The day was cloudy and there was a light drizzle when R.K. Laxman and wife Kamala visited Madikeri city in October 2006. “It’s quite disappointing,” the eminent cartoonist had observed when this correspondent met him at a private resort, near Madikeri, in Kodagu district.
Perhaps, not many, were aware of the credentials of the man who visited the picturesque city, leaving the couple to enjoy a quiet stay at the resort. RK belongs to a rare genre of cartoonists who have stirred peoples’ imagination, inspiring myriad thoughts through his cartoons in a subtle yet satirical style.
Then 85-years-old, RK had told The Hindu that it was his third visit to Kodagu, but the inclement weather was an anti-climax. The couple had visited the pilgrim centre of Talacauvery, Omkareshwar temple in the city and the Golden Temple at Bylakuppe. A keen observer, he had also expressed displeasure over the poor road conditions in Kodagu.
His ‘Common Man’ cartoons had formed one of the main planks of the conversation where he quipped the “common man never gets into trouble, the common man is an eternal observer. He watches the happenings in society. He is omnipresent and omnipotent. He is joyous at times, and is disappointed watching developments in society on certain occasions”.
RK’s humility also came to the fore when he was asked whether he had any message for the people. “I have no message for the people, and I am not that big. I only take messages from them,” he had said.
Quote hangers for Laxman
He was an institution by himself and was an inspiration to many budding cartoonists. He had great wit and humour. His lines were eloquent which he used to bring out the best portraits. He came to the Indian Institute of Cartoonists in Bengaluru in 2009 and inaugurated an exhibition of his cartoons. Recently, we had an exhibition of his unpublished doodles. – V.G. Narendra, Managing Trustee, Indian Institute of Cartoonists
He had both a sense of humor and draftsmanship which made him stand apart. His cartoons were very elaborate and had a great amount of detailing. He was also a good speaker and one could sit through his lectures for hours together. – B.G. Gujjarappa, senior cartoonist
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by K. Jeecan Chinnappa / Bengaluru – January 27th, 2015
Sri Krishna janmashtami was celebrated with grandeur and religious fervour across the district on Sunday.
For the first time, the district administration organised the festivities at the Fort hall in Madikeri.
Speaking on the occasion, Zilla Panchayat President Chodumada Shareen Subbaiah said that the preachings of Sri Krishna should be studied in depth to lead a life with harmony in society. There is a need to understand the preachings of Krishna.
Vice President Allaranda Beena Bollamma said that weaving harmony, peace, happiness and brotherhood is the need of hour to lead a good life.
Sankeerthana Das of ISKCON said “in the materialistic world we are forgetting ourselves. The internal peace is missing within us. We are not living for ourselves. Instead, we are living for others.” Deputy Commissioner said that all of us should be honest in our work.
Zilla Panchayat Standing Committee on Social Justice President S N Raja Rao also spoke.
Meanwhile, the little ones turned up as Lord Krishna and Gopikas fancy dress competition held as a part of Krishna Janmashtami celebrations at Omkara Sadana in Madikeri.
Janmashtami Acharana Samithi, Kaveri Kala Parishat and Kushalnagar Bhajan Mandali celebrated the festival at Government Model Primary School in Kushalnagar on Sunday. Nine-month-old child too participated in the fancy dress contest on the occasion.
Men and women enthusiastically participated in the competition of breaking the pot by tying a cloth on the eyes. Mosaru Kudike brought streets back to life. Six teams had taken part in the competition. Kanayya team of Somwarpet were successful in breaking the pot in 24 seconds by forming human pyramid and won Rs 5,000.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, August 17th, 2014
Different kind of busy: The local hospital in Ammathi sees all kinds of illnesses and injuries. Photo: Sukalyan Basu
Hooked to the silence, slowness and familiarity of Ammathi, this town in Coorg suits me fine
It is 20 minutes since I got out of bed to the alarm bell of our cat wanting to go out. I’m seated before my laptop, with a tumbler of filter coffee by my side. I listen to the birds, of which there are at least a dozen varieties in our garden. When a two-wheeler (a nurse’s husband leaving for work a little before 7am) drones outside and my husband begins to get restive for his second cup of coffee, I switch off the laptop. The next half-hour is reserved for sitting by the window, doing nothing. By half-past eight, I’m in the hospital.
