The Kodavas from Coorg are an ancient warrior clan who are known for their bravery and fighting prowess. Although nestled in the heart of South India, their customs, their cuisine and their costume are pretty distinct. This tour introduces you to the richness of the Kodava community by way of their traditional Kodava attire. The drape of the Coorgi saree is quite unique. It’s quite common to wear the pleats of a saree in front at the waist, but the Kodagu women place them at the back.
A legend goes that when the Cauvery River turned to the right at Balamuri, the rush of the water pushed the pleats of the sarees of the Kodava women, who were waiting there for her, from the front to the rear. And that’s the way it has remained to date! The Kodagu woman’s pallu too has very distinctive drape. IT doesn’t go over the shoulder, as happens generally; instead, it goes around the back, over the right shoulder and is held together with a beautiful pin on the right collarbone. It is teamed with a blouse with three-fourth sleeves and matching a headscarf (vastra). The final touch is a gem-encrusted gold necklace. The Kodavu warrior wear a traditional ‘Kupya' or long, black, buttonless, short-sleeved, V-neck coat, reaching below the knees and a 'chaley’, a beautifully tasselled silken sash, at the waist. The ‘peechekathi’ or dagger is tucked in the sash at the right side.
You will interact with a local Kodava family and get introduced to their culture of the very distinctive traditional attire won by both the men and women. The ladies will learn to wear a Kodava-style saree with matching jewellery. The menfolk will try
the traditional Kodava warrior’s attire, with the special headgear and the dragger. Once you are all dressed up, you can relax over a cup of aromatic coffee and enjoy some fun-filled selfie moments with your hosts.