Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Participants applaud clean venue

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Napoklu (KODAGU):
The eco-friendly measures taken up by the organizers of the Storm Music Festival has been appreciated by music lovers. The sprawling venue was free from litter. Dustbins were placed to prevent participants from littering the venue. A separate gallery was set up for drinkers and smokers.

A band member of Faridkot, I P Singh from Delhi, was glad that measures were taken to maintain the cleanliness of the place. “We should preserve nature. Without spoiling the beauty of nature, humans can do whatever they want. In the name of entertainment we cannot spoil the environment. The organizers have done a fantastic job by setting up dustbins,” he says.

A student of Mumbai Pratiti, who was on her first visit to Napoklu, was mesmerized by the greenery of Kodagu. “It’s a beautiful place to unwind. The organizers have planned the event meticulously. I hope the greenery remains the same even the after the event,” she added.

A Mumbai-based businessmen Ramachandran who was disappointed when the event was postponed last November, said: “The ambience was fantastic, we can sit wherever we want and chill out. I also hope we have more such events. I am impressed by the cleanliness of the area,” he added.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Collections> Music Lovers / TNN / January 21st, 2012

‘Ko Ko Koli Kothi Village Belle Harshika ‘Balle Balle’

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

The chirpy heroine of Kannada cinema who gives a lovely performance in any given role and wins like how got distinction in her Engineering studies Harshika Poonacha has given a sensible performance in ‘Ko Ko’ movie. As a village belle Harshika giving her mind to ‘Kitty Bhava’ in the film was so inspiring to director R Chandru and he kept a song for the actress for her talent in abundance.

It is a short and sweet role ‘Ganga’ in KKKK remains in the mind of Kannada audience for Harshika Poonacha. When Kitty decides to take up his IPS and not marriage with Ganga, it is Ganga who throws a challenge and says she will marry in front of Kitty when he comes back to the village. So when Kitty returns to village in the second half of KKKK there is some electrifying moments. All is under the impression that Kitty and Ganga get married. But screenplay of the film that is captivating in the film says something else. Ganga hot tempered marries the boy looked for her in front of Kitty and that is a suspense for Cauvery (Priyamani). There is of course all round of applause for Harshika Poonacha in the media reviews too.

Happy and content in Kannada filmdom Harshika Poonacha armed with Engineering degree made her beginning in arch lights from ‘PUC’ Kannada cinema. She was really at the first years of Engineering when she accepted PUC Kannada cinema. Jugari, Thamassu, Jackie, Murali Meets Meera got released. The films to release are Crazy Loka, Adwaitha, Beet, Mavalli, Hubballi Hudagaru and Parie for Harshika Poonacha.

In coming four years as the lone daughter of my parents I would take up more interesting roles and settle down for marriage.

Harshika Poonacha is also in to social service activities. She is a member of Lions Club and ambassador of Yuva Global.

From Ko Ko Koli Kothi I got very good name. I am told I look very innocent and beautiful. I am also a performer is the encouraging appreciations I have received says Harshika Poonacha.

source: http://www.SuperGoodMovies.com/ Kannada Movie News> Talent> News / January 21st, 2012

MTV launches Gatecrash to brings festivities closer to the youth

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Mumbai:
MTV is launching MTV Gatecrash – which gives its fans a privileged access to the most exciting events across the world. Be it a musical festival, a carnival, a cultural extravaganza, MTV brings the festivities closer to the youth by allowing them to jump the queue through MTV Gatecrash. The name as it sounds grants a special access to the choicest winners to enjoy the festival in all MTV style.

Think youth festival, Think MTV. In last few months, MTV has been an official partner to F1 race – the start-studded sporting event. Recently, MTV was the official partner to the most prestigious EDM festival – Sunburn. MTV has also been the media partner to the Metallica performance – which was also broadcast on the channel later. In addition to this will now be MTV Gatecrash , which will include series of events that will run through the year making a pit stop at different music festivals. It’s simple! Where there is a music or youth festival, MTV Gatecrash will make sure to be there and be part of it.

MTV Gatecrash kickstarts this month with the music festival STORM, a camp out music festival for 2 days to be held on 21st& 22nd Jan, in the hills of the beautiful district of Coorg in Karnataka. The festival will have over 30 artists from across the globe performing on multiple stages. The Festival will have bands and DJs like Indian Ocean, Leslie Lewis, The Raghu Dixit Project, Judge Jules, Henrik B, BREED, Pearl, Nikhil Chinnappa and others.MTV Gatecrash with STORM is a multimedia initiative with a full blown campaign across TV and Digital.

