Varsha Bollamma is finally getting recognized by the Telugu filmmakers. The success of ‘Middle Class Melodies’ in the OTT space has given a boost to her career. She is now being offered some good projects.
Varsha Bollamma is currently acting with Raj Tarun in a film titled ‘Stand Up, Rahul’. Besides this project, she will be part of a couple of romantic dramas.
Varsha Bollamma has played roles in ‘Choosi Choodangana’, ‘Jaanu’ and ‘Bigil’. But she got the beak with ‘Middle Class Melodies’, which won good appreciation.
source: http://www.telugucinema.com / Telugu Cinema / Home> News / by Telugu Cinema / December 01st, 2020
Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad has urged the Government to grant Tribal Status to Kodava community and also form Kodava Language Authority.
He was speaking at the 30th Annual Codava National Day coinciding with Indian Constitution Day celebrations organised by Codava National Council (CNC) at a private hotel on the outskirts of Madikeri on Thursday.
Pointing out that though the population of Kodavas was a little over 2 lakh, there are over 10,000 Government servants and Army officers from the community, he opined that the community very much deserved to get all rights under the Indian Constitution.
Warning the Government against ignoring the community because of its low population, he said that without the Constitution, no one from the economically backward communities, including himself, could have entered the Parliament.
Asserting that a committed and continuous fight is needed for saving Kodava culture, language and customs, Hariprasad called for apolitical support for CNC President N.U. Nachappa’s fight for Codava land.
BJP MLC and former Minister A.H. Vishwanath, in his address, said that the whole-hearted support of everyone was needed for achieving success in the struggle for getting due rights.
Calling for holding a meeting of researchers who have carried out the ethnographic study of the Kodava tribe, thanks to CNC’s relentless effort through Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute (KSTRI), Mysuru, the MLC noted that the discipline, lifestyle, customs and practices of Kodavas cannot be seen in any other community and as such, the Kodava community need to be accorded Tribal Status.
MLC Veena Achaiah said that she had raised her voice for rights of the Kodavas in the Legislative Council several times in the past. Asserting that she will raise the issue once again in the Council during next month’s winter session, Veena said that she will speak with more vigour this time as her fellow MLCs Vishwanath and Hariprasad have expressed their support for the Kodava cause.
Bengaluru Kodava Samaja President M.T. Nanaiah, who is a senior High Court advocate, said that taking part in the struggle is the best way of expressing support for Codava land.
CNC Convenor Nachappa contended that Kodava customs, practices and traditions, land, language and culture can only be safeguarded by the Indian Constitution. Stating that Kodavas must Constitutionally get geo-political autonomy, gun rights and land rights, he asserted that the struggle will continue till the goal is achieved. Resolutions were adopted and passed in the presence of distinguished guests in this regard.
During the last Parliamentary session in Dec. 2019, while debating on the ST Constitution Amendment Bill, MPs B.K. Hariprasad and Kupendra Reddy spoke about the inclusion of Kodava tribe in the ST list, he said adding that this issue had attracted the attention of the whole country and conscience of law-makers.
As a result of CNC’s relentless effort and innumerable petitions to the Union Government, the Centre directed the State Government to conduct an ethnographic study on Kodava tribalism. Hence, Karnataka Government entrusted this responsibility to KSTRI, Mysuru, he said.
Earlier, Nachappa set off the Codava National Day programme by firing in the air. Members of Valleydew Arts Team performed Kolaat, Kattiyaat and Bolkaat on the occasion.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 28th, 2020
With works on the ambitious Kodava Heritage Centre Project having recommenced after years of neglect, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Annies Kanmani Joy visited the site on Thursday and reviewed the progress of work.
The Heritage Centre is coming up in a 4-acre land at Karavale Badaga village near Vidyanagar and close to Mahindra Holiday Resort, on the outskirts of Madikeri city.
The Kodava Heritage Centre envisaged by the Government in 2009-10 for introducing the unique Ainmane tradition of Kodavas with a Museum, was in limbo until recently. The Project features an Ainmane, a Hall, a small indoor water pond, an open auditorium, a Library, a Museum and drinking water facility.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been entrusted with the task of executing the Project. The PWD had awarded the Rs.1.5 crore tender for completion of works to Madikeri-based Civil Contractor Kishore Babu.
The Project was launched on Sept. 21, 2011 and only the walls of the structure were built so far. There were complaints of poor quality work, while some others accused the authorities of improper planning and architecture. Over the years, the granite stones used for the steps have come apart and the incomplete walls have become dilapidated, unable to withstand the vagaries of nature.
Surprised by the undue delay in the execution of the Project, DC Annies Kanmani Joy, who is also Kodagu District Tourism Development Committee Chairperson, held a meeting on Sept. 6, 2020 during which she directed the officials to expedite the Project works.
