Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Springs of life

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

TalacauveryKF29nov2015

Springheads, the point where springs emerge, are to be treated carefully so that people using the waters do not cause pollution or damage.
by S. Vishwanath

This part of the beautiful Sahyadri or the Western Ghats is lush green, thanks to a long spell of rain. Talacauvery is an hour’s drive from Madikeri in Kodagu district. Here the beautiful river Cauvery rises. On the day celebrated as Sankranti, the waters appear here in a small pool. It then disappears to reappear at Bhagamandala as a stream, meeting the Kannika and the unseen Sujyoti.

What appears in Talacauvery is a spring. On the upper reaches of the hills of the Brahmagiri, rainwater infiltrates and percolates into the ground. Filling up the aquifers, it forms the groundwater in the space.

Groundwater which emerges naturally onto the surface is called a spring. As Himanshu Kulkarni, a leading hydro-geologist, would say, springs are best treated and understood as groundwater.

In India springs have long suffered neglect in terms of research. Though they have been the lifeline for many communities, especially in the hilly regions of the Himalayas, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, not much effort has been put in to understand and model them better. Dr. Kulkarni points out many typologies for springs. In one particular case he shows how the recharge zone, where the water enters the aquifer, is on the other side of the hill from where the spring emerges.

The traditional watershed approach would fail to recharge the aquifer of this typology of springs because it would be addressing water flows and recharge in the same side of the hill without understanding the nature of the geology at the place. Instead of a ridge to valley approach to manage water, a valley to valley approach would have to be envisaged for such spring management.’ In simple language there is a recharge zone for a spring and the spring itself is in the discharge zone. Understanding, mapping and managing recharge zones is crucial to the health of the springs. For long Indians have trekked to the source of rivers and paid homage to the life-giver. They have in actuality been worshipping springs. It is time that we understood this source of water better and managed them better. That would be water wisdom.

zenrainman@gmail.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by S. Vishwanath / November 28th, 2015

Mysuru Kodava Samaja and Kodagu Gowda Samaja Celebrate Huthari Festival

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Members of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, seen carrying the new paddy crop during Huthri festival celebrations at Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions premises in Kuvempunagar last evening. Picture right shows a section of community members.
Members of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, seen carrying the new paddy crop during Huthri festival celebrations at Sree Cauvery Educational
Institutions premises in Kuvempunagar last evening. Picture right shows a section of community members.

Mysuru :

Huthri, the harvest festival of Kodagu, was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in city yesterday by Mysuru Kodava Samaja and Kodagu Gowda Samaja respectively.

The Kodavas, who had gathered in large numbers at Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions premises in Kuvempunagar here, worshipped Goddess Lakshmi and welcomed her in the form of grains by reaping the new paddy crop. They sang the harvest (putthari) song and danced merrily.

Dressed in traditional costumes, the Kodava men and women, young and old, performed their dances like Kolaat, Bolkaat, Kathiyaat, Kappeyaat, Pareyakali and Ummathaat.

They worshipped Lord Igguthappa and Goddess Cauvery before reaping the new paddy crop amidst chanting of ‘Poli Polio Deva,’ firing three times in the air and bursting of crackers to celebrate the occasion. The festival is observed either in the month of November or December on full moon day of Rohini Nakshatra.

The Samaja had made arrangements to distribute the new paddy and thambittu prasadam to all those present.

Kodava Samaja President Moovera K. Kuttappa welcomed and spoke about the significance of the festival. Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah compered. Samaja Vice-President Ballyamanda M. Nanaiah, Hon. Secretary Mandira P. Kalaiah, Joint Secretary Chottekalapanda Prema Uthaiah and other office-bearers of the Samaja were present. The office-bearers of various other Kodava Associations in city too took active part in making the celebrations a grand success.

Meanwhile, the members of Kodagu Gowda Samaja too celebrated Huthri in a similar manner at the Samaja premises in Vijayanagar here.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Friday – November 27th, 2015

Guddemane Appayya Gowda remembered at martyr’s day

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

‘It is a tragedy that British termed freedom fighters insurgents’

GuddemaneKF02may2017

It is a tragedy that British termed freedom fighters like Subedar Guddemane Appayya Gowda, Sangolli Rayanna, Bhagath Singh insurgents. The historians who failed to understand it, also termed them insurgents, said MLA K G Bopaiah.

