Is a ban the best way to protect our Culture?

The recent decision of the Ammathi Kodava Samaj to ban liquor at the Ganga Pooja or the Neeru Edupa ceremony has drawn mixed response from Kodavas all across the World. While some have welcomed the ban, others have opposed and ridiculed it. I and most people in my friends and family circle are of the opinion that it is a ridiculous idea and one that should not have been entertained in the first place.

The Committee is of the opinion that Alcohol in Ganga Poojas spoils the sanctity of the Ceremony and is disrespectful to the bride and other women and so we cannot serve Alcohol during the ceremony but can do it after that. Because of a few stray incidents, some protectors of our culture have decided that the best way to avoid such incidents is to ban alcohol during the ceremony and serve alcohol after that.

Alcohol, whether we like it or not is an intricate part of our culture. Be it karana kodupo or meedhi beppo, no ceremony is complete without alcohol being a part of it. And unlike most other communities, we do not hide to have our drink. Since the time we were young kids, if a guest came home closer to meal time, it was customary to serve alcohol before serving food. Conversations at home in the evenings would be with the grand fathers and Uncles holding a glass in their hand and we kids’ playing around. Of course, the volumes in arguments increased after a few drinks but everybody knew their place.

There is no denying the fact that of late, there have been cases where some people have gone overboard and made a mockery of the whole occasion. But this new rule is only going to make things worse. The whole neeru edupo ceremony is going to be for formality sake and will kill the fun in the occasion. A wedding is a celebration of 2 families coming together. The Neeru edupo is one occasion where the families get to know each other. The Neeru edupo ceremony is already diluted with most men and women not preferring to wear traditional clothes for the occasion and with this rule, the actual neeru edupo will have less than 10 people and the drinking after that will be just another party.

Moreover, this rule is going to make us look like every other community that equates alcohol with bad behavior. I am not saying that we have to encourage drinking of alcohol. But let us not fall into this moral policing business. We are dwindling as a Community and occasions such as the neeru edupo ceremony bring the community together. Instead of banning alcohol, let us find a way to regulate the ceremony. Restrict the time for the ceremony to not more than 3 hours and do not let people carry alcohol near the bride and dance with a glass in their hand.

We are better than this. We do not need a ban to protect our culture. We are not going to teach our kids anything by purifying our customs to suit a brahminical narrative. The Kodava Samajas need to stop being hypocrites. They are not helping to protect our culture by this ban. They are in fact diluting it. Instead of this ban, let the Samajas encourage families conducting weddings to ensure that all guests turn up in our traditional clothes. Let the Samajas impart cultural education in Schools, build better infrastructure. There are other ways to raise funds than impose a fine on people. Let us not take the fun out of weddings and ceremonies which is what makes our Community special.