Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Social service award for Harshika

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


Actress Harshika Poonacha is in an all time high as the actress received an award for social service recently. An excited Harshika posted a picture of her holding the award on Twitter and tweeted saying, “My first award for Social service :)) feels honoured :))”

The actress was last seen in Crazy Loka directed by Kavita Lankesh that had actors Ravichandran, Surya, Harshika and Daisy Bopanna in lead roles. She is currently awaiting the release of her next flick Advaitha that will see her pairing up with Ajai Rao for the first time. She also has Bithri opposite Srikanth and Ale with Thanush and Aviva Bidapa up for release.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Sharanya CR, TNN / February 25th, 2013

Nidhi Subbaiah celebrates birthday in Mumbai

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

Nidhi Subbaiah celebrated her birthday, which falls on February 16, with her closest friends in Mumbai. The Kannada actress, who is best remembered for her roles in Pancharangi and Krishnan Marriage Story, has now shifted to Mumbai, ever since she began shooting for her Bollywood films, a couple of years back.

Nidhi, who has had two releases to her credit – Oh My God! and Ajab Gazabb Love – has been living it up in Mumbai, say her close friends. The actress has been seen partying with her bunch of buddies from the industry there, which also includes her Ajab Gazabb Love co-star Jaccky Bhagnani.

Recently, Jaccky and Nidhi were in Bangalore, where they walked the ramp as the showstoppers for designer Ramesh Dembla at the Bangalore Fashion Week. Nidhi, we hear, is currently listening to a few scripts, but hasn’t narrowed down on any particular project to sign on. We also hear the actress has been receiving a few Kannada film offers to

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Sunayana Suresh, TNN / February 16th, 2013

I don’t take off my clothes on stage to look cooler: Nikhil

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

Nikhil Chinappa in a tell-all interview with TOI

Technology has changed how we listen to music. Do you welcome the change? Music channels earlier had VJs presenting their favourite songs. Then they were replaced by reality TV shows and other formats of presenting music because only a minuscule perctange wanted a VJ to present music. I feel that the trend will eventually shift to people listening to music on internet. One day you’ll also have a VJ on the internet who will present music. As more and more people people use smartphones, people will discover newer genres of music.

What do you like about the audience in Gujarat? The audience is very appreciative of good music here unlike the metros where people often don’t dance thinking that their make-up will fade, their hair will get messy. They feel that they are too cool to dance unlike Gujaratis here who like House music.

Classical musicians often say how Gen Y loves the western concept of partying and clubbing than Indian music. If you look at music across the world, then Eric Clapton will have more fans than Beethoven, and a Madonna will outsell all of them. But that doesn’t mean that any one of them is bad. Many artists complain how people don’t come to their events but nobody goes to the government and asks for permission to organize a national level classical festival where musicians across the world can participate. Just like there is a club scene and there are dance festivals in Goa, one could have classical music fests too!

Is deejaying lucrative? Deejaying pays my bills. But my cheques comes from working for music channels, dance festivals and RJ-ng. I connect with masses because I’m honest about what I like. I know that I am not a great DJ and there are many better than me, but I don’t take off my clothes on stage to look cooler. I feel that if you want to do something well, do it right, otherwise don’t bother.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Music / by Tanvi Trivedi, TNN / February 24th, 2013

Unbeaten Karnataka win South Zone One Day title

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Margao, Feb 20:

Karnataka remained unbeaten throughout the tournament to claim the South Zone One Day Subbaiah Pillai Trophy here on Wednesday. In their last league game, Karnataka edged Andhra by one wicket in a tense finish at the Margao Cricket Club (MCC) ground.

Captain R Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, KL Rahul and Robin Uthappa starred in victory over Andhra. Paceman Vinay, who joined the team on Tuesday after playing for India A against Australia in Chennai, struck four blows for 38 runs as Andhra were bowled out for 228. Mithun took three wickets for 42.

Karnataka team poses after winning the title

In the chase of 229, Karnataka enjoyed a good opening stand between Uthappa (50) and Rahul (75). The associated for 97 runs for the first wicket. However, in the middle and latter part of the innings, Karnataka wobbled, losing wickets in a hurry.

