Noted Malayalam actress Lena, who travels extensively to tourist destinations in India and abroad, recently undertook a tour of Coorg, which unlike her usual long-winding excursions, was a brief one in search of the traditional tastes of the place.
Her travel videos have a large following. The video on her Coorg tour, too, has received wide acceptance. In this video, Lena is appears in the traditional dress of Coorg women. Coorg women drape their sarees in a very unique manner.
Coorg, also known as Kodagu, has a pleasant climate thanks to its geographical location in the Western Ghats. This climate has helped Coorg to win the sobriquet ‘Indian Scotland.’ Coorg with Mysore, Wayanad, and Kannur etc at its borders is famous for its coffee and the hospitality of the simple Kodagu people. Coorg is easily reached from Kerala and its geography is not altogether different from that of our own.
In her ‘taste expedition,’ Lena first visited ‘Coorg Cuisine,’ a restaurant renowned for conventional Kodagu food. Lena vouches that pork is an essential component of the Kodagu cuisine. Lena is a foodie by her own admission and she tries out the local food at the places she visits. She says that ‘Kodagu pork fry’ should necessarily be tasted by all visiting Coorg. Also, for coffee, there is no place in India better than Coorg.
There is more to Coorg than its mouth-watering cuisine. The Madikeri Fort, one of the rare forts in South India which has remained largely intact, is a ‘must see’ location. The Madikeri town spreads outward and around this fort. Talacauvery (Talakaveri), Bylakuppe etc are the other famous tourist centres around Coorg.
source: http://www.travel.manoramaonline.com / OnManorama / Home> Trave> Celebrity Travel/ by OnManorama Correspondent / October 04th, 2019
Stock up on handlooms, eye make-up, and neck and hand jewellery, as post-pandemic life looks set to see a change in style mantras
Bengaluru :
Fashion in the beginning of 2020 was slowly moving towards a more conscious and sustainable approach, and the pandemic has only helped in further validating this cause. The COVID-19 outbreak will redefine fashion and style trends, say experts, with people moving towards natural, breathable fabrics.
“The economic slowdown has been felt by consumers, designers and as well as artisans,” says fashion curator and brand consultant Sarayu Hegde. With the buzz at this point being local manufacturing, Hegde points out that there is newfound pride in wearing the ‘Made in India’ tag now more than ever before. Weaves like Ikat and Uppada are likely to gain even more popularity. “In the recent past, there has been a shift by designers and brands towards using more indigenous material. Also, a lot of plant-based fabrics like banana, bamboo, jute, aloe vera, flax and hemp are currently being used to make sustainable clothing. I would like to see designers creating garments and products with an Indian soul while keeping in mind a more global sensibility,” she says.
Agrees fashion guru Prasad Bidapa who lives in the hope that the Indian customer will now realise that there is nothing as precious as traditional Indian hand-woven textiles. “In this COVID age, a khadi gamchha used as a breathable face mask is infinitely better than any synthetic mask which recycles stale, poisonous air. We need to support the artisanal textile crafts of India,” he says.
Both Hegde and Prasad resonate one thought: the importance of slow fashion. “Fashion will be back in a celebratory manner. Just like in the 1920s, except we hope that people will choose mindful indulgence as opposed to over-indulgence,” says Hegde. “No more impulse buying, but to upcycle our wardrobes and to retain the best of it, to wear again, should be key. We must be prepared to invest in quality, not quantity,” says Bidapa.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Vidya Iyengar, Express News Service / May 21st, 2020
Will ‘at home marriages’ be the in-thing henceforth?
Mysore/Mysuru:
Novel Coronavirus crisis has felled many. And the ‘big fat Indian wedding’ is surely one among them. Thousands gather for dazzling multi-day weddings which are fun, lavish and it fuels a massive industry. Thanks to a Coronavirus-affected world, these weddings are seen now as virus-super-spreader events and many stay away from them.
