Social worker Ittira Dati Parvathi and Janapada Parishat district president B G Anantashayana were felicitated during ‘Puttari Oororme’ programme organised by Kodava Samaja’s Pommakkada Okkoota in Virajpet. Credit: Special arrangement.
The unique attire of Kodavas, their tradition and rituals are the real assets of Kodava community, opined social worker Ittira Dati Parvathi.
She was speaking during the ‘Puttari Oororme’ programme organised by Kodava Samaja’s Pommakkada Okkoota in the premises of Triveni School in Virajpet on Sunday.
“One must respect the deities, birthplace and books. Children who thrive under the guidance of their parents will be pro-societal, becoming an example for others. Real social work involves treating everyone equally, neglecting the barriers of caste, creed and gender,” she said.
Ittira Dati Parvathi called upon the organisations to organise competitions for senior citizens to keep them motivated and cheerful.
Mothers must impart knowledge on culture and tradition to their children, she added.
Janapada Parishat district president B G Anantashayana felt for a need to create awareness among youth on Kodava culture.
Pommakkada Okkotta president Maneyapanda Kanthi Satish said that women should not be confined within the four walls of their house.
“The Pommakkada Okkoota was started with this very purpose so that the homemakers are involved in creative activities. The Okkoota provides a platform for women to showcase their talents. Owing to Covid-19, the association activities were stalled for about a year. The association is also a voice of people and will take a call when the existence of Kodava land is at stake. Pommakkada Okkotta has been preserving Kodava tradition and culture from the past many years,” she said and added that the people’s support is also important in this regard.
Rotary School, Mysuru, principal Balyamanda Ganga Poovaiah, Kodava Samaka Pommakkada senior member Jammada Ponnamma, Okkoota secretary Bayavanda Indira Belliyappa, treasurer Poyyetira Bhanu Bhimaiah and advisory committee director Kuppanda Pushpa Muttanna were present.
B G Anantashayana and Dati Parvathi were felicitated on the occasion.
Cultural programmes were performed by the members of Pommakkada Okkoota.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State>Mangaluru / by DHNS, Virajpet / January 04th, 2021
Among 26 panchayats in Madikeri taluk, the post of president in two have been reserved for SC, one for ST, seven for Backward Caste – A, two for Backward Caste – B and 14 for general category.
Among 38 Gram Panchayats in Virajpet taluk, the post of president in three GPs are reserved for SC, six for ST, eight for backward caste – A, two for Backward caste – B and 19 for general category.
In Somwarpet taluk, five posts have been reserved for SC, two for ST, 10 for backward caste A, three for backward caste – B and 20 for general category.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State>Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / January 03rd, 2021
A two-day football tournament in memory of Diego Maradona, organised by Friends Club in Suntikoppa, was flagged-off at GMP School grounds in Suntikoppa on Saturday.
District Consumer Redressal Forum president A Lokesh Kumar inaugurated the tournament.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that sports help in the physical wellbeing of an individual.
Gram Panchayat PDO Venugopal said that Suntikoppa is known for being active in football events and has produced national and international level players.
Last week, we got some bitter news about something sweet. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reported that when they subjected 13 prominent brands selling honey to a sophisticated test in Germany for adulteration, except three, all other brands failed.
The only three brands that passed were Saffola, Markfed Sohna and Nature’s Nectar.
As fear of refined sugar has increased, so also adulteration of other sources of sweetness. Best example is jaggery.
As jaggery gained popularity as an alternate to sugar, its adulteration started. Mandya jaggery was very popular until jaggery makers from Uttar Pradesh came calling and started adding chemicals to rapidly increase production capacity and visual appeal.
In a report submitted to the Government by the Co-operation Department, it found chemicals like “calcium hydroxide, sodium hydrosulphite (hydrose), sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate (safolite), ortho-phosphoric acid, seashells, baking soda, oil (castor/coconut) and orange-red powder (artificial food colouring) in jaggery blocks”! We educated urbanites find it hard to even pronounce the names of these chemicals which makes us wonder if farmers are making jaggery or chemical engineers?
