Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

A Professor Remembers His Days In Kodagu

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Nature

ProfessorKodaguKF25jul2018

Voice of the Reader:

Sir,

Apropos the letter titled ‘A Mysurean’s tryst with Kodagu’ published in Star of Mysore dated July 11, I want to narrate my experience of staying in Kodagu from 1962 to 1966 being a former native of Hunsur.

In 1962, I was directed to a school in South Kodagu by my College Professor whom I happened to meet on Sayyaji Rao Road, Mysuru. Since Kodagu is adjacent to Hunsur, I thought, as a fresher, that I can go and work there and teach English to students.

When I landed at Balele in Kodagu, I was mesmerised by the beauty of nature around the school which was situated amidst a coffee plantation dotted by orange trees. There wasn’t any other building near the school except an asphalted road on which buses used to ply from Gonikoppal to Balele – four or five buses used to ply on this road every day. It was a rare sight for us to see the buses so clean and punctual. The crew of the bus was so co-operative and social, that the passengers used to feel that all of them were the members of the same family.

There was a valley near the school and down below, there was a stretch of land which belonged to the school just like a part of the coffee plantation around the school. It was used to cultivate paddy and rain water was the only source of irrigation. The valley was so beautiful that we used to stand at the rim and enjoy the beauty especially during rainy season and winter amidst thick mist. There was an old house at the rim of the valley and from there we used to enjoy the beauty of the rising sun over a cup of piping-hot Coorg coffee.

Boys playing hockey was a feast to the eyes at the school field which was close to the valley. But that side rim was covered by trees and other vegetation.

This year’s rainfall reminds me of the continuous rain in Kodagu for about five days which locked us up in the school building which was our residence too. We spent our days playing carom, chess, hearing radio. There was no electricity and tap water during that time. I have gone to that place many a time even after leaving that place about 52 years ago to recapitulate the memory.

– Dr. Hunsur S. Raghavendra Rao, Retired Professor, J.P. Nagar, 12.7.2018

You can also mail us your views, opinions, and stories to voice@starofmysore.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / July 15th, 2018

Marshy field sports held in Madikeri amidst rain

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Sports
Youth take part in a marshy field race in Madikeri. DH PHOTO
Youth take part in a marshy field race in Madikeri. DH PHOTO

From tiny tots to the elderly, a large number of people became a part of fun and frolic amid rain, at a marshy field in Madikeri on Sunday.

Various competitions were held at a marshy field belonging to Kukkera Palangappa in Devasturu village in Madikeri taluk, as a part of ‘Aatinaati Koodukoota’ organised by Karnataka Arebhashe Samskruthi mattu Sahitya Academy.

Men and women took part in volleyball, tug of war, throw-ball and running race. Rural games were conducted for children.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan felt the need to preserve paddy transplantation for the next generation.

“People should not think about profit alone and should get into the marshy field, as an effort to rediscover traditional agriculture which is vanishing,” said Ranjan.

Pattedar of Devastur, Kukkera Thammaiah flagged-off the paddy seedling transplantation and marshy field race.

He said that agriculture was a social activity in the past and people in the village help each other in paddy seedling transplantation work. But, today, fields have been left fallow.

In a good development, a few youth associations have come forward to carry out paddy transplantation work, he added.

Karnataka Arebhashe Samskruthi mattu Sahitya Academy Chairman P C Jayaram said that the traditional methods of agriculture reflected social harmony.

MLA K G Bopaiah, Kolar Excise Department Deputy Commissioner Sumitha Lingaraju, academy members Ramesh Joyappa, Kakkera Pradeep and A K Himakara were present among others.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by DH News Service, Madikeri / July 22nd, 2018

H D Kumaraswamy promises all help to rain-hit Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature

CM offers ‘Baagina’ to the Cauvery at Harangi n To perform poojas at Talacauvery today.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy offers ‘Baagina’ to river Cauvery at Harangi dam in Kodagu on Thursday. His wife Anitha Kumaraswamy and ministers D.K. Shivakumar and H.D. Revanna are seen (Photo: KPN )
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy offers ‘Baagina’ to river Cauvery at Harangi dam in Kodagu on Thursday. His wife Anitha Kumaraswamy and ministers D.K. Shivakumar and H.D. Revanna are seen (Photo: KPN )

Mysuru:

After a three-year-long drought with all the reservoirs in Cauvery catchment area having reached full reservoir levels because of the record rainfall, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy offered ‘Baagina’ to river Cauvery at Harangi reservoir in Kodagu district, as a gesture of thanks to ‘Mother Nature’ on Thursday. His wife Anita Kumaraswamy joined him for the special poojas. Water resources minister D.K. Shivakumar, Public Works minister H D Revanna Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahaesh, BJP MLAs K.G Bopaiah (Virajpet) and M.P. Appachu Ranjan (Madikeri), and MLCs Sunil Subramani and Veena Achaiah participated in the function.

