Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

2012 top Asian hotels for families

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion

SINGAPORE – 2012 Travellers’ Choice® award-winning Hotels for Families have been announced today. This year, 504 top family-friendly properties were recognised in 25 markets around the globe including Asia, Australia, the South Pacific, Africa, Caribbean, Europe and the U.S.

In Asia, Club Med Sahoro – Karikachi Kogen in Shintoku-cho, Japan came in first while Club Mahindra Kodagu Valley in Madikeri, India took the second place.

In Thailand, Phuket laid claim to 6 out of the 10 top hotels in Thailand while Hua Hin, Bangkok, Koh Samui and Mae Ai had 1 winner each. The Chava Resort in Phuket took the first place in Thailand and sixth place in Asia.

In Indonesia, Club Med Ria Bintan was crowned the top hotel. Bali secured 6 out of the 10 top winning hotels, Bintan gained 2 while Bandung and Pulau Sugi had a winner each.

In Malaysia, Casa del Rio Melaka made it to the top spot followed by Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur and Jonker Boutique Hotel in Melaka.

Award winners were determined based on the hotels most highly rated by those who travelled with family. Unlike any other honours, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world.

“Travellers looking to plan their family trips need not look any further with these highly-rated family-friendly properties. They are great vacation and accommodation ideas by those who really matter — travellers themselves,” said Jean Ow-Yeong, TripAdvisor spokesperson.

Select Travellers’ Choice Hotels for Families Award Winners:

Top 10 Hotels in Asia

Club Med Sahoro – Karikachi Kogen, Shintoku-cho, Japan
Club Mahindra Kodagu Valley, Madikeri, India
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Hong Kong, China
Radhika Beach Resort, Diu, India
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Vaishno Devi, Katra, Katra, India
The Chava Resort, Phuket, Thailand
The White Hotels, Katra, India
Lee Garden Service Apartment Beijing, Beijing, China
Club Med Ria Bintan, Bintan, Indonesia
Shervani Hilltop, Nainital, India

Top 10 Hotels in Thailand

The Chava Resort, Phuket
Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club, Phuket
Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort & Villas, Phuket
Blue Lagoon Resort Hua Hin, Hua Hin
Marriott Mai Khao Beach, Phuket
Courtyard Phuket at Surin Beach, Phuket
Mayfair, Bangkok – Marriott Executive Apartments, Bangkok
Andara Resort and Villas, Phuket
ShaSa Resort & Residences, Koh Samui, Koh Samui
Maekok River Village Resort, Mae Ai

Top 10 Hotels in Indonesia

Club Med Ria Bintan, Bintan
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, Bali
Villa Awang Awang, Bali
Club Med Bali, Bali
Telunas Beach Resort, Pulau Sugi
Nikoi Island, Bintan
The Villas Bali Hotel & Spa, Bali
Padma Resort Bali at Legian, Bali
Golden Flower, Bandung
Alam Indah, Bali

Top 10 Hotels in Malaysia

Casa del Rio Melaka, Melaka
Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Jonker Boutique Hotel, Melaka
Tanjong Jara Resort, Dungun
Courtyard @ Heeren Boutique Hotel, Melaka
The Andaman Langkawi, Langkawi
The Danna Langkawi, Malaysia, Langkawi
Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu
Prince Hotel & Residence, Kuala Lumpur
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Pulau Penang

source: http://www.eturbonews.com / eTN Global Travel & Industry News / April 11th, 2012

MUSHKY the uberclass Men’s Wear Launched in Delhi Today

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

— Ace cricketer and youth icon Irfan Pathan to be the Brand Ambassador for MUSHKY
— Girls skip the heartbeats with Zulfi Syed joining the ramp

MUSHKY the new definition of uberclass men’s wear was launched at Ansal Plaza in Delhi today amidst a jam packed audience. The new launched brand is all set to create a niche for itself in the ready to wear apparel market in India. MUSHKY is a premium range of clothing for men that redefine the style with its wide spectrum of range of formal and semi-formal, casual and denim wear.

The brand was launched with a fashion show amidst a jam packed audience at the Ansal Plaza who crowded the place to catch a glimpse of ace Indian Cricketer and Delhi Daredevil Irfan Pathan. The crowd cheered Irfan as he walked down the alley wearing premium collection from MUSHKY. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Mir Shahiruddin, Managing Director, Green Ray Group said “India is witnessing an increasing demand for ready to wear clothing. Although there are a number of men’s wear brand present in India, there has been a dearth of product innovation in the segment. MUSHKY is going to redefine the men’s wear fashion by bringing in innovation right from the fabric to the styling of each product for different purpose.”