Now the PWD, which has been tasked with the execution of the Project, has awarded the contract to Kishore Babu. The contractor has been asked to complete the works by March 2021. The Project was estimated to cost Rs. 88.75 lakh when it was envisaged over a decade ago. But the inordinate delay in the execution of the Project, has resulted in a huge cost escalation, with the Project now costing Rs. 3.3. crore.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 28th, 2020
Harvesting new crops is always a much-awaited occasion, with many festivals revolving around this event. One such harvest festival celebrated by Kodavas is Puthari (which translates to new rice), and it marks the first harvest of the paddy crop.
Puthari is celebrated in the Kodava month of Birchiyar, which falls in November and December. This year Puthari is on November 30.
“In the past, rice cultivation was what brought prosperity to Kodagu. There are beautiful images in our folk narratives of caravans of oxen, loaded with rice, setting off from ancestral homes to neighbouring regions indicating a thriving rice trade. Puthari celebrates the new crop of rice that promises a year of abundance; it’s a time of thanksgiving, and is the most important festival of the year,” says Kaveri Ponnapa, the author of The Vanishing Kodavas.
On a predetermined day, at a fixed time after dusk, the Nere Kattuvo ceremony is first held, wherein leaves of certain trees are tied together and later placed at different corners of the house. Men in traditional kupya chele and women wearing Kodava saree then go to the paddy field, led by a woman holding a taliyakki bolcha (lamp) under the light of the full moon.
Here the Khadh Edpo ceremony is held. The eldest man of the family called the patedara cuts an odd number of paddy sheaves (khadh) and they return carrying the harvested crop in a kuthi (a sacred bamboo container) while uttering Poli Poli deva — praying for a bountiful year.
The paddy sheaves are placed in front of the nellaki bolcha (sacred lamp) at the ainmane (ancestral home) and people pray for a good harvest. Then two special types of desserts — thambutt (made from roasted rice flour and mashed banana) and rice payasa — are prepared.
The day ends with children bursting firecrackers and a wholesome meal.
Traditionally, Puthari would be followed by week-long celebrations. On the days following Puthari, a few people would go door-to-door visiting every house in the hamlet and sing songs eulogising the family members of that house, beating a dudi (traditional hourglass drum). This formed part of the mane paado (singing at houses) ceremony. Children of the hamlet would tag along with these singers in merriment.
On the last day of the celebrations, people would visit the mandh, the sacred grounds of the village, and men would perform kol aat, a traditional stick dance.
Men performing Kol aat as part of Puthari celebrations. DH File Photo
Building solidarity
“Rice cultivation is a community-oriented activity — one had to rely on neighbours to help with transplanting and harvesting. So, you find that many of the customs — the dances, feasts, the bringing in of new household implements and so on — are all directed at building solidarity. It’s also a time when we reconnect with our own clans; the dudi patkaras (traditional singers) walk from one ancestral home to another, singing the histories of clans, re-establishing our links with our heritage, and the land,” says Kaveri.
While many Kodavas have moved outside of Kodagu for their careers, Puthari is still celebrated in the same spirit of togetherness. Kodava families in a region get together, and celebrate this festival upholding the traditions.
“Since we stay in Bengaluru, every year on Puthari, we make it a point to go to Bangalore Kodava Samaja, which we regard as our ainmane in the city. There we symbolically harvest some paddy crop and bring back home the paddy sheaves to the tunes of Poli Poli deva,” says Mundanda Sudha Poovaiah, an advocate practicing in Bengaluru.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum> Spectrum Statescan / by Dhanyata M Poovaiah , Bengaluru / November 18th, 2020
The renovated pond at Raja Seat as a part of the expansion of tourist facilities. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A new tourist attraction is ready at Raja Seat in Madikeri to promote local culture, products
A project to develop and showcase a typical Kodagu village at Raja Seat in Madikeri, to promote the local culture and traditions besides making available crafts, spices and other commodities for which Kodagu is known, is now ready for launch.
The new attraction, called “Coorg Village”, is part of the expansion of tourism facilities in and around Raja Seat, a major tourist destination in Madikeri.
The area below Raja Seat is being developed with new facilities and one such facility is the “Coorg Village” that has around 15 stalls where the products for which Kodagu is famous would be made available for the tourists.
The new attraction is expected to be launched in the next few days as the stalls had been allotted to the government and institutions supported by the government for selling authentic commodities of Kodagu.
Also, the pond at Raja Seat has been renovated and garden had been developed around it, making it an ideal place to relax.
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy has directed the officials to complete the pending works at the earliest.
