Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Huthari festival observed with traditional fervour

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
The paddy sheaves were cut by the CNC members during Huthari celebrations at the paddy field belonging to Nandineravanda Uthappa, in Chikkabettageri.

The Codava National Council (CNC), led by its president N U Nachappa, celebrated Huthari or Puthari — the harvest festival of Kodagu, at a paddy field of Nandineravanda Uthappa, in Chikkabettageri village, near Kushalnagar, on Friday.

Wearing traditional Kodava attire, the members participated in the celebrations by cutting paddy sheaves. Later, they offered prayers for the prevalence of peace and to eradicate Covid-19 from the world. 

The members offered prayers to the gods and initiated the process of Huthari celebrations by ‘Nere Kattuva’ ritual using the leaves of Arali, mango, jackfruit, Kumbali and cashew nut trees. 

After the rituals, the members took out a procession to the paddy field, accompanied by the ‘Dudikottpat’. After firing thrice in the air, Nachappa offered puja rituals and cut paddy sheaves.

Later, the paddy sheaves were brought back to the house and puja rituals were conducted.

CNC members presented ‘Kolata’, ‘Pareyakali’ and other cultural programmes.

Later, they also danced to the traditional beats and relished rice payasa, ‘Thambittu,’ ‘Kadubu,’ ‘pandi curry,’ ‘chicken curry’ and others. 

Speaking on the occasion, Nachappa urged the government to declare a national holiday for the Puthari festival. 

The Kodavas should be considered as a separate race to save the Kodava tribal culture for the future generation. Kodava language should be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, he said. 

“Kodava culture has all the qualifications to be included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Unesco. By showcasing our rituals, we can assert our rights,” he added.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Kushalnagar / November 19th, 2021

Farmer From Kodagu Has Won An Award For Preserving Local Pepper Crop

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature, Pepper, Records, All
Left, N Poonacha receiving the award at the ceremony in New Delhi. Right, Snapshot of the indigenous ‘Adi Pepper’ spikes.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Napanda Poonacha of Kodagu district, a progressive farmer, who hopes to be recognized as a pro-nature farmer
  • He was recently granted the Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Reward (2019-20) for his efforts to save indigenous ‘Adi Pepper’ crop

Napanda Poonacha of Kodagu district, a progressive farmer, who hopes to be recognized as a pro-nature farmer and has set examples for the other farmers to come forward to encourage them. He is working hard to establish commercial crops that have minimal or no negative impact on biodiversity, and he was recently granted the Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Reward (2019-20) for his efforts to save indigenous ‘Adi Pepper’ crops.

The Union Agriculture Ministry’s Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority bestowed the honour on Poonacha, who received it from union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar at an event in New Delhi on November 11.

He is the owner of Adi Pepper Demo Farm and Research Center in Garvale, where he is actively engaged in discovering natural crops in the district that have the capacity to become commercial crops while inflicting minimal environmental impact.

Napanda Poonacha expressed his happines for recieving the award. He said that farmers who recognise, conserve, and cultivate crops that are beneficial to biodiversity have been given this honour. Furthermore, He received the prize for his research, conservation, and promotion of the ‘Adi Pepper,’ an indigenous kind of pepper mainly grown across the natural habitat of Garvale village borders in Kodagu, India.

He further explained that Adi Pepper crops can be discovered all around the Garvale region in their natural habitat. They undertook the responsibility at the research centre to obtain this species of pepper registered under PPFRI, and in 2015, this high-quality pepper was recognised as a farmer’s variety pepper. This is the only pepper species that has passed biochemical testing, and it is regarded the best of the seven pepper species growing in Kodagu.

Since that particular form of pepper was once known as forest pepper and was mainly used for domestic reasons by the people, it has recently reached a brand value of Rs 3500 per kilo, generating more than six times the earnings of the other black pepper species sold in the district.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Susmita Modak / by Hans News Service / November 19th, 2021

Puthari Festival Venue Changed: Celebrations To Be Held At Kodava Samaja In Vijayanagar

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

The Management of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, has decided to celebrate Puthari Namme (harvest festival) on Nov.20 in the premises of Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar I Stage. Earlier it had been decided to celebrate the festival in the premises of Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempunagar.

