A few months back, the actor known for his work in Ram Leela and Dahaad, Gulshan Devaiah spoke to Filmfare. He was honest and did not shy away from answering questions about his relationship with his ex-wife, his equation with Anurag Kashyap and his overall journey in the industry.
When asked about his equation with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his experience of working with him, the actor said, “ People say Sanjay Leela Bhansali has a short temper, but this is not the case. Like other directors, he does not communicate openly with you. People are hesitant to talk to him. But I would share my ideas with him without hesitation.”
He further went on to add, “He became fond of me. He’d listen to me. He pays close attention to detail. He takes an entire day to frame a single shot. Perhaps some would find this strange, but when the film is finished, the meticulous detailing stands out. As an actor, he allows you to do whatever you want. However, during editing, he will only retain what he has instructed you to do, not what you have done on your own.”
Now, the actor will soon be seen in the Janhvi Kapoor starrer Ulajh. The film is directed by Sudhanshu Saria and will be released in cinemas on July 5.
source: http://www.filmfare.com / Filmfare.com / Home> News> Bollywood / by Filmfare / May 28th, 2024
India’s High Range Coffee Curing is poised to become the first farm verified by the Rainforest Alliance to ship EUDR–ready coffee beans to Europe later this month.
The coffee farm partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to meet the necessary compliance requirements of the regulation.
Established in 1995, High Range Coffee Curing is located in the Periyapatna and Kushalnagar Coorg districts, among 142 hectares of tropical forests, and is known for its quality beans.
The farm supplies coffee to leading global coffee brands, roasters and traders in India, including Nestle , Unilever, E-Com Commodities, Olam, Continental Coffee, Louis Dreyfus Company , Vidya Coffee and Allanasons.
EUDR-Ready Coffee
Zaidan M Saly, director of High Range Coffee Curing stated, “Implementing EUDR [EU Deforestation Regulation] posed significant challenges for our team, but with the invaluable guidance from Rainforest Alliance representatives in our region, we overcame them and gained confidence in the process.
“Their expertise made the seemingly daunting task entirely feasible, facilitating a smooth and successful implementation, which now not only guarantees adherence to EUDR regulations but also sparked a revolution in our approach to traceability.”
Rainforest Alliance certification enables coffee and cocoa farmers to opt in for EUDR-aligned criteria.
This allows companies to source from these farms, track ingredients along their supply chains, and leverage farm data to demonstrate compliance with the regulation’s deforestation risk assessment and mitigation requirements by the deadline, at no additional cost.
‘Sustainable Practices’
Miguel Gamboa, coffee sector lead at the Rainforest Alliance stated, “The EUDR represents an important step forward to shift the global coffee sector towards more sustainable practices.
“Yet, many smallholder coffee farmers need support to align with the requirements, including traceability, deforestation risk mapping, local laws, and practical and technical guidance on key environmental practices.”
The Rainforest Alliance has urged the EU Commission not to dilute or delay the legislation or postpone its deadline in response to calls from some companies and governments.
It has also called on companies not to scale back purchases from smallholder coffee farmers, but rather support them in meeting the deadline of this legislation.
Gamboa added, “We are also piloting a deforestation risk assessment offering for companies buying non-certified coffee and cocoa, which we plan to roll out more widely later this year.
“With this offering, we aim to support more companies in their journey to compliance, but more importantly, to also reach non-certified farmers so their products can still be sold on the EU market.”
source: http://www.esmagazine.com / ESM, European Supermarket Magazine / Home> Supply Chain / by Dayeeta Das / May 06th, 2024
Three journalists have been selected for the Annual Awards given by the Kodagu Press Club.
A.N. Vasu’s report titled ‘Yejentara Mosakke Baliyagi Videshadalli Silukida Mahile’ published in Shakthi Daily has been selected for Best Effective Report Award, instituted in memory of senior journalist K.B. Mahantesh.
P.V. Akshay’s (AG) report in Star of Mysore (SOM) titled ‘Daredevil Act by Kodagu-born Vet Saves Leopard in Mangaluru’ has been selected for Best Humanitarian Report Award, instituted by Koovarkolli Indresh and family in memory of his father B.V. Chandrashekhar and mother Pushpalatha.
Imanda Gopal Somaiah’s report ‘Madikeriyalli Maragala Maaranahoma,’ telecast on TV9 Kannada, has been selected for Best Environmental Report Award, constituted by M.N. Chandramohan in memory of his father M. Narayana and mother N. Padmavathi.
