Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

A new Kannada star rises in Bollywood

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

Nidhi Subbaiah
After her foray into Bollywood with yet-to-be-released ‘Oh My God’, Sandalwood actress Nidhi Subbaiah is striving to gain a foothold in the Hindi film industry with her second film to be directed by Sanjay Gadhvi of ‘Dhoom’ fame.

As she shoots for ‘Ajab Gazabb Love’ opposite Jackky Bhagnani, Nidhi is loving every moment in Mumbai. “This is my fourth month in the city. I am enjoying the fast-paced life of Mumbai. I am at the right place at the right time. I’m not missing Bangalore or Coorg as of now, except for the food and weather,” she adds.

Elaborating on her current project, Nidhi says, “It’s a remake of a romcom flick in Telugu, Seema Tapakai. Presently, 60 per cent of the shoot is complete and we’ll be flying abroad soon for rest of the shoot.”

Nidhi has completed shoot for her first film, ‘Oh My God’, and is now busy with workshops and costume fittings. The doe-eyed beauty is loving every moment of it as she basks in the glory of a big break. “Any girl who wants to be a heroine would like to take a shot at Bollywood for its wide reach,” she says.

Ask about her current favourite in Bollywood, and she says Arjun Rampal. He plays an important role in ‘Ajab Gazabb Love’, along with Arshad Warsi. “I have just finished one schedule with him. He’s so hot and has an amazing screen presence. We have a lot of female crew members who, when he dashes into the sets, become speechless,” says Nidhi.

Although a new face in Mumbai industry, she claims she didn’t face any casting couch issues. “It might have been in the nineties. This is a new age and conducive for talent. Casting couch exists even in the corporate world. It is how you look at it and achieve your goals by taking the hard route.”

The Kannada actress is staying all alone in Mumbai and says she is comfortable with the space she is in now. “My mother keeps coming and going. I have lot of cousins and friends residing here. Jackky is my only friend in the industry. Soon, I will be making more friends,” she says.

Nidhi has not worked in any other south Indian film before heading to Bollywood. “Probably, I was destined to be here and I took it with both hands,” she says, adding, “My experience in Sandalwood has really helped me to reach this far.”
Comparing the current remuneration in Sandalwood with that of Bollywood, Nidhi says, “I have come here with a few years of experience in Kannada films. This is my second film in Hindi, so, right now, I am a nobody. Once I become somebody, I will talk about money.”

Back home in Sandalwood, her latest film, Anna Bond, released to a good opening. “I have not yet watched the film, but some fans didn’t like me dying in the film. They said: ‘We felt like leaving the movie hall that very moment.’ I have done justice to my role, but the saddest part was that they had to kill my character,” says Nidhi.

From now on, she will be seen in Kannada films only if some good projects come her way. “For a while, I will be busy shooting and promoting my Hindi film. I would always love to be part of a good film, especially if Yograj Bhat makes a Pancharangi sequel or Puneeth wants me in a future project,” she says.

For this ambitious actress, it’s a new place with new projects, but Nidhi is yet to find a life companion. “Mumbai is a new home and for a heroine, being single is good,” she signs off.

source: http://www.expressbuzz.com / Expressbuzz> Showbuzz> Kannada / by A Sharadhaa / Express News Service / May 27th, 2012

Modelling is fun — Ashwini

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

“It all began after our doubles triumph at the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Jwala (Gutta) and I did a shoot for a magazine supplement, with makeup on and much prompting from photographers. Jwala moved far more freely, while I was more guarded,” recalls Ashwini of the quiet and reserved traits she typifies. By A. Joseph Antony.
K. RAMESH BABU

Ashwini Ponnappa could well be the Ferrari of Indian badminton, all feline flair, yet packing punch and panache, carried over easily to the ramp. She may not launch a thousand ships, but should make a mark in modelling, where non-cricket sportspersons are rarely sighted.

