Category Archives: Amazing Feats

Koothi — a self-sustaining village in Karnataka’s Kodagu

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‘One for All, All for One’ is the motto driving Koothi, a settlement in Kodagu district, which has a lesson or two to teach in self-governance.

Madikeri : 

In the sylvan vistas of Kodagu stands a village, small, yet tall and proud. As one approaches Koothi, as this village is known, it becomes certain that this self-sustaining microcosm of fraternity, self-reliance and equality, has stood the test of time to create a system of self-governance, keeping its residents in a state of well-being and independence.

“The soul of India lives in its villages,” observed Mahatma Gandhi. Living this thought, Koothi’s vision for self-governance, while maintaining its democratic and just values, is a unique study into the concept of decentralisation.

About 53 km from district headquarters Madikeri, one is welcomed into Koothi by a vast ground that hosts a community hall and the grama samithi (village committee) building. As one proceeds further, neatly laid-out estates and houses form the heart of this settlement. The village, primarily composed of Vokkaligas and members of Scheduled Castes, symbolises cohesion and belonging. What one finds even more extraordinary is that Koothi abides by its own set of administrative rules and regulations, untouched by modern policies and laws. 

“Since ancient times, the grama samithi has been in existence to ensure development and well-being of the village. Any problem or dispute is resolved within the village and our unity is our strength,” explains Mohan MD, president of the Koothi Village Committee.

While Koothi does fall under Tolurushettalli Gram Panchayat, it nevertheless has its own village committee. The village has three sub-villages – Hosmane, Dinekere and Kerekoppa. Once every two years, four villagers are nominated from the sub-villages, who form the committee.

Further, the president and vice-president are elected by the nominated members and this non-political team ensures overall development, welfare and safety of the village. The committee meets at least once every month. “There are over 160 houses and over 600 residents in the village. At least one member from each household must attend the meeting. Anyone who fails to be present is fined,” Mohan adds.

(From left) Lakshmikantha, KT Joyappa and Mohan MD, in
Koothi village | Express

Further, the committee holds the important responsibility of maintaining cordial relations between all the villagers, and any dispute is first heard by it. “There are less than a handful of instances when villagers have approached the court or police. Most of the disputes, including property or family rifts, are resolved within the village,” mentions KT Joyappa, former president and a consultant of the committee.

Dispute redressal is very systematic. An application is first forwarded to the committee, which is addressed during the meeting. After the hearings from the parties involved, the dispute is resolved amicably.

“In case of a property rift, committee members visit the spot for an inspection. The committee possesses detailed land survey documents of the entire village. Further, witnesses are heard in favour of both parties. Following this, the issue is heard during the meeting and a judgment passed after consulting and taking into account the facts fulfilled by a majority of the villagers. It is not just the committee members’ decision, but a collective judgment of the village,” states Mohan.

Rarely, there have been instances when a few villagers have moved court against the committee’s decision. “But in all these cases, they have returned to abide by the decision of the committee. While court hearings take years, a dispute addressed by the village committee finds closure in about two meetings,” shares Lakshmikantha, secretary of Someshwara Yuvaka Sangha.

Meanwhile, all proceedings are recorded in a ledger, safely preserved in a secure locker at the committee office. “No matter what, the proceedings recorded in the ledger are not shared with anyone – not even the police,” says Mohan.

The village committee has a separate bank account to collect fines. “The massive committee office and the community hall were built using funds collected by the committee. For the hall which was built over two years ago, each household contributed Rs 17,000. We aim to become self-reliant in all ways and the unity amongst us helps achieve the same,” shares Mohan.

Thanks to its novel, yet time-honoured approach to self-governance, the Koothi Grama Samithi has won accolades from the government too. While villagers from the interior have to frequent the taluk offices for paperworks, officials visit the village as and when summoned by the committee. 

Koothi’s social milieu
There is an interesting regulation that forbids marriage between residents of the same village. “All of us in the village are like siblings. We have grown up together as blood relatives and hence, from the times of our ancestors, marriage between men and women from the same village is forbidden. Anyone violating this norm is fined,” confirms Lakshmikantha.