Harangi reservoir is the second after Kabini to fill to the brim in the State this year. Kumaraswamy will follow this up with Cauvery poojas at Talacauvery in Kodagu on Friday morning, and later he will offer baagina to the Kapila at Kabini reservoir and the Cauvery again at KRS on Friday. He will participate in Aashada Friday poojas at Chamundeswari temple atop the Chamundi Hills which will begin on Friday.

Expressing his happiness that all the reservoirs have filled up after good rains, the CM said: “Kodagu has received this huge record rainfall after 35 years. I am here to respond to problems of people of Kodagu, which is the birthplace of the Cauvery.” Holding a meeting of officers on the losses incurred by people of Kodagu, due to rain havoc, he said, “Personnel from Hassan and Mysuru are being deputed to reinstate electricity connections in Kodagu.”

Authorities at reservoirs said that while the Kabini reservoir filled on June 15, Harangi on July 7, and KRS and Hemavathi on 14 July, it is usually on the day that Chief Minister offers Bagina to rivers at reservoirs, that the maximum level is recorded. And with CM’s programme to offer Bagina slotted on Thursday and Friday, outflow from all the reservoirs was reduced on Thursday. As on July 19, the KRS (78,04,11,672 cusecs) and Kabini (78,15,22,776 cusecs) received more than 78 lakh cusecs of water each from June 1 till July 18. During the same period, 34,58,31,120 cusecs of water was released from the KRS reservior and 64,06,78,770 cusecs from the Kabini reservoir this water year.

According to water resources department sources, on Thursday, 26,844 cusecs of water was released from the KRS reservoir and 35,800 cusecs from the Kabini reservoir. With good outflow from the state, water level at the Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu stood at 102.680 feet as against its full capacity 120 feet, on Wednesday. The sources said 24,300 cusecs of water was released from the Hemavathi reservoir and 9100 cusecs from the Harangi reservoir on Thursday.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Shilpa P , Deccan Chronicle / July 20th, 2018

Measures to protect tourists at Mallalli waterfalls

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All
Mallalli falls near Somwarpet is in full splendour, following heavy rain in the region.
Mallalli falls near Somwarpet is in full splendour, following heavy rain in the region.

After 11 lives were claimed at Mallalli falls near Somwarpet, the Kodagu district administration has taken up protective measures at the tourist spot.

Like other falls in the district, Mallalli falls is now in its full splendour. Over the years, the place has been a favourite destination for tourists visiting Kodagu during vacations.

Mallalli falls, cascading from a height of around 150 foot in Bettadalli Gram Panchayat jurisdiction, attracts tourists during monsoon.

The falls is situated at a distance of three kilometres from Hanchinalli village, on the way from Shanthalli to Pushpagiri.

In spite of being one of the tourist destinations, the spot lacks basic facilities, including the toilet facilities, due to the apathy of the department.

So far, a total of 11 tourists, who visited the falls, have lost their lives, as there were no protective measures on the spot. Some tourists have been creating a nuisance by misbehaving and littering waste in the spot, it is said.

After some local residents staged a protest and urged the district administration to take proper measures for the protection of tourists, the district administration has installed iron rods and grills near the falls.

Prashant, a tourist from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, said that there are no information signboards or warning boards at the spot. But the Gram Panchayat collects a hefty entrance fee from tourists, he charged.

Taluk Panchayat former president K M Lokesh urged the Tourism Department to develop the Mallalli falls by into a tourist place, by providing basic facilities, such as drinking water and toilets for tourists. Also, necessary staff should be deployed at the spot for protection, he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by DH News Service, Somwarpet / July 20th, 2018

Move over, ‘mithai’: The cake is now a fixture at traditional weddings

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
These cakes could cost up to ₹50,000, but Bengalureans are not batting an eyelid and bakers are happy.
These cakes could cost up to ₹50,000, but Bengalureans are not batting an eyelid and bakers are happy.

Bengaluru :

Kodava weddings are no more about grandmother’s payasam and caramel squares. Take the case of marketing professional Vishal Ponnappa’s wedding recently. They did away with regular sweets entirely and had a two-tier cake instead.

The vanilla cake with chocolate butter cream had a Kodagu touch in handcrafted Flame Lily flowers that grow in the region. “The cake was the focus of the wedding and made for a good photo opportunity,” said the groom’s sister Veda.

Apparently, people are having a cake and eating it too, at weddings. It is no longer just a Christian tradition to cut a wedding cake. Young couples from across Indian communities including Marwaris, Punjabis and Gujaratis want statement wedding cakes that narrate their love stories. These cakes could cost up to Rs 50,000, but Bengalureans are not batting an eyelid and bakers are cashing in.

