Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Lakhs throng Talacauvery

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Nature

Devotees thronging Triveni Sangama at Talacauvery in Bhaghamandla on Thursday | Express photo
Devotees thronging Triveni Sangama at Talacauvery in Bhaghamandla on Thursday | Express photo

The Madikeri- Bhaghamandla- Talacauvery Road was jampacked from early Thursday as lakhs of devotees arrived for the ‘theerthodbhava’ near Brahmakundike.

It is believed that every year on this day at a specified time water from the Cauvery springs up in the form of a small fountain from ‘Brahmakundike’ at Talacauvery. And this water from this temporary fountain is considered to be holy.

A team of archakas, led by Ananthesh Kedilaya, announced the arrival of theerthodbhava at 12.01 pm, following which they sprinkled the holy water on the devotees near the Bramhakundike.

Kodagu police had enforced strict monitoring around the region to ensure that people do not enter Bramhakundike until after the theerthodbhava to prevent any untoward incidents such as a stampede.

SP M N Anucheth was seen standing near the pond and personally supervising arrangements with his subordinates.

Cultural programmes were performed by various artistes throughout the day. Ninada from Ponampet sang Kodava devotional songs while B A Ganesh from Shanthalli rendered Kannada devotional songs. Padmanabha and team from Melkote played the Nagaswara and Ramanajneya Bhajana team from Madikeri sung bhajans.

For the second consecutive year, the temple committee provided lunch for the devotees. MLA K G Bopaiah and Kodagu ZP vice-president B Usha Devamma supervised the catering arrangements.

The theerthodbhava was witnessed by the temple Thakka’s Kodi Madappa, Kodi Motaaiah, Balladka Appaji, MP A H Vishwanath, Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tiwari and others.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Madikeri / October 18th, 2013

Taj Madikeri, Westin Chennai Velachery among world’s hot new hotels

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

SUMMARY
TripAdvisor has recognised 33 hotels in 18 countries worldwide that opened within the last year.

Westin Chennai Velachery
Westin Chennai Velachery

TripAdvisor has announced its inaugural list of hot new hotels, recognising 33 hotels in 18 countries worldwide that opened within the last year. These properties have provided guests with memorable experiences, according to the survey done by the travel site.
“TripAdvisor has identified the new hotels that have made lasting impressions on our community since opening their doors,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer at TripAdvisor. “Whether traveling internationally or close to home, we encourage travellers to check out, or ‘check-in’ to these new hotels on the scene that are getting high reviews from other travelers.”

Hot New Hotels – Asia
1. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, China
2. Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan
3. Vivanta by Taj Madikeri, Madikeri, India
4. Raffles Makati, Makati, Philippines
5. Fairmont Makati, Makati, Philippines
6. Vana Belle, A Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui, Chaweng Beach, Thailand
7. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Da Nang,Vietnam
8. The Westin Chennai Velachery, Chennai (Madras), India
9. Four Seasons Beijing, Beijing, China
10. Four Seasons Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai, China

Hot New Hotels – World
1. Hotel Casa San Agustin, Cartagena, Colombia
2. Kura Design Villas Uvita, Uvita, Costa Rica
3. Taj Palace Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
4. 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville, Bentonville, Arkansas
5. Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square, Vilnius, Lithuania
6. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
7. Refinery Hotel, New York City, New York
8. The Ampersand Hotel, London, United Kingdom
9. Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan
10. Zero George Street, Charleston, South Carolina

source: http://www.financialexpress.com / The Financial Express / Home> Travel & Tourism / by FE Online / New Delhi / October 17th, 2013

Tableaux steal the show in Gonicoppa Dasara

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

A tableau depicting ‘Draupadi Vastrapaharana’ from the Mahabharath being taken out during the Gonicoppa Dasara procession in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu on Monday / The Hindu
A tableau depicting ‘Draupadi Vastrapaharana’ from the Mahabharath being taken out during the Gonicoppa Dasara procession in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu on Monday / The Hindu

As many as 20 tableaux depicting various themes were taken out at Gonicoppa, marking the culmination of the cultural show of the Gonicoppa Dasara festivities in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu on Monday.