Any death in the village is mourned by one and all. The victim’s family is spared the duties and expenses, as every household donates a log of wood to set the pyre and all arrangements at the village graveyard are made by villagers.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR / Express News Service / October 17th, 2022

Know why Field Marshal KM Cariappa said during the 1965 war not to return my prisoner of war son!

Amazing Feats, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

KM Cariappa was the first Field Marshal of the Indian Army in independent India who was made the Chief of Army Staff on 15 January 1949. He started his job with the appointment of a Second Lieutenant in the Rajput Regiment of the Indian-British Army. Along with being the first army chief, Cariappa was the first five star rank officer of the Indian Army. KM Cariappa served the country by serving in the army for 30 years and retired in 1953. But it was not at all that after retirement he stopped his service. Even after retiring, he continued to contribute to the army in one form or the other. On 15 May 1993, KM Cariappa merged with the Panchatattvas.

There is a very popular story about KM Cariappa when he told Pakistan not to release his son and treat him like other prisoners of war. But why did he say this, let us know. The talk is about the 1965 war when it was the last day of the Indo-Pak war. On this day Squadron Leaders KC Cariappa, AS Sehgal and Kukke Suresh were given orders to bomb Pakistani positions. But in the first round of bombing, Pakistani soldiers attacked the aircraft of AS Sehdal with anti-aircraft guns. Although AS Sehgal survived the attack, he had to go back to the base camp.

After his departure, KC Cariappa and Kukke remained in the field and were busy destroying the positions of their enemies. But in the meantime Cariappa’s plane became a victim of continuous Pakistani bullets. Cariappa’s plane got damaged and landed like a ball of fire in Indian territory but Cariappa’s body fell on Pakistan side. After falling, Pakistani soldiers surrounded him and took him into custody. When KC Cariappa was caught, he was asked if he was a relative of KM Cariappa, he told the Pakistanis only his name and rank.

As soon as the President of Pakistan Ayub Khan came to know that KM Cariappa’s son had been taken into custody by Pakistan, he immediately made an announcement over the radio that KM Cariappa’s son had been taken into custody. He conveyed information to KM Cariappa through the Pakistani High Commissioner in India that his son could be released if he wanted, but KM Cariappa, a firm believer in his principles, refused. He said that KC Cariappa is not only his son but the whole country, so he should also be treated like other prisoners of war, but if he wants to leave then other prisoners of war will also have to be released. Other prisoners of war are also like my sons. KC Cariappa remained in the custody of Pakistan for several days and was later released along with other prisoners.

source: http://www.newsdayexpress.com / Newsday Express / Home> Career / by Bhagyashree / August 17th, 2022

‘Amara Sullia Uprising’: 20 years before Sepoy Mutiny, coastal Karnataka revolted against British

Amazing Feats, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion
Amara Sullia Uprising: 20 years before Sepoy Mutiny, coastal Karnataka revolted against British
The troops and peasants controlled the Amara Sullia region, Puttur, Bantwal and Mangaluru for nearly 13 days. (Photo credit: Twitter/ @girishalva)

Historians say the foundation for the Amara Sullia Uprising was laid in the early 1830s.

Highlights

  • In 1834, Chikka Veera Rajendra of the Haleri dynasty, the king of Kodagu, was deposed by the British
  • After capturing the entire Mangalore city, the British Union Jack was lowered and the rebel flag was hoisted
  • Many are unaware of Coastal Karnataka’s role in the fight against the British: Dayananda Kathalsar

Bengaluru:

In 1837, 20 years before the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny – the First War of Indian Independence – and nearly a hundred years prior to the Civil Disobedience Movement, the people of coastal Karnataka and Kodagu led an armed rebellion against the British and were successful in holding the port city of Mangalore (now Mangaluru) and other regions for nearly 13 days before the rebellion was crushed.

Dr Peter Wilson Prabhakar, a renowned historian from Dakshina Kannada, who narrated the timeline of events of the Amara Sullia Uprising to News9 opines that the foundation for the uprising against the British was built in the early 1830s.

In 1834, Kodagu king Chikka Veera Rajendra of the Haleri dynasty was deposed by the British leading to an immediate revolt in the region. (The British controlled Dakshina Kannada – South Canara – after Tipu Sultan’s death in 1799, while Kodagu was an independent state until 1834).

