Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna

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


I picked up this book for a lark(like I pick up most books these days). Some of the books I pick up like this end up very disappointing. This one on the other hand, was anything but disappointing.

It was riveting. The story of Devi, a girl born in Coorg in late 1800s. Devi is a wilful child with her mind of her own, unlike other girls at that time. She decides at the age of 10 that she would marry the Tiger Killer, Machu, her best friend Devanna’s cousin. Devanna, on the other hand grows up, desperately in love with Devi, who is completely unaware of his feelings. Devanna is a very intelligent child and is mentored by the local Reverend. He shares a love for Botany with the Reverend, and both of them spend a lot of time together finding specimens in the rich Coorg forests. His dedication towards biology pushes him into a medical school education, which turns the tide for everyone involved.

The way their lives turn out, weaved in with what is happening in Coorg at that time, makes for a fascinating read. The beauty, traditions, and the culture of the place is brought out beautifully by the author. The book transports you to the Coorg that Devi lived in. From the older times when Coorg was untouched by outside influences, to when Eurpoean influences gets the locals to change their names from Kalamma to Kitty, just as Nari Malai gets changed to Tiger Hills.

The story is fast paced, with shocking twists and turns, making us empathize with the characters at so many levels, even when they end up doing things which are not quite right.. A story of love, unrequited and requited, a story of the things people do when consumed by emotions, a story of how normal lives can change in an instant.

A book that gripped me through it. I would not call it a fast read, but a book which refuses to let go, even after you turn the last page.

source: http://www.wordsndreamz.wordpress.com / posted December 10th, 2011

Unique Jana Gana Mana Honour for K M Chinnappa

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

MADIKERI :

Madikeri: Kodagu has added one more feather in its cap as K M Chinnappa, environmentalist and former forest officer, was documented by ‘Jana Gana Mana’ team in celebration of 100 years of the national anthem of India penned by Ravindranath Tagore. As per the information available with Express, the team has selected many stalwarts in various walks of life for their achievements. Chinnappa was chosen for his service in the field of conservation of nature.

The film titled ‘Bharatha Bhaghya Vidhatha’ produced by Pancham Nishad Creative Private Limited, Mumbai, and the team headed by Ruchika Tiku, interviewed Chinnappa in his nativetown and amidst the forest he loves.Chinnappa is the only one selected from Karnataka.

Ruchika told Express that the institution aimed to highlight the nine values of Compassion, Honesty, Discipline, Courage Secularism, Passion and Vision, Peace and Harmony, Knowledge and Creativity, Positive Health and Environment.

Pancham Nishad is one of the leading organisations in the country focusing on the promotion of Indian music and culture through live concerts and other media since a decade. The documentary will aims at giving a positive message to the youth and to inspire them.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in. com / Karnataka / Posted on December 10th, 2011 / Express News Service, The New Indian Express

Fun things to do this weekend in Bangalore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

Flea for all
Sunday Soul Sante was first curated more than a year ago, to bring together the creative culture of Bangalore at one venue. This event is essentially a day-long feature that showcases some of the best things Bangalore has — art, craft, fashion and accessories, home furnishings and pottery. Food is also an integral part of the Sante and there is something to please everyone.

For entertainment there will be a fashion show choreographed by stylist and fashion consultant Prasad Bidapa. Apart from that a lot of music is on the plate — with DJs Ivan, Vachan and Inferno on the console.

Where: At Tripura Vasini, Palace Grounds
When: December 11, 12pm onwards

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / Home> Bangalore / by Vishwadha Chander / Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Kodavas celebrate harvest festival