All sweetness and light? No. Today, for instance, in the emergency ward there is a man who fell while plucking pepper and broke his back; a suspected cerebral malaria, which can kill in quick time; an attempted suicide (using pesticide) and a woebegone tribal whose wife tried hacking off his leg with an axe.
A surgeon in a rural hospital must treat every type of illness that comes in: broken ankles, diabetic ulcers, scorpion and snake bites, hernias, tumours, lungs with tuberculosis, bleeding guts and gangrenous limbs, suicide attempts and family quarrels ending in mental and physical damage. I love the unpredictability and the challenges that keep coming at us. The day over, I come home and, after half an hour of watching television, I am in the kitchen making tea, anticipating the quiet hours I have before bedtime.
Ammathi is a little town in south Kodagu (Coorg), with two-and-a-half streets, a post office, a hospital, a convent and a government school, a police outpost, bank, vegetable vendor, three liquor shops, one of which is also the newsagent, a bakery and others that sell everything from lipstick to cattle feed. Many houses huddle alongside the shops, while larger bungalows hide inside coffee estates that stretch in all directions beyond the town.
Coorg offers easy, lazy holidays of doing nothing besides sighting elephants, enjoying the silken air of my childhood, or what’s left of it, feasting on Kodava food like pandi curry (pork curry), akki otti (rice roti), kadambutoo (rice dumplings) and crab. Visitors always say they are dying of envy for us locals but hardly ever wish to stay longer than a weekend.
“How do you spend your time here?” we’re asked. “What do you do on weekends?”
Weekend? Mine is half a Sunday. This week, I had to forsake my half hour of television and trot back — on a Sunday evening — to the wards: an eight-year-old girl with serious injuries that happened at home. It might even be a police case…
“Visitors always say they are dying of envy for us locals but hardly ever wish to stay longer than a weekend”
To make a living doing what you really enjoy is a blessing to be preserved at any cost. Once a week we go to the Sunday market to buy vegetables, although half of what we consume comes from our own garden and from my doctor friends, nurses and family. Everyone knows everyone else in our community and exchanging produce is common practice. When we drive, we can sometimes give a lift to a woman or children waiting for a bus along the way, a custom long abandoned in most urban areas for understandable reasons.
Fresh sardines from across the hills bordering Kerala are on sale in town; if you are willing to indulge in a shady deal, you can have venison, partridge, rabbit or wildfowl on your dining table. All that enviable brawn and swagger that you see in our Kodava men is thanks to the muscle-building properties of wild meat, no doubt about it.
Our town has progressed from my childhood days of oil lamps and lanterns. Years ago came the outsiders who climbed the hills of Malanad to sell sardines and bananas. These Maplahs soon began to trade in oranges, cardamom and pepper. They made money, built homes (at first modest little houses that were always either pink or green) and put down roots. These hard-brained Malayalis have cornered most of the trade and help sustain the economy. With the recent flood of migrants from the north, we Kodavas have been reduced to a minority. And that we do not like.
But signs of affluence are everywhere. On the busy streets, cars outnumber people. Ammathi boasts 18 auto-rickshaws. Most accidents that take place here involve one of these.
My patients are puzzled when they hear that besides doctoring, I ‘write stories’. Fellow writers feel the same about my profession. Recently the friend of a friend who was holidaying in Coorg with her family brought her daughter to me with an abscess that needed to be drained. She asked repeatedly if it was possible to do it here and later when the girl was well, came to thank me. “We’re so lucky that you are here,” she gushed. “We were planning to cut short our holiday and go back to Mumbai for treatment.” City people always think that medical help in rural areas will be non-existent or sub-standard.
Habits die hard and we’ve got comfortably hooked to silence and slowness. I like living in this place with its haphazard development, elephants on the roads and the long journeys to some urban paradise for a few days of ‘comfort’. I want to be able to go to the shop nearest home and buy two eggs for tonight’s dinner and owe ₹8 to the shopkeeper to be paid soon enough when my husband needs an urgent box of matches, or the shopkeeper brings his child to me with stomach ache.
