The 10K marathon that took place in Bangalore today saw several celebrities from the Kannada film industry participating in it. Every year we see actors from Sandalwood participating in it. But this year several actors from the industry took part.
We had actors like Pooja Gandhi, Sharmiela Mandre, Aindrita Ray, Vinayak Joshi, dancer Madhuri Upadhya and model Shubra Aiyappa, among others participating in it. Actor Puneeth Rajkumar flagged the event. (Vinayak Joshi )
The popular RJ-turned-actor Vinayak Joshi, who once weighed as much as 121 kgs lost about 42 kgs once he took up to running. And with the actor out of Bigg Boss home, Vinayak began his new diet by giving up salt and sugar. With the TCS 10 k marathon scheduled for today morning, the actor energetically signed for the marathon today and participated in it. He tweeted, “It was an awesome run. #tcs10k was a good come back run for the running season waiting in the second half of the year. Thank u all.”
Dancer Madhuri also tweeted saying, “Ran #TCS10K ,very surreal experience!!! Thanks to @rjvinayakjoshi for introducing me to the world of running.”
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional / by Sharanya CR, TNN / May 19th, 2013
The top most popular song of last year Pyaar Ge Agbuttaithe….Namdhuke Jaan ge Hogbuttaithe….is widely heard and this particular song is also one of the significant factors for Pawan Wadeyar ‘Govindayanamaha’ getting good collections in the theatres for producer KA Suresh.
The song beginning words ‘Pyaar Ge Agbuttaithe’ is the title for popular comedy hero Komal Kumar next film that commenced song recording on Friday morning at Rajesh Ramanath ‘Sthyaayi Studio’. Komal Kumar
Tamil film director Kavin Bala makes debut in Kannada with story, screenplay and direction. Dharma Teja is music composer, Bala Barani is cameraman for this Rakshit Films. Shoba Prakash is the producer of this film that will be shot in Bangalore, Mysore, Madikeri, Sakleshpur, Udupi and others locations. Suresh Urs is editing this film.
The selection of heroine and supporting cast is in progress.
source: http://www.indiaglitz.com / India Glitz / Home / Saturday – May 04th, 2013
The event saw actors and celebrities like Prajna, Surabhi, Harshika Poonacha, Bhuvan Ponannaa Ramesh, Aravind and Ajai Rao in attendance
Taking fashion and glamour into a whole new level, actress Harshika Poonacha and actor Bhuvaan Ponannaa launched their dream company — GlamGod Fashions and Events, which specialises in every aspect of fashion, modelling, films and glamour.
A huge bunch of actors and celebrities including actors Ramesh Aravind, Ajai Rao, Prajna, Surabhi, Indian idol winner Sriram, director AMR Ramesh were present during the launch.
Harshika was on top of the world, attired in a red dress along with celebrity director Bhuvaan Ponannaa, as both welcomed everyone with open arms and posed for the shutterbugs.
“While acting is still a part of me, I wanted to branch out and try out new things. The opportunity came my way when Bhuvaan told me about his plans of starting an international fashion agency,” says Harshika.
She added, “Through our company, we plan to promote young talent in fashion industry and films and give them a platform to showcase their art on an international platform using our tie-ups with agencies overseas. I remember when we entered the industry, both of us had no background in films and we took every day as it came. So I want to give something back. With this launch, I hope to do just that.”
The guests and her team surprised Harshika by getting a cake on her birthday. The actress played along when they smeared the cake on her face.
“It was the best birthday I ever had, not only because I could celebrate it with people whom I love, but also because I have entered a new phase of my life,” she said.
The evening also had an exclusive fashion show choreographed by Braveem Thamaya where international designer Reshma Kunhi showcased her spring summer collection.
The show saw models dressed in ethnic clothes like long kurtas, sherwanis and dhotis in bright summer colours along with Indo-western attires like kurtis, smart jackets and pants.
With only ten unique creations on the ramp, the audience were left craving for more. “Our main motto is to simplify fashion and provide opportunity to all the budding talents in the city and subsequently all over India.
The focus will not only be on clothes, but on hairstyle, make up, choreography and also on the quality of models. There is a huge demand for Indian models overseas and our company will bridge that gap.
