A Good 36 Years Ago With R. Gundu Rao………….

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

GunduRaoKF18mar2020

Last week I happened to meet an old friend in Kodagu after a long time. Maneyapanda Mohan (in pic) to his friends and relatives aka Muthanna. A lively person always, ‘hail the fellow well met’ kind. In the 80s, he was the President of Gonikoppa APMC who turned it into a profit-making body for the first time and constructed yards and buildings of its own.

Maneyapanda Mohan
Maneyapanda Mohan

‘Dost se dost mile to do dose’ (when a friend meets a friend it is time for ‘cheers’). So it was and our conversation went rambling to Kodava Samaja Mysore and the birth of its own building.

It was then that he mentioned of having in his possession a photo album containing pictures of Gundu Rao, his uncle Rao Bahadur Kodandera C. Muthanna, the then President of Kodava Samaja Mysore and others including me in my earlier avatar with a beard and thick glass resting on my nose. (see pix)

My interest to see the ‘ancient’ album was because Mohan mentioned that one photograph was of me having breakfast with the then newly-minted Chief Minister R. Gundu Rao who laid the foundation for the Kodava Samaja building in Jayalakshmipuram on Nov. 14, 1981. I was looking at myself after 36 years, well, as an old man now.

Similarly I see many of my friends and Samaja members in these pictures. I am sure, they would love to see the pictures of themselves and their dear and near ones 36 years ago. So here above I produce some of them.

Those were the Days of British Raj…

There were many artefacts, correspondences and records related to the days of British rule. One was the stamp paper used for writing a Sale Document for the purpose of registering it. This one was purchased on 21.11.1932 at Ponnampet Sub-Treasury, Coorg.

BritishRajFinalNotesKF18mar2020

When Customer was the King indeed!

Since the Post Cards reproduced here above are self-speaking, I will not dilate except to say that this watch was duly repaired (free of cost) and returned to its owner “K.N. Kushalappa, Teacher, G.P. School, K. Badaga, Srimangala, S. Coorg.” From Bombay to Badaga village in Kodagu! Well, those were the halcyon days of honesty and concern for the customers. Note the year 1954.

WestEndWatchKF18mar2020

Donation to an Ashrama

Here is a receipt issued for a donation of two annas (present 200 paise) by Sri Sharada Ashrama, branch of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Ponnampet, Kodagu, on 29.1.1937. I was not even born then.

AshramaKF18mar2020

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Columns> Hocus-Pocus / February 16th, 2017

Two Day Kisan Mela Conducted at KVK, Gonikoppal, Kodagu ( Athur Farm )

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

KisanMelaKF18mar2020

A two day district kisan mela and Krishi Abhiyana programme was held at Athur farm of KVK Gonikoppal from 11th to 12 March, 2020. An array of farmers friendly technologies were on display in the Krishi Mela organized in collaboration with the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). Dr. Shankara Hebbar, Principal Scientist, IIHR Bangalore gave a brief introduction about vegetable cultivation and polyhouses. Later Joint Director of Agriculture, Kodagu Dr. K Raju said that the programme was to create awareness among district farmers about latest agricultural technologies and schemes. Dr. Saju George, Head, KVK spoke on the different demonstrations units in the KVK Demonstration farm.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri. B A Harish, President, Zilla Panchayath, Kodagu.The Chief Guest Smt. Sarojamma, Zilla Panchayath Member , inaugurated the Exhibition stalls. Dr. C. G. Kushalappa, Dean, College of Forestry, Ponnampet also addressed the inaugural session. Dr. M R Dinesh, Director, IIHR, Bangalore, in his presidential address highlighted different farmer friendly technologies of horticultural crops, machineries, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, micro nutrient formulation, incubation facilities for entrepreneurship available through ICAR-IIHR, which can be extended to the Kodagu district farmers through the KVK Gonikoppal. He said that there is lot of potential in the district for the adoption of horticultural technologies and thereby increasing increasing farmers income.

During the inaugural session , Shri M.M Aiyyappa, a farmer from Virapet was felicitated for brining the AMC technology to Kodagu through KVK. Shri Kishor Nachappa the farm journalist was felicitated for his role in promoting farm technologies through farm journalism. Smt Suja, was felicitated for her success in mushroom cultivation after undergoing training at KVK through ASCI sponsored skill development training programme. The Agriculture department felicitated the Kodagu district farmers for their achievements.