“During a game, a fall needs only dusting off, but on the catwalk it spells disaster. Mercifully, there have been no awkward moments on either stage. While modelling for me is fun, to the professional it’s a lot more serious,” observes the 2011 badminton World Championship women’s doubles bronze medallist.

“It all began after our doubles triumph at the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Jwala (Gutta) and I did a shoot for a magazine supplement, with makeup on and much prompting from photographers. Jwala moved far more freely, while I was more guarded,” recalls Ashwini of the quiet and reserved traits she typifies.

An audio-visual TV commercial shoot for a Delhi real estate firm came next. “Dialogue delivery in English was a cakewalk, but tough in Hindi,” says the Bangalore-born lass, harking to her totally south Indian roots in breathtakingly beautiful Coorg, home to the martial race that produced famous Indian warriors, Field Marshall Cariappa and General K. S. Thimayya.

Some still photographs were taken of India’s dominant doubles duo for Li Ning, their sponsor, comprising shadow movements. With no briefing, preparation or rehearsal, Ashwini walked the ramp, dressed elegantly, yet casually, to support People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

“I watched the others before me and simply did the same. I walked down till the end of the ramp, paused for a moment and headed back. That stroll was short but sweet,” she says.

From the ferocity of on-court smashes, she’s genteel and gracious off it. “I like it when I can recognise myself. I hate makeup (she doesn’t really need it). It’s a lot easier smiling endlessly, say for a video than appearing serious in a still shoot, which needs a wider range of expressions or innovations,” says the fledgling model.

“Confidence is a must for both, although playing is a lot easier. While I’ll chase more titles in badminton, I won’t pursue modelling offers but instead wait for them to happen. After all, it’s the game that’s made me,” she reflects, leaving little doubt about her priorities.

She doesn’t ‘skirt’ the issue that raged recently in the sport. “It’s smarter wearing attire meant for women rather than appear like men, although some see dressing up well as lack of focus. To each her own, but if skirts in squash or tennis don’t raise eyebrows, why the fuss for badminton,” she asks.

Comfortable with natural light and a cause close to her heart, she kept her cool for a shoot on a Hyderabad terrace, tolerating temperatures well into the fiery forties. Her mother Cauvery launched a designer wear range themed a ‘revival of 70’s’ with Accedo and Manzoor Hussain in Hyderabad recently.

Posing for a professional shoot would be more challenging than say sitting for a family portrait or when taking those fun pictures with cousins in Coorg. “A smile routine is smooth but serious ones needed much guidance, hands shouldn’t dangle awkwardly or come in the way, the head should be turned this way or that and feet should be in their proper place,” says Ashwini.

Unlike badminton where she has no role models, choosing to learn from seniors, contemporaries and juniors, she admires Lakshmi Menon and Lisa Hayden in modelling. Ask her how suited is she to modelling and she replies, “That depends on how others see or judge me.”

Ashwini Ponnappa on the ramp at the All Star Fashion show, conducted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to promote adoption of homeless dogs.
Is modelling as taxing, tiring and frustrating as badminton? “Both are fun. Playing comes more naturally but posing needs conscious effort and is very different from what you regularly do,” she thinks.

Does she have a favourite photographer? “I haven’t worked with so many to like them but photography can be fascinating,” she notes. So is there a favourite/ideal location for a shoot? “I’d love to shoot with animals around. I’d also have loved to be a vet, but the studies were quite demanding,” she admits.

When asked whether she would resist/avoid endorsing certain products/brands on any principle(s), as some did of cola drinks, her reply was more pragmatic. “I’ll decide when the offers come but will be quiet till then to keep people guessing,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “I am glad to have got the best of both worlds,” she says of her badminton career and modelling. To date, the sailing has been smooth and a career in modelling/endorsement is an option Ashwini is open to.