All newcomers and freshers can sign up with our agency at no cost and the deserving will be selected and groomed for free and subsequently be used for commercial events and films all over the world,” said Bhuvaan Ponannaa, the director of the company.
The evening saw the celebrities let their hair down at Tango Calypso as they wished the best to both the directors and their team.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Express Features – Bangalore / May 13th, 2013
Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy President Addanda C. Cariappa is seen receiving the National Bhasha Samman award from Sahitya Academy President at a function held in Shillong yesterday. Shillong (Meghalaya):
The Kodava language, despite not having a script of its own, has grown over the past few decades and deserves to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, opined Addanda C. Cariappa, President of Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy.
He was speaking after receiving the Bhasha Samman national award instituted by the Sahitya Academy at U Soso Tham Auditorium here yesterday. The award was presented to him in recognition of his services towards Kodava language through drama, literature and journalism over the past few decades.
The awards were presented by Academy President Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari. Meghalaya State Urban Development Minister M. Ampareen Lyngdoh was present.
The five others honoured by the Academy are — Narayan Chandra Goswami of Assam, Hasu Yajnik of Gujarat, Tabu Ram Taid of Assam, Sondar Singh Majaw of Meghalaya and late Mandira Jaya Appanna (posthumously).
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 14th, 2013
Bar-headed geese seen in a lake on the outskirts of the city —Clement Francis Bengaluru:
Bengaluru counted its birds on Sunday as part of International Bird Day and also to create a national data base on avi-fauna. Bird enthusiasts flocked to lakes, hills and grasslands to count the number and species of birds.
The concept of creating a national data base on avi-fauna was mooted by the Delhi Bird Watching Society (DBWS) which invited the bird watching community across the county to conduct a bird count in their areas on Sunday and submit the number of species they sighted till evening. The event was named Big Bird Day and about 200 teams and individual bird watchers took part in the counting.
“We had tremendous response from all over the country. The bird watching groups submitted their numbers till evening. We were flooded with 100 plus messages at 6 pm on Sunday from all over the country. We have team sightings of 100-120 birds on an average and we are still waiting for the counts from out-station. The report on the count will be ready in a week,” said writer and birdwatcher from New Delhi, Bikram Grewal.
In Karnataka, bird-watching enthusiasts took an early morning walk to count the birds in different parts of the state. A bird watching team in Kodagu, led by bird expert Dr Narasimhan, counted 120 species of birds in one single day.
Manjunath Prabhakar, a wildlife photographer who took part in the count, said the bird counting was a great opportunity to record research on bird diversity as many species that were not thought to exist in urban areas are being sighted. “We sighted close to 60 bird species atop Nadi Hill during the count and we managed to sight two birds from the Western Ghats,” Mr Prabhakar said.
Harish R Bhat, a bird expert and researcher from the Indian Institute of Science said that he was able to sight 110 bird species in Bijapur. “I happened to be in Bijapur for a lecture and I decided to count the birds here. Due to the presence of the Alamatti backwaters, the presence of birds is large around Bijapur city,” Mr Bhat said.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by Amit S. Upadhye, DC / February 25th, 2013
If you are planning on traveling to southern India and want to get a different perspective on Indian culture, consider traveling to Coorg. This area is unlike any other area in south India and you will find that it is a land of surprises and mystique. The locals of Coorg have their own distinct culture and customs, so a visit is sure to produce some enriching experiences.
The people of Coorg are known as Coorgs, but locally they are called Kodavas. While they are Hindu, they practice ancestor worship known as “Karana” which takes priority over traditional worship of Hindu gods. Coorgs usually keep images or idols of ancestors that have passed. These items are traditionally made out of wood or clay and are offered prayer and obedience. Along with the worship of ancestors, the Coorgs also worship nature and consider the Cauvery River to be holy.
As you might guess, Coorg culture also has different values when compared to other areas in India. Coorgs are the only race in India that are free from the Indian Arms Act and are allowed to possess guns without a license. The locals have become very close to their weapons and they even have a festival called Keil Podh which is dedicated to weapons. Even some family traditions have weapons involved. When a family has a newborn son, a gun is shot into the sky as a welcoming to the little one. When a Coorg passes away, two gunshots are fired into the sky to notify others of the passing. While the Coorg people are fond of their weapons, there is no need to be nervous as they are renowned for their hospitality.