Speaking after inaugurating Subedar Guddemane Appayya Gowda Martyrs Day organised by the district administration, Kannada and Culture Department and Karnataka Arebhashe Samskrithi mathu Sahitya Academy here on Saturday, he said there were several uprisings against the British rule prior to Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Guddemane Appayya Gowda had led an insurgency against the British.

He said that there are miscreants who try to divide the society. “Let us pledge to work towards the integrated development of the district and spread the messages of Guddemane Appayya Gowda and Field Marshal K M Cariappa.”
Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parishat president T P Ramesh said that those who have no knowledge about history can not create it.”

He said Appayya Gowda should not be restricted to a community. Karnataka Arebhashe Sahitya mathu Samskrithi Academy and Karnataka Kodava Academy should document the history of the district. Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Chairperson Veena Achaiah, Kodava Academy president B S Thammaiah, Madikeri CMC president Shreemathi Bangera were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri, November 01st, 2015

Nandan Nilekani, Rohan Murty contribute Rs 1.5 crore for welfare of ex-staff at Bishop Cottons Boys School

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

Bengaluru :

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and Rohan Murty, have together contributed Rs 1.5 crore towards a corpus that former students of Bengaluru’s Bishop Cottons Boys School are building for retired staff members of their school.

Murty, son of the other Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, and Nilekani are among the scores of illustrious citizens the school has produced in its 150-year history. The alumni are confident the corpus will grow in size.

An announcement about the fund, and Nilekani’s anchor donation of Rs 50 lakh, was made by Aditya Sondhi, another old Cottonian, and Managing Trustee of General K.S.Thimayya Memorial Trust at the school on Saturday on the occasion of 11th General KSThimayya memorial lecture. (The general was a Cottonian too, and this year’s lecture was delivered by Rahul Rao, lecturer in politics at the University of London, and Rohan Murty himself.)

Murty, who has announced a cheque of Rs 1 crore, said the teachers and other staff members have given 30-40 years of their life to the service of the school and its students. “I was very touched by the initiative. And, when i heard about Nandan’s contribution, i decided i should also emulate him. I hope more people will come forward, and contribute,” Murthy said, and added, “The fund is our way of expressing our gratitude to our teachers and other staff members.”

The fund is reflective of the strong bond that exists between the school’s former students and staff in all ranks including those worked as lab assistants, attendants etc. “We thought we should provide an opportunity for ex-students to express their gratitude and affection towards the teachers and others,” said CN Kumar, a Cottonian from the 1970 batch, Nilekani’s classmate.

Kumar runs a startup consultancy called Advantage Offshore Knowledge Services, and serves on the Thimayya Memorial Trust.

In addition to annual cash rewards to retired staffers, the fund —which Kumar hopes will grow to at least Rs 5 crore — will meet expenses arising out of medical emergencies of retired staffers and the education needs of their children. Contributions to the trust are eligible for income tax exemption.

The school, which is an old Bengaluru landmark, has produced many stalwarts including former chief of naval staff Admiral Vijay Singh Shekhawat, nuclear scientist Raja Ramanna and cricketer Brijesh Patel.

On Saturday, the Trust gave away Rs 1 lakh each to retired staffers Iqbal Ahmed (NCC commandant), Channappa Gowda (Kannad Novea teacher) Antony (pantry helper) and J Martin (lab assistant).

source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / ET Home> News> Company> Corporate Trends / by K R Balasubramanyam, ET Bureau / November 23rd, 2015

Saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa on his East-West musical fusion project

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion
Saxophonist Rudresh Mahant​happa performs at NYUAD on Tuesday November 24. Photo by Jimmy Katz
Saxophonist Rudresh Mahant​happa performs at NYUAD on Tuesday November 24. Photo by Jimmy Katz

“The reality is, there’s plenty of East-West musical projects that are horrible,” says Rudresh Mahanthappa, expressing a sentiment open-minded listeners of global sounds are often afraid to voice.

