Gazal Somaiah, who made her T-Town debut with Uu Kodathara Ulikki Padathara, will be seen in a chirpy role in her next film, The End, directed by Rahul Sankrityan. Taking about her role, Gazal says, “It’s a horror film and my role offers ample scope to perform. I play a glamorous urban girl,Rekha,who is full of energy. I’m totally caught unawares with the paranormal happenings around me,” says the actress who was admittedly “very apprehensive” initially about the film.
The most difficult part of shooting for Gazal was dubbing her lines. “When my director couldn’t find a suitable voiceover artiste, I jokingly said I’ll dub for my lines. Then we went ahead and I think it’s the most difficult part in the filmmaking. But being a South Indian, I’m familiar with Telugu and I was able to complete the task”, explains the Coorg born actress, who will also be seen in a romantic entertainer Jagame Maya.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Telugu> Movies / by Shashidhar AS / September 22nd, 2014
The Tamara Coorg won the award for ‘Best Luxury Honeymoon Resort in India’ at the Service Excellence Awards 2014 organised by Brands Academy recently.
Established as a celebration of unmatched excellence, Service Excellence Awards honour the doers and pioneers of the service industry. World-renowned chess champion, Vishwanathan Anand, presented the awards at a gala ceremony held in Mumbai, India.
Senthil Kumar, CEO, The Tamara Coorg, attributed the resort’s successes to its dedicated staff and world-class standards. “We are honoured to win this award and be recognised for our services. We strive to not only maintain our standards but to continue to exceed our guest’s expectations in the wonderful journey that lies ahead of us,” he said.
source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com / HospitalityBizIndia.com / Home> Newstrack / by HBI Staff, Mumbai / Monday – June 09th, 2014
Tourism dept plans to get both new and existing ones surveyed by third party
The Abbi water falls draws many tourists to Kodagu
Ahead of Dasara, the tourism department is on a mission to assess the quality of home stays across the state. Following complaints of illegal home stays popping up around various tourist destinations amid fresh applications seeking licences, the department wants to screen both the existing and upcoming home stays with the help of an external evaluating agency.
Karnataka has about 2,000 home stays classified under Gold and Silver class. However, it has been more than four years since the tourism department reviewed the condition of existing home stays and allowed setting up of new ones. “There are about 500 to 600 applications comprising both the new ones and existing home stays. All of them have to be reviewed before handing them a certificate which will boost their business and tourism activities,” said A Poovaiah, Joint Director, Tourism department.
The parameters for evaluation include hygiene, sanitation, ventilation, quality of services, affordability, safety standards and so on. “The department will not directly evaluate the home stays on these merits. Instead, a third party will be chosen by way of tendering and all applications seeking permission to set up home stays will be referred to an experts’ committee. They will visit the proposed place and assess the applicants. Based on the recommendations and final inspection by the department experts, we will classify them,” Poovaiah said.
The department has strict guidelines for setting up of home stays, but there have been several illegal home stays. “At times, house owners mislead officials, claiming that the guests are their distant relatives and officials cannot intervene. Unless people tip us off about such illegal home stays, we can’t initiate any action. Further, the tourists must insist on seeing the accreditation or certificate issued to them by the tourism department,” said a senior official.
The Scotland of India— Kodagu — has the highest number of home stays followed by Chikmagalur. Only Kodagu has Gold category home stays, which number 12. The other 13 districts have only Silver class home stays.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Niranjan Kaggere, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / September 16th, 2014
Singer, actor Monica Dogra has turned into a fashion designer
Channeling their creativity to clothes, several musicians are turning designers and debuting their fashion lines
Following her success as a singer and songwriter, Monica Dogra has recently turned fashion designer with the launch of her debut fashion line for Stylista.com. Inspired by her own personal style, the collection mirrors the singer’s varied inspirations that include music, cinema and contemporary art. Dogra is not the only musician to bring her creativity in the line of fashion. Nikhil Chinappa, one of the pioneers of EDM in India, recently launched a menswear collection. And then there is ace guitarist Randolph Correia, who has designed a collection of tees for men and women in association with Kulture Shop.
Dogra’s collection is inspired by her own personal style, which is very boho chic, and has a very grunge and rock vibe that’s perfect for music festivals, gigs etc. “She loves layering using clothes that can be styled in different ways, and this collection can be worn by women in so many different ways to represent their own personal style. Her collection is breezy and comfortable, and consists of beautiful prints, bohemian silhouettes and earthy colours — all of which represent Monica perfectly,” says Avnish, CEO of Stylista.com.
Nikhil Chinapa, besides being one of the first VJs, is also the brainchild behind the country’s exploding EDM scene. koovs.com has collaborated with Nikhil for a menswear collection. “Nikhil is well respected within the EDM world and has a large social media following. We wanted to take this energy forward and channel it into a clothing collection that would reflect the aesthetics of this scene,” says Robert Bready, creative and retail director, Koovs.com.
