No Kan-fusion

Arts, Culture & Entertainment


Eight years ago, when this couple was in the US, they decided to use their talent to remind people of their homeland, Karnataka. IT professional Vishwesh Bhat and his wife (a professor) Ashwini, started a new genre of music, that they called Kan-fusion. So, imagine a famous Kannada poem, a few words of English, backed by heavy riffs, a piano and a veena…

”We sang in English and Kannada. We wanted gen-next from Karnataka residing in the US to learn their mother tongue. Literature and language was what we gave prominence, and gave this entire initiative a new twist by giving it the right tinge of Western flavour,” explains Vishwesh. And did the trick really work? “Oh yes, it did, quite surprisingly. There were a lot of inquisitive youngsters, and parents who showed at up our gigs.” The couple went on to give special shows at various places including Atlanta, California, New Jersey, Chicago, Dallas and Nashville.

When the couple came back to Bengaluru, after a brief hiatus, they got back to what they love the most, music. “Today, I have my own band called Svaramrita and I’m also the vocalist for my office (Infosys) band, Xprescions. It feels great to be able to pursue the passion,” says Vishwesh, who initially was taken aback by the city’s pace. “When we returned, my working hours changed. I had no time for anything. There was hardly any leisure time. Though it did take us almost a year, we did bounce back,” he adds.

Vishwesh today performs for a few shows on television and works on many independent projects. “I recently helped a group of artistes’ record and compose a Coorgi album. I take up a few independent projects such as this. But, I’m also dedicating enough time for a solo project. I might release an album in the future,” says Vishwesh, who released his first album, Gama Gama in the US.

Talking about the changing music trends in the city, he says, “There are a lot of people who have now started fusion bands, it is nothing new. But it’s a positive trend. It’s good to see that there are many out there who still enjoy singing in their native tongue,” he says, adding, “I’ve also started another style of singing, you can called it diffusion. It’s all about giving devotional songs a new getup. Like a Purandara Dasa’s composition is performed live using electronic guitars and a piano, without violating the ‘devotional’ aspect, but still making it different enough to get the youth’s attention,” he explains. When he is not busy, he enjoys cartooning. “I’ve freelanced for many publications. I’ve contributed over 1,000 illustrations so far. I still do indulge in this passion, when I can,” he concludes.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Glam Sham / by Ganashree Kedlaya / DC / June 21st, 2012

Muneer is Madikeri tq KSP chief

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

E Muneer Ahmed has been elected as the president in the elections to Madikeri Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat held on Thursday. K M Venkatesh and Sujatha Talavar of Madikeri Akashavani will be honorary secretaries.

Mandreera Mohandas is treasurer, Neyyane Hemalatha is women’s representative, B N Rangappa SC/ST representative and Taluk Teachers’ Association president K T Baby Mathew will be the association representative. Tirumala Sona (Sampaje), A A Shaila (Murnad), D N Harsha (Bhagamandala), K S Ramesh (Madikeri), Indumati (Madikeri), B P Sudha (Madikeri) are the working committee members.

Harish Kumar (Murnadu), G V Ganapati (Chembu), N U Anantha (Cherambane), Sahana (Kanthabailu), K M Ganesh (Madikeri), N K Prabhu (Napoklu), Chumi Devaiah (Madikeri), Kishnan Poovaiah (Madikeri), A Shridhar, G M P School (Bhagamandala), Mohammad Ali (Indira Nagar), P S Vignesh (Moornadu), Palangada Appanna (Moornadu), Kukkera A Changappa (Arekadu), M K Subramani( Madikeri), K E Mathew (Madikeri) will be the special invitees.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri, June 14th, 2012

A terrace can be for garden too

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Gardening enthusiasts in Mangalore connect with nature by turning their roof tops into gardens, writes Sandhya C D’Souza.

Mangalore which was once a carpet of lush green is now turning into a concrete jungle. High rise buildings and space restrictions have taken away the pretty gardens which once adorned the homes.

However, a few gardening enthusiasts in Mangalore are not deterred by this. They have displayed their creative skills and shown their concern for green by turning their terraces into beautiful gardens.

Dr Bharathi Nirmal from Ullal is probably one of the first green crusaders in the city to start off with a terrace garden. Speaking to City Herald, Dr Nirmal reveals that she started off with the concept 30 years ago.

“My terrace used to heat up and the temperature in the house used to increase. I wanted to make my terrace cool. Hence, I shifted some of my plant pots to the terrace. This made the terrace look more beautiful and hence I decided to continue with the concept,” she says.

