Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Kodava Goes Filmi

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Kodava goes filmi

He’s a Bengalurean who now calls Mumbai his home. Meet Kodava hottie Gulshan Devaiah who has taken Bollywood by storm with his performances in Shaitan and Dum Maaro Dum. Well-spoken, funny and passionate, Gulshan plays KC, a wild child whose parents don’t know his true colours in Shaitan. “He’s always living life on the edge. He loves women, flirts and sleeps around with them. But inside, he’s a very insecure person.”

But Gulshan’s the complete opposite of KC when it comes to women. “When I was in PUC, I’d have a bunch of girls waiting for me. I was incredibly shy and needed a lot of courage to talk to them. I’m also a non-violent guy who thinks fights are emotionally draining. I just like sitting at home and being by myself.”

Gulshan was born and brought up in Bengaluru. “I studied at Cluny Convent and then at St Joseph’s PUC. I wasn’t particularly good at studies and even failed my second PUC! I also lived in a rough neighbourhood where people would randomly get beaten up. Once, I got beaten up by a guy who used to like a girl that I would chat with!” he laughs.

But what saved him was the fashion world. He went onto study fashion at NIFT. “I worked in the fashion business for 10 years. I taught fashion at a college, started a business and even freelanced.” However, Gulshan gave it all up to follow his childhood dream — acting. He wasn’t new to acting when he entered B-Town. This drama enthusiast started doing theatre at a very young age. “I would come up with my own acts for school functions. I even did a lot miming and solo acts (which was called ‘mono acting’ back then!). I did semi-professional theatre with a Kannada troupe. I’ve been active in amateur English theatre since 2000,” says Gulshan who is now busy with his play Butter and Mashed Banana.

While there have been talks about Shiv and Neil puckering up in Shaitan, Gulshan laughs, “Mine’s the real kiss and nobody’s talking about it! It’s a proper Hollywood type one!”

The Bengaluru boy adds. “I miss my mom and dad a lot. When I visit Bengaluru, I miss India Coffee House in its original place. The atmosphere and dosas — were just awesome!”

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Tabloid / Jun 21st, 2011

 

That Hungry Look

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No, no, no, no no. Big Boss Season-2  housemate Zulfi Syed does not have a crush on Sambhavna Seth, insists his family. But yes, he must be missing his mother’s biryani and handi sweets made in Mysore.

His family is watching the reality show closely here in Bangalore. “He doesn’t have any such crush,” said Sharier Khan, Zulfi’s brother-in-law, “He is the sort of guy who stays away from controversies. But such things come up since the show is like that. Some inmates may be trying to vote him out.”

Missing home food

“He looks dull,” said Vihar, Zulfi’s brother, “As there are no better cooks in the Big Boss house, Zulfi misses homemade biryani. It is evident in his face.”

In keeping with the rules of the show, the family has not been in touch with him for the last 30 days. They appreciate Zulfi for not manipulating things as most do on the show. They say his nature in real life continues on TV too.

“At first we were surprised that he wanted to go on the show,” said Vihar. “We even  doubted his survival. But as the days pass, we are confident he will make it. He keeps away from gossip and talks when required. That will help him.”

“We pray for his success,” said Mahid Begum, Zulfi’s mother. “Though he believes in himself, luck counts. I hope he wins.”

Who’s that boy?

Zulfi Syed, one of the housemates in reality show Big Boss 2, is a Coorgi and comes from a family that fought for freedom. His grandfather was known as the Gandhi of Coorg. Zulfi is a super model and has featured in many videos and films including Chupke Se and Wajahh.

He is a primary contestant with  Sambhavna, Rahul Mahajan, Aalina and Raja in Bigg Boss. He is among nine contestants still in the race.

 

No, no, no, no no. Big Boss Season-2  housemate Zulfi Syed does not have a crush on Sambhavna Seth, insists his family. But yes, he must be missing his mother’s biryani and handi sweets made in Mysore.

His family is watching the reality show closely here in Bangalore. “He doesn’t have any such crush,” said Sharier Khan, Zulfi’s brother-in-law, “He is the sort of guy who stays away from controversies. But such things come up since the show is like that. Some inmates may be trying to vote him out.”

Missing home food

“He looks dull,” said Vihar, Zulfi’s brother, “As there are no better cooks in the Big Boss house, Zulfi misses homemade biryani. It is evident in his face.”

In keeping with the rules of the show, the family has not been in touch with him for the last 30 days. They appreciate Zulfi for not manipulating things as most do on the show. They say his nature in real life continues on TV too.