Assistant Director of Tourism Raghavendra said the project is almost done and the stalls had been allotted to the government institutions and agencies so that only through them the products are marketed. No private players are allowed at the village and only certified products such as honey, spices, coffee and other products for which the “coffee land” is well-known would be made available.
This initiative is expected to help tourists get authentic commodities since it is a government-funded and government-backed project.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 28th, 2020
Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan will inaugurate the programme. Credit: DH.
District Kannada Sahitya Parishat will confer Rajyotsava Puraskara for teachers at Devraj Urs Bhavan on November 28.
Addressing reporters in Madikeri on Wednesday, Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parishat president B S Lokesh Sagar said that the programme will begin at 2.30 pm.
Virajpet Arameri Kalancheri Mutt Shantamallikarjuna Swami will grace the occasion. Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan will inaugurate the programme.
Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah, MLC Sunil Subramani M P, Madikeri Taluk Panchayat President Tekkade Shobha Mohan, DDPI P S Macchado and others will be present.
Lokesh Sagar further said that the programme which was not held for the last seven to eight months owing to Covid-19 will be held regularly in future.
“Teachers who are not members of the Sahitya Parishat too have been considered for the felicitation. Teachers known for innovative methods of teaching will be felicitated. Also, the award-winning teachers will be honoured on the occasion,” he added.
Light songs competition
He said that the district unit of Kannada Sahitya Parishat will conduct a district-level Bhavageethe competition in Kushalnagar on November 29.
Also, a Vachana Sahitya Samavesha will be held in Somwarpet on December 12. A Suggi Kavigosthi in Ponnampet, a programme on Dasa compositions in Madikeri and an essay competition in Virajpet have been planned, he added.
District Kannada Sahitya parishat office-bearers Kudekal Santhosh, Nagaraj Shetty, Dayananda, Dhananjaya and Kavan Cariappa were present in the press meet.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DDNS, Madikeri / November 25th, 2020
Achievers in the cooperative field were felicitated during the valedictory programmeof the Cooperative Week in Madikeri on Friday.
District Cooperative Union President A K Manu Muttappa demanded the installation of the statue of Pandyanda Belliappa, who has immensely contributed to the development of cooperative and education sectors in Kodagu district.
He was speaking during the valedictory programme of the 67th All India Cooperative Week in Madikeri on Friday.
“Pandyanda Belliappa was famously known as Gandhi of Kodagu. He was instrumental in the establishment of the senior college in Madikeri in 1950. He was also one of the pioneers of the cooperative movement in the district, along with Pandikuttira Changappa and M C Nanaiah,” he said.
Manu Muttappa further said that the District Cooperative Union has been bringing out a trimonthly magazine and the members of cooperative societies should utilise the same.
Various programmes are being organised by the District Central Cooperative Bank to strengthen the cooperative sector, he said.
Receiving Kodagu Sahakara Ratna award, M P Muttappa said that all people should acknowledge the contributions of the cooperative sector, which is run by the people and for the people.
He also felt the need to apply modern technology in the cooperative sector, to bring the sector closer to people, by sharing information about the same.
Kodagu Sahakara Ratna felicitation was offered to Matanda A Ramesh.
Kumbugowdana Uttappa was felicitated with Shrestha Sahakara Sanmana.
Macchamada Kanda Bhimaiah, Chotteyandamada Baby Poovaiah and KACM principal Dr R S Renuka were also felicitated on the occasion.
District Central Cooperative Bank vice president Kotolira Harish Poovaiah, District Cooperative Union vice president Pattada Manu Ramachandra, directors B D Manjunath, H M Ramesh, P B Raghu Nanaiah, Kannanda Sampath and others were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 20th, 2020
As the date for the Gram Panchayat elections could be announced at any time, the political arena in Kodagu is buzzing with activities.
Politicians, especially the young leaders from the BJP, Congress and JD(S) have been paying visits to rural areas.
MLAs, ZP president, Taluk Panchayat presidents and members have gone one step ahead and have been performing groundbreaking for various development works in rural areas from the past four to five months.
Candidates of Gram Panchayat election do not contest directly through political parties but are supported by the political parties externally.
Political parties are making their best possible effort to attract voters for the candidates supported by them. They are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure their victory as the Gram Panchayat election is a good opportunity to strengthen the roots of the party.
Also, for young leaders, it is the first step to enter into politics. Discussions are being held about the young leaders in each ward of the village, who are contesting elections.
Kodagu has been a strong fortress of the BJP from the past several years when it comes to the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat and Town Panchayats.
There is only one MLC from Congress and JD(S) is yet to open their account. The political parties think that victory in the Gram Panchayat will pave the way to win more seats in the upcoming Assembly elections.