Dr Nirmal has grown beautiful flowers on her terrace. “I have many rare varieties such as jasmines, daises, bougainvilleas, desert rose among others,” she says and adds that plants are like little children, it needs good nurturing.

Terrace garden belonging to Anupama Bhat from Manjeshwar has been declared as a demo model plot by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA).

Anupama tells that she was inspired by a documentary on terrace gardening she saw on youtube four years back. “I thought even I could do the same and then there was no looking back,” she says.

Anupama has grown almost all varieties of vegetables in her terrace kitchen garden. “I have grown almost 16 varieties of vegetables on my 1,200 square feet terrace.

I have grown cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots, beetroots, ladies finger, gherkins, radish, chilies, leafy vegetables among others,” she says. “The Kerala government is supportive towards green initiatives. Through ATMA, a Central government scheme, I have received Rs 4,000 to maintain my garden,” she adds.

Rajkumar, Officer in-Charge of Panambur Metrological Department has turned his terrace into a kitchen garden at Hosabettu. Rajkumar tells that he has not gone to the market to purchase vegetables since the past two years as he has grown almost all varieties of vegetables.

“I always wanted fresh vegetables. As they were not availbale in the market, I decided to grow my own,” he says and adds that everytime he sees the fruits borne by the plants, he gets motivated to continue with his hobby.

“The Karnataka government should support such green intiatives. There is also a need to start a seed bank, where one can buy the seeds he wants,” points out Rajkumar.

Kamala Kanapady who grew up in Coorg says, she missed nature once she moved into Mangalore. “I wanted a big garden, but space was always a constraint, so I turned my terrace into a kitchen garden,” she says. Kamala grows brinjal, tomato, bittergourd, gherkins, spinach and other leafy vegetables on her terrace in Bejai.

“In today’s compact cities, terrace garden is probably the best solution to connect with nature. It adds a touch of green to the most ignored corner of house,” says Rajendra Hegde.

Hegde who works as Project in-Charge in Vittal Mallya Scientific Reserach Foundation has conducted several workshops on terrace gardening.

“Awareness on terrace gardening is picking up in Mangalore. However, people have several apprehensions,” says Hegde. Most of the people are worried if their terrace can sustain the weight of the garden and the water content may cause leakge.

In case a person’s terrace can sustain the rains, then growing a garden may not cause the leakage, says Hegde.

If weight is the apprehension, one can grow plants in thermocol pots, plastic bins or bags, he says.

“There is no particular design for a terrace garden. It is left up to the gardeners creativity and ability. However, any garden needs good nurturing. Good compost, healthy soil and regular watering is a must,” he adds.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Mangalore City Herald / by Sandhya C D’Souza / June 15th, 2012

Cultural centre to showcase unique culture of Kodavas

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Work is in full swing at Balugodu near Virajpet

Work is in full swing on a sprawling 15-acre land at the sleepy and picturesque Balugodu, 6 km from Virajpet in Kodagu, for a unique Kodava Cultural Centre. It will reflect the Kodava heritage and tradition and function as a venue for various programmes organised by the Kodavas.

The Federation of Kodava Samajas, Kodava Samaja units in Kodagu and outside and Kodava associations have joined hands for the project, which is estimated to cost Rs. 12 crore. It is likely to be dedicated to the community by the end of this year. The B.S. Yeddyurappa government had released Rs. 2 crore for it.

A huge auditorium-cum-hall, expected to accommodate more than 1,500 people at a time, is being built at the spot.

Women and children will have separate seating arrangements. Close to the centre, two grounds are being prepared to host hockey and cricket tournaments.

The next edition of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival will be organised at Balugodu by the Madanda family, says Matanda C. Monnappa, honorary president of the Federation of Kodava Samajas and the president of Akhila Kodava Samaja.

The Federation of Kodava Samajas is liaising with the State government to secure additional funds to lay a synthetic hockey playing surface on one of the grounds.

The Federation of Kodava Samajas, Kodava Samaja units and associations have plans to mobilise resources for the purpose and they are banking on the support of the Kodavas settled outside the country. A guest house and a huge dining hall too are coming up there.

The traditional ‘mund mane’ and ‘ain mane’ (ancestral home) structures will come up at the spot. A museum is being planned next to it to herald the Kodava culture. Pictures, sounds and features of the Kodava culture would unfold one after the other at the museum with the pressing of a button, Mr. Monnappa said.

A congregation of the 28 Kodava Samaja units and associations is being planned at Balugodu in October, Mr. Monnappa said. Significantly, the centre would also herald the rich military tradition of the Kodava people, he added.