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

BANGALORE:
Members of the Kodava community assembled on Friday evening on Kodava Samaja Premises dressed in their traditional attire and finery. It is that time of the year, when fireworks and dance accompany the men, as they get down onto a small patch of a paddy field cultivated on premises to harvest the first strands of paddy.
The harvest festival of the Kodavas, called Puthari, was celebrated on Friday night in the City. When questioned about the timing, the secretary of the Kodava Samaja Ammatanda K Chinnappa explains, “The timing is decided by a group of elders associated with the Igguthappa temple in Coorg. This year, they have announced that the auspicious timing to begin the harvest season is at 9.05 pm on Friday.”
Several Kodava ladies also said that the festival was generally celebrated on Rohini nakshatra, the cycle of which begins on Friday night.
The cultural affairs secretary at Kodava Samaja Sudha Muthanna said that while in villages the festivities begin a week in advance, in the City, some 400 Kodavas members come together to celebrate with dance and more importantly, eat food cooked with the rice harvested on this auspicious day. “Kolata and other traditional dances are performed in villages at a common designated place or in the muttam (courtyard) of the ain mane all through this week and on all three days of this festival,” she said.
The Kodava Samaja arranged for the harvest early in the evening to allow people to take home a fistful of the harvest. “Families consider this as auspicious, like bringing Lakshmi home, and take the paddy home. Since, paddy cultivated on premises will be insufficient to cater to the needs of all Kodava members in the City, we have arranged for paddy from Kodava to supplement the stock,” said Sudha Muthanna.
At the time of harvest, a gun shot is fired in the air and everybody chorus Poli Deva Poli, where poli means prosperity. With this, they usher in a prosperous year. A rich festival indeed.

source: http://www.expressbuzz.com / Home> Cities> Bangalore / Express News Service / December 10th, 2011

Fest brings in glimpses of Kodava culture

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Taluk-level Kodava Sanskritika Mela painted a festive mood in Kushalnagar on Tuesday.

Kushalnagar, Dec 6, DHNS:
Organised by Kushalnagar Kodava Samaja, the programme was inaugurated by Zilla Panchayat President Shantheyanda Ravi Kushalappa who thus threw open a platform to showcase Kodava culture and traditions.

Kodavas dressed in their traditional attire presented a slice of Kodava folk culture by performing ‘Ummathat’, ‘Kolata’, ‘Bolakat’, ‘Kathi Aat’, ‘Valagathat’, ‘Pariyakali’ etc. The mela was not confined to youth. Even kids and elderly took part in the programme with equal zeal.

Inaugurating the event Ravi Kushalappa said that everyone should take up the responsibility of keeping their culture and traditions alive and passing it on to the next generation.

He said that the Kodavas should take this responsibility because Kodava culture and language is distinct from others.

“Number of Kodavas is declining in Kodagu. The Kodavas are migrating to cities to try their fortune. This in future will lead Kodava culture and language towards dangerous end,” he warned.

Kodava Sahithya Academy President Imudiyanda Rani Machaiah presiding over the programme said that Kalamela intends to protect the Kodava culture in its pristine form.

Kodava Sahithya Academy former president Bacharaniyanda P Appanna presided over the session. Kodava Samaja former president Cholanda A Muddappa presented paper on ‘Changing Kodava culture’ while Lecturer Ajjikuttira Sunita Girish presented paper on ‘Kodagu-background of Kodava folklore and history’

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Home> District/ December 06th, 2011 / DHNS

Chef challenge kickstarts

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

BANGALORE:

Metro Cash and Carry India, in partnership with the Food Lovers Club, kicked off the second edition of the Young Culinary Chefs’ Culinary Challenge in the city of Bangalore on December 7. Titled ‘Produce to Plate – Young Chefs’ Culinary Challenge 2011’, the challenge witnessed twenty-five (25) of the most talented and upcoming chefs from across hotels and restaurants in the city gather at a common platform and display their skills in producing some of the finest gourmet dishes for Bangalore’s connoisseurs. The 25 participants will undergo a series of challenges and eliminations before the seven best of the lot reach the final round.

As part of the preliminary rounds, the participating chefs along with their executive chefs visited the metro store in Yeshwanthpur, to identify and shortlist their preferred choice of ingredients for their recipes. The participants were required to submit details of their preferred ingredients and culinary workstations by December 2.
After the preliminary rounds on December 7 and 8, the challenge will host its final round on December 15 and results will be out by January 2012. winners will receive gold, silver and bronze medals, in addition to attractive cash awards of `61,000, `41,000 and `31,000 for the first, second and third prizes respectively. They will also have the privileged
opportunity to be featured in Food Lovers’ magazine.