MUSHKY would be available to the discerning audiences at the exclusive brand outlet in Ansal Plaza which will be opened to public from tomorrow. The flagship brand of Green Ray Group will offer unique fabric selection crafted from 100% Egyptian Giza cotton considered to the finest cotton around the world. Looking at the promising potential for the brand in India, management is in view to open approx. 100 similar exclusive outlets at major metros and mini metros across India this year itself.

The fashion show led launch of MUSHKY also witnessed famous model cum actor Zulfi Syed walking down the ramp wearing MUSHKY range making many a girls skip their heart beats. Performance of various hit numbers by a budding rock and roll band from Delhi kept the audiences swaying on their feet throughout the evening creating the perfect ambience for the brand launch.

source: http://www.BusinessWireIndia.com / source: MUSHKY / Thursday, April 12th, 2012

Tributary tales

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Lead review

Tracing the route River Kaveri takes through the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, this book records the river’s rich history through stories that make up its past, writes Revathi Siva Kumar

The authors begin their book with the wry Tamil aphorism that the origin of sages and rivers — rishi mulam and nadi mulam — should not be probed. You are grateful indeed that the writers decided to disregard this sage advice, and instead have filled every line of this book with glittering ore. It Happened Along the Kaveri, by Padma Seshadri and Padma Malini Sundararaghavan, subtitled A Journey through Space and Time, is about the holy river that links and divides two southern states, as well as the earth and the
heavens.

The book traces the Kaveri’s roots in Talacauvery, and meanders up to its exit point, the ancient port of Poompuhar. However, the authors traverse much more than the termini. The route is not linear, but fans out into the huge states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The authors avoid contemporary industry, pollution and politics, except for a
serious note of warning in the appendix. Thus, the reader is drawn more into Kaveri’s dazzling historical beauty than its dark modern realities.

They explore the distributaries that run through the real as well as imagined history, socio-economic and political evolutions and compulsions, folklore, mythology, prose, poetry, songs, rumour, hearsay, religion, philosophy, flora, fauna, ecology and architecture. The more you dig the treasure trove, the more you unearth
invaluable gems.

There are interesting nuggets on the biographies and stories of the kings, leaders, saints, architects, poets and other luminaries who lived, loved and shaped the fortunes of the riparian areas for centuries –— starting from the era of the Vedic gods themselves.
Ancient kings and dynasties, such as the Hoysalas, Wodeyars, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, Cholas, Nayaks and Marathas, the British and the French spring to life. While wars are recorded, the peace time activities of nation building and administration occupy more space and focus.

The mind boggles at the information overload, and it would be a struggle to read or remember too much of it at one sitting. At times, it does seem a bit of an onslaught on the understanding, especially as so much is completely new.

What saves the book is the careful structuring and classification, alternating fact with fiction and history with lore. Luminous stories interweave gently and seamlessly through the tough fibre of fact and history.

Hence, you learn for instance that Nandi, Shiva’s vaahana, was once so puffed up with
pride that Shiva was forced to crush her with a lock of his hair. At Kodagu, the family hockey festival was started in 1997 to encourage the sport among Kodavas — who have gifted seven Olympic players to the country — and by 2003, it drew 280 teams. By a remarkable coincidence, the numeric value of Hyder Ali’s name coincides with the year of his death. Fascinating details such as these are the breezes that blow your senses and understanding forward.

The authors’ struggle is not just to sift, sort and shuffle, but also to comment and overlay it with their own perspective. For instance, one story goes that Kaveri is a joint gift from Brahma and Vishnu to Kavera, the King of Vidarbha, while another calls her a gift of Siva to Sage Agastya. In true Hindu tradition, the authors concede the existence of contradictory elements, but advocate reconcilable stories. Hence, they cite the most amiable theory that opines: “First, she was the mind-born daughter of Brahma, then she became Kavera Raja’s child. Then again she was in the pot of Sage Agastya, and aided by him she became a flowing river.”

The prose is simple, straightforward and ambles like the river, with a gentle, meandering logic of its own. The authors remain objective about their facts, yet they give a quiet and understated value judgement on most of the events they document. For instance: “In a show of amity untouched by sectarian rivalry on Ramanavami, Rama is brought from his abode…”

There is a dry irony that lends a sparkle, such as: “Hyder assured them that Kunde Rao was his old servant and not only would his life be spared but he would be cherished like a parakeet. He was true to his word — Kunde Rao spent the rest of his life in an iron cage and was fed with rice and milk…”

One weak point in the book is the lack of illustrations and photographs. Although there are a few at the end — almost as an afterthought — a generous interweave of images through the narrative would have helped to illuminate and lighten the load of the reader.
However, you can overlook the aberration. Ultimately, the book leaves you with the breathless feeling that you are on an infinite, timeless journey that lasts 802 km and about 450 pages. Dive in then, to share its treasures!