If ‘do unto others what you’d want them to do to you,’ is a credo she abides by, the svelte shuttler is clear she won’t go beyond a point. “Despite a very liberal upbringing, I value self respect immensely,” she stresses. But badminton comes first and in a country where cricket rules the roost, a shuttler need not be the only beneficiary when endorsing, but the sport could well gain too, she concludes.

source: http://www.tssonnet.com / SPORTSTAR / Home> General> Focus / Vol.No. 35, No.23 / June 07th, 2012

Who, what, when, where, why

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Who are the two models that have been spotted at all IPL shows in India? Mitali Rannorey and Dayana Erappa are the two local faces who usually sashay down the ramp at Prasad Bidapa’s IPL fashion shows.

What is actor Santosh Kumar doing in New York? He is there for a holiday and has been regularly posting updates too. The NYC bug seems to have bitten Santosh, who has forgotten that he is just a tourist and is happily calling himself a New Yorker.

When were fans spotted going berserk outside the Puma store in Indiranagar? When the Deccan Chargers’ cricketers were there for a promotional event. Fans went crazy clicking pictures of their favourite stars.

Where is our Sandalwood brigade heading to this September? Raghavendra Rajkumar, Diganth, Yogi, Yash, Radhika Pandit, Aindrita Roy, Nidhi Subbaiah, Priyamani, musicians Gurukiran, Harikrishna and a choreographer have accepted invitation from AKKA to entertain NRIs in Atlanta.

Why was choreographer Rahul Dev Shetty attracting attention at the recent RCB versus DC match in the city? He made a fashionably late entry but did not seem to enjoy the match. He was more excited about chatting with other guests, devouring delicacies and glugging alcohol.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Talk of the Town / May 11th, 2012

MPs not eager to spend fund on local area

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Bangalore:
Community halls, then roads – that’s what tops every MP’s priority list. A study, done by Public Affairs Centre (PAC), tracks what MPs have done for their constituencies after being elected, and how they have used their Member of Parliament Local Area Development fund (MPLAD).

The study says that construction of community halls is a favourite project, with a majority of MPs giving funds freely for it. Next on priority is the development of roads. “The study shows that only 30% of funds given for Rajya Sabha MPs and 57% of MPLAD funds from Lok Sabha members have been used. Underutilization of funds must be questioned, says Samuel Paul, urban expert, PAC. One example is Bangalore South MP, who has utilized only 25% of his MPLAD fund.

Less educated were the go-getters

As per the study, MPs whose educational qualification is only up to Class 12 have been able to get more funds than MPs who are highly qualified. “When MPs with just PU qualification have been able to make use of up to 65%, Tejaswini Gowda, an MP with a PhD, has used only 26.5% of the funds. They are only policy makers and not executive authorities, why should they be given funds? Instead, the government can use these funds for necessary development,” said Paul.

In the 15th Lok Sabha, between 2009-2011, so far, DB Chandregowda used 100% for Bangalore North constituency, whereas Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan has used 28%, followed by Bangalore South MP HN Ananth Kumar who used a mere 25%.

As per data available in public domain, liquor baron Vijay Mallya, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka during 2004-09, used just 8.5% funds for local area development, whereas Prema Cariappa made use of a whopping Rs 84.7 crore. Among the 13 Rajya Sabha members, M Rajashekara Reddy used a mere 0.9% of the total fund and scores the lowest.

“The problem with Rajya Sabha members is that they are hardly connected with the local area and thus, there is underutilization of funds,” says Paul.

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, MP from Hassan, and Mallikarjuna Gowdar, Davanagere MP, used 100% funds, as against Srikantappa DC from Chikmagalur, who used only 14.1%.

“Overall, experienced MPs showed marginally better utilization than first-timers. Also, first-timers from BJP did better than experienced MPs, while first-timers from Congress did marginally better than experienced MPs,” said Patibandla Srikant, a PAC member who was part of the study.

