The first book of poetry by acclaimed curator, writer and speaker Dr Nima Poovaya-Smith celebrates her profound curiosity about wild cats.
Dr Nima Poovaya-Smith OBE is a prominent figure in the cultural, academic and public sectors, well known for her work on transcultural and post-colonial South Asian museum collections in Bradford and multidisciplinary arts projects across the region and beyond. Less well known is her affinity with cats of all persuasions, wild or domestic.
The Wild Cats Compendium, Poovaya-Smith’s first solo collection of illustrated poetry, will be launched at Ilkley Literature Festival on 13 October 2022.
The Compendium is first and foremost a love letter to all felines large and small. Legends and fables of the cat world, as well as their often bleak, everyday lives is explored by Poovaya-Smith, in this collection of 45 poems. There is the reed or jungle cat who may have once dined with the Crown Prince of an Egyptian Pharoah and ended up interred with him; an ocelot gifted to Salvador Dali who tried unsuccessfully to run away and the smallest feline in Southern Africa – the black-footed cat – which eats almost a fifth of its body weight night after night.
Environmentalist Benjamin Lascelles, who has written the End piece comments that Compendium “captures the essence of the many species brilliantly and highlights the many threats they face. The geographic, conservation and threat references are meticulously researched and powerfully conveyed.”
Nima Poovaya-Smith says: “I have always taken a deep interest in cats. Wild or domestic, they are some of nature’s most charismatic creatures. I am enthralled by the facts and fables that surround them. I am certainly not the first, nor will I be the last, to find these animals so captivating. Across the world, we have had a special relationship with the feline species for thousands of years. They have been celebrated in literature and art as well as music and dance. I found particular delight in gleaning more information about lesser-known small cats. Each one is characterful enough to hold its own with the bigger, more iconic cats. The more I learned, the more enigmatic and fascinating they became. I hope that the emotions I experienced exploring the feline world – joy and a deep sense of loss – will resonate with all readers.”
Writer, historian, journalist and author of Victoria and Abdul, Shrabani Basu in her Foreword to The Wild Cats Compendium states: “Nima Poovaya-Smith takes us into the myth and magic of the cat world. Through her beautiful poems, we get a glimpse into their lives as pampered pets or solitary creatures. She questions, probes, and enlightens us, not just about the tiger or the lion, but also about some of the lesser-known species of the cat family. A cat, they say, has nine lives. Poovaya-Smith’s forty-five poems give them many more.”
The different species of cat in Compendium are each accompanied by images – twenty-eight of which are new works by seven different artists. There are also some earlier works by contemporary artists and six historic Illustrations from the 19th century.
source: http://www.ilkleygazette.com / ILKLEY GAZETTE / Home> Local News> UK News / by Claire Lomax / September 09th, 2022
A capacity building programme for Kodagu coffee growers was organised by the Federation of Indian Export organisation in Madikeri.
A capacity building programme for Kodagu coffee growers was organised by the Federation of Indian Export organisation in Madikeri.
The initiative was hosted under the flagship of the ministry of commerce with support from the state agriculture department.
Experienced coffee growers of the district attended the event.
The need for the promotion of international coffee trade was highlighted during the programme. The facilitators sensitised the entrepreneurs, farmers and exporters on the potential of exporting coffee and spices from the district.
The various trade opportunities in the international market, the role of various agencies, the role of free trade agreements and various other schemes under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade were explained to the growers in detail.
A total of 75 participants comprising farmers, farmer produce organisations and entrepreneurs took part in the session.
Lokesh HD, ITS, Jt. DGFT Bengaluru was the chief guest of the event. Babu Reddy DR, DD of Coffee Board spoke on coffee exports and GI Coffee. The role of banking, industrial policy, Indian trade portal and schemes under spices board were highlighted during the session.
Shabhana M Sheikh, JD of district agriculture department was also present .
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by TNN / September 08th, 2022
The fest will likely be organized using nearly Rs 1.50 crore funds and the family has sent a proposal to the state requesting sanctioning of Rs One crore funds.
For representational purposes (Photo | PTI)
The iconic Kodava Hockey Namme will take place next year following a break of four years. The same was confirmed in a press conference by the Appachettolanda Family on Tuesday.
