Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Sole for a cause

December 6, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Sportsadmin

Most of us think of ways to reconnect with the world — go on adventure trips, explore the offbeat locations of the City and more — but ever considered going barefoot for all your expeditions? As part of the ‘Coorg Reconnect Festival’, the Coorg Wellness Foundation, the Coorg Wildlife Society and the United Sisters Foundation are jointly organising the first barefoot marathon.

Milind Soman and Nikki Ponappa are the face of the event and are hoping to meet barefoot runners from across the country to share their stories.

“This is going to be the first barefoot marathon in the world, so you can image how excited we are about it. Barefoot running in general is becoming popular around the world and to be able to do it in a beautiful place like Coorg is a plus point,” says Milind.

Much has been spoken and lots has been heard and read. But this time, one can take the time to reconnect with the earth and be their innermost being. With the initiative called ‘Reconnect’, the organisers are inviting people from around the country to participate in the marathon.

“We have been getting a lot of entries from around the country. People from North East, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and even Delhi have registered. We didn’t think it would generate such a huge response, but we’re thrilled to start the first of many in a grand way,” shares Nikki.

But it’s not just the barefoot running marathon that’s the primary focus. The focus is also on supporting rehabilitation of elephants in Coorg and on afforestation. Milind says, “The whole idea of running barefoot was to feel connected with the world. When we go to holy places, we take off our shoes and that makes sense because we’re trying to be one with the world. There are also many rural communities who walk around without shoes and live in harmony with the environment. So this marathon is symbolic to the that kind of emotion.”

And what’s the one piece of advice the ironman wants to share with the runners? “Have fun. Don’t do anything that you don’t want to do. The most important thing about running a marathon is to train yourself. If you’re running too fast and you can’t talk, you’re doing it wrong. So just have fun and everything else will fall in place,” he says.

But when asked what he thinks will be some of the challenges he might face during this marathon, he laughs and says, “I won’t be running this marathon. But the challenges I have right now is being the organiser. It’s a lot of work getting everything in place and also to make sure that the runners are comfortable during the run.”

However, he runs on a regular basis and does not let anything stop him. “I make sure that I run whenever I can. I don’t set any goals for myself; I run till I have a meeting to attend. Running for me is a way to de-stress and get energised for the day, not exhausted. So I’m always up for a run!”

The marathon will take place on December 5 in Coorg and December 6 in Bengaluru. For more details, log on to www.thebarefootmarathon.com

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / DHNS – December 02nd, 2015

Run, raft or cycle: ‘Tropical Rush’ for adventure buffs in Kodagu

December 4, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sportsadmin

Mixing Kodagu’s rugged landscape with a triple-edged obstacle race, a unique first-of-its-kind endurance challenge has been thrown at adventure buffs.

Next weekend, on December 12 and 13, the race dubbed ‘Tropical Rush’ will unfold, beckoning contestants to run, trek, raft and cycle through some of Karnataka’s breathtaking yet daunting wilderness hotspots. The emphasis, clearly, is on finishing and not the best time. That settles it.

Participants needn’t be super-competitive gym junkies.

Designed for teamwork, most races could get friends gang up to surmount challenges. Conceptualised by Coorgexpress, the contest is multi-pronged.

The Obstacle Race is an intense 5-10 kilometre course in length, featuring 15 signature Indian Army inspired obstacles. In the Corporate Mud Battle (men and women), contestants could team up in fives. The Tropical Rush 5k Challenge, open for both genders, tests the skills of participants with a 15 obstacle course built on the paddy fields and remote woodlands of South Kodagu.

This event is open to athletes of all levels, without any formal entry requirements. The open wave will start every 15 minutes and the team with the best timing wins.

Hiking challenge
The Tropical Hike Challenge will beckon trekkers to the Brahmagiri hill range in the Western Ghats, a protected sanctuary.

The trek will traverse through tropical rainforest (Shola) forest, grasslands, small streams and rivers and the famous Irupu falls.

“We have created this Challenge to encourage individuals to step outside their comfort zone,” explained Ricky Monnappa, the brains behind Tropical Rush.

Forest guards will accompany participants at all times.

Designed for bikers, the Tropical 20-kilometre Off Road Cycling event will test their skills along the unexplored trails of South Kodagu.

The Votecad Nature Camp will be the kickoff point, before the ride traverses through coffee plantations, villages and streams to finally enter the green pastures of Brahmagiri foothills.

The ride back will be along the Barapole river.

Details
For more on the competition, rules, venue and timings, check the portal www.tropicalrush.in or email: info@tropicalrush.in or call Ph: 9632338111.
In Bengaluru, the contact site is 136, 2nd Cross, 8th B Main, Jakkasandra Block, Koramangala 3rd Block.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by Rasheed Kappan, Bengaluru / DHNS – December 04th, 2015

Barefoot in the park

December 3, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sportsadmin

Connect with the earth Milind Soman Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Milind Soman says there is no special regime to follow to run that extra mile

Model, actor and now an active runner, Milind Soman has come a long way. He has been in the news for his vigorous promotion of marathons. Off on a barefoot marathon in Coorg, he talks about the importance and benefits of running. Excerpts.

Can you describe your journey from being a model to a marathon runner?

It has been fun. The two worlds are as different as you want it to be. I like to be myself and have been running for years. It comes naturally to me. I can now run and run.

Which is a better way to connect to people — as a celebrity or a runner?

Both have different rapports. As a marathon runner it is more personal. The connection, sometimes, is superficial when it happens through the media.

When were you bitten by the fitness bug?

It all started when I was 10. I was keen on fitness as a model and actor.

Why did you choose marathons?

I was always into running. My work has been noticed because of social media. Running is easy and everyone can do it. I want people to explore themselves and their challenges.

Who can run a marathon?

Running is easy. It is a misconception that it is tough. We have been doing the Pinkathon. Today 62,000 women are running with us, which shows that given an opportunity, women will take part in it. The good thing is that they have realised they too need to exercise. In India, health is the last priority.

How does one train for a run?

You start with three km walk and then go on to running half a marathon. You should decide on your level depending on capability and fitness.

How does a success of a marathon make you feel?

It feels good that I am able to create an opportunity. It also depends on the people. We have people undergoing chemotherapy who run.

What is the secret to good health?

It starts in your mind. Remove negative thoughts. You do not have to start with push ups and biceps. You should eat the right kind of food. Once your mind and body is healthy, it creates a freedom that helps you enjoy life. Being fit does not mean restrictions. Your body and mind can deal with much more.

Are there diet restrictions?

You can eat anything and everything. You don’t have to starve to look good. I am against refined white sugar. I can eat anything from an oily biriyani to sabudana khichdi. What makes you fat is sugar and sedentary lifestyle.

What are the benefits of barefoot running?

It is the best and keeps your body alive. Your efficiency improves, your technique improves. For me barefoot running, has minimised my injuries. It creates a nice balance, when you are connection with the earth. It makes me enjoy running.

Milind will be running with prominent runners from Coorg and Bengaluru for the Barefoot Marathon. The run is dedicated to the conservation and well-being of the environment and is organised in partnership with Coorg Wildlife Society. The venue will be the Main Gate, Tata Coffee Estate, Pollibetta, Coorg,on December 5. For details, log on to coorgwellnessfoundation .com.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Shilpa Sebastian R / Bengaluru – December 02nd, 2015

Springs of life

November 29, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

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

November 27, 2015Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainmentadmin

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

November 26, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

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

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

November 26, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leadersadmin

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

November 26, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinionadmin

Saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa 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

November 16, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainmentadmin

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

November 16, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Sportsadmin

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.

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.