Coorg is definitely a place that honors tradition yet finds a way to make its own way. A visit is sure to open your eyes to a different way of life in India.
source: http://www.bigfive.com / Big Five Tours & Expeditions / Home> Travel Blog / March 18th, 2013
Some nice Coorg climbs
Date: 11th May, 2013
Distance: 80 km (including climbs)
Route: Somwarpet to Virajpet (via Madikeri and Murnad)
Location: Coorg, Karnataka
Riders are expected to report on 10th May. Briefing will be done on the evening of 10 May.
Accommodation will be provided for the entire day and night of 10th May.
Lunch and dinner on 10th May and breakfast and lunch on 11th May too will be provided.
Those who wish to stay on after the race, can do so, on their own expense.
source: http://www.blog.bumsonthesaddle.com / by Rohan Kini / May 09th, 2013
www.yaatrika.com
“We must not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.”
~ T. S. Eliot
Exploring to enrich ourselves and experiencing something new like you never have before. The next few places are known best for their greenery.
Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a tourist village situated in Kerala. It is a cluster of small islands on the Vembanad backwaters. What I did like most when I visited was the lush greenery that the place had. It was pleasant and not overwhelming. I would say that one drives down to the place so as to enjoy the best of nature.
Kumarakom enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 16 and 37.7 Celsius. These temperatures would mean having a cool, quiet vacation. The Monsoon season is from early June to early August and I say that it is a lovely time to visit. However slight drizzles do persist until early November.
You can get to this place by air, road or train. By air, you would have to take a flight to Cochin and from there travel either by car, bus, or train (75 Kms). By car from Cochin International Airport is around 2 hours. Buses are easily available from Kottayam and Cochin as well. By train it is around 16 Kms from Kottayam. When in Kumarakom, you could visit the Bird Sanctuary and the Bay Isalnd Driftwood Museum. Or you could always take a backwater boat ride or even hire a Boathouse to stay in. While there, I advise you to take a stroll around when not drizzling or raining to enjoy Kumarakom at its best.
Coorg
Also known as Kodagu, Coorg is known for its hospitality and the beautiful scenery. Tourists often visit Coorg for its picturesque natue and the mountain ranges that attract a lot of tourists every year.
When you are at Coorg, visit the Raja’s Seat (it is said that the kings of the yore used seat here and it also offeres fantastic views of the valley), Bagamandala (a temple is situated here; this is where Cauvery River confluences), Talakaveri / Talacauvery, Madikeri Fort, Mandalpatti- View point, Iruppu Falls and Dubare Elephant Camp. While there, you could also trek and walk around to catch a glimpse of local life as well the nature.
If you travelling by plane, you will have to fly in to Bangalore or Mangalore and then rent a cab or take a bus ride to Coorg. When you arrive at Coorg, you can hire a cab or retain the one that you travelled in to travel in to visit all the tourist hotspots.
Manali
Manali is a beautiful, quaint Hill Station located at the Northern end of Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It is a beautiful place to visit during the summer as well as in the winter (although it will be very cold). Manali is a popular tourist spot for Indians during Summer and in winter it becomes a beautiful snow-capped hill-station.
When in Manali, you could visit the Rohtang Pass which is at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level, Bes Kund – an igloo shaped temple, Hot water springs, Monasteries and temples of Tibetan Buddhist lineages which is located between old and new Manali. You could also walk into the town to experience life there and also try out some of the local food there.
One can reach Manali by Bus or car on the road from the Delhi or Bhuntar (Kullu) if you are coming in by plane; by train, Ambala Cantonment (200 km) or Chandigarh (250 km) from Indian Capital New Delhi.
While you are at these places, it is best that everyone sticks with their group or family – safety in numbers after all. Ensure that you are equipped with appropriate clothes according to the weather and time of visit to the place and more importantly dress according to the place that you would be visiting (for example – although it may seem conservative, you can’t visit a temple while wearing shorts and sleeveless). Pack just enough clothes and ensure that you keep your money and cards safe.