Now due to incessant rains since a week and also keeping in mind the forecast of rains for 4 more days, the Samaja has decided to change the venue.  The celebrations will commence at 5 pm at the Samaja premises. All traditional Kodava dances will be performed on the occasion by both the men’s and women’s teams.

Arrangements have been made to distribute Kadh (new paddy crop) on that day.   All the members are requested to note the change of venue and cooperate in the celebrations, according to a press release from Malachira M. Ponnappa, Honorary Secretary, Kodava Samaja.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs /November 19th, 2021

Two Kodava Samajas Ban Non-Community Practices

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

Madikeri:

The Kodava Samajas of Ponnampet and Virajpet have banned cake cutting and champagne sharing by newly-wed couples of the Kodava community during weddings at community marriage halls.

At the recently held meetings of the Samajas, Ponnampet Kodava Samaja President Chottekmada Rajiv Bopaiah and Virajpet Kodava Samaja President Vanchira Nanaiah have taken a decision along with Samaja administrative board and members that practices that do not represent Kodava culture will not be permitted inside the community marriage halls.

The related resolutions of the Virajpet Kodava Samaja were unanimously passed during its 99th general body meeting on Sunday that was attended by 15 directors and 357 members.

Apart from banning cake cutting and champagne sharing after the groom opens the bottle as a celebratory gesture, the Samajas have decided to strictly adhere to Kodava customs and rituals. For example, the trend of grooms sporting a beard during weddings has been banned.

According to Kodava custom, a beard is sported only when someone dies in the family and growing a beard is part of the ‘pinda pradhana’ ritual after a close family member passes away. Also, women have been told not to enter the auspicious Muhurtha area with their hair let loose as according to customs, hair is let loose only during funerals and funeral-related ceremonies.

Other decisions include, no bursting of firecrackers during Ganga Puja, no showering of flower petals during ceremonies, no playing of ‘Devaata’ tune by drummers (volaga troupe) during weddings as the tune is limited to only temples. If Kodava girls marry boys from other communities, the latter should not be allowed to wear Kodava dress and the bride’s mother should not put the traditional ‘Pathak’ ornament on the bride.

Not Kodava culture

Reacting on the issue, Chottekmada Rajiv Bopaiah said “Kodavas have their own distinct culture. We can survive only if our culture survives. Cutting cakes and sharing champagne by new couples during marriage ceremonies is not our culture. The decision has been taken in this regard in our annual meeting.” 

“Ever since the decision was taken, I have been flooded with congratulatory phone calls and messages. We have to pass on our culture to the next generation. Champagne celebration won’t serve the purpose, rather it will misguide the younger generations,” he said.

Also, sporting a beard is against the tradition of Kodavas. There is a ritual in which the beard will be taken off. Likewise, the women can’t come on stage with their hair let loose, which is against our tradition. The meeting has discussed the issue and we are planning to implement it in the coming days,” he added.

When asked how the younger generations of the Kodava community reacted to the ban, Rajiv said they are supporting the move and many organisations have also come forward to create awareness on the matter. “The problem seems to be with people who are in their 50s. They encourage cake cutting and champagne sharing during marriages,” he added.

MAJOR DECISIONS

  • Bridegroom should have a clean-shaven face.
  • Women who bless the newly weds on stage should not let their hair loose.
  • No bursting of firecrackers during Ganga Puja; no uncorking of champagne bottles.
  • If Kodava girls marry boys from other communities, the groom should not wear Kodava dress and bride’s mother should not adorn the bride with the traditional ‘Pathak.’

