Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

That Hungry Look

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


No, no, no, no no. Big Boss Season-2  housemate Zulfi Syed does not have a crush on Sambhavna Seth, insists his family. But yes, he must be missing his mother’s biryani and handi sweets made in Mysore.

His family is watching the reality show closely here in Bangalore. “He doesn’t have any such crush,” said Sharier Khan, Zulfi’s brother-in-law, “He is the sort of guy who stays away from controversies. But such things come up since the show is like that. Some inmates may be trying to vote him out.”

Missing home food

“He looks dull,” said Vihar, Zulfi’s brother, “As there are no better cooks in the Big Boss house, Zulfi misses homemade biryani. It is evident in his face.”

In keeping with the rules of the show, the family has not been in touch with him for the last 30 days. They appreciate Zulfi for not manipulating things as most do on the show. They say his nature in real life continues on TV too.

“At first we were surprised that he wanted to go on the show,” said Vihar. “We even  doubted his survival. But as the days pass, we are confident he will make it. He keeps away from gossip and talks when required. That will help him.”

“We pray for his success,” said Mahid Begum, Zulfi’s mother. “Though he believes in himself, luck counts. I hope he wins.”

Who’s that boy?

Zulfi Syed, one of the housemates in reality show Big Boss 2, is a Coorgi and comes from a family that fought for freedom. His grandfather was known as the Gandhi of Coorg. Zulfi is a super model and has featured in many videos and films including Chupke Se and Wajahh.

He is a primary contestant with  Sambhavna, Rahul Mahajan, Aalina and Raja in Bigg Boss. He is among nine contestants still in the race.

 

No, no, no, no no. Big Boss Season-2  housemate Zulfi Syed does not have a crush on Sambhavna Seth, insists his family. But yes, he must be missing his mother’s biryani and handi sweets made in Mysore.

His family is watching the reality show closely here in Bangalore. “He doesn’t have any such crush,” said Sharier Khan, Zulfi’s brother-in-law, “He is the sort of guy who stays away from controversies. But such things come up since the show is like that. Some inmates may be trying to vote him out.”

Missing home food

“He looks dull,” said Vihar, Zulfi’s brother, “As there are no better cooks in the Big Boss house, Zulfi misses homemade biryani. It is evident in his face.”

In keeping with the rules of the show, the family has not been in touch with him for the last 30 days. They appreciate Zulfi for not manipulating things as most do on the show. They say his nature in real life continues on TV too.

“At first we were surprised that he wanted to go on the show,” said Vihar. “We even  doubted his survival. But as the days pass, we are confident he will make it. He keeps away from gossip and talks when required. That will help him.”

“We pray for his success,” said Mahid Begum, Zulfi’s mother. “Though he believes in himself, luck counts. I hope he wins.”

Who’s that boy?

Zulfi Syed, one of the housemates in reality show Big Boss 2, is a Coorgi and comes from a family that fought for freedom. His grandfather was known as the Gandhi of Coorg. Zulfi is a super model and has featured in many videos and films including Chupke Se and Wajahh.

He is a primary contestant with  Sambhavna, Rahul Mahajan, Aalina and Raja in Bigg Boss. He is among nine contestants still in the race.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / by Chetan R / 2008.09.16

Be a Green Thumb this New Year

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature

Turn over a new leaf this year with these no fuss potted plants that will brighten up any corner of your home

When software engineer Shabari Madappa had a baby she decided to make the most of her homemaker status by plunging her hands into mud and manure literally. She got together with friend Dhanya Menon (an interior designer) to start Green Essence, a gardening venture and soon-to-be store where she sells ornamental plants, herbs, orchids and bonsai among others potted in colourful planters and garden accessories.

Started in November, 2010, Green Essence is an extension of  Madappa being quite a green thumb herself. “I love gardening and have been into it. We also have a nursery in my family’s coffee estate in Coorg” says Madappa. Under Green Essence, the duo sells easy-to-care for cubicle planters such as cactus and succulents, herbs like lemongrass, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, curry and mint leaves for your kitchen window, exotic plants like orchids, desert rose and dromeliada.

They also do balcony and terrace makeovers and sell ceramic planters and Bio degradable pots made out of coconut choir. One of their best products, according to Madappa, are the self watering planters that only require you to water plants once in three weeks.

“The excess water collects in a tray and the soil pulls it back in a reverse osmosis process. There is no leaking or mess, so we even have these decorative covers or skins for these planters,” says Madappa. Green Essence will soon launch itself in the form of a store in the same premises as lifestyle store Orange Bicycle. Madappa plans to start a bonsai club once the store is in place where people can display their bonsais and even sell them.

