MADIKERI: He believes in the joy of collecting and spreading that joy. Bacharaniyana Appanna (82), retired professor of History, and his wife, Ranu Appanna, also a retired lecturer, collect antiques and memories. A custodian of some unique cultural treasures of Kodagu, Appanna has 400-year-old foodgrains among his precious collection. Legend has it that during the regime of kings in Kodagu about 400 years ago, eight Nayaks who ruled fought with each other. Once Machangada Nayak invaded Achchu Nayak’s house in Hudikeri and burnt it down. During those times, people used to store foodgrains underground and all the grains were burnt during the invasion. But the Machangada family kept some foodgrains, which even now can be seen in Appanna’s house.
What drew him to this passionate hobby? Appanna was curious about ancient history, culture and tradition of the district since a very young age. Whenever he visited a relative’s house, he used to chance upon old tools and equipment thrown in a corner and enveloped in dust. This negligence pained him and he decided to collect antiques to showcase them for the future generations. He kept an eye for whatever he could salvage from the houses of relatives and friends. He has collected more than 200 delightful pieces of objects in the last three decades.
Despite many people laughing at him for collecting ‘junk’, he proudly displays his collection at his house. What is remarkable is his passion for explaining the history of each object. His favourite piece is a fragile clay pot which was used to store meat. He said during olden days, people used to thus keep meat fresh for more than a week.
Among his collections are mud cans to drink water from while going for hunting, a wooden oil lamp, cane boxes used for coins and trinkets, an eating bowl, wooden footwear, plough, cattle bells and a bamboo net for catching fish. He also has a clay pot specially designed to cook rice and strain gruel. Pointing to a knife, he says it was given to women for self-defence. He has a wooden drum which ‘gives wonderful sound’.
Appanna doesn’t want to sell his antiques. He exhibits them at his house during festivals. He also loans pieces from his collection to various cultural events. He has no plans to start a museum but will hand over the antiques to government if it starts one.
Appanna says that the joy of owning a piece of history is indescribable. He rues that antiques have no appeal for the younger generation. He wants people to find their way back to the past and appreciate it.