Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Bidappa to celebrate ‘Karnataka Day’ at Surajkund Mela

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

Karnataka has been selected as the theme state for the ongoing International Crafts Mela, Surajkund and ace designer Prasad Bidappa will choreograph a fashion show Saturday to celebrate ‘Karnataka Day’.

From colours, ethnicity, traditions to hospitality, the best of Karnataka is showcased at the 27th edition of the crafts mela started Feb 1.

Karnataka’s main event will take place Saturday with a fashion show and a bouquet of cultural programmes. The day will be observed as ‘Karnataka Day’, reads a statement.

“Our main intention this year is to portray the grandeur of the many worlds of Karnataka that many people don’t know about,” Arvind Jadhav, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism), Government of Karnataka, said in a statement.

“We now want to bring to centre stage little known but highly intriguing facts about our silks and sarees, the Dharwad gharana and its contribution to hindustani music, the colourful patterns of Navalgund and Kasuti, the national flag manufacturing that is unique to our khadi units in Dharwad and many such lesser known stories,” he added.

As many as 400 artistes and artisans from across the state of Karnataka are participating at the mela and are presenting various forms of art, folk, music, dance and theatre shows.

Also the venue has been transformed into some of the popular monuments of the state including Tulabara from Hampi, Bara Kaman from Bijapur, Belur Chennakeshava Temple, Mysore Palace, Dasara Dolls, Jain Basadi, Pattadakal Temple Complex, Vijayanagara Empire and Hoysala Pillars.

There are a total of 75 stalls from Karnataka presenting their wares at the 15-day craft mela.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home / by IANS / New Delhi – February 08th, 2013

Harshika’s performing in Dandelli

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

On Sunday morning, Sandalwood actress Harshika Poonacha had a very early start to her day. The actress, who is scheduled to perform in Dandelli later in the day, was at the airport at as early as 5 am and tweeting about it.

Harshika had to be at the Bengaluru International Airport that early as flight timings had been advanced. “Good morning tweeps :)) Yes ll be very much performing in dhandeli today,On my way to d airport,All d flights are preponed,aarghhhhh!!” she wrote on her micro-blogging page.

Hours later, the actress was in Belgaum and seemed mighty pleased upon seeing the city colourfully decked with posters of the Challenging Star Darshan-starrer Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna, which is inching towards the 100-day mark at the box office “Jus landed in Belgaum,n I can c d posters of Sangolli Rayanna completing 100days everywher,feels proud to be a part of Kannada film industry,” she tweeted.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Prathibha Joy, TNN / February 10th, 2013

His name is F.M Khan

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All


Caption: 1) F. M. Khan with SOM Editor-in-Chief K.B.Ganapathy 2) Garden in front of the house with a fountain.

It was a fortuitous visit. Being Sunday, I decided to drive to Kodagu with a couple of my friends with a double intent — visit the coffee estate, this being the coffee picking season and to enjoy God’s rest day Sunday with good food in one of those innumerable resorts and holiday homes. And on our way back via Madikeri, at Boikeri, about 8 kms on Mysore road, I saw a frayed, grayed wooden sign-post with the legend Balayatrie Estate with a colourful flex board announcing the flower show. Instantly, I knew what it was — the annual flower show conducted by the owner of the estate F.M. Khan, a former Congress Rajya Sabha member and a good friend of former Chief Minister of Karnataka R. Gundu Rao.

For courtesy, I asked my friends if we could visit the show even as I swerved the vehicle to the kachcha road into the estate. A few metres inside and there were nearly 20 cars parked in two parking lots. Men, women and children were there enjoying the flower garden in front of the house with a dysfunctional fountain surrounded by angelic figures (see picture). There were many burqa-clad ladies among others. I wondered if there would come a day in our country when a fatwa would be unleashed to prohibit growing of certain varieties of flowers, as it happened in Kashmir where a fatwa was issued prohibiting playing of certain kind of songs and music by an all-girls band!

Poor Rock Band girls and their families are in hiding now. What a secular country this. Sometimes, I wonder if secularism in this country is applicable only to Hindus and not to other religious groups. A re-look into the definition of this nebulous word ‘secular’ or ‘secularism’ is needed because this word finds a place in our Constitution following an amendment, which was not there otherwise. Let it be.

To revert to F.M. Khan’s flower show, I have nothing but admiration for his efforts, a labour of love. I learn he has been holding this private flower show since 1998 and people are enjoying it thoroughly, for, after all, who would not love flowers. Flower saplings too were there for sale but when I went much of it was sold. Khan’s youngest daughter, who obviously must have taken total responsibility for the show, too was there at the sales point with a receipt book and a visitors’ book.

