Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Kerala calls the Coorg lass

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

Sandalwood star Harshika Poonacha is all set to make her debut in Malayalam cinema.

Harshika Poonacha
Harshika Poonacha

Like the historic Charminar, which is a symbol of monumental beauty, this Coorg beauty has encountered something special with another kind of Charminar!

After making a mark in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil, Harshika Poonacha has now bagged a beautiful ticket to Mollywood. In her debut movie in Malayalam titled Charminar, she plays a Mallu girl based in Bengaluru. The actress who is fluent in all South Indian languages including Kodava, Tulu and Konkani, talks all about her new exciting journey, and much more.

“Even as my debut Tamil movie Un Kadhal Yerrindhal is yet to release, I have taken up a very special project in Malayalam. I could not have asked for more especially when I was told that the team had auditioned at least 1,500 girls for the role. It may sound exaggerated but the team was very particular about the girl’s character who had to look good in both Indian and as well hold herself well as a Western super model. Some matched perfectly for the model’s part and others for Indian girl’s character, and hence the search continued.

Finally, when someone referred my name along with my portfolio, I fit both the roles, as a pakka desi, geeky looking girl and a model, so they approached me,” says Harshika Poonacha.

Her debut Malayalam movie is being directed by Ajith C Logesh, and has two male actors in the lead — Ashwin Kumar and Hemanth Menon. While her latest Kannada movie Upendra Matte Baa, starring alongside Real Star Upendra sees her play a special cameo appearance, it also includes a ‘real’ foot tapping number releasing this week, she has signed another in Kannada titled Chitte.

Back to her Mollywood debut, the actress reveals that it has a special connection with namma Kannada. “As I play a Mallu girl in Bengaluru, I get to speak Kannada in some parts of Charminar. This is something I improvised and convinced my director that I would speak in Kannada whenever I am happy and excited. As I said, I have two shades to my character, the transformation from an ordinary typical Indian girl to super model is the best part.”

With regard to her multi-lingual skills, she adds that living in Bengaluru has helped her learn all the south Indian languages. “Language has never been a problem and I feel it is a ‘power’ to me. I can speak Kannada, Kodava, Konkani, Tuli, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and English fluently. Nobody reads me my lines, I understand the emotions behind it and deliver,” she adds.

Before flying away like a Chitte, she shares her Bollywood dreams: “When I had been for my photoshoot, I did come across several offers to work including a project of Madhur Bhandarkar, and another one starring Sanjay Dutt. I was almost starting shooting for one them but they asked me to shift my base to Mumbai. I was in a confused state of mind with commitments down South and my prime intention was to make a name for myself in Kannada first, thus it kept me from it.

Moreover, I could not leave my parents. I, sometimes regret it but I am hopeful about it, and also glad that I am heading in the right direction,” she signs off.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Entertainment> Sandalwood / by ShashiPrasad SM, Deccan Chronicle / November 17th, 2017

Vijay Suriya: My first crush on a TV personality was Shwetha Chengappa

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

Earliest memories of television: That would be of my father renting out a VCR and video cassettes from a neighbouring library and us watching at least one film a week. We had a small black & white TV set at home. Some time in the mid 90s, we bought a colour TV. The brand that we had bought was popular for its tag line “Neighbour’s envy, Owner’s pride.” It was such a big deal when we bought that TV because it was huge and a colour TV above all. It had fancy buttons and our entire street was in awe when we first got it home.

VijayKF14nov2017

All-time favourite TV serials: Shakthimaan stands out in my memory even today. Then I remember waiting for the weekend to watch the Donald Duck series. When cable TV came in, it was Kadambari, because my mother used to watch it all the time. I was still a kid but Shwetha Chengappa who played a major part in it was my first crush among TV personalities. I loved watching Ripleys Believe It Or Not and also World’s Funniest Animals.

Advice to newbies entering television: Whether it’s TV or cinema, I’d say, patience is the key. And always remember that you can’t become a superstar overnight. Work hard and also remember to respect your profession.

source:http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> TV> News> Kannada / by Madhu Daithota / TNN / November 13th, 2017

Karnataka : Third edition of Barefoot Marathon to be held in December

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Sports
Categories at the marathon include one-mile run, 10 km, 21 km and 42 km
Categories at the marathon include one-mile run, 10 km, 21 km and 42 km

The third edition of the world’s first barefoot marathon will be held at the Tata Coffee Sports Ground at Pollibeta in Kodagu on Dec 10.

