Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Creative spirit

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion


A month-long festival of words, performance and visual art, all inspired by the ghost story is taking over the Leeds Library. Yvette Huddleston reports.

There’s a bit of a chill in the air at Leeds Library this month when it hosts a programme of events and interventions entitled The Haunting: Ghosts of Every Shade.

The Haunting is presented by Alchemy – a Leeds-based arts organisation which aims to connect people through the arts and open doors to new ideas through shared cultural experience – working in collaboration with the Library, Leeds International Film Festival and Ilkley Literature Festival.

The Library itself, on Commercial Street in the heart of Leeds, was founded in 1768 and is the oldest surviving example of the ‘proprietary subscription library’ in Britain. It is also rumoured to be haunted by a former librarian from the 19th century, so it is the perfect 
venue for the month-long programme.

“The space is very evocative – it lends itself to all kinds of interventions,” says Nima Poovaya-Smith, curator and director of Alchemy. “It is an inspirational source of stories through its diverse collections and in putting the programme together we have worked with the rhythm and ambience of the library.”

Pulling together a variety of different art-forms which complement and repsond to each other, visitors are in for a treat. Internationally acclaimed writers Simon Armitage, Imtiaz Dharker, Rommi Smith and John Siddique explore not only the thrills and chills but also the more reflective and provocative aspects of ghosts and hauntings through poetry, performance, short stories.

There are enigmatic installations from artist Zareena Bano and others, plus soundscape, dance, vocals and film with around sixteen new commissions as well as performances, masterclasses, workshops and ghostly trails.

And it’s a wide brief that’s open to all sorts of interesting interpretations. “The project grew out of my own love and passion for ghost stories, particularly the stories of M R James and Edith Wharton, but we are not just looking at haunting in the supernatural sense,” says Poovaya-Smith. “People are haunted in all kinds of ways; haunting can be metaphorical not just literal so we have a great depth with what the artists have done.”

Our fascination with ghost stories is long-standing and complex – on the most profound level they are a reminder of our own mortality – and it is a tradition that crosses cultures and continents.

“I think there are many reasons for our interest in them,” says Poovaya-Smith. “But I think one element is the concept of being ‘safely scared’ – it’s a thrill. And there is such a rich tradition of demonology and dark forces. Then there is our curiosity about the possibility of an afterlife, especially if we have lost somebody.”

A highlight of the programme is artist Steve Manthorp’s exquisitely detailed and mildly discomfiting The Haunted Doll’s House, based on MR James’ classic ghost story of the same name.

“Steve shares my passion for MR James’ work and he told me that he has been wanting to make a Haunted Doll’s House for about thirty years,” says Poovaya-Smith. “It was an idea that haunted him.”

Other highlights include ceramicist Adele Howitt’s installation which responds to Edith Wharton’s psychologically unsettling story Pomegranate Seed and a late night walk through Ilkley with Literature Festival apprentice poet in residence Mark Pajak sharing scary stories and poetry that reveal the macabre folklore and history associated with some of the town’s landmarks.

Across the month there will be numerous workshops and masterclasses including poetry masterclasses by Simon Armitage and Rommi Smith and a spooky Halloween workshop.

“None of the artists have done anything obvious, everyone has produced exquisite work, they have outdone themselves,” says Poovaya-Smith. “In the library itself we have several interventions. We have put objects in bookshelves for people to discover, so around every corner you encounter something interesting.” She adds, smiling: “All these things came together, one might say, in an almost supernatural way.”

The Haunting: Ghosts of Every Shade runs until November 7. For the full programme details visit www.alchemyanew.co.uk

source: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk / The Yourshire Post / Home> LifeStyle> Books / by Yvette Huddleston / Friday – October 14th, 2016

The better halves !

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders
Tabu and Dinesh Gundu Rao
Tabu and Dinesh Gundu Rao

Celebrity couples are going all out to give partners the support they require during special moments

It’s all about the balancing act and these prominent couples are doing to nurture their relationships. With so many modern day marriages falling apart, there are quite a few prominent married couples that are standing together through thick and thin. There are also that many strong relationships that have survived the test of time, despite alluring temptations. Bollywood star Kajol has accompanied her actor/director husband Ajay Devgn for all national promotions of Shivaay. Kiran Rao, who was spearheading the 18th MAMI Festival in Mumbai received tremendous support from her star hubby Aamir Khan. Actor Akshay Kumar regularly tweets about Twinkle Khanna’s columns and is clearly proud of her accomplishments. What does it take to prioritise family over career and complementing each other’s personality?

