By P.T. Bopanna
On the occasion of the World Book Day, I am happy to announce that I am planning a book on Dr Nanjamma Chinnappa (in picture), noted Kodagu researcher, who passed away last month.
Nanjamma Chinnappa and her late husband Boverianda Chinnappa had done extensive research on the ainmanes (ancestral houses) of Kodagu and had also translated into English “Pattole Palame”, a book on Kodava culture, folk songs, and traditions, written by their common grandfather Nadikerianda Chinnappa, first published in 1924.
The highlight of the book will be an interview of Nanjamma by Dr Nervanda Veena Poonacha, eminent sociologist and women’s studies scholar. Veena had spoken to Nanjamma on the latter’s life history.
The Chinnappas were closely associated with my book and website projects for over 15 years. My book will be a tribute to the couple who were dedicated to the promotion of Kodavame (Kodava way of life).
I plan to feature in the book, a few of the articles written for my books and websites by Nanjamma. Dr Veena Poonacha is also planning to contribute a few articles for the book.
Nanjamma was a statistician of international repute. She was a Visiting Fellow of Cambridge University (1973-74), on whom the Mangalore University conferred the Honorary Doctorate Degree (D.Litt) in 2006 for her contributions to the fields of statistics and education. She won the ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ title in 2006.
P.T. Bopanna is a Bengaluru-based journalist and author