When Vinay was dismissed in the 45th over, Karnataka still needed 13 runs off 32 balls with two wickets in hand. Raju Bhatkal and Ryan Ninan faced some tense moments. Ninan perished attempting a big shot and Karnataka needed 6 off 10 balls with one wicket remaining.

In the final over, Karnataka needed 5 to win and it came down to 4 off 3 balls. KP Appanna hit a boundary off Gnaneshwar Rao to seal the victory.

Karnataka topped the table with 20 points. Kerala were second with 17 points. Both Karnataka and Kerala qualified for all-India Vijay Hazare Trophy which runs from February 26 to March 3.

Brief Scores from league matches on final day

Andhra 228 all out in 48 overs (AG Pradeep 55, B Sumanth 39, Amol Muzumdar 39, R Vinay Kumar 4/38, Abhimanyu Mithun 3/42, KP Appanna 2/46) lost to Karnataka 229/9 in 49.4 overs (KL Rahul 75, Robin Uthappa 50, Stuart Binny 25, B Sudhakar 3/49)

Goa 219 all out in 49.5 overs (Sagun Kamat 71, Robin Ronald D’Souza 50, Manvinder Bisla 30, Prasanth Parameswaran three for 34) lost to Kerala 223/4 in 45.3 overs (Rohan Prem 82 not out, Sanju Viswanath 58, KJ Rakesh 36)

Tamil Nadu 262/9 in 50 overs (Dinesh Karthik 119, Baba Aparajith 51, Ashish Reddy four for 56, CV Milind 3/48) beat Hyderabad 236 in 48.2 overs (Sandeep Rajan 52, K. Sumanth 47, Ravi Teja 43, B. Sandeep 42, P. Amarnath 3/49).

Final standings: 1. Karnataka 20 points; 2. Kerala 17; 3. Andhra 13; 4. Tamil Nadu 9; 5. Hyderabad 3; 6. Goa -2. ThatsCricket

source : http://www.thatscricket.com/ Home> News / by Aprameya / Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

Honoris Causa for Dr Kambara, Subbaiah, Kadri Gopalnath

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

Dr T Ramasami will deliver the convocation address
Former national coach of Indian men’s hockey team and social worker A B Subbaiah, Saxophone player Kadri Gopalnath and litterateur Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara will be conferred honorary doctorate degrees at the 31st annual convocation of Mangalore University, on February 23.

Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankaramurthy said that Secretary to Government of India, Department of Science and Technology Dr T Ramasami will deliver the convocation address. Minister for Higher Education C T Ravi will grace the occasion. Chancellor H R Bharadwaj will preside over the programme.

The VC said that Anjaparavanda Bopaiah Subbaiah is a hockey player who had represented Indian team for 11 years and is presently serving as Secretary of Hockey Karnataka and has been mentoring youth to perform at higher level at the international arena. He has been into hockey for the last 30 years. He had represented Indian team in Barcelona Olympic Games, Atlanta Olympic Games, 8th World Cup at Sydney, 11th Asian Games, Beijing, 12th Asian Games, South Asian Federation Games and so on.

Subbaiah was the national coach of the Indian Men’s Hockey team for two years in 2003-04.

Kadri Gopalnath is an Indian Saxophonist and one of the pioneers of Carnatic music on saxophone. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2004. He has the distinction of being the first Carnatic Musician to be invited to perform in the BBC promenade concert in 1994 at London. He has participated in the Jazz festival in Prague, Berlin. He has won ‘Saxophone Chakravarthy,’ ‘Saxophone Samrat,’ ‘Ganakala Shree,’ ‘Nadopasana Brahma’ ‘Kalaimamani’ and other awards.

Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara is one of the leading dramatists of the country and is a poet, folklorist, novelist and a researcher. After a brief stint in teaching in the University of Chicago, he has taught in Bangalore University for over two decades and was a Fulbright Scholar.