South Indian actress Sumalatha, who is married to actor-politician, Ambareesh says, “My priorities were always clear — family first. Had my husband objected then, there was no question of me going against it, but he respected me enough to never stand in my way. This was a big step, and I wouldn’t have been able return to the profession, I have always loved and which has given me everything, without his consent and cooperation, it wouldn’t have been possible. Today, I look around and realise that my whole identity would have been submerged and lost, but for his understanding and support. Truly, he’s the reason that I can peacefully work and handle my domestic responsibilities too.”

Tabu Rao, wife of Dinesh Gundu Rao, president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee adds that there has to be respect and faith in every marriage, “I get involved in every family matter and never crib as I love doing it all. I’m also involved in the matters of the constituency and totally clued into social media and politics. I even handle my husband’s Facebook account and those who find it tough to get in touch with him go through me and I always help them out. He’s given me all the freedom without any restrictions and we always stand by each other.”

source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> Life and Style / by Namita Gupta / October 26th, 2016

NGO Credit-I launches programmes to mark its 10th anniversary

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Sports

Mysuru :

V R Raghunath, hockey player from Kodagu district who has represented Karnataka at national and international tournaments, was conferred Karnataka Kanmani State Award by Centre for Rural, Education Development and Innovative Technologies of India (Credit-I) recently.

Credit-I, the NGO, honoured the national player as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations at Jaganmohan Palace here. Raghunath has played in over 200 tournaments.

The organization also conducted various programmes to mark its anniversary over two days. On October 22, it conducted an inter-collegiate folk song singing contest, wherein students from 54 colleges in Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan and Chamarajanagar vied for honours.

On the occasion, environmentalist Vasanth Kumar Mysoremath launched the four programmes — ‘Spandana’ for the welfare of senior citizens, ‘Nele’ and ‘Paraspara’ to impart skills among youths so they can become entrepreneurships. The NGO has also adopted Malara, a drought-hit village in HD Kote taluk, to develop it into a model village in the 10 years.

Trinetra Mahantha Shivayogi, seer of Chandravana Ashram, industrialist Umesh K Shenoy and retired professor H M Vasanthamma attended the programme.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Mysore / TNN / October 26th, 2016

Bengaluru Round-Up

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

RASHMY TO LEAD

Nithin Thimmaiah and P.P. Rashmy will lead Karnataka’s teams at the inaugural Hockey India five-a-side national championships in Pune from October 26 to 30.

The teams: Men: Nithin Thimmaiah (Capt.), Jagdeep Dayal, D.S. Darshan, M.B. Aiyappa, Pradhan Somaiah, Rathan Muthanna, G. Shreyas, Abharan, and Pruthviraj.

Women: P.P. Rashmy (Capt.), M.P. Rohini, H.P. Sandya, Komala, Tanushree, Bhagyashree, Vishma, Kruthika and Niha.

RAVINDRA WINS

Ravindra Kumar and M. Sagar won round two of the South Zone MRF FMSCI INTSD Rally Championship here on Sunday. V. Santhosh Kumar and T. Nagarajan were second with A. Vinodh and D. Raghuraman third.

Other results: Ladies: 1. Malathi Bhavani (Sunitha Suresh), 2. Geetha Shetty (Bhargavi Shetty), 3. Asma Ashfaq (Julie James).

AKSHAY SHINES

Akshay (31 points) helped Bharath Sports Union to a 62-29 win over Viveks SC in the State under-16 basketball championship.