Talking about what appealed to him the most about this collaboration, Chinapa says, “The idea is actually one of the oldest one in the world, which is — ‘why not’! I had never done something like this before, so I readily accepted the offer. The behind-the-scene people and I seemed to be on the same wavelength, so I decided to take up the offer.”
Chinapa’s fashion sense makes him one of the coolest musicians in the EDM world. He quips, “However, my mom would not agree and likes to call it my ‘fashion nonsense’. I guess I have done my mom proud by designing something which she is not going to like completely, but my fans are giving me a positive feedback about the same.”
Talking about his collection, he says, “My collection is fuss-free yet quirky. There are some longer back tees, hoodies, trousers, sunglasses. When it comes to music, I am happy that musicians prioritise music, but I guess after music, it would not be a bad idea to focus on one’s fashion sense, dental hygiene, usage of hair gels and deodorants.”
In the West, it is a popular concept to have celebs like Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker and others successfully running their fashion lines, while in India it still seems to be at a nascent stage. “E-commerce industry is certainly coming of age and they are constantly trying to establish themselves as an alternate shopping industry. Celebrities tend to add credibility and a high dose of glamour to their fashion lines, which encourages their followers to buy their products. In India, Bollywood, cricket and music work very well from consumer’s perspective. E-retail chains are tapping celebrities and now musicians with a good fan following in the digital world. Internationally, this trend is quite prevalent owing to the large amount of resources and support systems they have at their disposal to enter the fashion industry. I think the trend is nascent in India but is definitely picking up steam,” adds Anurag Rajpal, director & CEO, American Swan, who have recently roped insinger and rapper YoYo Honey Singh as their brand ambassador.
Talking about the association Honey Singh says, “I am looking forward to creating a music video for the brand. The brand positioning resonates with my quintessential approach to life, music and work, which is why I accepted the offer. The video will see me styled in looks that my fans haven’t seen before.”
source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> Entertainment> Music / by Aditi Pancholi / September 13th, 2014
The annual Theerthodbhava will occur at the holy pond at Talacauvery, the birth place of Goddess Cauvery, at 6.07 pm on Oct. 17.
This decision was taken at an official meeting held at the Town’s Fort here yesterday.
Kodagu District in-charge Minister K.J. George, who presided over the meeting, directed the officials to conduct the Theerthodbhava in an organised manner.
When DySP Prasanna V. Raju brought to the attention of the Minister the landslides that have been occurring on Bhagamandala-Talacauvery road on account of incessant rains, the Minister instructed the officials to clear the road of rocks and earth.
As a precautionary measure, the meeting decided to allow only government buses and light commercial vehicles from Bhagamandala to Talacauvery on that day.
The Minister also directed to ensure appropriate lighting and other arrangements in place at Bhagamandala and Talacauvery during the Theerthodbhava.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 11th, 2014
With the influx of tourists to Kodagu district and Dasara fast approaching, the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) will commence one-day package tour in Kodagu from Sept. 12. The decision has come after the recent visit of KSTDC Managing Director Dr. P.S. Harsha to Madikeri during which he had promised to introduce one-day package tour to various tourist spots in the district.
During his visit, Dr. Harsha held a meeting with the stake holders and later decided to introduce one-day package tours from Madikeri on Sept. 12. The introduction of package tours is expected to bring down the burden on tourists who often complain about being charged exorbitantly at the tourist locations.
The package tour will be flagged off on Sept. 12 at 8.30 am from Hotel Mayura Valley View in Madikeri by Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Anuraj Tewari. The package tour, which begins from Madikeri, will travel to Bhagamandala, Talacauvery, Rajara Gadduge, Abbi Falls, Raja Seat, Omkareshwara Temple and will return back to Madikeri. Tourists may visit in person Hotel Mayura Valley View (KSTDC), Kodava Samaja Building, near Police Station, for reservations or contact Ph: 08272-228372 or 08272-223333 or Mob: 89706-50028 or 89706-50116 or 93417-93984.
Pick-up Points: Hotel Mayura Valley View, Madikeri, Convent Junction, SBI Junction, KSRTC Junction, Kodava Samaja and Thimmaiah Circle have been identified as pick-up points said V. Paneesh, Asst. Director, Department of Tourism.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday -September 10th, 2014
Anoop Menon’s first film as a solo hero – Angry Babies in Love – amassed impressive response from Kerala box office.