The tableaux procession was inaugurated by the president of the Gonicoppa APMC Achapanda Mahesh around 3 p.m. today. Of the 20 tableaux, as many as 12 depicted various social themes while the rest derived their themes from the Mahabharata, Keshav Kamath, a prominent citizen of Gonicoppa town told The Hindu. The procession went through the two-km route on the Gonicoppa main road ending at the Sri Uma Maheshwara Temple in the evening.

Social themes harped on issues such as the vicious shadows of terrorism, ill effects of drunkenness, pernicious effects of plastics and garbage, elephant menace that was rampant in Kodagu, dangers of sagging electric wires resulting in the electrocution of people and so on. Vehicular traffic was affected in the town till 5.30 p.m. following the tableaux procession. A large number of people watched the proceedings in the afternoon, Mr. Kamath said.

Madikeri spruced up

A cloudy atmosphere prevailed in Madikeri in the evening where Dasara festivities were slated to begin on Monday night. As many as 10 decorated mantaps (Dasha Mantaps) would emerge from as many temples late in the night in a car procession in the city towards Bannimantapa for the rituals in the morning on Tuesday.

The mantaps that would come out are from the temples of Sri Kote Maha Ganapathi, Chowtti Mariyamma, Kote Mariyamma, Dandina Mariyamma, Kanchi Kamakshi, Pete Sri Rama Mandira, Dechur Balaka Balarama Sri Rama Mandira, Chowdeshwari, Karawale Bhagavathi and Kodandarama. A large number of visitors were streaming into the city toward evening to witness the annual spectacle, Mahantesh, a resident of the city, told The Hindu.

The police have made elaborate security arrangements to prevent untoward incidents by setting up check-posts at vantage points. Parking arrangements have been made at several locations.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Madikeri – October 15th, 2013

Storming into entertainment

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Love and pride for their native district led them to create a successful music festival in Coorg

Lavin Uthappa & Sachin Bopanna, Storm Festival

Having flourished in the events industry for 19 years, Lavin Uthappa’s stint as director of Storm Festival has beenglorious. His passion and love for his homeland propelled him to forsake a flourishing career in the corporate sector and pursue event management. Along with his brother Sachin Bopanna, Lavin created Liquidspace Entertainment four-and-a-half years ago, with the aim of promoting organic fusion sounds. “We wanted to bring the best of mainstream entertainment to Coorg and make it one of the foremost camping and destination festivals of the country. What’s better than starting from home?” quips Lavin

He has worked extensively on brand promotions, visualising, strategising and executing international concerts- all of which helped him create the Storm Festival. “Years of experience in this industry have helped me achieve near perfection in all that I do.” Added to that, he is fondly referred as ‘Annaiah’ by the people he works with, because of his affable nature. Organising an outdoor festival in a small town can be a daunting task, “It takes a lot of time, passion, hard work and monetary implications to build a festival. Since non-metros are quiet for most of the year, it is a challenge to convince authorities and locals. Added to this, the tough terrain and lack of availability of raw materials makes it harder. We have to procure them from bigger cities, which is an expensive proposition too. Finally, procuring licences and requisite permissions to run these festivals as stipulated by the law of the land will ensure smooth running of these events.”

No mountain is high enough for these spirited brothers, “Branching out to create Storm was the best decision I ever made. It would not have been possible without the support of well-wishers, family and musicians. In the end, hard work always pays.”

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Columns> Work / by Sindhuja Balaji / September 13th, 2013

Namma ooru to ‘My’suru

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

From left: Model and actress Deeptii Mohan is dressed in traditional attire for the festive season and A photograph by Vikram Simha
From left: Model and actress Deeptii Mohan is dressed in traditional attire for the festive season and A photograph by Vikram Simha

The Gods couldn’t have been kinder, for the coming weekend seems to be one filled with fun, festivities and an extra holiday. Bengalureans are heading out of the city and making a beeline to Mysore, the city known worldwide for its majestic Dasara celebrations. If Mysore is too congested and you aren’t really game for the day celebrations, then head to Madikeri, for the night festivals.

