Uppinakudru

Uppinakudru, located 6 km north of Kundapura Udupi District (Karnataka, India), is a small island village, once famous for trading of salt (uppu) and seafood (picking of sea shells in backwaters). It is the native place of Uppinakudru Kogga Devanna Kamath, internationally known artist for Yakshagana puppet dance or puppetry.EtymologyUppina Kudru name comes from two words in Kannada. It means an island of salt or place where salt is produced and exported.HistoryIt was isolated from main land of Kundapura and main means of transport was by boats only. During Tippu Sultan's regime, Uppinakudru was a major armament storage point. It is also a through destination from Arabian Sea towards Basrur which was a major trade centre up to 19th Century. Coconut trees were to be found around the island which literally hide the island from pirates, which was useful up to 20th century as this village was near an important trade sea route. Vessels sailing to Basrur, (then an important business centre, now a village) must pass Uppinakudru village.EducationThe village has three Kinder Gartens of which one requires new building . The higher primary school, which was built in 1917, has churned out nearly 5000 students. It has mid-day meal scheme running efficiently. In the year 1992 a new building was constructed. Sri U. Nagappa Aithal and Yajnanarayana Aithal are motivating personalities of new building for the higher elementary school.High schoolThe Government high school in this village was established on 16-01-1993. It had a strength of 125 students during 2005. 569 students have passed as of 2005. Consistently more than 90% of students are passing out every year.