The Young Chefs’ Culinary Challenge 2011 will have some of the most renowned chefs in India judging the event, including chef Abhijit Saha, founder director and executive Chef, Avant Garde Hospitality, Chef Madhu Krishnan-executive chef, ITC Gardenia, chef Nimish Bhatia-executive chef, The Lalit Ashok, chef Vijaya Bhaskaran-executive chef, Le Meridien, chef Rudolph Eichele-executive chef, The Leela Palace Kempisnki, chef Vijay Malhotra-executive chef, ITC Windsor, chef Ramasamy Selvaraju-executive chef, Vivanta by Taj, chef Naren Thimmaiah-executive chef , chef Naren Thimmaiah-executive chef, The Gateway Hotel.

Ajay Sheodaan, Director, Customer Management, METRO Cash and Carry India said, “The Young Chefs’ Culinary Challenge 2011 is a wonderful opportunity to encourage these promising chefs to sample, experiment with and create culinary masterpieces from the vast range of high quality products we offer.”

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Express News Service, The New Indian Express / Bangalore, December 09th, 2011

Coffee Board partners BIAL to promote S. Indian coffees

Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

BANGALORE, DEC. 5:

Bean display: Representatives from coffee regions – Araku Valley, Bababudangiri , B R Hills, Chikmagalur, Kodagu, Nilgiris, Sheveroy Hills, Travancore and Nelliyampathy and Pulneys.

To increase local consumption and for showcasing coffees from South India, the Coffee Board has partnered Bangalore International Airport Ltd and the Karnataka Tourism Department.

As part of the promotion, coffees from Araku Valley, Bababudangiri , B.R. Hills, Chikmagalur, Coorg, Nilgiris, Sheveroy Hills, Travancore, Nelliyampathy and Pulneys are being showcased.

For the first time coffees from various regions are being displayed as part of a 10-day coffee festival, Kaapi Trial, at the Bangalore International Airport. The event will give passengers an opportunity to interact with coffee experts and experience live coffee-making demonstrations and cupping.

According to Mr Jawaid Akhtar, Chairman, Coffee Board, “The festival will help enhance and promote knowledge of the region and coffee-drinking habit of the State that is core to its heritage.”

“As part of the promotion, the coffees, specially selected from the regions, have been carefully blended and brewed to extract their best flavour.

Special blends will be created to give a different coffee experience,” he added.

“This is for the first time that an Indian airport is hosting a coffee festival of this magnitude. The 10-day long extravaganza will exhibit different facets of South Indian coffees, giving passengers an opportunity to explore in a unique way,” said Mr Sanjay Reddy, Managing Director, Bangalore International Airport Ltd.

“We believe that efforts such as these will go a long way in establishing Bangalore as a gateway to the South of India and bring economic prosperity to this region.

By the end of the festival, we hope to engage with over two lakh passengers and make them coffee experts,” he added.”

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Agri-Biz / by Anil Urs / December 05th, 2011

‘Nature walk in coffee land’ reaches Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Uncategorized

Madikeri, Dec 4, DHNS:

The ‘nature walk in coffee land’ organised to create awareness on environment from Bababudangiri reached Madikeri on Sunday.

The jatha was led by Krishnamurthy Pushpanath. The jatha reached Sampigekatte at 9.30 am.

The jatha was welcomed by skating children with flowers. District Congress Committee President B T Pradeep, Jaya Karnataka district president Rabin Kuttappa, Kodagu Growers Federation member B T Dinesh, Madhu Bopanna and others were present.

The jatha passed through Gandhi Maidan in Madikeri. After garlanding the statue of Gandhi, Krishnamurthy said, “There is a need to protect Western Ghats and Malnad to check global warming. It is our duty to protect Western Ghats.

There is a need to create awareness among the public on the need to protect Western Ghats from destruction. With the global warming, there has been increase in temperature by one or two degree every year. The increase in temperature will affect coffee. If this continued, then coffee plants may not survive by 2030.”

Kodagu Growers Federation’s Dr Pradeep said “the coffee plantations absorb carbon dioxide. Hence, the coffee growers are protecting the nature. The Centre should support the coffee growers.” The jatha left for Bhagamandala from Madikeri.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Home> District / Monday, December 05th, 2011

Stepping into a world of colour

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized


We did it: Winners of the competition Photo: M.A. Sriram

The Hindu Young World Painting competition in Mysore, brought out some impressive work of art.

The young artists at The Hindu Young World painting competition held in Mysore recently portrayed their creative thoughts on the canvas with unlimited imagination.

The brilliant use of colours and expressive brushwork in the artworks produced during the annual on-the-spot competition brought to light their abundant ability.