In the technical session, Dr. Shivaprasad, Deputy Director, gave a talk on the importance of soil testing and INM practices in coffee. Mr. Devaiah, K. A. Subject Matter Specialist spoke on the trellies method of black pepper multiplication. Sri. Thimmiah, S. C. Krishi Pandit, spoke on his experiences of mechanization in paddy for better realization of yield.In the second day technical session, Dr. S. J. Ankegowda, Principal Scientist & Head, Regional Station, IISR, Appangala gave a talk on holistic management of black pepper in the coffee based farming system. Dr. A. S. Shanthesh, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Sciences, Virajpet taluk spoke on the importance of livestock for milk, meat and manure in the mixed farming system. Dr. S.C. Suresh, Subject Matter Specialist (Livestock) spoke on scientific piggery farming. Smt. Veena Sudheer, awardee farmer shared her experience of integrated farming system. Mr. K P Subbaiah, President, Puthari Farmers Producers Organization spoke on recent developments in marketing of coffee and initiatives of Puthari FPO.

In the Valedictory session, Mr. Srinivas, P. V., DDM, NABARD, Kodagu spoke on the different NABARD schemes for farmers, rural institutions. Mr. Vijay Angadi, Programme Officer, All India Radio, Madikeri spoke on the relevancy of this type programme and he opined that in coming programmes a separate session can be conducted on organic farming. Farmers were also taken to different demonstration plots in KVK Viz. vegetable demonstration plot where different varieties (Chilli- Arka Meghana & Kyathi, Brinjal -Arka Keshav, Pole bean- Arka Sukomal, yard long bean- Arka Mangala, cowpea- Arka Suman, Dolichos- Arka Adarsh were raised in one acre with raised bed, polyethene mulch with fertigation, different livestock units –piggery, Goatary, Diary, Poultry, Fodder crops, Propagation unit of Black pepper, arecanut, coffee, Solar irrigation unit, farm machineries unit etc. during the occasion.

More than 20 exhibition stalls were arranged for the benefit of the farmers on the occasion involving the government, private and FPOs. More than 750 farmers witnessed the event in two days and interacted with the scientists, specialists and officials. Overall the participating farmers appreciated the efforts and felt that such melas give the farmers the technological guidance for increasing the farmers income in a sustainable manner.

source: http://www.iihr.res.in / ICAR – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research / Home / March 2020

Mukkatira Cup Hockey Tournament: CM Promises Rs.50 Lakh

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Sports

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has promised Rs.50 lakh for the month-long ‘Mukkatira Cup’ Kodava Family Hockey Tournament scheduled to take place from Apr.19 to May 17 at Federation of Kodava Samaja Stadium, Balugodu, in the town.

Announcing this at a press meet here recently, the Tournament Chairman Mukkatira Motu Uttaiah said that recently a delegation led by Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah met Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and appealed him to sanction Rs.1 crore for the annual Tournament, to which the CM promised a grant of Rs.50 lakh.

Maintaining that more than 300 Kodava families are taking part in this Hockey Tournament, Uttaiah said that the last date for registration of teams is Mar.29. The matches will take place at three grounds, with 18 teams taking part every day, he added.

The Tournament Working President Rohit Subbaiah said that the winner of the Tournament will get a Trophy and Rs.3 lakh cash prize, while the runner-up will get Rs.2 lakh and the third placed team will get Rs.1 lakh. Also, five other teams which reach the Quarter-finals will get Rs.50,000 each, he added.

He further said that, due to Coronavirus scare, the organisers will go by the decision taken by the Government and Kodava Hockey Academy regarding the schedule of the Tournament.

Tournament Director Karumbaiah and others were present during the press meet.

Due to Coronavirus scare, the organisers will go by the decision taken by the Government and Kodava Hockey Academy regarding the schedule of the Tournament, says Mukkatira Motu Uttaiah, Chairman, Mukkatira Cup Hockey Tournament.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 17th, 2020

‘My Coorg Chronicles’

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

CoorgChroniclesKG17mar2020

The book ‘My Coorg Chronicles’ traces the journalistic journey of P.T. Bopanna, his foray into writing books, his activism and importantly his efforts to chronicle various facets of Kodagu district in Karnataka.

Bopanna has been covering and chronicling Kodagu for nearly four decades. Besides reporting on the district’s affairs, he has brought out a number of books on this unique region, developed a string of Kodagu-centric websites and produced a documentary video on the land.

His online campaign ‘Repair Hunsur-Gonikoppal Road’ was a significant victory for the people over Government indifference.