Each of the three awards includes a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and a plaque. The awards ceremony will take place in Madikeri on June 2 at 12 noon.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 29th, 2024
With my father B.C. Machaiah (Retired. Police Officer) — Parane, Kodagu District, India
As I stood amidst the serene beauty of my hometown in Kodagu (Coorg) district, watching the funeral pyre of my father blaze against the backdrop of our ancestral lands, I found myself enveloped in a tapestry of memories and wisdom that he had bequeathed to me. My father, a dedicated police officer who served and protected his community passed away on April 25, 2023, at the age of 85, led a life that was a testament to living with integrity, simplicity, and a profound commitment to service.
In the quiet moments of reflection that followed his passing, I was reminded of the lessons he imparted, lessons that were as simple in their wording as they were deep in their meaning: Eat lightly, drink moderately, exercise regularly, and love excessively. But beyond these, he emphasized a philosophy that has become the bedrock of my understanding of life — serving something higher than yourself and contributing meaningfully to society.
Growing up in India, a land steeped in spiritual diversity and tradition, I had the privilege of witnessing the embodiment of true wisdom through my father’s everyday actions. Unlike the narratives that often glorify the path of renunciation for enlightenment, my father’s life story was a powerful narrative of engagement. He believed in being fully present in the world, embracing the gamut of experiences it offers — love, loss, laughter, and learning — while maintaining a sense of detachment from the outcome and expectations that often entangle us.
This philosophy was not born in isolation but was a product of India’s rich cultural and spiritual milieu. Accompanying my father on his police duties during significant religious events, I encountered monks and ascetics from multiple faiths, many of whom had descended from their secluded retreats in the Himalayas. Observing the crowds that gathered to seek blessings and wisdom from these spiritual figures, I am reminded of the profound conversations with my father. He often said, “Son, it is important to embrace the world fully and go through it all — love, loss, learn, laugh, and through it all live and thrive! Be in the world, but not of this world.”
This simple yet profound message has stayed with me, shaping my understanding of what it means to live a fulfilled life. It is not the ascetic’s withdrawal from the world that defines wisdom and fulfillment but the everyday person’s courage to face life’s challenges with integrity and love. My father’s life was a testament to this belief. He lived not as a monk in search of enlightenment but as a man deeply rooted in the world, dedicated to protecting his community, caring for his family, and living a life of service.
As I navigate through my roles as a son, a father, family, and citizen, I am guided by the legacy of my father’s wisdom. It is a reminder that true fulfillment and integrity come not from escaping the world but from engaging with it passionately, responsibly, and with compassion. So let us not get carried away by becoming monks and celebrating those who had some experiences in those roles. Let us celebrate those admist us today who are making a difference in communities where they live and serve — real people, real stories, real heroes!
In sharing this legacy, I aim to inspire others to recognize the beauty and depth in the everyday acts of courage, love, and service that define a truly fulfilled life. Let us celebrate the unsung heroes who, like my father, teach us that wisdom lies in living a life deeply rooted in the world yet not bound by it.
source: http://www.medium.com / Medium.com / Home / by Poonacha Machaiah / March 03rd, 2024
Indian mixed 4×400 relay team set a national record while winning the gold medal but missed the target of entering the Paris Olympics qualification bracket.
Women quartet of Vithya Ramraj, M R Poovamma, Prachi Choudhary and Rupal Chaudhary won the silver in the women’s 4x400m relay at the Asian Relay Championships in Bangkok on May 21, 2024. Photo: X/@India_AllSports
Fielding under-strength teams after having qualified for the Paris Olympics, both the men’s and women’s 4x400m quartets finished second at the inaugural Asian Relay Championships in Bangkok on May 21.
he women’s team of Vithya Ramraj, M R Poovamma, Prachi Choudhary and Rupal Chaudhary clocked 3 minutes 33.55 seconds to finish behind Vietnam (3:30.81) in the women’s 4x400m relay final, which was conducted amid thundershowers at the Suphachalasai National Stadium. Japan won the bronze medal with 3:35.45.
Vietnam runners were ahead all through the race.
Vithya and Prachi were not part of the Indian quartet that clocked 3 minutes and 29.35 seconds to book a Paris Olympics quota during the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas earlier this month.
Jyothika Sri Dandi and Subha Venkatesan had teamed up with Poovamma and Rupal on that occasion.