When I vote in the next elections, I want to enter the two-roomed, tile-roofed panchayat office and stand in line next to friends, cousins, patients, the gardener, plumber and the red-eyed local drunk and cast my ballot. I hope I will never have to face the jolt of living in any place that is bigger. Smaller is all right. Very much all right.
(In this monthly series, authors chronicle the cities they call home.)
Kavery Nambisan
Kavery Nambisan is a surgeon and the author of A Town Like Ours
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / BLink / Home> Read > HomeSpun / by Kavery Nambisan / January 02nd, 2015
Make the most of strawberries this season. Use them in desserts, salads and also with fish
There’s more to strawberries than dipping them in chocolate sauce or making a pie. Chef Naren Thimmaiah, Executive Chef, The Gateway Hotel Residency Road, showcases the fruit here in different ways; two of these preparations are savouries – a Mexican guacamole and a pan seared basa fish topped with a strawberry compote. The strawberry lends a pleasing tartness to the sauce which complements the milder flavours of the fish. The three dessert recipes, French and Cajun classics, have been adapted by chef to appease the fussiest of culinary connoisseurs.
“Strawberry is a tender and delicate fruit so while cooking be careful not to overcook it unless, of course, it’s a jam,” is Chef Thimmaiah’s advice.
Basa Strawberry Boudin
Prep: 15 mt
Cook: 10 mt (Serves: 1)
120 gms Basa fish, 20 gms strawberry, 25 gms chopped spring onion and onion, 6 ml olive oil, 4 gms parsley, 8 gms chopped garlic, 1 fresh red chilli, chopped, 60 gms cooked rice, 7 gms butter, sprig of thyme (leaves picked), salt to taste, crushed pepper, bell pepper for garnish 1. Heat the oil in a sauce pan over medium flame and saute the onion, spring onion and parsley until the onion is translucent. 2. Add strawberry, garlic and little water, bring to a boil. 3. Add the fish (you can sear it lightly first so the fillet doesn’t break while cooking) and bring it back to boil again. 4. For the herbed rice, mix cooked ricewith butter, thyme, chopped red chilli and salt. 5. Serve hot Boudin in full plate with the herbed rice.
Strawberry a la bouille
Prep: 30 mt
Cook: 35 mt (Serves: 1)
(For the sponge) 20 gms flour, 20 ml milk, 1 pinch baking powder, few drops of vanilla essence, salt to taste, 20 gms white chocolate flakes (for garnish) (For the first filling) 10 gms sugar, 1 beaten egg, 10 gms butter, (for the second filling) 30 gms fresh strawberry, chopped, 20 ml cream, 10 gms sugar 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and vanilla essence in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate the milk gradually and mix till the dough can easily be handled and forms a ball. 3. Transfer to a baking pan and brush the top with egg wash (beaten egg with little milk). Bake the sponge for 25 minutes. 4. While the sponge is getting baked, melt the butter in small bowl, beat the sugar and egg into it and mix well. 5. Refrigerate this for some time to thicken slightly, then roll out and cut into smaller pieces. 6. Mix the strawberry, cream and sugar on a pan over medium heat until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. 7. Cut the sponge in thin, long slices and place pieces of the egg-butter mix on it, top with strawberry-cream mix and roll carefully into pinwheel shape. 8. Allow it to set in the refrigerator. Garnish with white chocolate flakes and fresh strawberry pieces.
Glazed Strawberry Guacamole
Prep: 10 mt
Cook: 5 mt (Serves: 1)
45 gms fresh strawberry, 40 gms avocado, fresh lime juice to taste, 10 gms chopped onion, 10 gms chopped tomatoes, 2 gms chopped coriander, 1 chopped green chilli, 2 gms chopped garlic, 4 ml olive oil, 2 ml honey, 15 gms fresh lettuce, salt and pepper to taste 1. Cut the strawberry lengthwise and the avocado into cubes. 2. Add all the chopped ingredients in a bowl and mix well with the avocado and strawberry. 3. Season with salt, pepper and lime juice. 4. Serve with fresh lettuce and garlic toast.