“After 2018, the hockey fest did not see the light of the day due to natural disasters and pandemic situations. However, the 23rd annual fest will be hosted in 2023 in a grandeur manner. The fest will be held at Napoklu General Thimayya Ground. Over 350 Kodava families are likely to take part in the tournament,” confirmed Appachettolanda Manu Muthappa, the president of the hockey fest.
The hockey tournament will begin on February 20 and will go on till March 6. The website and the logo will be released on 2nd October at Napoklu Kodava Samaj. The fest will likely be organized using nearly Rs 1.50 crore funds and the family has sent a proposal to the state requesting sanctioning of Rs One crore funds. The press conference was headed by the Appachettolanda family patted Mittu Erappa and other family members.
‘Kodava Hockey Namme’ has been organized in the district for 22 years. However, the event was cancelled in 2018 due to floods and a pandemic situation. The 2023 event will be the 23rd year of the hockey fest. The hockey tournament played among the Kodava community has gained international fame as the tournament has broken the ‘Limca Book of Records’ and ‘Guinness World Record’ for the highest number of team participation.
The 2018 Kulletria Cup Hockey saw participation from 333 Kodava families. It was in 1997 that the first Kodava family hockey tournament was played and was organized by the Pandanda family. The game started off with international rules and standards and it continues to provide a stage for youngsters and seniors alike to unravel their passion for hockey.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / September 06th, 2022
‘We started shooting on my birthday and I met Amitabh Bachchan sir for the first time then’
Rashmika Mandanna is a complete entertainment package and her fans couldn’t be any more excited about her upcoming lineups making it to the theatres. Today, the trailer of her most awaited film Goodbye starring Amitabh Bachchan was released! While the trailer looks very promising and the bond between Rashmika Mandana and Amitabh Bachchan was surreal, a clip of her talking about BIG B in a media interaction has been making rounds on the internet.
The actress can be seen talking about how she first met the legendary Amitabh Bachchan and how they slowly developed an endearing relationship during the shooting of GoodBye. Rashmika said, “We started shooting on my birthday and I met him for the first time then. I remember this day very clearly as I was waiting for him since I wanted to say hey. While I was standing in the corner, he crossed me and he went away”.
As Rashmika flashed a big smile and went on to introduce her, the actor seemed to have been lost in his thoughts. About which, the actress says “I wanted to introduce myself but of course, sir was busy thinking about the scene and what to do and not to do”. The actress later went in, and quickly introduced herself, as she took some nervous breath “Hey sir, I am Rashmika and I will be playing your daughter”, then found her exit.
Now while Rashmika and Mr. Bachchan shared a bond that was growing slowly with Amitabh Bachchan. One fine day Rashmika finds herself to be out of words when BIG B tweeted about her. About which the actress says “One day I entered the sets and everybody was like “Did you check your tweeter?’ and when I did, I saw that Bachchan sir had posted a picture saying “Pushpa”.
While Rashmika seems to be unstoppable with the kind of project she has been doing lately, she had also quoted that “I am living my dream of working with two icons of Indian cinema”
Meanwhile, the actress will also be seen in Pushpa 2 along with Allu Arjun and Animal with Ranbir Kapoor.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> Entertainment / by The Telegraph Bureau, Mumbai / September 06th, 2022
Even as the renovation works of the famed Igguthappa Temple is underway, the temple’s Devatakka family has alleged that the temple practices and traditions have been threatened in the name of renovation.
Addressing a press meet here yesterday, Devatakka Paradanda Subramani said that the renovation of temple steps on the eastern side has been completed.
Maintaining that use of these steps has been banned since ages, he said that the steps will be allowed for use only when someone vows to make a pledge of truth under special circumstances. But some persons are now attempting to allow devotees to use the steps by advocating that these steps are indeed the main entrance to the Temple, which is not at all correct, he said.
Appealing the devotees to enter the Temple through the steps on the north-western side of the Temple, Subramani argued that using the eastern side steps is a deviation from customs and practices that were prevalent all these days.
Clarifying that they were not against Temple works that have been taken up along with the renovation, Subramani said that it is important to safeguard the customs and practices that are being followed for ages.
Devatakka and Bhakta Janasangha Vice-President Paradanda Dolly accused politicians of violating the age-old Temple customs and practices. He urged the authorities to maintain the sanctity of the Temple by following old customs and practices.