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements > Sunday Herald Books / April 08th, 2012

Darien’s 2-time state geography champ heads back to nationals

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized, World Opinion

Seventh grader Andrew Borecki, two-time Connecticut Geography Bee champion, and Middlesex Middle School librarian Barbara Ivey meet three times a week to study geography. Andrew heads back to the national bee this year.

Darien, Connecticut, USA
There must be something in Darien’s water. For the second year in a row, seventh grader Andrew Borecki took home first place honors in the Connecticut Geographic Bee. This was his fourth year making the statewide event, and he’s also eligible to compete next year.

Michael bested roughly 100 students from across the state to earn $100 and a second chance to win the 24th annual national competition in Washington, D.C. at the end of May. This time around he missed two questions out of 20 — one about where the sport of ulama is now popular (Mexico), and one about the most recent Baltic country to join the eurozone (Estonia). Last year he only missed one — the capital of Morocco (Marrakesh).

“It was exciting to win,” Michael told The Times last year. Michael placed eighth in his first two trips to the states in fourth and fifth grade. His coach and mentor, Middlesex librarian Barbara Ivey, has met with Michael at least three times a week after school to help him hone his skills.

“You have to be a good listener,” Ivey said, adding that the questions often carry a clue within its wording.

Michael will compete against students from 49 states and five U.S. territories, and he is the fifth Darien student to win the state title, which is more than any other Connecticut town.

Jackson Hart, a fourth grader at Ox Ridge, and Nicholas Derby, a fourth grader at Tokeneke, each won the geography bees held at their respective schools and then competed at the state level with Michael after they passed a 70-question exam, scoring in the top 100 in Connecticut.

Perhaps some of Darien’s geography bee success can be attributed to an odd ritual that Ivey picked up while in Mercara, India — a sister town to Darien. One of her hosts decided to smash a coconut as an offering to Ganesh, the Hindu god of obstacles and new beginnings.

By smashing the coconut, they were symbolically smashing any obstacles that would impede them from achieving their goals. The ritual caught on with her students, and for the past six years Ivey and her team continue to crush the tropical fruit for a bit of luck.

Last year’s national winner, Texas seventh grader Tine Valencic, took home a $25,000 scholarship check by naming the country where the Tungurahua volcano sits (Ecuador), and the national park in Nepal where the southern part of Mt. Everest rises (Sagarmatha).

source: http://www.darientimes.com / The News of Darien, Connecticut / by David DesRoches / Wednesday, April 04th, 2012

New look for Kodava recipe website

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

Coorg’s first dedicated website for indigenous Kodava receipes, www.coorgrecipes.com started in 2007, has been redesigned to focus exclusively on Coorg cuisine.

While retaining most of the earlier features, a few new features have been added.

Commenting on the redesign, the promoter of the website, journalist P T Bopanna said: “Earlier, the recipe website had a section for ‘Coorg jewellery.’

However, I wanted to focus totally on food. With the creation of the new jewellery website www.coorgjewellery.in, it became necessary to redesign the recipes site.”

Chef Naren Thimmaiah, of the Karavalli restaurant of the Taj Gateway Hotel in Bangalore has contributed recipes for the ‘Recipe of the Month’ section.

Among the new additions, include a link to the blog of Canada-based Kodava food blogger Shalini Nanda Nagappa on her culinary adventures in ‘A Cookery Year in Coorg.’

Another new section called ‘Coffee with Priya Ganapathy’ deals with the making of the perfect cup of coffee and varieties of coffee liqueur.

Renowned cartoonist N.S. Ponnappa’s cartoons on the obsession of the Kodavas (Coorgs) with good food and hard liquor have been retained.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS, Mysore / April 03rd, 2012

Cariappa takes charge as academy chief

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

Addanda C. Cariappa assumed charge as president of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy in Madikeri on Thursday.

Mr. Cariappa said he would work for the development of Kodava language, art, culture, folklore and literature with cooperation of other members of the academy. He would focus on publishing more works in Kodava by consulting experts, according to a press release issued here.

President of the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Ravi Kushalappa, president of Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple Committee Manu Muthappa, president of the Madikeri Taluk Akrama-Sakrama Samiti Napanda Ravi Kalappa, editor of Shakti G. Rajendra, former president of the Kodagu District Kannada Sahitya Parishat T.P. Ramesh, and Kodagu District Commissioner of Scouts and Guides K.T. Baby Mathew congratulated Mr. Cariappa.