For generations, the Dasara festivities in Mysore have been the crown jewel in the city’s history of celebrations.

While in the yesteryears the king rode across the city on an ornamented elephant, now a beautiful idol of goddess Chamundeshwari sits on a gold throne (howdah) that is carried by a pachyderm throughout the city. Vikram Simha, who works as a quality regulator at an MNC says that this year, grandeur is an understatement for the festivities. “All the major circles in the city are lit and the patterns used for the illumination are very different from those done in the past. The city looks gorgeous bathed in the warm glow of the lights,” he describes. This year Vikram says that he is going to Mysore to explore the photography avenue. Vijay D, a businessman from Bengaluru who studied in Mysore cautions travelers, saying that unless hotels are booked in advance, chances are they will be no rooms available. “I am going with my wife this year. I am looking forward to the procession where different districts of the state carry out representations characteristic to their area, much like what is done during the Republic Day Parade,” states Vijay.

While the preliminary festivities offer a bounty of options for the shutterbug, the final day, that is on Monday is the grandest of the celebrations. That is when the golden howdah is prepared for the city procession. Pushpa Ramanna a homemaker traveling to Mysore with her family says, “It is my daughter’s 10th birthday and we want to ring it in as a part of the regal gala,” says the mother. Vikas Jindal another businessman says that in the three years that he has been in Bengaluru, he has only heard tales of the festival. “This year I am heading to Mysore with my friends and I can’t wait to see the Mysore Palace. I believe it is lit beautifully. We might head to Madikeri after Mysore given that it is barely a two hour drive,” he reveals.

On Monday night post 6 pm; processions will hit the main road in Madikeri from 10 different mandaps and temples. The gaiety which will be a mélange of lights and jubilation will continue till 6 in the morning. Anil HT, one of the organiser of the Madikeri Dasara says that on Monday no vehicles will be allowed into the city but there are arrangements made for parking facilities. Umesh, a lawyer from the city alternates between Mysore and Madikeri every year. “We chose Madikeri because it is less crowded, the weather is better and we have a friend’s house there. So there is no problem with lodging,” says the lawyer who celebrated Dasara in Mysore last year.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Offbeat / DC / by Zoya Philip / October 13th, 2013

Teerthodbhava occurs at Talacauvery at 12.02 p.m.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature

Madikeri:

The annual spectacle of ‘Teertodhbhava’, symoblising the emerging of holy water from the ‘Brahmakundike’, a tiny niche, at the foothills of mighty Brahmagiri Hills at Talacauvery in Kodagu, occurred at 12.02 p.m., amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns by priests and the delirium of devotees on Thursday. River Cauvery’s journey originates from Talacauvery.

Thousands thronged the spot vying with each other to catch a glimpse of the occurrence. A large number of devotees had reached Talacauvery much ahead of the scheduled occurrence. Anil, of the visitors, told The Hindu that the gathering was less when compared to last year. ‘Everything went off well’, Manu Muthappa, president of the Bhagandeshwara-Talacauvery Temple Management Committee, said.

Devotees are streaming into Bhagamandala to take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangama, offer prayers and proceed towards Talacauvery, located about eight km away.

Police had a tough time in preventing devotees from jumping into the main pond in front of the Brahmakundike at Talacauvery before the ‘Teerthodbhava.” A team of priests sprinkled the ‘teertha’ on the devotees as soon as it emerged from the Brahmakundike. The holy water is not be allowed to overflow from the niche since it is considered inauspicious.

Distribution of teertha to the general public would take place today evening and tomorrow morning. Television news channels beamed the event live through which many were above to see the occurrence.