Cheppudira Nikki Ponappa, professional golfer, coach and founder of Coorg Wellness Foundation, said the event is being organised with Milind Soman as part of the Coorg Reconnect Initiative by Coorg Wellness Foundation.

Ponappa said, “Barefoot marathon is an initiative through which we want the people of Kodagu as well as anyone who is a nature and wildlife lover to reconnect with mother earth and the best way to do this is by being barefoot. Through this event, we are trying to spread awareness about the rehabilitation of the elephant habitat and we want to replant the 54,000 trees that were chopped from Kodagu for a power grid. So, through the event, we hope to create awareness for planting native fruit trees in an eco-sensitive area like Kodagu. Our wildlife and elephants need to stay in the forest and enjoy their homeland.”

The organisers are expecting about 500 runners to participate from all over the country. “While for the natives of Kodagu, cash prize is awarded, outsiders who win prizes take home produce such as coffee and pepper. We want people to come and experience Kodagu and take back Kodagu with them. The entire event is an eco-friendly event with a ban on plastics. Even water is served in coconut shells. There are no loud speakers nor do we use electricity. The warm up begins with the folk music known as the ‘Vallaga’ and people will have to warm up by dancing the traditional Kodava dance,” Ponappa said.

Ponappa said the categories include one-mile run, 10 km, 21 km and 42 km.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> News> State / by Deepthi Sanjiv, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / November 10th, 2017

Twin titles for Ponappa, Attri-Reddy shock top seeds

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Ashwini Ponappa. (TOI Photo)
Ashwini Ponappa. (TOI Photo)

Nagpur :

Ashwini Ponappa switched partners recently. N Sikki Reddy and R Satwik Sai Raj are her new partners in women’s and mixed doubles respectively. However, it has hardly made a difference to her performance as she won the twin titles, for the first time, in Senior Badminton Nationals on Wednesday.

Combining with Sai Raj, she recorded a fighting victory over World No. 16 Pranav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy 21-9, 20-22, 21-17 in the mixed doubles final. Later, with Reddy, she comprehensively defeated Maharashtra pair of Prajakta Sawant and Sanyogita Ghorpade 21-14, 21-14 to complete the double.

In the men’s double final, which turned out to be a marathon affair, Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy shocked top seeds and world No. 28 Satwik Sai Raj and Chirag Shetty 15-21, 22-20, 25-23. The title clash lasted for sixty four minutes.

The second seed pair of Satwik Sai Raj and Ponappa looked in great form in the first game of the mixed doubles final. They finished the opening game in no time. The pair showed brilliant coordination against the top seed pair of Chopra and Reddy. Nothing went right for the top seeds as they were left clueless and lost the one-sided first game.

Chopra and Reddy played much better in the second game and took initial lead before Satwik and Ponnappa caught them up. Chopra and Reddy took a crucial four-point lead towards the end but Satwik and Ponappa kept coming back to make it 20-20. However, Chopra rose to the occasion and finished off the game to level the match.

The third game saw an intense battle till the interval. However, after changing sides, Satwik and Ponappa kept chipping in with important points and maintained the lead throughout. Chopra-Reddy pair reduced the lead but never got ahead. From 15-14, the second seed pair got four successive points and soon finished the game.

The women’s doubles final, however, turned out to be a damp squib. Ghorpade-Sawant pair started off well in both games but conceded the lead at the halfway mark. Ponappa-Reddy pair was hardly given the fight. While Ponappa was oozing with confidence with her title victory in mixed doubles, Reddy was hurt. It worked for both of them as they knocked off the Maharashtra pair challenge in just 27 minutes.

The men’s doubles final, however, went right down to the wire and kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. The second seed pair of Attri and Sumeeth Reddy showed great character whenever they were pushed back to the wall. After losing the first game, they were down 17-20 and it looked all over for them. However, they showed great fight and scored five successive points to level the final.