This is a serious issue because India accounts for over 70% of world’s jaggery production and such practices will ruin our reputation and income. Already Mandya jaggery brand has taken a hit as the use of chemicals has significantly reduced its shelf-life which has forced many wholesalers to sell their product in distress.
We in India don’t seem to take food adulteration seriously. Be it the Government, the producer or the consumer. It is common knowledge that fruit-sellers use calcium carbide because it reacts with the moisture emanated by the respiration of the fruit. And when it does, a gas called acetylene emanates which helps in ripening the fruit. This gas is carcinogenic! Yet, rarely do you see the Government personnel raiding these “ripening sheds.”
Vegetables are not spared either. Bittergourd and lady’s finger are dipped in copper sulphate water to make them look greener. Brinjals are coated with old oil to give them a shine; carrots are dipped in red dye-water and watermelons injected with gulal to make them red from inside. Rarely do you see officials confronting, let alone arresting these colouring artists.
Most of us turn a blind eye to this saying that we cook hot meals and all “these things die”… not really.
But the fallout of this food adulteration should be the rebirth of kitchen gardens and organic farms. It’s time to move on from show gardens to kitchen gardens.
Every year during Dasara the Government has a competition for the “Most beautiful home garden.” May be the same publicity must be given to “Best kitchen garden.”
P.S.: Speaking of organic food, once a husband went to a store to shop for his wife who was very health-conscious and wanted organic, pesticide-free vegetables. The husband walked upto the section where he saw vegetables stacked and asked the sales man if the vegetables were organic. The sales boy didn’t understand. The irritated husband picked up some vegetables and said, “Listen, my wife is health-crazy. So I need to know have these vegetables been sprayed with any harmful pesticides?”
The petrified sales man replied, “No, Sir. You’ll have to do that yourself!”
Ramakrishna Ashram Swamijiand Coorg Honey
Speaking of bees and honey, once upon a time Coorg was the top producer of honey.
In the early 1940s, there used to be a Government-appointed “Bee Man” whose job was to go from house to house, from estate to estate, teaching planters about the importance of bees to the environment and also teach them how to maintain a Bee Box and extract honey.
In fact, Scientific Bee farming in Kodagu was initiated by Sri Shambhavananda Swamiji, the man who founded the Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala in Mysuru. In 1928, when Swami Shambhavananda became the first President of Sri Ramakrishna Saradashrama in Ponnampet, Kodagu, he initiated a project for Bee-keeping. Since he was born in Kodagu as Chengappa into the Thelapanda family, he knew that Kodagu was very suitable for bee-keeping and could contribute to the local economy.
Sri Shambhavananda Swamiji
Soon he prepared the first apiary and in 1936 set up the ‘Coorg Honey and Wax Producers Co-operative Society Ltd.’ This became the first honey producers co-operative in India.
Shambhavananda Swamiji even developed a new method of bee-keeping now known as ‘Coorg Standard Hive.’ No wonder Coorg came to produce almost 50% of all honey produced in Karnataka.
Now, if any one has space around their homes or in their farms there are many workshops that teach bee-keeping. In fact, there is an Apiculture Training Centre at Bhagamandala, Kodagu, where one can take a few weeks training in bee-keeping.
It may be recalled that the Government in 2014, to increase production and marketing of Coorg Honey, ordered the setting up of a “Honey Park” at Bhagamandala, Kodagu. The park was to be managed by the Food Processing Division of the Agriculture
Department. Later, Rs. 60 lakh was also released for the project. An old building was refurbished and not much else has been heard. Now, six years on neither is there a Park nor is there any Honey. Guess, like most Government projects it was all about the “Money Honey”?
e-mail: vikram@starofmysore.com
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Columns in Black & White / by Vikram Muthanna / December 19th, 2020
Prayers were offered to guns, during ‘Kovi Habba’ held at Cauvery Estate in Kolakeri village near Napoklu.
Possession of a gun is the right of all Kodavas above the age of 18. All Kodava youth including women, should obtain relaxation letter for the use of arms, said Codava National Council president N U Nachappa.
