A lot of you have been writing about my choice of the “BADAGA SONGS ON THE WEB” and how to listen and download the same.
The easiest way is to go to this weblog of mine. Enjoy while it lasts !
14 Dec
A lot of you have been writing about my choice of the “BADAGA SONGS ON THE WEB” and how to listen and download the same.
The easiest way is to go to this weblog of mine. Enjoy while it lasts !
13 Dec
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OM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM |
BHARGO DEVASAYA DHEEMAHI
DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT ||
ॐ भूर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेन्यं । भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि, धीयो यो न: प्रचोदयात् ।।
ஓம் பூர் புவ ஸவ | தத் ஸவிதூர் வரேண்யம் |
பர்கோ தேவச்ய தீமஹி | தியோ யோன பிரசோதயத் ||
[Oh God! Thou art the Giver of Life, Remover of pain and sorrow, The Bestower of happiness, Oh! Creator of the Universe, May we receive thy supreme sin-destroying light, May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction]
Gayatri Mantra, the most important prayer, inspires wisdom and is also a prayer to the “giver of light and life” – the sun (savitur),’Hothu/Suriyanu’ in Badaga.
11 Dec
L. Gandhi
Lecturer, Guruvayurappan Institute of Management,
Coimbatore
JP’s reply >Hello Gandhi, Thanks a lot for your email and I am taking the liberty of putting it up in my blog.
As I have said in my site, I have been requesting our friends to send me info on First Badaga and on other matters so that the same can be incorporated but I hardly get any info. I am sure, even if not First Badaga, the achievements of many of our Badagas are bound to be a source of inspiration to the future generations. First Badaga from the leading institutions like IIT, IISc, IIM must find a place. Only info is not available. If you can pl send more info abt Dr.Hariprasad with a pix, if possible.
11-12-2009 Email from
Dr. B. S. Krishnamoorthy, Post-Doctoral Research Assistant
University of Paris, France,Dear JP Sir,
I am very happy to say that Dr. Hariprakash is my senior and one of the motivators for me to complete my Ph.D., Certainly we have to provide a space for him in our Badaga website.
Thank you Dr. It will be my pleasure and honour to put up more info on Dr.Hariprakash and other highly educated Drs like you as I feel it will motivate our youngsters-JP.
10 Dec
Bharath Kamaraj fromPuduhatty (near Nanjanad) now living abroad had sent in this very interesting info.
It’s everyone’s pleasure to write about their hatty. And first, I like to show you a miracle. Hope you have heard about Bembatty village (my Iyyana hatty) and there they celebrate Hettai habba during January of every year. Here with I have attached a pic from google earth of Bembatty village(2008). What the miracle I’m talking about is that the Google satellite has captured the earth on the day of Bembatty Hettai habba. I was really amazed to see this for the first time a year back and I shared with all around me. Now it’s time to share with everybody with your website. I made a arrow mark against the people sitting in white dress surrounding the Temple’s tree.
10 Dec
7 Dec

In Oct 2009, I received an email from Mª Teresa Llop Navarro (Spain), President of a NGO called ‘ESPURNA’ which has been formed as an association for international co-operation which collaborates in helping poor families in the Nilgiris….
Read the full article in the ‘General Interest’ page
Ms.Teresa Llop also sent me the following >
I left India the 18th of August and she came to visit me the week previous having just left hospital. She could barely walk but she climbed the steps little by little barefoot with swollen feet holding onto her sari which scarcely covered her breasts. She came to see my kitchen,have some tea and put flowers on the altar in my house. ( In all Indian houses there is a small altar which at nightfall is lit by an oil-lamp.On the altar are the deities for which the owner of the house feels devotion , in my case , as related to me, the deities were Saraswaty, the godess of wisdom and for Visnu the god of balance, the owner of the house being a doctor who works in the Apolo Hospital in Hydrebad.) During the time of the monsoons at the end of June, beginning of August ,in Gandinagar, a town-land on the outskirts of Ooty in the Nilgiris where we had the house, the light goes quickly in the evening and I acquired the habit of lighting the lamp then and she saw the glow from her house.She wanted to come and visit as she had never seen a white woman in the flesh before.
