Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Sandalwood biggies bike ride to Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

This might sound unusual but then it happened for real. It is heard that recently some of the top shot heroes of the Sandalwood circuit went on a bike ride all the way up to Madikeri.

Leading from the front were Kicha Sudeep and challenging star Darshan. The bike gang also had the likes of Ravishankar, Chiranjeevi Sarja, Praveen and others.

All of them were in Bullet motorbikes and it is heard that they spent two days in Madikeri before returning to Bangalore. Sources say they spent the days having fun at a farmhouse belonging to Darshan’s friend.

source: http://www.BharatStudent.com / Home> News> Kannada Film News / July 16th, 2012

MTV adventure bikes a result of co-branding with Firefox Bikes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports


MTV Consumer Products have taken into their domain bags, stationery, debit cards, mobile phones and bed linen and has licenses with CitiBank, BILT, Micromax, Lava Mobiles and the like. They have now announced their new venture that is partnering with Firefox Bikes thereby taking their growth to a new level. The MTV Firefox association was spoken about extensively at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012. Since Youth Channel MTV tied up with Firefox Bikes, it was only natural that MTB biggies attended the launch ceremony.

VJ Nikhil Chinappa, MTV Roadies season 9 winner Vikas, VJ Bani and VJ Rannvijay attended the launch of Firefox MTV bikes in the New Delhi on Tuesday. They were all seen astride these spectacular sports bike models like the 24 Thor, 26 Smoke, Dirt and Hades which are all priced between Rs.10,000 and Rs.16,000. The company is growing at a rate of 60% over last three years and this year too they are poised to gather momentum as they partner 22 new categories. Partnering with Firefox bikes is a rather new segment that the company is entering into. The Channel was launched in 1981 and ever since then has grown by leaps and bounds to change the way of TV viewing and the music industry.

MTV fans are connected on a global basis even outside TV with exciting products to choose from. MTV Indian market is large and has caused a significant way in which people do business today. The launch of MTV adventure bikes paves the way for more MTV licensed products and would see them venturing into new and bolder areas.

source: http://www.rushlane.com / Home> General News / July 19th, 2012

Yoga camp gets good response

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Mangalore:
The six-day free yoga camp, organized by Mangalore University (MU) under National Service Scheme (NSS), has received an overwhelming response, with 320 students from different parts of Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada district taking part. The camp is on in MU campus since July 10.

International yoga referee Gopalakrishna Delampady said the camp is being organized to enhance the memory of students and to help them maintain good health. “Usually, only a few youths in 18-20 age group participate in yoga camps. This year, good number of students are taking part in the camp,” he added.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / July 15th, 2012

Newbie Nidhi Subbaiah to croon

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

Post two Bollywood films, Nidhi Subbaiah is all set to sing for an album by a LA-based label

Looks like Nidhi Subbaiah is not just content with acting alongside Bollywood biggies like Akshay Kumar and Arjun Rampal. Now, she wants to sing too! Word is that the singer-actress is gearing up to lend her voice to an album being launched by a Los Angeles-based label.

Nidhi, who appeared in several Kannada films before making a move towards B-Town, says she was always into singing and is comfortable with both Western as well as Classical genres. She further revealed that the album will contain semi-classical songs.

“I was approached post an award function in Dubai. Turns out they have seen me perform before and want me to be part of their project. We are currently finalising the details and will get going soon,” says Nidhi. The Coorg-born Bollywood newbie apparently also found Rampal “way too good-looking” while shooting in Indore for their forthcoming film.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / Home> Entertainment> Bollywood / Mumbai, July 14th, 2012

Another award for Aaranya Kaandam!

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

Director Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Aaranya Kaandam, starring Ravi Krishna, Jackie Shroff, Sampath and Yasmin Ponnappa in the lead, has been awarded the Western Union Audience Award at the London Indian Film Festival held recently.
( A still from the film )
The director says, “I’m happy that the film has been recognised and loved by people from across the globe.”

Tell Kumararaja that the film, produced by S P Charan, has been sweeping awards at both national and international levels, and he shrugs, “I’m glad to have made this film.”

Quiz him on his next and he says, “I’m currently working on a couple of storylines and it will take time for me to zero in on one. I’m not in a hurry to start work on my next. But I can assure the audience that my next will be equally interesting and intriguing.”

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Jackie Shroff / by V. Lakshmi, TNN / July 09th, 2012

Virajpet Packages – Explore the Rich Tradition

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Virajpet in Karnataka has a rich tradition and history. This town and the neighbouring Kodagu were ruled by several South Indian dynasties like Ganges, Chalukhyas, Rastrakutas, Cholas, Vijaynagar Rayas and Hoysalas giving it a rich tradition.

