Kodava Sahitya Academy seeks review of references to community’s origin, attire in CBSE textbook

As the textbook is prescribed for Class X students across the country, statements concerning the history, identity and origin of a community carry considerable educational and social significance and therefore require particular scholarly care and accuracy, the letter said. | Photo Credit: Sriram M A The Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy has sought a review of references to the origin and traditional attire of the Kodava community in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class X English textbook.In a letter to the Chairperson and members of the CBSE Text Committee, Academy president Ajjinikanda C. Mahesh Nachaiah referred to passages in the Class X English textbook Glimpses of India, Chapter II, “Coorg”, and sought not only a scholarly review, but also correction and withdrawal of historically unsubstantiated statements concerning the origin and traditional attire of the Kodava community.Identifying the passages in question, Mr. Nachaiah said the textbook states: “The fiercely independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent.” It also says: “As one story goes, a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here when return became impractical.”The textbook also refers to “the theory of Arab origin” and states that the traditional Kodava attire, particularly the kuppia, resembles the “kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds”.Need for credible scholarly reviewAs the textbook is prescribed for Class X students across the country, statements concerning the history, identity and origin of a community carry considerable educational and social significance and therefore require particular scholarly care and accuracy, the letter said. The Academy had received representations and objections regarding the passages, it added.Mr. Nachaiah emphasised that such statements, particularly when presented to school students, should be supported by credible historical, linguistic, archaeological and anthropological evidence.“The Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy places on record its firm and considered position that Kodagu is the ancestral homeland of the Kodavas; the history, mythology, traditions and cultural identity of Kodagu are inseparably connected with the Kodava community,” the letter said.“Therefore, theories attributing the origin of the Kodava community to Kurdistan, Arabia, Greece or to a section of Alexander’s army should not be presented to Class X students as established historical facts without compelling and credible scholarly evidence,” it said.The history and cultural heritage of Kodagu encompass a long-standing body of traditions, customary institutions, mythology, oral narratives, social organisation and cultural practices associated with the Kodava community, the Academy said.Kuppia vs kuffia The textbook refers to “the theory of Arab origin” and states that the traditional Kodava attire, particularly the kuppia, resembles the “kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds”. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Referring to the resemblance between the traditional Kodava kuppia and the kuffia associated with Arabs and Kurds, Mr. Nachaiah said: “Similarity in clothing, design or appearance, by itself, cannot conclusively establish ethnic origin, migration or genealogical descent.”Traditional attire could develop through geographical, environmental, cultural and historical influences. Therefore, any inference concerning the ancestry or origin of a community based primarily on similarities in dress would require substantial supporting evidence, he said.The Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy urged the Committee to consider its representation and take appropriate corrective action following a review by suitably qualified historians, linguists, anthropologists and other relevant scholars. Published - September 18, 2026 06:55 pm IST