Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Gulshan Devaiah’s selfie time

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

On Saturday morning, actor Gulshan Devaiah, restaurateur Carlton Braganza and actress Monica Dogra caught up at the arrival lounge of Kempegowda International Airport and managed a selfie.
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“Every picture I take I try to make it a selfie or a photo bomb… they’re in fashion,” said Devaiah. Devaiah, who is in the city to meet his mother, was thrilled to be here on Women’s Day (a coincidence, he insists). His wife is joining him in the city today. The trio was on the same plane from Mumbai but in different seats, and caught up with each other only on landing in the city.

Devaiah was reminiscing about meeting Braganza at Opus six years ago, when he was a semi-finalist at a kroak night. “It’s always nice to bump into nice people. Both are real artistes and I like them,” he told the diarist.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies / by Bangalore Mirror Bureau / March 10th, 2014

‘Improve plight of women in rural areas’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

There are several laws to protect the interest of women. Women should make use of the available laws to lead a dignified life, said First Additional District and Sessions Judge M V Jadara.

Speaking at women’s day programme organised by the State Women’s Commission, Kodagu district administration, zilla panchayat, Legal Services Authority and woman and child welfare department here Saturday, he said that women are successful in each and every field. Zilla Panchayat CEO P I Srividya said that women should be empowered economically. DySP Prasanna V Raju, Backward Classes and Minority Welfare officer K V Suresh, Women and Child welfare Deputy Director Mumthaz among others were present.

In a separate programme organised by the district legal services authority, Mahilodaya Mahila Okkuta and Bar Association, Additional Civil Judge S Siddaraju said that education helps in the progress of a country. Women should focus on education.

Ashok of ODP said that a society can progress only when they are empowered. There is a need to improve condition of women in rural areas. Child marriage, evils of dowry system should be eradicated from the society. Widows should be honoured and respected.

CMC Commissioner B B Pushpavathi read out an oath.

Mudigere

Women should engage themselves in productive works during their free time, said Ujire Church Priest Vincent.

Speaking at women’s day programme organised by Kapuchin Krishi Seva Kendra and Banakal Vimukthi SHG Federation, he said that mother mould the personality of her children.

Banakal Vimukthi SHG Federation President Prema said that the Federation has been emphasising on cleanliness. About 460 members of the Federation were given loan of Rs 5,000 each without interest to construct toilets in their houses. Women are encouraged to take up pisciculture, vermi compost and dairy farming to empower themselves financially. Women should develop leadership qualities in them and come to the mainstream of the society, said Banakal church priest Vinod.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri – March 09th, 2014

India uncovered: hiking in Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

The Coorg highlands
The Coorg highlands

I‘m on a craggy ledge in the hills of Karnataka, and although it has been a tough four-hour hike to get up here, the views are extraordinary. At an altitude of just over 5,000ft, I can see all the way to the Arabian Sea coast and the jungles of Nagarhole.

Coorg (also known as Kodagu) is one of the wildest mountainous regions in India, covered in dense forests inhabited by wild boar, elephant, sloth bears and tropical birds. But there is little sign of man. On my way up, I have walked through rainforest, climbed over stiles, hiked through paddy fields, pastures and plantations of coffee and cardamom into misty thickets of teak and rosewood. And I have passed just 10 people.

The reasons for this are historical. Until the 19th century, the area was ruled by a clan of Kodagu rajas who deliberately kept the hill country devoid of roads, and relied on narrow jungle trails between settlements to discourage invasion. That, for a while, kept foreigners out. Even a few years ago, Coorg was little visited, and anyone adventurous enough to come here stayed in small traditional hotels, temple rooms or the private homes of the local Kodava people. There was very little on offer for travellers.

The highlands of Coorg as seen from Vivanta by Taj Picture: Chris Caldicott
The highlands of Coorg as seen from Vivanta by Taj
Picture: Chris Caldicott

That all changed last year with the opening of Vivanta by Taj Madikeri Coorg in Madikeri, the region’s beautiful hill station capital. Now, visitors not only have a contemporary hotel in which to relax (it has glass walls to show off the spectacular views) but also a new range of activities to enjoy, based on the natural surroundings and the culture of the Kodava people (who have their own tribal dress and cuisine – and a fondness for extremely strong liquor).
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Easy day treks can be organised from Madikeri, including one to the impressive, domed Indo-Saracenic tombs of the rajas at Gaddige and the spectacular Abbi Falls. Other options for guests at the Taj property include overnight guided treks into the misty peaks, past streams and forest temples, and courses in zip-wire and high-rope skills. For the less adventurous traveller, there are botanical walks in the 180-acre forest and trips to villages to learn about pottery and other crafts. Not least of the attractions is a 30,000ft spa, for those who prefer to eschew adventure and just take up a supine position and be pummelled.
The hotel's Jiva Grande spa
The hotel’s Jiva Grande spa

The accommodation: Perched high on a forested ridge, the 63 villas are discreetly hidden in the rainforest canopy. Features include wraparound glass walls, huge marble tubs and warming fires. The architecture takes inspiration from local houses, with entrances and courtyards open to the sky and, at the spa, wood-fired Gudda baths (where guests are scrubbed and massaged). Dishes on offer range from Coorg specialities and health food to international cuisine. Doubles from £80, b&b.