They had a chance to finish off the game quickly in the third game with a six point lead towards the end. However, Satwik and Shetty showed why they were given the top billing. They played aggressively to level the scores. The pair were on championship point in the third game as well but messed it up. Even after the deuce, they had an opportunity to win the title for the third time but couldn’t do it.

It was Manu and Reddy’s day. They won a close last game. An animated Reddy raced across the court to celebrate the hard-fought victory.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Sports News> Badminton News / Ruchir Mishra / TNN / November 09th, 2017

Coffee industry seeks review of GST

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

CoffeeBeansKF07nov2017

The high GST rate, besides bringing down instant coffee consumption, would also have a significant impact on the coffee farmers of South India

New Delhi / Bengaluru :

The coffee industry has sought a review of the GST rates on instant coffee and the curing process, while stating that such high rates would hurt consumption and, eventually, growers’ realisations.

Coffee growers are under pressure as the volatile trend in global prices, which directly influence local prices, has already kept their realisations in check.

The GST on instant coffee has been fixed at 28 per cent, while the curing or dry processing of the beans attracts a levy of 18 per cent.

Parity sought with tea

Making a case for reduction in GST on instant coffee, The India Coffee Trust, represented by various stakeholders from the sector, has appealed to the Prime Minister’s Office to bring it down to 18 per cent, on par with the instant tea.

Anil Kumar Bhandari, President, ICT, in a letter to the PMO, said the high GST rate, besides bringing down instant coffee consumption in the country, would also have a significant impact on the coffee farmers of Karnataka and South India, since instant coffee manufactures will source less raw coffee from them.

According to the ICT, of the 3.46 lakh tonnes of raw coffee produced in the country, about 2.78 lakh tonnes is exported, while the rest is consumed domestically.

Of the 0.78 lakh tonnes consumed domestically, about 50,000 tonnes is used in the form of roast and ground, while the remaining 28,000 is consumed as instant coffee.

South India accounts for the bulk of the coffee consumption, though off-take has picked up in the northern States in recent years.

The Trust said instant coffee is largely consumed by poor consumers and the cost per cup is lower when compared to the roast and ground.

It also said that higher tax would impede the development of the coffee habit in North and East India.

Seeking a cure

Meanwhile, the All India Coffee Curers Association has demanded the withdrawal of 18 per cent GST levied on coffee curing.

Curing involves dry processing and grading of green coffee beans.

As curing is an investment-intensive process, the majority of coffee growers normally outsource the dry processing of the green beans to curing works, where they are processed, graded and sorted.

“Any levy on curing would eventually hit farm-gate prices, thereby reducing growers’ realisations. The government should withdraw the levy,” said AN Devaraj, President of the All India Coffee Curers Association.

Farm-gate price worries

Coffee growers are concerned about how the impact of the GST levy on curing will influence farm-gate prices, even as the early harvesting of the arabica variety has begun in parts of Kodagu and Chikmagalur, the main growing regions.

“The GST on curing may impact farm-gate prices. With the season yet to start in full swing, it is too early to quantify the impact,” said HT Pramod, Chairman of the Karnataka Planters’ Association.

Arabica prices are hovering between ₹7,000 and ₹7,200 per 50-kg bag for the parchment, while arabica cherry prices are in the ₹3,700-4,000 per bag range, lower than last year.

“We are waiting for clarity on this issue. No sale of coffee from the new crop has taken place as growers are not in a hurry to sell as prices are low,” said N Bose Mandanna, a grower in Kodagu.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Economy> AgriBusiness / by KR Srivats & Vishwanath Kulkarni / October 30th, 2017

I have become used to people mistaking me for Nazriya: Varsha Bollamma

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

While it has been two years since actress Nazriya decided to take a break from Mollywood post marriage, her fans still hold on to her every delightful gesture and effortless acting.
VarshaBollamma02KF06nov2017

While they are eagerly awaiting her comeback, Varsha Bollamma, who shot to fame with her dubsmash videos based on the actress’ films, is marking her M-town debut. Interestingly, she is also a dead ringer for Nazriya.

“People asking me if I am Nazriya has become part and parcel of my life. Wherever I go, I hear people whispering if I am her and I laugh inside my mind,” says Varsha, adding that the similarities end with the look. “I am a different person and I am sure people will figure that out after a five-minute conversation.”