At: Orange Bicycle, House no. 3353, 12th A Main, 5th Cross, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar
Call: 98458 27010
Log on to: the Facebook page for Green Essence
For: Ornamental and herb planters, Rs 250 onwards, exotic planters ,Rs 850 onwards, bonsai Rs 3,000 onwards and balcony makeovers Rs 5,000.

onwardsource: http://www.mid-day.com / by Amirta Bose / 2011.01.03

Caf’e Civet day

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, , , , , , , , , , ,

In a pretty little camp in Coorg, you can find one of the world’s most expensive coffees. The rider: it comes in the guise of cat poop

Kari Beckoo (so called in Kannada) or Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive, most aromatic coffees in the world. Internationally, it can fetch anywhere between Rs 15,000 and 20,000 a kilo. A cuppa will set you back by a cool Rs 2,000. For something so obviously exclusive, Kopi Luwak (as it is known in Indonesia and the Philippines), has very down to earth origins.

Type: Food discovery
Best from: Bengaluru
You need: 2 days

Coffee beans drying in the sun are a common site on most house terracesin the area and estates. Pics/ AMrita Bose

It comes from the poo of the civet cat. Our visit to the Civet Creek Camp, located 18 km from Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu or Coorg, was centred around an agenda very different from that of regular tourism. We were hot on the trail of the Asian Palm Civet cat and its bowel movements to inspect it from a purely epicurean perspective. The Palm Civet cat’s droppings, left under coffee plants, are responsible for one of the most expensive and aromatic coffees in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Palm Civet Cat feeds on ripe coffee berries that are partly digested
and worked on by enzymes before being discarded in its excreta.

Bordered by reserve forest area and frequently visited by civet cats, Civet Creek Camp was started three years ago on an eight-year-old coffee estate that offers accommodation only in tents. Pitch your own tent in the open or borrow one under a shack and you are all set to play (boy or girl) scout. Warm up with rope walking, air rifle shooting, trampling, or spider walking or just lie on the web at night to watch the stars.

We timed our visit with the beginning of the coffee picking season — just after December; usually the time when civet cats eat ripe coffee berries. Although the owner Madappa warned us about the difficulty of finding droppings since the season was almost over, we were determined.

Mission poo
The area frequented by civet cats was near a waterfall in a forest area bordering a village called Awandur. Getting there involved trekking a distance of four kilometres on foot. We set out early in the morning with our guide Vasu, who is considered a poop-spotting expert.

The trek involved meandering through narrow coffee estate pathways, through terraced fields, passing by thatched roofed homes and watching coffee beans drying in the sun while scarecrows stood guard next to a couple of new homes under construction. Here, the scarecrows help ward off the evil eye and bring in good luck.

Like a hound strong on the trail of blood, Vasu was on high alert by now, poking around in coffee bushes as we trudged uphill next to a meandering stream fed by a waterfall. On the way, we spotted a giant Shikakai tree — a natural detangler for hair — the black sooty sap of which is extracted for incense sticks and the occasional cardamom plant.

Vasu explained that Coorg was originally known for its cardamom plantations, not coffee, but dwindling labour forces in recent years, and the vulnerable nature of cardamom plants had given way to hardy coffee plantations of Arabica and Robusta varities.

A rare species of a fiery coloured snail found in forests nearby

A cat with good taste
Suddenly, Vasu disappeared under a thick coffee shrub only to emerge with what looked like sticky peanut chikki. A little squeamish, we approached it with trepidation. Strangely odourless, the poop contained half-eaten coffee beans.

Enzymes in the cat’s digestive system work on the beans, breaking them down before it’s excreting from its body. The part-digested beans are separated from the dung by washing them thoroughly, and keeping them in water, before drying and roasting them.

The fact that this coffee is completely organically processed, and that the civet cat is one with good taste (it picks only the best coffee beans for consumption), goes a long way in determining the delicate flavour and the aroma associated with this frightfully expensive coffee.

Although the estate doesn’t produce enough to brew or sell this coffee on a largescale basis, the coffee board is willing to accept it at between Rs 3,000 and 5,000 a kilo.

Expensive stash
Eventually, we made it back to Civet Creek Camp in a happy daze, clutching at our prized discovery now neatly sealed in a plastic bag. Oh, and the regular coffee beans drying in the sun that Coorg is oh-so-famous for? We couldn’t care less. The writer travelled to Civet Creek Camp on invitation.

Bored of expensive cat potty? Here’s what you can do in and around Civet Creek Camp
Talakaveri: The birthplace of River Kaveri and a known pilgrimage site, Talakaveri is located on the Brahmagiri hills. The river originates as a spring and feeds into a tank where pilgrims bathe.

 

Jumping on a trampoline is one of the acitivities offered here.