The results (semifinal league): Boys: Bharath SU 62 (Akshay 31) bt Viveks SC 29 (Pattu 12); YMMA 69 (Prashant 23) bt VNSC 49 (Vishal 14). Girls: Alva’s 38 (Nisarga 16) bt DYES Mandya 22 (Rakshitha 12); DYES Vidyanagar 31 (Harshitha 11) bt Beagles BC 18 (Sanjana 10).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports / October 26th, 2016

From the lap of nature

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

walkingstickskf21oct2016

In 2014, when a Coorgi village tribal gave Bheemaiah K K a rattan vine stick for his off-road activities, he contemplated starting a venture selling ‘all-purpose’ sticks. “That was in June-July, the beginning of my journey,” says the founder of Bheem Styx, now with a store on Indiranagar’s 12th Main. After three months of driving between Coorg, his hometown, and Bengaluru, where he lives, with the stick in his vehicle, he decided to act on the idea.

“I often travelled through forests and coffee estates,” says Bheemaiah — Bheem for short — from a family of coffee growers. “I realised then it didn’t make sense to ‘climb a tree to cut a branch’, and that sticks were strewn across roads and paths. You only had to see them and pick them up.” So every summer he goes hunting for sticks, fallen branches and trees, even keeps a look out for landslides along the Western Ghats. “Now that people know what I do, they alert me about fallen trees or about the civic bodies pruning trees,” he says.

He also makes the most of monsoon tree-felling gusts of wind in the city and elephants that uproot trees in the forests and, in all, about 400 sticks find their way into the drying room at his Coorg homestead, where they remain for a few months to a year.

“I seal the ends with wires to prevent cracking. Even so, some crack, some others are already eaten by insects or are rotten from inside,” he admits. But except for these 80 to 100, the rest, he says, turn out strong.

“They are mostly from hardwood trees whose names I know only in Kodava,” says the journalism graduate who moved to the city in 1997 for his schooling. “Some of these, my father tells me, are said to last for 80 to 100 years.” Others sticks come from boughs and branches of coffee plants or fruit trees, also grown abundantly in the Kodagu belt.

Once dried and hardened, these sticks are cleaned, sandpapered and transported to the garage store in the city, where they are painted. Bheem has dipped into his friends circle for this. “Some are artists, but most are students, entrepreneurs in their own right or art enthusiasts with day jobs,” he adds.

From deep-river-walking sticks and hook sticks, which can be used to pull down branches, and catapult sticks, whose ‘Y’ can either fling stones at fruits or work as an armrest, to home decor, fashion and city-walking sticks, there are several options on offer. Smaller bits of wood become keychains. They are priced between Rs 500 and Rs 12,000, with customised ones selling for not less than Rs 6,000.

Bheem reasons: “Collecting sticks is a sweaty, dirty job. I’ve got bitten by leeches, and once by a snake, though it wasn’t venomous. Caterpillars and thorns abound the wooded areas, so you hardly come back without a scratch or rash.”

The going is slow too, he adds. “At a time, one person can’t carry more than four to six sticks, given that often there are no walkways,” he explains. “Some are heavier than the rest, like the jungle palm felled by elephants. Carrying one five-foot-long, half-foot-wide piece of those is a difficult task.” But passion keeps him going back year after year, he muses.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / Chetana Divya Vasudev / DHNS – October 18th, 2016

Watch Star Suvarna Mahotsava on Sunday at 6pm

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

Star Suvarna channel will air Suvarna Mahotsava on Sunday at 6pm.

starsuvarnakf14oct2016

On the occasion, the channel has honoured women achievers like Ashwini Ponnappa, B Sarojadevi, Saalu Marada Thimakka, Umashree, Manjula Gururaj, Padmini Prakash, Mayuri Upadhya, Amulya and Hema Chaudhary.

The event is hosted by Niranjan Deshpande, who is currently in the Bigg Boss house .

Small screen actors who have acted in the serials aired by Star Suvarna have performed in the glittering evening.

Sandalwood director S Narayan, actor and director Prakash Raj and singer Raghu Dixit have graced the occasion.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> TV> News / Kannada / TNN / October 13th, 2016

Fiction: Good Hope Road by Sarita Mandanna

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion
Good Hope Road by Sarita Mandanna
Good Hope Road by Sarita Mandanna

There’s a road called Good Hope Road in Washington, D.C. and many of the events in Sarita Mandanna’s second novel occur around Good Hope Road in 1932, as America’s WWI veterans march for the passing of the Bonus Bill, legislation entitling war veterans to a decent income and health care. Vietnam and Afghanistan veterans still have these same issues today.