Varsha will make her debut in Mollywood with Rajesh Nair’s Kalyanam which also stars Mukesh and Saritha’s son Shravan. “I play a girl next door named Shari. It was great working here. The people here are very talented and humble,” she says.

On working with Shravan, Varsha says, “We had to improvise and came up with impromptu dialogues on the sets. It was an interesting experience. Shravan has imbibed the talents of his parents as is evident from his remarkable performance in the film.”

While it’s her first Malayalam film, she started her film career in Tamil two years ago. “My first movie was Sathuran and I did the viral dubsmash movies after shooting for it. Though a few of my friends used to tell me that I resemble Nazriya, I didn’t know how popular the videos would go on to be,” she explains.

In Kollywood, the actress has worked in movies such as Vetrivel and Yanum Theyavan, and is currently part of Vijay Sethupathi’s 96. “He plays a photographer in the film and I his student. Vijay sir doesn’t merely act but rater lives his characters. He’s also one of the sweetest people I have come across. He respects everyone and has a grounded persona,” she says.

Varsha, meanwhile, has signed another Malayalam film titled Mandaram, which has Asif Ali as the protagonist. “It is a romcom and I play a fashion designer,” she says.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Entertainment> Malayalam> Movies> News / by Anjana George / October 09th, 2017

Who was Field Marshal KM Cariappa?

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

KM Cariappa received the prestigious order of the British Empire (OBE) for his role in the Burma against the Japanese during the Second World War.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday pitched for Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, independent India’s first army chief, to be conferred the Bharat Ratna. However, few know of the man whose unrelenting patriotism and secular beliefs blazed a trail in the Indian Army.

KM Cariappa is a man known for many firsts, but most importantly, he is known as the man who took charge of the Indian Army from its last British Commander in Chief, General Sir Roy Bucher. Born on January 28, 1899, in Coorg, Cariappa completed his education at Central High School at Madikeri and went on to study at the Presidency College in Madras.

However, Cariappa began his Army stint under the British and was among the few selected for the first batch of KCIOs (King’s Commissioned Indian Officers) at the Daly Cadet College in Indore and was commissioned in the Carnatic Infantry. He was in active service with the 37 (Prince of Wales) Dogra in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) and then posted to the 2nd Rajput Light Infantry (Queen Victoria’s Own). Cariappa went on to become the first Indian officer to undergo the course at Staff College, Quetta in 1933. In 1946, he got promoted as the Brigadier of the Frontier Brigade Group.

By Indian independence, Cariappa saw action in Iraq, Syria, Iran and Burma and became the first Indian Officer to be given command of a unit in 1942. He went on to receive many awards and accolades in his career spanning three decades. He received the prestigious order of the British Empire (OBE) for his role in the Burma against the Japanese during the Second World War.

In 1947, Cariappa became the first Indian to be selected to undergo a training course at Imperial Defence College, Camberly, UK. His role during the Partition is rarely mentioned, during which he oversaw the division of the Army. Cariappa also led the Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pak War of 1947 and successfully recaptured Zojila, Drass and Kargil and established a linkup with Leh.

On January 15, 1949, Cariappa became the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He held the five-star rank of field marshal, the highest honour in the Indian Army, which Sam Manekshaw is the only other officer to have held. He was also awarded the ‘Order of the Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit’ by US President, Harry Truman
Even after his retirement from the Army in 1953, Cariappa was not finished yet and served as the High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand till 1956. He died in Bengaluru in 1993 at the age of 94.

With PTI inputs

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Who Is / by Express Web Desk / New Delhi – November 04th, 2017

Army Chief Bipin Rawat Seeks Bharat Ratna for Field Marshal Cariappa

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Gen Rawat’s comments came in response to a request by Col KC Subbayya from The Field Marshal Cariappa General Thimayya (FMCGT) forum about recommending the Bharat Ratna to Cariappa, who hails from Kodagu district in Karnataka.

File photo of Army chief General Bipin Rawat. (PTI)
File photo of Army chief General Bipin Rawat. (PTI)

Gonikoppal:

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday pitched for conferring the country’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna on independent India’s first army chief, Field Marshal General K M Cariappa.