She entered slowly, sat on the cane sofa. I touched her feet in a sign of respect
as she made a movement as if saying “ No, no I´m not that important “I touched her feet and then my front.I prepared a tea with milk and sugar in the hindi style.She took a sip looked ar the kitchen and said “nice tea and a clean kitchen“. Her English was fairly incomprehensible.I sat beside her.Her daughter-in-law , Sarda, looked at me and then her. Viswa’s amma closed her eyes and began to pronounce words strange to me. Now and again I heard the word –Yoga-.When she had finished, very tired and with eyes shut she lay as if asleep. Sarda said that lately she was speaking a lot of yoga, of her Master and her childhood. That she did not fell well and was in and out of hospital where they could find nothing wrong with her except old age and fatigue.Visw amma took her leave of me her last words being –Love, Master and Yoga.
The day I left the Nilgiris for Europe on an early flight she was asleep and I left a red rose at the door of her house.
This month of October I heard she had died the 28th of August.
In Barcelona I light the lamp-light on the altar in honour of mother of Viswa who will always be in my heart.
I was indeed touched by her act and am sure so will you be, too. I thank Mª Teresa Llop Navarro on behalf of all Badagas.
2 Dec
Is Badaga one of the ancient Dravidian languages and predated ‘halaya’ Kannada? Is it a separate language all by itself? By inference, are Badagas one of the oldest ‘tribes’?
Arunan from Cannada has given some very interesting links which suggest Badaga language existed with old Kannada and equates it with Sangam or purana Tamil period.
“…..Some of the Kanarese too seem to have been called Vadugar. In consequence of the Andhras and the Kanarese having been called by the common name of Vadugar in the days of the Sangam, it has been surmised that they were then one race and that their language too must have been known as Vadugu and that it is only later that Kanarese must have branched off into a separate language. But llam-Ko-Adigal, the great epic-poet of the Sangam age, mentions distinctly those who speak the Kanarese language as Karunadar, and other classical writers make mention separately of the lands where Kanarese and Telugu were respectively spoken. The northern portion of the Mysore state and parts of the districts of Bellary and Anantapur seem to be known even now as Badaga-nadu and the Kanarese of those areas are known as Badaga-varu and Badaga-natti-varu. A poem of the Sangam mentions an Erumai as a ‘Vadugar chief’ in whose land flowed the river Ayiri. This is evidently the Agiri which falls into the Tungabhadra. It is this country which was probably the extreme southern limit of the Asokan empire as is evidenced from inscriptions found in the vicinity.
If these be so, it follows that the Telugus who were to the north, and the Badaga Kannadas who were to the west, of the Tamils were known generically as the Vadugar. The poet, Ma-mulanar, says that it is beyond the lands of a chief of the name of Katti that the language changed into that of the Vadugar. Perhaps the chiefs well-known as Katti-Mudaliyars in the days of the Vijayanagar empire and later belonged to the lineage of this Katti. It is worthy of note that these Katti-Mudaliyars occupied those portions of the Tamil country which Ma-mulanar assigned to Katti. There are reasons to hold that the land called Vadugar-munai and placed beyond the lands of this Katti is identical with the Badaga-nadu we have already mentioned. It is these Badagas that seem to be referred to by St. Sundara in one of his psalms on a shrine in the Kongu country…..”
Read the full article in Badaga Language page
16 Nov
Bhvaneshwari R writes :-
This website is one of the best I have seen. Didn’t think I would find so much detail about our culture.
The history of origin of Badagas is quite fascinating. Photos are also really great.
Really good to see someone do an effort to spread awareness.
Thank you…
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Arunan, a Srilankan Tamil now in Canada, writes to say “Why not start a wiki project in Badaga language”. Its absolutely free and I see most Badugas are very good in Computer and Internets… So please let us start a wiki project in Badaga language and start writing articles in Badaga language……
Badaga language is eligible language by Wikipedia … http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Requests_for_new_languages
JP adds : let us add our might for this Pioneering Project
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The rains that never stopped
I was at Coonoor when it started. I thought it was one of those passing showers. But then, it never stopped…never…not even for a few minutes. It appeared as if the rain Goddess had lost some body very very close, and she never stopped pouring her heart out…for three consecutive days. The damage…well…when the Nature starts..nothing can stop it. It is her way of leveling things out. The following pictures should convey a tiny bit of the result of her fury….The fallen trees…blocked roads..trees on the rail track near Wellington Railway station…the washed away rail track just before Aravankadu Railway station…the roads between Ootupattarai and Hubbathai toatally blocked…..
Click on the pix for enlargement
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http://picasaweb.google.com/purnanprabhu/Depression091109DS#5403520176408453682
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/purnanprabhu/WorkedDep22#5403977827063528210
27 Jul

The above map of Nilgiri Massif, based on Paul Hockings’s research, shows the division of Badaga Villages into the four ‘SEEMAYs’. As I have explained in the page ‘Hattis’, Badaga Villages are grouped into clusters / communes [there is no particular number as to how many villages will constitute one commune] called OORUs and these OORUs in turn constitute a NAADU or SEEMAY. It appears that initially there were only three seemays/naadus with DHODDA Betta peak being at the apex. KUNDHE NAADU / SEEMAY might have ben added later.