Dubare Elephant Training Camp: Located about 40 km away from Civet Creek, this elephant training camp is run by the Karnataka Forest Department. It houses elephants that are trained under naturalists, and doubles up as a tourist spot. It’s located on the banks of the River Kaveri, with the Dubare Reserve Forest as a backdrop.

Tourists are allowed to participate in a three-hour interaction with elephants which begins with their grooming and scrubbing, feeding them and taking them on a 45-minute ride in the jungle. Resident naturalists will also give you a lowdown on all you need to know about these pachyderms. You need to reach the camp by 8.30 am.

Abbey Falls: Also known as Abbi or Abbe, this waterfall is located in a private coffee estate among pepper trees, about seven km away from Madikeri. A hanging bridge opposite the waterfall offers a breathtaking view.

Kaveri Nisargadhama: A picnic spot on an island formed by river Kaveri is a nature resort with a deer park, orchidarium and a forest full of bamboo, teak and rosewood. The island can be accessed via a hanging bridge. You can rent out tree houses run by the forest department.

Stock up on Coorgi delights
Coffee Powder: A mix of Arabica and Robusta, you can buy filter coffee from the Coffee Board or local shops at Madikeri.

Coorgi Pork Masala: The perfect aid to making the famous Coorgi Pandhi or Pork Curry. Also don’t forget to buy a bottle of black vinegar extracted from Kachampuli, a wild, tart fruit. This vinegar gives that distinct black colour and tangy flavour to the Pandhi curry.

Spices: Stock up on nutmeg, star anise, pepper and cardamom.

Civet Creek Camp FAQs
It only offers tent accommodation with common bathrooms. The camp organises treks to nearby waterfalls, mountain peaks and coffee estate walks. You can request for a special trek to spot civet cat droppings along with estate coffee pickers. Night treks can be organised too. Rs 1,350 per night per person gets you two breakfasts, lunch, dinner and barbeque with unlimited coffee, tea or juice.

Call: 9845827010
Email: civetcreek@gmail.com

 

Getting there

BY ROAD: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Volvo buses, known as Airavat, leave Bengaluru every day at 2 pm, 4 pm and 11 pm, and take you to Coorg in five hours. Frequent buses from Mysore are available too. Take any bus going to Talakaveri or an auto rickshaw, and get off at the Betegeri village junction to get to Civet Creek Camp.

BY RAIL: The nearest rail head is Mysore which is connected to all major cities and is two-and-a-half hours away from Madikeri.

BY AIR: The nearest airport is Mysore (120 km) followed by Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (250 km).

BEST TIME TO GO:  The best time to visit Coorg is between October and March. The weather is pleasant during the day but temperatures may dip at night. Carry a jacket.

 

source: http://www.mid-day.com / by Amrita Bose / 2011.03.06 / Place: Mumbai

A Coorg Away From Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, , , ,

You might have to wait till the weekend for this feast, but the food served at Coorg the restaurant comes very close to the fare that might be cooked out a of a home kitchen
During the 80’s a student of St Joseph’s college started writing freelance articles on formula one racing for the Sunday MiD DAY to earn a buck or two and also to sustain his crazy obsession about sports. Whatever he would earn, he would spend on buying copies of his favourite magazine Sportsweek (now defunct).

Coorg
Food: homestyle
Service: attentive
Ambience: quirky

A Coorgie Spread Pics / Sanjay M D

Though the association with MiD DAY might have ended somewhere along the line, KC Aiyappa has not given up his dream of doing something other than tending and working on coffee plantation, a staple Coorgie profession for the last decade.
A year back, Aiyappa decided to turn his Indiranagar home’s terrace into a little Coorgie joint and started serving up a simple buffet for those who craved a taste of food from back home in Coorg. The buffet (Rs 275 plus taxes) is served only for dinner during the weekend and also extends to Fridays.

After you have ended up trudging three flights up all the way to the terrace, you will be greeted into a bamboo adorned space with Janice Joplin shrieking from the speakers and you will get transported instantly to a beachside-like shack.

Coorg is stamped all over the place with a wall dedicated to the culture, flora and fauna of this hill station in the form of pictures and coffee table books. Coffee beans in jars adorn the walls as decoration, along with some old fish traps, a device that squeezes out rice noodles, sepia toned photographs of coffee planters and other paraphernalia that will remind you of the region.

The highlight of the eatery though is a long board that notes down the  family names of people from Coorg. Currently, the record shows about 600 odd families that have visited the restaurant in a year.

We headed straight to the buffet that offers both vegetarian and non vegetarian Coorgie dishes. We started off with noolputtu or string hoppers, rice noodles shaped into a mound and steamed. We teamed up the noolputtu with a chicken curry.

The Coorgie chicken curry was thickened with poppy paste and coconut and had a lovely aftertaste of cinnamon. While the chicken was mild and was perfect for moping up with the hoppers, it was the pandi or pork curry, we were waiting for eagerly. But we decided to keep the suspense going on by opting for the mushroom curry and the daal first.