So, the weddings adopted to a new normal – simple and a small affair with limited guests. While many couples have taken the easy way out and postponed their weddings hoping for better days, many weddings are conducted as spartan affairs with just the couple and their immediate families. And instead of choultries, such ceremonies are held at homes.
Theetharamada Gagan Appaiah and Kuttanda Kavery.
Weddings at homes
The couple, their parents, a few relatives and some close friends can be in attendance at homes and it is possible to do a simple wedding with just 50 or so people as per the Government guidelines. At such a spartan wedding, all guests can wear masks and gloves and social distancing could be maintained at all times, and food could be served carefully to prevent any congestion at the tables.
This is the way weddings are happening in Kodagu district and in Mysuru for the past one month during lockdown which also covered a peak marriage season. Numbers of small marriage ceremonies that have taken place in the districts suggest that more and more people are liking it.
Kunchettira Jayanth Subbaiah, an Officer in the Indian Navy at Karwar, was to get married to K. Prajna at Napoklu Kodava Samaja on May 9 and 10 and had invited over 2,000 guests for a grand ceremony. But due to COVID-19 lockdown, the family elders decided to conduct the wedding in their house and only 20 to 25 close relatives were invited. Social distancing was strictly followed at the small event.
Small but traditional
Theetharamada Gagan Appaiah got married to Kuttanda Kavery (Kirthana) in a simple ceremony on May 6 at their homes in a traditional Kodava ‘single muhurtha’ ceremony. Their wedding was originally planned on Apr. 29 at Palm Valley near Gonikoppal and due to lockdown, the family decided to keep it a small affair.
Gagan’s father Vijay told ‘Star of Mysore’ that only 20 to 25 close relatives participated in the wedding. “Both of our families were comfortable with the small ceremony. But we made sure that all the Kodava traditions were followed and we were happy for our children. It was a simple but traditional ceremony and I am planning a similar ceremony for my younger son Ben Aiyappa,” he said.
Ranjitha and Sreenidhi were to get married on Apr. 29 and 30 and they had booked a Choultry in Mysuru after paying Rs. 90,000 advance. Due to lockdown, both the families decided to perform the wedding at the bride’s home in city. They got married on Apr. 30 at a simple ceremony and only 20 close relatives were in attendance.
No lavish affair
Nayakanda Sona married Karthamada Sunil in a traditional ceremony at one of their elders’ home and over 50 guests participated. Both the traditional Kodava Oorkuduva ceremony and the Dampathi Muhurtha were held at home and all the traditions were followed.
Sanjith, a resident of Mysuru, planned a lavish wedding on May 3 at a reputed Choultry on the Ring Road in Mysuru and had paid an advance of Rs. 1.25 lakh. “Due to lockdown, our families decided to hold the wedding in the first week of June. It will be a small ceremony at home and only close relatives will be invited,” Sanjith said.
Nayakanda Sona and Karthamada Sunil.
Lockdown-forced move
Commenting on many people catching up with a trend of simple weddings at their homes, former President of Mysore Kodava Samaja Moovera K. Kuttappa told ‘SOM’ that it is a lockdown-forced move. “Once the lockdown is lifted, things will be normal,” he said.
“Earlier, all weddings in Kodagu were held at homes and Ain Manes (traditional Kodava ancestral home). Later, we shifted to Kodava Samajas. Now due to lockdown, we are back to home weddings. I am happy that all Kodava traditions are followed. But if you take a larger picture, it is a loss to the Kodava Samajas who have properties, marriage halls and staff to maintain. If weddings are held at Samajas, there will be revenues to support Kodava institutions. If not, it is a loss,” he pointed out.
“Marriages during lockdown are very slim affairs and may not find traction in the society. But we believe a trend has been set to reduce marriages to a one-day affair instead of two days. 100 guests are acceptable from either side and a marriage banquet for 200 people is much more manageable than one for 1,000,” said one of the office-bearers of Ponnampet Kodava Samaja.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Covid-19 / News / May 20th, 2020
Rev. Fr. Joseph Aloysius D’Mello (72), a priest of the Diocese of Mysore, passed away in the early hours today ( May 19). He was sick for the last few years and since the last five months was under medical treatment in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mysuru.
