Traditional Art: Ummatt
at and other Kodava folk arts Kodagu , where unparalleled patriots and warriors were born has no shortage of cultural patrons, but it is no exaggeration to say that. Dr. Rani Machaiah was the first to effectively introduce that culture to the outside world, she is credited with popularizing the women’s dance form “ Ummattat” throughout the country.

Birth, childhood education, marriage:

Dr. Rani Machaiah was born on 04 April 1943 in Siddapura, Virajpet Taluk, her father was Meddappa and mother was Tayamma. They were middle class, Medappa form a wealthy family was a businessman in Siddapura, Her Mother was a teacher. When her daughter was still young, Medappa had bought a plantation in Kakotu Parambu near Virajpet. So, their residence shifted from Siddapur to Kakotu Parambu, Dr. Rani Machaiah her Primary education in Kakotu parambu and her high school and college education in Madikeri Government college. After graduation, Dr. Rani Machaiah Married Aimudiyanda Machaiah, a lawyer from Madikeri, on 17-05-167.

Cultural Activities:

Dr. Rani Machaiah who was good at studies during her school and college days, was also very interested in extracurricular activities. She Participated in all cultural programs of the school without fail and was appreciated by the teachers and announcers. With their encouragement, she developed a great interest in Ummattat, Kolata and other dances in the college, Therefore, her classmates still remember her as the top performer in all the cultural activities of the college.

UMMATTAT DANCE INITIATION AND TRAINING:

Dr. Rani Machaiah’s artistic talent was showered with encouragement. Her husband, Aimudiyanda Machaiah, said, she had a great concern for art and culture and supported his wife to continue in the cultural field. Later Dr. Rani Machaiah formed a group of young women and trained them in the “ Ummattat” dance. She worked hard to make the slow song. Which begins with the praise of Mother Cauvery, more popular by giving it a lively new look.

A step taken in the folk world of Kodagu:

About four and a half decades ago, there was a time in Kodagu when parents were hesitant to let their daughters dance outdoors, especially in public and on stages. At such a time when it was frowned upon, Dr. Rani Machaiah became the first to popularize the “ Ummattat” dance. Which is widespread from Talakaveri in Kodagu to Kashmir. Although there are many other dance forms the step taken by “ Ummattat” in the cultural world of kodagu is unprecedented.

Kaveri Kala Vrinda: Dr. Rani Machaiah who had immense popularity, founded her own organization called “ Kaveri kala Vrinda” in 1997 and through it, she started building and growing further troupes. He earned immense recognition by performing dances in Kannada as well as in the Kodava language.

Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy President:

Considering Dr. Rani Machaiah’s three to four decades of artistic service in the cultural field, the government appointed her as the President of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy for a period three years in 2010. She is satisfied with the way she has implemented her experiences and expertise in the field of art in the past three years. She gave great emphasis to the survival and development of folk art and artists among all sections of the people of Kodagu.

Kodagu’s female cultural ambassador:

Dr. Rani Machaiah has been involved in various cultural, social and educational activities in Kodagu district for more than 50 years and has become a household name in the district for her worked in the field of art, education of girls and other activities. During her cultural career, Dr. Rani Machaya has participated in many state, national and international cultural festivals held in India with her “Ummattat” troupe. Her troupe’s performances of beauties that surpass the natural beauty of Kodagu have been praised as attractive and successful program.

AWARDS:

Dr. Rani Machaiah’s long artistic and social service was honored by the Karnataka Government in 2005, with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award. Kodagu district Kodava Samaj, Karnataka Sangha, Kannada Sahitya Parishad and many other organizations and institutions, as we ass state and national institutions, have praised and honored his four decades of uninterrupted artistic service. Award State Janapad and Yakshagana Award, Karnataka Kodava sahitya Academy Award, Elanad Kodava Sangha Award, Mangalore University Award, Kodava Samaj Award, Karnataka Urdu Award, and in 1994 her Ummattat team, which participated in a program organized by the Nehru Yuvak Kendra in Punjab, was honored with a National-level award for discipline and earliness and cleanliness. What else is there to commend the disciplined behavior of his team?

ASSISTANCE FOR GIRL CHILD EDUCATION:

Her involvement in the education of girls from economically backward families and showing them the path to their future highlights his social concern. She has helped and supported dozens of interested young women. Republic Day Parade, Hampi festival, cultural Program held in Kadamba Festival, Badami Festival, Nehru Yuvaka Kendra Festivals, cultural Program held in Calcutta in 2009, Poolwallan shore High, Program held in Delhi in 1994, Mysore Dasara Festivals Chitradurga Festival, Janapada Fair, Goa Festival, costal Festival Nagapara Festival, cultural Exchange Program held in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Mumbai Karnataka Sangha, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala Delhi Karnataka Sangha, Pondicherry Andaman and other states and cities have successfully performed” Ummatthat” “ Kolata” and the song and dance “ Hachchevu Kannada Deep” that radiates the vibration of Kannada. He has given cultural Exchange programs in Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar, Himachal Pradesh, Mumbai, Haryana Vizag, Punjab Madhya Pradesh, Orissa Thanjavur academy Maharashtra, Karnataka Festival in Delhi, international film festival Bangalore, Coastal Festival in Nagpur Bhagat Singh 150 years 80 km Jatha.