Virajpet got its name from Virarajendra, the former ruler of Kodagu. The name Virajpet is the abbreviation of Virarajendrapete. Often Virarajendra is still being used to refer Virajpet.

The Ayyappa and Shiva temples on the Malethirike Hill, which is situated about 8 km from Virajpet, are among the major attractions for the travellers. Shiva Temple is at the top of the hill while Ayyappa Temple is half way down the hill. A clock tower in the centre of Virajpet attracts large number of tourists. There is a Ganesha Temple nearby the Clock Tower. Another famous temple in the town is Igguthappa.

St. Anne’s Church is a major attraction in Virajpet. Built under the supervision of Father Sullivan, this 220-year-old church has Gothic and European style of architecture. Its tower has two huge bells.

Thadiyendamol Peak is a destination of adventure seekers and trekkers. This peak is the second highest peak in Karnataka. The peak is known for its scenic beauty. Burude Falls and the Dubare Forest Reserve are other destinations for the tourists here.

Large coffee and spice plantations are situated in Virajpet. It is a major producer of coffee seeds in India. It has also the distinction of being the biggest honey producer in Asia.

Mercara Dasara is the main festival here. This festival, celebrated in October, lasts for ten days. The festival depicts the victory of Goddess of Power over the Asuras. A procession is taken out on this occasion with singers and dancers participating in it.

Virajpet enjoys a pleasant climate all round the year. Yet the best time to visit Virajpet is from October to March when the weather is a bit cool. Visitors to Virajpet are advised to carry light woollen clothes during winter. In the summer months of April and May, the temperature goes up to above 30 degree centigrade.

The nearest airport, at present, is Mysore, which is situated at a distance of 115 km from Virajpet. When completed Kannur airport (80 km) will be the nearest airport. The nearest railway stations are at Kannur and Thalasseri (80 km) in Kerala. Virajpet is well connected by road with many places in Karnataka, and Kannur, Thalasseri and Wayanad in Kerala.

Virajpet has several luxury hotels, budget hotels, home-stays and resorts to cater to the needs of visitors. There are also mountain hotels. Tour operators and hotels offer Virajpet packages. These Virajpet packages include stay in hotels and visit to tourist places within Virajpet and the neighbouring places like Kannur and Thalasseri.

For more information on Virajpet packages and popular resorts in Virajpet, visit HolidayIQ.

source: http://www.guidetourist12.thoughts.com / by guidetourist12 / July 05th, 2012

Mealtime memories at Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment


At a time when even a year or two can change a place beyond all recognition, the East End Hotel in Madikeri, Coorg, is a throwback to a simpler time.

The hotel occupies a Colonial era bungalow, and the low structure, surrounded by a verandah (from which you can view the rain pour down in the monsoon months) is extremely popular with the locals and tourists.

The ambience won’t remind you of other restaurants — a “family room” for instance, where families are served their meals, is simply just a plain room with nary a window, and a functional table and few chairs are the only furnishings.

There aren’t liveried waiters either, and the wait for a table can sometimes be a frustrating, disappointing one.

But when the food is served, all is forgotten. From mutton cutlets to biryani and dosas, a mouthwatering trip down memory lane is guaranteed.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Lifestyle> Dine o Mite / DC, July 06th, 2012

Kodava kings

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Nikkin Thimmaiah, Ponanna, Kariappa and Nachappa

They are known for their valour and their hockey skills. Taking a step ahead in their commitment to the national sport of the country, seven Kodavas from the city have got together to form the Coorg’s Orange Club. This month the club is hosting its first 5-A-Side, Rink Hockey Tournament. Known for sending hockey champs to the national team, the Kodava community is on par with the Punjabis in training skilled players.

With this short format game, similar to the 20-20 cricket format, the organisers are hoping to get more youngsters involved. For the first tournament, 40 Kodava families and 40 sanghas have registered their teams. In an attempt to recreate the nostalgia of earlier times, the club wants to take hockey to every school, college and IT-company of the state. “We want every school child to carry a hockey stick like it was earlier in our childhood days. Hockey needs to get back its due credit,” says Kambeyanda Mohan, one of the organisers.

To kick-start a movement of sorts, the Orange Club thought it was ideal to begin with a new-format tournament. “We have come up with the 5-A-Side format, where only five players from each team can compete on field. The duration of each match will be 10 minutes and can stretch maximum up to 12.5 minutes and will be played on a smaller turf,” says Machetira Jenith Aiyappa, one of the organisers. While the preparations are in full-swing, national champions have been roped in to act as mentors for the juniors.

“We have set an example to many youngsters. But now it is our turn to motivate them and train them,” says Kariappa AD, junior nationals’ player. Though their enthusiasm and will power knows no bounds, a few think this format is also a challenge to show their skills. “The turf is smaller for this format and is totally different from other championships. We need a lot of stamina and endurance to show our skills,” says Nikkin Thimmaiah, another junior nationals player.