D V Sadananda used funds quick

In the 14th Lok Sabha (2004-09), D V Sadananda Gowda, then an MP, made use of just 40.9% of funds, but during his second term from 2009, he used 84% just before his resignation, when he became chief minister.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / May 11th, 2012

2-day workshop on female foeticide

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

A two-day workshop on female foeticide and rights of women for higher economic opportunities was inaugurated at Panjab University on Monday. Over 200 delegates, including office-bearers, functionaries of NGOs and students from different departments of the university, are attending the workshop.

At the inauguration, Prema Cariappa, chairperson of Central Social Welfare Board, said, “The menace of female foeticide has to be fought with, especially in north India, with social as well as legal tools.”

Ninette Vas Sharma, guest of honour, expressed her views on the rights of girl child. T R Sarangal, chairperson, Punjab State Social Welfare Board; Sumitra Chauhan, Haryana State Social Welfare Board; Varsha Khangwal, director Social Welfare, Chandigarh administration; and Dr Ranjay Vardhan addressed the delegates.

Dean, Department of Law, Dr Virender Kumar spoke on the rights of women in property.

The second day of workshop will have people from the economic world delivering speeches. Certificates to delegates will be distributed by Madhu Bansal, the wife of Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / Home> IE > Story / Express News Service / Chandigaru, Tuesday 08th, 2012

Indian women lift Asian Squash title; men falter against Pak

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

In the women’s final, Joshna Chinnappa waged a grim battle against world number 16 Joey Chan and Dipika Pallikal, against world number seven Annie Au to seal the deal in India’s favour. File photo: V. Ganesan. / The Hindu
Indian women squash team today created history by winning its maiden Asian title by defeating top seed Hong Kong 2-0 in the final in Kuwait.

The men’s team, however, went down 0-2 against Pakistan in the summit clash in the 16th Asian Team Squash Championship.

In the women’s final, Joshna Chinnappa, ranked 71st in the world, waged a grim battle against world number 16 Joey Chan before winning 11-3 11-8 8-11 11-8 in 38 minutes to put India 1-0 ahead.

Dipika Pallikal, ranked 14th, then complemented the superb show by her compatriot, winning 11-8 12-10 11-8 against world number seven Annie Au in 32 minutes to seal the issue in India’s favour.

India’s best performance in the women’s team championship was a silver medal at the last championship held in 2010 in Chennai.

Unperturbed by the difference in rankings, Joshna stamped her class over Chan right from the beginning. She took advantage of the fact that the day before, her opponent had to endure five hard games against her Malaysian counterpart Delia Arnold.

Joshna’s aggressive play, laced with delicate drops and deception, was simply too much for Chan to handle as she dropped the first game 11-2 in less than 10 minutes.

Joshna kept her composure to keep at bay an aggressive Chan in the second game. The Hong Kong racqueter seemed to be warming up in the third game and her shots were more effective as she had the Indian scurrying around the court.

Unaffected by the loss of third game, Joshna came back with a vengeance and wrapped up the fourth game and match to give India the much needed first point.

Dipika went in next against world number six Annie.

Dipika had never beaten Annie earlier but that did not deter her determination.

Dipika’s aggression paid dividends against Annie, who is renowned for a steady lob and drop game. The Indian kept the pressure on her opponent throughout the match with her aggressive play and characteristic finishing shots.

Annie made a gallant fightback in the third game, but Dipika held her nerves to claw back from 4-7, winning six straight points to help India collect their first ever Asian senior women’s title.

The Indian men’s team, however, faltered at the last hurdle against arch rivals Pakistan.

National champion Saurav Ghosal squandered a 2-0 advantage and went down in five games to Pakistan’s number one Farhan Mehboob in the first singles.

The script did not change in the second singles as Siddharth Suchde lost to Farhan Zaman in five games.

The India’s men’s team equalled its silver-winning performance in the team championship in the inaugural edition of the tournament held in 1981 in Karachi.

The Results (finals):

Women: Joshna Chinnappa bt Joey Chan 11-3 11-8 8-11 11-5 (32 min)

Dipika Pallikal bt Annie Au 11-8 12-10 11-8 (37min).

