IAS officer Charulata Somal has been appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu District. She took charge this morning from Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena who was functioning as in-charge DC.
Charulata replaces previous DC Annies Kanmani Joy, who has left to the United States on a long leave to join her husband. Charulata Somal is a 2012-batch IAS Officer from the Karnataka cadre. Brought up in Mumbai, she did her graduation in Economics Honours from St. Stephen’s College of Delhi University.
She has served as Deputy Secretary, Chief Minister’s Secretariat. She has also served as Commissioner, Shivamogga City Corporation with additional charge as Managing Director, Shivamogga Smart City Corporation. She has been the CEO of Kodagu Zilla Panchayat and as Managing Director, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation.
Charulata is the first IAS officer to have gone on Antarctica expedition twice in 2016. She had got an opportunity to be a part of the International Antarctic Expedition led by Robert Swan for ‘A Leadership on the Edge Program to the Last Wilderness on Earth.’ Robert Swan is the first person in the history to have walked unsupported to both the South Pole and the North Pole back in the 1980s.
With 140 participants across the globe and themes focusing on sustainability, energy and climate change, the 15-day expedition in March 2016 was an inspiring experience for Somal. Her second chance to go to Antarctica was in November the same year when Swan invited her for an 80 Degrees South Expedition.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 23rd, 2021
To open ‘Sunny Side’ museum dedicated to Gen. K.S. Thimayya
Madikeri:
President Ram Nath Kovind will arrive in Kodagu district on Feb. 6 to inaugurate the renovated ‘Sunny Side,’ the residence of Gen. K.S. Thimayya that has been converted as a museum. Gen. Thimayya served as the Chief of Army Staff from 1957 to 1961 in the crucial years leading up to the conflict with China in 1962.
The President’s Office has confirmed the visit in a communiqué sent to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa-General K.S. Thimayya Forum Convenor Col. K.C. Subbaiah who had formally invited the President in April last year to dedicate the museum to the nation and also inaugurate Gen. Thimayya War Memorial.
Accepting the invitation, the President’s Office has on Jan.15 confirmed to Col. Subbaiah about the VVIP visit. President Kovind will participate in the inaugural ceremony on Feb. 6 from 3 pm to 4 pm. Elated over the visit confirmation, Col. Subbaiah said that it would be a historic day for Kodagu and the memorial would gain national attention.
‘Sunny Side’ is located on G.T. Road in Madikeri and has been renovated at an estimated cost of Rs. 6 crore. The structure earlier housed RTO office. Art works featuring the valour of Indian soldiers on the battlefield have now occupied the centre stage at ‘Sunny Side.’ Other main attractions of the museum are an Army Tank that was transported by road from Kirkee War Cemetery at Khadki near Pune in Maharashtra, articles used by Gen. Thimayya, military uniforms, books and information on Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Apart from the Army Tank, weapons that were used by the soldiers of Indian Army in the past during many operations have been donated to the museum.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 17th, 2021
United Kodava Organisation to hold Mand Namme at Ammathi tomorrow
The Kodavas were originally worshippers of ancestors and of nature. A Kodava joint family was called an Okka. The members of such a family owned and tilled their farmland in common. A group of these families formed a hamlet called a Keri. A few such hamlets formed a village called an Oor. Each village would have one or more temples. A number of such villages formed a cluster called a Naad. A number of such clusters formed a region called a Shime. Kodagu comprised 8 regions or 35 clusters.
There was a traditional system of leadership in Kodagu called Thakkame. Accordingly, every village, cluster, region and temple was led by a prominent Okka called a Thakka family. This family was responsible for guiding the people in the affairs of and in settling disputes within their jurisdiction. Generally, every family (whether Thakka or not) was presided over by its head who was usually the eldest, able male member called a Pattedara. A Thakka family was hence represented by its respective head.
The Shime Thakka and Naad Thakka families are named in a century-old compilation of Kodava folklore called the Pattole Palame. The Shime Thakkas were sometimes called Desa Thakkas. Some of the Naads had more than one Naad Thakka. Every village in Kodagu had an Oor Thakka and every Devasthana (temple) had a Deva Thakka. Therefore, the Thakkas were hereditary managers who helped run the various local societies in Kodagu. The Thakkas would frequently gather in an Ambala, a roofed hall on a raised platform. A meeting of the Thakkas was called a Thakkorme. In the modern era, with the march of western civilisation, these concepts have been largely forgotten.
