Festival History

In 1997, the Kodava Hockey Festival was started, thanks to the vision of 69-year-old Pandanda Kuttappa and his brother, Pandanda Kashi Ponnappa. Kuttappa, a former first-division hockey referee and ex-State Bank of India employee, sought to create a platform that would unite the diverse Kodava families. Recognising Kodagu's deep-seated passion for hockey, he believed a festival centered around the sport would be an ideal gathering. Additionally, Kuttappa was concerned about the development of junior hockey talent in the region. The inaugural tournament, named the Pandanda Cup, was held in Karada and drew participation from around 60 families. Financing for this event came from both Kuttappa and his brother, Kashi Ponnappa, a distinguished hockey player who had represented Mysuru University at a young age and was also a respected educator. Specific rules were established: all team members had to belong to the same family (surname); players had to wear full hockey attire; and women were encouraged to participate and had the choice to represent either their father's or husband's family. The festival has since grown exponentially, becoming a significant cultural event that strengthens community bonds and celebrates the Kodava heritage. Festival note: this event was a festival to bring the segregated Kodava family back to life. Secondly, it became a breeding ground to build and identify the local hockey talent. The value added by this initiative was that it helped the community in match making.