But this is not a political novel, rather it is a tale of how WW1 affected a rich New England heir and his unlikely best friend, a dirt-poor young black man from Louisiana.

James and Obadaiah are in Paris when war breaks out, and both decide to join the French Foreign Legion. Had they known the horrors that lay ahead, they might have just gone home.

Years later, they have lost contact and James is practically estranged from his adult son Jim. When Jim meets an actress from Boston, Madeleine, things change. Madeleine is determined to mend the rift between father and son.

With much persuasion, James Senior eventually decides to do something about his post-war embitterment and so lobbies the press about furthering the veterans’ Bonus Bill. What starts out as a letter of complaint leads to a national movement, and a new lease of life for James Senior.

The story sweeps from one World War to the next, as Mandanna explores themes of family, friendship, race, civil rights and the utter futility of war.

Epic in its scope, yet beautifully intimate and poetic in its style, it’s a keeper.

Sunday Indo Living

source: http://www.independent.ie / Independent.ie / Home> Entertainment Newsletter / by Anne Cunningham / October 10th, 2016

Uthappa not to don the big gloves

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

CRICKET / The dashing batsman confident of playing for India again

OPTIMISTIC:The prolific Robin Uthappa says he has become more consistent and feels people will take note again.— FILE PHOTO
OPTIMISTIC:The prolific Robin Uthappa says he has become more consistent and feels people will take note again.— FILE PHOTO

Robin Uthappa will not seek to keep wicket for Karnataka this Ranji Trophy season, believing it is best for “team chemistry.”

The 30-year-old shared the gloves with C.M. Gautam last time around, in an effort to bolster his credentials as a keeper-batsman, but the situation was recognised as not perhaps being ideal.

“Last season was a learning for me; I understood a little more about team chemistry,” Uthappa told The Hindu here on Thursday. “The chemistry works with CM keeping. And I respect that.

“Last year, we shared the duties but this year I’m going to allow CM to keep. And I think he should keep because it works well for the team. I don’t want to disturb that. For me it was a learning and I’ve accepted that learning and grown with that.”

After two glorious years, last season ended in disappointment for Karnataka, and Uthappa felt there was an element of things being taken for granted.

“Our batting didn’t fall into place. We couldn’t get 20 wickets. The rub of the green wasn’t going our way either. Eventually we missed the knockouts by a point. We were a little lacklustre in a few games.

“When the team’s good then sometimes you take things for granted. But we want to make amends for that this season. We’ve got the hunger, the drive, and motivation,” he said.

Not a fan of neutral venues

Uthappa admitted he was not a fan of playing at neutral venues. “I’ve been playing domestic cricket for 13 years and in the last three-four years crowds are actually turning up to watch Ranji Trophy games. It is very heartening. It is healthy for domestic cricket.

“To not see that happen this year would be a bit of a lull. I don’t know if this will last. I don’t know if this is the right way to go. But some teams were playing on such bad pitches that they were forced to take this option. Hopefully, it’s not something that will last too long,” he said.

Uthappa was last called up to the Indian team in 2015 following a good IPL season but was overlooked for the ODI and T20 tour of Zimbabwe this June. He was in fine form with the bat in the Ranji Trophy last season, scoring 759 runs at an average close to sixty.

“I have been staking a claim [for an India spot] every season. But it’s up to the selectors to make that call,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s disheartening. Especially when you watch other teams, other nations playing. You feel you’re missing out. But I do believe strongly that I will play again.

“People have seen me as flamboyant but not consistent. It’s taking time for people to relate to how I play. But consistency is something I’ve worked on. Hopefully people will take note again.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / by Shreedutta Chidananda / Bengaluru – October 07th, 2016

Sports events begin

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Olympian Ashwini Ponnappa and Paralympian Deepa Malik holding the Kreeda Jyoti during the inauguration of Dasara in Mysuru on Saturday.— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM
Olympian Ashwini Ponnappa and Paralympian Deepa Malik holding the Kreeda Jyoti during the inauguration of Dasara in Mysuru on Saturday.— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

The Kreeda Jyoti was lit and handed over to Olympian Ashwini Ponnappa at the Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hills on Saturday.