He was speaking during the 10th year of ‘Kovi Habba’ held at Cauvery Estate of Appacchira Remmi Nanaiah of Kolakeri village.
“It is not sufficient to offer flowers for the departed souls at Devati Parambu. One should also pay tributes to the departed who underwent torture at Madikeri fort and Nalkunadu palace in the past. These genocides should be added to the list of international holocaust remembrance. We do not have any hate towards any religion. However, people from other religions should respect us too,” Nachappa said and asked people to be careful of those who mislead them.
He further said that Codava National Council drew the attention of people on Devati Parambu genocide. The departed souls of martyrs at Devati Parambu are offered ‘Meedhi’ 73 times.
Some people have been copying some programmes from the CNC. This will not stop the CNC’s fight, he added.
The CNC is not a subsidiary of any organisation. It is performing as per the Constitution of India and will not set a bad trend, he said and pointed out that one does not have any right to defame another community.
Awards presented
Artist Chakkera Tyagaraj Appaiah, journalist B G Anantashayana, Ramesh Kuttappa and achievers from various fields Anchettira Manu Muddappa, Kaliyanda Meena Prakash, Pullera Swati Kalappa, Boppanda Bollamma Nanaiah, Bachamanda Kasturi Poovappa, Bepudiyanda Biddappa, Madrira Karumbaiah, Appacchira Remmi Nanaiah, B R Satish, Bottangada Girish, Podumada Dinamani and Alamanda Jai were presented with ‘Kodava Vibhushana’ award on the occasion.
A puja was offered to the guns prior to the programme. The coconut shooting competition was also held.
Senior CNC leader Kaliyanda Prakash and others were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Napoklu / December 18th, 2020
The annual Hockey Festival, competed among different Kodava families, still holds a lot of interest but the quality of talent from the district has declined over the years.
The joy was unmistakable on the faces of SV Sunil and VR Raghunath. In a country where sporting recognition – other than cricket – is hard to come by, the duo from Kodagu was delighted to see their photos on the walls of the recently-unveiled Hall Of Fame at the Karnataka Olympic Association. Sunil, the current Indian hockey team striker, and Raghunath, former ace drag-flicker turned administrator, constantly kept snapping photos, delighted to be placed amongst decorated athletes who have brought laurels to Karnataka and India.
SV Sunil is lone player from Kodagu in the Indian team at the moment.
A little later, that joy turned into deep introspection when Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra spoke about a painful yet plain fact. The former Hockey India president didn’t mince words when he queried about the declining state of hockey in Kodagu as well as Karnataka.
“Coorg has given national players for so many years but nowadays, I don’t see any youngsters coming up,” he lamented. “What is happening to hockey in Coorg where the sport once was so popular? They are tall, well-built and add value to the team. We have always had the best of the players coming from Karnataka and Coorg. So what’s bothering me is why now players aren’t coming from there.”
Batra’s concern was legitimate. In fact, that has been on the minds of many former hockey players from Kodagu, where the sport holds a special place in the hearts of all. From having produced several Olympians, World Cuppers and Asian Games medallists — some of them considered among the finest the country has seen — Kodagu now has barely any representation in the national team. Sunil, 31 years old and in the twilight of a decent career, is the only player from Kodagu in the senior team while there are just two in the junior probables. Youngsters SK Uthappa, Nikkin Thimmaiah and Nithin Thimmaiah, who were part of the senior core group a few years ago, have drifted away.
“The current situation is not good at all,” admitted Raghunath, vice-president of Hockey Karnataka. “The interest is still there, kids still like to play hockey in Coorg but the quality of talent coming through is not great. The coaching at the junior level is also not up to the mark. Evidence is our performance in the national championships. When we were playing, Karnataka constantly finished inside the top-3 in the nationals. A bulk of the players representing Karnataka were from Kodagu. Since we did well in the nationals, we caught the eyes of the selectors and were picked for the probables camp.