Like Francis Bacon said, “Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.” So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and travel to these places!
source: http://www.coolage.in / Cool Age / Home> Lifestyle / by Pooja Svathi Mahesh, Jyoti Nivas College – Bangalore / May 07th, 2013
If 2012 saw more of Ramya, Radhika Pandit, Ragini Dwivedi and Sindhu Lokanth, the year 2013 will see a host of ‘relatively’ new stars who will make a splash with a lineup of films. BT first put together a list of Bangalore-based actresses who have debuted over the last year or so, and shortlisted that to the top five (based on their hits, projects that they have signed up for, their popularity and of course, their looks). We then got filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh, fashion guru Prasad Bidapa and photographer Waseem Khan to comment and rate the top five on a scale of five. Here’s a look at the results…
Deepika Kamaiah
After a five-year-stint as a model, Deepika Kamaiah won several beauty contests before taking the plunge into Sandalwood. She made her debut opposite Darshan in Chingari. After a six month break, the actress signed her second film Neene Bari Neene, and also replaced actress Chaitra in Auto Raja. This year, will mark Deepika’s Bollywood debut, as she’s done a cameo as a village belle in the Shahid Kapur-Ileana D’cruz-starrer Phata Poster Nikla Hero. Indrajit: I’ve seen some of her clippings and I am surprised by the confidence the actress portrays. She’s one south actress, who has the potential to make it big in Bollywood. 4/5 Prasad: She’s got a pan Indian look, which will work for south as well as north. If she works more on her Hindi, she can make a cut in Bollywood too. 4/5 Waseem: Suave, sophisticated, articulate and not a cliche’d dumb starlet. Deepika has a lot of potential and I believe she will be the girl who will outlast most of the film stars of the south film industry. 4.5/5
Total: 83.3%
Shwetha Srivatsav
Shwetha Srivatsav comes from a theatre background and getting into films was a natural progress. After working for a television serial, the actress made her Kannada debut with Cyber Yugadol Nava Yuva Madhura Prema Kavyam. Even before her debut hit the screens, Shwetha signed her second project Simplag Ond Love Story opposite Rakshit Shetty. The film that saw a release recently is doing well at the BO. Indrajit: I’ve seen some of the promos from her recent release and I must admit that she is a good actress. In fact, she’s a better actress than the rest. She’s very expressive and has a lively face. 3.5/5 Prasad: Shwetha has got lovely features and it will work well for south Indian films. Her expressive face also makes her a good actress. 3/5 Waseem: I haven’t seen much of her work. I am waiting to see her take up more projects. 3/5
Total: 63.3%
Kavya Shetty
The former Femina Miss India contestant made her entry into Sandalwood with a small budget film I Am in Love. But the actress has got lucky with a Tamil-Telugu thriller Shivani. She also plays one of the lead roles in Preetham Gubbi’s youth flick, Nam Duniya Nam Style. Indrajit: Though I’ve not seen much of her work, as a model she looks stunning. Kavya’s got great height and good body and we need such actresses in our industry. 3.5/5 Prasad: Kavya has worked with me on a couple of shows and I’ve trained her for the pageant as well. She’s well-groomed and her westernized looks will work well in the south film industry. 4/5 Waseem: Sweet personality, but probably a bit too sweet for the big bad world of filmdom. She will make it big if she plays her cards right. Nevertheless, she works the camera superbly and shoots like a dream. 4/5
Total: 76.6%
Kriti Kharbanda
Bangalore girl Kriti Kharbanda made her debut in a Telugu film Boni, opposite Sumanth. She took up her next project in Kannada with Chirru, which marked the Sandalwood debut for both Chiranjeevi Sarja and herself. He next break was Prem Adda opposite Prem, which got her more yet-to-be-released films like Googly opposite Yash and Sakhatagawne opposite newbie Karthik. She’s also worked on Telugu films like Ongole Githa with Ram Pothineni and Theenmaar with Pawan Kalyan. Indrajit: I find Kriti pretty, off the camera. She’s got a face like Bhavana Ramanna, where she’s more lively off screen than on screen. Nevertheless, choosing the right scripts will help her get to a better place. 4/5 Prasad: She’s got a very sweet and innocent face. She has the girl-next-door looks that will work wonders for her at the BO. 4/5 Waseem: She’s another smart girl who surprised many, including me, when she joined the south film brigade. She has the potential to score some mega hits. 3.75/5
Total: 78%
Soundarya Jayamala