Incidentally,Porangadu seemay was originally known as PARANGI NAADU. The Name THODHA NAADU could have come because of many THODHAVA [TODA] settlements are in that region. In MEKKU NAADU, Mekku means West. (The four directions in Badaga ;- Mooday – east, Mekku – west, Badage – North & Thekke – south)
Incidentally, Ooty in Badaga is [H]OTHAGAY and Mettupalayam is METTUPA
To see which Village – Hatti belongs to which Seemay and for more info with pictures go to the page ‘Hattis‘
6 Dec
Here is the calendar for Jan 2009
with Badaga month Koodalu [which starts from Jan 10th and falls into Feb 2009] being incorporated

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This website is, also, under construction in TAMIL
படக பாடலை கேட்க > இங்கே செல்லவும்
Dr.Guna.Magesan, a highly educated Badaga Scholar settled in New Zealand [Guna.Magesan@scionresearch.com] has sent this email :-
Most of our Indian/Hindu kids have done this exercise in front of Lord Ganesha (especially in our younger days – before going to final exams). This is called Thoppu Karanam in Tamil and Gunji in Badaga.
If the Indian school teacher asks the student to do this exercise, we say “It is a punishment”. If an American does the same thing, we say “It is Super Brain Yoga”.
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18 Mar
The best song, as per my choice, is Ganjikke Kukkaiya Press the play button to listen or go to
‘Ganjikke Kukkiya’
or listen to ‘Banuna’ song here
I will be grateful to any reader who can provide more info on Thanagaadu L.Krishnan [including photos] and his songs so that we can immortalise his songs like that of Kerban Bella Gowder.
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Badaga Months in ‘Kappu Huttileyu’ Song
Kappu huttileyu neppuna sundari,
Oppi hegileyu dhrachiya mundari
Keppu na huttile ondhuna notta tha
Thatti beetha sileyu nee edhega,
Kottu beetha hennu naa edhaga
Muthu muthu mookathiga sokki hodhane, netti niddane
Sothu pathu neetha endhu kaathundhu endhe dha, matha hegu dha, madhuvaya matha hegudha,
KOODALU thinguvana koodile singarene ,
AALAANI thinguvatha aa aagi varasha mamma ,
NALLANI go kollaandhu hega beda, ,
AANI huttidha mele badhila hegine baa mamma ,
AADHIRE jena nodi bae thumbi maathaadu ,
AADI mudidha mele ododi bannane mamma,
AAVANI thinguvadhoge dhaavani singarava ,
Arattu perattu aara PERATTASI thinguvadha,
DODDA DIVIGEYA dodda kiru edhega,
KIRU DIVIGEYA siri devi aagi banne ,
THAI mae thalaiga thatti kai yoda aatta paatta.
HEMMATTI ebbaneyu aemaathithindhu hoga beda ,
Kottu beetha hennu naa edhega!
Latest letter from Ravi Balraj [kuwait]
By a way, do you have a broadband connection? Then, click this link http://badaga-songs.blogspot.com/ You will be taken to my blogsite with Badaga Songs. On the right side, scroll down to Badaga Love Songs, choose ‘Moga Nodi’ or ‘Nadu kattuna‘ [songs initially suggested by mlle_ Sumathi Halan]. Put on your headphones…press the play button…and …enjoy listening to the stereophonic songs !
Kerban Bella Gowder
I bow my head in dedication to Kerben Bella Gowder who passed away a few years back.
Click on the picture to go to Badaga Songs on the web site and listen to some nice music
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This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about Heart Attacks.
The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
Read the complete article in the General Intrest page
Click on the link/pics for more info
24 Apr

24 Apr

It is quite interesting that all numbers can be created by using only two numerals – 4 and 8
12 May

Badaga Hattis
Dear sir,
I am working in Indian Navy. Being a Defence person, first of all I salute you sir. Now I will come to our style of communication.
Mam, ninga websita nodhithey. Apaara santhosha. Ninga eega maadindu ibba sevai nanga badagu samudhayaga apaara thevey. Nanga nakku betta joli-jundu ellava ninga websita nodi araba chansu nanga badagu makkaga cikhidha vara prasada. Ninga sevay hollengey nadaiali endhu Somiya vendine. Kodi namaskara.