Hot Akki rotis were served on our tables as we went through the first course of the meal. Though the vegetarian fare was nice, it was the dry fried jackfruit that found favour with us. The jackfruit had been shredded and tempered with mustard and curry leaves and fried with spices.

The pandi curry was almost blackened by the addition of the Kochampulli, a tarty fruit that grows in the wild in Coorg and adds that tangy flavour to the otherwise immensely spicy curry. The pork was tender on the bone and fat had melted to just the right consistency and it went splendidly with rice soaked up with ghee, caramelised onions and cashewnuts.

The buffet also offers salads, raita and some interesting chutneys which we didn’t care for much thanks to the pandi curry. We finished our meal with caramel custard which reminded us of our mother’s cooking. It was sweet without being overpoweringly so and came flecked with nuts.

While we have had some outstanding Coorgie food in the city, what might draw people to food served in Coorg is the fact that it is free of frills and greasiness of a restaurant offering and will exactly make you feel satiated after a good home cooked meal.

At: 477, Krishna Temple Road, 1st Stage, Indiranagar
On: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7.30 pm onwards for dinner
Call: 98454 93688
Meal for two: Rs 650

Coorg didn’t know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / by Amrita Bose, Date 12.06.2010 / Bangalore

A Land far far away :” Storm Festival” in Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, , , , , , , ,

The locus where fantasies are woven from everyday lives. There is a land far far away, where happiness is not only prerequisite but also the only mode of survival. The place where the Storm Festival is brewing. Just a sneeze away from Bangalore and you are amidst the lush green natural settings. About 250 kilometres from Bangalore lies a hamlet, near the town of Madikeri, Coorg. This is the place where Storm Festival is shaping up to give you the ultimate music experience. Coorg is a geography rich in flora and fauna, as well as a brave and long culture, among a breed of warriors. This is where Liquid Space decided to stage the first Storm Festival, India’s first camp-out music festival.

Spread across 28 acres of luxuriant greenery and thick bamboo groves lies the Storm fields, a peninsular region surrounded by river Cauvery on all 3 facets. The entrance of the ground leads you to a vast opening which leads you to the camping area. You can have the ultimate music experience for 48 hours, where you will be treated to the music of various DJ’s and multiple bands. After which you can chill out at the deck overlooking the river, wherein you can have unplugged jamming sessions, to enrich the music experience or retire to your tents in the camping area.

Life is and will always be incomplete without music. Music is change and change is vital. Begin your getaway with Storm festival and taste the sweet joy of free rein; a freedom engineered by music, nature and warm fellowship. It is a sonnet to Dance, Music and Nature, making it the cleanest and greenest festival this side of the universe. The dance floor being at the height of 5000 ft above sea level is going to be the most beautiful one you have ever seen.

We would be coming up soon with more details on the venue about the festival. Browse www.stormfestivalindia.com  for more surprises and gifts.

source: http://www.blogs.siliconindia.com / by Hari Mohan / Friday Jun 17th, 2011

 

As many as 38 Poets Recite their Creative Works at Multi-lingual Meet

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Poets highlight society’s problems through their works
That was a perfect occasion for the poets to let lose their imaginations and highlight the problems in the society.
They made best use of the occasion at the multi-lingual poets meet organised by the Madikeri Dasara janotsava Bahubhasha Kavighoshti Committee and Karnataka Kodava Sahithya Academy at Kaveri Kalakshethra on Sunday. 

There were descriptions of Kodagu’s land, water, agriculture, tradition, culture and heroic deeds along with the beauty of the nature and wildlife. There were disappointment over the failure of government in responding to the problems of the district. There were displeasure over Kodavas not getting the rights over Baane land. There were concern over threat to sanctity of Talacauvery along with the wild elephant menace. This was how a senior poet Chendrimada Ga Muthappa explained Kodagu through his poem.
Muthappa recited poem on ‘Jamma bane’ and highlighted the problems faced by people in Kodagu.

The limericks by an invited poet of Somwarpet, Ha Thi Jayaprakash on politicians Shobha Karandlaje, Siddaramaiah, Goolihatti Shekar, Aravinda Limbavalli, Janardhan Reddy and B S Yeddyurappa highlighted the present political situation in the state. As many as 38 poets recited poems on the occasion. This included four in English and one in Hindi.