The men’s quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Santosh Kumar, Mijo Chacko Kurian and Arokia Rajiv also failed to stand on top of the podium as they clocked 3:05.76 to finish second behind Sri Lanka (3:04.48). Vietnam was third with 3:07.37.
The Sri Lankan team was ahead after the first leg but Santosh put India in the lead in the second. Chacko kept India in the lead after the third leg but Sri Lanka’s anchor runner Hewa Kalinga Kumarge overtook Arokia at the final stretch.
Santosh and Chacko were not part of the Indian quartet that clocked 3 minutes and 3.23 seconds to book a Paris Olympics quota during the World Athletics Relays in Bahamas earlier this month.
Muhammed Ajmal and Amoj Jacob had teamed up with Muhammed Anas Yahiya and Arokia Rajiv on that occasion.
Muhammed Ajmal and Amoj Jacob had teamed up with Jyothika Sri Dandi and Subha Venkatesan for the mixed 4x400m race on Monday as India was aiming to enter the Paris Olympics bracket in that event. The quartet was the first choice members of the mixed 4x400m team and they were thus not fielded on Tuesday in the men’s and women’s relays.
On Monday, the Indian mixed 4×400 relay team set a national record while winning the gold medal but missed the target of entering the Paris Olympics qualification bracket.
The quartet of Muhammed Ajmal, Jyothika Sri Dandi, Amoj Jacob and Subha Venkatesan clocked 3 minutes 14.12 seconds to win the race. The earlier national record of 3:14.34 was clocked by the Indian team while winning silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.
Monday’s timing would put the Indian mixed 4x400m team at the 21st place — from earlier 23rd — in the Road to Paris list of World Athletics while the aim was to be either in the 15th or 16th spot.
India, thus, is in a difficult position to make the Olympics cut as only sixteen teams will compete in the mixed 4x400m relay event in Paris.
India’s target on Monday was to at least better 3:13.56 and sit at the 16th spot, but the country failed to do so.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports> Athletics / by PTI – Bangkok / May 21st, 2024
Rani’s entire career has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the folk dance form, Ummathat, of the Kodava tradition.
Rani Machaiah (seated) was felicitated at a function in Madikeri on Thursday, 26 January. (Supplied)
The news came as mellifluous as the song that accompanies Ummathat, the traditional dance form of Kodagu.
Rani Machaiah — better known as Ummathat Ki Rani — was at her home in Madikeri when she received the news of the nation honouring her with Padma Shri.
Congratulatory calls have been flooding her from relatives, friends, well-wishers, and most importantly, from her large number of students since Wednesday, 25 January.
“A train of thoughts crossed my mind,” the 79-year-old shared her experience with South First. “I have worked for around 50 years, promoting this traditional dance form.”
She has been leading Ummathat since 1984 and she had trained over 10,000 students.
Rani recalled taking her students to different states to showcase the dance form. “Ummathat is performed by a troupe of 20 — two will be singing and the other eighteen will dance to narrate a story,” she explained.
“This dance form is similar to the traditional ones of every other state,” she added.
Creating masters
Rani doesn’t dance anymore. But she still teaches students to master the art form. She had trained several batches of students.
Padma Shri Rani Machaiah. (Supplied)
“Once they get married, they leave and a new batch joins. Girls of any age can join the troupe,” Rani said.
Her students had performed in Lakshadweep, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and several places across Karnataka.
“We get invitations from various places and institutions from all over the country and we perform our traditional Ummathat there,” Rani, who has dedicated herself to preserving and promoting the traditional dance form, said.
Rani was born in 1943 in Siddapura in the Kodagu district. Her husband, the late Machaiah, was an advocate, who passed away when she was 65.
Her son, Sathish Machaiah, 55, is a software engineer in Bengaluru. Rani’s daughter, Saritha Devaiah, is a homemaker in Kodagu. Her husband Devaiah owns a plantation.
When asked about her inspiration to take up Ummathat, Rani said it was personal interest.
Now, a lipi
Rani is the chairperson of Kaveri Kalavrunda Sangha, an organisation she founded. She is the recipient of the Rajyotsava Award and many other honours.
She was a former president of Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and at present, she is encouraging groups of Kodavas working on designing a lipi — alphabet or script — for the Kodava language to preserve its literature since the language doesn’t have a lipi now (traditionally, Kodavas use the Thirke script, which is an abugida).