Swamy Aparampara started the revolt in Kodagu along with Hulikaadida (the one who killed a tiger) Nanjayya. But within two weeks, Aparampara was arrested in Manjarabad and hanged.

Another revolt led by Kalyanaswamy in 1835, who claimed to be a descendant of the former king of Kodagu, was crushed by the British. He was imprisoned and hanged to death in 1836.

This is when soldiers, who belonged to the army of Chikka Veera Rajendra, chose one among them named Putta Basappa and presented him as Kalyanaswamy to the people. They needed a figurehead as the real Kalyanaswamy was dead.

The soldiers trained Putta Basappa at a hill in Kodagu and presented him to the public as Kalyanaswamy.

Varying reasons for rebellion in South Canara-Kodagu

While the invasion of Kodagu resulted in a rebellion in the region, for the people of Sullia and Puttur in Dakshina Kannada the administration and revenue changes made by the British lit the fire.

“Earlier the Amara Sullia and Puttur Magane (revenue divisions) were under the control of the king of Kodagu. In 1834, it was separated from Kodagu and added into the Canara district,” Prabhakar told News9.

Earlier, in 1830-31, the British had made a major change to tax collection.

“Up to the 1830s, the revenue tax was in kind (payment in the form of goods like pepper etc). But in 1830-31, the people were asked to pay tax in cash and not in kind,” the historian said.

The high tax was a burden on the people, which sparked agitation.

“Separation of Sullia and Puttur from Kodagu, high taxes and payment in cash instead of kind, were the main reasons,” he added.

Before the rebellion in Kodagu in 1834, due to the imposition of these high taxes and change in the revenue system, there was a rebellion in South Canara.

It was popularly called “Koots” – meaning a group – rebellion. Almost the present Kasaragod, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi revolted against the British in 1830-31.

“While the Civil Disobedience Movement by Mahatma Gandhiji began in 1930, a hundred years before in South Canara, the no tax movement was started,” Prabhakar said.

1837 – The Amara Sullia Dange (Uprising)

In 1837, when the soldiers of Chikka Veera Rajendra, led by Kalyanaswamy (Putta Basappa) along with the people of Kodagu started moving towards Sullia. They travelled through the Bisle Ghat and not through the present route of Sampaje.

Through the ghats, the troops first entered Bellare and destroyed the British Treasury in Bangle Gudde.

The British Treasury in Bellare. (Photo credit: Anindith Gowda Kochi Baarike through a special arrangement)
The British Treasury in Bellare. (Photo credit: Anindith Gowda Kochi Baarike through a special arrangement)

After that, the troops were divided into three divisions. One was sent to Dharmasthala and Uppinangady. Another was sent to Kasaragod and Kumble.

The third division was sent to Puttur, through Bellare and Kumbra.

The first battle between the troops of Kalyanaswamy and the British took place on March 30, 1837, on the outskirts of Puttur.

The British were defeated. Those who survived retreated to Mangalore (presently known as Mangaluru) – it was where the British Collector was seated.

On March 31, the British Treasury in Puttur and the entire city were under the control of the peasants and soldiers led by Kalyanaswamy.

On April 5, the troops, who had gained military aid from the kings of Vittla and Belthangady, entered the port city of Mangalore and started capturing the city.

At the time the district headquarters of the British was located at the present-day Balmatta. After destroying the British buildings and plundering the district treasury, the entire Mangalore city area was captured.

The troops controlled the Amara Sullia region, Puttur, Bantwal and Mangalore for nearly 13 days. The British Union Jack was lowered and the rebel flag was hoisted in Bavuta Gudde – the hill with the flag – in Mangaluru.

This is also noted in the Dakshina Kannada District Gazetteer. Many believe the flag to be of the Haleri dynasty since the troops belonged to the Kodagu king Chikka Veera Rajendra.

Rebellion crushed by the British

The rebellion angered the British, who brought in reinforcements from Bombay and Madras Presidency.

The British then crushed the rebellion led by Kalyanaswamy and the peasants of the Amara Sullia and the surrounding regions. The movement was labelled by the British as the loot of Kalyanappa – Kalyanappana Katakayi – to lower its significance in the region.