The New York City saxophonist is introducing his own East-West musical fusion, Gamak, who he leads in a performance at New York University Abu Dhabi on Tuesday November 24.

The ensemble’s music is anything but horrible – although it is demanding.

A fiery, phenomenal improviser who was once crowned Alto Saxophonist of the Year by leading jazz magazine DownBeat, Mahanthappa’s playing is exhaustingly inventive.

Backed by a rock-influenced rhythmic section of drums, bass and electric guitar, his sax spits spiralling, jagged phrases that skirt scales drawn from both sides of the globe.

The Gamak project – realised on the 2012 album of the same name – is the latest step in the 44-year-old Indian-American’s exploration of Indian classical music.

This began during his studies at leading jazz school Berklee College of Music a quarter of a century ago, and culminated with a Guggenheim Fellowship to study Carnatic music, resulting in the ensemble Samdhi in 2011.

“Exploring Indian music was something that came out of that early-adulthood confusion – trying to understand to what degree I was American and to what degree I was Indian, and how these things can occur simultaneously, in concert, as opposed to in conflict,” he says.

Gamak is named after the term for South Indian melodic ornamentation, but Mahanthappa’s playing also seeks to examine how tunes are traditionally embellished by players of Chinese, African and Indonesian music.

“The way melody is decorated is what gives it the human quality,” he explains. “I was always fascinated by this very specific, almost-science of how this melodic ornamentation occurs. It’s not random at all, it’s very stylised. People always say: ‘You shouldn’t play the melody straight, you have to give some life to it’. Well, that’s all well and good, but how about making a larger conversation about what that actually means, and exploring how it occurs in different parts of the world.”

Mahanthappa changed direction on this year’s Bird Calls, a set of new compositions each inspired by a specific solo or tune by the alto legend Charlie Parker.

For this 16th release, the restless spirit is contemplating either recording music from children’s TV shows from around the globe, collaborating with a comedian and live video artists on a politically-motivated performance piece, or recording a collection of Michael Brecker compositions that the late, great saxophonist never had the chance to record in his lifetime.

“It’s all part of one big journey,” says Mahanthappa. “I still say: ‘I’m a professional musician’. I make albums and tour and perform and do all these things, but sometimes I think the music is just a by-product of me continuing to get myself, to understand who I am as a citizen of the world.”

• Rudresh Mahanthappa and Gamak perform at East Plaza, The Arts Centre, at NYUAD on Tuesday November 24 at 8pm. Limited free tickets available on arrival or from nyuad-artscenter.org

rgarratt@thenational.ae

source: http://www.thenational.ae / The National / Home> Arts & Life> Music / by Rob Garatt / November 23rd, 2015

Sri Kaveri Kodava Assn., Mysuru East, Meet

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Seen on the dais are (from left) Puliyanda S. Devaiah, Vice-President, Sri Kaveri Kodava Association; Puggera M. Devaiah, chief guest; Pudiyokkada B. Madappa, Association President; Moovera K. Kuttappa, President, Mysuru Kodava Samaja and Puggera Dasha Devaiah (wife of chief guest P. M. Devaiah), during the annual get-together of Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru East, in city yesterday.
Seen on the dais are (from left) Puliyanda S. Devaiah, Vice-President, Sri Kaveri Kodava Association; Puggera M. Devaiah, chief guest; Pudiyokkada B. Madappa, Association President; Moovera K. Kuttappa, President, Mysuru Kodava Samaja and Puggera Dasha Devaiah (wife of chief guest P. M. Devaiah), during the annual get-together of Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru East, in city yesterday.

Mysuru :

The members of Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru East, celebrated their annual get-together in connection with the Kailpoldh festival yesterday at the premises of Kodagu Model School, run by the Association at Vidyashankaranagar, off Dr. Rajkumar Road here.

Puggera M. Devaiah, Partner and General Counsel of Everstone Capital, Bengaluru, was the chief guest. President of Mysuru Kodava Samaja Moovera K. Kuttappa was the special invitee. President of Kaveri Kodava Association Pudiyokkada B. Madappa presided.