Mysore-Kodagu Member of Parliament, A.H. Vishwanath, former Speaker and Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah, Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari, and Superintendent of Police M.N. Anucheth, were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by K. Jeevan Chinnappa / Madikeri – October 17th, 2013

Readiscover : Stories from a sacred land

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

A fascinating picture of the people of Coorg, their origins, history, myths and traditions. The Vanishing Kodavas
By Kaveri Ponappa
Eminence Designs Pvt Ltd
Rs. 7500 PP360

The Vanishing Kodavas
The Vanishing Kodavas

Where the Coorgs came from, the enigma of their customs, social traditions, laws and dress are questions that have been debated ad infinitum. The Vanishing Kodavas by Kaveri Ponnapa is a work that not only answers these questions but also sheds light on the events that fashioned the people’s traditions and made them unique.
To do this, Ponnapa uses official records, correspondence, colonial accounts, the recorded history of the Rajahs of Kodagu or Coorg and the oral histories of the Kodava people themselves. The hauntingly beautiful backdrop of the wild, beautiful hills with their gurgling streams, dense forests, and abundant wildlife and flora serves as a canvas for stories about a people who made the hills of Coorg their home, and who, through their violent history, managed to preserve their ancient social customs, dress and way of life.

Replete with 300 colour plates, the book, which took Ponnapa 15 years to research, contains a wealth of information. Chapters tell stories of bygone eras, of myth and legends, of the tragic history of the people, of songs composed by warriors for whom routine violence was a way of life and of marriage rituals that were not only esoteric but also created to save a clan from extinction.

The reader is taken to a land that became almost sacred to its people — evident in the small, open-air shrines and large tracts set aside for worship – and into the heart of festivals dedicated to forest deities where trance and possession figure and oracles link the people to both their ancestors and their gods.

This is a book about a people who named the trees, shrubs, creepers and medicinal herbs, a people who created a rich oral tradition for themselves, worshipped their ancestors before all gods and danced before the spirits of the forest, and for whom upholding personal honour and that of one’s ancestry at all costs was the Kodava code.

Until recently the only source material for most contemporary accounts of Kodagu history were official manuals and gazetteer accounts. These were authored by missionaries and official historians of the East India Company and almost completely distorted the history of the Kodavas and obliterated the memory of the loyalty and affection the people felt for their kings.

The Vanishing Kodavas seeks to correct this image. It explores the unique role the tiny kingdom, ruled by Lingayat Rajahs, supported by a Council of Kodava Chieftains, played in the rise of the East India Company in southern India and focuses on a fast disappearing culture.

In The Vanishing Kodavas Ponnapa has created a volume of work that the reader will read, put away and revisit another day. Few writers can boast of making their work relevant to a general readership as well as to those for whom it will serve as a base for further academic studies.

Nalini Menon is a senior journalist

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Books> Readiscover /by Nalini Menon, Hindustan Times / October 12th, 2013

80th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Madikeri from Jan 7

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The 80th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana will be held in Madikeri in the hope that it would rejuvenate the language in Kodagu district, where the language is losing ground, Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) President Pundalika Halambi said on Thursday.

He was addressing a press conference to unveil the logo for the Sammelana scheduled from January 7 to 9 at Field Marshal Cariappa College Grounds there.

“There is a big concern that Kannada is losing its ground in Kodagu, that Kannada has become a minor language leading to a hostile environment. We decided to take the Sammelana to Madikeri to address this concern and to reiterate that Kodagu is an important part of the State,” Halambi explained.

The logo depicts Talacauvery and other tourist attractions in the backdrop of the Karnataka map.

“It is imperative to rejuvenate the Kannada culture in Kodagu, which has taken a beating because some people have turned it into a recreation centre,” he said.

Public Works and Kodagu District Minister H C Mahadevappa, who unveiled the logo, said accommodation will be arranged for close to 4,000 people for the meet.

“We want people to register (representatives) before December 15. Local hotels and homestays have agreed to give us two rooms each,” Mahadevappa, who heads its Reception Committee, said.

He said the Sammelana is expected to cost around `2.5 crore. “The budget provided for is about `1 crore. We also managed to have the CM give us another crore,” Mahadevappa said.

Madikeri will be playing host to the annual literary meet for the third time after the meets presided over by poet D V Gundappa in 1932 and researcher Shamba Joshi in 1981.

Staff, Centenary Building Sought

Halambi openly pointed fingers at the government for showing little interest to support the iconic institution that will turn 100 next year.

