the past were getting together during festivals and on auspicious occasions at the mandh. They have forsaken that tradition as time wore on. However, thanks to the hockey festival for the past nine years, they are able to come together again. This festival, instead of being limited to the few years to follow, should serve as an inspiration to the next generation. It should also serve as a platform for young talents to blossom into players at National and International levels,' remarked Nanaiah. Special attention would be bestowed in the matter of starting a First Grade College in Ponnampet, he added.
Founder of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival Pandanda Kuttappa, speaking on the occasion, said, 'Not only the hockey festival has resulted in priority being given to the youth of Kodagu in the job market, but also has reflected the untiring efforts of Kallichanda family in organising the festival in a unique manner.'
Kallichanda Kuttappa, Pattedar of the family, presided. Pandanda Kuttappa unfurled the Kodava Hockey Academy Flag. The Kallichanda Family Flag was unfurled by K. Kashi.
The event began with men and women of Kallichanda family, dressed in the traditional Kodava attire and playing Komb Kott instrument, marched from the main entrance of the Pre-University College to the venue of the function along with the guests by way of formally welcoming them.
Renowned singer Chekkera Thyagaraj and party rendered the invocation. The welcome song they sung on the occasion cast a magical spell on the gathering. Head of the Festival Committee Vishnu Cariappa welcomed. The contributions of the then District in-charge Minister Alangur Srinivas, towards getting substantial grants for the improvement of the College as well as conduct of the hockey festival, were recalled with gratitude.
Mementos were presented to representatives of the families who had been conducting the hockey festival for the past nine years. K.Nataraj proposed a vote of thanks.
The members of Kallichanda family, including women and children, earlier visited Basaveshwara Temple of Ponnampet and after worshipping at the temple, marched through the main thoroughfare of the town before reaching the venue of the festival.
|