Men: Farhan Mehboob bt Saurav Ghosal 10-12 6-11 11-7 11-6 11-9.

Farhan Zaman bt Siddharth Suchde 11-7 11-6 11-13 7-11 11-9.

source: http;//www.TheHindu.com / Sports> Other Sports / PTI / New Delhi, May 06ht, 2012

Soles can create sisters

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

What made the holiday pictures flaunted on Facebook by Chondamma Cariappa different was that they featured shoes! Each time Chondamma took a trip to a new destination, she would put up fascinating pictures of shoes she came across during her travels.

Characteristically, this would kick off lengthy discussions on the details of the pair on show between friends. So, last September Chondamma reinvented her passion: she created a space for women who want to share their best finds with others.

Chondamma’s blog, which is aptly named the sole sisters, introduces itself with ‘You walk in wearing a nice pair of shoes and somewhere in the room a woman wonders ‘where did she get it from?’ What makes the blog an interesting browse is its pictures, which aren’t snapped by Chondamma but by women across the world. “It began with my friends but within a month the word spread like a wild fire and women from different parts of India and later from across the world started sending in the pictures of shoes that took their fancy. Till now I would receive about ten pictures a day,” says thirty-two-year-old Chondamma, who is a creative art director in a Mumbai-based advertising firm. On sole sisters, you will see beautifully shot pictures of women flaunting cheaply-priced slip ons from the streets of Jaipur or Lokhandwala to stilettoes bought from an upmarket shoe store in London to a funky pair of sandals picked from a store quietly hidden in an unexplored market of your city.

“I am not a brand obsessed person. In fact, my favourites are kohlapuri chappals which come in many colours. I pick up shoes which look interesting,” says Chondamma, who is born and brought in Bangalore. The blog also shares details of each pair of shoes like the name and the location of the woman who has mailed the picture, the store or the market from where the shoes are bought and the price.

This August, Chondamma organised a party for the sole sisters in Mumbai. It was called a ‘Bootleggers Party’ where all the like minded women turned up wearing boots. “The idea popped up when I read the comment on a photo of a woman from Mumbai that said: “Where in Mumbai do you get to wear boots?” Chondamma was pleasantly surprised that almost 50 women showed up to the party.

Nowadays Chondamma is busy with her next big project which is a website for shoe lovers. It will have a review section, contests and celeb section. “My job in advertising pays the bills. My blog and the upcoming website are my passion. May be in future I will have my own brand of shoes,” laughs Chondamma.

source: http://www.wonderwoman.intoday.in / Home> Wonder Woman> Career-woman> Work wise / by Harsha Chawla

Stories Kodagu’s tombs tell

About Kodagu / Coorg, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Uncategorized

Kings and their legacies have always captured popular imagination. While some have faded into the past, some survive in our memories. C P Belliappa narrates the story of the brave rulers of Kodagu and the significance of the beautiful mausoleums they built.

By 1791, Dodda Veerarajendra had consolidated his position in Kodagu and had successfully moved on from the Tipu Sultan era.

Dodda Veerarajendra started rebuilding his kingdom after years of conflict with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. He had recaptured the important fort at Madikeri, and had constructed a modest palace in Nalaknad in the southern part of Kodagu.

At the time, Dodda Veerarajendra and his royal consort Nanjammaji had an eight-year-old daughter named Rajammaji. The raja wished for a son to inherit his throne. In accordance with rajneethi he could marry a royal consort once every twelve years.

After a long search for a suitable bride, he decided on a matrimonial alliance with the beautiful sister of his Kodava revenue official, Karanika Subbaiah. The bride was given the name Mahadevammaji.

In February 1796, Dodda Veerarajendra had a grand celebration at Nalaknad palace to commemorate the twin events of his coronation and marriage to Mahadevammaji in a specially built mantapa which stands well-preserved to this day.

