Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah said that modernisation has over ruled over the culture and tradition of Kodagu.

Speaking after inaugurating Kodava thakk pareri; Padipchidi’ (learn and teach Kodava language) organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy at at Kodava Samaja kol mand in Madikeri on Saturday, he said the government has been supporting the Kodava academy in its activities since its inception.

The government has earmarked Rs 75 crore for the development of roads in Kodagu.

Zilla Panchayat President Shantheyanda Ravi Kushalappa said the district has seen development which it had not seen for the last 60 years. The Academy should organise programmes in association with the Youth Service and Sports, Agriculture and horticulture departments. Academy President Addanda Cariappa said the academy is committed to the development of Kodava language, culture and folklores.

A community can survive only when the language is alive. The Academy is planning to organise janapadotsava to conserve the culture of SC/STs which come under the Academy jurisdiction.

Panje Mangesh Rao’s ‘elli bhoorame deva sannidi’ which has been translated to Kodava language will be the nadageethe of the Academy.

Madikeri Kodava Samaja President Suresh Changappa also spoke. Bopaiah released ‘Munjoll’ published by the academy on the occasion. ZP President unveiled the portrair of poet Haradasa Appaccha.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Madikeri / DHNS, April 28th, 2012

Mumbai:
Interesting topics and insights were discussed at the MTV Youth Marketing Forum 2012. This year the ‘Power of One’ was discussed at the forum along with various trend experts and esteemed panel of speakers comprising Henri Holm – Sr. VP at Rovio Entertainment (creators of Angry Birds), Andrew Ridley – Co-Founder of WWF Earth Hour, Simon Smith – Digital Director at Interbrand Europe, Angela Barkan – Sr. Director of Marketing and Publicity at Sony Music Entertainment and renowned author Chetan Bhagat. The forum concluded with MTV launching the largest youth study on the millennial generation TATA DOCOMO presents ‘MTV Power of One – Youth Marketing Forum 2012’ at The Hangar, The Lalit, Intercontinental on the 27th April.

The forum sessions had Bollywood Star & Heartthrob Imran Khan in conversation with VJ Anusha on how films are pushing creative boundaries and how youth icons are constantly reinventing themselves. The other celebrities who were a part of the forum were MTV VJ & Actor Ayushman Khurrana, Sunburn co-founder Nikhil Chinappa and Bollywood director Bijoy Nambiar.

Aditya Swamy, EVP & Business Head – MTV India opened the forum by throwing some light on the astute study on today’s youth, undertaken by MTV titled ‘Power of ONE’. The study conducted in conversation with 5000 trendsetting young people across 31 cities in India was launched at the forum. The study reflects these young people’s perspective of life, technology, causes and values. The various topics discussed at the forum were power of social media, youth power in action, interactive workshop on case studies of brands across the globe on how they have co-created with youth and translated campaigns into movements, perspective on marketing and creating music for the younger audience, initiatives that has the potential to become a revolution. The day will also included prominent brand bosses from Tata Docomo, Nike India, Viacom18 Motion Pictures and more who discussed how brands need to engage in a dialogue with the audience in this world where one is the majority and the audience are the dictators.

Speaking on the conclusion of the forum Aditya Swamy, EVP & Business Head- MTV India said, “Dissecting and bisecting young people is an obsession at MTV. A herd of insight hunters armed with their non traditional techniques, capture the real and virtual behaviour of our trendsetters, jump right in to leverage the Power of One” Sumeet Pahwa, GM Marketing – TATA Docomo added, “Tata DOCOMO is has always associated itself with the youth and it has been a great experience for us to work with MTV on a study that tries to understand the youth. The study will help a lot of brands, marketers and others to understand the mind -set of the youth which will in turn be useful for them”.

The forum was anchored by MTV’s resident funny man Cyrus Broacha, who added oodles of spice to the food for thought. Adding to the dose of laughter was Sorabh Pant, who with a stand up act showcased the younger side of life.

MTV event was personification of the digitally savvy young generation. All participants were equipped with RFID enabled wrist bands; that instantly checks in to their respective Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin accounts as they step into the event premises. At the event, MTV also put up installations that are a personification of youth power. There were walls with themes like India against corruption campaign with a Anna topi and hammer installation, Slut walk wall with a life size mannequin signifying the Slut Walk campaign, a giant Earth Hour wall with a 3D switch, a Meter Jam installation, a huge MTV ACT wall showcasing the causes supported by MTV across water conservation, recycle, save trees them etc. The event also had the ‘Youth Marketing Forum 2012’ research/book on display. The attendees could instantly broadcast their views on the social media by flashing their RFID enabled bands at the installation.

Tata DOCOMO presents ‘MTV Power of One – Youth Marketing Forum 2012’ had an eclectic mix of speakers imparting knowledge and insight into the dynamic youth of today, revealing how the youth prefer to be ring players and not ring viewers.

source: http://www.IndianTelevision.com / Home> News Release

One of the paintings of Mathoorji on display.
Madikeri,, Apr. 23

A fourday painting exhibition organised by Kala-bharathi opened at the Art Gallery of Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) here yesterday.

