Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Natana’s theatre training camp begins

‘Theatre binds human relations’

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Mysuru :

“Theatre is not just an enlivening medicine but also a binder of human relations,” opined senior theatrist Addanda C. Cariappa.

He was speaking after inaugurating the weekend acting and theatre training camp for children (2016-17) organised by Natana Rangashale at its premises in Krishnamurthypuram here yesterday.

Cariappa observed that of late cracks were developing in human relations and many children were not looking after their parents well. He pointed out that all human values were getting faded and children need to be made aware of that. He added that theatre would enable children to understand the values of faith and affection which by themselves were good healing factors.

Students of Natana Rangashale rendered theatre songs. The weekend camp for 40 children in the age group of 8 to 15 years will be on every Saturday and Sunday for one year from 5 pm to 8 pm. Theatrists Anita Cariappa, Mandya Ramesh, Natana Rangashale President N. Subramanayam and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 26th, 2016

Brijesh Kalappa bats for Memorial for Devati Parambu Martyrs

Kodavas visiting Bhagamandala remember Devati Parambu martyrs by offering a leaf or flower at the spot for the last 231 years!

Mysuru :

Following the recent protests by Codava National Council (CNC) and continuous demand by Kodava community for a Memorial at Devati Parambu, AICC Spokesperson and Legal Advisor to Government of Karnataka Brijesh Kalappa has expressed his support for the same.

In a press release, Brijesh Kalappa has said that Devati Parambu is a site that witnessed the massacre of thousands of Kodavas in 1785. Each and every Kodava child has been told at sometime or the other of this massacre at Devati Parambu and, therefore, no visit to Bhagamandala is complete unless a leaf or flower is offered at this site by each visiting Kodava.

Just as the holocaust holds a special significance for the Jews alone, the massacre at Devati Parambu has significance in each Kodava heart. The fact that Kodavas are ancestor worshippers makes this memory even more sacred, he said.

Stating that the Indian Constitution ensures space for each and every individual irrespective of caste, religion, sex or belief, Brijesh said that the Kodavas deserve to have a memorial befitting the scale of the massacre.

Both the Centre and the State are enjoined to have such a Memorial, he said and added that the Memorial was not acrimonious in nature.

“We do not seek revenge nor do we seek retaliation. We only seek to mourn the passing away of our departed with dignity,” said Brijesh Kalappa.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 17th, 2016

A love story set in North Karnataka

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Nanna Ninna Prema Kathe is an upcoming romantic drama directed by debutant Shivu Jamkhandi that sees Vijay Raghavendra and Nidhi Subbaiah pair up onscreen for the first time.

Major portions of the film were shot across North Karnataka, especially at locations of historical value.

The movie, which marks Nidhi’s return to Sandalwood, is slated for an early July release.

The trailer of Nanna Ninna Prema Kathe will be released today.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies / TNN / June 18th, 2016

A Week of Revival at The Tamara Coorg – International Yoga Day Special From 17th – 23rd June

Bangalore : /PRNewswire/

The Tamara Coorg is organizing ‘A Week of Revival’ from 17th June to 23rd June 2016. During this event, a resource person will guide the guests to a healthy and happy lifestyle through the ‘Wellness and Lifestyle Workshop’.

The esteemed guests can also relish the enriching experiences of yoga with the in-house yoga instructor, wellness cuisine, spa, nature trek and plantation trail that are indigenous to The Tamara Coorg.

The Tamara Coorg is a resort cuddled in the greenery of Coorg and spread across 170 acres of functional coffee plantation. The aroma of coffee, gorgeous green nature along with the uniquely designed cottages weaves a conspiracy here to amaze the guests with its beauty, tranquillity and silence. Withstanding the pledge to provide an existence in harmony with nature, here it is with its yoga week again to celebrate the International Yoga Day.

Since its establishment in the year 2012, guided Yoga sessions for guests has been a major activity espoused by The Tamara Coorg. Yoga, as one of the major activities offered throughout the year with the luxurious stay, silence, and tranquility of the resort provides the apt backdrop and ambiance for dissemination and practice of this ancient discipline.

For booking, call: +91-8071077700.

For more information, please visit: http://www.thetamara.com/

source: http://www.prnewswire.co.in / PR Newswire / Bangalore – June 14th, 2016 / source: The Tamara Coorg

Yami Gautam helps Gulshan Devaiah face his fears

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Most of us loves amusement parks and the adrenaline rush that the roller-coaster rides give us. Right? Well, but that’s not the case with Hunterrr actor Gulshan Devaiah. He is is super scared of such rides and can never seem to enjoy them.

Recently while shooting a sequence in his next film, Vivek Agnihotri’s Junooniyat, Gulshan had to ride a ferris wheel.

Since it’s a rom-com, he had to romance Yami Gautam sitting on the ride.

Being an acute acrophobic (fear of heights), things got extremely difficult for the actor. Gulshan got nervous, which could be seen on camera and a lot of re-takes had to be done. But Yami came to her co-actor’s rescue and whenever Gulshan had panic attacks, she helped him calm down. Gulshan couldn’t shoot with full confidence but Yami’s big support helped Gulshan complete the shot properly.

source: http://www.filmfare.com / Filmfare.com / Home> News / by Ushnota Paul, Deputy Features Editor / Tuesday – June 14th, 2016

How sweet!