Getting there: Greaves Travel is offering six nights at Vivanta by Taj and one night at Taj West End Bangalore from £1,880 per person. The price includes breakfasts, return flight with British Airways, private transfers and guides.

source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk / The Telegraph / Home> Luxury> Travel / by Chris Caldicott / March 07th, 2014

Deepika’s special number in Damaal Dumeel

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

Looks like Kannada actresses are in demand in Kollywood, and the latest to join the bandwagon is Deepika Kamaiah.
DeepikaKF06mar2014

The actress, who was last seen in the Kannada movie Auto Raja, has done a special number in Damaal Dumeel. The film, directed by Shankar’s assistant Shree, has Vaibhav and Remya Nambeesan in the lead roles. Deepika will feature in a club number along with Vaibhav and Remya.

Ask Deepika how she bagged the role, and she says, “The team saw my pictures and contacted me for the song. Initially, I was hesitant to be seen in a special number. But since it is a good team of technicians, I agreed. It is a peppy number, which I am sure will become a hit.”

Deepika and the team shot for the song at a popular club in Bangalore recently. “I will be seen wearing a crop top paired with a short denim skirt. It is similar to Deepika Padukone’s club song in Cocktail,” says Deepika, who had fun shooting with the team.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Tamil> Movies / by Sharanya CR, TNN / February 16th, 2014

‘Malli’ Audio Comes

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

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In his second film director Vishnupriyan is throwing some ideology in the contents of his film. Doing help should not be hidden in the present society. In the society the help done and help received is not put before. For the present day context it is precise to disclose the support extended.

In this film ‘Malli’ heroine character Disha Poovaiah takes all the help and then ditch the hero. How he overcomes the setback for doing good help is the crux of this ‘Malli’ Kannada film says Vishnu Priyan.One of the songs with all names of Kannada actors from Dr Raj to Sriki are penned according to meter of the music CR Bobby by Hrudayashiva. Suni of SALOS has given one song, Dr V Nagendra Prasad is another writer for this film.
Agriculturists Narayana Gowda and Lakshmipathi never thought they could make a film. They are humble and simple producers.Bobby in her music for this film feels extremely happy for good lyrics and good renderings. One of the songs Rajesh Krishnan has delivered with alcoholic mood without consuming it of course.Disha Poovaiah looking very glamorous from her outfits quite happy for the first lead and that too in title role in this film ‘Malli’. Sujeeth is hero of this film. Sonia Sen is item dancer for a song in ‘Malli’.Lahari Recording Company Velu appreciating the good music done for the film wished tremendous success for the innocent producers.source: http://www.indiaglitz.com/ IndiaGlitz / Home / Tuesday – January 28th, 2014

Karnataka Fashion Week pays tribute to Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Tribute to Coorg at Karnataka Fashion Week — the three-day event put together by fashion guru Prasad Bidapa. Entrepreneur Ashok Kheny inaugurated the second day of the fashion week, where Prasad, who was dressed in a traditional Coorg Kupiya, paid a tribute to Coorg and the book, The Vanishing Kodavas.

Fashion was of course in focus at the event, and the second day saw collections from Roopam Silks, Nimirta Lalvani, Abrar Ali, Ritu Pandey, Tahera Peeran, Manish Saksena, Anjali Sharma and a finale by Jamila and Seema Malhotra.

Also present the occasion were Charu Sharma and Nooraine Fazal from B.PAC.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Events> Bangalore / TNNn/ January 25th, 2014

Brace up for the Storm

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

This weekend, there is a lot of action for music lovers in and around the City with the much-anticipated Storm Festival. What started off as a campout music festival amidst the hills of Coorg three years ago has shifted base closer to home to Stormfields, Gonighattapura Village, Sarjapura Hobli. StormFestivalKF04mar2014

With an aim to spread love and respect for the environment, minimise the usage of plastic and discourage the consumption of drugs via the medium of music, the festival features over 40 artistes spread across three nights and two days of festivities on 40 acres of lush greenlands.

This edition will see five stages, namely Plug N Play, World Music, Electronica, Singer-Songwriter and Camp Jam, catering to a variety of tastes. “The response we got in Coorg was phenomenal but we wanted to bring the festival closer to a metropolitan city so that more people could experience it.

We were lucky enough to find a venue that somewhat replicates the untouched beauty of Coorg. Especially for festival campers, the impromptu jams, bonfires and bonding with the artistes will be a highlight,” says festival director Lavin Uthappa.