“It will look somewhat similar to Kannada and it will have phonetics and extra words that are used in the Kodava language in Kannada lipi,” Rani said.
source: http://www.thesouthfirst.com / South First / Home> States / by Bellie Thomas / January 27th, 2023
30th Anniversary Celebrations, an exhibition of water colour paintings ‘Nisarga Lalithya’ by well-known artist H.P. Rangaswamy of Mysuru.
Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club-Mysuru President K.D. Muthappa inaugurates.
Senior artist and Founder-Chief Convenor of Bharani Art Gallery N.B. Kaverappa, presides, Artist Ganjifa Raghupati Bhat, writer Dr. Majjigepura K. Shivaramu, Nanjundaswamy of e-Biotorium Network Pvt. Ltd., Mysuru, will be the special guests.
Artist H.P. Rangaswamy will be present, 11 am.
Expo open to public, Gallery premises, Vivekanandanagar, up to 7 pm.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Events Tomorrow / May 25th, 2024
The 18-year-old from Karnataka is making giant strides on the big circuit.
Karnataka’s Unnathi Aiyappa is headed to the World Athletics U20 Championships to be held in Lima, Peru in August after qualifying in both the women’s 100m hurdles and 200m events. Credit: PTI Photo
Bengaluru:
Unnathi Aiyappa is in the midst of a transitional period. It is a phase where every decision the teen athlete makes in the present is to help her leapfrog towards cementing future goals. Her recent results are a testimony to this.
After having already qualified for the women’s World Athletics Under-20 Championships 100m hurdles to be held in Lima (Peru) from August 27-31, the 18-year-old from Karnataka breached the qualification mark for the 200m race as well by winning the gold at the National Senior Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar on Monday with a personal best timing of 23.85 seconds.
Less than a month ago, the youngster had finished with a bronze medal in the 100m hurdles at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships in Dubai.
“Our main goal is to get Unnathi to become a 400m hurdler,” says father and coach BP Aiyappa. “Whatever we are doing now with the 100m hurdles and 200m is a preparation towards that goal,” he adds.
Speaking about the races over the last few days, Unnathi, who ran a mistake-laden semifinal where she was slow off the blocks and in the curve, focussed on overcoming the flaws in the final where she was chasing time more than the gold. The ‘unexpected win was extra special, says the girl from Kodagu as she beat seasoned sprinter Srabani Nanda in a photo finish for her first medal at a senior meet.
“We will get her to compete in four more events before the World Juniors and based on the progress in both the events (200m and 100m hurdles), my idea is to enter in only one event in Lima. I don’t want to put too much load on her body as a junior and she will focus on these two disciplines for another year-and-a-half. We will completely switch to 400m hurdles only after that,” explained Aiyappa.
“The 400m hurdles has a rhythm to it which is addictive. But 400m is just going all out. It’s boring,” says the daughter of Olympian Pramila Aiyappa.
If fine-tuning her running skills or blazing the tracks is her primary vocation, the teen is part of a growing brigade of Indian women athletes who enjoy upping the fashion quotient while competing or off it.
“I recently learnt how to braid my hair. I wore some eye-liner and lipstick and did some nail art for the first-time while racing in Dubai and here. It is important to look pretty when you win. No?!,” reasons Unnathi, who takes inspiration from USA’s sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by Hita Prakash / May 15th, 2024
Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar clinched a gold medal in the men’s doubles category with a commanding 2-0 victory in the HCL Nationals Doubles Championship here on Wednesday (May 15).
In the women’s doubles category, Pooja Arthi and Rathika Seelan secured the top spot with a thrilling 2-1 win. Abhay Singh teamed up with Joshna Chinappa to clinch gold in the mixed doubles category.
The HCL Nationals Doubles Championship, a collaborative effort between HCL and the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), concluded with resounding success at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai from May 13th to May 15th, 2024.
Marking a significant milestone in India’s squash history, this event, part of the HCL Squash Podium Program, revived the Doubles Squash Championship after a hiatus of 17 years.
The winners were honoured by esteemed dignitaries, including Chief Guest Dr Atulya Misra, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government, and Thulasimathi Murugesan, the gold medalist from the Asian Para Games 2022, who graced the finale ceremony as the guest of honour.
