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KODAVA (COORG) MATCHMAKING: KODAVAS SHOULD GIVE UP THEIR OBSESSION WITH PROPERTY

By P.T. Bopanna

Last month’s Kodava march in Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka to assert the community’s identity has brought focus on various issues being faced by the community.

One of the major issues is the fact that Kodava boys are unable to find suitable Kodava girls because of the insistence of girls’ families that boys should have estates in Kodagu, even if they may be holding good jobs in cities.

I feel the time has come for Kodavas to change their mind-set in matrimonial matters. They should move past their unhealthy obsession with property/estate and look for the achievement of individuals in marriage matters.

There was a time when Kodava boys ruled the roost in the matrimonial market a few decades ago. Not anymore. Among the Kodavas (Coorgs), a micro minority community in the Kodagu district, a new standard has come into play for eligible bachelor boys.

I am told by a person who is familiar with match-making, that the chances of a boy landing a prize-catch of a girl is guaranteed, provided he has 10 acres of coffee estate in Kodagu and a house/flat either in Bengaluru or Mysuru.

In the last one decade, the situation has dramatically changed. With Kodava girls going in for higher education and landing better paying jobs, the market has tilted in favour of girls. Kodava boys are happy with a basic degree, whereas the girls go for higher studies and specialisation.

Consequently, there is a mismatch between the Kodava boys and girls in terms of education and job profile. This has resulted in girls opting for  matches outside the community. Marriage outside the community could end if girls’ families stop dictating terms that the eligible employed boys should also own estate in Kodagu.