Some very unique collaboration sets will also be witnessed at the festival – Bangalore rock band ‘Thermal and a Quarter’ performing with renowned flautist Ravichandra Kulur, Shankar Tucker meets Shankar Mahadevan, Lesle Lewis feat Gen X (includes his daughter Divya and the children of Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, L Subramaniam and Loy Mendonsa) and many others.

Other Indian artistes who will be performing include Susheela Raman, Ankur Tewari, Raghu Dixit, ‘Avial’, ‘Swarathma’, Nikhil Chinapa, Nischay Parekh, Abha Hanjur and Vasudha Sharma among others. Some of the international acts to watch out for are Belgian techno producer duo ‘Filterheadz’ and the UK house DJ Eddie Halliwell.

The latest edition will also witness a heavy focus on folk music, especially from the North East with artistes like Naga folk band ‘Tetseo Sisters’ and popular Assamese singer Papon. Another addition for up-and-coming musicians is the ‘Voice of Storm 2014’ talent accreditation programme in association with Shankar Mahadevan Academy, the winners of which will perform at Chasing Storm events and Storm Festival.

Storm Festival will take place from January 31 to February 2. However, on January 31, the site will be open only to campers. For details, log in to www. stormfestivalindia.com

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / DHNS – Bangalore, January 30th, 2014

Ganesh and Daisy Bopanna are back

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

This Sunday, watch the famous Sandalwood film Gaalipatta starring Ganesh and Daisy Bopanna on Suvarna TV.

The film, which was released in 2008, was directed by Yogaraj Bhat and produced by Suryaprakash Rao and AM Rathnam. The plot is about three friends, Ganesh (Ganesh), Diganth (Diganth) and Kitty (Rajesh Krishnan) and their respective love stories.

The crux of the story is how Diganth and Kitty get a go ahead for their weddings, but how Ganesh’s love story takes a different twist.

Watch the film at 3 pm on Suvarna TV this Sunday.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada> TV / by TNN / March 02nd, 2014

People of Karnataka, T.N. urged to join Save Kodagu campaign

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Making a point: Cauvery Sene leader B.C. Nanjappa speaking at a seminar in Mandya on Thursday./ The Hindu
Making a point: Cauvery Sene leader B.C. Nanjappa speaking at a seminar in Mandya on Thursday./ The Hindu

K.A. Ravi Chengappa, principal convener of Cauvery Sene, was speaking at a seminar on ‘Save Cauvery’, organised by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene at Gandhi Bhavan in Mandya.

Criticising Defence Minister A.K. Antony and State Home Minister K.J. George for their “anti-Kodagu” measures, K.A. Ravi Chengappa, principal convener of Cauvery Sene, on Thursday called upon the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to participate in a Save Kodagu campaign, beginning on February 24.

He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Save Cauvery’, organised by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene at Gandhi Bhavan here on Thursday.

Mr. Chengappa alleged that the two Ministers were supporting the 400 kV high-tension power line project from Mysore to Kozhikode in Kerala via Kodagu. He said that if work was taken up it would destroy the ecological system in Kodagu. Work had begun on the project amid protests. Nearly 1 lakh trees in the catchments of Lakshmanathirtha and a few rivulets of the Cauvery would have to be axed to make way for the transmission line. Already 50,000 trees worth Rs. 350 crore, around 150 years old, had been axed, he said.

The authorities could have considered the existing routes to reduce the damage to the forests, he said.

‘Disastrous’
Alleging that the timber and land mafia was destroying forests, Cauvery Sene leader B.C. Nanjappa, who inaugurated the seminar, said the project would be disastrous for the people and for Kodagu district.

Resorts, tourism projects, development projects and sand extraction along the Cauvery and its rivulets had had a devastating impact on the ecological system in Kodagu, he said.

KRRS leader K.S. Nanjunde Gowda also requested the authorities concerned to take measures to protect forests.

Sene activist Ravindra Karyappa, KRRS leaders Nandini Jayaram, Shanbhunahalli Suresh and Konasale Narasaraju and zilla panchayat member Kempoo Gowda were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Mandya – February 21st, 2014

Harshika Poonacha’s memorable moment

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

HarshikaKF26feb2014
Harshika Poonacha turned paparazzi when she met her childhood idol, Anant Nag, in Hubli recently. She had always yearned to meet the yesteryear hearthrob.

Harshika got her moment under the sun during the state film awards ceremony. When the awardees were invited on stage she found herself standing next to Nag. It was definitely an ‘aha’ moment for the leggy lass.

It then got better:

The ever-charming Anant complimented Harshika on her dress (now here’s a man who knows how to treat a lady) and the fact that she was a qualified engineer.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t capture the moment for posterity. But not one to give up, she cornered Nag at breakfast the next day and got a photo clicked, which she promptly shared with all friends. Nice!

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies / TNN / February 13th, 2014