He has written extensively to convince policy-makers on the need to retain the Arms Exemption given to the residents of Kodagu to possess firearms.

One of the most popular initiatives launched by Bopanna is the ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ title to recognise outstanding achievers and create role models for the community.

The book discusses the religious beliefs of Kodavas (Coorgs) and also spells out of a political road map for Kodagu.

The foreword for the book has been written by P.M. Belliappa, IAS (Retd). The ‘afterword’ has been written by well-known researchers Boverianda Nanjamma and Chinnappa.

The book has colourful photographs, illustrations and a caricature of Bopanna by cartoonist Ponnappa.

Published by Rolling Stone Publications, the book is priced Rs. 100 per copy.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / March 15th, 2020

Ponnampet Taluk To Be Launched In April

About Kodagu / Coorg, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All

PonnampetKF17mar2020

Gonikoppa:

A year after the previous JD(S)-Congress Coalition Government, headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy, announced the formation of 12 new taluks in the State, including Ponnampet and Kushalnagar in Kodagu district, the Ponnampet Taluk Action Committee and the Citizens Committee have jointly decided to bring Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa for the official launch of Ponnampet taluk in April.

At a meeting held at Ponnampet’s Kodava Samaja yesterday, Ponnampet Taluk Action Committee Working President Arun Machaiah said that there has been a delay in the launch of the taluk due to administrative procedures as there is a proposal to cover 21 Gram Panchayats in Ponnampet taluk.

However, it has been decided to consult the District Administration and fix a date in April for the inauguration of the new taluk by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

Pointing out that the inauguration programme would cost about Rs.4 lakh, he said that the construction of the new building and purchase of furniture should be taken up using Rs.25 lakh that the Government is going to release shortly. It is also decided that the new taluk should function from the Food and Civil Supplies Department building, he added.

The Action Committee Convenor Machimada M. Ravindra said that talks have been already held with the Deputy Commissioner regarding the inauguration programme.

Action Committee Member Padmini Ponnappa highlighted the role of former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda in the announcement of Ponnampet taluk and appealed for felicitating the two leaders during the inauguration programme.

The meeting also condoled the death of Citizens Committee Secretary M.A. Appaya, who passed away recently.

Citizens Committee President Poonachha, Vice-President Cheppudira Somaiah, Action Committee Advisor Matranda Appachhu, Ponnampet Kodava Samaja Cultural Committee President C.K. Ponnappa and others attended the meeting.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 16th, 2020

Gulshan Devaiah getting into character

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

Gulshan Devaiah never ceases to surprise his fans. His newest offering Afsos, a black comedy, has put the actor back in the spotlight.

Gulshan Devaiah with Anjali Patil in a still from Afsos
Gulshan Devaiah with Anjali Patil in a still from Afsos

Devaiah plays the role of Nakul, a writer, who keeps attempting suicide but fails at dying.

So he hires a shooter to kill him.

However, the writer decides to live.

But his shooter Upadhyay never leaves her job incomplete. What follows is a crazy cat-and-mouse chase between Nakul and his shooter.

Talking about why he agreed to play the role of such a confused character, Devaiah says, “I really like the three writers, Anirban Dasgupta, Dibya Chatterjee and Sourav Ghosh. I like their energy and their work. They had the right team in place. I also thought it was interesting to play a loser like Nakul Krishna, who is a failed writer. At the same time, it was challenging because although the protagonist is a loser, we had to keep the audience interested in the story.”

This isn’t the first time the actor has picked an unusual script and character. Devaiah played the roles of twin brothers – one good and one evil – in the film Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota.

“When I am interested in a character it becomes a part of my life. I am constantly thinking about it. I just tap into my imagination and let things come through. Be it book readings, discussions with the director or writer, or just random ideation. Sometimes if I get an idea while watching a film,” he says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Hindi / by Ayesha Tabassum / Express News Service / March 14th, 2020

Shining a spotlight on Kodagu culture

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

After multiple books on the subject, author PT Bopanna has penned yet another paperback on Kodagu, this time chronicling his journey of documenting the region.

Pic: Shriram BN
Pic: Shriram BN

After multiple books on the subject, author PT Bopanna has penned yet another paperback on Kodagu, this time chronicling his journey of documenting the region. Having written his first book on Kodagu in 2006, Bopanna soon realised there was no stopping him. But what is prompting this 69-year-old to relentlessly preserve information related to the place?