However, much to Dodda Veerarajendra’s disappointment, Mahadevammaji whom he adored immensely, gave birth to three daughters in the ensuing ten years. In 1806, she was pregnant again and the raja fervently hoped he would have a son to carry forth his legacy.

He conducted several poojas, havans and homas to please the Almighty in hopes that he may be blessed with a male-heir. By then Mahadevammaji had become very weak and sickly.

Dodda Veerarajendra was aware that this would be the last chance for Mahadevammaji to endure child-birth. His worst fears came true when he had a double whammy on May 17, 1807. Days after his royal consort gave birth to their fourth daughter, a debilitated Mahadevammaji died leaving the raja totally heart-broken and deeply disappointed.

Eternal love

The grief-stricken raja chose a spot over-looking the town of Madkeri as the final resting place for his beloved wife. He named that part of the town as Mahadevpet in memory of Mahadevammaji. This name continues to this day.

Dodda Veerarajendra also started the construction of a grand tomb for his wife, the design of which had some likeness to the Taj Mahal. In his will, he gave detailed instructions that he would like to be buried next to Mahadevammaji when he would meet his end.

Dodda Veerarajendra had three sons, but they were born to his minor wives. He was now totally obsessed with who would succeed him after his demise. His first choice was his eldest daughter Devammaji born to Mahadevammaji. In 1808, when Devammaji was barely nine years old, he arranged her marriage to a young Kodava who was renamed Mallappa.

In his elaborate will, the raja wanted Devammaji’s yet-to-be-born son to be named after him and declared his successor. If Devammaji did not have a son, the eldest son born to one of her three sisters was to inherit the throne of Kodagu.

He further stated in his will that in the event his four daughters failed to produce a male-heir then the fittest amongst his three sons: Rajashekara, Shashishankara and Chandrashekara, from his minor wives would ascend the throne to continue his legacy.

In order to ensure his will was executed, Dodda Veerarajendra requested Arthur Cole, the British Resident at Mysore to be the executor of his will and also be guardian to his minor daughters.

Arthur Cole brought this to the notice of Governor General Lord Minto. Lord Minto wrote a letter in April 1809 recognising the raja’s will.

He also gave his assurance that the East India Company would ensure the will was implemented.

Dodda Veerarajendra’s health had taken a heavy toll, and on June 9, 1809 he breathed his last aged 46. In spite of all his efforts, his young daughter Devammaji could not hold on to the throne of Kodagu.

Dodda Veerarajendra’s wily brother, Lingarajendra, usurped the throne in 1811 with tacit support from the British. Lingarajendra completed the tomb of Dodda Veerarajendra and Mahadevamma.

Loyalty

There is another interesting story of a very able army commander – Biddanda Bopu – who served under Dodda Veerarajendra and took active part in their military campaigns against Tipu Sultan. After Tipu was ousted from Kodagu, Dodda Veerarajendra asked Bopu to name the reward he would like for having fought so gallantly against the enemy.

Everyone in the raja’s court expected Bopu to ask for large tracts of land, gold, silver and live-stock. But to everyone’s surprise Biddanda Bopu made a humble request: on his demise to be buried in the same premises as his beloved raja!

This Biddanda Bopu’s wish was fulfilled when he died in 1808. Years later, Bopu’s son Somaiah rose to the same rank as his father, during Chikka Veerarajendra’s reign. When Somaiah died in 1879, in deference to his wishes, the British Chief Commissioner permitted his mortal remains to be buried next to his father’s tomb. Both these tombs are intact.

When Lingarajendra died in 1820, an identical mausoleum was built by his son Chikka Veerarajendra on the right-hand side of Dodda Veerarajendra’s tomb. Another smaller tomb was built in 1834 on the left-hand side where the royal priest Rudrappa is interred.

