1912 – 1987

K. Abdul Rahman was born in 1912 to the parents Ijabba Beary and Fatima in Farangipet, a village in the Bantwala taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. Raised in humble surroundings, Abdul Rahman’s early years were marked by the simple rhythms of rural life in coastal Karnataka.

As he reached adulthood, Abdul Rahman sought opportunities beyond his village and eventually found himself settling in Chakkamakki, a village in the Baggasagodu area of Banakal Hobali in Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district. It was here that his journey towards becoming a respected contractor and community leader would begin.

In the year 1930, transportation was limited, and goods, including essential food items, were often transported via bullock carts from Mangalore to various destinations in the Ghat region, such as Kadur, Banavara, and Javagal. At the age of 18, Abdul Rahman embarked on such a journey, accompanying bullock carts laden with goods.

However, fate took an unexpected turn when Abdul Rahman fell asleep during a rest stop at Halumakki. To his dismay, he awoke to find himself alone, with the bullock carts having continued their journey without him. Stranded in a desolate region, he sought refuge in a nearby house, where he encountered a benevolent priest who offered him shelter and assistance.

Grateful for the kindness shown to him, Abdul Rahman began to forge a new path with the support of the priest. Starting with small contract jobs, he gradually built a network of contacts and expanded his contracting career. Over time, he called upon friends from his hometown of Farangipet to join him in his endeavors, establishing a foothold in the construction industry.

Despite humble beginnings, Abdul Rahman’s dedication and hard work soon caught the attention of the authorities. Recognizing his exceptional skills and commitment to excellence, the Mysore Government bestowed upon him the title of a grade-1 contractor. His reputation for integrity and reliability earned him numerous awards and honors from the government, including commendations for his work on road construction and infrastructure development.

In an area called Halumakki, people from Paravoor were resettled and named as “Chakkamakki” by him. He generously donated land for building houses for hundreds of families there, and also provided financial assistance for construction. Under his initiative, a Kannada medium school and a madrasa were established in a thatched house at Chakkamakki, where he personally taught the alphabet to the uneducated elderly at night.

Additionally, he contributed two acres of land for the construction of the first Shafi Masjid in the Ghat region. During the freedom struggle, he fulfilled Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a “Harijan Colony” by constructing five clean houses in such colonies using a government grant of 750 rupees. He also displayed remarkable social concern by creating a “Fund” to assist Beary youths who migrated to the mountainous areas in search of work. He collected Rs. 2 per day from each person and provided interest-free loans to support their livelihoods without expecting any reward in return.

He is also renowned for his efforts in agricultural development, transforming barren land into fertile soil through collaboration with local farmers. His endeavors led to the establishment of the Mudigere Taluk Co-operative Development Bank in 1955. Additionally, he played a role in forming a coffee growers’ association, primarily focusing on the Chikkamagaluru-Kodagu-Hassan districts, which eventually led to the establishment of the Planters’ Cooperative Bank in Hassan.

Furthermore, he played a role in the transformation of the school he initiated in Chakkamakki into a government institution, ensuring education for local children. He also introduced milk and nutritious food from abroad to this small village, a remarkable feat for its time. In a commendable display of social responsibility, he donated land in Banakal for the establishment of a police station in the Hobli area. Moreover, he facilitated the marriages of numerous girls from impoverished labor communities, providing essentials like avalakki, bananas, and sherbet from his shop to ensure their well-being without any dowry demands or pretensions.

Being a trusted figure in the community, Abdul Rahman often mediated disputes among people of different faiths, fostering harmony and resolving conflicts. He actively participated in religious festivals of various faiths, contributing to the spirit of communal unity. During the Ganesha festival, he prepared avalakki for prasad from his shop. Once a year, he hosted a special meal inviting people of all religions to the mosque premises, symbolizing inclusivity and unity.

In 1947, Abdul Rahman married Jainabu, from a prominent family in Mangalore. Though they had two sons, Jainabu preferred to reside in Mangalore due to the colder climate of the Ghats. Sadly, Jainabu passed away in 1955. Subsequently, Mohiddin Kutty Haji, a respected individual in Mudigere, recognizing Abdul Rahman’s integrity, married his second daughter, Aisha, in 1952 to Abdul Rahman. Together, they had nine daughters and seven sons. Abdul Rahman, who hailed from Farangipet but made Chakkamakki his home, passed away at the age of 75 in 1987.