“The time has also come to recommend Field Marshal Cariappa for the award of Bharat Ratna. If others can get it, I see no reason why he should not, a deserving personality for the same. We will shortly address the issue on priority,” he said

Gen Rawat’s comments came in response to a request by Col KC Subbayya from The Field Marshal Cariappa General Thimayya (FMCGT) forum about recommending the Bharat Ratna to Cariappa, who hails from Kodagu district in Karnataka.

Rawat unveiled the statues of Cariappa and General K S Thimayya, also a former Army chief who hailed from Kodagu district in Karnataka, at a function at the Cauvery College at Gonikoppal, Kodagu district.

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Military, Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa (1899 - 1993), 1975. (Photo by Dinodia Photos/Getty Images)
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Military, Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa (1899 – 1993), 1975. (Photo by Dinodia Photos/Getty Images)

Terming Kodagu (formerly Coorg) as a ‘land of warriors’, Rawat said he is proud, privileged and humbled for having got the opportunity to unveil the memorial in memory of Field Marshal Cariappa and General K S Thimayya.

Kodagu continues to serve the nation with a large number of officers and men serving the Army, he said and voiced hope that “there will be more Chiefs in the future who will rise from this great land”.

Cariappa was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army and was conferred the rank of Field Marshal on April 28, 1986.

He was also a recipient of the prestigious order of the British Empire (OBE) for his role in the Burma campaign against the Japanese during the Second World War.

Cariappa also led the Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pak War of 1947.

He held the five-star rank of field marshal, the highest honour in the Indian Army, which Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw is the only other officer to have held.

Cariappa, whose military career spanned over three decades, retired from the Army in 1953 and later served as the High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand till 1956.

He died in Bengaluru in 1993 at the age of 94.

source: http://www.news18.com / News18.com / Home> India / PTI / November 04th, 2017

Bigg Boss 5, Day 16 highlights: Ashitha Chandrappa is the winner of the day

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

In the two tasks conducted in the house, Thangaliyalli Theeli Ninthe and in concentration and memory power task, Ashitha Chandrappa, was declared as the winner unanimously by the inmates of the house.

AshishtaKF03nov2017

She will get the special box for winning the task which will be opened only after Bigg Boss orders.

Though, Jagan secured number one place in Thangaliyalli Theeli Ninthe task, Ashitha was declared as the winner as she got the third place in holding onto the rope and she got the first place in memory power task where a set of dancers performed in the house and later there was a quiz.

Both Jagan and Ashitha now are not allowed to take part in luxury budget task for the rest of the week.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> TV> News> Kannada / TNN / November 01st, 2017

Army legends captured in bronze

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat will unveil statues of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General K.S. Thimayya at a function in Cauvery College, Gonikoppal, Kodagu district, on Saturday.

The history of valour in the Indian Army is incomplete without mention of Kodavas, and amongst them Field Marshal Cariappa, and General Thimayya stand out as shining examples of leadership and inspiration, a press release said. Field Marshal Cariappa was the first Indian Commander in Chief of the Indian Army and was conferred the rank of Field Marshal on April 28, 1986. He was also a recipient of the Order of the British Empire for his role in the Burma campaign against the Japanese during World War 2. General Thimayya was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1954 and took over as Army Chief on May 7, 1957.

The site for the statues — located close to the ‘lyn house’, the ancestral house of the Kodavdira family belonging to the Generals — has been provided by the Cauvery Educational Society. The bronze statues (7’6” in height) were crafted in Bidadi by Shilpi Vijay for a cost of ₹17 lakh. This is the only location in India where statues of Army Chiefs stand next to one another.

The Field Marshal Cariappa General Thimayya Forum has been formed with the aim of helping veterans and motivating youngsters to join the armed forces. The forum started celebrating the birth anniversaries of the Generals in 2007, and today, Field Marshal Cariappa’s birth anniversary has become a government event.

Efforts are on to do the same for Gen Thimayya’s birth anniversary as well. The forum is also actively involved in turning ‘Sunny Side’, which was Gen. Thimayya’s residence, into a museum and war memorial. According to the release, the plan is to complete the work by mid-2018.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 01st, 2017