“Kalyanaswamy, Beeranna Banta, Guddemane Appayya and Laxmappa Banga Arasa – the king of Nadavara – were hanged to death in present-day Bikarnakatte in Mangaluru,” historian Prabhakar said.

The others, who were captured, were deported to Singapore and other islands.

Anindith Gowda Kochi Baarike, who has authored the book on the uprising titled Recalling Amara Sulya that will be published soon, told News9 that not many know that in May-July 1837, a court marshall took place and the people who led the uprising were charged with treason.

“It was not a mutiny. It was a mass movement led by the people of the region,” he added.

Rich history forgotten

Many are unaware of the rich history of coastal Karnataka and its role in the fight against the British, says Dayananda Kathalsar, the president of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy.

“All the youth should love their mother tongue. Tulu, the ancient Dravidian language spoken by people in coastal Karnataka, should be included in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India,” Kathalsar told News9.

Now, a ‘youth revolution’ for the Tulu language, Kathalsar added, is underway in Mangaluru.

“Nearly 25,000 people in Mangaluru have learned Tulu and its script after a ‘revolutionary’ effort by youth of the region,” he added.

“This shows that when the youth are led in the right directions, the impossible can be achieved.”

Kochi Baarike, the author of Recalling Amara Sulya, said that several areas in present coastal Karnataka could be called the “cradle of the Indian freedom movement”.

“Despite a mass movement, they were charged with treason. And till we got independence in 1947 – 110 years after the uprising – there was no avenue to discuss this,” Kochi Baarike said.

“The least we could do now is document what happened,” he added.

(Note: The timeline of the events of the Amara Sullia Uprising has been reported in this feature as narrated by historian Peter Wilson Prabhakar)

source: http://www.news9live.com / News Nine / Home> State> Karnataka / by Prajwal D’Souza / August 14th, 2022

Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Hero Trio Will Make NYC Debut In August

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Saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Hero Trio will make their NYC Debut this August to celebrate Charlie Parker’s Birthday at Smoke Jazz.

Located at the junction of 106th and Broadway (aka Duke Ellington Boulevard), Smoke Jazz Club is one of New York City’s premier live music venues. Renowned for offering top-notch programming of accessible, timeless jazz featuring legendary performers, modern masters, and rising stars, Smoke stands apart with its candlelit dining room, stellar acoustics, and classic American cuisine.

Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Hero Trio also includes bassist Harish Raghavan and drummer Rudy Royston. Their performance will set on Thursday and Sunday at 7 and 9 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday at 7, 9 and 10:30 p.m.

Hero Trio earned high praise for its eclectic 2020 self-titled debut and the 2022 follow-up Animal Crossing.  Animal Crossing is a digital-only EP featuring four new songs, each an unlikely addition to the canon of jazz standards which is also the titular theme from the wildly popular video game.

At Smoke, Mahanthappa will explore Parker’s compositions, classic standards, and modern covers with the Raghavan and Royston. “The idea behind Hero Trio was to turn the idea of playing a set of standards on its ear and freshen up the idea,” the saxophonist explains.

Rudresh Mahanthappa is widely known as one of the premier voices in jazz of the 21st century as well known for his exellent alto saxphone performances. He has been recognized by multiple jazz magazines including DownBeat Magazine, Jazz Journalists’ Association,and  JazzTimes Magazine. He has also received the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, and is currently the Anthony H. P. Lee ’79 Director of Jazz at Princeton University.

For information visit https://www.smokejazz.com/calendar/.

source: http://www.nysmusic.com / NYS Music / Home> Blues-Jazz> NYC Metro> Upcoming Shows / by Savanna Tong / August 07th, 2022

A Nature Lover Plants 1 lakh 80 thousand plants in Kodagu

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All

Kodagu:

In today’s situation where there are many people who think that I can get rich by acquiring property and money, this goldsmith has some love for the environment. Therefore, there is a great desire to earn money by trading gold and silver and to preserve the environment for the next generation. Trader Rajendra Singh has been continuously planting and nurturing plants for the past many years without any publicity. Rajendra Singh is originally from Rajasthan, residing in Siddapur, Virajapete taluk of Kodagu district. He settled in Kodagu 20 years ago.

Rajendrasingh, who was concerned about the environment from a young age, has a great love and concern for the environment. The reason for that is that Rajendra Singh, who was born and brought up in the desert of Rajasthan, felt that if there were no trees, he would face such difficulties.