Inaugurating the expo, senior journalist G. Rajendra opined that a painter should be able to appreciate beauty to evolve art piece. He pointed out that the natural land- scapes inspire an artist.

Welcoming the gathering, Art Teacher of BVB, Prasanna Kumar said that under the banner of Kalayatre, art exhibitions were being held at three taluk centres of the district from 1986. However, he regretted that fewer artists were evincing interest in Kodagu but art lovers were aplenty.

The expo showcases water, oil and acrylic paintings featuring village life, fruit vendor not to exclude a couple of modern paintings. The master-strokes of the brush are learnt to be executed by Prasanna Kumar, Jayaram, Praveen, Ananthashyana and others.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / April 23rd, 2012

The Kodava Sahitya Academy has prepared an action plan for Rs 1.02 crore for the year 2012-13, to take up various activities.

Addressing a press meet here recently, academy president Addanda Cariappa said a ‘Kodava bhashe kaliyiri, kalisiri’ (learn and teach Kodava language) campaign will be started in all government offices to create awareness about the language.

“Camps on Kodava language and programmes on Kodava culture will be organised. This includes poets meet on ‘Male-bole’ and paddy harvesting,” he said.

He said the academy will hold a seminar on ‘Ain mane’ (ancestral house). A booklet on all temples of Kodagu will be brought out. An awareness programme on Kodava folk culture, Devara Kaadu will also be held, he added.

Efforts will be made to introduce literary works of I Ma Muthanna. Staging of plays, translation of books, release of CDs on poems, drama contest for students on Haridasa Appaccha Kavi, camp on Kodava plays will be organised.

Kodava, Hindustani and Karnataka music festivals will held in memory of Chakkera Appayya, who is known as Coorg Star. Janapadotsava, literary meet in the name of writer B D Ganapathy, Kodava musical concert in Madikeri Fort and Rajara Gaddige, felicitation to Kodava artistes, Kodava-Kannada poets meet are some of the programmes planned for the year.

Cariappa said a state-level Kodava literary and cultural utsav will be held in December. The academy will observe the birth anniversary of Field Marshal Cariappa, General Thimmaiah, Nadikeriyanda Chinnappa, I Ma Muthanna, B D Ganapathy and others.

Plans are afoot to screen Kodava movies, organise drawing competitions. The best literature available in other languages will be translated to Kodava. ‘Academyra Palame’ a tri-monthly will be brought out to inform the activities of the academy to the public.

Measures will be taken to distribute folk musical instruments. All help will be provided by the academy for construction of Kannada Samskrithika Samucchaya Bhavana. We will try our level best to include Kodava language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution, he said.

Academy members Kasturi Govindaiah, Chermanda Poovaiah, registrar N Shantamma and treasurer H V Indiramma were present.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Madikeri, DHNS / April 19th, 2012

Pics: Harishvara Venkat.

My father told me that he first took me to the jungle when I was six months old. It was then that my love for wildlife took root.

Ever since, I have been visiting wildlife sanctuaries in southern India. I would say wildlife is now a part of me.

I realised that after taking up wildlife photography seven years back. One of the best wildlife sanctuaries that I have visited is the Nagerhole National Park on the banks of Kabini River in Karnataka.

One gets to see leopards, tigers, elephants, dholes, Indian gaur, sambar deer and many other mammals and birds there.

After I started photographing wildlife, I developed a better understanding of the animal habitat and most importantly animal behavior, which in turn helps me predict what I can expect of a particular animal in a particular environment.

One of the finest moments I’ve had in Kabini was in June last year. It was my first trip to Kabini after I upgraded to a professional camera.

This time our naturalist spotted two leopards — a mother and cub — on a tree. For the next two-and-a-half hours we saw them devour a deer, play with each other climb up and down the tree, rest and eventually doze off.

Kabini has been a very promising place for me and has never failed to impress even in summer months when there is a drought.

During the hottest part of the year the Kabini River shrinks in size allowing all animals to come over to the riverbank for water, which is a treat to watch from a boat.

I still get to learn so many new things every time I visit the jungle. It’s been a pleasure doing this and it’s so invigorating to get out of the so called civilized world and live with the most organised living beings on earth.

Flashback

The city of Nagarhole was once ruled by the Lingayat kings of Kodagu till 1850s. The British took control of the city after defeating Tipu Sultan.

The presence of derelict irrigation tanks suggests that there were agricultural enclaves within the wooded landscape.

The forest department in 1860 was established by the colonial administration with an authorization to restrict forest burning, control farming, avert agricultural encroachments, and carry out sustainable reap of timber and to raise teak plantations.

Click away

After navigating two kilometres from the confluence of Panamaram river, Kabini forms an island called Kuruva Island, spreading over 520 acres with all kinds of flora and fauna.

It also forms Kabini reservoir bordering Kerala and Karnataka. Between Kabani reservoir and Kuruva island Kalindi River joins Kabini. This area is a photographers delight and a lot of travel enthusiasts go there to enjoy the nature.

Food

The Honey Comb resturant in Kabini is named after the honey gathering Jenu Kuruba tribe. They offer a platter of the cream of international and regional cuisine.

