Kil Kundha

Kil-Kundha, ("Lower Kundha") is one of the biggest 'hatties' ['Villages'] in the Kundai Seemai ("region"), one of the four Seemais of the Nilgiri Hills of southern India. "Kundai" refers to the region comprising of fourteen villages of Kil Kundah, Mel("upper") Kundah, Manjoor, Kariamalai, Ketchigatti, Mattakadni, Thuneri, Edakkadu, Mukkimalai, Bakkorai, Bikkaty and Mulligur. Kil Kundah has about 300 houses and 1500 inhabitants.

The popular 'Hetthai Gudi' (Temple of Holy Grand Mother) is situated at Kil Kundah and is generally recognized as the biggest temple of badagas. Every year around July, the Hetthai festival is celebrated. Dodda abba (grand festival) is another important festival that is celebrated.

The nearest town is Manjoor, and Kundah taluk was created in late 90s as an administrative unit separating it from Ooty taluk for administration convenience.

The other hatties [villages] that surround Kil Kundha are :

Mattakandy - About 1-1/2 km
Thunery - About 1/2 km
Manjoor - About 1-1/2 km
Bakkora- - About 3 KM
Kariamalai - About 2-1/2 km
Kandibikkai - About 2 km
Mullimalai - About 4 km
Ketchigatty - About 4-1/2 km
Bikkatty - About 6 KM
Kerappadu - About 6 KM
Yedakkadu - About 7 Km
Mukkimalai - About 7 KM

Schools: Kil Kundah has one of the oldest Panchayat Union School that attracted students from near by hatties like mattakandy, Thuneri and Onikandy hamlet. This school building and land was donated by once wealthy philonthraphists of Kil Kundah. The school was prominent till late 80's, after which it has lost its charm owing to mushrooming of private schools. Now only the people of economically weaker section send their children to this once famous school. At the current scenerio, there is nothing to surprise, if this school faces closures, in the comimg years, with mushroomimg of private schools in the nearby hamlets.

Agriculture : The predominant occupation of people of Kil kundah is agriculture with cattle rearing providing additional income. Tea, Coffee, Cabbage, Potato spinaches and beans are the chief crops cultivated. Since mid 80s, cattle rearing and cultivation of not-tea crop declined on account of sharply rising [Tea] prices. .Most people converted vegetable fields into tea field in this period. With the conversion of farm land to tea gardens, the cattles are also slowly vanishing from Kil Kundah hamlet Since 1998, when tea prices nosedived, agriculture lost its lustre and many youth of the village started moving out to nearby by towns of Ooty and Coimbatore seeking better opportunities. Even the most unlikely hard core people also are on the move in search of better wages.

The latest development in Kil Kundah is the 'Village Welfare Body'- a group of people informally coming together to form a better society. The festivals that were celebrated between two parties of the village over couple of decades is being celebrated in unison these days. There are signs of common agenda these days. The unofficial 'Welfare body' announces the importatnt happenings in the form of notice board kept in the entrance of the community hall that was built in around 2003-04. Towards the end of 2006, the body has called for hygenic living by cleanness in the surroundings.

Travel to Towns

Travelling To and fro from Kil Kundah to important towns are made easy by road. Ooty and Coonoor are about 28 km and takes about an hour and half. Transports are available to Coimbatore the nest educational hub. Coimbatore is reached by via Ooty & Coonoor and also Via Karamadai. The Geddai, Karamadai route will take about 4 to 5 hours along scenic surroundings in ghat road. For freshers it will be a breath taking excercise.