India’s recent success in doubles squash on the international stage, particularly at the Asian Games, served as a catalyst for HCL to reintroduce the Doubles Squash Championship. This initiative aimed to inject renewed enthusiasm into the sport and provide a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills in doubles play.
Rajat Chandolia, AVP and Head of Brand at HCL, expressed delight at the enthusiastic participation of squash players in the championship. He congratulated all the winners and participants, highlighting HCL’s commitment to supporting Indian players and elevating squash to new heights through initiatives like the Squash Podium Program.
Cyrus Poncha, Secretary General of SRFI, hailed the resurgence of doubles squash in India, attributing it to the collaborative efforts of SRFI and HCL. He stressed upon the significance of nurturing talented players and expressed confidence in the bright future of Indian squash.
“I am truly excited to see the renaissance of doubles squash in India, thanks to the mutual efforts of SRFI and HCL. It was truly thrilling to see the clashes between the double pairs. I believe that Indian Squash has a bright future and the stars of tomorrow will emerge from these events. Our association with HCL has been monumental for the sport and our combined efforts will continue to nurture talented players,” said Poncha.
Abhay Singh, who emerged victorious in both the men’s and mixed doubles categories, expressed his gratitude to HCL and SRFI for organising the championship. Looking ahead, he expressed determination to excel at the Asian Doubles Championship in Malaysia.
Abhay Singh, said, “I have always been interested in playing in the doubles category. I thank HCL and SRFI for organising this championship after a long time in India. I have played with Velavan in Commonwealth but this was my first time playing doubles with Joshna. It is such an honour to team up with her. I was sure that I would win in both categories but now it’s time to win gold at the Asian Doubles Championship in Malaysia.”
The championship showcased gripping matches, including the finals contested by pairs such as Abhay Singh & Velavan Senthilkumar, Rahul Baitha & Suraj Chand in the men’s category, Pooja Arthi & Rathika Seelan, and Janet Vidhi & Nirupama Dubey in the women’s category, and Abhay Singh & Joshna Chinappa, and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu & Rathika Seelan in the mixed doubles category.
The HCL National Doubles Championship not only celebrated sporting excellence but also marked a significant step forward in the resurgence of doubles squash in India, promising an exciting future for the sport and its talented athletes.
Its game time – play now!
source: http://www.mykhel.com / MyKhel.com / Home> MyKhel Sports / by MyKhel Team / May 15th, 2024
8 AM Metro can be streamed on Zee5 and OTTplay Premium now
A still from 8AM Metro. (Courtesy – PR)
Laapataa Ladies has been the talk of the town ever since it released. Now that people have witnessed Gulshan Devaiah and Saiyami Kher’s film 8 A.M. Metro, they cannot help but feel the same sweet vibe from the movie. Netizens have unanimously praised the Raj Rachakonda directorial. Here are some reactions to note…
Netizens have sweet comments on the film
While one user called 8 A.M. Metro as sweet as Laapataa Ladies, another wrote, “Unexpected person, idelible memories.” A third user called the film impeccable. A fourth one called it therapy. Basically, the film has touched one-and-all. It is to be noted that this was also the case with the critics, back when the movie was out in theatres.
More about the film
8 A.M. Metro is the story of Preetam, played by Gulshan Devaiah and Iravati (Saiyami Kher). They each face fears after their sudden interaction in the train from Nanded to Hyderabad. Iravati gets panic attacks while travelling in a train. Preetam, on the other hand, is depressed and haunted by his past. The two explore more about themselves and each other during their journey. The film is now out on Zee5 and OTTplay Premium.
8 A.M. Metro also stars Umesh Kamat, Kalpika Ganesh, Nimisha Nair, Dheer Charan Srivastav, Jay Jha, Madhu Swaminath and Saurabh Dixitz apart from Gulshan and Saiyami. The movie was made on an estimated budget of Rs. 4 crores and was mainly shot inside a train.
Zee5’s latest offering
8 A.M. Metro is Zee5’s latest offering. Prior to this, the OTT platform was trending owing to The Broken News S2 release. The show starred Sonali Bendre, Jaideep Ahlawat and Shriya Pilgaonkar in the lead roles. The second season saw what the highs and lows which came with Radha Bhargava (Shriya) and Dipankar Sanyal (Jaideep). Sonali played the role of Amina Qureshi, who ensured Radha’s safety in jail and her bail from the place.
source: http://www.ottplay.com / OTT Play / Home> News / by Reema Chhabda / May 10th, 2024
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