Ms. Ponnappa, along with other athletes, ran for a distance before handing it over to veteran athletes. The athletes then installed the torch at the Chamundi Vihas stadium where the Dasara sports events were being held.

As many as 22 games have been organised for this year’s Dasara. Over 8,000 sportspersons will be taking part. Paralympic Deepa Malik and Ms. Ponnappa jointly inaugurated the sports event later at the stadium.

The half-marathon will be held on October 2 and October 9 and over 500 people have already registered for the event.

Earlier, Ms. Ponnappa and Ms. Malik were felicitated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Mysuru – October 02nd, 2016

Sharjah: Multitalented Ganesh Rai to be honoured with ‘Global Man Award’

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

Dubai :

Multitalented former president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, B K Ganesh Rai is being bestowed with the ‘Global Man Award 2015’ for his contributions to Kannada language, literature, art, folk and social service both globally and in India and is the only one chosen from the UAE for this award. The award will be presented to him during the 12th Vishwa Kannada Samskruthi Sammelana and 13th anniversary of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah celebrations to be held on November 19 and 20 at Al Boom Tourist Village, Sharjah, UAE.

Ganesh Rai is the name that flashes in the minds of every Kannadiga specially in the UAE when it comes to matters of creativity. Multitalented, one can call him “Sakala Kala Vallaban”, be it different forms of painting, from miniatures to wall size, various forms of sculptures, from paper pulp to plaster or parry’s, large stage settings, tableaux, palatial sets, photography, videography, brochures, digital banners, souvenirs, models… you name it and you will find the skills in this great man, Ganesh Rai. He will simply smile and says yes without any hesitation, as for him work is worship and so he does it with ease. He is a good speaker too, a recepient of “Karnataka State Best Teacher Award” in the year 1993.

Hailing from Madikeri, Coorg, Ganesh Rai was born to Thulasiamma and Krishnappa Rai who themselves sound ‘Krishna Tulasi’, close to the Lords. Madikeri has gifted to the world this unique personality called Ganesh Rai who always keep saying “Elladaru iru, yenthadaru iru, yendendhigu nee Kannada vaagiru. (Live wherever you want to, be whatever you want to be, but remain a Kannadiga forever).”

Professor of art, B K Ganesh Rai needs no introduction in this part of the world. He is a person who rises above boundaries of colour, caste, creed, religion and language. Be it a request for art, stage setting, designing, printing, executing brochures, logos, invitations, souvenirs, sculpture, decorating stage from any corner of people, any corner of UAE, at any point of time, you will find only one person who creates with a smile and executes in spite of his busy schedule. ‘Sirigannadam Gelge, Sirigannadam Baalge’ – he never forgets to say that when completing his speech in any of the respected podiums he addresses.

Ganesh Rai’s Work – Service without Boundaries

* Turnkey project management for almost all social organisations without linguistic barriers
* Conceptualization, designing, printing and distribution of invitations
* Creation of giant size banners, stage backdrops, stage settings, cut-outs, posters etc.
* Creative journalism writing to various web media flashing timely news around the world
* Publication of high profile visit reports of specially invited artistes and guests from India
* Master of ceremony (MC) par excellence with easy flow of language and literature
* Conceptualization of ‘Certificate of Honour’ for dignitaries, high profile guests, artistes etc.
* Concept, design and execution of various souvenirs to almost all the existing Associations in UAE
* Creating sculptures especially Ganesha idol every year, Narayan Guru idol and many more
* Paintings of deities, brush arts, pencil art, charcoal art and various naturalistic creations
* Assumed and discharged active role as president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah in 2004
* Conducted first blood donation camp for Karnataka Sangha Sharjah in association with MOH
* Attends all blood donation camps organised by various associations and spreads awareness
by creating banners, role-ups and notices for blood donation camps and providing media news
* Compiled, created and released brochure of all Karnataka-based organisations’ blood donations. Brochure released by M K Lokesh, Ambassador of India
* Record of Indian blood donors presented to governments of India, UAE and Karnataka
* Helping the unfortunate deceased Indians in formalities of sending the mortal remains to India
* Enlightening and spreading the essence of Kannada as a soldier of Karnataka to Kannadigas
* Attained appreciations and accolades from almost all Karnataka based associations, and from Tamil, Malayalam and other Indian associations
* Won accolades from NMC Group where he is serving as creative art director
* Supported people of Bangladesh during the flood and natural disasters and helped those affected by the calamities.