The actor recently traveled to Coorg and apparently was blown away by its beauty. He wrote on his online page – “Back in town after a long journey. Missed you all… Coorg was a revelation. I recommend the interior hamlets for the uninitiated. We are shooting our next film She Taxi extensively in the forests of Coorg. Its shoot starts this October and it promises to be another fun filled entertainer from Saji Surendran.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Malayalam> Movies / Deepa Soman, TNN / Septmeber 09th, 2014
Ashwini Ponnappa: Remember them who laid down their lives so that we can take breath in air of independence, a big salute to them….Happy Independence Day.
Apart from concentrating on her game, Ashwini Ponappa is busy supporting various causes. Currently, she is lending her voice to the Voice of Stray Dogs, and also advocates the importance of teachers with Aksara Foundation with the same commitment and affection that she cares for stray dogs. “I have gained popularity and that helps me give some mileage to such organisations. I’m doing nothing, all the credit goes to them for their special work. I only throw my weight behind them,” says Ashwini, former world class shutler.
Ashwini says she cannot be more grateful to teachers, as she refers to Aksara Foundation’s social campaign for teachers. “Throughout my life, whoever has been my teacher in various aspects of my life has played a vast role in shaping the person I am today. Teachers are very underappreciated in the society and more needs to be done to recognise their importance.” An animal lover herself, Ashwini’s admits that her hectic schedule had her miss out on adopting a pet.
“But a couple of dogs made my parents’ house their home. So for all intents and purposes, they’re our dogs,” she says. A friend was following the Voice of Stray Dogs page on Facebook and she appreciated their work, so she too ‘liked’ the page. “They (Voice of Stray Dogs — VoSD) do amazing work here in Bengaluru and I want to do my bit to support them. They take care of the dogs until they’re completely healthy. I would love to go visit them in Bengaluru but I haven’t had the time yet.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> Other Sports / DC / Vijay Anand / September 08th, 2014
For the first time, Madikeri Dasara Committee has submitted the audit report of the expenditure of 2013 Dasara to the district administration. The State government has been giving funds to the committee to organise Dasara with grandeur, from last few years.
According to the audit report, the government had sanctioned Rs 75 lakh for organising the programme. The total expenditure during 10 days was Rs 91,31,711 which includes funds collected from general public. Dasara Utsav Committee Working President K M Ganesh told Deccan Herald that the report which has been audited by chartered accountants has been submitted to the district administration. “As we requested the chief minister to release additional fund this year, he has agreed to release an additional Rs 25 lakh. We will upload the expenditure of this year’s Dasara on the website – www.madikeridasara.com, which can be viewed by general public.
However, the government has imposed three terms and conditions while sanctioning the amount. They are, to use the money for the same purpose for which it has been sanctioned, to submit an utilisation certificate of the proper use of released fund and to follow the rules under Transparency Act, 1999 in collection of public fund.
Meanwhile, the district registration officer has reported the district administration stating that Madikeri City Dasara Committee has not renewed its registration since 18 years. The committee was registered on May 4, 1987. Though it is supposed to be renewed every year, it was last renewed in 1995-96.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Shrikanth Kallammanavar / Madikeri – DHNS , September 03rd, 2014
By Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore
Victoria Gowramma is an enchanting but a perplexing name as it is a curious combination of western culture represented by Victoria and Hindu culture symbolised in Gowramma. In fact, an old fashioned and devoted Hindu woman with traditional virtues is referred to as Gowramma. Actually Gowri is Parvathy, the consort of Shiva. Slowly the name Gowramma is vanishing from Hindu household in preference to more modern names. However, that name still persists among the Kodavas.
I was re-reading D.N. Krishnayya’s book Kodagina Itihasa (History of Kodagu) in Kannada. It is a good book and reads like a novel but gives authentic history of Coorg. He has devoted many pages for sketching the life of Gowramma. In fact, C.P. Belliappa has made a special research on the charming lady and has written a book titled Victoria Gowramma: The Lost Princess of Coorg, which I have not been able to read unfortunately. Further he has taken the trouble in exploring and locating her cemetery at Brompton in South-West London. Thus Belliappa has given a new lease of life in history to this extraordinary Princess of Coorg and has added a new chapter to the history of Coorg. K.B. Ganapathy has also written about her in his book ‘The Cross and the Coorgs’ and its Kannada version Kodagina Mele Shilubeya Neralu. All these books are useful in understanding the personality of this Princess who passed away when she was just 23 years (1841-63).
Victoria Gowramma was the daughter of Kodagu King Chikka Veerarajendra Odeya, son and successor of King Lingarajendra. He was just 17 years when he became the king and due to bad company he became a cruel and autocratic king and people of Coorg cursed him to the maximum but were scared of him to raise their voice. Killing people when he did not like them or those who did not toe his line had become a daily affair without any mercy. A low class person by name Kunta Basava, who was looking after the Palace dogs rose to the position of a Dewan of the State and encouraged the King in all his atrocious acts. Added to it, he had a strong weakness for women and as soon as he saw a charming woman, he would get her into his harem. The British warned him but he ignored their advice. Finally he submitted himself to the British and became a prisoner in his Palace. He was first taken to Vellore and finally to Kashi where he was kept as a State prisoner. He requested the British government to permit him to take his dear daughter Gowramma with him to England and the British permitted him.