Recitation of poems by little V J Monish of Madikeri and Ananya Sharma of Gonikoppa were the centre of attraction. B R Joyappa recited poem ‘Kalajnani,’ B Siddaraju Bellyya— ‘IT BT gala benneri,’ Kayapanda B Tata Changappa— ‘Madikeri,’ T L Padmaja—‘Shikshaka,’ Sathish Kumar of Cherambane—‘Naanu bareyuthene,’ Hemalatha Poornaprakash— ‘Nirlipta baduku,’ Sunitha Lokesh— ‘Pranaya male,’ Shanthaleela— ‘Dr Raj ge namana,’ Manju Gopinathan — ‘Kaarana ishte,’ M E Mohammed—‘Bedagina Kodagu,’ M K Ashraf — ‘Guruve Namaha,’ and Asha Dharmapal recited ‘Prabhu Kaneyagiddare’.

K P Devidas of Gonikoppa recited Malayalam poem ‘Yakshi paramb,’ Narayana of Neerabidire recited Tulu poem ‘Ippodu Incha,’ B M Vasu Rai—’Bale Dasarogu’, Sabalam Bojanna Reddy recited Telugu poem ‘Nenu Manishi Kada.’ A V Manjunath of Virajpet recited limericks. The English poems recited included— M S Subbaiah’s  ‘The power of the invisible,’ Kiggalu G Harish’s ‘We surely will succeed,’ Thekkada Gulabi Janardhan’s ‘Ever green teacher,’ and  V J Monish’s ‘Flower.’ M E Manoj recited Hindi poem.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Madikeri / DH News Service / Oct 11th

Under the Canopy of Tradition

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Nature, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

The district of Kodagu has approximately 346 ‘devara kadu’s (sacred groves). The drop in the number of such groves has been cause for concern in recent times. Some environmentalists blame it on the proliferation of coffee estates, observe M G Chandrakanth and M G Nagaraja
These are ancient groves that are deeply revered by the communities that live in their vicinity. The groves, which are hubs of biodiversity,  are called devara kadus, found largely in the State’s Kodagu region. 

The belief that people of the region have in these groves has ensured forest conservation. The concept of sacred worship of trees is unique and nurtures nature conservation with people’s participation and management. India’s first IG of Forests Sir Dietrich Brandis, who influenced and mentored Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of US Forest Service, recognised devara kadus of Kodagu in 1868.

Every village in the district has at least one devara kadu. The tradition of tree worship has its roots in the Vedas, where the ficus tree has been described as housing the fertility spirits of the mythical gandharvas and apsaras. Over the years, Kodagu has lost more than 50 per cent of its devara kadu (755 in 1,900 to 346 at present) with a forest cover loss from 10,343 acres to 4,184 acres. Kodagu currently has an approximate 346 devara kadus spread over 4,184 acres.

The size of the grove varies between one cent and 1,000 acres. For the nature-loving Kodava community, the devara kadu is a place of worship to appease its favourite deities. The drop in the number of devara kadus has been attributed to encroachment of the forest area for cultivation of coffee.

While sacred groves are found all over the State, for instance, Bidirammana gudi (Tiptur), Salumaradamma (Tarikere), Hongelakshmi (Tumkur), Kadamba (dynasty of Mayuravarma who ruled Kodagu), the Kodagu district is special because it has a devara kadu in every village. Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have naga banas in most villages.

Kodagu is dominated by forests interspersed with valleys. In the west and north, there are peaks ranging from 3,800 feet to 5,724 feet high. The district is peppered with coffee, orange, cardamom and other spice plantations. Each devara kadu has a temple committee which conducts the annual devara kadu festival with participation from Kodagu families and the village community.

The oldest devara kadu of Kodagu (dating back to 1,000 BC) is in Kolathode-Bygode en route to Hathur-Kaikeri in Virajpet taluk. The grove has a prehistoric cone-shaped menhir, about 12 feet high and five feet deep, another menhir ten feet high and three feet deep and a dolmen with a U-shaped porthole near the menhirs. In Yedur and Choudlu in Somwarpet taluk, in the ajji bana (ancient grove), stones are arranged in the form of capstone with stone circle, which is a megalithic practice, for worship even to this day.

This is held during the suggi katte festival. At the foot of the big menhir, a stone axe dating back to the Neolithic era, is still worshipped. An open well, about 50 feet deep, has been dug to meet water needs during worship. The menhirs are unique when compared to the menhirs at Heggadehalli and Doddamolathe in North Kodagu.

For, villagers are known to have offered earthen images, such as that of a dog, child, horse, elephant and other forms to appease the deity, a prehistoric practice. During 1990, a compound was built around both the menhirs by Muruvanda family with the help of Kelappanda, Maletira and Chappanda families. At present, the deva thakka responsibility is shouldered by the Muruvanda family. The name Kolathode-Bygode indicates existence of a rivulet Golagundi joining the river Barappole (as thode implies rivulet).

