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MY NEXT BOOK IS ON THE ORIGIN OF KODAVAS (COORGS) BASED ON THE FIRST GENETIC STUDY

By P.T. Bopanna

Though the cover for the book was ready several years ago, I thought the time was not ripe for the book. After the recent publication of the first genetic study, I felt it was time to bring out the book on the origin of the Coorgs.

The painting of the proposed cover page is by artist Mukkatira (Chambanda) Kaveri Somanna.

The origin of the Coorgs in the state of Karnataka has been a standing riddle which ethnologists found difficult to crack all these years.

Finally, the first genetic study of the community has solved the mystery.

In the past, the theories on the origin ranged from Coorgs being descendants of Emperor Alexander the Great, to a band of Kurds from Iraq region who fled to India to escape conversion into Islam.

Being a rationalist, I believed that the origin of the Coorgs should be established by following a scientific approach. The genetic study has thrown up several surprises.

This study is a landmark in Indian population genetics, demonstrating that even small, tight-knit communities may harbor vast genetic complexity shaped by centuries of migration, isolation, and social custom.

By the way, my new book ‘Kodava Religion at Crossroads’ is almost ready for publication.