Strawberry Mille Fuille
Prep: 20 mt
Cook: 35-40 mt (Serves: 1)
60 gms Puff pastry, 1 tbsp icing sugar, 50 gms double cream, 3 drops vanilla essence, ½ tbsp caster sugar, 60 gms strawberry, lemon juice to taste, icing sugar to taste 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. 2. Roll the puff pastry out to 5mm thickness and place in the oven for 15 minutes till golden brown and risen well; remove from the oven. 3. Pour double cream into a bowl and whisk until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed. Add the vanilla essence and caster sugar and whisk gently until stiff peaks form when the whisk is removed. 4. Add strawberries and lemon juice into a saucepan and saute until smooth. Stir in the sugar, to taste. 5. Pass the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. 6. Cut each piece of pastry in half through the middle to make two thin pieces. 7. Place one piece in the centre of each plate and top with some of the cream mixture. Lay some of the sliced strawberries on top of the cream, then top with a second piece of pastry. Dust with icing sugar and spoon over the strawberry sauce.
Strawberry Chocolate Meringue
Prep: 25 mt
Cook: 20 mt (Serves: 1)
18 gms strawberry, 3 egg whites, 10 gms sugar, 6 ml cream, dash of vanilla essence, 10 gms dark chocolate 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. 2. Take a clean bowl and beat the egg whites until frothy. 3. Add strawberry, cream, sugar and vanilla essence. Continue beating on high until stiff peaks form. 4. Bake it for ten minutes. You can drizzle melted chocolate over it and serve chilled.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Columns> Food / by Shivani Kagti, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / January 10th, 2015
The book titled ‘When God Bowls a Googly,’ authored by late cricketer Kodimaniyanda Ashwath Aiyappa, who was among the probables of the State’s Ranji Cricket team, will be released at a function to be held at Chinnaswamy Stadium here tomorrow (Jan. 8).
It may be recalled, Ashwath met a tragic end while trying to save his elder brother Dr. Akhil Kuttappa in vain from drowning at Chiklihole backwaters near Suntikoppa in Kodagu district, when the brothers, who had come to their native place to exercise their franchise in the April 17 Lok Sabha polls last year, entered the waters for a swim.
Ashwath’s parents Kodimaniyanda Raghu Madappa and Anitha, assisted by the late cricketer’s friends, have made all arrangements for the release of the book tomorrow.
Apart from cricket, the book highlights the spiritual intelligence for sports and deals with the intricate realm of sportspersons’ mind, often abode for fear, anxiety, eagerness, optimism and other issues.
The book was slated for release last May itself but the unfortunate tragedy resulted in the delay.
Ashwath, apart from being a cricketer, was running an IT company himself. He had also played first division cricket in Bengaluru, Tripura, Mumbai, etc.
Commenting on the book, former Indian captain Rahul Dravid said that the book, based on several facts, can be very handy to the youth community. Ashwath has come up excellently with details on how to face the challenges ahead and how to handle complex situations, he said.
Former Test Cricketer and KSCA Secretary Brijesh Patel, complimenting the work for its lucidity, said that there was no doubt that the book would attract every sportsperson.
Several other cricketers and National Cricket Academy too have lauded the book. Amazon.com has already launched an ad campaign on the book authored by the late cricketer.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday , January 07th, 2015
The New Year edition of the coveted Storm festival titled Chasing Storm was a runaway hit with over a few thousand people of all age groups coming together to party as they bid adieu to the year gone by and welcomed 2015. Held in Virajpet, Coorg Storm saw some engaging acts by artistes both on stage and off it. The mini festival was sold out a week before the dates and on day one itself the festival ground was packed to capacity.
The fresh air and the comforting cool weather of India’s own Scotland – Coorg was a double bonus for festival revellers. For the first time ever, the mini fest featured a special kids play area that kept the young Stormers busy while their parents and even some grandparents enjoyed the music.
The celebratory line-up included a rare classic Bollywood and contemporary set by the legendary singer Usha Uthup, Internationally acclaimed underground favourite – DJ Modium, Australia /Singapore- who’s a fast rising star with his dedicated following especially in the Asian subcontinent; Tuhin Mehta, Swarathama, Lagori, Solder and Live Banned among others.