Daughter of former actress Jayamala, Soundarya’s entry into films was predictable. While there were many speculated debuts, the actress made entered showbiz with Godfather, opposite Upendra. After several months of her debut, the actress took time to zero in on her second film, Paru w/o Devdas opposite Srinagara Kitty. Indrajit: Being a famous actress’s daughter, Soundarya has got everything it takes to make a mark. However, her debut saw mixed responses. She needs to prepare herself better for upcoming films. 2.5/5 Prasad: She comes from a good lineage and has a lot of potential to make it big in the film industry. In fact, she’s promising as an actress when compared to the rest. 4.5/5 Waseem: She’s got tremendous oomph, sex appeal, charisma and has that X factor. In my opinion, Soundarya is the next superstar in the south. 5/5
Total: 80%
Debutants to look forward to this year
Here’s a list of promising Bangalore-based actresses who’ll be making their debuts this year
Milana Nagaraj: Brindavana and Nam Duniya Nam Style (Kannada)
Rajshri Ponnappa: Paru w/o Devdas (Kannada), Pithavinum, Puthranum, Parishuddhathmavinum (Malayalam), Aram (Tamil-Malayalam)
Nikki Galrani: Ajith (Kannada), Yagavarayinum Naa Kakka (Tamil)
Rachita Ram: Bul Bul (Kannada)
Jahanvi Kamath: Parari (Kannada)
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Sharanya CR, TNN / March 14th, 2013
Preserving ones’ customs and traditions in the tangle of cross-cultural globalisation
It takes little to spark an inferno when it comes to community, beliefs and opinions. A seemingly innocent query into the relevance of old culture in our fast evolving modern day, turned foul when the enquirer stated his own sentiment. While he was happy to be associated with the community on its dedicated social networking forum, his views strongly suggested abandoning all traditional customs. Naturally, all hell broke loose and while the moderates tempered the situation, a question loomed: “Who are we, without our traditions?”
Far from our land of origin, far from the security of the familiar and most things we can call our own, this question becomes paramount to our sense of identity. At work, on campus and in cosmopolitan company, we don the culture of our residence to the best of our ability. But behind our private doors, we centre on preserving that identity — that single thing which is us, that which is unchallenged and that which no document can list otherwise.
For some, it is effortless. Others must adapt for the sake of survival. It is this duality that makes us versatile. And it is in a foreign land that the sweet smell of boiling rice becomes sweeter and that piece of ancestry, locked away unseen for years, becomes the most prized possession.
Because, it is when we are away that we realise just how close we are to our roots. How much they make us who we are. And how much we really love where we come from. When I relocated to London, I was young and brought up to be a well-rounded Indian. We celebrated all festivals and ate anything. Revelries were taken for granted. Time was an entity to be acutely aware of, not counted. Very quickly, the clinical regimentation of western routine made every little breath, matter. Birthday celebrations were postponed to the next official holiday. Festivals became organised events to be collectively enjoyed. Traditional practices had to be consciously performed, lest they be forgotten, in the rush to beat time.
I appreciated, more and more, all the things that I had taken-for-granted all my life. I was very happy. But something else mattered more. In a multinational gathering, being Indian, was great. But in the midst of other Indians, I needed my own, even more distinct identity. I had one. And proud as I was of it, I, now, felt the need to urgently learn the threads of preserving this heritage.
And so I observed all the rituals that I, until then, had only merrily enjoyed. I started speaking more in our language so that my child would gain fair exposure to it. I cooked traditional food in the house, often. We attended every community get-together. I made sure that I made the community ‘familiar’ to my child, to ensure that he was as natural in being who he was, as his roots were natural to his being. Traditions define us. Customs identify us. Beliefs set us apart. But in a foreign land, these very things bring us together and keep us so. That’s why, consciously or sub-consciously, we find every means to protect them. To make the future so secure, that no generation yet to come, will ever lose its way in the tangle of cross cultural globalisation. And so, we survive. Microcosmically. Wholesomely.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Tejaswi Uthappa / May 06th, 2013
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