Devatakka Paradanda Vittal Bhimaiah said that the issue was discussed at a Bhakta Janasangha meeting, during which it was resolved to ban use of steps on the eastern side for entering the temple. Pointing out that the Paradanda family has been entrusted with the responsibility of listing pujas, rituals, festivals, fairs, astrological predictions etc., Bhimaiah alleged that a group was making organised attempts to sideline Paradanda family.
Paradanda family Pattedar and Takka Chief B.Appanna, Devatakka’s Paradanda Muddu Subramani and Paradanda Sada Nanaiah were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 03rd, 2022
Team members Rohan Nanjappa, BK Muthana, Nitin Chengappa and BK Appachu with manager Jagdeep Nanjappa and Coorg Association Mumbai president and former India captain MM Somaya at St Stanislaus Sports Complex in Bandra where they have played tournaments in the past. Pics/Shadab Khan
An organisation founded by the people of Karnataka’s Kodagu district has persevered for 100 years in the city by supporting the Coorgi community and celebrating its culture, while forging deep ties with Mumbai.
Last week, Mumbai*s Coorgi community celebrated Kailpodh, a festival to signal the end of transplantation of the paddy crop. Agricultural implements and weapons were worshipped. “Our festivals,” says MM Somaya, president of the Coorg Association Mumbai (CAM) and former India hockey captain, “help us get back to our roots.”
Coming up next, say CAM members, is Kaveri Sankramana in mid-October that celebrates the birth of the river in Coorg. November will bring with it the harvest festival, Puttari. On these occasions, the Association*s catering committee meets in the office building in Airoli to prepare traditional delicacies such as pandhi curry (pork curry), kadambuttu (rice dumplings), akki oti (rice roti) and thambuttu (a sweet dish made with bananas). “This has been the tradition since the establishment of the Association,” says Lekha Nanjapa, head of the catering team, “Initially, people carried food from their homes, but gradually, we started gathering a day before to cook in the community kitchen, spending a fun afternoon over stories and gossip. The kitchen has old brass cauldrons with kalai coating, large enough to cook 20-25 kilos of food at one time.”
Members of the Association*s catering committee meet at the office in Airoli on the eve of festivals such as Kailpodh to prepare pandhi curry and kadambuttu; (right) CAM celebrated its centenary last year, and the members have just released a book carrying a compilation of stories, anecdotes and accounts to mark the occasion
Members of the Association*s catering committee meet at the office in Airoli on the eve of festivals such as Kailpodh to prepare pandhi curry and kadambuttu; (right) CAM celebrated its centenary last year, and the members have just released a book carrying a compilation of stories, anecdotes and accounts to mark the occasion
CAM celebrated its centenary last year, and the members have just released a book to mark the occasion. Carrying a compilation of stories, anecdotes and accounts written by members, Coorg Association Mumbai: A Century of Endeavour and Achievement, hopes to find its way to Coorgi associations in other parts of the country too.
CAM, says Somaya, was launched as a way for the community to gather and observe customs unique to their culture. Among the efforts that have kept the members close is the setting up of the Association building in Airoli in 1996. Apart from serving as a venue for events and a way to raise money for charity, it also has residential rooms available at nominal rates to youth coming in to Mumbai from Coorg for education and work. “The objective,” Somaya explains, “is to guide the younger generation and give them a chance to get a foothold in the city.
Among members of the Kodava community who flourished in Bombay were the Codanda Poovaiah sisters, prominent in Indian dance. Their bungalow at Chowpatty was regularly visited by practitioners
Among members of the Kodava community who flourished in Bombay were the Codanda Poovaiah sisters, prominent in Indian dance. Their bungalow at Chowpatty was regularly visited by practitioners
CAM*s social service initiatives include extending support to the home district at the time of natural disasters, and helping deserving candidates study further. Somaya speaks of two young girls, daughters of displaced families, who are presently studying engineering at the Coorg Institute of Technology, Ponnampet, and whose college fees, boarding and lodging expenses are being borne by CAM.
Nitin Chengappa, a senior bank executive who lived in Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi before moving to Mumbai 18 years ago, says that the bond between its members sets the Mumbai Association apart. “I have been part of the Coorg Association in every city I have lived in, but the ties here are very strong,” he notes. “It comes from the fact that generations have lived in Mumbai, so there is a sense of ownership. The core team are family members of those who have been involved since the foundation of the Association.”