The name F.M. Khan was as familiar in Karnataka as in Delhi in the late 80s — during the period of Emergency — like R. Gundu Rao then and Shah Rukh Khan today in Bollywood. F.M. Khan and Gundu Rao were two names the Congress (I) party members in Karnataka respected as much as feared for they really did matter in politics of the day — thanks to their intimacy to Sanjay Gandhi the Terrible of the Emergency days. In fact, these two from Karnataka were the blue-eyed boys of Sanjay Gandhi.

It was Gundu Rao who went to the Bangalore Race Club and ‘trapped’ photographs of a few IAS officers who should have been in the Vidhana Soudha. And it made all-India news. I was in Poona then.

As for F.M. Khan, he was like a young stallion, a rising star. Sadly, he faded into oblivion as fast as he rose in politics. If my memory serves me right, I think he was also the Treasurer of the party.

Mrs. Indira Gandhi had visited this house and stayed there after she lost power, post-Emergency and it was big news. I was looking for a plaque somewhere outside the house commemorating the visit of such a great leader but could not find one. I also forgot to ask Khan or his daughter about Indira Gandhi’s visit.

The house, a typical British bungalow with tiled roof, is rather old, may be a hundred-year-old and looked its age needing restoration. The surroundings with service buildings too looked as if in need of care and maintenance. As I strolled around, I was mentally visualising the old glory and the flamboyant life the family, including F.M. Khan, led in the past as one of the richest coffee planters of Kodagu.

Times have changed and the young, debonair F.M. Khan too has changed — has become old like me, but a senior.

In his heydays in politics, he was confident and assertive. Always on short fuse. But now he seemed to have mellowed. He still carries that aristocratic bearing on his feeble shoulders. Heard, he was once mortally sick, but has bounced back. As visitors were trooping into the garden, he was standing at the steps giving a gentle welcome smile with a twinkle in his eyes, apparently feeling happy and nice about what miracle he has done with the flower show spreading happiness and fragrance.

My friends did not know him though they had heard his name. As a courtesy, I acknowledged his presence and wished him simultaneously introducing myself. He seemed to have recognised me. “Would you mind if I took a picture with you?” He smiled in approval (see picture) and as I took leave of him he said, “I am extending the show by a day till tomorrow. Would you publish it in your Kannada paper Mysooru Mithra?” I kept my word, of course.

Yes, I met our own F.M. Khan and reminded myself how nature and time, together, ravage man and all his creations.

Tailpiece: If only R. Gundu Rao had not overplayed his role and got expelled from the party at a critical time after losing the State elec-tion, I am sure, both he and F.M. Khan would have risen in the party and F.M. Khan would be playing the role of another Khan from Karna-taka, the present Minister for Minority Affairs K. Rehman Khan in Congress. With the sudden tragic death of their Godfather Sanjay Gandhi, their political fortunes faded for ever. Sadly, Gundu Rao too died young.

e-mail: kbg@starofmysore.com

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> Abracadabra…. Abracadabra /by K. B. Ganapathy / February 09th, 2013

M’lore: Birth anniversary of Field Marshal General Cariappa observed

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Mangalore,:

Dakshina Kannada Kodava Students Association observed 114th birth anniversary of Field Marshal General Cariappa at Kadri War Memorial to pay tribute to the great soldier.

N Prakash, deputy commissioner of Dakishna Kannada said, “Field Marshal General Cariappa was great a man, known for his bravery, discipline and dedication to the nation. He is an inspiration to all.”

Captain Ganesh Karnik in his inspirational address said, “General Cariappa’s contribution to the nation is immense; his birth anniversary should be celebrated throughout the nation. From past 65 years, more than 65,000 soldiers sacrificed their life for the sake of the nation. Though all of us cannot join the army, we can serve the nation in our daily deeds and show our respect to the nation. Kodagu has given great soldiers to this nation. When Pakistan occupied POK in 1948, General Thimayya said “Give me one week time, I will occupy every inch of land what we have lost today”. In 1971, during the Indo- Pak war, our army captured upto Lahore but unfortunately our army was called back. 90,000 Pakistani soldiers from eastern fronts and 4,000 soldiers from western fronts were taken as prisoners but were later freed. Today the Kodagu youths are moving towards IT BT, while the number of youths joining army is becoming less.”

Advisor of Kodava Students Association, S P Chengappa said, “Field Marshal General Cariappa was the first person if India to become the Field Marshall General for army, navy and air force. He was first Indian to receive Legion of Merit award.”

Nikhil Cariappa along with Darshini Dechamma submitted a memorandum to DC Chengappa the statue of Field Marshal General Cariappa to be installed at Nanthoor Circle.