Rai, a BCom graduate of Government College, Madikeri, a fine arts diploma holder of Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Art6s, an art master certificate holder from Kalanikethan School of Arts, Mysore and Mahalasa School of Arts, Mangaluru, is very well supported by his charming wife Manjula Rai, beautiful daughter Aishwarya Rai and handsome son Monish Rai.

Below are some of the creations for which he has been applauded:

Rai’s creations in India

Sculpture / Statues: Created Pushpanjali, Elephants, Lion and Carving Designs in the year 1974 at Govt Junior College Madikeri – Courtesy P P Ayyanna, principal, and unveiled by Field Marshal K M Cariappa

Ganapathy Statues: From 1979 onwards he has created more than 350 statues (2ft – 12 ft) for Karnataka Electricity Board Madikeri 1979-1995, Archana Ganapathy Festival, Virajpet, Angala Parameshwari Temple, Virajpet, Sri Rama Mandir Dechoor Madikeri, Hindu Yuva Shakti New Extn, G T Circle, Madikeri.

Paper Pulp Statues: Created paper moulding statues 8ft-12ft of different styles at Madikeri Dasara Festival, Gonikoppal Dasara Festival, viz, Ganapathy, Natya Ganapathy, Durga Parameshwari, Lakshmi, Saraswaty, Cauvery, Subramanya, Veera Hanumaan, Soorya Bhagavan with Seven Horses, Shanmuka Tarakasura vadhe, Vishnu Bhagavan, Narada, Thumbura, Shiva Linga, Lions, Tigers, Swamy Ayyappa, Maha Kali and many more. Also at Kanchi Kamakshi Temple Gouli street Madikeri, Kote Mariyamma Temple new Extn. Madikeri, Dechoor Sri Rama Mandir Madikeri, Kote Ganapathy Temple Madikeri, Kundurumotte Chamundeshwari Temple Madikeri Uma Maheshwari Temple Gonikoppal, Sree Hanuman Garadi, Beltangadi, South Canara, Bhuvaneshwari Statue – Kannada Rajyotsava celebration – Virajpet etc.

Concrete Moulding Statues: Created 9 ft Cauvery Statue both front and back faced double dimension in front of Cauvery Kalakshetra Madikeri, St Michael Statue (9 ft) at St Michael’s Church Madikeri, St Mary Statue at Kedamalloor Church – Virajpet, Nandi Basava – Arameri Kalancheri Mata statues, Raghavendra Swamy Statue at Raghavendra Temple – Mantralaya, AP, Karu Mariyamma / Nandi / Shiva Linga statues at Karu Mariyamma Temple Madikeri, Swamy Vivekananda 12 ft statue at Cauvery Krupa Madikeri and Prabhavali at Ganapathy Temple Virajpet

Wax Statues: Created Ganapathy, Lakshmi, Sarswathy, Cauvery statues at Madikeri.

Oil Colour/Water Colour Paintings: Created Birth Place of Cauvery oil color canvas painting for Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Board, Chennai. Also created Field Marshal K M Cariappa lifesize oil colour painting, Gopala Krishna Gokale lifesize oil colour painting for Govt Junior College Auditorium Madikeri, Coorg landscape paintings in oil colour for Public Library Virajpet, Jayaprakash Narayan oil colour portrait for A B Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, Omkareshwara Temple by night oil colour painting for Lalitha Kala Academy Bengaluru and many painting collections in Delhi, USA, Australia, France, Dubai etc.

Besides, he has participated in a number of art exhibitions in several places right from 1977.