Community members have also, MM Somaya points out, merged well with the city pursuing careers in administration, the armed forces, business and sport, which has only served to further strengthen the ties. “Our people have contributed to the society here,” he states, listing individuals like Kodandera C Madappa, who held the post of Director General (Shipping) in Mumbai; Bollera C Cariappa, who used to be CIDCO Chairman and later served as head of Bombay Municipal Corporation; Kuppanda M Chinappa, the Managing Director of TATA Electric, and the Codanda Poovaiah sisters who were prominent names in Indian dance.
But the activity that has glued this small community and CAM*s members together is undoubtedly their love for sport, especially hockey. The Coorg XI Hockey team, founded by Kandarthanda Kuttappa, was registered with the Bombay Provincial Hockey Association in the 1930s and still plays in the Mumbai Hockey League. “We have endeavoured to use sport as a unifier,” admits Somaya, the Association encouraging its growth by picking up budding players from Coorg and bringing them to Mumbai to get exposure, while also supporting other games such as cricket and bridge. After a 25-year gap, when no team was playing in the league, Biddanda Jagdeep Nanjapa took over its running in 2001. Since then the team has played at prestigious national-level tournaments such as the Bombay Gold Cup.
For Nanjapa, who was born and brought up in Mumbai, the attachment to CAM has been generational. It started with his father, who migrated to the city in the 1940s and continues with his sons, who are now active members. This separates him from the floating Coorgi population that comes to Mumbai to work. The generational association has also meant that the family has borne witness to the institution*s evolution. “Things were tough initially – recession in the 1930s brought in Kodavas who found living in Coorg difficult and ventured to different parts of the country. We used to book outside halls, take small donations and were just about meeting expenses. Today, our people are doing better. The Association is also able to generate income by renting out the hall at the office building [for functions]. We are faring well as a community and as an Association.”
source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day.com / Home> Sunday Mid-day / by Sucheta Chakraborty / September 04th, 2022
The women’s cricket tournament will be organized on September 24 at Chettalli High School Grounds.
Ready for the match: Some members of the Chettalli Ours Club.
Madikeri :
‘Kail Podh’ festival in Kodagu is synonymous with a sports fest in the district. Following the ritualistic observation of the festival on September 3, numerous sports tournaments unfurl and enthrall sports enthusiasts. This year, in the first of its kind attempt, a cricket league will be hosted as part of the festivities and is being organized exclusively for women.
‘Ours Club’ – a women’s club established in Chettalli of Madikeri taluk – has taken the initiative of organizing a women’s cricket tournament that has already recorded enthusiastic registrations.
“The club was established in 2010 with 13 members and we have been hosting small sports tournaments for women since then. However, a casual discussion this time ended up becoming a big plan with the instant support received from the club office bearers and members,” explained Shoba Chengappa, the founding president of the club.
She explained that she discussed her plan of organizing cricket with all the women enthusiasts in the district and the club was open to her suggestion.
The club has a total of 64 women members and each one has made personal donations and the women’s cricket tournament will be organized on September 24 at Chettalli High School Grounds.
“Once we finalized the plan, we invited several other women’s clubs and a total of 16 teams have registered for the tourney. There are more who want to join but we have restricted the numbers this time as this is the first year,” she added.
However, once the tournament takes a successful start, the members are open to organizing the event annually. “Once this is successful, we plan to host the tournament in a bigger manner and it will likely be held for two to three days,” she said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / August 30th, 2022
The 20th annual get-together of Ramakrishnanagar I Block Kodava Welfare Association and adjoining area residents was held on Aug.7 at The Roost Hotel in city.
On the occasion, the Association felicitated Dr. Kodira A. Kushalappa, retd. IFS officer, for his service towards the preservation of Indian forests and in many organisations.
Kotrangada Shreehan Subbaiah was given a cash prize for securing 96.5% in II PUC exam in Science stream.
The Annual General Meeting began with invocation by Mundiyolanda Nanda. Kodandera Pushpa Machaiah, Secretary, presided. Kenjangada Kariappa welcomed. Annual report was presented by the Treasurer of the Association.
Kattera A. Nanaiah, Advisor, briefed the objectives of the Association. Maletira Ganapathy, Vice-President, proposed a vote of thanks.
Kotrangada Shruthy Poonacha compared.
Codanda Swagath, Joint Secretary and all other Committee Members were present along with about 50 Kodava families of Ramakrishnanagar.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 28th, 2022
The Seventeenth annual get-together of Jayalakshmi Kodava Association, Mysuru, was held on Aug. 14 at Kodagu Sahakara Sangha in Jayalakshmipuram.