BJP particular on winning
BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel has conducted a meeting of leaders in Madikeri and has asked them to ensure that 80% of the winning candidates are from BJP.
Congress chants unity mantra
Congress leaders have been forgetting their internal differences and have been conducting meetings.
Kodagu District Congress Committee President K K Manjunath Kumar said that the party has been making preparations from the past six months to face Gram Panchayat elections.
Meetings with local leaders are being conducted regularly and the leaders are being trained. There is a good response, he said.
Even though JD(S) has been making preparations, there is no buzz of activities, say the rural voters.
District administration starts preparations
On the other hand, the district administration has been making preparations to conduct free and fair elections in Gram Panchayats.
A preparatory meeting has been held by Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.
There are a total of 104 Gram Panchayats in the district and 562 polling booths have been identified.
Returning officers and assistant returning officers are being deputed. Training will be held for officials in Madikeri on November 21, in Somwarpet on November 23 and in Virajpet on November 24.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A, DHNS, Madikeri / November 21st, 2020
A bride came directly from the marriage hall to the Junior College in Madikeri to write a competitive examination, after completing her wedding rituals, on Sunday.
Swathi, a resident of Ashokapura, is the bride. The competitive examination for the selection of DCC Bank staff had coincided with the date of her marriage with Suresh from Madhuramma Pattana in Suntikoppa.
The marriage was held at Ambedkar Bhavan in Madikeri. The auspicious timing was fixed so that it did not clash with the timing of the examination.
Swathi and Suresh entered into wedlock between 6.30 am and 9 am on Sunday and Swathi later came to the exam hall in the Junior College in Madikeri directly, in her wedding attire.
Swathi Suresh said that she had been preparing for the competitive exam from the past several months.
The marriage rituals were performed in short, so that she did not lag behind the schedule of the exam.
Swathi expressed her confidence in clearing the exam.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 22nd, 2020
Four books published by Kodava Makkada Koota were released at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri on Sunday. Credit: DH photo.
Former minister M C Nanaiah called upon Kodava Samaja associations to take up an innovative project to feature Kodava culture and way of life.
He was speaking after releasing four books brought out by Kodava Makkada Koota, during a programme held at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri, on Sunday.
Nanaiah felt that the Kodagu needs to have a museum for Kodava culture, in the format of ‘Janapada Loka’ in Ramanagar, which was a brainchild of folklore scholar Dr Nagegowda.
“There are high chances of the project not serving the purpose if the government takes up the work. Therefore, Kodava Samaja associations should initiate the project with the help of various like-minded organisations,” he said and lamented that the work on Kodava Heritage Centre, which was initiated by the government, is now stagnant.
The former minister meanwhile said that the books on Kodava culture and tradition should not be confined to Kodava language, but, should be published in various other languages.
“All must forget their differences and contribute towards the creation of a harmonious society,” he added.
He meanwhile said that senior writer Bacharaniyanda Appanna is a guide for budding writers.
Lamenting over the pervading corruption in society, he pointed out that the vice chancellor posts in the universities are being literally ‘purchased’ by the aspirants nowadays, which shows how low the education system has stooped.
Introspection is required in this regard, he said.
‘Moily did not constitute Kodava Academy’
M C Nanaiah said that in some books it has been depicted that former chief minister Veerappa Moily had himself constituted Kodava Sahitya Academy.
“But, in reality, when I was in the opposition, I had mounted pressure on the government headed by then chief minister Veerappa Moily to institute Kodava Academy, after he announced Tulu Academy. During the chief ministerial tenure of J H Patel, the then Kannada and Culture minister B T Lalitha Nayak proposed to merge all linguistic academies into one. But, I opposed the proposal and convinced the chief minister to retain the academies,” he added.
Nanaiah meanwhile released the book ‘Ottajodi’ on the occasion.
Releasing the book ‘Changira’ authored by Bacharaniyanda Appanna, MLC Veena Achaiah said that the cultural aspects should not be forgotten.
She hoped that the Kodava Sahitya Academy will take steps to preserve the tradition towards handing it over to the next generation.
Releasing the book ‘Appanna Dampathi Kanda America’, Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy chairperson Ammatanda Parvathi Appaiah said that Appanna couple has gathered a huge knowledge by visiting various countries.
Kodagu Press Club president Ajjamada Ramesh Kuttappa released the book ‘Appanna Dampathi Kanda Europe’, on the occasion.
He said that getting awards by lobbying is very discouraging for the real achievers.
Bacharaniyanda Ranu Appanna and international hockey player Ajjamada Mayur Subbaiah were present.
Kodava Makkada Koota president Bollajira B Ayyappa, secretary Puttarira Arun Kalaiah and director Baleyada Divya Mandappa were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 22nd, 2020
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