Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Muneer is Madikeri tq KSP chief

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

E Muneer Ahmed has been elected as the president in the elections to Madikeri Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat held on Thursday. K M Venkatesh and Sujatha Talavar of Madikeri Akashavani will be honorary secretaries.

Mandreera Mohandas is treasurer, Neyyane Hemalatha is women’s representative, B N Rangappa SC/ST representative and Taluk Teachers’ Association president K T Baby Mathew will be the association representative. Tirumala Sona (Sampaje), A A Shaila (Murnad), D N Harsha (Bhagamandala), K S Ramesh (Madikeri), Indumati (Madikeri), B P Sudha (Madikeri) are the working committee members.

Harish Kumar (Murnadu), G V Ganapati (Chembu), N U Anantha (Cherambane), Sahana (Kanthabailu), K M Ganesh (Madikeri), N K Prabhu (Napoklu), Chumi Devaiah (Madikeri), Kishnan Poovaiah (Madikeri), A Shridhar, G M P School (Bhagamandala), Mohammad Ali (Indira Nagar), P S Vignesh (Moornadu), Palangada Appanna (Moornadu), Kukkera A Changappa (Arekadu), M K Subramani( Madikeri), K E Mathew (Madikeri) will be the special invitees.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri, June 14th, 2012

A terrace can be for garden too

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Gardening enthusiasts in Mangalore connect with nature by turning their roof tops into gardens, writes Sandhya C D’Souza.

Mangalore which was once a carpet of lush green is now turning into a concrete jungle. High rise buildings and space restrictions have taken away the pretty gardens which once adorned the homes.

However, a few gardening enthusiasts in Mangalore are not deterred by this. They have displayed their creative skills and shown their concern for green by turning their terraces into beautiful gardens.

Dr Bharathi Nirmal from Ullal is probably one of the first green crusaders in the city to start off with a terrace garden. Speaking to City Herald, Dr Nirmal reveals that she started off with the concept 30 years ago.

“My terrace used to heat up and the temperature in the house used to increase. I wanted to make my terrace cool. Hence, I shifted some of my plant pots to the terrace. This made the terrace look more beautiful and hence I decided to continue with the concept,” she says.

Dr Nirmal has grown beautiful flowers on her terrace. “I have many rare varieties such as jasmines, daises, bougainvilleas, desert rose among others,” she says and adds that plants are like little children, it needs good nurturing.

Terrace garden belonging to Anupama Bhat from Manjeshwar has been declared as a demo model plot by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA).

Anupama tells that she was inspired by a documentary on terrace gardening she saw on youtube four years back. “I thought even I could do the same and then there was no looking back,” she says.

Anupama has grown almost all varieties of vegetables in her terrace kitchen garden. “I have grown almost 16 varieties of vegetables on my 1,200 square feet terrace.

I have grown cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots, beetroots, ladies finger, gherkins, radish, chilies, leafy vegetables among others,” she says. “The Kerala government is supportive towards green initiatives. Through ATMA, a Central government scheme, I have received Rs 4,000 to maintain my garden,” she adds.

Rajkumar, Officer in-Charge of Panambur Metrological Department has turned his terrace into a kitchen garden at Hosabettu. Rajkumar tells that he has not gone to the market to purchase vegetables since the past two years as he has grown almost all varieties of vegetables.

“I always wanted fresh vegetables. As they were not availbale in the market, I decided to grow my own,” he says and adds that everytime he sees the fruits borne by the plants, he gets motivated to continue with his hobby.

“The Karnataka government should support such green intiatives. There is also a need to start a seed bank, where one can buy the seeds he wants,” points out Rajkumar.

Kamala Kanapady who grew up in Coorg says, she missed nature once she moved into Mangalore. “I wanted a big garden, but space was always a constraint, so I turned my terrace into a kitchen garden,” she says. Kamala grows brinjal, tomato, bittergourd, gherkins, spinach and other leafy vegetables on her terrace in Bejai.

“In today’s compact cities, terrace garden is probably the best solution to connect with nature. It adds a touch of green to the most ignored corner of house,” says Rajendra Hegde.

Hegde who works as Project in-Charge in Vittal Mallya Scientific Reserach Foundation has conducted several workshops on terrace gardening.