Planting and nurturing work

Thus, even after coming to Kodagu, his concern for the environment did not diminish. They are constantly doing the work of planting and nurturing plants in school college premises, bank police station and government office premises.

A Nature Lover Plant 1 lakh 80 thousand plants in kodagu rsk mrq
Planting

What does Rajendra Singh say?

Especially in 2014, thousands of trees were cut down while the high tension line was being laid in Kodagu to Kerala. As a result, there was a lot of ups and downs in Kodagu without rain as before. Such a situation was created that if it came, it would pour down immediately, otherwise it would not rain at all. Rajendra Singh says that he was very bored by this and started planting a lot of plants.

Rajendra Singh who planted 1.80 lakh saplings

So far, approximately 1.80 lakh saplings have been planted and nurtured in school and college premises of various taluks of Kodagu, government offices, schools and colleges of Priyapatnam, Mysore taluk and Hunsur taluk. Besides, they are planting plants on roadsides and in forest areas.

Students are aware of the environment

They are watering the plants they have planted themselves during summer. Realizing that the work of planting and growing plants is not possible on his own due to the environmental degradation, Rajendrasingh is making students aware of the need to plant and grow plants before going to schools and colleges.

Planting

A businessman is also very concerned about the environment

Besides, they are working to encourage students to plant and grow plants by conducting various competitions and giving prizes. On the whole, the locals are appreciating his concern to save the environment even though he is a gold and silver trader.

Rainfall has decreased in Kodagu region since last one week. Two weeks ago there were scattered landslides along with rain in Kodagu environment.

source: http://www.irshivideos.com / IV News / Home> Latest News & Updates / August 01st, 2022

Sandooka: Virtual Museum Of Kodava Heritage & Culture

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Pepper, Records, All, Science & Technology, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), World Opinion

Call to help preserve memories of a vanishing people

While modernisation has opened many opportunities for the well-qualified, it has also distanced the young from their heritage and culture.  This is even more accentuated amongst Kodavas living outside Kodagu. There is a need to establish a platform where young Kodavas could learn and keep in touch with the community’s heritage, cultural practices, folklore, music, dance, festivals and history, says Mrs. Codanda Rathi Vinay Jha, IAS (Retd.) and Chair, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), who has initiated establishing a Virtual Museum of Kodava Heritage & Culture named ‘Sandooka,’ a treasure trove of information. —Ed

Kodavas are a micro-minority community in India, who live in Kodagu (Coorg) in Karnataka State. It is estimated that there are about 1,50,000 ethnic Kodavas within and outside Kodagu. 

Kodavas, by virtue of living quite isolated in a densely wooded hilly terrain on the Western Ghats of India since time immemorial, have developed their own unique culture, physical attributes, cuisine, language, attire, religious rituals and practices. 

Over the centuries, Kodavas adapted themselves to the harsh weather conditions, dangers from wild animals and the inhospitable terrain of Kodagu and transformed the land to an idyllic haven it is today.  With the passage of time, they toiled literally with bare hands to cultivate paddy in the valleys.

With the forests providing bountiful supply of wild game, they became expert hunters initially with bows and arrows, and later with firearms which enabled them to emerge as a warrior race.  They transformed the fertile land and were able to grow enough paddy that they could export to neighbouring areas. 

The interactions with immediate neighbours in present day Kerala, Mysuru and Mangaluru, influenced the Kodava language, places of worship, construction of their dwellings and some of the religious practices as well.  However, Kodavas still retain their fundamental philosophy of ancestor and nature worship.  They come under the broad umbrella of Hinduism.

Kodagu was ruled by Kodava Nayakas or Palegars who were basically warlords.  The Haleri dynasty established their rule in Kodagu after cleverly replacing the hopelessly divided Nayakas during the early part of the 17th century.  The Haleri Rajas ruled for over two centuries until the British takeover of the administration in 1834 after deposing the last Raja.  During the rule of the Haleri Rajas and later the British, Kodavas remained the prominent community very much involved in the administration.