On the occasion, merit scholarship was awarded to the following children of members: Machangada Srujana Ponnamma, Kaveri Somaiah, Taran Ponappa, Shivani Uthappa and Antriksh Kalappa.
Dr. Macharanda Uthappa was honoured for securing his Ph.D Degree in Engineering from VTU while Dr. Geetha Cariappa Chonira was honoured for authoring her first English story book The House of Mayflowers (A Tale From Kodagu).
President Balliyanda P. Uthappa, who presided, requested members to take active part through their attendance both during good and bad times.
Treasurer Muckatira Somaiah presented the accounts for the year 2021-2022. Pandiyanda Anil Cariappa and Mallangada Shwetha Jayaprakash rendered invocation. Shwetha Jayaprakash also welcomed. Condolences were offered to 5 members who departed during the last two years.
The previous year’s team will continue to function as Committee for 2022-2023, headed by Balliyanda P. Uthappa as President, Pandiyanda Girish as Vice-President, Jammada Ganesh Ayanna as Secretary, Muckatira A. Somaiah as Treasurer.
Muruvanda Indira Ganapathy had decorated the hall on Independence Day theme, befitting 75th Anniversary celebrations.
Early bird award went to Mrs. & Mr. Meriyanda Prithviraj & Padma and Pandanda Poonacha. Under the category of best Tricolour attire, Muruvanda Indira Ganapathy bagged the prize. Lucky Snacker – Devanira Viju Machaiah and Kodandera Diya Harsha, Child artiste Devanshi Jayaprakash Mallangada and Manepeda Jumble Fun game was won by Pandiyanda Savitha Girish and Chendanda Sunitha Deepak. All the Committee members took active part in organising the programme.
Maneyapanda Mary Cariappa cut a cake to commemorate her 90th birthday which she had celebrated recently.
Pandiyanda Savitha Girish compered. Kodira Jyothi Poonacha assisted her in conducting the Scholarship and Honouring event. Codanda Chitra Medappa proposed a vote of thanks.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 28th, 2022
Largest ever Family reunion in Virajpet on Dec. 24, 2022
Kodava Clan is hoping to establish a World Record by organising the largest ever Family reunion in Virajpet on Dec. 24, 2022 with more than 10,000 Kodavas inter-related to each other meeting at one location. This will be the first-of-its-kind attempt across the world to beat the existing world record of 4,514 people/family members meeting in France documented in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Kodava Clan, the company organising this event, is the first ever, one-of-its-kind interactive, crowd sourced virtual museum that has created the largest online family tree of the Kodava community or going back at least 15-16 generations in some cases and recognised by the Indian Book of Records.
Founded by Gummattira Kishoo Uthappa, the portal is the first online museum cataloguing data, statistics, history, culture and festivals, heritage, language of the Kodavas dating back from the 16th Century.
The Kodavas are a small but illustrious community that has contributed to the Indian Armed Forces, Government, Judiciary, Sports, Medical profession and many more across India and the world. The justification for this can be seen on the portal www.kodavaclan.com.
Kodava Clan is also a social networking site for the Kodava community to find or establish their familial association with other Kodavas, irrespective of the generation he/she maybe a part of, from any part of the world. Founder Kishoo states, “This is possible only due to the extensive research undertaken by our dedicated team in the last 5 years which includes collecting and verifying data from almost 750 Okkas we connected with.
Kodavas are proud of their culture and that is clearly exhibited in the information shared in the heritage section of the portal. The heritage section is a virtual museum with 10 categories, with over 2,500 articles in all, with achievers across sectors, Ainmanes or traditional family homes, cuisines, eminent people from the community, entrepreneurs, festival and customs, flora and fauna, history, Kodava Thakk (Kodava dialect), sports, statistics and tourism.
The Section is a ready reckoner for those requiring information on its history, unique traditional customs and rituals. Recognising the huge value in cataloguing its rich and unique heritage, scores of families have given contributions of articles, information and rare photographs to this site.
Kodava Clan has exciting and dynamic future plans for this virtual portal to make it more interactive and dynamic portal to keep any one engaged on the portal for any of his interest as it has covered the subjects of every walk of life.
As its community grows, Kodava Clan has also included an advertising feature to promote business houses and make it self-sustainable for the portal in the days to come.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / August 26th, 2022
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