Linked to family festivals

The tradition of devara kadu conservation by Kodavas is very closely linked to their family festivals, both involving the appeasement of the same deity. The festivals are known as karana kodupa, puttari, kailpod and Cauvery Sankramana (theerthodhbhava). As part of the karana kodupa ceremony, the head of the family and relatives assemble in the Iyenmane (ancestral home) to offer meedi (food) to the ancestor/s.

In Puttari, the harvest festival, the first harvest of paddy crop is offered to the karana (ancestor) seeking a good harvest. In the kailpod or kailmurtha (upon transplanting paddy), hunting weapons and agricultural implements are worshipped. In the Cauvery (Tula) sankramana, river Cauvery, the goddess of Kodagu is worshipped, as Cauvery takes its birth in the Brahmagiri hills at Talacauvery.

Policy implication

The size of the devara kadu is not crucial, but the code of forest conservation that every community or village in Kodagu teaches by way of preserving its devara kadus is a key lesson for the world. Each devara kadu has three common features: the deity, the temple forest and the sacred tank. Tree diversity as well as ancient trees are high in sacred groves attract diverse flora and fauna. In recent times, silver oak, an exotic tree from Australia is becoming a popular shade-giving tree in coffee plantations, because planters need not obtain felling permit from the Forest Department.

This however is affecting diversity of flora, fauna and contributing to climate change.  It is crucial that the Forest Department takes the initiative to demarcate devara kadus as devara kadu reserve forest and not merely as ‘reserve forest’ in the forest / land revenue records, as this practice will protect devara kadus from gradual loss.

A survey of all devara kadus is necessary to demarcate, preserve and protect devara kadu area and numbers. The Forest Department and all the temple forest committees which met under the leadership of Prof CG Kushalappa of Forestry College, UAS Ponnampet have the potential to jointly protect this unique tradition of forest conservation, and hold it as a shining example for the world to emulate.

(M G Chandrakanth is Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agricultural Sciences, while M Nagaraja is Hon Secretary, Mythic Society)

source: http: //www.deccanherald.com / Supplements / Spectrum / Sacred Spaces /

Sahithya Sammelan Chief Dr. Padmashekar Speaks her Heart –

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

“Understand subject for creation of good literature”

‘
Dr Padmashekhar who has been elected as the president of eighth district Kannada Sahithya Sammelan basically hails from Kodagu. At present she is the HoD of Jainism and Prakruth Study Centre of Mysore University.
Dr Padmashekhar 

The sammelan will be held on March 30 and 31. In an interview with Deccan Herald, she spoke on the growth of Kannada language, literature, need for conserving land and water in Kodagu.


* How do you feel being elected as the president of Sahithya Sammelan?

 

I felt happy. In spite of having worked in the literary field for long, I had to wait for so long to get the love of the people of my land.

* What do you feel on the growth of literary activities in Kodagu?

It is not satisfactory. Kodagu district has failed to get a permanent position to get interest in literature and reading habit.
All the written documents are not literature. Better understanding of a subject is essential for the creation of a good literature. Such a good literature has not been created in Kodagu so far.

* What is your opinion on the growth of literature in Kodagu?

Literature is a continuous process. The children should be made to develop interest in literature from childhood.

* In the backdrop of increase in love for English, how far Kannada sahithya sammelan have helped in the growth of the language?

More and more Kannada literary meets should be organised in border areas. The sammelan should be held in those places wherever the language has been affected. There is a need to create an awareness on Kannada. The fact that Kannadigas are liberal and not cowards should be made known to the people through such meets. We all should believe in unity. The united Karnataka was created due to the struggle by our forefathers. No one should come in the way of the unity of the state.

* Do you feel that Kannada has not developed in Kodagu owing to the British rule and migrants from outside the State?

Kodagu is a land with multi-culture. Kannada has not been affected in the land. Kannada language can digest any challenges.

The Kannada speaking people in Kodagu have not declined. Though people from Kerala have settled down in Kodagu, there was no strife between the languages. However, now we are worried over Kodagu property. Kodagu land and Cauvery river is the lifeline of the district. If our land is sold to the outsiders, then we may lose our relation with the land. Now the land and Cauvery has become a property. If this situation continues, what can we save for our future generation? What will happen to the primitives?

* How did you develop interest in Jain literature?

Kuvempu’s ‘Chitrangada’ motivated me to study Kannada. All the girls should read it. By reading Pampa, Ranna, I developed interest in Jain literature. In fact, even my research topic was on Jain literature.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Madikeri / DHNS / Mar 29th

Kodagu’s Charms

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Nature, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
To say Kodagu is a tourist haven would be an understatement. The district has many interesting sights, from cascades, peaks to ancient temples and tombs, writes P T Bopanna
The scenic Kodagu (erstwhile Coorg) district is a tourist paradise for nature lovers. Kodagu is not the sort of place for the routine tourist, undertaking a ‘package tour’. It is for those who want to soak in nature. 