The author, who is also a journalist, has been reporting on the region for nearly four decades now and realised he had access to a huge repository of knowledge on the place. “There wasn’t much documentation on Kodagu after the British left. So I started making websites and videos that spoke about the culture there, its food, jewellery, news related to it and more,” says Bopanna, whose latest book is a 76-page book called My Coorg Chronicles.

The journey began in 2005, when this self-described atheist and rationalist read a daily astrology prediction that said starting a website would do him good. This gave birth to a website on Kodagu that put together information on the place and eventually grew into multiple websites, social media groups and books. “Today, I have about 20,000 members across different Facebook groups on Kodagu food, news, jewellery and more,” says Bopanna. Attempts to stray away from the topic of Kodagu led to a book on coffee (grown widely in the region), which also won a Gourmand Award.

The biggest challenge the sexagenarian faced was adapting to new mediums. Calling himself a “technologically-challenged” person, he recalls how getting used to video was initially difficult. Now used to it, he hopes to influence more and more youngsters to show an interest in Kodagu culture. Speaking of changes that he seen over years, he rues how the joint family system is no longer prevalent, while the agrarian community seems to be getting diluted too. “The younger generation needs to be more aware,” he says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / March 14th, 2020

Baby pulpers given to beneficiaries for enhancing market value of processed coffee

Coffee News

Koraput (Odisha):

In a bid to give a fillip to tribal economy and enhance the market value of processed coffee, the Koraput district administration in association with the Coffee Board has distributed baby pulpers to beneficiaries, officials said.

Baby pulpers, also known as potable pulping machines, are used for wet processing of coffee and the extract which comes out from the machines is called plantation or parchment coffee.

“At present, over 70 per cent of coffee is processed through traditional dry method in the district which decreases the market value of the beverage. In this method, coffee beans are dried in sunlight,” said Ajit Kumar Rout, senior liaison officer, Coffee Board.

Through wet processing, the market value of coffee increases about 55 per cent more than the dry method, he said.

To begin with, as many as 20 such pulping machines have been distributed among tribal beneficiaries of the district on Friday, officials said.

Koraput Collector Maadhusudan Mishra said, baby pulpers will not only improve the quality of the variety of coffee grown in Koraput but also improve the condition of the tribal people engaged in coffee processing.

“When the market value of the coffee increases, it will fetch good price in the market which will subsequently improve the financial condition of the tribals engaged in coffee processing,” said Mishra.

According to a departmental survey, as climatic condition of Koraput is conducive for coffee plantation, it has been found that at least 1.45 lakh hectares in the district is suitable for coffee plantation. Currently, only 1,467 hectares is under coffee plantation in the district, the officials said.

PTI COR SKN MM MM
source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home / source: PTI / march 15th, 2020

In the age of nuclear families, Kodava Keris aim to preserve, pass on culture

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

With urbanisation and changing social structures, nuclear families, which were intrinsic in preserving tradition and rituals, have replaced joint families.

Women and a child don traditional attire at a Keri function
Women and a child don traditional attire at a Keri function

Madikeri :

With urbanisation and changing social structures, nuclear families, which were intrinsic in preserving tradition and rituals, have replaced joint families. To ensure their culture is not lost, various Kodava families in Kodagu district have joined together under one ‘keri’ (colony).

“The concept of ‘keri’ – synonymous with area or colony – started in Bengaluru among the Kodava community. The concept was adopted in the district too, with the first keri being formed 27 years ago,” says Kayapanda Shashi Somaiah, a resident of Madikeri.

As Kodava families started to move to cities from their native villages, the culture of the community was at stake. To prevent this, the keri concept was introduced in towns of Kodagu, including Madikeri, Virajpet and Ponnampet. “There are a total of 12 keris in Madikeri town. Cauvery Keri was among the first to be established in Madikeri. ‘Dechur Keri’ was established in 1998 and is one of the largest compared to other keris,” explains Madeyanda Ravi Kunjiappa, president of Dechur Keri.

He adds that this keri has over 300 members and an annual meeting is held after Puthari festival, which sees the coming together of all members. Talking about the purpose of a keri, Shashi Somaiah explains, “For instance, if a death takes place in a Kodava family, members may not be acquainted with the rituals that need to be followed. That is when the keri becomes a second family of sorts.

Before relatives arrive from far off places, keri members who stay in the same area come together to help with the rituals.” Keris have a president and directors who are elected by the members once in three years. Emergency funds too are collected. Shashi says, “Death funds are handed over by the keri trust to family members.” The community also bonds over other matters during keri meetings.

