Knowing about Badagas
SAI, a young reader, writes :-
Really amazing website….being a Baduga girl….I did not know the history of our community….really I felt ashamed when my friends ask about our Baduga community….now I feel proud to tell them that we have a website which has songs ,traditions, amazing photo gallery, proverbs etc. Good work…. I just want to know if we people migrated from Karnataka during Tipu Sultan’s period?
Thank you Sai. I am very happy that youngsters like you are learning about our community with all its great traditions. Well, as far as our migration from Karnataka during Tipu’s time only because our name Badaga (meaning northerner) is very debatable.
I am firmly of the view that our history is much older- may be a thousand years or more older – and my initial ‘research’ confirms that.
You can learn about Badagas from the recently published book
“ Paamé ” – The history and culture of the Badagas of the Nilgiris by B.Balasubramaniam,
a highly educated Badaga, who has done extensive research. As far as the origin is concerned, the author feels that Badagas migrated from Southern Karnataka [then Mysore State] about 700 years back, much before Tipu’s time, around 1311 AD during the plundering raid of Malik Kafir. Though I am in agreement with Bala about that Badaga migration, if at all, took place much earlier then Tipu’s time in late 1700s, I am firmly of the view that “It is possible that Badagas have lived in the Nilgiris for thousand of years like the Thodas [Thodhamaru ] or Kothas [Kotharu] and migration theory is an attempt by historians and anthropologists to explain away a ‘historical puzzle’
But given the diversity but the highly commendable unity and uniformity with minor changes in their customs, Badaga Migration has taken place even within the Nilgiris Hills reverently called ‘Naakku Betta’ by the Badagas.
What we DO NOT know about Badagas is more than what we know about them. Such is the mystery of Badaga Origin.
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Badaga Matrimony
Anon (?) has sent the following link of a matrimonial portal where you can see some ‘nice’ Badaga girls with their personal particulars. Come on eligible Baddu boys, what are you waiting for ? http://matchmaking.matrimonialsindia.com/tamil_nadu/badaga_bride.htm
 Proud to be an Indian : Proud to be a Badaga
ASHA writes : when I saw this site I was really suprised. Appara santhoshava adathae , ithava onthu arputhavana language ga script ila yenthu nenachuvanae kashtava attuthu but now I am very confident that we will have our own scripts within a short period. Am ready to do my best for your organisation. Am very honored to say this “U GUYZ SIMPLY ROCK” and of course we will rock.Keep going………. BEST WISHES.
This website has been
Designed, developed and maintained by Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Naakku Betta – Four Mountains
Click on the pix for enlargement
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‘
Different ’strokes’
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The 22nd July, 2009 was considered as a rare day due to total eclipse over some parts of our country.
One advise given to all is not to look at the SUN with naked eyes. Many scientific and religious reasons are given.
In this context, a particular line in our “KARU HARUCHODHU” during our funerals is ‘ Sandirana sarpa nunguvane nodi nithirae maadi dhadhu Papa ‘ which translates into ‘To sleep after seeing the moon being swallowed by snake is a sin’ or simply put to see the sun during eclipse is a sin/mistake/not good for the eyes.
Karu Harachodhu is being carried out for centuries now. Does it mean our ancestors had known about the ill effects of looking at the sun with naked eyes during eclipse?
May be we are not aware of our ‘good old – Muththe muththappa/heththe heththappa‘ scientists?
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Badaga girls in 1909 or earlier from E.Thurston’s book “Castes and Tribes of South India” published in 1909 by Government Press, Madras.
At first glance it appears as if these girls are wearing ‘pattu – head gear’.Take a closer look, their heads have been partially shaven. Did this signify any particular custom or period in the lives of these very young girls. No info available in Thurston’s book.
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Those talented young Badagas…
To listen to some wonderful Badaga songs online…
visit Badaga songs on the web
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Hey [Badaga] Girls, take a look at traditional Badaga Jewellery here
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Hattis
Badaga Hattis
Kinnakorai & Heriya seege seen from Manjoor – Kandi Bekkai Road
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
Badagas of the Blue Mountains…..their unique history, origin, culture, customs, rituals, language and lifestyle !!
photo by – sardarsingh
Weblog of Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash < bjaypee@gmail.com >
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Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
More Optical Illusions
It is quite interesting that all numbers can be created by using only two numerals – 4 and 8
Let us seek the blessings of Elders, ‘Doddavakka Harichili’
One of the wonderful and deeply meaning ful customs of Badagas, is the seeking of the blessings of elders. That is, whenever any person meets/visits an elder, he or she seeks the blessings of the elderly person [elderly does not mean aged/old but only elder by age] by bowing the head and requesting “Harachu (bless me)”. If any headgear like cap/turban is worn, the same is removed.
The elderly person puts both his/her palms on the head of the person seeking blessing, and blesses as ‘ Ondhu Nooru, Saavira Agili [let one become a hundred and then a thousand]; Somi, harachavu,sogavu kodili [may God give good health and happiness]; Hoppa eday, bappa eday ella ollithay barali [let only good things happen while going out or coming back]‘
This tradition not only ensures respect to elders but also shows the close bond. Incidentally, open palms -where the nerves end, is supposed to transmit positive vibrations. Thus, the open palms placed on the head, is the ultimate way of blessing.