Members of the academy Nirmala Bopanna, Mittu Poonacha, Poovaiah, Thammaiah, Kasturi Govindamaiah, Sumi Subbaiah, N.A. Ramesh, and Uma Prabhu were present.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Mysore, March 30th, 2012

Spending time with the tribals

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Uncategorized

Honey hives: In the forest
It was a day to remember when school kids danced with the Soliga tribals recently at the town hall.
A recent event in Mangalore brought school students closer to Soliga culture. Many of them joined the Soligas as they danced as part of a programme held in the city’s town hall recently.

The students were from Stds. VI and VII. There were 40 students from Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, and 70 students from Government Higher Primary School, Mullakadu.

Song and dance
Enjoying ethnic beats: With the Soliga tribe
The dance was part of a week-long celebration of dances organised by the Information Departments of all the 30 districts of the state.

Most of the students said that they were seeing the dances and songs of the Soligas for the first time.

The Soligas explained to the students about life in the forest. The students asked them several questions about their food, their way of worship and how they lived in the forest.

Telling time

Raghuvir, Std. VII, Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, said, “I liked the way they described how they collect honey and how they tell the time by looking at the blooming of a flower. They should be allowed to live in their forests.”

Nirmala, Std. VII, said, “Women in the tribe have freedom.” Hithesh, Std. VII was thrilled how they could detect a snake hidden in the foliage.

Dhanaraj, Std. VII admired the way they dressed, their views on animals, their ornaments made from what is available and the variety of their dances

Mamatha, honorary teacher, Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, was impressed by their marriage custom, where a girl can choose her life partner and the expense of the marriage came to only Rs.12.50.

The word Soliga means “people of the bamboo”, because they believed they originated from the bamboo. They live close to nature. This is seen in their local tribal laws. They harvest fruits and berries only from trees that has lots of flowers. They leave the overripe ones for the birds.

They cultivate land only for five to seven years. Then the land is left untouched for 50 to 75 years, so that the forest takes over again.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Life & Style> Kids / by Renuka Phadnis / April 02nd, 2012

A true blue Ghat trip

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment


Abbey fall provide the perfect picturesque view.
Madikeri (aka Marcera) is a hill town in Karnataka and is the headquarters of Kodagu district. This place is named after King Mudduraja who ruled Kodagu from 1633 to 1687.

I was new to Karnataka, an intern in Mysore and was just starting to understand Kannada, so I knew that this road trip was going to be a great experience for me. I had my bike, a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 2002, and I am sure no one can ask for a better ride for a road trip.

I am also a photographer, so packing up the backpack with my camera and lens, a pair of clothes, some sweaters and jerkins; I started out at around 3 pm on a Saturday from Mysore.

Stopping once to fill the tank and took the Hunsor road towards Marcera. The road goes through villages and farms, so its quiet crowded most of the time.

Kaveri Nisargadhama is a point where the river Kaveri bifurcates and flows through a stream where people can take a dip to cool off.

The Kaveri Nisargadhama is protected by the forest department that does not allow people to enter after 5 pm. So I barely made it in. There is a park and lots of deer playing around in a fenced ground.

Proceeding there I rode on to Madikeri at about 8 pm. Now, if you are a bike enthusiast then you have got to ride through the Ghats.

It’s a whole different feeling just cruising along hearing the dhup dhup dhup of your bike ringing through the woods. The roads curve beautifully, allowing you to literally glide along.

I was able to find a place to sleep at a hilltop hotel, which is behind Hotel Kaveri. After checking in, I took a stroll in the night in the mild drizzle, which is likely to happen almost night during that time of the month.

The next morning, I took a walk from the hotel to the Raja’s seat and the Madikeri Fort. The town is so beautiful enveloped in mist and dew. The roads are empty with hardly anyone around. The cold air gives you such a chill that it literally jump starts you.

The places that are worth visiting are very close, hardly 500 meters from the centre of the town. I headed for Abbey Falls, which was about nine kms from the town bus stop.

At the check post just before the falls, I was greeted by a guard who was ecstatic at the sight of the bike. He was like, “Oh! You rode from Tamil Nadu? Which year is this bike… etc.” The people of Kodagu are very humble and hospitable and are known for rendering their service to the nation. The place is known for its coffee plantations.

The coffee powder and the beans from Kodagu are a must try. My father loves coffee and simply loved the packet I got him. I left Madikeri by 2 pm and rode back to Mysore. On my way back, I stopped at Bylakuppe, the Tibetan Town. I got caught in a bas spell of rain and had to ride very slowly. I reached my room at almost 9 pm, drenched and tired. But it was one great experience.