“At first we were surprised that he wanted to go on the show,” said Vihar. “We even  doubted his survival. But as the days pass, we are confident he will make it. He keeps away from gossip and talks when required. That will help him.”

“We pray for his success,” said Mahid Begum, Zulfi’s mother. “Though he believes in himself, luck counts. I hope he wins.”

Who’s that boy?

Zulfi Syed, one of the housemates in reality show Big Boss 2, is a Coorgi and comes from a family that fought for freedom. His grandfather was known as the Gandhi of Coorg. Zulfi is a super model and has featured in many videos and films including Chupke Se and Wajahh.

He is a primary contestant with  Sambhavna, Rahul Mahajan, Aalina and Raja in Bigg Boss. He is among nine contestants still in the race.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / by Chetan R / 2008.09.16

New Ray of Hope for Indian Tennis

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

There was more than one ray of hope on the horizon but Indian tennis in 2003 continued to look upto the old Messiah for deliverence.

Rohan Bopanna announced his arrival on the big stage with a courageous performance in the Davis Cup play-off; Prakash Amritraj, the son of the legendary Vijay Amritraj, left a blazing trail on his way to the top of Indian rankings; and Sania Mirza with her historic Wimbledon crown marked the changing face of women’s game in the country.

Yet, the entire nation looked upto one man, the ‘Miracle Man’ of Indian tennis, to bring salvation. Leander Paes at 30 rejuvenated his own sagging career with two grand slam titles with Martina Navratilova but without his magical inspiration India stumbled for the fourth consecutive time at the play off stage of the Davis Cup.

The brain cyst that laid him down in the middle of the season brought out those fighting qualities in the man who had time and again pulled off miraculous victories for the country in the past, overcoming a series of adversities in his colourful career.

And the mass outpouring of love for Paes one saw when a billion voices prayed for his recovery was something unheard of in recent history of mankind.

Paes did eventually come out of the hospital but his absence from the World Group qualifying tie proved to be a major handicap for India who lost 5-0 to the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, India did unearth a hero in defeat at Zwolle. In one of the longest matches in Cup history since tie-break was introduced, Rohan Bopanna almost pulled the rug from under the feet of Martin Verkerk. Stretching a top-20 player to five sets was in itself an achievement.

And, ranked in the 400s, had Bopanna pulled it off – he lost the decider 12/10 – it would have been a truly ‘Leanderian’ achievement.

In a country of few sporting achievements, what Bopanna did that September evening was akin to a 15-year old Sachin Tendulkar taking Abdul Qadir to the cleaners. To be sure, the wiry 23-year old lad from Coorg, Karnataka, was not exactly playing in his maiden Davis Cup tie.

When he entered the cauldron that was Eisselhallen, Bopanna had two wins under his belt, but those had come in a more friendly environment of grass surface at home. More importantly, he had looked a slaughtered lamb in his defeat against Australia when he made his debut in a similar play-off last season.

In Zwolle, the Dutch had assembled their best team, and it was on fast hard courts away from home. But in the more than four hours he spent on court that Friday, Bopanna had won many a heart with his fighting performance.

In the end, it did not matter that he did not win – none expected him to – but the bold manner in which he put his best foot forward and cut down the ego of the home team to size augured well for Indian tennis.

After Bopanna’s marathon performance, Prakash Amritraj lost in straight sets to Sjeng Schalken and although Bhupathi and Bopanna started promisingly in the doubles rubber, the Indians were actually running for cover over the next two days.

Amritraj did nothing earth-shattering that day but well before his first match in Indian colours, the 19-year old US-born had truly established himself as the number one Indian player on the circuit.

“Having a famous surname does not help you win matches, does it,” Amritraj had said smiling after losing in a Challenger event in India in April. Behind that smile was hidden attributes that helped him zoom from the 1000s to top-300 in ATP rankings.

Attributes handed down to him from his famous father – not the media savvyness but a strong work ethic and dedication to the game. He returned to the same dusty courts two months later for the Satellite circuit when he truly ‘came, saw and conquered’ the competition and the hearts.

For a player whose bread and butter was serve and volley, Amritraj’s rapid rise was a fantastic achievement in every sense. If anything, it presented a pleasant contrast to the eyes weary of the baseline slugfests.