If you are new to this custom, it may make us a bit uneasy [ashamed is a very strong word] but when you get used to it, this is pure bliss.
Let us start seeking the blessings from the most neglected elders – our parents.
Badaga Calendar 2009
Badagas of the Blue Mountains…..their unique history, origin, culture, customs, rituals, language and lifestyle !!
Weblog of Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash [bjaypee@gmail.com]
Here is the calendar for Jan 2009
with Badaga month Koodalu [which starts from Jan 10th and falls into Feb 2009] being incorporated
Click for enlargementRead all about Badaga Calendar here
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This website is, also, under construction in TAMIL
படக பாடலை கேட்க > இங்கே செல்லவும்
GUNJI HAAKUVO
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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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Thangaadu L.Krishnan, another great singer
I have heard a lot about Thangaadu L.Krishnan, probably a contemporary of Kerban Bella Gowder, but only now had the opportunity to listen to his songs, courtesy Priyaraghava of Eddakkaadu. To say the least, the voice of L.Krishnan, is very unique and the more you listen to his songs, the more you want to listen. Simply great. One of the songs from the album, Priyaraghava has hosted in Cooltoad, is “Kundha Paala Roadu dhoge”…the original Badaga atta song. I remember listening to this dance number fifty years back, a song which was a must in any habba. Old timers will remember this song being referred to as ‘ Baby powder’a bekku endhagha, Bella na hennu en Janagi, Akka akka huttidha awai, ondhu jolia heghine baali’.
An album containing songs of L.Krishnan can be accessed hereBadaga Songs on the Web
The best song, as per my choice, is Kanjikke Kukkaiya Press the play button to listen or go to
‘Kanjikke Kukkiya’
You can also listen to ‘[H]alilladha’ here
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
The more I listen to the dance song ‘Kappu Huttileyu’, the more fascinated I become. All the 12 Badaga months starting with KOODALU, [the names of the months given in the page 'badaga language'], are beautifully integrated within the song.The lyrics of the song go like this:-
Kappu huttileyu neppuna sundari,
Oppi hegileyu dhrachiya mundari
Kappu huttile naa hathuna notta dha,
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 ,
Thatti beetha sileyu nee edhaga ,
Kottu beetha hennu naa edhega!
Go here to listen to the song.
Did you feel like dancing as you listened to this song?
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Latest letter from Ravi Balraj [kuwait]
Hello JP Anna! Ollangai Idhara!Manaiyogai ella ollngai idharaiya!Ellaga enna namaskara!
Enna main gelasa jenathogai onthu thirukku aaliyu ninga”Badagas of the Blue Mountains” site visit madothu embathu agi adathai.Internet open madilai kandippa ninga page visit madi latest updates ellava nodinai.
Mukkiyava old badaga songs keppathu, dhoddaru shloka (badaga proverbs) nodi enna orkut profilethogai update madothu enna gelasa agittadathai.(sorry for copying).Ninga site Flag Counter thogai First three placethogai (na) ibbathundhu aasaipattanai.
Somi ningaga olliya balava thandhu innu appara kala idhu Great Badagas esaruthogai, ningavu obbana ibbathu endhu aasai pattanai. Ravi Balraj
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 sterophonic songs !
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Kerban Bella Gowder
Over a period of time, I have listened to a lot of Badaga singers [some were as good as professionals] but the best in my opinion is KERBEN BELLA GOWDER who had a golden voice. I met him for the first time all most three decades ago. He could play harmonium, bull bull tara or ‘thambutte’ [drum] with equal elan, His greatest ability was to compose and render songs on the spot, some times suitably changing the verses to suit the occassion.He was a much sought after singer in any function, be it a wedding, savu or anniversary. Just with a couple of his colleagues accompanying on the thambutte [mathalam] and jalra [cymbals], he would sing while playing the harmonium. Sadly, no songs were recorded in any studio. His savu [sad] songs would bring tears streaming down even in the hardest of hearts.Another, great contribution of Bella Gowder is his rendering of many Badaga Ballads – the best being ” BERADA BELLIE “ I had the great fortune of recording [on a tape recorder] some of his songs when he had visited my home at Hubbathalai on a few occassions. Luckily I could trace them recently.It is with a great sense of honour and as a tribute to this gifted singer I have uploaded some of his BERADA BELLIE as well as KAARA CHENNE and other songs on the net so that all of us can listen to his golden voice. The voice quality of some of these streaming songs may not be good due to the original recording having been done on a tape recorder.
I bow my head in dedication to Kerben Bella Gowder who passed away a few years back.
Badaga Songs on the web
Click on the picture to go to Badaga Songs on the web site and listen to some nice music
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Drinking hot water to avoid heart attacks
This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about Heart Attacks.