During the British rule, education was introduced and this brought about quantum changes in the lifestyle of the Kodavas.  Kodavas found several employment opportunities.  Introduction and scientific cultivation of coffee and spices vastly improved the economy of the region.  Kodava culture and ethos found expression in the writings by the British, European and Kodava authors. 

By the time India got her independence, many Kodavas held important and high-level offices in sectors such as the Defence Forces, Administration, Revenue Department, Forest Department, Police, in the field of Education, Engineering and Medicine. 

Kodavas have several distinctive elements in their social, cultural and religious practices.  One of them is the deferential status given to women. There is no dowry system in the community.  Centuries ago, widow remarriage was permitted. This enlightened attitude is now reflected in well-educated Kodava women shining in a variety of fields.

After India’s independence many Kodavas ventured out of Kodagu seeking better opportunities in education, employment, business and sports.  Kodavas are now spread all over the globe.  The last three decades has seen a large number of Kodavas migrating outside the country. There is now a sizable number of Kodava diaspora in the US, Canada, UK and Australia.  In many cases, there are a couple of generation of Kodavas born and brought up outside Kodagu and outside India as well. 

While modernisation has opened many opportunities for the well-qualified, it has also distanced the young from their heritage and culture.  This is even more accentuated amongst Kodavas living outside Kodagu.  There is a need to establish a platform where young Kodavas could learn and keep in touch with the community’s heritage, cultural practices, folklore, music, dance, festivals and history. 

It is with this aim in mind that Mrs. Codanda Rathi Vinay Jha, IAS (Retd.), as Chair, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), initiated establishing a Virtual Museum of Kodava Heritage & Culture (VMKHC).  This project is evocatively named — Sandooka — a treasure trove of information.  IFA has successfully supported several path-breaking projects in the field of  art and culture. 

Sandooka will be a living museum that will be interactive and open to receiving relevant new materials from the public.  People, especially the future generations of Kodavas, will have an easily accessible platform to gather details of their heritage.  Weblinks will also be given to some of the websites dealing with Kodava culture.  It is hoped that this treasure trove of information will be of immense help to those who wish to carry out further research on Kodavas. VMKHC will cover the following aspects of Kodagu and Kodavas:

1. Customs and Rituals  

2. Cuisine

3. Architecture                 

4. Clothes and Jewellery

5. Art & Craft                    

6. Landscape

7. Literature and Folklore

8. Community Histories

9. Festivals

The project is generously funded with a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) grant from Recaero India Pvt. Ltd., which is a pioneer in the field of aerospace engineering and is headed by Vinay Jha, IAS (Retd).  A highly professional team has been forged to deal with every aspect of the project.   The team comprises:

Lina Vincent – Project Head; Upasana Nattoji Roy – Designer (Switch Studio); Saurav Roy – Designer (Switch Studio) and Mookanda Nitin Kushalappa – Researcher.

IFA office-bearers are: Arundhati Ghosh (Executive Director) and Darshana Davé (Project Co-ordinator); Advisory Group: Rathi Vinay Jha, C.P. Belliappa and Hemanth Sathyanarayana.

Sandooka invites submission of Kodava artefacts, rare photographs, antiques including jewellery (photos) and anecdotes of yore.  All accepted materials will be given due recognition and credits. Sharing your valuable knowledge and collections will enrich the contents of Sandooka.

For details of submission of materials, please visit: www.sandookamuseum.org

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by C.P. Belliappa / August 01st, 2022

Karnataka Arrabashe Culture and Sahitya Academy: Honorary Award announced to three IV News

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Karnataka Arrabashe Culture and Sahitya Akademi has announced the Honorary Award for the year 2021.

Tukaram Enekallu of Kadaba, P.G. of Sullya. Chandira Basappa of Ambekal, Madikeri will be honored with the award, Lakshminarayan Kazegadde, president of the academy said in the announcement.

Tukaram
Tukaram Enekallu of Kadaba taluk is a retired Director of College Physical Education by profession. In 1992, Subrahmanya K.S.S. “Kusuma Saranga” stage unit was established in the college and produced 26 plays in 23 years. In addition, many rural talents have been brought to modern theater and given theater education. Alumni of Kusuma Saranga Ranga Troupe have been selected for the prestigious “Ninasam” organization due to their immense contribution. Maha Mai, Chitrapata, Harinabhisaran, Sirisampi plays produced under his leadership have received state level awards. He was honored by the Karnataka State Drama Academy in 2010. Recently, he has also won the DK District CGK Ranga Award.