History

Raja’s Seat is a small square platform made out of bricks and mortar is surrounded by four arched pillars. It is said that, during those times, this was the favourite spot of Kings and therefore the name of the place is Raja’s seat. The beauty from this place is impeccable especially during the sunrise and sunsets.

Trivia

Abbey fall is located between private coffee plantations with sturdy coffee bushes. The sight of this place is beauty personified as we can see trees entwining with pepper vines. If you look closely, the falls that appear suddenly quietly turn into a silent lake.

Food

Sri Krishna Bhavan is one of the most popular restaurant in Madikeri. Serving traditional North Indian and South Indian cuisine, the restaurant offers lip-smacking paneer-based dishes like palak paneer and paneer bhurji. People from Coorg make sure they visit this place.

Stars promoting their soil

When a person like Jonty Rohdes asks you to visit his country, who would refuse? The South African cricketer, a well known travel enthusiast who has travelled to almost every country is inviting more travel enthusiasts to explore the beauty of South Africa.

In a first of its kind association, South African Tourism has teamed up with renowned cricketer, Jonty Rhodes to launch the book, My South African Diary, penned by Jonty himself.

As Jonty travels through his home country, he dons the cap of a narrator in the diary and shares his varied, exhilarating experiences of the scenic beauty of South Africa.

Jonty is not the only celebrity to promote his home country. Jackie Chan did a TV series where he narrated the beauty of China, we had instances of Konkana Sen Sharma taking us through the streets of Kolkata.

Harsha Bhogle’s Travel India with Harsha Bhogle is yet another popular show where he travels across the country explaining the rich tradition and culture of the country.

There is no doubt that the tourism departments of various countries have roped in stars to promote the tourism industry.

The writer is a photographer and a travel enthusiast

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> LifeStyle> Wanderlust / by Venkatesh Ravi / DC / Chennai / March 29th, 2012

Respect the Girl Child: Prema Cariappa

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders


Caption: Prema Cariappa, Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Board, inaugurating the International Women’s Day celebration organised by Karnataka State Social Welfare Board at Rajendra Auditorium in JSS Hospital premises here recently. Others seen are State Board Chairperson Vinoda Nataraj and Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation Chairperson Sarojini Bhardwaj.

Mysore, Mar. 28

“Members of the Indian society need to shed the ancient notion that only male issues can support us in our old age and that one attains ‘sadgati’ after death only if one is the a parent of a male child,” said Prema Cariappa, Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Advisory Board, New Delhi.

Speaking after inaugurating International Women’s Day celebration held under the aegis of Karnataka State Social Welfare Board at Rajendra Bhavan in city on Monday, she said that women are playing a pivotal role in the development of the nation and the country; but in spite of this, they are being discriminated.

She further said that even today, the birth of a female child is considered shameful. Even though girls excel in education they are being discriminated in the fields of higher education, professional courses and employment.

“The need of the hour is to educate girls. She said that the social evils like dowry etc. have ruined the society. Women are being burnt alive if dowry is not given. Police and judiciary seem to be helpless in stopping these crimes. Govt. is taking appropriate steps for the development of women but it is the duty of the voluntary organizations to come forward to work in the field of social work,” she said and opined that local elected representatives need to work towards eradicating this discrimination.

Board’s chairperson Vinoda Nataraj, State Women’s Development Corporation Chairperson Sarojini Bhardwaj and Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director N.R. Vijay were the chief guests.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 28th, 2012

New team for Kodava Academy

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Madikeri, Mar. 25
Drama artist Addanda C. Kariappa has been nominated as the President of Karnataka Kodava Sahithya Academy, as per a government order passed yesterday. He succeeds Imudiyanda Rani Machaiah.

Other members of the Academy for the three year term are: Prof. Ittira K. Biddappa of Gonikoppal, Chendira Nirmala Bopanna of Ponnampet, Maletira Abhimanyu Kumar of Somwarpet, Bottolanda Mittu Poonacha of Peroor, Charmanda Poovaiah of Kunjilageri, Kudiyara Thammaiah of Yavakapadi, Kasturi Govindamayya of Madikeri, Chendanda Sumi Subbaiah of Maldare, Melathanda A. Ramesh of Hysodlur and Uma Prabhu of Napoklu.

The order was issued by K. Sudhakar Shetty, Deputy Secretary, Kannada & Culture Dept. and Information Department.

source: http://www.StarOfMysore.com / General News / March 25th, 2012