“When people from the same community gather under one roof, talks pertaining to marriage also take place. There are instances where two people have been matched during keri functions,” says Ravi Kunjiappa.

Ravi adds, “During annual meetings, children who have achieved in academics or sports are recognised and felicitated. Similarly, elders who have achieved in government services or youngsters who have excelled in various fields will be felicitated and encouraged. Communities get to share their triumphs and trials.” Apart from being a support system, these keris also help in preserving Kodava culture. “The annual meeting becomes a platform for various cultural activities. Youngsters and children are required to take part in this cultural extravaganza. Children get trained by elders in ‘kolata’, ‘umathat’ and various other cultural activities,” says Ravi.

These skills are then put to test in the form of inter-keri competitions organised in each township once in three years. While inter-keri events have been organised in Madikeri six times, Virajpet town saw its first event this year. “Each keri takes turns to organise this function, which aims to unite Kodava families from different keris. The aim is to promote Kodava culture among the younger generation. This is the best way to teach our children about our traditions,” says Madanda Latha Somaiah, a member of Dechur keri.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna G R , Express News Service / March 15th, 2020

71st Republic Day of India Hockey Festival held in Muscat

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
The organisers selected talented athletes from the Indian and Omani community who are contributing to the uplift of the society. - Supplied photo
The organisers selected talented athletes from the Indian and Omani community who are contributing to the uplift of the society. – Supplied photo

Muscat:

To mark the 71st Republic Day of India, a hockey match was organised under the patronage of Munu Mahawar, the Ambassador Of India at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on February 28.

Top sports and business personalities were also present on the occasion. It was a glittering hockey festival for the 14th year in a row under the patronage of Embassy of India in coordination with Oman Hockey Association. The event was organised by Team Coorg Muscat and Friends of Naqvi Group.

The chief patron Munu Mahawar presided over the function and distributed prizes along with B S Mehta, the Managing Director of Muscat Pharmacy and the Guest of Honour Captain Talib Al Wahaibi, Chairman of OHA, and Kishore Bhai Mehta was a special guest.

Team Coorg Muscat and Friends of Naqvi Group acknowledged excellent support given by the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs for the past 14 years by providing Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex for organising Indian national events.

The organisers selected talented athletes from the Indian and Omani community who are contributing to the uplift of the society.

In the pulsating final, the two teams were locked in a 3-3 draw. Subsequently, penalty strokes were taken to decide the winner. Team Coorg emerged the winner with a 5-3 margin and lifted the glittering Republic Day of India Hockey Trophy 2020.

The Indian ambassador presented the winner trophy while the runners-up trophy was presented by Captain Talib Al Wahaibi, OHA Chairman. The Best Player Award went to Ghassan Garib Al Hassani, Team Coorg Goalkeeper.

Munu Mahawar was presented a memento by veteran Olympian S AS Naqvi. B.S. Mehta, Captain Talib Khamis Al Wahaibi,

Kishore Mehta, Managing Director of Al Intisar Corporation, Kannan Nair, Second Secretary Embassy of India, Tarun Kumar, Second Secretary (Administration), Rakesh Adlakha, Deputy head of the mission and Aziz Hasan were honoured for their support. The organizers selected Indian School Muscat team for winning 4×100 Relay Race In India. The team is captained by Antonio Thomas Biju along with Naman Rao, Steve Lobo, Rishikesh Menon.

Munu Mahwar presented SAS Naqvi with two honours.

The 71st Republic Day Of India Hockey Festival had two senior teams participating in the Republic Day of India Hockey Trophy. The teams were Oman Veterans XI and Team Coorg Muscat.

The Ambassador Cup 2020 For Boys

The match was played between three teams, Indian School Al Seeb, Indian School Mabella and Indian School Wadi Kabir.

The final match was played between Indian School Seeb and Mabella, and Indian School Seeb won the Boys Republic Day Of India Hockey Trophy 2020 by a solitary goal 1-0.

The Ambassador Cup 2020 For Girls.

It was a great tussle between Indian School Mabella and Indian School Seeb. The Indian School Mabella won the Girls Republic Day of India Hockey Trophy 2020. The main highlight of the event was the participation of a marching band consisting of 80 members from Indian School Wadi Kabir.

source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Times of Oman / Home> Sports> Hockey / by Times News Service / March 09th, 2020