Kil Kundha also has some of the highest literacy rates amongst badaga villages with a surprisingly high number of engineers. Some of the earliest and most famous engineers the village has produced are:

Late Mr M Nanjan - Civil
- Perhaps the first Engineer in Kil Kundah VillageMr K Chandran - Civil - PWD Engineer
. Known for his exemplery work, he was immediately awarded job by Govt of Kerala after retirement from Tamilnadu PWD.Mr M Chandran - PhD Mechanical Engineering - From prestegious Indian Institute of Science
Mr M Devarajan - BE Honours-ME Electronics Engineering
- A memorial award winner. Had short stint of deputation to US three times to work with INTEL & Touchdown Technologies Inc

A number of people from Kil Kundha have emigrated to other countries, USA being the country of choice for many. A partial list of them and the countries they now reside is shown below

Vinod Krishnan, BE - Singapore (Son of L.Krishnan)
Vikram Krishnan, BE - Coimbatore (Son of L.Krishnan)

Jagadeesh Raman, BE, MBA - USA (Son of B.Raman)
Dinesh Raman, MCA - USA (Son of B.Raman)
Niveditha Raman - USA (Daughter of B.Raman)

In the field of Law there are Mr. R Chandran [Civil Judge] and R Dinesh [Lawyer] practicing at Ooty.

There were several defence personnel of different cadres. Of those, Late Mr KJ Bheeman, popularly known as Military Bheeman was one of the familiar faces to recall with.

Kil Kundah is also known for his assorted humourists and musicians. Mr [Kurudu] Bheeman was a well known harmonium expert.

Other than engineering there are professionals in the fields of accountance , Legal and teaching. There are several Defense Service personnel also in Kil KUndah.

Of late the members at Kil-Kundah have planned to implement clean surrounding concept.

One of the latest happenings that worries the common public is marriage outside the community, which is slowly but steadily raising its hood which is scornful. It appears over the period of time this will be accepted by the society mainly because of economic needs.

'Thevva Habba'

It is one of the famous festivals, normally celebrated in the month of July around 2nd week. The 'Kundha Hadanakku Hatti" [14 Villages] participate in this festival. The Deity is takenin procession from the Banashola [Forest area] to the Hettai Gudi [Temple of Grand Mother] and prayers and celebrations are done for the entire day with much fan fare and folklore dances.

People from all the 14 Villages participate and pray. 'Annadanam' [Food] is served for all those who visit at common area in the village and people offer themselves as volunteers to serve and clean the dining ares

'Ari Kattodu', a formality is also done. In the second day, the deity is placed back in the Bana Gudi and the festival comes to an end.

Annamalai Temple & Krithigai Festivals

Annamalai Temple is a situated about a KM distance and forms a triangle with near by Villages Mattakandy & Thuneri. Once a "Ara bettu" - an arid rocky and thorny bush area is now with scenic beauty place of worship attracting crowds as far away from Coimbatore and further down. Nearly thirty years ago, of late seventees' this temple was founded by the Guru Krishna Swamy a divorcee cum bachelor driver. Guru Krishnaswamy was offering prayers in a solitude. This place has grown as a famous temple of Lord Muruga, known as 7th Hill house of the lord.

Several devotees contributed financially for the evolution of the temple to its cuttent status. Guru Krishna swamy's Sisiter and Rich Brother in law contributed good part of his wealth both of them are devoting their full time in as resideing devotees in this temple.

Every month on the day of 'Krithigai' devotees from all over do 'annadanam' to large number of visiting crowds. Such donations to annadanam be booked in advance with the governing members of the temple.

Glorious Past

There were times, when pople gather together on festive occasions and show their skill in playing typical hatty games like 'crossing the box game [ sounding Mardhey, Mardhey - Similar to Kabaddi, Kabaddi] and other old time games. These games have been for gotten. Small bet Thambola have also gone into oblivion.

The famales of all ages will play Harlaatta [ Game with small stones 5 or 7 Nos ] . Also Kappa dhayatta [ akin to ludo game ] While gamling with playing cards have become some common phenomenon to an extent.

The Feature need

Water, Wider Road and shadow along the roads to manjoorm, Toilet facilities along existing drainage are few major plans conceived and discussed in private by engineer M Devarajan, with some of the Hatty commoners. With HADP [ Hill Area Development Program] and local peoples participation both fanaincially and work support, these projects are likely to be implemented, for betterment of life, feels Mr Devarajan.