Speaking on the occasion, Puggera Devaiah appreciated the efforts of the Association in running a really model school in its own premises and said that he considered that, in the present day, among many services to mankind, the service in the field of education is the most useful one. But for the education where all of us would be today?, he asked. He hoped that this Kodagu Model School would serve as a preferred school to the children of parents living in and around this area.

Alluding to the problems faced by Kodavas in Kodagu, he said he could not think of himself as a Kodava without thinking of Kodagu. It must be the same feeling for all Kodavas of his age and elders. However, he said, the same could not be said of the present day youngsters, including his children.

For Kodavas, Kodagu is like what Mecca is to Muslims and Vatican to Christians. Therefore, it is necessary for Kodavas, who are a microscopic minority in terms of population, to unite, show their solidarity and address their problems in one voice. Unfortunately, this is not happening today. Which is why many problems touching Kodavas in Kodagu, be it about Jamma Baane, Paisari land, gun rights or even the construction of high-tension electric towers, could not be solved. Too many organisations of Kodavas would speak in different voices while dealing with the authorities. This would not get justice to Kodavas from the Government, he said.

As a gesture of support for the school, the chief guest P.M. Devaiah donated Rs. one lakh.

The function began with invocation by Chimmanda Ashik Subbaiah while Appachangada P. Motaiah, Hon. Secretary of the Association, compered.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – November 16th, 2015

M.C. Nanaiah seeks Rs. 100 Cr. for development of Kodagu

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

Former Law Minister M.C. Nanaiah enjoying a ‘JUMBO’ ride sitting on the tusk of an elephant at the Aane Utsava held at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu yesterday.

NanaiahBF16nov2015

Kushalnagar :

Former Minister M.C. Nanaiah has urged the Government to release Rs. 100 crore for overall development of Kodagu district.

Speaking after inaugurating the 61st wildlife month and elephant day celebrations at Dubare Elephant Camp, near Kushalnagar yesterday, Nanaiah asked the State Government to take Cauvery River cleaning on the lines of Ganga River cleaning taken up by the Prime Minister.

Urging the Government to announce a special package for Kodagu, Nanaiah stressed on the need for initiating appropriate measures for ending man-animal conflict across Malnad region, which has seen an alarming rise over the past few years.

Calling for installation of solar fencing and construction of trenches in order to prevent elephant intrusions into farm lands and human habitats, he urged the Government to move the Supreme Court for taming wild elephants, which are causing havoc across Malnad region.

The former Minister then urged the government work towards conservation of Western Ghats, preservation of forest wealth and water bodies. He also urged the Govt. to regularise the services of Dubare Elephant Camp Mahouts who have been serving for years.

Karnataka Forest Industries Development Corporation Chairman T. Eshwar, in his address, said that the Corporation has sent a proposal to the Government on setting up a mega Bamboo Industry at Kushalnagar at a cost of Rs. 100 crore. Madikeri Division DFO Yedukondalu called upon the involvement of everyone in putting an end to man- elephant conflict.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – November 16th, 2015

Dubare ‘AANE UTSAVA’ celebrating Elephants

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature

Kushalnagar :

The majestic march of the elephants, spraying of water on anxious tourists, movements in tandem, trumpeting to the command of mahouts to the delight of spectators, playing football, etc. were the major attractions at ‘Aane Utsava’ (Elephant Festival) at the Dubare Elephant Camp on the banks of the River Cauvery near Kushalnagar in Kodagu yesterday.

The festival was organised by Madikeri Wildlife Division in association with Dubare Ammale Grama Aranya Samithi.

A total of 25 elephants participated in various games such as running race, football, basketball, sugarcane eating competition, obeying the commands of mahouts, spraying water on tourists, etc.

Elephants Vikram, Gopi, Cauvery, Harsha and Prashanth, which had participated in Dasara festivities at Mysuru, were decorated with ornaments. Gopi held the Kannada flag high to greet everyone and led the elephants in a march past, which received huge applause from the cheering crowd.

Older elephants were joined by calves in the performance. Elephant calves namely Agasthya, Mythili and Pruthvi also enthralled the crowd with their mischievous performance.

Elephants Gopi, Ranjan, Kapila, Gange and Aiyappa sprayed water to the delight of kids while Aiyappa, Karthik, Parashuram and other elephants walked like newly-weds by holding each other’s trunks.