Kodagu shares one of its boundaries with Kerala. The landlocked district is not connected by train or air. The only way to reach this nature’s resort is to take a bus ride from Mysore, Mangalore or Hassan cities. Madikeri (known earlier as Mercara), the district headquarters of Kodagu, is 120 km from Mysore and 260 km from Bangalore.

Though Kodagu is dotted with several towns like Virajpet, Kushalnagar, Somvarpet, Gonikoppal and Pollibetta, only Madikeri and Kushalanagar to some extent, have good tourist facilities. There are not many clean budget hotels in Kodagu. Most tourists prefer to stay at ‘home stays’ spread across Kodagu, including at Madikeri. The home stays are mostly located away from the towns and housed in the midst of coffee plantations.

Home stays are a big draw
Home stays involve either sharing homes with the resident family or staying in independent bungalows. They offer an opportunity to enjoy the legendary hospitality of the Kodavas, the predominant community of Kodagu. There are an estimated 1,000 home stays in Kodagu, catering to various categories of tourists.

The tariff could range from around Rs 800 a couple per day to Rs 3,000, depending upon the facilities and location. Kodagu’s roads are a driver’s nightmare. Though the region has emerged as a major tourist destination, not much it seems, has been done to improve road connectivity and tourist infrastructure.

Madikeri is dotted with red-tiled bungalows and has an old world charm about it. Madikeri has several interesting tourist spots. The Raja’s Seat in Madikeri offers a breathtaking view of the towering hills and green valleys studded with paddy fields, and could be considered one of the most scenic spots in South India. Raja’s Seat attracts a lot of tourists and morning walkers. For the nature lover, the ideal time to visit the spot is in the morning when the first rays of the sun pierces through the mist covered valley. Madikeri Palace of the erstwhile Kodagu Rajas located inside the Fort, now houses the offices of the Deputy Commissioner. The brick and mortar structure was built in 1814.

The Omkareshwara temple in Madikeri was built by Lingarajendra II in 1820 in the Mohammedan style of architecture with a dome at the centre and four turrets at the four corners. The temple is akin to a Muslim dargah with a Linga installed near the entrance door.

Gaddige, or the tombs of kings Veerarajendra and Lingarajendra at Madikeri, is one of the important monuments of Kodagu. The hillock where the tombs are located is to the north of Madikeri and provides a commanding view of the town. The tombs are in the style of Mohammedan edifices with domes in the centre and turrets at the corners. Abbey Falls is a picnic spot eight km from Madikeri town, where water from the Madikeri stream gushes down from a height of 70 feet. It is a treat to watch the torrent of water in the monsoon season between July-October.

Talacauvery, the birthplace of the sacred river Cauvery, is located on the slopes of Brahmagiri Hill. Besides being a pilgrimage centre, Talacauvery is known for its natural beauty. On Tula Sankaramana day in the middle of October, thousands of pilgrims flock to the birthplace of the river to witness a sudden upsurge of water in a small pond, at a predetermined auspicious time. This gushing of water from the small pond is considered a miracle.

Bhagamandala is at the foothills of the Talcauvery. It is eight km downstream from Talacauvery and 39 km from Madikeri. Bhagamandala is at the confluence of the sacred rivers Cauvery and Kanike and legend has it that a third river Sujyothi, a subterranean stream, joins the two rivers here.

The Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole) is one of the best maintained game parks in India. The Nagarahole (meaning snake river in Kannada) sanctuary derives its name from the serpentine river which flows through the park.

Irupu Falls, located 48 km from Virajpet on the way to Kutta from Gonikopppal, is both a picnic spot and a pilgrimage centre. The Falls is located in Kurchi village, not far from the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. A stream flowing down the Brahmagiri hill range plunges down 170 feet in two stages with a resounding roar into a rocky valley surrounded by dense forest.

Bylekuppe near Kushalanagar is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in South India. The settlement, set up in 1960, is dotted with several monasteries. Prominent among these are the Great Gompa of Sera Je and Sera Mey and the Namdroling monastery. The gold-coated Buddhist statues in the monastery are imposing and unique, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Tibetans. Tourists can shop for handicrafts, carpets, incense, sweaters, dress material and other accessories.

Cauvery Nisargadhama is a breathtakingly beautiful island off the state highway, two km from Kushalanagar town and 28 km from Madikeri. The 64-acre island, surrounded by the Cauvery river, can be accessed by walking across a hanging bridge.
Established in 1989, the picturesque picnic spot with lush foliage of thick bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees has lovely river-side cottages.  The Harangi dam, built across river Cauvery, is located eight km from Kushalanagar. Behind the dam is a vast reservoir. On the banks of the reservoir stands a temple of Basavanna. Dubare Elephant Training Camp, located 15 km from Kushalanagar, on the banks of the Cauvery river, is run by the Karnataka government-owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. A visitor can spend hours simply watching and interacting with elephants, some of which have participated in the Mysore Dasara festivities.
Virajpet town, 32 km from Madikeri, is a taluk headquarters. The town, situated at the foot of a hill, is well connected by road to the coastal Kerala towns of Kannur and Tellicherry.