P.G. Ambekal
PG Ambekal (Puttanna Gowda Ambekal) of Paylar, Amara Mutnur village, Sulya taluk, graduated with MA, BED, was a teacher in Chettalli High School, Kodagu district, and settled in Bangalore after retirement. His works are Tabli Manha-anthology in Arabic, Goode Chaguttu-Jompe of Arabic dramas, Ninna Premada Pariya-anthology in Kannada, Avaravara Kanni-anthology in Arabic (in print). Kodagu Mate in Arrabish, Goudadoni and Hingara are well known to the Arrabish community for writing several Arrabish articles in the newspaper. Acted in several plays. Several school students have also been brought to the stage. He was honored for his achievements in the field of literature in the 2nd Semi-Language Literature Conference held at Alur-Siddapur of Somwarpet Taluk.

Chandira K. Basappa
Chandira K. of Kokeri village. Basappana is a resident of Napoklu in Madikeri taluk. Chosen for the award for achievement in the field of culture. After serving as a Subedar in the Indian Land Army after Excelsior, he retired and currently resides in Mysore.

He is also a Sobane singer who has composed works in Arabic including Sri Mate Kaveri Suprabhata in Arabic, Sripadi Iggutappa Deva Suprabhata, Composition of God’s Names in Arabic.

source: http://www.irshivideos.com / IV News / Home> Latest News / edited / July 26th, 2022

Kodagu’s slush sports festival evokes warm response

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Many take part in programme despite intermittent drizzle

Providing a reprieve from the stress and strain of a vigorous monsoon which tends to wreak havoc in Kodagu, was the slush field sports conducted by the district administration, on Saturday.

The monsoon in Kodagu tends to conjure up images of flood and landslips. But with the rains abating, the people put their worries behind to take time off and participate in the 30 th State-level slush field sports organised at Kaggodlu village in Madikeri taluk.

It was conducted by the Kodagu district administration, Zilla Panchayat and Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports and inaugurated by Appachu Ranjan, MLA. He recalled that in earlier days, every farmer or landlord in Kodagu used to take part in slush sports after sowing and it helped bring the community together and strengthened bond.

The competition drew people from different parts of the district who braved the intermittent drizzle and encouraged the participants who were drenched in muddy water and slush and gave a display of their prowess in different games. The festival was open to boys and girls as also men and women and included 50 metrerace, 200 metre race, 400 metre race , throwball, volleyball, tug-of-war etc.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / July 23rd, 2022

Shaji of Suntikoppa rescues 4,000 snakes in 20 years

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Nature, Records, All

In 2021, he had safeguarded 17 eggs of a snake found in the coffee estate of Panyada Ananda Basappa.

Many people cause harm to snakes but only a few rescue and release them into the forest. Snake expert Pushpadhara is one among them.

A resident of 7th Hosakote in Suntikoppa, he is popularly called ‘Snake Shaji.’ On getting information on snakes entering houses or shops or other places, he rushes to the spot, rescues and releases them into the forest. 

He has been engaged in rescuing snakes for the last 20 years. He has rescued around 4,000 snakes (both venomous and non-venomous).

A majority of the rescued snakes are cobras. More than 30 pythons were caught and released into the forest. 

“I am also trying to create awareness among people on snakes. Many have a notion that touching snakes will decay a part of their body. I am trying to create awareness on the superstitious beliefs on snakes,” he said.

In 2021, he had safeguarded 17 eggs of a snake found in the coffee estate of Panyada Ananda Basappa. After the hatchlings came out of the eggs, they were released into the forest. 

“People should not panic on noticing snakes inside the house or farmland or inside the vehicles. Nobody should hurt the reptiles. If they dial me, I will rescue the snakes,” said Pushpadhara.

“Snakes play a pivotal role in maintaining balance in nature,” he said. 

The snakes eat rats and rodents that damage crops in the field and help in saving the crops. These creatures are helpful to farmers, he added. 

He has caught snakes not only in the district but also in Sringeri, Mysuru, Sullia, Kushalnagar, Suntikoppa, Madikeri and Periyapattana.  “I don’t ask money for rescuing a snake but some people give money for the fuel expenses of the vehicle,” he said.