Pastry chef Irfan Ahmed from The Den recently dished out a fourtiered cake for a nikah ceremony and a handcrafted flower cake for a Jain wedding. “Cake is the big new focus at weddings. Couples spend time on planning and briefing us on their cake as much as décor and wedding wear. Floral designs, metallic finishes and 3D cakes are trending,” said Ahmed.

With at least two such orders every week, Shisham Hinduja of Happy Belly Bakes has her hands full delivering hand-painted tiered cakes in gravity-defying chandelier styles. One of her creates narrated the couple’s courtship using figurines. Another interesting order came from a mining baron: a fourtiered 15kg white-coloured cake was used as a projection screen for a video about the bride and groom.

“Brides and grooms have intense briefing sessions. Some even bring international recipes and import cake ingredients too,” said Hinduja.

Lavonne Patisserie’s inventory is dominated by wedding cake orders. “We receive about 40 wedding cake orders per month. Kids’ birthday cakes come second with just about eight orders. Customised 3-8 tiered cakes matched in accordance with the wedding theme are popular,” said the chef Shailesh Johny.

Wedding planner Krutika Mangharam noted how cake-cutting is a permanent component at sangeet, cocktail ceremony or sitdown dinners in Bengaluru weddings. A couple got her to replicate actress Sonam Kapoor’s wedding cake for their ceremony.

“It is no longer the parents but the bride and groom who brief us. Strongly influenced by social media, these youngsters are clued into global trends such as fashionable wedding cakes,” observed Mangharam.

source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> Magazine> Panache / by Smita Balram, ET Bureau / July 17th, 2018

Tree Lovers Club Plants 700 Saplings At Vijayanagar

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature

Urban greening initiative…

TreeLoversKF14jul2018

Mysuru:

The newly-floated Tree Lovers Club, Vijayanagar, planted around 700 saplings including fruit-bearing indigenous trees in Vijayanagar 3rd Stage on Sunday last.

The Club, an offshoot of Vekare Ex-Servicemen Trust (VKET), will take up urban greening and promote it by example and through public campaigns.

Speaking to SOM, VKET and Tree Lovers Club President Mandetira N. Subramani said that it is the responsibility of every citizen to take care of the ecology and environment around their neighbourhood, first by planting a couple of fruit-bearing saplings in places wherever it is feasible. Subsequently, it should be the individual’s responsibility to nurture them after their maintenance for five years till they grow at least 15 feet in height.

He said, it is the collective responsibility of the residents and NGOs to take the initiative to impress upon the Forest Department to plant more saplings.

He further mentioned that the Tree Lovers Club will accomplish its mission of apprising the Chief Conservator of Forests in Mysuru to plant over 5,000 different species of saplings including fruit-bearing trees in Vijayanagar 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Stages.

Vice-President Shakunthala Subramani, Gen. Secretary A.B. Bojappa, Jt. Secretary Poornima Raghu, Treasurer S. Somashekara and Hon. Advisor P.S. Bose Subramani led the morning walkers and residents of Vijayanagar 3rd Stage, numbering over 150, in planting the saplings.

Addressing the gathering after planting over 25 fruit-bearing trees in the Park opposite Heritage Club, the Tree Lovers Club President thanked the participants, members of Brahmagiri Kodava Association and Heritage Club for giving moral support to the Club in accomplishing the greening initiative. Tree Lovers Club intends to adopt the Park in Vijayanagar 3rd Stage for development and maintenance after obtaining the consent of authorities concerned.

Speaking on the occasion, A.B. Bojappa said that the Club would form a Committee of Tree Lovers to look after the saplings already planted in Vijayanagar 3rd Stage in the past one week.

The Secretary also requested those present to give their suggestions to improve the ecology of Vijayanagar 3rd Stage via e-mail: tree.lovers@yahoo.com or infowicket@gmail.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 10th, 2018

Free Medical Camp By Kaveri Mahila Sangha On July 15

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Science & Technology

Mysuru:

Shree Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha, Mysuru, has organised its annual free medical camp at Mahaveer Vidya Mandir, C-A/2, LIC Colony, 2nd Stage, Srirampura, on July 15 from 10.30 am to 4 pm.

Dr. Mathanda Aiyappa will inaugurate the camp on Sunday. Sangha President Jerry Ponnappa will preside.