The Federation of Kodava Samajas and Kodava associations have joined hands for the project

It is likely to be dedicated to the community by the end of this year

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Jeevan Chinnappa / Mysore, June 11th, 2012

Coffee marketing, quality issues will be taken up: House panel assures growers

Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)


Bangalore, JUNE 11:

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce has assured growers that issues related to marketing of coffee abroad and boosting the quality will be taken up in the Parliament.

The growers while interacting with the Parliamentary committee had sought marketing assistance for coffee promotion abroad.

Parliamentary Committee, headed by its chairman Mr Shanta Kumar, who is touring coffee growing regions of Kodagu, Hassan and Chikmagalur, said “We are listening to all their woes and demands of coffee industry in Karnataka and all issues will be taken up in the Parliament.”

In Kodagu, growers raised the issue of wild elephant menace and also demanded that the Centre provide financial assistance to construct houses for estate labourers and to provide basic needs like water connection and electricity.

The committee in Hassan visited few coffee curing and interacted with traders.

At Chikamgalur, the committee met all stakeholders of the industry at the Central Coffee Research Station, Balehonnur and later met the members of Karnataka Planter’s Association (KPA).

KPA chairman Marvin Rodrigues, KPA Scientific Committee, Nishant Gurjer and past Chairman, Sahadev Balakrishna, who met the committee members highlighted the issues facing the plantation industry and suggested introduction of farm mechanisation scheme with a budget of Rs 300 crore spread over five years.

According to Mr Rodrigues, the association has requested that CCRI with a five-year plan should take up development of new high yielding varieties of Arabica and Robusta, which are resistant to diseases and pests.

Development of indigenous equipment for different field operations should also be encouraged. “With low technology and innovative ideas many of the field operations can be mechanised locally, at low cost,” said Mr Gurjer.

Mr Balakrishna said “The XII Five Year Plan proposals submitted by us to the Ministry of Commerce/Coffee Board emphasis on re-plantation subsidies to be extended to co-operatives and corporates. Enhancement of the capex cost of replanting which has increased by 100 per cent since the start of the XI Plan.”

For water augmentation, committee was apprised of the need to enhance the rate of subsidy based on actual costs and extending the scheme to all sectors to adopt green technologies.

anil.u@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry & Economy> Agri-Biz / by Anil Urs / Bangalore, June 11th, 2012

HI announces 16-member Olympic hockey squad

Sports

India today named a 16-member hockey squad, to be led by goalkeeper Bharat Chetri, for next month’s London Olympics, ending days of speculation but as expected without any major surprises.

Only two changes were made from the squad that finished third in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia with striker Yuvraj Walmiki and Rupinderpal Singh being left out, preferring veteran Ignace Tirkey and Gurwinder Singh Chandi in their place.

Walmiki and Rupinderpal’s axing was on expected lines as the duo had been struggling of late. Walmiki has also not fully recovered from the injury he sustained during the Olympic qualifying event in February though he played in Malaysia.

The squad was picked after a two-day selection trials at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune on June 6 and 7.

Star mid-fielder Sardar Singh will be the vice-captain of the team.

The selectors decided to go in with two goalkeepers in captain Chetri and PR Sreejesh for the quadrennial sporting extravaganza to be held in London from July 27 to August 12.

According to the squad announced by Hockey India, Sarwanjeet Singh and Kothajit Singh would travel with the team to London as standbys. The duo can only be included in the main team in case of any serious injury to the first 16 players.

Veteran Tirkey will marshall the three-man Indian defence along with drag-flick duo of Sandeep Singh and V R Raghunath.

Talismanic Sardar will lead the mid-field, India’s strongest area, in company of Manpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra and Gurbaj Singh.

Striker Gurwinder Singh Chandi made a return to the squad after recovering from his hamstring injury sustained during the Olympic test event in London last month.

Shivendra Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Tushar Khandker, S V Sunil, Dharamvir Singh and S K Uthappa complete the forward line-up.

Eight-time champions India have been placed in Pool B, alongside Germany, Korea, New Zealand, Belgium and the Netherlands.

India will open their Olympic campaign against the Netherlands on July 30 at the Riverbank Arena, followed by matches against New Zealand (August 1), reigning Olympic champions Germany (August 3), Korea (August 4) and Belgium (August 7).

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Bharat Chetri (captain), P R Sreejesh.

Full Backs: V R Raghunath, Ignace Tirkey, Sandeep Singh.

Mid-fielders: Sardar Singh (vice-captain), Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Manpreet Singh.

Forwards: S V Sunil, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Shivendra Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Tushar Khandker, Dharamvir Singh, S K Uthappa.

Standbys: Sarvanjit Singh, Kothajit Singh.