The Clock Tower is the most visible landmark in Virajpet, erected in 1914 to commemorate the Delhi Durbar of King George V. Another important landmark of Virajpet is St. Anne’s Church built in the Gothic style in 1868.

Tadiyandamol peak (1,745 meters) is the highest peak in Kodagu and poses an exciting challenge to seasoned trekkers. The peak is located in the south-eastern part of Kodagu and is 8 km from the town of Kakkabe which is 35 km from Madikeri. A steep serpentine path from the Nalaknad Palace, leads to the Tadiyandamol peak from where on a clear day, one can view the distant Arabian Sea.

Off the beaten track
But, if you are one of those who wants to take the path not trodden, then, you should probably be exploring Mandalpatti, Mallalli Falls or Honnamana Kere, for instance. The fog-covered awe-inspiring mountains around Mandalpatti, located 20 km from Madikeri, is perhaps the most unexplored region of Kodagu till recently. The presence of treacherous curves makes it risky to travel by road from Madikeri to Mandalpatti during the monsoon.

The forest department has constructed a watchtower atop the mountain which provides a magnificent view of the Pushpagiri mountain range.

The villagers assemble at the mand (village plains) during the annual Hutthari festival for staging sports events and other cultural activities. In recent years, Mandalpatti has emerged as a popular venue for film shooting because of the scenic location.
Mallalli Falls, located 25 km from Somvarpet, is one of the most beautiful water falls in Kodagu. The Kumaradhara river takes a plunge from over 200 feet, creating a spectacular sight. The Falls which lies in the foothills of the Pushpagiri hill ranges is situated in Bettadahalli Gram Panchayat in Somvarpet taluk.

The water falls into a gorge which is surrounded by steep lush green hillocks, making it an ideal place for trekking.

Honnamana Kere is perhaps the biggest lake in Kodagu, situated at Doddamalthe, six km from Somvarpet town, amidst beautiful hills and coffee plantations. During the Gowri festival, a special pooja is conducted and ‘Bagina’ is offered to goddess Honnamma. Newly wed couples visit the lake to make offerings. It is an ideal place for boating and fishing.

 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com/ by P T Bopanna /Supplements / Spectrum / Travel /

 

Kodagu Handbook Released

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, , , , , , , ,
A compilation of articles on Kodagu (Coorg) ‘Dateline Coorg’ written by senior journalist P T Bopanna over the last two decades has been released.
Cover page of the book ‘Dateline Coorg’ by P T Bopanna.Inspired by the success of his last book ‘Rise and Fall of the Coorg State’, which went into reprint within two months of its release, Bopanna’s new book contains text of the full bench judgement of the Karnataka High Court on the controversial Jamma lands in Kodagu. 

Commenting on his new book, Bopanna says:  “As a journalist based in Bangalore, I had taken active interest in the affairs of Kodagu in the last quarter of a century. This book will come in handy for those wanting to understand the major socio-economic issues prevailing now in Kodagu. Besides, the book is intended to serve as an important reference for students of history in the future.”

The author was one of the first to report on the Union government’s move in 1993 to withdraw the exemption given to Kodavas (Coorgs) and Jamma-holders to possess firearms without licence. The Centre wanted to withdraw the privilege after guns from Kodagu reached the hands of the banned Maoists in Andhra Pradesh.Through his reports, Bopanna was able to put across to the policy makers in Delhi that people of Kodagu not only worshipped their weapons, but seldom misused their privilege. It was pointed out that the gun-running was the handiwork of a couple of gun dealers in Kodagu who had brought a bad name to the district.

There is a special chapter on India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s lurking fear of a military take-over and his unease with the two most popular Generals of independent India, Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General K S Thimayya, both hailing from Kodagu.
The articles range from serious issues pertaining to separate statehood for Kodagu, Jamma land tenure, gun license exemption, looting of forest wealth to subjects like the experiments involving the DNA study to explore the origin of the Kodavas and the moves to develop a script for the Kodava language by a German.

A postscript has been added to incorporate the developments taken place after the articles were written. The book is priced at Rs 100. Bopanna is the author of ‘Discover Coorg’, the bestselling handbook on Kodagu, published in 2006. The book has already run into three editions. Besides, a Kannada edition of the book has also been published.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Mysore / DH News Service / Aug 19th, 2010