He was the founder Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi. He has won prestigious Jnanpith award in 2011. Some of his work are ‘Anna tangi,’ ‘Karimaayi,’ Singarevva mattu aramane,’ ‘Shikhara Soorya,’ and others.

Degrees

The VC said that Mangalore University will award 84 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, which includes Arts—15, Science—59, Commerce—8, Education—2, seven Master of Philosophy degrees (science—6 and commerce—1).

There will be 36 gold medals and 55 cash prizes. About 60 ranks (PG—44, UG—16: Arts—12, science and technology—30, commerce—10, law—1, education—4 and PG diploma—3) will be given to the students.

A total of 1,406 students will receive the degree in person. The Syndicate of the University has decided to use university’s own funds to present gold medals to toppers in the university because the money deposited by donors of various gold medals is insufficient as the gold prices have skyrocketed in the past few years.

A sum of Rs 2,36,880 will be required for 36 gold medals. There was shortage of Rs 43,607, which will be borne by the university itself.

Years ago, donors instituted gold medals to encourage bright students. The interest from the fixed deposits was used to give the medals. Now, gold prices have shot up and the amount is not enough to finance the medals, said the VC.

The gold medal has 25 gram silver with 1.200 gram gold plated on it.

Degree for MCMS

The Mangalore University will award degree to students of 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 batch students of Master of Communication and Media Studies (MCMS) of St Aloysius College. Accordingly, 36 students will get the degree from the university.
Registrar Prof P S Yadapadithaya, Registrar (evaluation) Prof B Narayana was present.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Mangalore, DHNS / February 21st, 2013

Roopashree begins work on her next film

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

Actress Roopashree seems to be having a great run lately. The Kannada starlet, who manages to have multi-projects in her kitty all the time, has recently begun work on a new project titled Janma Nakshatra, where she is going to be paired opposite young actor Nagakiran. The film also stars Disha Poovaiah.

Roopashree recently finished work on her other Kannada film Jatayu, which has been directed by PC Sekhar, who last made the Ganesh-Bhavana starrer Romeo. This film is supposed to be a total entertainer, with a lot of comic elements to keep the masses happy.

Roopshree meanwhile has also been busy working on her newest Tamil film, Onbadhula Guru, which is also nearing its release. The actress was in Chennai recently to dub for her portions. This film is a comedy multi-starrer and has Bangalore boy Vinay Rai, Premgi Amaren and Lakshmi Rai among others as her co-stars in the film.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Regional> Entertainment> Kannada / by Sunayana Suresh, TNN / January 22nd, 2013

They sing among us

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


Musician Biddu

CHAT Musician Biddu speaks of how his iconic hit Aao Na, Pyaar Karen features in Luke Kenny’s Rise of the Zombie

They just seem to be everywhere—the undead that is. In graphic novels, books and now with Luke Kenny’s Rise of the Zombie, they have stepped into Bollywood as well. Slated for release in February, musician Kenny’s apocalyptic vision is the result of a collaboration with partner Devaki Singh. Apart from bloodthirsty grisly ghouls, ROTZ also features the hit ‘Aao Na, Pyaar Karen’ composed by Biddu and with Nazia Hassan’s vocals. “Last year Luke got in touch with me saying he wanted to use the song,” Biddu says. “I like dealing with young people.”

The composer of the famous ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ says: “Unlike ‘Disco Deewane’ in Student of the Year, this will be a reworked version of ‘Aao Na.’ I haven’t heard the final version. Luke sent me two adaptations — one is trancy techno and the other has David Guetta groove to it. I don’t know which one they will finally use. If I remember right the song is being used during a rave party. Good luck to them.”

Biddu who mostly stays abroad, spends December to February in India. “Mainly in Goa, but I come to Bangalore to meet family,” says Biddu who says he is not doing any music now. “I am finishing a book which is funny and sad. It is about the sexual awakening of a boy in Mumbai.”

Biddu has written his autobiography and the simultaeneously gripping and mystical whodunit, The Curse of the Godman says his next book will be set abroad. “There is only so much you can do in India,” he says signing off with a laugh.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Mini Anthikad – Chibber / Bangalore, January 31st, 2013

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