This locale is known as Gaddige. The mausoleums are well-preserved, and currently the entire area is being landscaped and refurbished.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / April 24th, 2012

Kodava Hockey Utsav from tomorrow

About Kodagu / Coorg, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Aichettira family to host the event

The very unique hockey match of the State, Kodava Hockey Utsav, that takes place between the Kodava families every year, will begin on April 21.

The 16th annual Kodava Hockey Utsav will be inaugurated by Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah.

The members of Aichettira family who are hosting this year’s Hockey Utsav are eagerly waiting for the festival to begin, which will be held for 25 days, till May 13.

The grand hockey festival will witness over 217 teams representing different Kodava families fighting for the prestigious cup.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Aichettira Hockey Cup Utsav President K Anil said that national and international hockey stars like S K Uttappa, V R Ragunath, S V Sunil and M B Aiyappa are going to be the show stealers for this year.

The inauguration, first match, semifinal and final matches will be held at Ammatthi High School grounds.

A huge gallery with a seating capacity of 25,000 is being built at the school grounds to enable spectators to watch the matches. The preparations are going on in full swing as only one day is left for the Utsav to begin.

The place surrounding the ground has been cleaned, drainages have been laid and drinking water facilities have been made for the purpose. LCD screens have been installed at three places in the ground for comfortable view of the match.

Special attraction

The special attraction of this year’s match is a special match that has been arranged between the Indian hockey team that has been selected for the forthcoming Olympics and the Coorg XI team.

The match will be held soon after the Utsav inauguration.

Aichettira family head I P Kuttappa informed that Indian hockey coach Michael Nobbs too will be present during the match.

The State government has granted Rs 30 lakh for the Hockey Utsav and several private companies too have come forward to sponsor the programme.

In addition, Cabinet Minister S M Krishna has granted Rs 12 lakh from his MP’s fund due to the effort of Prema Kariyappa who is also Aichettira family member.

The money has been utilised for the construction of toilets near the ground. The trophy and cash prize will be given to the winning teams from all categories. Aichettira K Anil said that cash prize of Rs five lakh will be given to the winners of the festival.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / by Shrikanth Kallammanavara / Ammathi (Madikeri) / DHNS, April 19th, 2012

Gulshan Devaiah: HATE STORY pushes sexuality and eroticism

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

Countdown has begun for HATE STORY to be released and the film’s main lead Gulshan Devaiah feels that it is ‘shock value’ which has done the trick.

“The fact that such a film is coming out from India is what has resulted in the shock value. Otherwise from the genre perspective, it is no big deal,” says Gulshan in a matter of fact tone, “Quite a few European and Hollywood erotic thrillers have been made in the past and the present but it is considered to be normal there because their culture and rating system are different. Also, the audience that goes there is much more mature and sexually liberated. Not to say that this is not the case in India, especially in the cities. However when an Indian film pushes the boundary in terms of sexuality and eroticism, there is a different level of excitement that is created in the mind. I won’t say that it is about titillation; it is just that people don’t expect such kind of presentation being possible in Indian cinema.”

It wasn’t as straight forward though for him and Paoli Dam to bring this presentation on screen in the very first go. Before starting the shoot of HATE STORY, the couple had barely exchanged a formal conversation or two. No wonder, Gulshan was apprehensive if that would be enough for them to begin work on an erotica.

CHECK OUT: HATE STORY Movie Preview

“It was the first time I was performing a role like this and guess it was quite courageous on my part,” laughs Gulshan, “Vivek (Agnihotri) told me though that Paoli was quite chilled out about such matters and was a thorough professional. Once I started interacting with her on a daily basis, the comfort level went up. That little bit of anxiety also started vanishing and soon I realised that there was nothing for me to be embarrassed about. I was sure that both of us would be able to pull it off convincingly even if we were standing naked in front of each other. It was all beautifully real but kept in the boundaries of acting.”

Well, we would want to see this ‘beautiful reality’ in motion once HATE STORY releases this Friday.

source: http://www.glamsham.com / Scoop & News / by Joginder Tuteja, Glamsham Editorial / April 18th, 2012