He said the Parishat had made several representations to the government to fill vacant posts. “Our human resource strength was 48 a few years ago. Now, we are down to 13. We will soon be reduced to just three people if the government doesn’t do something,” he said. He also appealed to Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa to urge the government to construct a centenary building for the Parishat.

“We will turn 100 next year, which is a proud feeling for us. I hope the government does its bit to promote the heritage of this institution,” Halambi added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Express News Service – Bangalore / October 11th, 2013

Bangalore to host International Coffee Festival from January 21

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), World Opinion

CoffeeKF11oct2013
The conference will be held from Jan 21-25, 2014. The previous edition of IICF was held in Delhi in 2012

Bangalore is set to host the fifth edition of India International Coffee Festival (IICF 2014), the flagship event of the coffee sector, from January 21-25, 2014. The Coffee Board of India is organising the event, which will showcase India as an emerging global coffee destination.

The previous edition of IICF was held in Delhi in 2012.

“The IICF 2014 will be all about in depth discussion on the latest in coffee market and retailing in India, on the cutting edge developments in coffee technology relevant to the Indian scenario with papers and demonstrations by world renowned experts,” Coffee Board said.

The event comprises conference and exhibition on the coffee sector. The conference aims to capture the changes taking place in the coffee sector and will discuss current trends related to production as well as take a close look at the prevailing market scenario. It will focus on issues such as changing role of Arabica and Robusta, health aspects of coffee, innovative and alternate channels of coffee delivery to consumer among others.

It will also lay stress on the changing patterns of coffee production including farm mechanisation, discuss parameters of good coffee and take a close look at sustainable production methods including prudent water management, the Board said.

The Expo of IICF will showcase latest technologies, new products and services and new coffees and blends.

There will be workshops on processing, brewing, roasting, espresso making, cooking with coffee, art on silk and coffee entrepreneurship.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by BS Reporter / Bangalore – October 11th, 2013

‘Doctor’ Brijita Lobo celebrates 101st birthday

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature

Centenarian Brijita Lobo with her daughter Philomena Lobo.
Centenarian Brijita Lobo with her daughter Philomena Lobo.

Rotary Club of Mysore Royal

by Rtn. Pius Saldanha

This doctor neither has a medical degree nor has she gone to any school but she was an expert in herbal medicine. Meet Brijita Lobo, who celebrated her 101st birthday recently.

Born on Sept. 30, 1913 in Betolli village of Virajpet taluk, and settled down in Beppunad (Kedamullur village) after marrying M.P. Lobo (late), who was a Shirastedar in Virajpet court, she celebrated her 101st birthday on Sept. 30 at Bangalore. Many joined the celebrations which included a Thanksgiving Mass and prayed for her good health.

Like a Kannada saying goes, ‘Aadu muttada soppilla,’ there is no ailment that she did not handle and was an expert as Gynaec. The nearest town, Virajpet being six kilometres away, she was often disturbed for midnight emergency. Any difficult delivery, she handled with confidence. She was fondly called as ‘Badavara Bandhu’ (Messiah of the Poor) by the villagers.

I was her neighbour and in the summer of 1977 came down on holidays from Haryana. Following day, I was relaxing under a tree, talking to my neighbours. I saw her coming down from a hillock, situated a kilometer away. On seeing me, she came and enquired fondly, ‘how are you my son!’ (kosuasaiputa?). I said, ‘Moushe, (O Aunt) I can’t lift my right hand, a dozen boils under my arm due to the heat of summer. On examining me, she went back to the hillock, and returned after 45 minutes and treated me with her herbs. Next day, I could lift my hand with ease and on the following day, I was cured totally.

My cousin Trecilla, a teacher delivered a baby girl in a hospital, and was suffering with acute stomach ache. After a week, this ‘doctor’ treated Trecilla with her herbal medicine, the dead twin baby was flushed out. Trecilla is enjoying her retired life with good health now. Her first twin girl is a mother of two now.

The grand-mother, Brijita Lobo is living with her children in Bangalore. Last year, well-wishers and friends wished her for her 100th birthday. She can be contact on Mob: 9482220399.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Rtn. Pius Saldhana / October 04th, 2013