And besides blowing away the myth that successful fathers don’t foster successful sons, it also assured the Indian fans that the sport had other talents to look up to besides the ageing Paes and Bhupathi.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / 2003-12-24

 

Sahithya Sammelan Chief Dr. Padmashekar Speaks her Heart –

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“Understand subject for creation of good literature”

‘
Dr Padmashekhar who has been elected as the president of eighth district Kannada Sahithya Sammelan basically hails from Kodagu. At present she is the HoD of Jainism and Prakruth Study Centre of Mysore University.
Dr Padmashekhar 

The sammelan will be held on March 30 and 31. In an interview with Deccan Herald, she spoke on the growth of Kannada language, literature, need for conserving land and water in Kodagu.


* How do you feel being elected as the president of Sahithya Sammelan?

 

I felt happy. In spite of having worked in the literary field for long, I had to wait for so long to get the love of the people of my land.

* What do you feel on the growth of literary activities in Kodagu?

It is not satisfactory. Kodagu district has failed to get a permanent position to get interest in literature and reading habit.
All the written documents are not literature. Better understanding of a subject is essential for the creation of a good literature. Such a good literature has not been created in Kodagu so far.

* What is your opinion on the growth of literature in Kodagu?

Literature is a continuous process. The children should be made to develop interest in literature from childhood.

* In the backdrop of increase in love for English, how far Kannada sahithya sammelan have helped in the growth of the language?

More and more Kannada literary meets should be organised in border areas. The sammelan should be held in those places wherever the language has been affected. There is a need to create an awareness on Kannada. The fact that Kannadigas are liberal and not cowards should be made known to the people through such meets. We all should believe in unity. The united Karnataka was created due to the struggle by our forefathers. No one should come in the way of the unity of the state.

* Do you feel that Kannada has not developed in Kodagu owing to the British rule and migrants from outside the State?

Kodagu is a land with multi-culture. Kannada has not been affected in the land. Kannada language can digest any challenges.

The Kannada speaking people in Kodagu have not declined. Though people from Kerala have settled down in Kodagu, there was no strife between the languages. However, now we are worried over Kodagu property. Kodagu land and Cauvery river is the lifeline of the district. If our land is sold to the outsiders, then we may lose our relation with the land. Now the land and Cauvery has become a property. If this situation continues, what can we save for our future generation? What will happen to the primitives?

* How did you develop interest in Jain literature?

Kuvempu’s ‘Chitrangada’ motivated me to study Kannada. All the girls should read it. By reading Pampa, Ranna, I developed interest in Jain literature. In fact, even my research topic was on Jain literature.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Madikeri / DHNS / Mar 29th

K C CARIAPPA is the ‘Coorg Person of the Year’

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Air Marshal K C Cariappa (retd), an environmentalist who took on the powerful timber lobby in Kodagu district of Karnataka is the ‘Coorg Person of the Year, 2009’.
K C CariappaAir Marshal Cariappa, son of Field Marshal K M Cariappa, topped a poll conducted by www.coorgtourisminfo.com, the first news portal of Kodagu, to select the Coorg Person of the Year. The others who were in the reckoning for the title, include another hardcore environmentalist and President of the Coorg Wildlife Society, Col C P Muthanna (retd) and New York-based novelist Sarita Mandanna, who has been given the largest advance by Penguin India ever paid to a debut novelist for her novel ‘Tiger Hills,’ set in Kodagu. 

Taking a pro-active role, Air Marshal Cariappa went beyond the ‘call of duty’ and approached the Supreme Court of India to restrain the timber mafia, backed by the Kodagu district administration and sundry politicians to prevent the formation of a road across the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Kodagu in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats.

Following a public interest litigation filed by Air Marshal Cariappa, the Apex Court directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to make an on the spot study of the situation and file a report. In a blatant violation of the law, the Kodagu district administration, backed by the two Kodagu MLAs, and supported by local villagers attempted to lay a road through the Pushpagiri reserve forest, amid opposition from Karnataka forest officials.

The controversial road is a seven km stretch between Madikeri and Subramanya near Mangalore in Dakshina Kannada district. Over 400 villagers from Galibeedu near Madikeri, deployed earthmovers to make the road. Their contention was that the road would shorten the distance between Kodagu and Subramanya.

In a mockery of justice, the villagers were provided ‘police protection’ to form the road by the district administration, headed by the then Deputy Commissioner Baldev Krishna. The top district officials, including the Superintendent of Police, went to the extent of publicly humiliating forest official Anil Rathan who protested against the road being formed through the reserve forest.

Air Marshal Cariappa was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1957 and he was shot down in the 1965 India-Pakistan war while carrying out attacks on enemy positions and taken Prisoner of War (POW). When President Ayub Khan of Pakistan, an old buddy of Field Marshal Cariappa, offered to release his son forthwith, the later famous said: “They (other POWs) are all my sons, look after all of them.”