Highest peak in Kodagu is now off limits for trekkers

Madikeri:

Trekking to Thadiayandamol, the highest peak in Kodagu and the second highest in Karnataka, has been banned temporarily due to the movement of wild elephants in the vicinity.

A herd of 10-12 elephants has been camping near the hill after escaping from nearby forest and have wrecked havoc by destroying banana, arecanut and coffee plantations in Yavakapadi, Marandoda and Chelavara villages.

Forest officials said they are making efforts to drive these elephants back into the woods and till then, entry to trekkers and tourists will be restricted. They said it may take some time due to heavy rains in the region.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / June 12th, 2016

New web series set in Coorg mixes fiction with travel

New fiction web series set against the backdrop of scenic Coorg, about exploration of music by its protagonist, Nimrat, hopes to raise the standard of Web entertainment and content in India

A new web series, Nimrat produced by Bangalore-based film school and production house, Flash Frame Visuals Academy of Film & Television (FFVA) has stepped out of drawing rooms and coffee shops for its shoot and is set in the scenic backdrop of Coorg for the first season, followed by the next season scheduled to be shot in Nepal. This fiction series about exploration of music by its protagonist, Nimrat, hopes to raise the standard of Web entertainment and content in India. Producer and creative head Aditi Soni and Keerti Kumar tell us more about the leap of faith.

Shooting Nimrat in a Coorg forest
Shooting Nimrat in a Coorg forest

Q. Why a travel series for the Internet audience?

A. The Internet audience is chiefly in the age group of 18 to 40. If we read them closely, there is this new urge to travel among this generation. They want to explore places, explore themselves. So much so, that I know of people who have sold their houses to travel the world. So where everyone is reading and writing about travel, am sure they would love to watch it too.

The cast and crew of Nimrat
The cast and crew of Nimrat

Q. Why pick Coorg?

A. Firstly, it is a visually stunning place. Secondly we have seen enough of north being explored. When it comes to the south, all know of Chennai or Kerala but Coorg remains a fairly unexplored destination except in a few movies such as Raavan or Saat Khoon Maaf. Then, of course, it suited the script too. The second season will cover Kathmandu and the Himalayas. The main reason being that the script deserves those locations.

Work in progress at a coffee estate
Work in progress at a coffee estate

Q. How was the experience of shooting in Coorg?

A. It is the most stress-free shoot location. People there are more than just warm. They go out of the way to help you with the resources, locations to shoot and such. They are not very camera-shy, are of the happy-smiley face-kinds, and are ever ready to face the camera; in case you’re keen to get them to act too. The weather too allows you to shoot for long hours.

Q. Why a subject like Nimrat?

A. The visual content is slowly getting repetitive. It’s the same formula, which is being fed to the audience time and again. Now times are changing and so is the audience. They love to travel, they love journeys, they love explorations, they love strong independent characters…they love it all because they can relate themselves to all of it. And that’s exactly what Nimrat is all about. She travels to different parts of the country to collect Folk music as a passion. This is when her life entangles with the people in each locale that the stories begin to unfold.

Q. Where is it coming out?

A. It’s yet to be finalised. We are in talks with a few Mumbai-based production houses but would not want to give out a name before it is final.

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Four things to do in Coorg

1. Abbey Falls: This beautiful cascade of water lies deep in the forests of the Western Ghats. It is located 10 km away from Madikeri (the capital town of Coorg/Kodagu district). The misty, lush environs is must-see for every visitor.

2. Raja’s Seat: This seasonal garden on a hillock offers picturesque view of the sunset. There is also a pillared structure amid the exquisite garden, presenting sublime architectural beauty.

3. Estate trails: Coorg is known for its sprawling estates, especially coffee, with a few tea plantations as well. These handpicked trails of sprawling estates make for a popular tourist activity.

4. Elephant Camp: The Dubare Elephant Camp is located in Coorg, near the Cauvery River; here one can live and engage with rescued pachyderms, and tour the jungles of the area, riding on them.
Log on to: www.coorg.com

To reach Coorg (Kodagu)

Flight: Take a flight from Mumbai for Bengaluru, which takes 2 hours. After a stoppage of about an hour, take another flight from Bengaluru to Mysore that takes 45 minutes. Coorg is located at a distance of 128 km from Mysore that can be covered by buses and cabs.

Train: There is only one direct train from Mumbai to Mysore, Dadar-Mysuru Sharavati Express, which takes around 24 hours.

Road: Buses ply from Bengaluru and Mysuru to Madikeri. The route takes between 7-9 hours, depending on the time of the year and road condition.

Coorg

From Mumbai 1033.1 km

Overview: Coorg (Kodagu, also known as Kodava Nadu), is an administrative district in Karnataka. The district is famous for its coffee, plantations and its scenic locations.