Different topics

Participants came from Mysore, Kodagu, Chamarajagar, Hassan and Mandya. The topics given to the juniors were, “picnic with family”, “enjoying ice-cream with friends”, “visit to a museum or a botanical garden” and “having fun at the playground”. For seniors, the topics were, “enjoying rain with friends”, “bicycle ride with friends”, “watching cricket or tennis on television with family/friends”, and “science exhibition”.

MIOT Hospitals (Chime) is the title sponsor and Amrutanjan Relief Cough and Cold is the national sponsor for the event. In junior category, Uthaiah K.T., Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan-Kodagu Vidyalaya, Madikeri won first prize; Dakshith A.S. of Kautilya Vidyalaya, Mysore and Shruti Simlai of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mysore bagged second and third prizes respectively.

In senior category, Akash T.P., Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan-Kodagu Vidyalaya, Madikeri won first prize; Mohini Menon of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan-Kodagu Vidyalaya, Madikeri, won second prize; Sreeparna K.S. of Sadvidya High School, Mysore, won third prize.

The winners were given cash prizes. Lunar gave school bags to the first three winners in both categories. Seven consolation prizes were given to participants in each category. The winners of consolation prizes in junior category are: K M Pramodh Mahadesh, JNV, Chamarajnagar; Ankita C, SVEI, Mysore; Rakshitha Ravi, St Joseph’s Central, Mysore; Sujan B V, SVEI Public School, Mysore; T Ijar of Bright Public School; M Priyanka of Manasarovar Pushkarni Vidyashrama, Mysore and Shamnaz Abubakar of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mysore.

Mahalaksmi R, Mahajana Public School, Mysore; Sandeep B, JNV, Chamarajnagar; M V Smitha, V V S Pandit Nehru High School, Mysore; B A Bhuvaneshwari, BVB-KV, Madikeri, Sushmitha S, JNV, Chamarajnagar; K Vinay Kumar, JNV, Chamarajnagar and Raj Kamal B Gowda, St Joseph’s Central, Mysore were the winners of consolation prizes in senior

source: http://www.thehindu.com / Life & Style> Kids / by Shankar Bennur / December 05th, 2011

Contest for best family photograph

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

BANGALORE:
Better Photography, a magazine on photography, organised a competition on India’s best family photograph called the Fun Frames contest recently. The winners are yet to be announced. Winners will get the opportunity to spend a holiday package from Club Mahindra for an entire family and a fabulous Olympus PEN E-P3 camera, the candidate would also be recognised on a national level by the magazine.
The concept was to capture precious memorable moments shared with family and friends through photographs and send the entries to the Fun Frames contest.
The contest was categorised in six sections namely,� family portraits, going places, kids at play, togetherness of the joy , photo series—‘A Travelogue in Frames’ and photo series—‘A Family Photoessay.’
The contest was promoted on a large scale through television promos on CNBC TV18, CNN IBN, Awaaz, CNN IBN, IBN Lokmat, magazine advertisements in Better Photography, Overdrive, T3, Chip, AV Max, Better Interiors, Entrepreneur, Burrp, Noise Factory along with banner ads across web18 sites including In.com , moneycontrol.com , ibnlive, ibn khabar, cricketnext.com. Social media was targeted and the contest was highlighted on facebook and twitter with various continuous promotions across Club Mahindra properties through banners, standees and fliers.
The entries were collected through a dedicated website (http://betterphotography.in/funframes/ ) as well as physical print entries by post were accepted. The last date for receiving the entries was November 15 and the magazine received an overwhelming 6,000 entries from towns and cities all over India.
Better Photography editor, K Madhavan Pillai said, “The number of entries was incredible and to receive a response from the smallest towns to the biggest metros in India was astonishing. We plan to conduct many more opportunities through photography to explore the talent and capabilities of the people of India.”
Renowned photographer Madhur Shroff� has been bestowed with the responsibility of selecting the final six entries that would go ahead to participate in the final face off.

The face off would require the participation of the families so the finalists would get an opportunity to stay with them at Club
Mahindra in Coorg. The winner of the final face off would be announced on� December 7 at an event in the Club Mahindra property in Coorg.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Bangalore / posted December 05th, 2011 / Express News Service, Indian Express