ಸಾಧಕಂಗ : Achievers, Outstanding personalities

1767-1843

ದಿವಾನ್ ಚೆಪ್ಪುಡಿರ ಪೊನ್ನಪ್ಪ
Diwan Chepudira Ponnappa

Diwan Chepudira Ponnappa, a charismatic personality and shrewd diplomat was one of the Diwans (meaning minister) in the court of Chikka Veerarajendra, the last Raja of Kodagu. Kodagu was a tiny protectorate of British and British were ruling almost entire India. In1934, during the days leading to war against British, to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, Divan Ponnappa advised the Raja not to venture in the confrontational path of blackmail & war against mighty British army. Young & Despot, Raja not only overruled Divan’s advice but also colluded with his chief-Divan to attack Ponnappa. Diwan Ponnappa and other Kodava elders were disillusioned by the Raja's illogical decisions & despotic rule. Raja sent his soldiers (most of them are Kodavas) to fight British. But, eventually Raja realized his end is near, declared truce but that came too late. British took over Kodagu, ending the Paleri dynasty's rule. British not only retained Ponnappa in their service but also continued him in the same position. Thereafter, for the first time, in the history of Kodagu, Peace & rule of law prevailed in Kodagu.
1770-1851

ದಿವಾನ್ ಅಪ್ಪಾರಂಡ ಬೋಪಣ್ಣ (ಬೋಪು)
Diwan Apparanḍa Bopanna (Bopu)

Diwan Apparanḍa Bopanna (Bopu) was one of the Diwans (meaning minister) in the court of Chikka Veerarajendra, the last Raja of Kodagu. Diwan Bopanna and other Kodava elders were disillusioned by the despotic rule of Raja and his confrontational path of blackmail & war against mighty British army. He met the colonel of British army in Kushalanagar after Raja declared truce that avoided bloodshed of his soldiers who mostly are Kodavas. British took over Kodagu in 1834, ending the rule of Paleri dynasty. British not only retained Bopanna in their service but also continued him in the same position.
Around 1820, he renovated the Paadi Shri Igguthappa Temple and its sanctum sanctorum.
Bopanna a warrior and a shrewd diplomat. In 1837, Kodava peasants & fighters who were mislead by unruly individuals from Kujagodu who were using imposters (posing as heirs to Paleri dynasty) as their leader readying to attack Kodagu from Amarasulya region. He exposed the evil designs of Kujagodu individuals and negotiated with Kodava fighters not to walk the path of unnecessary confrontation & bloodshed. He quelled the insurgence, thus avoided bloodshed, restored peace & rule of law in the Amarasulya region, and briefly controlled it.
1868 - 1930

ಹರದಾಸ ಅಪ್ಪಚ್ಚ ಕವಿ
Haradaasa Appacha Kavi

Haradaasa Appacha Kavi, also known as Appaneravanda Appachcha Kavi, was an Indian poet, playwright, actor, producer, and director from the Kodava community. He is recognized as the first playwright in the Kodava language and is often referred to as the Poet Laureate of Kodagu for his lasting contributions to Kodava literature. Despite having only studied up to the fourth standard and learning the basics of Kannada, later, he became a Sanskrit scholar and wrote several exemplary plays. He dedicated much of his life to writing and singing devotional songs. Though he wrote few plays, each is considered a monumental classic. His songs and ballads are still widely sung in Kodagu by people of all ages. He was a devotee of Lord Shiva, his birthday (September 21st) is celebrated as Kodava Sahitya Day every year.
He was a play writer and composed four Nataks: Yayaati Raja, Shri Subramanya Mahatme, Sati Saavitri, Kaveri. He formed his own drama company and toured several places in Kodagu and neighbouring places. He also learnt the Harikatha tradition (the traditional art of storytelling) and performed it too.He is known as the Shakespeare of Kodava literature.
1899-1993

ಫೀಲ್ಡ್ ಮಾರ್ಷಲ್ ಕೊಡಂದೇರ ಮಾದಪ್ಪ ಕಾರಿಯಪ್ಪ
Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa

Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa was an eminent Indian military officer and diplomat who served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He led Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 and was appointed the Commander-in-Chief in 1949. Cariappa is one of only two Indian Army officers to hold the five-star rank of Field Marshal. He was the first Indian to attend the Staff College in Quetta, command a battalion and undergo training at the Imperial Defence College in Camberley. His distinguished military career spanned almost three decades.
1906-1965

ಜನರಲ್ ಕೊಡಂದೇರ ಸುಬ್ಬಯ್ಯ ತಿಮ್ಮಯ್ಯ
General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya

General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya was the third Chief of Army Staff of India, serving from 1957 to 1961, a critical period leading up to the 1962 conflict with China. Thimayya who held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), was the only Indian to command an Infantry brigade in battle during World War II. He is regarded as one of the most distinguished combat officers in the history of the Indian Army. After the Korean War, Thimayya led a United Nations unit dealing with the prisoners of war repatriation. Post-retirement, he was appointed Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus from 1964 to 1965. He died in Cyprus while on active duty on December 18, 1965.

ರೋಹನ್ ಮಾಚಂಡ ಬೋಪಣ್ಣ
Rohan Machanda Bopanna

Rohan Machanda Bopanna (born 1980) is an Indian professional tennis player specialising in Doubles. He achieved the world No. 1 ranking after winning his first major doubles title at the 2024 Australian Open with Matthew Ebden, becoming the oldest first-time No. 1 at the age of 43. Bopanna was a member of the Indian Davis Cup team from 2002 to 2023. He also competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award in 2024.