“Awareness on terrace gardening is picking up in Mangalore. However, people have several apprehensions,” says Hegde. Most of the people are worried if their terrace can sustain the weight of the garden and the water content may cause leakge.

In case a person’s terrace can sustain the rains, then growing a garden may not cause the leakage, says Hegde.

If weight is the apprehension, one can grow plants in thermocol pots, plastic bins or bags, he says.

“There is no particular design for a terrace garden. It is left up to the gardeners creativity and ability. However, any garden needs good nurturing. Good compost, healthy soil and regular watering is a must,” he adds.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Mangalore City Herald / by Sandhya C D’Souza / June 15th, 2012

Cultural centre to showcase unique culture of Kodavas

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Work is in full swing at Balugodu near Virajpet

Work is in full swing on a sprawling 15-acre land at the sleepy and picturesque Balugodu, 6 km from Virajpet in Kodagu, for a unique Kodava Cultural Centre. It will reflect the Kodava heritage and tradition and function as a venue for various programmes organised by the Kodavas.

The Federation of Kodava Samajas, Kodava Samaja units in Kodagu and outside and Kodava associations have joined hands for the project, which is estimated to cost Rs. 12 crore. It is likely to be dedicated to the community by the end of this year. The B.S. Yeddyurappa government had released Rs. 2 crore for it.

A huge auditorium-cum-hall, expected to accommodate more than 1,500 people at a time, is being built at the spot.

Women and children will have separate seating arrangements. Close to the centre, two grounds are being prepared to host hockey and cricket tournaments.

The next edition of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival will be organised at Balugodu by the Madanda family, says Matanda C. Monnappa, honorary president of the Federation of Kodava Samajas and the president of Akhila Kodava Samaja.

The Federation of Kodava Samajas is liaising with the State government to secure additional funds to lay a synthetic hockey playing surface on one of the grounds.

The Federation of Kodava Samajas, Kodava Samaja units and associations have plans to mobilise resources for the purpose and they are banking on the support of the Kodavas settled outside the country. A guest house and a huge dining hall too are coming up there.

The traditional ‘mund mane’ and ‘ain mane’ (ancestral home) structures will come up at the spot. A museum is being planned next to it to herald the Kodava culture. Pictures, sounds and features of the Kodava culture would unfold one after the other at the museum with the pressing of a button, Mr. Monnappa said.

A congregation of the 28 Kodava Samaja units and associations is being planned at Balugodu in October, Mr. Monnappa said. Significantly, the centre would also herald the rich military tradition of the Kodava people, he added.

The Federation of Kodava Samajas and Kodava associations have joined hands for the project

It is likely to be dedicated to the community by the end of this year

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Jeevan Chinnappa / Mysore, June 11th, 2012

Rs 1,000 crore investment in Kodagu to boost tourism

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Madikeri:

The recent Global Investors Meet in Bangalore is expected to benefit the Malnad district of Kodagu.

Asia Pacific Industries Ltd has come forward to invest Rs 1,000 crore in the district, an industrially backward district in Karnataka.

Speaking to TOI, the company director Vignesh confirmed that the company will invest in tourism. The schemes will be implemented under mini-hydel projects and will provide an impetus to tourism centres in Kodagu.

Vignesh said Kodagu, which was attracting more tourists, needed more facilities .

The state government has also given a green signal for these projects, Vignesh said.

The projects will be implemented in Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet districts on priority basis. During the implementation of these projects, environment will not be disturbed, he assured.

Meanwhile, establishment of homestays and food processing units are also planned. The hydel projects will solve the power scarcity in the district, Vignesh analyzed.

Preference will be given to unemployed youths in the district during new appointments, he added.

Virajpet MLA and speaker K G Bopaiah and Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan have been encouraging investors to invest in Kodagu.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Collections> Tourism / by G Rajendra / TNN / June 12th, 2012

Two cannons shifted to archaeology museum

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

The archaeology department took two canons which were lying on the city municipal council building premises, to its custody on Monday.

The canons were shifted to the archeology museum in Madikeri and will become a centre of attraction to the visitors.

The curator of the museum Rekha said: “The canons must have belonged to 18th century. However, we do not have information on the rulers who were using it.”

The canons were originally found on the church premises near Tollgate and another on the outskirts of Madikeri. It was shifted to the CMC premises some time back.