Dear Malarvannan, I feel thrilled to get a mail – that too with so much of praise- from a fellow ‘Fauzi- Defence’ friend. It gives me the greatest pleasure and honour that people like you feel that my website is of use. Ningaga appara nanri [nanri embdhuna Badaga basheya ethe hegodhu endhu artha aappiley]. Thank you ever so much
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This is Ganesan Lingan from Porthy Village, Mekku Nadu seeme. I just gone thru the Badagas website to know our hatties and seeme’s, I saw all the hattis and seems in one place and really enjoyed reading each and every hattis. I would say this is definitely Great effort! And really appreciable.
I just wanted to you know that Emerald is not a badaga village( as per my knowledge) and fully occupied by other communities except one or two badgas having provisional stores and houses along with that,. So please request you the remove the Emerald from our hatti list.
And also I found Osa Attu Bayilu (New Attu bayilu near kai kandi) missing from Meeku nadu. There are two Attu Bayilu one is Palliya (old) Attu bayliu and other one Osa attu Bayliu.
Also Bigada missing from Thodha nadu Seeme (not sure about seeme). This village spotting near Ithalar… This is a beautiful very tiny village located in center of the tea estates. Also I have forgotten to mention one more hatti which is Beingisakallu from Meakunadu Seeme. Beingisakallu is spotted between Nanjanadu and Kei Kouhatti
[Kiya] Appukodu
Ganesa, Thank you for your imputs. Nice to be told about the hattis and the corrections are being incorporated – JP
26 Jul
~`~`~`~`~
![BadagaGirls[SemiShavenHeads]1909 Badaga girls in 1909 or earlier](http://badaga.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/badagagirlssemishavenheads1909.jpg?w=350&h=246&h=172)
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Those talented young Badagas…
To listen to some wonderful Badaga songs online…
visit Badaga songs on the web
Hey [Badaga] Girls, take a look at traditional Badaga Jewellery here
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15 Dec
It has always been felt that for a language to survive, it should have its own script. It cannot remain only as a spoken language for long. But of course, the script need not be peculiar and specific one pertaining to that particular language.
So too is the necessity of a script for Badaga. Many have attempted to achieve this objective with various degrees of success. But unfortunately, to my knowledge, no records exists, if any. I am no expert on phonetics or languages or much less innovating an unique script. But the urge to have a separate script has convinced me that it is very much possible to ‘ADOPT’ an existing script and ‘ADAPT’ it to Badaga language.
To know more about the BADAGA SCRIPT or rather the need for one go here
24 Nov
Badaga Origin
Arunan from Cannada has given some very interesting links which predated badaga language to Kannada and equates it with Sangam or purana Tamil. Here is the link http://yabaluri.org/TRIVENI/CDWEB/TheTamilsandtheAndhras.htm
” Some of the Kanarese too seem to have been called Vadugar.7 In consequence of the Andhras and the Kanarese having been called by the common name of Vadugar in the days of the Sangam, it has been surmised that they were then one race and that their language too must have been known as Vadugu and that it is only later that Kanarese must have branched off into a separate language.8 But llam-Ko-Adigal, the great epic-poet of the Sangam age, mentions distinctly those who speak the Kanarese language as Karunadar,9 and other classical writers make mention separately of the lands where Kanarese and Telugu were respectively spoken.10 The northern portion of the Mysore state and parts of the districts of Bellary and Anantapur seem to be known even now as Badaga-nadu and the Kanarese of those areas are known as Badaga-varu and Badaga-natti-varu. A poem of the Sangam mentions an Erumai as a ‘Vadugar chief’ in whose land flowed the river Ayiri.11 This is evidently the Agiri which falls into the Tungabhadra. It is this country which was probably the extreme southern limit of the Asokan empire as is evidenced from inscriptions found in the vicinity.
If these be so, it follows that the Telugus who were to the north, and the Badaga Kannadas who were to the west, of the Tamils were known generically as the Vadugar. The poet, Ma-mulanar, says that it is beyond the lands of a chief of the name of Katti that the language changed into that of the Vadugar.12 Perhaps the chiefs well-known as Katti-Mudaliyars in the days of the Vijayanagar empire and later belonged to the lineage of this Katti.13 It is worthy of note that these Katti-Mudaliyars occupied those portions of the Tamil country which Ma-mulanar assigned to Katti. There are reasons to hold that the land called Vadugar-munai and placed beyond the lands of this Katti is identical with the Badaga-nadu we have already mentioned.14 It is these Badagas that seem to be referred to by St. Sundara in one of his psalms on a shrine in the Kongu country.15
From the readers