After retirement from the Air Force in 1996, Air Marshal Cariappa has been living at Madikeri in Kodagu. He has been taking a keen interest in environment and was the President of the Coorg Wildlife Society for four years. Two years ago, Air Marshal Cariappa wrote the biography of his father, which brought out his literary talent as a writer.

Dr Jagadeesh Subbaiah Moodera, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and winner of Oliver E. Buckley Prize, was the Coorg Person of the Year, 2008.
The past winners of Coorg Person of the Year include cricketer Robin Uthappa, researcher Dr Boverianda Nanjamma Chinnappa, and novelist Kaveri Poonacha Nambisan.

 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Madikeri / DHNS / Dec 31st

 

Kodagu Handbook Released

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A compilation of articles on Kodagu (Coorg) ‘Dateline Coorg’ written by senior journalist P T Bopanna over the last two decades has been released.
Cover page of the book ‘Dateline Coorg’ by P T Bopanna.Inspired by the success of his last book ‘Rise and Fall of the Coorg State’, which went into reprint within two months of its release, Bopanna’s new book contains text of the full bench judgement of the Karnataka High Court on the controversial Jamma lands in Kodagu. 

Commenting on his new book, Bopanna says:  “As a journalist based in Bangalore, I had taken active interest in the affairs of Kodagu in the last quarter of a century. This book will come in handy for those wanting to understand the major socio-economic issues prevailing now in Kodagu. Besides, the book is intended to serve as an important reference for students of history in the future.”

The author was one of the first to report on the Union government’s move in 1993 to withdraw the exemption given to Kodavas (Coorgs) and Jamma-holders to possess firearms without licence. The Centre wanted to withdraw the privilege after guns from Kodagu reached the hands of the banned Maoists in Andhra Pradesh.Through his reports, Bopanna was able to put across to the policy makers in Delhi that people of Kodagu not only worshipped their weapons, but seldom misused their privilege. It was pointed out that the gun-running was the handiwork of a couple of gun dealers in Kodagu who had brought a bad name to the district.

There is a special chapter on India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s lurking fear of a military take-over and his unease with the two most popular Generals of independent India, Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General K S Thimayya, both hailing from Kodagu.
The articles range from serious issues pertaining to separate statehood for Kodagu, Jamma land tenure, gun license exemption, looting of forest wealth to subjects like the experiments involving the DNA study to explore the origin of the Kodavas and the moves to develop a script for the Kodava language by a German.

A postscript has been added to incorporate the developments taken place after the articles were written. The book is priced at Rs 100. Bopanna is the author of ‘Discover Coorg’, the bestselling handbook on Kodagu, published in 2006. The book has already run into three editions. Besides, a Kannada edition of the book has also been published.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Mysore / DH News Service / Aug 19th, 2010

 

Halappa Still can’t believe he is Indian Hockey Captain

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, , , , ,
Arjun Halappa still cannot believe that he has been anointed captain of the Indian hockey team but as he prepares himself for the pressure cooker job, the veteran mid-fielder feels that a skipper should always lead by example.
Halappa has been a veteran of Indian hockey, having served the national team for nearly a decade. However, it is the first time he will be leading the national team after he was named captain for next month’s Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia. 

“I never thought in my wildest dream that I would become captain of the national team. My father (BK Halappa) used to play hockey but I started playing the game to get a decent job as the financial condition of my family was not good. It was a dream to play for India and today I am the captain. It’s unbelievable,” the mid-fielder from Coorg told PTI Bhasha.

“A captain should lead by example. He should be a good human being and always keep his cool under pressure. A captain should never get carried away by emotions,” Halappa said. Halappa said as he goes about his job in the Azlan Shah Cup, he would draw inspiration from Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rahul Dravid besides former hockey skipper Dhanraj Pillay.

“Rahul and Dhoni, definitely, are huge source of inspiration. Dhoni has done wonders as a captain and Rahul is a proven performer. I also take inspiration from Dhanraj Pillay, who is one of the best captain Indian hockey has ever produced,” said the senior playmaker.

Halappa said that Indian cricket team’s World Cup-winning feat is an inspiration for the all sportsperson of the country, irrespective of their disciplines. “We all followed the World Cup as India was doing exceptionally well. The World Cup win is an inspiration for all Indian athletes,” he said.

