Ballachanda Okka

Ballachanda Okka

The ancestors of the family originally lived in an ur guppe. According to the tradition, Baithuracha came to the area in search of water and struck his bal kathi into the ground, from which water emerged. A tank was subsequently constructed at the location.An elderly member of the Okka, known as Balya Acha, who was grazing cattle in the area, offered Baithuracha a place to stay. The house consequently became known as Balya Achanda Mane, which over time came to be known as Ballachanda.

Ainmane

The Ballachanda Ainmane is situated at Kadanga-Murur

Karona

Kuttayya, traditionally regarded as having lived during the period of Muddu Raja (1633–1687). 

Aruva okka 

Ammanda

Thakkame

The Ballachanda Okka is recorded as the ur thakka and as one of the six nad thakkas of Beppunad. The nearby ur mand is located along the road to the ainmane, close to the Society Building. An ambala is associated with the al katte in the mand.

Festivals and Rituals

The major festivals and rituals associated with the ainmane includes

•  Puthari 
  • Maple Kali and Chule Kali, were formerly performed in the village during 
• Karanang Kodpa..

Historical Accounts

When their ancestors were living in the urr guppe, Baithuracha came here looking for water. He struck his bal kathi in the ground and got water, and a tank was built at that spot. At that time, an old man from this okka (referred to as Balya Acha) who was grazing cattle gave Baithuracha a place to stay. So this house was called Balya Achanda mane, which became Ballachanda.

Utha Nayaka of Beppunad (who was given King Dodda Virappa’s daughter Neelammaji in marriage) set fire to the Ichettira ainmane because of enmity. Two infants of the Ichettira okka were saved by servants and taken to the Ballachanda house where they were brought up. They revived the Ichettira okka, since the ancestors of the Ichettira okka and of the Ballachanda okka were like brothers. Therefore, there are no intermarriages between these two Okkas.

Ballachanda Appayya died in the war at Thomara between the armies of Dodda Viraraja and Malabar’s Koteangadi Vira Varma (who was invited by Uthu Nayaka). Apayya’s brother Aiyappa continued the okka. Once when Aiyappa went hunting with his friends Cholanda Karicha and Codanda Appayya, he was accidentally shot by Codanda Appayya who got scared and absconded. Karicha brought Aiyappa home and helped him recover. These two friends became inseparable since then. Even now when the Cholanda okka has Karanang kodpa they offer edeto Ballachanda Aiyappa.

Intermarriage

Two infants of the Ichettira Okka survived the burning of their ainmane and were taken to the Ballachanda house, where they were raised. The two Okkas consequently came to regard their ancestors as being like brothers.Because of this traditional relationship, intermarriage between the Ballachanda and Ichettira Okkas was historically prohibited.

Ballachanda Ponnappa and the Amarasulya Rebellion

Ballachanda Ponnappa is associated with the history of the Amarasulya rebellion of 1837.

Ponnappa was among 34 men recognised for bravery in suppressing the Amarasulya uprising. A letter dated 9 May 1837 from Colonel Mark Cubbon, Commissioner of Kodagu at Bangalore, records that these men were offered rewards from money recovered from the Mangalore treasury. They declined the money and were instead offered medals, pensions for three generations, jagir and umbali land, horses and broadcloth.A tomb identified with Ballachanda Ponnappa is located near the road leading to the ainmane.

Subedar Ballachanda Madiah Belliappa

Subedar Ballachanda Madiah Belliappa He is also associated with the construction of a two-room choultry near the kaimada. The choultry provided accommodation for pilgrims travelling on foot towards Talacauvery. According to the recorded account, pilgrims would bathe in the tank near the ainmane and rest in the choultry before continuing their journey.

Notable Members

Journalist

1. Ballachanda Darshan Devaiah

Sports

1. Ballachanda Len Aiyappa
2. Ballachanda Aman Poovaiah
3. Deepthi Bopaiah ( Ballachanda )
4. Ballachanda Reeth Devaiah
5. Ballachanda Seeth Devaiah

Defence

1. Wing Commander Ballachanda C Karumbaiah
2. Ballachanda Chengappa Mudayya