AdityaSwamy, EVP AND Business Head, MTV India, explains, “Young people are experience junkies and since virtual experiences are the norm today, real ones are becoming even more special .. With MTV Gate Crash we will give people of chance to touch and feel the magic of the best in live entertainment, get inspired the creativity of the performers create social currency out of this once in a lifetime experience.”

Speaking about the concept of Storm, Lavin Uthappa, Managing Director of LiquidSpace Entertainment said “With a strong conviction towards preserving the environment, team-Storm takes the concept of “responsible Tourism experience” to a new level. This initiative is also to strongly address a few of present global concerns and doing our bit to prevent environmental degradation through innovative strategies and technology. It’s a complete experience for all age groups, young or the old with Multiple Stages, Food corners, a Flea market, an Adventure zone and Camping area where each individual at the festival enjoy music, nature, food and Adventure.”

Along with being a music festival, Storm and MTV will also promote a strong conviction towards preserving the environment, with eco-friendly venue, minimal usage of plastic and innovative recycling techniques; Storm Festival promises to fulfil the green-cause. The festival is a total “drug- free zone” and has a zero tolerance policy against those who breach it.

MTV Gatecrash will be one of the forerunners in innovating different ways to bring the best available events for the fans in India. MTV GATECRASH promises to be an open ticket to experience the best sounds, great symphonies and a story you can live to tell.

source: http://www.medianewsline.com / by Swati Arya / January 16th, 2012

MTV kicks-off Gatecrash with music fest ‘Storm’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Mumbai:
MTV has initated a new property called ‘Gatecrash’, which will give fans a privileged access to most of the musical events across the world.

‘MTV Gatecrash’ will kick start this month with the two-day music festival ‘Storm’ to be held on 21 Jan in the hills of the beautiful district of Coorg in Karnataka. The fest will showcase an eclectic mix of 37 artistes from across the globe performing on two different stages. The fest will include electronic band, artistes and DJs like Indian Ocean, Leslie Lewis, The Raghu Dixit Project, Swarathma, Richard Durand, Faridkot, Thomas Gold, Pearl, Nikhil Chinapa, Soulmate and others.

In last few months, MTV has been an official partner to F1 race, Sunburn and also a media partner to the Metallica performance – which was also broadcast on the channel later. So, in addition to this, will be MTV Gatecrash which will include series of events that will run through the year making a pit stop at different music festivals.

MTV Gatecrash with Storm is a multimedia initiative with campaign across TV and Digital.

MTV India EVP and business head Aditya Swamy said, “Young people are experience junkies and since virtual experiences are the norm today, real ones are becoming even more special. With MTV Gate Crash we will give people of chance to touch and feel the magic of the best in live entertainment, get inspired the creativity of the performers create social currency out of this once in a lifetime experience.”

source: http://www.radioandmusic.com/ Home> Editorial> News / by RnM Team/ January 16th, 2012

The Bearded Bandit of Coorg!

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

The Bearded Bandit of Coorg!

Robber Fly, Coorg / Photographed by: Samyak Kaninde
Being mugged is every traveller’s nightmare. Being mugged and then consumed as the main course in a mugger’s banquet, is the stuff that makes it to the horror movie hall of fame. But being killed and converted into a Smoothie to be slurped at leisure, takes the (dis)honours and is certainly not something you’d like on your resume. That, however, is exactly what happens to unwary air-travellers in Coorg if they don’t keep a lookout for the most feared bogeyman of the area – the Robber Fly. This bearded brigand perches quite innocuously on a twig, and when a beetle, dragonfly or wasp is spotted approaching incautiously, smacks his hirsute lips and takes off on a roundabout flight, before veering back suddenly and grabbing the unsuspecting insect, mid-flight, with his powerful legs. A short jab with his rapier-sharp beak injects venomous saliva that paralyses the prey while liquefying the body matter. From there on it’s a smooth return flight to the home perch, where the Robber proceeds to slurp up his Insect Smoothie. If he’s particularly peckish, and feels like a larger serving, the Robber Fly doesn’t balk at taking on prey much bigger than himself, trusting to his well-honed predatory skills and the power of his proboscis.