Thus Princess Gowramma went with her father and reached England in March 1852. The deposed King and Gowramma were given a rousing reception at London and Veerarajendra was actively participating in social life of London along with his daughter Gowramma. Suddenly he thought of her future after his own death and wrote a letter to Queen Victoria, requesting her to take Gowramma under her protection and convert her to Christianity and give proper education to her. The queen was very happy and Gowramma was converted to Christianity in Windsor Castle church by Canterbury Archbishop.
Queen Victoria became her guardian and gave her the name Victoria Gowramma. Chikka Veerarajendra was also present on that occasion and he expressed his gratefulness to the queen. The responsibility of her protection and education was entrusted to Major Drummond and his wife. As they did not look after her properly, she was sent to Lady Login and Sir John Login who were proficient in Hindustani. She was not encouraged to meet her father frequently and was allowed to meet him on special occasions only. Gowramma had forgotten Hindustani and Veerarajendra did not know English and hence the father and daughter talked to each other through a bilingual interpreter. Most of the time Veerarajendra was weeping whenever he met his daughter and thought that he was responsible for her plight under the British but it was too late. He became sick and when she came to meet him, he handed over a bag to her which contained a large number of precious stones and rich ornaments and asked her to wear them. Both of them cried.
Veerarajendra died in 1859 in London but Gowramma could not go to the funeral as she was living in White Island, far away from London.
His body was kept in Kansal Green Cemetery and after two years the body was brought to Calcutta through a ship. From there it was taken by road to Kashi and was buried there as per the rituals of Veerashaiva community and a tomb was built over it. The expenditure for all this was Rs. 2500 and the British government sanctioned this amount. When he died he had cash and valuables worth around rupees four lakhs and it was distributed among his relatives. Nothing was claimed by Gowramma as she was under the protection of the queen herself.
Gowramma was under the protection of Mrs. Drummond. The latter had two daughters who were active and were going to school. But Gowramma was always inactive and had no interest in learning. Hence she was being treated badly by the family. She felt that under the influence of Gowramma, her two daughters also may get spoilt and requested the queen to relieve her family from the responsibility of Gowramma. Then Gowramma was entrusted to another European woman by name Lady Login. She had a good knowledge of India, and also had the responsibility of looking after Dilip Singh. He was the first King to be converted to Christianity whereas Gowramma was the first woman to get converted.
As part of the ritual, the queen wanted her to go to Italy. The queen had sent an expensive diamond ear-ring and necklace of pearls and asked her to lead a life acceptable to God. Veerarajendra who was present on the occasion was happy at this gesture. Then Gowramma was taken to Italy (Vatican) by Lady Login and the new climate made her healthy and enthusiastic, regarding the royal life. Though some people tried to get her married to Dilip Singh, the latter did not agree as Gowramma did not come up to his expectations.
Then Gowramma came to England along with Lady Login. The latter wanted to be relieved of the responsibility of Gowramma and she was put under the care of Lady Katharine Harcourt. But the latter put Gowramma under a Junior Governess and Gowramma did not like that. Then she was put under the care of Sir James Wirhog. At that time Colonel Campbell used to visit her house. He was a young widower and showed great interest in Gowramma. They were married and they had a female child who was given the name Edith Victoria Gowramma. Campbell and Gowramma enjoyed fairly good life, visited many places and took part in royal festivals and parties. The queen was very happy and ordered that there should be no deficiency in providing funds and amenities to Campbell and Gowramma. Thus everything looked wonderful to the couple.
Gradually her tuberculosis was becoming severe. Queen Victoria made all arrangements to get her the best medical help. But the medicines did not help and finally she died in 1864 (March 30) when she was just 23 years. As per the desire of the queen her body was buried in Brampton Cemetery in London and an epitaph was carved on the marble stone as follows:
“Sacred to the memory of Princess Victoria Gowramma, daughter of ex-Raja of Coorg, the beloved wife of Lt. Colonel Campbell. Born in India, July 4th 1841, she was brought early in life to England, baptised into the Christian faith under the immediate care and protection of queen Victoria who stood sponsor to her. She died on 30th March 1864.”
After her death, her daughter married Captain Yardley and had a son who died in a road accident. Thus ended the family of Victoria Gowramma. Now she has entered the pages of history, the ultimate of everyone including kings, queens and princesses. But there is something melancholic in her life which makes us to have a soft corner for her. That is the greatness of Victoria Gowramma.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / August 30th, 2014
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