Souvenir Cover Page Design and Logos

Created souvenir pages for 54th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, Madikeri, Madikeri Kodava Samaj Amruta Mahotsava (80 Years), Karnataka Police Centenary Celebration, St Anne’s Church 200 years Celebration, Kodagu Dist Honey & Wax Co-op Society Virajpet.

Created logos for Kodagu District Co-op Central Bank, Kodava Sahitya Academy, Kodagu Zilla Parishat, 54th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, Taranga Virajpet, St Anne’s High School Virajpet, Many more commercial company

He was responsible for multi-coloured picture, offset printing at Shivakasi which was the first time a multi-coloured picture was published in Kodagu (1980)

Birth Place of River Cauvery – Released by Field Marshal K M Cariappa.
Tala Cauvery – Poster released by A Ramaswamy, former deputy commissioner, Kodagu
Tala Cauvery – Triveni Sangama, Theerta Kundike – Picture cards released by M K Poovaiah
Tala Cauvery – Raja Seat Madikeri, Abbi Falls Madikeri – Greetings cards released by R Gundu Rao, the then chief minister of Karnataka
Cauvery – Amar Chitra Katha (pictorial book) Kannada, English, Kodava language released by M C Nanaiah, the then law minister of Karnataka government.
Aishwaraiswara Kubera Lakshmi, Framing picture – Released by Shekar Shetty of Arab Udupi Group of Hotels UAE

Organisations Served

President –Kodagu Kala Parishat / Kodagu Art Masters Association
Secretary –Bharat Scouts and Guides Taluk Association
Secretary –Kodagu District Bunts Association
Founder Member – ‘Taranga’ Cultural Association Virajpet
Technical Advisor – Field Marshal K M Cariappa Statue Committee, Madikeri

Rai’s activities in United Arab Emirates from 1996 onwards

Served as creative art director at Mirrage Advertising, Winning Communivations, Modern Graphics and now currently serving as creative director in Gulf Public Relations Advertising – Signage Division, NMC Group

Public Service

President – Karnataka Sangaha Sharjah 2004 – 2006
Entertainment Secretary – Karnataka Sangha Dubai 2000-2002
Art Director – UAE Tulu Koota Dubai, Sangama Kalavidaru UAE
Organising Committee Member – UAE Bunts -2000-2001
Blood Donation Camp, 2006 – Karnataka Sangha Sharjah and Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman and Ministry of Health, Sharjah

Art works created in UAE: Digital banners created with the concept of Karnataka art and culture and Indian traditional art for Karnataka Sangha Dubai, UAE Tulu Koota, Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, UAE Bunts, Mogaveers UAE, Billawas Dubai & Northers Emirates, Billawas Dubai, Gulf Billawa Sangha, Daiji Rang Mandir, Symphony Music Institute – Ajman/Sharjah, Sangama Kalavidaru UAE, Nama Tuluveru UAE, Vishwakarma Seva Samiti UAE, Devaadiga Sangha UAE.

Logos created in UAE for Karnataka Sangah Sharjah, UAE Tulu Koota (decennial), UAE Bunts, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Al Ain Kannada Sangha, Dhvani Pratistana UAE (silver jubilee), Mogaveers UAE, Sangama Kalavidaru UAE, Gulf Kannadiga Forum, Devadiga Sangha UAE, UAE Tamil Sangam, Mangalore Konkans (20 years), Daiijiword website, Kannadadhvani website

Stage settings and gateway creations in UAE with the concept of Karnataka art and culture and Indian traditional art for Karnataka Sangah Dubai – Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore setting in 2001, Mysore Palace setting in 2002 (Karnatakotsava – Vishnuvardhan Kannada cine star), UAE Tulu Koota – Tulunadu setting.