Known for keeping his cool on the turf, Halappa said taking unnecessary pressure is not his style of playing. “I don’t take pressure unnecessarily. I always believe in what I do,” said the Olympian, who was a member of India’s silver medal-winning Delhi Commonwealth Games team. Despite going into the Azlan Shah Cup with a relatively young and inexperienced side, Halappa is confident of a good showing in the May 5-15 event, which India won jointly along with South Korea last year after the final was washed out.

“Last year also we had some new faces in the team but we won the title. I am confident of good show this time as well,” he insisted. In Azlan Shan Cup, India will be without the services of some key players, like drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, Sardara Singh former captain Rajpal Singh and Tushar Khandekar.

While Sandeep and Sardara are busy playing in the Belgium League, Rajpal and Khandekar are unfit. Halappa, however, said that the senior players will be back in the team before the Olympic qualifiers next year.

“We have 8 month to get prepared for the qualifiers. If we play to out potential, there is no reason why we can’t qualify for the London Olympic,” he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / New Delhi / PTI / Apr 21st, 2011

Kodagu Celebrates Arjun’s Selection as Hockey Captain

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Arjun Halappa, lad from Kodagu will lead the Indian Hockey team in the Sulthan Ajhlan Shah Cup hockey tourney to be held in Malaysia, next month.
Indian Hockey team captain Arjun HalappaIt is after several years that a Kodava will be leading the Indian Hockey and with this selection, Kodagu district has a reason to celebrate as hockey has been an inseparable part of Kodagu culture. 

Arjun is the son of B K Halappa and Pramila from Somwarpet. Arjun has been playing in the hockey team for the last 11 years.

With Arjun Halappa leading the team, he becomes the 6th Kodava to lead the India Hockey team, after M P Ganesh, B P Govind, M M Somaiah, B P Subramani and A B Subbaiah.

Basking over his son’s achievement, proud father B K Halappa speaking with the reporters said that he was sure that his son would get the opportunity to lead the Indian team one day or the other.

Mother Pramila, recalling Arjun’s childhood days, said that he used to take part in school-level hockey tournaments and had led the team at various levels. “I am sure he will excel as the captain of Indian Hockey team. It is a big responsibility but I have great confidence that he will do his duty with all dedication,” said Pramila.

Arjun’s wife Bhavana expressing her feeling said that Arjun has gained lot of experience after being in the team for 11 years and captaincy for him can be a platform to revive the glory of the national game.

However, the hockey fans who have always felt that Arjun should have been selected as the captain long back, still have a reason to rejoice because it is better late than never.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / DHNS / Somwarpet / Apr 07th, 2011

Country’s First Woman Diplomat Dies at 85

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C B Muthamma

The country’s first woman diplomat (Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer), Chonira Belliappa Muthamma, died at a private hospital in Bangalore on October 14, 2009,  following a brief illness, family sources said.  Muthamma (85) was born in a modest family at Virajpet in the hilly Kodagu district of Karnataka.

She had served as the ambassador to Hungary, the Netherlands and Ghana. She was also part of Indian diplomatic missions in several countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. Muthamma, the first woman to enter Civil Services in 1949 after clearing UPSC examinations, opted for foreign service and was posted as Third Secretary in the Indian Embassy,Paris.

She had also served in Indian Missions in Yangon and London, besides the Pakistan Division and American Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. The late diplomat was member of the special Non-Governmental Commission on Disarmament and Security Issues set up by Olof Palme, better known as the Palme Commission.

 

source: http://www.coorgnews.wordpress.com / Oct 22nd, 2009

 

Coorg Girl plays a Lead Role in ‘Aaranya Kaandam’

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

Yasmin PonnappaYasmin Ponnappa

Yasmin Ponnappa (Coorg Girl), who’s debuting in Aaranya Kaandam, is a Bangalore-based model. Apart from modelling, she has also appeared in many television commercials and has won many beauty paegants.

Ask her about her role in the film and she gets all excited, “I am like a hurt doe in a jungle, which works up courage to fight back. I am really happy to be working on this project, especially with Jackie dada.” Surprisingly, this Bangalore girl can speak Tamil fluently. “I learnt Tamil when I was young. Thanks to that, I can now give hundred percent to the movie. I don’t have any language problems now,” says the sexy Coorg lass.

Directed by Kumarraja, Aaranyakandam is produced by SPB Charan. The film also stars Jackie Shroff for the first time in a tamil film. Ravikrishna and yasmin ponnappa play the lead roles. Yuvan Shankar Raja scores the music.

 

source: http://www.coorgnews.wordpress.com / Nov 01st, 2009