The music on both days to say the least was power-packed with special treats in store the audience. Swarathama performed fused a famous tribal track in Kodava language in their set, pleasantly surprising the local members from the audience. While Usha Uthup framed a special dedication for Chasing Storm in her popular track Doston Se Pyaar Kiya, singing, Chasing Storm se bahut Pyar Kiya, Jo Bhi Kiya, Humne Kiya, Shaan Se…” Solder on the other hand rocked the audience on stage, at the camp site and many other places of the festival campus, making them as always one of the biggest favourites of the festival. To add to the string of surprises, the festival even witness some young jammers singing away to glory during camp jam. Needless to say, the festival set a beautiful, musical tone for the year ahead.
Music Festivals have become a toast of the country’s live entertainment scenario. With the audience preferring music festivals and new travel destinations, the makers of the much coveted Storm Festival are creating an entire year’s musical engagement across India. Starting with Chasing Storm, New Year’s Edition, at Coorg on 31st Dec 2014 & 1st Jan 2015; a compact, far more intimate version of the Storm festival, stayed true to its inherent promise of being close to nature and good music. Chasing Storm, New Year’s Eve event was held at Virjapet, a lush green venue in Coorg- its birthplace – with camping, bonfires, late night bar-be-cues and jams.
Chasing Storm is the prelude to the main festival scheduled in the second half of 2015. Chasing Storm presented a crisp line up of electronic, folk- fusion and indie acts along with an Indian Music Industry legend- who did justice to the special celebratory New Year Eve edition of Storm.
Starting with the Chasing Storm New Year’s Eve @ Coorg during the New Year, 12 other Indian destinations will witness the Chasing Storm series to culminate in Coorg around December 2015 for the Storm Festival.
Storm festival is the first-of-its-kind Camp Out Music festival – that redefined the very concept of a ‘destination festival’ with its debut in 2012. The festival set a benchmark with its tight programming, high standards of production, eco-friendly and successfully managed elaborate camping arrangements. This year’s grand festival that took place in February featured 5 stages and 65 artistes from across the world.
source: http://www.radioandmusic.com / R&M / Home> Editorial / Press Release / by RNM Team / January 03rd, 2015
Kannada actress Harshika Poonacha’s love for dogs is something everybody who knows of her is aware of. The actress is known to have shared pictures of her dog on her social network sites quite often.
The actress did so again while she was on the way to the much-looked-forward to pet show that was held at the Jayamahal Palace grounds in Bengaluru on Sunday. The dog, we must say, looks quite the poser – quite like his mistress.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada Movies / TNN / January 04th, 2014
Gowda Samaja, Kushalanagar and Karnataka Arebhashe Mattu Sahitya Academy have jointly organised a cultural get together on Dec. 27 at 11 am and Silver Jubilee celebration of the Samaja on Dec. 28 at 10 am.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday , December 25th, 2014
Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari has said that Kodavas should start a community radio to exchange views on Kodava culture, literature and agriculture activities.
Speaking at Kodava Samskrithika Mela organised by Kodava Sahitya Academy and Hudikeri Kodava Samaja on Sunday, he said that community radio has been playing a vital role in development of a community in other parts of the country.
Emphasis should be laid for conserving Kodava culture and tradition. There is a need to introduce Kodava culture to tourists who visit the district round the year, he added.
The DC said that land has already been identified for starting Shooting Academy in Kodagu district.
“Possessing arms is an integral part of Kodava culture. Hence, the people from Kodagu if given training might achieve success in national and international tournaments,” he said.
Kodava Vidyanidhi President Koothanda P Uthappa said that one should not neglect to preserve the culture of the land.
There is a need to preserve the sanctity of river Cauvery. Youth from Kodagu should excel in competitive examinations.
Ajjinikanda T Bheemaiah also spoke.
Senior physician Dr Kalimada Shivappa, teacher Kirundanda Ponnamma Nanjappa, Kudiya Samaja President Kudiyara Muthappa and others spoke.
Mahadevada Pommakkada Sangha members presented Ummathat on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Gonikoppa, December 21st, 2014