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 11th, 2021

Website on preserving Kodava culture launched

About Kodagu / Coorg, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

A new website featuring the unique culture of Kodavas, documenting the customs and traditions of the community, has been launched. The website www.kodavas.in has been put together by journalist and author B.T. Bopanna.

“My main intention is to document the customs and traditions of Kodavas, a microscopic minority community, which is slowly losing its moorings in Kodagu. Most of the younger Kodavas, who have been brought up in cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru, are unaware of the essence of Kodava culture. I felt a website was the best medium to increase awareness of the culture and help preserve it”, Mr. Bopanna said in a statement.

Mr. Bopanna, who has also pieced together five websites including his first www.coorgtourism way back in 2005, said the new website will “come in handy for someone wanting to know about the rituals involved in ceremonies connected with birth, wedding, death etc”.

In order to ensure that the content in the website was authentic, Mr. Bopanna said he took the help of Boverianda Chinnappa and Nanjamma Chinnappa, who had researched and written about Kodava culture.

“Much of the content in the website has been taken from the book Pattole Palame, compiled in 1924 by Nadikerianda Chinnappa, where the Kodava language folksongs, proverbs and riddles are transcribed in Kannada script and Kodava customs and traditions are described in Kannada language. The Pattole Palame was translated into English by Boverianda Chinnappa and Nanjamma. I have also borrowed content from their book ‘Ainmanes of Kodagu’”, Mr. Bopanna said.

The topics covered in the website including the origin of Kodavas, their customs, related to birth, wedding, death and their festivals, the religion of Kodavas, Kodava language, Jamma land tenure, their passion for the game of hockey, guns in Kodava culture, their ‘ainmanes’ etc. Mr .Bopanna said the website also contains video clips related to some of the topics on Kodava culture.

The site has been designed by Bhakti Saraswat-Devaiah, he added in the statement.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 12th, 2021

AGM Of Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association Held

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Mysuru :

Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, Mysore East, held its 7th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) at Sri Venkatesh Resorts on Bannur Road recently coinciding with Kannada Rajyotsava (Nov.1) celebrations.

Addressing the members, Association President and Army Veteran Kanjithanda Aiyappa (Mani) said that even though the name of the association is ‘Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association’ one of the main objectives of the Association is to take up the common causes of ex-servicemen suo moto irrespective of military veterans’ caste, creed, religion and region they belong to.

Citing an example, Aiyappa stated that even in the Indian Army many Regiments are named after certain regions of the country and communities such as Madras Regiment, Sikh Regiment, Bihar Regiment, Dogra Regiment and 37 Coorg Medium Regiment, etc. However, the only objective of the entire Regiments in the Indian Army is to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the country from external aggression and internal disturbances and also to help the civil administration during natural calamities.

He also mentioned that as per the suggestion of the members, the Association has submitted an application to Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) for the allotment of a Civic Amenity site (CA site) as per the recent notification of MUDA inviting applications for CA sites.  

While discussing various agenda points during the AGM, a widow of an Army veteran had sought a clarification from the Honorary Legal Advisor of the Association, Air Veteran Mandetira N. Subramani, whether widows of ex-servicemen could wear military medals during military functions.

Subramani, who is also the President of Mysuru-based NGO VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust, said that there is no bar on Veer Naaris and widows of ex-servicemen proudly wearing their deceased husbands’ authorised military medals on their chest in a befitting manner while attending meaningful military functions, Army / Navy / Air Force Days and during National Festivals such as Republic Day and Independence Day.

He further said that Veer Naaris and widows of ex-servicemen wearing military medals on such occasions would send a strong message that their husbands’ life/youth were sacrificed for the nation.

A section of audience at the AGM of Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association

Office-bearers elected unanimously

Army Veterans Kanjithanda Aiyappa, K.U. Bheemaiah, Appachangada Motaiah, Basappa, and Kangira Achaiah were unanimously elected as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer respectively for another term. The various Committee Members were also unanimously elected.