Nalin Kumar Kateel MP, Capt Brijesh, state award winner Kasturi and Sudharathana were present on the occasion.

Darshini Dechamma welcomed, Harshitha Mandanna compered.

source: http://www.DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka> News / Pic: Spoorthi Ullah / Daiji World Media Network – Mangalore (DV) / Mangalore, January 28th, 2013

Chikkarangappa looking to gain experience in the pro world

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

S Chikkarangappa may not have set the course on fire on his professional debut as he used to do in his hugely successful amateur career but the talented youngster said he is looking at gaining nothing more than experience on his maiden season with the top guns.

Chikkarangappa, who made the professional grade after signing off tied ninth with a total of five-over 293 in the PGTI Final Stage Q-School at Royal Calcutta Golf Club last December, shot two-over 74 in the opening round of the Gujarat Kensville Challenge at the Kensville Golf and Country Club in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

“It’s not the best start to my pro career, but I’ll take it,” the talented 19-year-old told Deccan Herald. “The hitting was very bad today and I kept hitting it in places where I’m not supposed to. Things like that happen. After the round, I went to the driving range and sorted it out. I’m confident of putting up a good show tomorrow and making the cut,” added Chikkarangappa after shooting three bogeys against a lone birdie.

Hailing from a humble background, Chikkarangappa made heads turn with some splendid show in the junior and amateur circuit but said he has not set any major targets this year. “The only target I’ve set for myself is to do well and retain the card. I’m using my maiden season just as a learning experience.

“The intention is to play all the tournaments on the Indian tour and a few co-sanctioned Asian Tour events. If I get a chance to play on the Asian Tour, I’ll grab that as well. More the better. It’s all about becoming a better golfer this year.”

Last year Chikkarangappa was overshadowed by his friend and City-mate Khalin Joshi, who won the IGU Amateur Order of Merit before scoring a six-shot win in the Final Q-School and narrowly missing the bus on the Asian Tour. On Thursday, Khalin showed his improvement with a level-par 72 round that left him at tied 29th.

Asked whether he was looking at extending his amateur rivalry to the pro world, Chikkarangappa felt it was a whole different ball game on the pro circuit. “Khalin and I have played a lot of junior and amateur events together and we’ve enjoyed our battles. However, the pro circuit is way different.

“The quality and competition is much higher. We are battling with a much bigger field. However, having played a lot of amateur events locally and internationally, it gives us a good head start. We’ve also played in a few pro events and know what it takes to battle it out with the big boys. We are excited about the challenge ahead.”

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Sports / by Sydney Karan, Bangalore, DHNS / January 31st, 2013

Nidhi Subbaiah finds Vikram awesome

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

Sandalwood actress Nidhi Subbaiah, who was last seen in the Kannada film Anna Bond that had Puneeth Rajkumar in the lead, and subsequently moved to Mumbai to try her hand in Bollywood, is awed by Tamil actor Vikram’s brilliance.

(Jackky, Ramesh, Nidhi at…)

Nidhi, who made her Bollywood debut with Ajab Gazzab Love, and had a very minor role in OMG! Oh My God, recently saw Vikram’s film with director Bejoy Nambiar, David. “Saw David last night! Quite an interesting film! Loved Chiyaan Vikram… Gosh isn’t he awesome?” the actress wrote on her micro-blogging page. David, is thriller starring Neil Nitin Mukesh, Vinay Virmani, Tabu, Lara Dutta, among others and was simultaneously shot in Hindi and Tamil.

Meanwhile, Nidhi, who we hear has a three-film deal with a Bollywood film production house, was in Bangalore recently to walk the ramp with her Ajab Gazzab co-star Jackky Bhagnani, for designer Ramesh Dembla at the Bangalore Fashion Week.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Prathibha Joy, TNN / February 02nd, 2013

TOI Social Impact Awards: Wonder doctor’s success mantra

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nature, Science & Technology

Mysore :
As a child M Jadeyegowda first saw Dr H Sudarshan dispense medicines to tribals at Biligiri Ranaga Hills near here. Initially, he stayed away from the doctor. Later, curiosity drew the tribal boy to the doctor. Dr Sudarshan and his Karuna Trust became the biggest influences on his life.

Other than providing medical help, Dr Sudarshan taught children in the tribal parts of Karnataka’s Chamarajnagar district. Jadeyegowda was a reluctant student. Today, he’s an assistant professor at Kodagu’s College of Forestry. “As a kid, I saw the doctor conduct surgeries with minimum facilities,” Jadeyegowda,43, says.