Profile: Fr. Joseph D’Mello was born in Kedamullur village, Virajpet Taluk, Kodagu district, on Feb.20, 1947 to Rozario D’Mello and Mary Menezes, the third child among six children. He is survived by three elder sisters and a younger brother (Advocate Davis D’Mello) and sister.
After completing his school studies in Virajpet, he joined St. Mary’s Minor Seminary later, completed his Priestly studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. He was ordained Priest for the Diocese of Mysore on April 4, 1973 at St. Anne’s Church, Virajpet, by Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathias Fernandes, the then Bishop of Mysore.
He has served as Assistant Parish Priest at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Parish Priest at Sacred Heart Church, Vontikoppal, St. Joseph’s Church, Mandya, Our Lady of Velangani Church, Hanur, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Mysore, Holy Family Church, Hinkal and Infant Jesus Church, Nanjangud. He was also the Secretary of Mysore Diocesan Educational Society (MDES) between 1989 and 1996.
His contribution to the field of education has been great. He founded St. Joseph’s School at Mandya, improved the educational institutions at Hanur and St. Philomena’s institutions at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. As the Secretary of MDES, he supported many rural educational institutions in the Diocese of Mysore.
Soft spoken and humane, Fr. Joseph D’Mello was an excellent musician and mastered Gregorian Music. He had the honour of being the General Choir Master at St. Peter’s Seminary. Since 2015 he has been residing at Prashantha Nilaya, retired Priests Home in Mysuru.
Funeral mass: Respecting the restrictions laid by the Government during the present lockdown, the funeral mass was held at Prashantha Nilaya by the two Bishops, Curia members, inmates of Priests’ Home and a few close relatives at 11.30 am. His body was interred at the Catholic Cemetery in Gandhinagar at 12.30 pm today.
Condoled: Most Rev. Dr. K.A. William, Bishop of Mysore, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Antony Vazhapilly, the priests and religious of the Diocese of Mysore have condoled his death.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 19th, 2020
Food is supplied to the police and home guards in Virajpet.
Actor Rashmika Mandanna has made arrangements to supply food for the police and home guards, who have been implementing lockdown guidelines effectively in Virajpet.
The food is being supplied for 150 people including police and home guards for the last 10 days.
The food is prepared in Serenity Hall owned by Rashmika’s father M Madan Mandanna and later taken in a vehicle to reach out to the police and home guards. Arrangements have been made to supply both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
Serenity Manager Vikki Changappa said that Rashmika has asked to make arrangement for the food till May 17.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Manglauru / by DHNS, Virajpet / May 17th, 2020
Rashmika Mandanna on her Venice trip | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The ‘Bheeshma’ actor reveals how one missed train stop led to an unforgettable travel memory, as she covered every inch of Venice on foot.
Exploring Venice on foot tops Rashmika Mandanna’s list of adventures from her many travels, although, given a second chance, she might get off at the right train stop this time. On the plus side, she says, “I feel like I’m a boss of Venice now.”
The story goes such: having requested a break from filming a song for Bheeshma, Rashmika opted to travel to Venice from Rome via Florence on train.
“I knew that my stop would arrive at noon,” she says. Once aboard, the train operator threw two different options. “One stop at 11.45 and the other at 12.15. I thought the earlier option was better and ended up getting off at the wrong station,” she adds.
Up ahead were two more options: either walk for two-and-a-half hours with her luggage to get to her hotel in Venice, or travel by cab to a point midway and then take a water taxi.
Rashmika Mandanna on her Venice trip | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
She took the cab but, as fate would have it, she could not find a boat service/operator who could speak or understand English.