A few temples outside Kodagu and frequented by Kodavas also have Deva Thakkas. They served as temple managers especially during the annual festival days. For example, there is the Puggera family at the Baithurappa temple and the Mundiolanda and Bovverianda families at the Payyavoorappa temple.
A Kodava Trust called United Kodava Organisation (UKO) has now been putting in efforts to revive the Thakkorme practise. On Dec. 25, 2020, UKO held a Thakkorme event at Begur village. Kokkalemada Manju Chinnappa, President and Convener of UKO, spoke on the occasion, enlightening the crowd about the ancient practise. Mathanda Monnappa, President of Akhila Kodava Samaja and a present-day Desa Thakka, was also present.
According to UKO President, over 85 Thakkas participated in the event. He said that a Thakka is a religious head and an Oorme is a unity. Hence, Thakkorme is a confluence of religious heads. During the ancestral era, the Kodava clan system was led by these leaders. Urbanisation and politics had affected the system and have a negative effect on the community.
Currently, these spiritual leaders who also head the administrative system of the villages, are losing their hold. The revival of this religious head culture is now being planned by UKO. The 2020 event was held with the purpose of uniting the religious heads so as to empower them to protect the cultural heritage of the Kodava community. Hence, UKO has started an initiative to promote and revive these clan system rituals in their recently organised religious heads’ meet.
In 2015, UKO had organised a padayatra (foot march) from Talacauvery to Bengaluru. Every year they organise the Mand Namme (festival of village greens). The Mand is a village meadow with a sap tree. The dances and sports organised during annual festivals such as the festival of arms Kail Poldh and the harvest festival Puthari are held here. Sometimes disputes are settled in the Mand. This year (2021), the UKO Mand Namme is being held on Jan. 12 at Ammathi-Ontiangadi.
“In order to strengthen our religious system, we need to empower our Thakka culture. We need to revive the Thakka rituals and follow the associated rules strictly. In this manner we can preserve and protect the heritage of our Kodava community,” said Manju Chinnappa, during the Thakkorme meeting.
Just as how the spiritual leaders in various religious mutts are trained, we need to train the thakkas so that they can effectively guide our community. Through these thakkorme programmes, UKO will provide training to the present and the future generations of thakkas. We have to strengthen the thakka culture to ensure that our religious system remains strong.
— Kokkalemada Manju Chinnappa, President, United Kodava Organisation (UKO) at Thakkorme event in Begur village on Dec.25.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Mookanda Kushalappa / January 11th, 2021
Nelji Farmers Development and Recreation Association, Nelji village in Kodagu, has organised the 2nd State-level Coconut Shooting Competition at its Club premises at Nelji on Jan. 9.
Disclosing this at a press meet here this morning, Association President M.K. Nanjappa said that the contests will be inaugurated at 9 am by Nellamakkada Sharath Somanna of Ammathi, Palekanda Sai and Machetteira Naveen. Contest will be held in two categories — 0.22 rifle and 12 bore gun categories.
He further said that the first three winners will be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 20,000 receptively in 0.22 rifle category and Rs. 10,000, Rs. 7,000 and Rs. 5,000 respectively in 12 bore gun category, along with a trophy each.
Valedictory will be held on the same day in which Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, former senior Sports Officer of Indian Institute of Science at Bengaluru C.P. Poonacha, Zilla Panchayat Member and former President of the Standing Committee C.K. Bopanna of Gonikoppa and President of Napoklu Kodava Samaja A. Manu Muthappa will be the chief guests.
For details, contact Mandira Nanda on Mob: 93803-03387 or Kaibulira Umesh on 94483-26055 or Mandira Sachin on Mob: 73381-75764.
Association Vice-President K. Umesh Uthappa, Member M. Appanna and Director B. Devi Devayya were present during the press meet.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / by January 04th, 2021
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
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
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
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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