In October 2006, when the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) — to which Karuna Trust is affiliated — celebrated silver jubilee, Jadeyegowda, MSc, shook hands with President Abdul Kalam. He was one of the six students who had attended the tribal school set up by the NGO 25 years back. Jadeye now heads VGKK and is a trustee of the Karuna Trust. “I’m more comfortable being recognised as a beneficiary,” he says. “Jadeye is a beneficiary of our health and education programmes. That helped him,” Dr Sudarshan says

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com /Home> City> Mysore> TOI Social Impact Awards /by H M Aravind, TNN / February 01st, 2013

Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa remembered

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence


Mayor urged to install statue of Soldiers’ General

Mayor Rajeshwari Puttaswamy, Deputy Mayor Mahadevappa, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) C.K. Karumbaya, Samaja President N.P. Kalappa, former President Dr. A.A. Kuttappa and others at the birth anniversary celebrations of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa in city this morning.

Mysore, Jan. 28 :

Rich tributes were paid to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa on the occasion of his 114th birth anniversary, at a simple function organised by the Mysore Kodava Samaja at the Field Marshal Cariappa Circle (near Hotel Metropole) in city this morning.

Mayor Rajeshwari Putta-swamy, participating in the function as a chief guest, garlanded the portrait of the Field Marshal.

Maj. Gen. (Retd.) C.K. Karumbaya, speaking on the occasion, urged the Mayor to install a statue of Cariappa, who was called a Soldiers’ General, near the DC office in city.

Deputy Mayor Mahadevappa, Samaja President N.P. Kalappa, former President Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club Secretary K. D. Muthappa, Jt. Secretary N.M. Thimmaiah and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / January 28th, 2013

Mangalore:Rich tributes paid to Field Marshal K.M.Cariappa on 114th birth anniversary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Mangalore, Jan 28, 2013:

Rich tributes were paid to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Independent India, on the occasion of his 114th birth anniversary on January 28, Monday.

A function was held at the War Memorial at Kadri under the aegis of the Kodava Students Union wherein several dignitaries participated and remembered the valiant son of the soil.

Addressing the function, Deputy Commissioner N Prakash described Cariappa as a proud son of India who was not only a valiant soldier but also a strict disciplinarian and man of principles. He also exhorted youngsters to emulate the great qualities of Field Marshal Cariappa.

MLC Capt. Ganesh Karnik who also spoke, said Kodagu has the credit of contributing the highest number of soldiers to the nation and added that he was proud to represent the region. Field Marshal Cariappa’s birth anniversary should be celebrated by the entire state in the years to come and not just by students of Kodagu, he said. Celebrating the birth anniversary of the great personality would be meaningful only when we incorporate at least some of the great values pursued by late Cariappa, in our own lives, he observed.

SP Changappa, Bar Association President, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, former army officer Brijesh and others were present.

source: http://www.MangaloreToday.com / Home / by Mangalore Today News Network / January 28th, 2013

Kodagu district’s heroes Cariappa, Thimayya to get more attention

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders

Field Marshal K M Cariappa and Padmabhushan General K S Thimayya will now be remembered as national heroes by the district administration.

In the past, Field Marshal K M Cariappa’s birth anniversary was celebrated at his memorial in Roshanara, Madikeri, by his family members and students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan-Kodagu Vidyalaya.

After General Thimayya School was started by the Kodava Samaj in Madikeri a decade ago, students regularly assembled at Thimayya’s statue to offer floral tributes.

Apart from this, when VIPs and Army officers visit the district, they garland the statues of the two great sons of Kodagu.

After a garland of shoes was hung on Field Marshal K M Cariappa’s statue some time ago, a few retired Army officers and senior citizens decided to create awareness on the importance of these leaders by setting up the Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum. The Forum celebrates the birth anniversaries of Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya which fall on January 28 and March 31 respectively.

In 2012, GOC-in-C of the Southern Command of the Indian Army Lt Gen A K Singh, senior Army officers, retired Army officers and people’s representatives took part in Field Marshall Cariappa’s birth anniversary celebrations that were held on a grand scale.

This year, the administration has decided to celebrate his 114th birth anniversary at Madikeri on Monday while the Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum will simultaneously host celebrations in Gonikoppa.

Celebration Gets More Response

Forum president Col (rtd) K C Subbayya VSM, told Express that celebrations are usually held in Madikeri, Gonikoppa or Shanivarsante.

Forum secretary U M Poovaiah said competitions with themes related to the life of Field Marshal Cariappa had been organised to spread awareness among school and college students to highlight the importance of discipline and honesty.

This year’s competitions received good response, he said.

District Minister M P Appachu Ranjan said the government has sanctioned `3 lakh for the celebrations. Cariappa’s birth anniversary has also been added to the National Festival List and celebrations will be held at Madikeri, he added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> States> Karnataka / by B. C. Dinesh / ENS – Madikeri / January 28th, 2013