“But since 2015 our performance in the nationals — sub-junior, junior and senior — has not been up to the mark. Performances across categories have dropped considerably. We’ve not made it to the top-4 which means the selectors won’t see us. And if they don’t see, then the players don’t get picked. So firstly, performances in the nationals need to improve. Talent-wise, coaching-wise, Kodagu and Karnataka have been found wanting in the last 4-5 years. Serious course correction needs to be undertaken and we are doing that.”
One of the reasons behind the decline in talent is administrative chaos. Ever since Hockey Karnataka came into the picture a decade ago and replaced Karnataka Hockey Association (now known as Hockey Bengaluru) as the official body, things have been difficult for the players. While the administrators jostled for power and bragging rights, the players ended up losing direction in the melee. Tensions have calmed down considerably between Hockey Karnataka and Hockey Bengaluru, but the damage was done.
“Hockey Karnataka, Hockey Bengaluru, Hockey Coorg, it just became very confusing for the players,” felt Raghunath. “There was a big identity crisis. Players didn’t know who to represent. Talents got scattered. It became messy. Thankfully, that’s been sorted with just one team from state. Now, all of us are focussed on resurrecting the sport.”
AB Subbiah, secretary-general of Hockey Karnataka, felt it’s unfair to blame the administrators completely. “Yes, our issues could have led to the decline in standards of the sport in Coorg and Karnataka. But, we’ve buried the hatchet now. We are looking forward to working together. There are other reasons why talents are not coming through. Firstly, many kids who come to the hostels (DYES and SAI) end up focussing more on education than sports. The ones who excel in hockey are poached by institutional teams. Players obviously will take it up because of employment reason. Finally, the coaching levels at the grassroots level has gone down while hockey hotbeds of Punjab, Haryana and Odisha have upped the ante.
“While there’s still plenty of interest for hockey in Coorg with the Family Cup and other tournaments receiving a lot of entries, it’s not a viable career choice anymore. Parents are aware of that and force the kids to focus on academics. Earlier, the Hockey India League, just like IPL, presented them an opportunity. Now, HIL has hit a roadblock. Options are very limited now. Kids are much smarter now and are very career oriented. So, once they realise they are not extremely talented and can’t make it big in hockey, they just switch over to academics.”
Raghunath acknowledged there’s no quick fix solution to the problem and the current dispensation is very serious about bringing the glory days back. “When I entered into administration, I figured we need to start from the grassroots level. In fact it was a no-brainer. So, VS Vinay, Vikramkanth and I are coaching the sub-junior and junior lads. We’ve even sought help from national junior coach BJ Kariappa. He has shared some valuable information with us.
“We three are actively coaching the juniors and the kids are very receptive. We really need to get the kids back to the sport. Make them understand the sport can provide them a livelihood. We’ve just started and I’m confident things will improve over the next couple of years. We are keenly looking forward to the nationals next year.”
The concerns are genuine and the efforts to address them seem earnest. Hopefully, the glory days of Kodagu will be restored soon.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by Sidney Kiran , DHNS- Bengaluru / December 20th, 2020
Dakshina Kannada working journalists association has selected senior reporter of Vijaya Karnataka daily newspaper, veteran Mangaluru Vijaya Kotian Padu and Coorg’s Kaveri Times newspaper reporter Bollijira B Ayyappa for Pa Go awards for 2019. The awards are being presented for rural reporting.
Journalist Vijaya Kotian is selected for his report ‘Savanne Geddu Banda Vidhyarthini’ (a female student who won over death) published in Vijaya Karnataka on November 25, 2019.
Journalist Bollijira B Ayyappa is selected for the award for his news ‘Badukigagi Aduge Utpannagala Tayarikegalli Magnaragiruva Kalurina Santrasta Mahileyaru’ (women victims of Kalooru who are engrossed in the preparations of cookery products for a living) published in Kaveri Times newspaper on July 24, 2019.
The selection committee led by Bantwal queen Abbakka Tulu research study centre president professor Tukaram Poojary, Mangaluru Car street first grade college assistant professor Dr Jayashree B Kadri and Times of India newspaper retired AGM Kadri Navaneet Shetty made the selection.