Physician Dr. Latha Muthanna, Dermatologists Dr. P.A. Kushalappa and Dr. Poovamma, Urologists Dr. Madappa and Dr. Somanna, Orthopaedician Dr. Devaiah, Paediatrician Dr. Rajeshwari Madappa, Dr. Aiyappa (General Medicine), Dr. Aiyanna (Ayurveda), Gynaecologists Dr. Poovamma and Dr. Sonia Mandappa, Dr. Padmini Kaverappa, Dentist Dr. Shruthi Somaiah, Nephrologist Dr. Vipin Kaverappa and Dr. Sonam Bopanna (Speech & Hearing Pathologist) will take part in the camp along with representatives from Sigma Multi-speciality Hospital and Nethradhama Super-speciality Eye Hospital.

For details, interested public may contact President Jerry Ponnappa on Mob: 99015-36733 or Secretary Kavya Kuttappa on Mob: 99642-36284.

NOTE: The general public attending the camp must compulsorily bring the old medical records, if any.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 11th, 2018

Jawa Lovers Hit Rainy Roads Of Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

A group of youths from Mysuru, who took out a ride to celebrate International Jawa Day, are seen at Kakkabe village near Thadiyandamol Mountain in Kodagu.

JawaKF10jul2018

12 Jawa enthusiasts — (from left) Balakrishna, Yashwanth, Sachin, Pradeep, Prasanna, Vikas, Nithyanand, Mohan, Pruthvi, Ravi, Ruthvik and Harsha — embarked on the journey from Mysuru last evening.

Sharing their experience, the youths said that it is raining heavily in Kodagu and riding the most-loved vehicle in biting cold and water splashing on faces was a thrilling experience.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> Photo News / July 08th, 2018

Booktalk: New Book On Kodava Death Rituals

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

KodavaRitualsKF09jul2018

Title: Kodavara Saavu Paddathi

Author: Nellamakkada B. Kaverappa

Pages: 52 /Price: Rs. 50 / Publisher: Akshara Prakashana, Mysuru

Noted artist Nellamakkada B. Kaverappa has written a book titled “Kodavara Saavu Paddathi” which deals with the death rituals involving Kodavas. The book was recently released to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Kodava poet and dramatist Haradasa Appaneravanda Appacha Kavi.

It is a unique book on the death-related rituals of Kodavas to be followed by Kodavas living outside Kodagu in cities like Mysuru and Bengaluru. The book explains customs and traditions to be followed after a person dies.

According to the author, Kodavas living in other towns and cities are finding it very difficult to follow all the rituals connected to death as is being followed in Kodagu. Many rituals are being left out and many are being performed wrongly. The book has been written after a year-long research.

The book is in two parts — from the time of death till cremation and after cremation till the completion of Deeksha. The author says there is no need for any priests as the rituals will be conducted by a Kodava “Aruva”. The book is written in Kannada with Kodava names of all rituals and it is a must-read for a Kodava.

About the author

Born in Kodagu on Jan.1, 1950 to Nellamakkada Bopaiah and Nanjamma, Kaverappa served as a teacher and also the judicial department. Since childhood, he was interested in art and writing and he studied art from M.T.V. Acharya who was a painter, illustrator and art educator, most famous for his work for the popular Indian children’s magazine Chandamama.

In 1994, Kaverappa established Bharani Art Gallery, the first private art gallery of Mysuru. This is the only private gallery that is given free for artists along with a guest room. So far, Bharani has conducted more than 100 exhibitions. He has also written a book in Kannada on the life and sculptures of artist Kiran Subbaiah. He has translated two books for Lalitha Kala Akademi.

Copies of the book are available at Mysuru and Bengaluru Kodava Samajas. The author can be contacted on Mob: 94485-54221. – OSR

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / July 08th, 2018

Starbucks introduces coffee brewed with nitrogen for first time in India

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Records, All

Cold coffee which will be called–Nitro Cold Brew marks Starbucks next chapter of coffee innovation through the newest take on its signature cold brew.

Tata Global Bev
Tata Global Bev

Tata Starbucks, a 50-50 joint venture between the US-based Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Global Beverages has been on an innovation spree of its products.

Starbucks today introduced a new generation of coffee for the first time in India infused with nitrogen.

Cold coffee which will be called–Nitro Cold Brew marks Starbucks’ next chapter of coffee innovation through the take on its signature cold brew.

Starbucks Nitro Cold brew is made after handcrafting the cold brew coffee and then infused with nitrogen. It is also available with vanilla flavour– vanilla sweet cream cold brew.

Starbucks cold brew will be available across all outlets in India, while Starbucks nitro cold brew is currently available in 5 stores across India namely–Mumbai-Kamala Mills, Bangalore-Jaya Nagar, Delhi-Green Park, Noida-DLF Mall of India, Kolkata, Park Mansions.

The company achieved a topline growth of 28 percent last year, supported by better in-store performance and growth through new stores.

Tata Starbucks recently made its maiden foray into Kolkata, the seventh city for the company in India. It plans three more stores there.

source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / MoneyControl.com / Home> News> Business / July 04th, 2018