Talking of skill-sets, the predatory career of this successful bandit begins quite early: the larval baby brigand hides in the soil and in decaying wood, and learns the ropes by preying on the larvae, eggs and pupae of other insects around him. While this is bad news for some, a healthy Robber Fly population is good for humans, as it is our first line of defence against destructive and disease-carrying insects. Much like the legend of Robin Hood, the Robber of Coorg has shown that a bandit for some could well be a saviour for others.

We at Orange County have loved sharing this story with you, and shall bring you one every fortnight, as part of our Responsible Tourism Initiatives to raise awareness about the nature and culture of the environments we operate in.

source: http://www.lifescapes.org.in / LIFESCAPES by Orange County / Home> Lifescapes Gallery / January 11th, 2012

Puttur: ‘Dharmashree’ Award Conferred on K J Yesudas

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Puttur, Jan 12:

The annual ‘Dharmashree’ award being conferred to people with distinguished services to the society was this time, given to internationally renowned musical legend, Padma Vibhushan Dr K J Yesudas. The award is conferred annually by Dharmashree Foundation, Eshwaramangala, in the taluk.

The award function was held at Eshwaramangala on Wednesday January 11. State assembly speaker, K G Bopaiah, presided over the function. Speaking after conferring the award, Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji of Hosanagar Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt, reasoned that India is a confluence of rhythms, emotions, and tunes, and that Indian music has the power to transcend boundaries of languages, religions, and sects. “Music delivers the message of happiness, and shows us the way how to lead life. No boundaries can confine music within their bounds,” he added. He also termed Yesudas as the most sublime personality in Indian music.

Yesudas, addressing the gathering after accepting the award, compared Hindustani music to river and Carnatic classical music to ocean. “Carnatic music is backed by 72 independent Raagas, and it is inspired by nature. It has the power to strengthen the roots of culture. Because of these qualities, this music has gained global recognition,” he reasoned.

In his congratulatory address, state primary and secondary education minister, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, felt that the award given to Yesudas in the bargain got its own prestige enhanced. He hailed Yesudas for working tirelessly for five decades as the ambassador of musical culture of India.

Hereditary priest of Kollur Goddess Mookambika Temple, Narshi Govind Adiga, president of felicitation committee, Muliya Shyam Bhat, chief patron of Dharmashree Foundation, G K Mahabaleshwar Bhat, trustee, Shviaprasad E, and many others were present.

Managing trustee of the foundation, Nanya Achuta Moodittaya, welcomed. Secretary of felicitation committee, Dr Varadaraj Chandragiri, proposed vote of thanks. Advocate, Mahesh Kaje, presented the programme.

source: http://www.DaijiWorld.com / DaijiWorld Media Network-Puttur (SP)/ Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Book on Cauvery

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Uncategorized


At the function: G.K.Vasan, Union minister of Shipping, (second right) and Kaumuri Bapi Raju, MP (third right), G. Rangaswamy Moopanar, president, Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha (left)and A.K. Palanivel at Thanjavur. Photo: B. Velankanni Raj


‘Mazhai,’ a book of verses on rain and Cauvery Delta, was released in Thanjavur recently.

The Union Minister for Shippping, G.K.Vasan, released a Tamil book titled ‘Mazhai,’ written by G. Srinivasan, at Thanjavur on Monday last (January 9). Kaumuri Babi Raju MP and chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam received the first copy. Speaking on the occassion Vasan said that writing poetry is a difficult task.

“It is even more difficult to write poems that provide food for thought. When the poet makes people think and act with his poems, he achieves the goal.”

Quoting some poems from the book, Vasan said that one on Cauvery issue spoke of the reality on the issue. The poem says that the farmer of Cauvery delta wants rain to be copious in Coorg, so that his Kannada brethren can not store the water and open the dams. Thus the Delta farmer will get the rain. Vasan quipped by saying “It appears that only Lord Varuna can help the people in Tamil Nadu in the Cauvery issue.” He said that the book contained poems on spirituality, health, social issues like environment, poverty and poems on leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.

G. Rangaswamy Moopanar, president of the Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha, presided over the function. Sintha Mohan, Tirupati MP, N.R. Rangarajan, Pattukottai MLA and S.P. Anthonisamy, chairman of Parisutham Institute of Science and Technology, received the copies of the book. A. Alagappan, former governor, Rotary Club, and director, Blossom School, Dr. Mohandos, Nephrologist, V. Jeevakumar from Tamil Nadu Murpokku Ezhuthalar and Kalaignargal Sangam and Kamaraj, Professor, Tamil University, offered felicitations. The book has been brought out by Mahavir Printers, Thanjavur.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Arts> Books / by G Srinivasan / January 12th, 2012

Commemorative Issue – General Thimayya

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Uncategorized, World Opinion

General Kodandera Subayya Thimayya was born in Madikeri, the district town of Kodagu (also known as Coorg), Karnataka, India. He was a graduate of the Royal Indian Military College in Dehra Dun. He served in the Indian Army from many posts.