“I was awestruck. The entire world comes here for vacation. Maybe, it was my bad luck that nobody could understand what I was trying to ask them, like ‘where to go’, ‘how do you reach here’,” she says.
The actor decided to wing it and find her own way, perhaps, falling back on the solo traveller spirit, a move she would later regret as she ended up at the hotel only at 2 am.
“I have never walked so much in my life. It was just me dragging my suitcase and walking around a residential street; there was not a single soul in sight. My phone battery was going to give up, I didn’t have a map and I started to think ‘okay, what if I am supposed to spend the rest of my life here?’,” she laughs, adding, “I’m not kidding because I was so scared. Imagine, you are walking and you don’t see any one, there are just two people walking by and staring at you, probably because they think you are weird.”
Sightseeing in Venice | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The experience only strengthened her resolve to overcome the language barrier.
“I stayed in the hotel the next day because I was tired, but then the next two days I was out and about, taking the water taxis all around Venice trying to figure out the city, which stop connected to which place, talking to locals and clicking pictures. I did get lost in Venice but now I feel like I know each and every spot there.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Movies / by Pradeep Kumar / May 13th, 2020
Majaa Talkies is Kannada television’s favorite comedy show. The actors and everybody else on the crew have become fans’ favorite over the years.
Shweta Changappa, who essays one of the famous roles, Rani, is pregnant and expecting her child. Recently, the actress shared the news with her fans through an Instagaram post. She also mentioned in the caption that she is due soon.
Yesterday, the Majaa Talkies members visited Shwetha Changappa at her residence for the baby shower ceremony.
She shared the pictures of the same on her social media handles.
Shwetha shared a series of pictures with Majaa Talkies family and wrote, “Just thinking 🤔 Does this POST require any QUOTES??????… Nahhhhhhhhh. U know what, These pictures says it allllllllll🤗 These are my FRIENDS who took,time off from Thier busy schedule and Came to our home☺️ All I can say is thank u guys😘 #motherhood #pregnancy #momtobe #Babybump #god’sgift #happysoul #lovemylife #loveuzindagi😍” – (sic)
Shwetha originally hails from Coorg, Karanataka. Unlike the other conventional baby showers, their tradition takes puts the mother-to-be on an eating spree.
Explaining this she said, There is a ritual that every coorgie family does to a kodavathi GIRL who is pregnant… that’s called “KOOPADI KOOLU”. Starts from her Mother and father. And continues with close family members…..Cooking special Dishes in odd numbers and serving the Mom to be🤗 we don’t Have a SEEMANTHA function..But our ritual
happens almost every weekend by our close family members.. ♥️”
“For me it stated almost 2months ago and it is still continuing … Have captured few pics and would like to share it with u alll♥️ these are the pics with our Family who made the rituals special for me by cooking variety of dishes made it for me and the little one in my tummy😍 with the special ingredient called LOVE.😘 can’t thank them enough. All I can say is I am truly blessed 🙏 LOVE YOU ALL 😍,” she added.
source: http://www.filmibeat.com / Filmi Beat / Home> Kannada> News / by Chaitra Krishnamurthy / August 03rd, 2019
Hugely acclaimed US saxophonist signs to Whirlwind Recordings for his new album, Hero Trio, released on 19 June.
Across his 25-year career Rudresh Mahanthappa has become known for his garrulous mix of fiery post bop and complex Carnatic music, which has seen him explore everything from re-cast classic bop to post M-BASE fusion.
On Hero Trio, his 16th release as a leader/co-leader, he pays tribute to his greatest influences with an album of interpretations. All of the material is presented in Mahanthappa’s wry, spontaneous and imaginative way, alongside long-time heavyweight associates François Moutin on bass and Rudy Royston on drums.
The first single: June Carter Cash wrote ‘Ring of Fire’ for her husband Johnny, and the tune connects Mahanthappa with his Colorado childhood – which you can hear on the video below.