Tableaux, gateways and souvenirs designed

* UAE Bunts Souvenir Cover page design – 1999
* Karnataka Sangha Dubai Souvenir – “Gaana Vaibhava”2001 , “Chandana” 2010
* Karnataka Sangha Sharjah – “Saadhane” – 2006
* Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha “Rajata Rashmi” – 2006
* Mangalore Konkans Dubai 2003 – 2010
* Billawas Dubai & Northern Emirates “Suvarna Kedage”- 2007
* UAE Tulukoota – “Sangama” 2000
* St Mary’s Church Dubai – 2005
* St Francis Assisi Jebal Ali – 2007
* St Michael’s Church Sharjah
* SMC Malayalee Catholics
* Tamil Sangam Ras Al Khaimah
* SMC Fr Daniel’s Hon Souvenir
* Dhvani Pratistaana UAE – “Kannada Naadu Nudi Rakshane” Cover
* Karnataka Sangha Sharjah -” Suvarna Karnataka Picture Card”

Besides, he has written and conceptualised a book titled ‘Footprints – A fascinating journey’ to Padmashri Dr B R Shetty.

Awards

Honoured at Govt Junior College Madikeri 1974 at Field Marshal K M Cariappa unveiling ceremony of sculptured art work, Main Gate GJC Madikeri
Karnataka State Best Teacher Award – 1993 by Karnataka Teachers Benefit Fund Bangalore
Karnataka Rajyotsava District Award -1987 by R Gundu Rao, the then chief minister of Karnataka
Gold Medal -1987 at Lakshadeepotsava Dharmasthala by Dr Veerendra Heggade
State Level Honouring – 1993 – at Gokrananatheshwara Temple Mangaluru, by Sri Pejawar Swamiji
Dr Shivaram Karanth Shilpa Kala Rathna Award – 1983 at Karnataka Electricity Board – Madikeri, by K A Somanna, state commissioner, Bharat Scouts – Karnataka
Kala Praveena Award – 1984 Ganapathy Utsava Samiti Gandhi Nagara Virajpet by Sri Shanthamalla Swamiji, Arameri Mata
Kala Kirana Award – 1990 at Angala Parameshwari Temple Virajpet, by M K Poovaiah, president, town muncipal council, Virajpet
Honoured at 100 years Karnataka Police Celebration – 1984 by P S Ramanujam, DIG Mysore
Honoured at Lalitha Kala Academy, Bangalore -1991 by P R Thippeswamy, president, Lalitha Kala Academy Bangalore
Honoured at Madikeri Dasara – Navaratri festival by M C Nanaiah, the then law minister Karnataka
Honourred at Sarva Dharma Sammelana – Arameri Math, by Shiva Kumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math,Tumakuru and Shantha Malla Swamiji Kalncheri Arameri Math
Honoured at Madikeri Dasara Utasav Temples by Kanchi Kaamkshi Temple, Kote Mariyamma Temple
Honoured by Kodagu Bunts Association 1993 at Rotary Hall Madikeri
Honoured at Vishwa Bunts Convention -1993 at Art Exhibition – Chitra Kala Parishat Bangalore by Dr Shivarama Karanth and Jeevaraj Alva, the then minister of Kannada and culture, Karnataka

Awards in UAE

Was honoured with ‘Mayura Award’ by Karnataka Sangha Sharjah in 2009
Received ‘Prathiba Puraskar Award’ at Vishwa Kannada Cultural Convention in 2009
Honoured at Nama Tuluveru ‘Tuluvere Parba 2012’
Honoured at Kuvempu Utsava 2012 at Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Honoured at UAE Bunts Satyanarayana Pooja by Dr. B.R. Shetty in 2015
Honoured at UAE Tulukoota Silver Jubilee Celebration in 2015
Honoured at Devadigas Dubai Celebration in 2015
Honoured at Ramakshatriya Sangha in 2015
Honoured by Shri. Veerendra Hegde at Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sanga Rajyotsava Celebration 2015

Other than the above there are innumerable events Ganesh Rai has contributed selflessly to in one or the other way which was noticed and appreciated by the concerned on various occasions.

In my view, Ganesh Rai should be considered as a great asset to the Kannadigas in the UAE and India as well, for his contribution so far. With his sheer enthusiasm and commitment towards Kannada and Tulu language, he is promoting community spirit from so many years in this part of the world. He deserves all accolades and appreciation from the government of Karnataka which should recognize his service towards Kannada/Tulu language, art, folk and literature packed with a unique blend of artistry, social awareness, commitment of service to humanity and honour him soon.

Wishing him more success in his future endeavor.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Shodhan Prasad / Dubai – November 19th, 2015