He became Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army in 1957. He was also awarded the Distinguised Service Order. After the Korean War, he headed an United Nations unit dealing with the repatriation of prisoners of war. After his retirement from the Indian Army, he was appointed as the Commander of UN Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in July 1964.

While in Cyprus, he died of a heart attack, in 1965. The Republic of Cyprus, in addition to this stamp issue, honored him by renaming an avenue of the city of Larnaca after him.

Commemorative Issue General Thimayya
Cyprus
Date of Issue: 06 June 1966 /4/1966
Technical Information
Quantity: 292329
Designer: A. Tassos

source: http://www.philatelism.com
http://www.philatelism.com/details.php?issueid=24

GR Vishwanath to select CCL Team of KB

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The yesteryears ace cricketer from Karnataka Gundappa Vishwanath will scrutinize this time for the selection of 16 players to the Karnataka Bulldozers Celebrity Cricket League season 2 that kick start on 15th of this month.

The key sponsor of the Karnataka Bulldozer team Ashok Kheney addressing the media said the runner up of team of last season Karnataka Bulldozers will definitely lift the cup this time because we have Kittur Rani Chennamma to our side. Ashok Kheney saying like this pointed towards Dr B Saroja Devi.

It is not possible for all students to get the rank. We were good students last time. This time we will be rank students promised Kichcha Sudeep addressing the media.

The little master of Indian Cricket team GR Vishwanath addressing the media stated that it was difficult task to select the team because all of them showed good ability.

The brand ambassadors for Karnataka Bulldozers for this season are Aindrita Ray and Nidhi Subbaiah plus Madhuri Bhattacharya.

The Kannada Cinema Artists Association President Ambarish was also present at the media briefing.

sourceZ: http://www.supergoodmovies.com/ Kannada Movie News / January 10th, 2012

Madikeri travels to bygone era with coins and currency notes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment


Collection and exhibition of old and new coins and currency notes is an art. We can improve our knowledge by observing coins and notes from different countries, said Legislative Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah.

Madikeri:

He was speaking after inaugurating the three-day state level 125th exhibition of coins and currency notes at Field Marshal K M Kariappa Multipurpose Hall in Madikeri on Friday. The exhibition had been jointly organised by the Kannada and culture department, zilla panchayat, CMC, Kodagu Press Club, BSNL, Shakthi Prathishtana, Rotary Misty Hills, Corporation Bank, Sumukh Traders and others.

Bopaiah lauded the efforts of numismatist P K Keshavmurthy and called it an achievement to collect coins which were as old as 2,000 years.

“It is not an easy task to collect so many coins and notes. For the first time, I have got an opportunity to see notes and coins from India and other nations,” he said.

Zilla panchayat health standing committee president Kanthi Belliyappa said it requires unlimited patience and interest to collect and maintain coins and notes. ZP president Shanteyanda Ravi Kushalappa released a book on rare collection of coins and notes.

Numismatist Keshavmurthy said coins and note collection was a tedious task. “For the last 20 years, I have been visiting different parts of the state and exhibiting my collection,” he said.

CMC commissioner Shashi Kumar, assistant director for Kannada and culture Vinod Chandra and others were present. Keshavmurthy was felicitated on the occasion.

Varieties

The exhibition has several specialties, as rarest of rare coins too were on display. They include the first punchmark coin of India, coins from Greek, Roman kingdoms, coins that were circulated during Kushana, Gupta, Shathavahana, Kadamba, Chola, Pandya and other dynasties. The coins during the time of Mughal rulers like Akbar, Jehangir, Shahajahan, Aurangzeb, Vijayanagara rulers Krishnadevaraya, Achyutharaya, Prathapadevaraya, Mysore, Bijapur, Thiruvankoor, Hyderabad, Kach, Baroda, Mewar and other rulers.

The coins of pre-independence era, which were circulated during the rule of British, Portuguese, the coins and notes that have been withdrawn, coins and notes released on various occasion are on display.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Districts / DHNS / Madikeri, January 08th, 2012