If public finds any antiques, then they should inform about it to the archeology department at 08272-225674.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri, June 11th, 2012

Sahitya Parishat Office-bearers elected

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

B A Shamshuddin and Shwetha Ravindra have been elected as the honorary secretary of Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parisht. B M K Vasu Rai has been elected as honorary treasurer.

S I Muneer has been elected as the president of Madikeri taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat. Bharadwaj Anand Theertha has been elected as the president of Somwarpet taluk sahitya parisht and M P Keshav Kamath as the president of Virajpet taluk sahitya parishat.

K T Baby Mathew, Pushpalatha Shivappa, Sridhar Hoovalli, Vinodchandra, district Kannada and Culture department Assistant Director Indiramma and others were elected as the district working committe members.

Senior litterateur N Mahabaleshwar Bhat, B A Ganapathy, N K Mohan Kumar, V K Deva Lingaiah, Bharathi Ramesh and others will be the special invitees.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri, June 04th, 2012

Captivating coorgs

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

Nidhi Subbaiah
Harshika Poonacha, Nidhi Subbaiah, Prajwal Poovaiah and Deepika Kamaiah are not just the leading ladies of Sandalwood that are striding ahead of their contemporaries. Interestingly, a common link between the awesome foursome cannot be missed — the Coorg connection. With promising projects in their kitty and hits in the past, these beautiful lasses have their hands full right now.

The land of Kodagu or Coorg has given Sandalwood some fresh faces. Call it coincidence or sheer timing, these lovely ladies are making their way towards the top leagues in the industry. Nidhi Subbaiah, who was the industry hudugi, recently moved to Bollywood and will be making her debut with Jacky Bhagnani in the film Ajab Gazabb Love. “After Coorg actress Prema there was no one.

Then Nidhi (Subbaiah) and I entered the industry. I think other than Mangaloreans, Coorgs are known to be beautiful and that is one of the reasons for us to be here,” says actor Harshika Poonacha. “The other reason is that we Coorg girls are not afraid of stunts and shooting at risky locations. Whether dancing close to a creek or climbing hills, I prefer to do my dance sequences and don’t want a junior dancer to do it. I have heard producers say that Coorgs are a brave lot,” smiles the actor.

Not just films, television audiences too seem to favour Coorg beauties. Actor Swetha Changappa, has a cult following among women of Karnataka, as the popular host of Yariguntu Yarigilla, reality show. Her lead role in Arundhati too is much appreciated. “Television is a challenging medium. Every day we shoot for at least 10-15 scenes. I guess it is the will to put in continuous hours and still stay fresh and energetic that helps us make the cut,” says Swetha.

Harshika’s soon too be released Crazy Loka stars another Coorg actress, Daisy Bopanna. Daisy was a model before getting into acting. Director Kavita Lankesh who has seen Daisy grow in the industry says, “Coorg girls are blessed with looks and it works in their favour. Our audience is obsessed with fair skin and most of them are cast in films for looks and fairness. When it comes to acting, they are impulsive but on sets they are relaxed and are fun to work with.”

And another Coorg actress Deepika Kamaiah who’s first film was Chingari with Darshan, agrees, “I think it is a combination of hard work, ambition and the potential we have that has helped us climb the ladder of success. But above all, it is our family support. If not for their encouragement then I wouldn’t have been here.” Many of them are busy working on major projects. Prajwal Poovaiah was last seen in Bheema Thirdalli and is now working in four Tamil projects. A state level hockey player and a national level dancer on a reality show, Prajwal has a long way to go. “Hardwork, a bold attitude and progressive nature makes filmmakers choose us. People say we are beautiful women, I just take it as a compliment,” says Prajwal.

Meanwhile directors who have worked with them seemed impressed with their dedication and hardwork. “The ‘will do it’ attitude and approach to work matters a lot and that is one of the reasons for them to go a long way. Additionally, they are multi-talented too. While working on various film projects Harshika has even managed to complete her engineering, what do you say about that?” asks director Ghanshyam.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Bengaluru / DC, by Ayesha Tabassum / June 05th, 2012

An evening of fashion and glamour at Orion Mall

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

It was an evening of fashion and glamour at one of the city malls recently. The event, that took place on one of the week days, saw the members of the fashion frat turn up for it.