Philanthropist Dr. V. Puttalingamma, a retired scientist from DFRL, made a surprise visit to the venue of AGM and handed over a cheque for Rs. 25,000 to the President as donation for the welfare activities of the Association.

While addressing the gathering Dr. Puttalingamma urged the military veteran to save enough money from their own earnings for themselves and for their wives to meet their needs during their old age and not to depend on their children for financial help when they are working away from home or abroad.

Appachangada Motaiah welcomed. Veteran Basappa proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 10th, 2021

President Presents Padma Awards – 2021: Sudharma Editor Jayalakshmi, Hockey Champ Dr. M.P. Ganesh And 117 Others Receive Highest Civilian Honours

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

New Delhi:

Vidushi K.S. Jayalakshmi, Editor of the world’s only Sanskrit daily newspaper published in Mysuru, Hockey player Dr. M.P. Ganesh of Kodagu and Harekala Hajabba, an orange vendor from Mangaluru who built a primary school with his earnings, were among 119 persons who received Padma Awards from President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday.

Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually. The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service).

A total of 119 Padma Awards comprising 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri Awards were presented. 29 of the awardees are women, 16 posthumous awardees and 1 transgender awardee.

Padma Vibhushan

Late playback singer S.P. Balasubramaniam (Posthumous) in the field of Art and Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde for Medicine, Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (Posthumous) are among seven persons, who were presented with the Awards.

Padma Bhushan

Chandrashekhar Kambara for Literature and Education, Tarun Gogoi (Posthumous) for Public Affairs, Ram Vilas Paswan (Posthumous) for Public Affairs and Keshubhai Patel (Posthumous) for Public Affairs among 10 others.

Padma Shri

Vidushi K.S. Jayalakshmi for Literature and Education (Journalism), Hockey Olympian Dr. M.B. Ganesh for Sports, Matha B. Manjamma Jogati for Arts,  Harekala Hajabba for Education, Vijay Sankeshwar for Trade and Industry, Rangaswamy Lakshminarayana Kashyap for Literature and Education and actress Kangana Ranaut are among 119 persons who were conferred with the Award.

Awardees’ Profile

Vidushi K.S. Jayalakshmi, wife of late K.V. Sampath Kumar, took over as the Editor of ‘Sudharma,’ the world’s only Sanskrit daily newspaper published in Mysuru. The paper was started in 1070 by Varadaraja Iyengar and following his demise in 1990, the newspaper was taken over by his son K.V. Sampath Kumar and his (Sampath Kumar) wife Jayalakshmi. Jayalakshmi took over the reins after the demise of Sampath Kumar in June this year.

Mollera Poovaiah Ganesh, aged 73, a resident of Suntikoppa in Kodagu, was the captain of the Indian hockey team and won the Arjuna award in 1973.

Ganesh began his sports career with football and later switched over to hockey after he joined the Army. He represented the Services (defence services) in the National Hockey Championship from 1965 to 1973. He found a place in the Indian team in 1970. Ganesh played for India at 1972 Munich Olympics, finishing third. He was one of the coaches of the Indian team that won a gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

He twice represented India in Asian Games (Bangkok-1970 and Tehran-1974). Both the times India returned home with a Silver medal. He was in the Indian team that won Bronze at the first World Cup at Barcelona in 1971 and captained the team that won Silver at the next World Cup in Amsterdam. He also played for World XI in 1972 and Asian XI from 1970 to 1974. Ganesh last played for India in 1974 after his career was cut short by a knee injury. At present, he is serving as the CEO of SAI National Hockey Academy in New Delhi.

Harekala Hajabba, 66-year-old orange vendor, received this award for bringing a revolution in rural education by constructing a school in Harekala-Newpadpu village in Mangaluru. The school currently has 175 underprivileged students from the village. Hajabba, who sells oranges at Mangaluru bus depot since 1977, has never been to school.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / November 09th, 2021

Reunion brings back fond memories for alumni

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The alumni of Nelaji High School at the reunion programme in Nelaji.