Don’t miss: Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Kodagu include Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Nisargadhama, Abbey Falls, Dubare, Nagarahole National Park, Iruppu Falls, and Kushalnagar (a Tibetan settlement)

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source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day / Home> Life and Style News> Travel News / by Dipanjan Sinha / June 05th, 2016

‘I’m inspired by every story’

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She was a corporate professional before she realised what her true calling was.
Today, she is one of the topmost golf players in the country and continues to share her knowledge with youngsters who want to become golfers like her.

Nikki Ponappa is young, energetic and talented and always has a smile on her face even after spending a really tiring day.

She recently took part in the Louis Philippe Cup as one of the women pro golfers at the Karnataka Golf Association.

She shared a few light moments with Anila Kurian, where she spoke about her life off the golf course.

Where do you drawinspiration from?
From anything under the sun! Even my dog, who is so full of love and affection, gives me inspiration. I’m inspired by every story that I am introduced to.

What kind of music do you listen to?
It depends on my mood actually. If I’m on the golf course early in the morning, I listen to a lot of trance music. In the afternoons, it moves to Beth Orton’s music. I also like listening to Major Lazer a lot.

Your favourite genre of books.
I like reading books that are thought-provoking and inspirational. I follow a lot of Dalai Lama’s teachings; ‘The Dalai Lama’s Cat’ is one of my favourites.

Which one are you reading now?
‘This Unquiet Land:Stories from India’s Fault Lines’ by Barkha Dutt.

Your favourite cuisine and dish.
Without a doubt, it is Coorg food and it has to be ‘Pandi curry’ made by my mother. I also like a lot of fruits.

What do you do on your weekends? 
I am, by default, busy with a lot of things. Coaching students to play golf is one of them. I am also busy working with a few foundations that I am a part of and taking care of our homestay back home in Coorg. I am happy busy because I get to do everything I love doing.

Five things you love doing.
Playing golf, travelling, reading, listening to music and spending time with animals.

Your alternate career. 
I’ve tried my hand at a corporate job and that didn’t interest me. But if not golf, I would be a full-time coffee planter.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / DHNS – Bengaluru , June 09th, 2016

Spoorthi Motivational Workshop for college students from Kodagu

Maj. Gen. (retd.) C. K. Karumbaya, Trustee of Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, along with the participants, is seen lighting the lamp as Trust President K. A. Kariappa, Secretary P. A. Jayakumar, Treasurer Wing Commander (retd.) C.G. Madappa and others look on.
Maj. Gen. (retd.) C. K. Karumbaya, Trustee of Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, along with the participants, is seen lighting the lamp as Trust President K. A. Kariappa, Secretary P. A. Jayakumar, Treasurer Wing Commander (retd.) C.G. Madappa and others look on.

Mysuru :

Spoorthi-2016, a four-day motivational workshop for college students (boys and girls) from Kodagu district, organised by Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, began at Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar first stage here yesterday.

Deenabandhu Trustee Maj. Gen. (retd.) Codanda K. Karumbaya addressed the participants at a formal function held in the Samaja premises this morning.

Trust President Kattera A. Kariappa, Secretary Pattada A. Jayakumar, Treasurer Wing Commander (retd.) Chendrimada G. Madappa, Trustees Lt. Col. (retd). Chourira A. Ganapathy, Mechanda M. Karumbaiah, Maletira Chimmi Nanjappa and Pattamada Shanthi Ganapathy, volunteer Anu Mudduraj, Dechu Karumbaya, Geetha Kuttappa, Anila Madappa and others were present.

Nearly 40 students from across Kodagu District are taking part in the workshop, which features motivational workshops, educational tours to prominent institutions and many other such initiatives.

The workshop will conclude on June 8.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 06th, 2016

Celebrations at Kodagu’s ancestral home

Madikeri:

The 450 years old Mund Mane and Ain Mane (traditional ancestral house) belonging to the Mukkatira family in Arapattu village is now being used as the venue for conducting cultural events.

Kannada Sahitya Academy on Saturday organised a cultural event in this magnificent edifice of Kodava culture, heritage and history.

It was the first programme organised at the house other than family members. The house was safeguarded by the family members.

Ummathat by women, Bolkat, Kolat and Pareyakali by men attracted the villagers who attended the function.

Academy president Biddatanda Thammaiah said, he was happy to conduct cultural programmes in ancestral houses of Kodavas which are unique in their design and structures. ”It gives a new feeling and new ambience for both organisers and the audience.

If any other Kodava family has such traditional house, please inform the academy so that we can have cultural programmes there too,” he appealed.

Mukkatira family consists of 200 members settled across the district and outside. They will all gather at this house to celebrate Keilpold, Cauvery Sankramana and Huthari festivals. The offerings to “Guru karona” is also performed by all members of the family.

Former minister MC Nanaiah who attended the programme said the Mund and Ain Mane homes are symbols of prestige for Kodavas.

Mangaluru University professor and Kodava Study Institute head Kodira lokesh said, as many as 1050 Kodava families , 530 Ain Mane and 80 Mund Mane exist in Kodagu. It is a matter of pride for the Mukkatiraa family that it has 2 Mund Mane homes, he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mysore / TNN / May 29th, 2016