The awards programme will be held in Mangaluru Patrika Bhavan on December 31 at 11 am. District deputy commissioner Dr K V Rajendra will present the awards. Dakshina Kannada district working journalist’s association president Srinivas Indaje will preside over the programme.
Mangaluru corporation mayor Diwakar and Mangaluru assistant police commissioner Vinay Gaonkar will be the guests of honour states a press release from Dakshina Kannada district working journalist’s association chief secretary Ibrahim Adkastala.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld / Home> Karnataka / by Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP) / December 29th, 2020
There is no restriction on the movement of tourists from outside the district and state during new year celebrations. No one will be prevented from entering at the border areas, said Homestay Association president B G Ananthashayana and secretary Meena Cariappa.
The deputy commissioner has clarified on the same. The government has not issued any order on stopping tourism activities. However, only guidelines have been issued to check large gatherings during Christmas and New Year celebrations, he said.
The tourist spots are open to tourists. However, the gathering of a large number of people, dancing and music are strictly prohibited. The homestay owners should take utmost care and ensure that guidelines are not violated, he added.
In the meeting, Monthi Ganesh and Ambekallu Naveen urged authorities to initiate action against unauthorised homestays in the district.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / December 20th, 2020
Morivadya artiste Rajappa (45), who mesmerised people with his Morivadya, the traditional trumpet, passed away on Tuesday.
He was a native of Kodachi village in Harihara.
The sudden demise of Rajappa, who was a household name in Kodagu, has shocked many.
His Morivadya was an indivisible part of the auspicious occasions in the district. People literally danced to the tune of Rajappa’s Morivadya during Kodava weddings.
Rajappa is survived by his wife and a daughter. The final rites were held in his village on Tuesday.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Gonikoppa / December 22nd, 2020
Dignitaries during a seminar on Kodava Ainmane held at FMKMC College in Madikeri.
The traditional Ainmane houses are the hubs of Kodava cultural activities and therefore, should be protected. Every family should form a trust to preserve their Ainmane, opined Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy former president Bacharaniyanda P Appanna.
He was speaking during a seminar on Ainmane, organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and Field Marshal K M Cariappa College, at FMKMC College in Madikeri recently.
Expressing his concern over the fading aspects of Kodava tradition, he felt there is a need to take up serious measures to save Kodava language.
Bacharaniyanda P Appanna said that Ainmane houses are testimony of Kodava culture.
He also said, “Ainmane houses are built by our ancestors. The time of construction of the houses can be detected by subjecting the trees used in making the house to carbon dating. One should not completely ignore Ainmane.”
Writer Kambiranda Kaveri Ponnappa said that globalisation has been impacting the local cultures.
The architecture of Ainmane denotes its significance. The ancient Ainmane have always been the centres of financial and political activities, she added.
The devices such as ‘Kaimada’, ‘Kannikamba’, ‘Nellakki Nadubade’, ‘Kaiyale’, rituals on the occasion of ‘Guru Karona’, ‘Tere’, ‘Kaveri Changrandi’, ‘Puttari’ and ‘Kail Pold’ are the indivisible parts of Kodava tradition. Ainmane unites the family. The Takka Heads of the families take the leadership, she said.
Field Marshal K M Cariappa College principal Chowrira Jagath Thimmaiah called upon the Kodava youth to actively take part in the informative programmes organised by the Kodava Academy.
He also requested the elders to enlighten young members of their family with the cultural aspects of the Kodava community.
Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy chairperson Dr Ammatanda Parvathi Appaiah felt for a need to conduct research on Kodava Ainmane.
The research will help Kodava literature to thrive, she added.
A photography exhibition by Kambeyanda Deena, featuring more than 150 Ainmane houses in Kodagu, was inaugurated on the occasion. Kambiranda Kaveri Ponnappa inaugurated the exhibition.
Academy members Machimada Janaki and Kudiyara Muttappa were present.
An exhibition-cum-sale of books published by the academy was held.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / December 24th, 2020
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