The alumni of Nelaji High School who had studied here 41 years ago organised a reunion programme and reminisced the ‘good old days’ spent at their alma mater.

They shared their experiences of leading a professional life and remembered their classmates who are no longer with them. 

Alumni who are working abroad also joined the reunion through a virtual platform. 

The alumni were the 1979-80 batch of class 10 students. They had formed a group and organised a reunion.

Edikeri Radha commenced the reunion programme and other alumni spoke about their education and professional works. Some of them were felicitated for reaching great heights in their life.

As many as 26 people attended the event physically, while two persons attended it virtually. They also took a decision to help needy people.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Napoklu / Novmeber 01st, 2021

‘Govt committed to safeguard Kannada language, land’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All
Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary and others release balloons with the colours of the Kannada flag, during the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations, at General Thimayya Stadium in Madikeri on Monday. DH Photo

The government is committed to protecting Karnataka, Kannada language, its culture and heritage, said Minister for Social Welfare and Backward Classes Welfare Kota Srinivas Poojary.

He was speaking after unfurling the National Flag during the Karnataka Rajyotsava programme organised by the district administration, at General Thimayya Stadium, on Monday.

“The usage of Kannada language has grown on the internet. Kannada is being widely used in the field of commerce these days,” he said.

He said that the young generation should join hands in the overall development of Karnataka.

“The state has a rich heritage. The history of the Kannada language dates back to 2,000 years. There is a need to protect Kannada identity in the 21st century. Kannada is not a mere language and Karnataka is not a mere land. They are feelings and relationships that Kannadigas own,” he added.

Kota Srinivas Poojary further said that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has been working towards the comprehensive development of the state.

A total of 750 Gram Panchayats have been identified as Amrit Gram Panchayats and will be developed and 12 villages have been selected in Kodagu under the project. The villages are Peraje, Kunjila-Kakkabbe, Maragodu, Kedamulluru, Karmadu, Nalkeri, Titimati, Koodumangalore, Shirangala, Aigur, Haradu and Dundalli, he said.

Measures will be taken to provide drinking water, 100% segregation of solid waste, scientific treatment of wastewater, solar power in households and digital libraries in schools, he added.

The minister also said that the schools will be provided with well-equipped buildings, laboratories and toilets, under Amritha School.

Schools in Hodavada, Sampaje, Kadanga, Madapura, Doddamalte, Kodlipet, Valnur Thyagathur, Hebbale, Suntikoppa, Heggala, Ammatti, Palibetta, T Shettigeri, Titimati, Gonikoppa and Kutta have been selected under the programme, said the minister.

Also, the Amrita Anganwadi Kendra Scheme has been implemented to develop the basic facilities in anganwadi buildings. A grant of Rs 1 lakh will be provided to each anganwadi. It has been decided to upgrade 25 anganwadis in the district, said Kota Srinivas Poojary.

“An amount of Rs 1 lakh will be provided to self-help groups, under Amrita Swasahaya Kiru Udyama Yojane and 60 Stree Shakti self-help groups are selected in the district,” said the minister.

Covid warriors were felicitated on the occasion.

MLC Veena Achaiah, CMC president Anita Poovaiah, Deputy Commissioner Dr B C Sateesha, Superintendent of Police Kshama Mishra and Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 01st, 2021

Selected For World MMA Championship

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

Mandetira Bhuvan Bojanna has secured Gold Medal in the Light Weight Category of the Kempegowda National MMA and Striking MMA Championship-2021 organised by AIl India Mixed Martial Arts Federation in Bengaluru from Oct. 28 to 31.

It was also a selection process for GAMMA (Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts) to represent the upcoming World Championship that is going to be held in Germany.

Son of Mandetira Somanna and Thara Somanna, residents of Kakotuparambu in Virajpet Taluk, Bhuvan will be the first person from Kodagu to represent India in the World Championship.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / November 02nd, 2021