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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
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Click on the link/pics for more info
About Bellie Raj & Jedayasomi Habba – Video by N Meena
Badaga Matrimony
Anon (?) has sent the following link of a matrimonial portal where you can see some ‘nice’ Badaga girls with their personal particulars. Come on eligible Baddu boys, what are you waiting for ? http://matchmaking.matrimonialsindia.com/tamil_nadu/badaga_bride.htm
| Proud to be an Indian : Proud to be a Badaga
This website has been
Designed, developed and maintained by Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Hethay Amma and Gayatri Chalisa
Hethay Amma and Gayatri Chalisa
I am not a very religious person in the ’strictest’ sense of the word. But I am a proud Hindu and consider all religions to be equal. I am a staunch believer of HETHAY [HETHE] Amma. I pray to Her everyday.Recently I came across ‘GAYATRI CHALISA’, supposed to be the most powerful 40 verses of prayer along with GAYATRI MANTRA. It is in Sanskrit and I do not understand most of them.The English translation makes a lot more sense.
The similarities of HETHAY AMMA and GAYATRI MATA are striking and too numerous to list, elaborate and explain. For one, BOTH are clad in spotless white and formless
GAYATRI CHALISA
HRIM SHRIM KLIM MADHYA PRABHAA
JEEVANA JYOTI PRACHAND
SHAANTI, KRANTI, JAGRUTA, PRAGATI,
RACHANAA, SHAKTI AKHAND
Oh holy Mother Gayatri, you are the first to relieve pain, the first to satisfy and the first to bestow bliss. You are the super-intelligent, bright light of life. You are peace, awakening change, progress and incessant creative power………..
SHAASHWATA SATOGUNI SATAROOPAA
SATYA SANATANA SUDHA ANOOPAA.
HAMSAAROODHA SITAAMBER DHAARI
SWARNA KAANTI SHUCHI GAGANA BIHAARI.
Having a swan as her vahana [carrier] Holy Mother Gayatri is clad in spotless white. Her lustrous form dazzles like gold. Betaker of the heavenly route, O Mother, you are the embodiment of everlasting ‘satwa guna’ [noble qualities] as well as truth incarnate [noble form] and dispenser of unique nectar like bliss…………
Go here to read and listen to the complete GAYATRI CHALISA and GAYATRI MANTRA go here
to the page Hethay Amma
But when you listen to Gayatri Chalisa and Mantra, they have a divine, calming effect on you.
So, listen to Gayatri Chalisa here
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Gayatri Mantra
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.
Listen to Gayatri Mantra here or here
To read the complete GAYATRI CHALISA and listen to both Gayatri Chalisa and Gayatri Mantra go here
to the page Hethay Amma
Most of the information has been taken from the net and may Goddess Gayatri bless all those authors who have put so much info on the net so that they are freely available to any one.
I will try and explain the similarities and attempt to make a HETHAY Chalisa [Prayer to Hethay] soon.
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A prayer to Hethe in Badaga
[since Badaga language does not have a script, it is given in English and Tamil]
SINNADHA KODAI IDUTHU; SINGARADHA NADAI NADADHU;
BETHU DHADI YA HEGALUGE ETHI….. HETTAI
NEE SATHIYADHA VAAKA HEGI;SANDHOSHA MATHA THORI;
SEEMAIGA SIRI THORA BAA….SEMAIGA SIRI THORA BAA,
HA HA HETTAI OH OH HETTAI ANANDA MADINIYO ODI BAA HETTAI
சின்னத கொடை ஹிடுத்து; சிங்காரத நடை நடது
பெத்து தடியா ஹெகலுக எத்தி…..
ஹெத்தை நீ சத்தியத வாக்க ஹேகி;
சந்தோஷ மாத்த தோரி;
ஹா ஹா ஹெத்தை ஒ ஒ ஹெத்தை ;
ஆனந்த மாடிநியோ ஓடி பா ஹெத்தை !
[The above Hethe Song in Tamil fonts is 'coded' in html. Idea courtesy - Gopinath & Dev_ Mathan at badaga.org]
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Badaga hospitality
Dr.Rajkumar Krishnan writes from UK
United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recently declared that “Badagas of Nilgiris hospitality is the best” and conferred on our community the “global” honour. Hospitality is ingrained in the Badaga community.
The people of Nilgiris thank UNESCO for honouring Badagas.
[from a letter from B. Bellukutty, The Nilgiris in the Hindu, issue dated, Jul 06, 2009]
The Badaga Hospitality is legendary. You walk into any Badaga Village as a total stranger, but you can be sure to be offered ‘Coffee/Tea’ by not one but many of the villagers.
Here is a ballad called ‘UNIGE MADA’ on the hospitality and love shown by Kinnakorai Joghee to a Kuruma called Mada from
Folktales of India
By Brenda E. F. Beck
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Relax’SING’
Art in WORDS or Words in ART ? !
Original works of ‘ Bellie Jayaprakash ‘ [No reproduction permitted]
~~~ A picture is worth… a thousand words ~~~
My own Da Vinci code
for more visit http://jayaprakash.blogspot.com/
For some truly amazing ANIMATIONS go here ->
Mookuthi 
Chinna 
View from Akoni 
Hubbathalai 
Hakkilu Hoo [Bird Flower] found in the Nilgiri Hills
Sunrise from my home "Dhoddi" at Hubbathalai 
Tiger is Huli in Badaga
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