Men, women, kids and senior citizens have been encouraged to participate. Particularly girls are being encouraged to take up the sport. “Hockey has been a community sport for the Kodavas. But our idea is to make it a sport of all communities across the state. So for the first time, we have brought together six hockey legends to help us with the mentoring of participants and players who will join the club,” adds Jenith. Dr Mollera P Ganesh, BP Govinda, Paikera E Kalaiah, Maneyepanda M Sommaiah, Lt Col Baleyada K Subramani, Anjaparvanda B Subbaiah are the six senior-most players who will be mentoring the players.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Bengaluru / by Ayesha Tabassum / DC / July 04th, 2012

Kodagu gets world heritage tag

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion

The nomination process which started in 2002 during the NDA government and then followed since 2004, successfully ended India’s campaign of getting natural sites included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list.

As far as Kodagu is concerned, a total area of 652 square kilometres, covering Pushpagiri, Bramhagiri and Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries and its clusters, namely Kerti Reserve Forest and Padinalknaad Reserve Forest, have been included in the coveted World Heritage Site list. This was announced in the high-level meeting of the World Heritage Committee held in St Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday, sources told Express.

10 sites from Karnataka and 39 in total from India have been included in the list. Kodagu falls in one of the bio-diversity hot spots of the world, known for its rich flora and fauna and dense forest cover. Sources revealed that the meeting was represented by 17 countries, which strongly supported India. The Indian delegation responded to a range of questions and clarifications asked by the high-level committee before announcing the status. Conveners of Wildlife First A A Thammo Poovaiah and Praveen Bharghav told Express that it is a rare recognition and honour for the people of Kodagu and Karnataka for their efforts to conserve their heritage and tradition.

Reacting to this development, MLA M P Appachu Ranjan said that it is unfortunate that in spite of opposition from the people and state, the Government of India has forwarded the proposal to UNESCO. He added: “We will discuss with the CM and look forpossibilities of questioning this decision in the court of law.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> States> Karnataka / by B C Dinesh / Express News Service / July 03rd, 2012

Special Moonsoon offers at Tata Coffee – Plantation Trails

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Come monsoons and it’s time to soak in the magic of the undulating estates of Tata Coffee in Coorg and Chikmagalur. The rains enhance the beauty and grandeur of plantation life at the Tata Coffee Plantation Trails. Nestled amidst the lush plantations and cradled by the verdant hills of South India, Tata Coffee’s bungalows create a romantic getaway in the rains.
Tata Coffee – Plantation trails in Chikmagalur


Mesmerizing monsoons at Coorg

Coorg, Karnataka

Come monsoons and it’s time to soak in the magic of the undulating estates of Tata Coffee in Coorg and Chikmagalur. The rains enhance the beauty and grandeur of plantation life at the Tata Coffee Plantation Trails. Nestled amidst the lush plantations and cradled by the verdant hills of South India, Tata Coffee’s bungalows create a romantic getaway in the rains.

Plantation Trails provides a peaceful refuge for those seeking solace from urban jungles. Watch the world pass by while the hours waft into wonderfully long rain-soaked days, relishing cups of steaming hot coffee and enjoying the air, heavy with the fragrance of coffee & fresh wet earth.

Contrary to perception, the monsoons add magic to Coorg & Chikmagalur; it is only during the rains that the splendor of nature is at its best. The areas surrounding Plantation Trails are rich with flora and fauna and the gushing waterfalls add extra sparkle to the exciting activities chalked out for you & your loved one.

Rain enthusiasts may soak in the moments with exclusive Plantation Tours that enhance their knowledge about India’s favourite beverage while sipping on fresh brewed coffee. Or tea, if so desired. .

For those needing an adrenaline rush, the White Water Rafting is the best bet to beat the drudgery of the city. A scoop of the monsoon with rapids such as the ‘Wicked Witch’, the ‘Big Bang’, the ‘Grasshopper’, makes white water rafting its roaring best and is undeniably an experience beyond description.

Back at the bungalow, guests are in for another treat. The butler and cook of each bungalow whip up authentic local delicacies that create harmony between hunger and heart.

A holiday at Plantation Trails during the monsoons promises an experience that will leave you enchanted. The tranquility of the luxurious bungalows characterized by plush furnishing, serene plantation views and a host of activities will surely make you come back for more.

To obtain details on the exciting offers and packages available please contact: Phone: +91 (080) 2356 0761/ 2356 0695-97 (Extension 118) Fax: +91 (080) 2356 1974/ 2334 6098 E-mail: reach.plantationtrails@tatacoffee.com Website: www.plantationtrails.net

source: http://www.indiaprwire.com / Home> Press Release> Leisure/ Travel/ Hotels offerings / India PR Wire / Karnataka, June 27th, 2012