Officials: Michael Nobbs (chief coach), Mohd Riaz (coach), Clarence Lobo (coach), David John (manager), Shrikant Iyengar (physiotherapist), Hari Shanker Narayanan (video analyst).

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Hockey / PTI / New Delhi, June 11th, 2012

Rs 1,000 crore investment in Kodagu to boost tourism

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Madikeri:

The recent Global Investors Meet in Bangalore is expected to benefit the Malnad district of Kodagu.

Asia Pacific Industries Ltd has come forward to invest Rs 1,000 crore in the district, an industrially backward district in Karnataka.

Speaking to TOI, the company director Vignesh confirmed that the company will invest in tourism. The schemes will be implemented under mini-hydel projects and will provide an impetus to tourism centres in Kodagu.

Vignesh said Kodagu, which was attracting more tourists, needed more facilities .

The state government has also given a green signal for these projects, Vignesh said.

The projects will be implemented in Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet districts on priority basis. During the implementation of these projects, environment will not be disturbed, he assured.

Meanwhile, establishment of homestays and food processing units are also planned. The hydel projects will solve the power scarcity in the district, Vignesh analyzed.

Preference will be given to unemployed youths in the district during new appointments, he added.

Virajpet MLA and speaker K G Bopaiah and Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan have been encouraging investors to invest in Kodagu.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Collections> Tourism / by G Rajendra / TNN / June 12th, 2012

Two cannons shifted to archaeology museum

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

The archaeology department took two canons which were lying on the city municipal council building premises, to its custody on Monday.

The canons were shifted to the archeology museum in Madikeri and will become a centre of attraction to the visitors.

The curator of the museum Rekha said: “The canons must have belonged to 18th century. However, we do not have information on the rulers who were using it.”

The canons were originally found on the church premises near Tollgate and another on the outskirts of Madikeri. It was shifted to the CMC premises some time back.

If public finds any antiques, then they should inform about it to the archeology department at 08272-225674.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri, June 11th, 2012

MGNREGS: Kodagu achieves 101 per cent progress

Agriculture, Business & Economy

By completing 2,073 work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the district has achieved 101 per cent progress in implementing the scheme, said Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer N Krishnappa.

The work taken up under MGNREGS include road—367, flood control —348, watershed projects —405, drought control measures—199, minor irrigation—149, SC/ST sub work—144, irrigation work—176, land development work—221, Bharath Nirman work—12.
As many as 494 work were taken up in Madikeri taluk, 963 work in Virajpet and 714 in Somwarpet.

Suvarna Grama scheme

Under Suvarna Grama scheme, a sum of Rs five crore has been utilised so far. In the first and third phase, of 37 work related to road, drains, community centre and anganwadi centres, 33 work has been completed. The remaining four work are under progress.
Drinking water schemes

A sum of Rs 14.24 crore was released to take up work related to drinking water during 2011-12. The work has been completed in 150 village. As many as 113 work are under progress.

Mukhyamanthri Gram Sadak Yojana

The Chief Executive Officer said all weather road was developed in 139 villages in three taluks of the district by the end of March.

The roads were developed at an estimated cost of Rs 8.40 crore. Under special grant, more than 1,000 km road has been developed and asphalted in the district.
The work on 15 roads were developed under Nabard scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 139 lakh.

Tax collection

The 98 gram panchayats in Kodagu district has collected tax of Rs 412.94 lakh and has achieved 92 per cent progress. This includes Madikeri—47.92 lakh, 139.37 lakh in Somwarpet and 225.70 lakh in Virajpet.

A sum of Rs 119.19 lakh has been collected as water tax in 98 gram panchayats and has achieved 82 per cent progress, said the Chief Executive Officer.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri , June 03rd, 2012

Sahitya Parishat Office-bearers elected

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

B A Shamshuddin and Shwetha Ravindra have been elected as the honorary secretary of Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parisht. B M K Vasu Rai has been elected as honorary treasurer.

S I Muneer has been elected as the president of Madikeri taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat. Bharadwaj Anand Theertha has been elected as the president of Somwarpet taluk sahitya parisht and M P Keshav Kamath as the president of Virajpet taluk sahitya parishat.

K T Baby Mathew, Pushpalatha Shivappa, Sridhar Hoovalli, Vinodchandra, district Kannada and Culture department Assistant Director Indiramma and others were elected as the district working committe members.

Senior litterateur N Mahabaleshwar Bhat, B A Ganapathy, N K Mohan Kumar, V K Deva Lingaiah, Bharathi Ramesh and others will be the special invitees.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri, June 04th, 2012