Commenting on the song, the saxophonist says; ‘Like Dolly Parton, when you take a closer look at what they did compositionally you realise that it has a conversational flow, with odd length phrases and extra bars here and there, and I wanted to capture that freedom.”
For more info visit rudreshmahanthappa1.bandcamp.com/album/hero-trio
The participants of the training programme were given certification from the police and winners in the shooting event were presented prizes. Women take part in a gun training event in Gonikoppal. (Photo | EPS)
Madikeri :
Every morning for the past five days, a handful of women from South Kodagu had set aside their usual kitchenware in favour of licenced firearms with the aim of becoming expert shooters.
In a land where owning a gun is part of the tradition, taking a break from their daily routine to learn the use of firearms is a small price to pay. It also gives women good self-defence capabilities.
The women who underwent the training needed no coaxing. Proudly dressed in all whites and wearing sneakers, they used to rush to the Cauvery College Grounds in Gonikoppal where they learned to load guns, aim and fire at targets.
The shooting training was organised by the Gonikoppal police and over 60 residents from across South Kodagu took part in the programme. Among the trainees were eight women who have become amateur shooters after the training.
“Gun is worshipped in Kodava culture and it is a cliché to say that shooting is in the blood of Kodavas. However, the men are usually trained in this skill and it is only recently that girls are being trained in this tradition. Nevertheless, when opportunity knocks on the door, you don’t deny it,” said Bharati Bopanna, a resident of Ponnampet, who attended the training programme and won the third place in the shooting competition.
When Bharati heard that the police are training residents in shooting, she registered herself for the programme. “Women, especially married ones, are not used to much physical exercise. And the training programme stressed on physical fitness.
Apart from that, during traditional festivals, women are given loaded guns to perform ritualistic shooting. While I had tried my hands on shooting, I never really knew to load the rifle. After this training, I need not depend on anyone to load a gun.”
The participants of the training programme were given certification from the police and winners in the shooting event were presented prizes.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Services / December 30th, 2020
The much-loved Rashmika Mandanna is arguably one of the most popular young actresses in Telugu/ Kannada cinema. She enjoys a strong fan following due to her charming screen presence, bindass nature and sincere performances. On Sunday, as the star turns a year older, here is a look at the films that make her everyone’s favourite ‘Kodava Beauty’.
Kirik Party (Kannada)
One of the biggest hits of 2016, Kirik Party established Rashmika as a household name and clicked with the aam janta due to its lively presentation. The film featured her as the leading lady opposite Rakshit Shetty and this created a great deal of buzz among fans. The Rishabh Shetty-helmed flick was later remade in Telugu as Kirrak Party.
Chalo (Telugu)
Chalo, which marked the young woman’s Tollywood debut, emerged as one of the biggest sleeper hits of 2018 and helped her add a new dimension to her career. The film had a strong cast that included Naga Shaurya, Vennela Kishore, Achyuth Kumar and Mime Gopi.
Geetha Govindam (Telugu)
A lively romantic-comedy, Geetha Govindam featured Rashmika in the role of lively young girl and marked her first collaboration with young hero Vijay Deverakonda. Released in 2018, it fared well at the box office and establied the young diva as a synonym for success.
Yajamana (Kannada)
While Yajamana was essentially a Darshan starrer, it proved to be a high-profile affair for Rashmika as it marked her return to Sandalwood after a hiatus. The film featured the Dear Comrade star in a desi avatar and helped her impress fans courtesy her crackling chemistry with ‘D Boss’.
Sarileru Neekevvaru (Telugu)
Arguably the biggest Tollywood film of Rashmika’s career, Sarileru Neekevvaru hit screens this Sankranti and emerged as a sensational hit despite releasing a day before the Allu Arjun starrer Ala Vaikunthapurramloo. The film featured her in a stylish avatar and marked her first collaboration with ‘Prince’ Mahesh Babu
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Entertainment> Entertainment News / by DH Web Desk / April 05th, 2020
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