For details, people can contact Shaji at 94487 92261.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Suntikoppa / July 16th, 2022

Unsung Heroes: In Kodagu, a star athlete works on mentoring future champions

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Sports

Through her institute Karaumbiah’s Academy for Learning and Sports, Olympian Ashwini Nachappa is aiming to bring potential athletes from Kodagu on the right track.

Kodak, Ashwini Nachappa, Athlete,
After a foray into films in the 90s, Nachappa in 2004 established her own institution, Karaumbiah’s Academy for Learning and Sports or KALS (named after her husband Datha Karumbiah) in Gonikoppal, Kodagu.

While sports enthusiasts around the globe are hooked on to the World Athletics Championships that kicked off in the USA, in Bengaluru, Karnataka’s very own former track and field athlete Ashwini Nachappa is single-mindedly focused on reviving activities at her sports academy in Kodagu after a “difficult two years”.

A Kodava by birth, Nachappa’s drive for athletics picked up when she was just eight years’ old. While her father worked in Kolkata, Nachappa lived with her mother and sister Pushpa, who is also an athlete, near Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Little did Nachappa know that the stadium would be a turning point leading to her accomplishments in the track and field discipline.

“My sister and I used to love running on the tracks of the stadium every morning. The late Mohinder Singh (triple jumper) saw us and bribed us with sweets and wanted to see us more on the field. For every round, he would offer sweets and I ended up taking more sweets. Since then, there was no looking back,” said the Olympian, who bagged her first gold at All Indian Open Nationals in Bengaluru in 1980.

Nachappa began her career in track and field as a hurdler and long jumper, before making the switch to sprints. She participated in two Asian Games, one held in 1986 at South Korea, and the other in 1990 at Beijing, China where she bagged a silver medal in 4 × 100 m relay. She also represented India in two World Championships, one in 1987 in Rome, and the other in 1991 in Tokyo, as a member of the 4 × 400 m relay. She also won the 200 m gold at the 1990 National Open Meet in New Delhi ahead of P T Usha, clocking 24.07 seconds.

After a foray into films in the 90s, Nachappa in 2004 established her own institution, Karaumbiah’s Academy for Learning and Sports or KALS (named after her husband Datha Karumbiah) in Gonikoppal, Kodagu. Later in 2010, Ashwini’s Sports Foundation, a non-profit organisation, was built in the same academy to nurture potential athletes from Kodagu.

“We realised that Kodagu produced some excellent sporting talent but the children either had to travel to Mangalore or Bangalore to pursue their dreams. That is when we decided to blend academics and sports through the foundation and the school to embolden the sporting culture from the grassroots level in Kodagu,” said Nachappa, who is also associated with Parikrma Humanity Foundation, an NGO providing English language education to the poorest from the slums of Bengaluru. In fact, she was also associated with the Special Olympics programme for 12 years, offering year-long sports training to specially abled children.

A venture that started with 25 students has now grown with 850 students who are into athletics, hockey, and air rifle shooting. Some of them have made it to the Indian hockey team in the junior category and have represented the state at National Athletic Championships and National Shooting Championships. The sports academy consists of a synthetic athletic track and an astro turf for hockey.

“It has been a difficult two years for all, financially and emotionally. At our academy, we have re-started sporting activities this year with a new set of athletes across three core sports. Keeping in mind the impact of the pandemic over students, we have also started addressing physical and emotional challenges of children through small initiatives,” said Nachappa, adding that raising funds for the academy remains a challenge.

“Raising funds has been quite a challenge over the years for the sporting academies. However, we are using the revenue generated from the KALS to develop the amenities at our academy. We have also received grants from the national and state’s sports funds,” said Nachappa who believes that the participation of women in sports has increased over the years.

“During my early days as a sportsperson, I never thought gender would be a barrier to achieve your dreams. It’s all about talent and it is important to keep doing what you do. For me, life has been a learning experience, even now. With the pandemic putting a full stop to sports for the last two years, we are going to restart training processes at our academies and go on to produce more young athletes for the country,” said the Arjuna awardee.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Sanath Prasad, Bengaluru / July 16th, 2022