Gracing the event was fashion guru, Prasad Bidappa, who was seen socialising with the party peeps present and also sharing a fashion tip or two.
Rakesh and Prasanna

The ramp was lined up with models strutting and showcasing the hottest new trends of the season. Walking down the ramp among the many models were Carun, Neha, Rakesh and Hari. The fashion showcase continued for around an hour after which the models and audience headed over to relax at the lounge. Seen having fun at this do were models Priya, Lavanya, Prasanna, Zoheb and budding actor Surya.

BT spotted models Parto and Nisha who were seen sporting a similar floral top and was busy posing for the lensman.

Contributed by Disha Mangsuli

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Life & Style> Parties> Bangalore / TNN / June 03rd, 2012

Fellow traveller

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Coorg-born artist GS Bhavani trails Cauvery — from Talakaveri to the spot where it merges with the Bay of Bengal. The result is a telling short film on the ‘lifeline’.

For Kodagu-born GS Bhavani, the Cauvery was an extension of her childhood. Her bonding with the river began when her parents took her and her two siblings to Talakaveri, where Cauvery originates.

“I didn’t pay much attention to the Cauvery in the beginning. For Coorgis, it’s deified as kula devatha (family deity) and for any function, be it the birth of a child or the death of a family member, a visit to Talakaveri is mandatory. I would visit the spot without realising the magnificence of the river. After all, we had a stream running through in our estate too.”

After her father’s demise, her family moved to Bangalore, where her interest in Cauvery got re-ignited. Bhavani would hear comments like “though Cauvery is ours, the water goes to Bangalore”. That made her wonder how such a huge river “could flow like a trickle and come out of a tap in Bangalore”.

“The bonding suddenly strengthened, which was surprising. My mother would fill the Cauvery water direct from the tap for pooja and drinking purposes. The same water, collected from the tank, wasn’t ‘holy’ enough.” The re-ignition happened.

Opting to be an artist instead of a professional degree, she went to Dubbare forest in 2009 to record the festivities of tribals. “There I saw a man chopping a pig on the banks of the river. And being a vegetarian didn’t help me. Blood was flowing into the river and he threw away the intestines into Cauvery.” That, she says, was the defining moment.

With more passion, Bhavani decided to trail the river from the ‘source’ to Bangalore to see what actually happens to the river. And she had the ‘path’ filmed. The short film got rave reviews at the city’s ‘Voices from the Waters Festival, 2010’ edition. The love story deepened and she yearned for more, setting her off on a poetic journey along the Cauvery last year, till the Bay of Bengal, where it ends. Thus was born Journey With The River Cauvery. It was akin to a tryst with a loved one. Unhurried, yet short.

“It is a project that is a collection of videos and photographs as well. There is a main video of about 22-23 minutes which is about Cauvery. The other videos are of 2-3 minutes which will feature my site specific installations,” she says.

Since Bhavani journeyed along the 765-km of the river by road, she travelled much more (about 2,000 km). It took her about 15 days for this journey though many of her short videos were shot during day trips to nearby destinations like Mekedatu.

Just before Srirangam, the Cauvery deviates and circles the temple only to join back at Kalyani. At Kalyani, the river splits into five and Bhavani followed the one that leads to Poompuhar. It is called the Koli River and one can clearly see how it joins the ocean. Tributaries and rivers like Kannika, Harangi and many more confluence with the Cauvery.

“I have seen so many beautiful sights along the river. The main source continues to amaze me even now. The water is the same at all seasons.”

“The Puranic stories mention that river Kannika existed before Cauvery, yet she too loses her identity after the confluence. I was surprised to see the width of the river getting bigger as she flows; the longest bridge was in Tiruchy, around 1 km long,” says Bhavani.

On the flipside, there are some sights that she wished she hadn’t witnessed. “There are small channels from the river to flow through the villages, but dirty water from the houses flows right back to the river. The river isn’t treated with the respect she deserves.”

Bhavani’s main video “negotiates the landscape of the river as she flows through the sacred and secular, private and public domains”. Her solitary journey (“except for the taxi driver”) was pleasantly interrupted by friends and relatives who would join her at different places and stay with her for a while. “At the last stretch, near Poompuhar, one of my friends came over to shoot the scenes that had me in the frame,” she says.