He ambience adds to the entire feel and for all you know, you would want to reach there an hour early for your dinner just to enjoy the location. The resturant is veru popular among tourists.

The beautiful ranges of Baltistan

Also on the charts for the summer are our signature Basic Photography Workshops in Ladakh and our Guided Photo-Tour of Zanskar.

For further details about the workshop, log on to: http://travellinglens.net or call 044-42300478 or +91-9790770679

(The writer is a wildlife photographer and a travel enthusiast)

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Lifestyle> Wanderlust / by Harishvara Venkat / DC, Chennai/ April 19th, 2012

Coorg a district in the North of Karnataka is well known for its mutton curry. Mutton curry here is made with bones with a slim layer of meat. It is called Yarchi Nad Kanne. The mutton curry has the flavour all the aromatic home grown spices.

Being a hilly area, the spices in most Coorgi recipes are fresh and play a vital role. Yarchi Nad Kanne too makes it spiced with fresh pepper. An innovative twist is added to this Indian recipe for mutton curry. Yarchi Nad Kanne is cooked like a broth of bones instead of a meat curry.


Ingredients For Mutton Bone Curry:

Mutton bones with little meat (ribs and leg pieces) 300 grams

Onion 1 (chopped)

Garlic cloves 7-8

Tomatoes 2 (chopped)

Freshly ground pepper 2 tbsp

Cumin powder 1 tbsp

Cinnamon sticks 1 inch

Cardamom seeds 10

Mint leaves (optional) 3-4

Oil 2 tbsp

Salt as per taste

Procedure For Mutton Bone Curry:

Heat oil in a pressure cooker. When it sizzles, add cinnamon stick, cardamom seeds and onions.
Saute the onions till it turns golden. Add the garlic and stir it for a minute or two.
Add the mutton bones to the cooker. Reduce the flame and let them fry for 2-3 minutes.
Add the tomatoes in the end. Sprinkle salt on it and let it cook in its own juices for 4-5 minutes.
Sprinkle all powdered spices, namely, pepper and cumin powder here. Fry it for 2 minutes before adding 4 cups of water.
You can add a few twigs of mint to the watery curry before fixing the lid.
Cook the broth for at least 5- 6 whistles. The bones need to melt in your mouth and the marrow needs to seep into the broth.
Serve this mutton curry with melted bones as a side dish for steamed rice with special Coorgi meat pulav.

source: http://www.boldsky.com / Home> Cookery> Non-vegetarian> Mutton / Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Madikeri: Temples and religious centres had a major role to play in creating awareness and social commitment among citizens, said state assembly speaker K G Bopaiah here on Wednesday.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the new ‘Omkara Sadan’ built on behalf of the department of religious endowments and the temple management committee, in the precincts of the historic Shri Omkareshwara temple here.

“Our country comprises a variety of faiths, castes and sects and in this backdrop, the religious centres are functioning to create unity and a firm civil society. Hence the government has been giving generous grants to these centres. Therefore the benefits should be available to people of all faiths and communities,” he stressed.

He pointed out that in the modern set-up, the middle-class and low-income groups were being forced to spend heavily at the time of their children’s marriage. Hence he urged that ‘Omkara Sadan’ be made available to the poorer classes at very reachable rates, without allowing any commercialism to creep in.

He added that religious centres and temples had their own unique place in the society and they should be carefully conserved. They should remain hallowed places of worship and should not merely function as tourist spots.

Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan inaugurated the dining hall. MLC T John said that the Omkareshwara temple had a deep historical significance and expressed happiness over the improvements in facilities. While saying that the facilities should be available to the general public, he assured of a grant of Rs 2 lakh from his legislator’s fund.

Temple management committee president K S Ramesh Holla presided over the function. Former president K S Devaiah and contractor Ravindra Rai were honoured on the occasion.

Zilla panchayat president Shanteyanda Ravi Kushalappa, TP president Hosamane Kavita Prabhakar, former MLC S B Medappa, ZP members S N Raja Rao, Ballaranda Mani Uttappa and Beena Bollamma, APMC president Bellu Somaiah, M P Sunil Subramani, renovation committee member G Rajendra and other committee members were present on the occasion.

C N Somesh compered the programme. Arun Kumar welcomed the gathering. Shraddha and archak Subrahmanya Holla made an invocation. Sharada Mandappa thanked everyone.

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Team Mangalorean- Madikeri / by Ashwini Appaiah with Vartha Pics / April 12th, 2012

Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah said that plans are afoot to develop Rajara Gaddige as a tourist spot in Madikeri.

Speaking after visiting Rajara Gaddige on Friday, he said though Rajara Gaddige comes under archaeology department, Madikeri Urban Development Authority is developing a garden at an estimated cost of Rs 67 lakh.

MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan said the garden is developed in 18 acre land in and around the Gaddige. About four acre land belonging to the Gaddige has been encroached.

Deputy commissioner Dr N V Prasad said the garden can be entrusted to the department of tourism after completing the work.

Additional DC K M Chandre Gowda, Madikeri Urban Development Authority chairman Shabeel Krishnan, and others were present.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri, April 15th, 2012