Tourists and visitors, who had thronged the venue to witness the festival, were seen standing next to the elephants and getting themselves photographed besides taking selfies with them.

Former Minister M.C. Nanaiah, Karnataka State Forest Industries Corporation Chairman T. Eshwar, Madikeri Division DFO Yedukondalu, ACF Poornima, Kushalnagar Zone Forest Officer M.S. Chinnappa and Dubare Elephant Camp Asst. Forest Officer Ranjan were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – November 16th, 2015

Experience bliss, serenity

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature

HonnamannaLakeKF11nov2015

Pure divine bliss is what you feel when you sit on the banks of Honnammana Kere, a holy lake, located in Doddamalthe, six km away from Somwarpet town in Kodagu district. The 16-acre lake, surrounded by beautiful mountains, cliffs and coffee plantations, is perhaps the largest lake in Kodagu district. Two hills, Gavi Betta and Mori Betta, lie near the lake.

There is a temple — dedicated to Goddess Honnamma — adjacent to the lake. The Honnamma Devi Temple has a multicoloured shikhara-style gopura with a flag fluttering high on it. The idol in the sanctum is made of black stone and is well adorned with ornaments. The shilashilpa (temple history) stone is set on the ground in front of Honnamma Devi sanctum. The ancient Temple was renovated some years ago, with the financial help of villagers.

On the occasion of Gowri festival, every year, thousands of devotees, especially newly-weds, visit the Temple and offer prayers to Goddess Honnamma. They also offer bagina (puja items along with flowers and bangles placed in a bamboo sieve) to the lake and pray for good rains. There is another temple on the banks of this lake, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Amrutheshwara. There are two more shrines, dedicated to Basaveshwara and Ganapathi, in this complex.

Adjoining the lake is the 300-feet-high Gavi Betta. A short walk and a climb of about 260 cemented steps brings one to this cave. From the top of the hill, one can enjoy the panoramic view of the lake and its scenic surroundings. Some devotees also undertake a short trek up the close by rocky hill, visit another cave and offer prayers to the holy spring that trickles inside the cave.

Another hill, Mori Betta, is a stiff rocky facade on the other side of the lake. It is said that the Pandavas lived in a cave here during their vanavasa (exile). Cool breeze, fresh air, emerald-coloured lake, green canopy and the rocky edifices attract tourists to Honnammana Kere. The local Gram Panchayat has installed benches along the lakeside.

Picnic by the lake
A trip to the lake can be a fun and enjoyable activity for the entire family, but safety comes first. Locals say that the water level in the lake is very deep and one should be very careful. Tourists are advised to stay within the safety limits around the bathing ghat steps. Though there is good road connectivity as the lake is located close to the Somwarpet-Shanivarsanthe Road, there are no food stalls around the lake. One can carry a picnic basket, spread a sheet on the lakeside and enjoy a good sumptuous picnic lunch here. Ensure that you carry back the litter and drop it in the waste-bin placed at a corner.

Ceremonies like wedding, christening, annadana and pujas are regularly held in the Temple premises. Sitting beside the lake, one can enjoy the sight of water being rippled by the light breeze, and listen to nature’s melody and the occasional reverberation of temple bells. Nothing but pure divine bliss.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements / by Viswas Menon / DHNS – November 10th, 2015

Srimangala Bhagavathi Temple to be renovated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

SrimangalaTempleKF10nov2015

The Srimangala Bhagavathi Temple committee president Mullanda Thimmaiah said that the temple would be renovated.

“The Temple has a history of 300 years. As per the directions of the temple chief priest, the old sanctum sanctorum is being renovated and the idol of the presiding deity Sri Bhagavathi as well as those of Lord Ganapathi and Kethurappa are being worshipped in a small enclosure in front of the temple,” said Thimmaiah.

Explaining further, the president said that a blueprint of the Theertha Mantapa had also been prepared and the ground-breaking ceremony had been conducted for the work.

“Stone foundations have been laid for the new sanctum sanctorum and also the theertha mantapa. Stone pillars have been chiselled for the temple,” he added.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri – November 07th, 2015