Her lament is that she could have spent more time with the river, but for her limited resources. “I spent Rs 1.5 lakh on the project. My mother is now happy for me, especially after she saw the video. Some people wonder why I didn’t follow in the lines of my sister who is working in the US and my brother who is into computers. But I am an artist and my family has always supported me; in fact my brother’s wife is helping me.”

Journey With The River Cauvery is on at Venkatappa Art Gallery till June 30.

THE CAUVERY STORY

CAUVERY was once a woman who married sage Agastya after persuasion from her parents. She put up a condition saying that she would flow away as a river if Agastya left her alone for too long. Sage Agastya once went to bathe in river Kannika and forgot the time. Cauvery lost no time to flow away like she had always wanted.

She originated from one side of Bramhagiri Hills – Kannika is on the other side – went underground to avoid Agastya’s disciples and emerged at Bhagamandala.

source: http://www.BangaloreMirror.com / Home> Entertainment> Lounge> Story / by Jayanthi Madhukar / Monday, May 28th, 2012

A new Kannada star rises in Bollywood

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

Nidhi Subbaiah
After her foray into Bollywood with yet-to-be-released ‘Oh My God’, Sandalwood actress Nidhi Subbaiah is striving to gain a foothold in the Hindi film industry with her second film to be directed by Sanjay Gadhvi of ‘Dhoom’ fame.

As she shoots for ‘Ajab Gazabb Love’ opposite Jackky Bhagnani, Nidhi is loving every moment in Mumbai. “This is my fourth month in the city. I am enjoying the fast-paced life of Mumbai. I am at the right place at the right time. I’m not missing Bangalore or Coorg as of now, except for the food and weather,” she adds.

Elaborating on her current project, Nidhi says, “It’s a remake of a romcom flick in Telugu, Seema Tapakai. Presently, 60 per cent of the shoot is complete and we’ll be flying abroad soon for rest of the shoot.”

Nidhi has completed shoot for her first film, ‘Oh My God’, and is now busy with workshops and costume fittings. The doe-eyed beauty is loving every moment of it as she basks in the glory of a big break. “Any girl who wants to be a heroine would like to take a shot at Bollywood for its wide reach,” she says.

Ask about her current favourite in Bollywood, and she says Arjun Rampal. He plays an important role in ‘Ajab Gazabb Love’, along with Arshad Warsi. “I have just finished one schedule with him. He’s so hot and has an amazing screen presence. We have a lot of female crew members who, when he dashes into the sets, become speechless,” says Nidhi.

Although a new face in Mumbai industry, she claims she didn’t face any casting couch issues. “It might have been in the nineties. This is a new age and conducive for talent. Casting couch exists even in the corporate world. It is how you look at it and achieve your goals by taking the hard route.”

The Kannada actress is staying all alone in Mumbai and says she is comfortable with the space she is in now. “My mother keeps coming and going. I have lot of cousins and friends residing here. Jackky is my only friend in the industry. Soon, I will be making more friends,” she says.

Nidhi has not worked in any other south Indian film before heading to Bollywood. “Probably, I was destined to be here and I took it with both hands,” she says, adding, “My experience in Sandalwood has really helped me to reach this far.”
Comparing the current remuneration in Sandalwood with that of Bollywood, Nidhi says, “I have come here with a few years of experience in Kannada films. This is my second film in Hindi, so, right now, I am a nobody. Once I become somebody, I will talk about money.”

Back home in Sandalwood, her latest film, Anna Bond, released to a good opening. “I have not yet watched the film, but some fans didn’t like me dying in the film. They said: ‘We felt like leaving the movie hall that very moment.’ I have done justice to my role, but the saddest part was that they had to kill my character,” says Nidhi.

From now on, she will be seen in Kannada films only if some good projects come her way. “For a while, I will be busy shooting and promoting my Hindi film. I would always love to be part of a good film, especially if Yograj Bhat makes a Pancharangi sequel or Puneeth wants me in a future project,” she says.

For this ambitious actress, it’s a new place with new projects, but Nidhi is yet to find a life companion. “Mumbai is a new home and for a heroine, being single is good,” she signs off.

source: http://www.expressbuzz.com / Expressbuzz> Showbuzz> Kannada / by A Sharadhaa / Express News Service / May 27th, 2012