Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Jose T. Ramapuram Unveils The History of Evolve Back Luxury Resorts

January 31, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economyadmin

Find out how Orange County transformed to Evolve Back Luxury Resorts

Luxury Lily Pool Villas at Evolve Back Resort in Coorg, Photo Credit: Evolve Back Luxury Resorts

Evolve Back started life as Orange County. How did it all begin?

We are from Kerala, although we’ve been in Karnataka for close to 100 years. Primarily, we are a family of planters, growing coffee, rubber, pepper, cashew and so on. We still have plantations in different parts of south India. It’s a small family of 11 children (laughs): seven boys and four girls. I’m the seventh boy.

Coorg was not a tourist destination when we were growing up. But we used to go there for holidays and found the weather wonderful and the place beautiful. Our estate in Chikkana Halli had a great location by the Kaveri. So we thought we could set up something. Since we used to grow oranges, we decided to call it Orange County. This was in 1994. At that point we had not envisaged multiple resorts.

Why did you rebrand ?

In 1999, we started going for international travel exhibitions. That’s when we realised our brand name had a strong association with California. The first resort did well and in 2000 we started thinking of the second. Work started in 2005 and we opened Orange County Kabini in 2007.

In 2005, we did an internal workshop on branding, where we came up with our ‘spirit of the land’ concept. All our experiences try to capture the localness of the destination. Our guests stay in luxury but experience the local culture. But it was a while before we rebranded.

Tell us more about ‘spirit of the land’.

Our managing director is an architect. So when we launch a property he studies the life of the place: people, architecture, food, clothes, etc. All these elements are blended in with luxury to create our experiences.

So the architecture of our Kabini property is inspired by the Kuruba tribes of the region. A name like Orange County wouldn’t really do justice to it. We next went to Hampi, where we built a palace inspired by the architecture of the Vijayanagara empire. We also had plans to expand outside of India. That’s when we took a call to rebrand as ‘Evolve Back’, which is more in sync with our philosophy. As we evolve as human beings, we look back and draw inspiration from the past, when we had cleaner air, cleaner food, cleaner water. The new identity was adopted in 2017.

What are some of your brand values?

Our brand values are well defined. They are eco-sensitivity, straight-from-the-heart, constant innovation, elegance, attention to detail, going the extra mile.

When we enter a destination, we want to be the best there. We don’t go to places where there are too many players. We also like our properties to be small and intimate.

What are some of the responsible tourism practices you’ve adopted?

We have always had a deep connection with the land. I first heard of responsible tourism at WTM in London in 2002. As I studied more, I realised we were already doing this stuff. We just hadn’t formalised it. So in 2006-2007, we did. Environment, community and culture are the three areas we focus on.

When we acquired Kabini it was agricultural land. We reforested it with local species and brought the biodiversity back. We banned all plastic bottles in 2005. The roof in Hampi has solar panels. We’ve invested in wind power.

In Coorg, we have adopted the local government school, besides launching our own state-of-the-art pre-school. After the kids are through with the pre-school, we will sponsor and place them in good schools. We have a policy of 60 per cent local employment and try to improve staff quality through education.

Not one drop of water at any of our hotels is let out. It’s all treated and used for gardening. We have an onsite waste segregation programme and 97 per cent of our waste is either recycled in-house or sent out to a proper recycling centre.

Where are you opening next?

We’ve just acquired a private game reserve in Botswana spread over 110 sq km. It’s in a pristine location, very exclusive. We’ll upgrade it before lending the Evolve Back name to it. Mandu and Bhutan are also on the cards.

You cannot go into any place without having a negative impact. If we’re going into a destination, we always try to contribute more positives. We believe in low-impact, high-end tourism. That’s why we are looking forward to our Bhutan project. The country is so forward thinking it’s trying to bring its annual tourist arrivals of 500,000 down to 400,000.

Jose T. Ramapuram is the executive director at Evolve Back

INFORMATION: Evolve Back, 2nd floor, St. Patrick’s business complex, 21, Museum road, Bengaluru; info@evolveback.com, evolveback.com

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook Traveller / Home> Travel News> Story / by Amit Dixit / January 29th, 2020

Shiva Kandukuri, Varsha Bollamma anchor TV9 ‘ET’ show – Don’t miss @ 10:30PM – TV9 (Video)

January 31, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Videosadmin

source: http://www.socialnews.xyz / SocialNews.xyz / Home> Movies> Video / January 29th, 2020

‘Kids Fiesta’ Celebrated With Joie De Vivre

January 31, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Educationadmin

Gonikoppal:

Coorg Public School, Gonikoppal, recently celebrated its ‘Kids Fiesta’ with joie de vivre.

Monnanda Shobha Subbaiah, former Chairperson of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana and District Commissioner for Guides, was the chief guest of the event. School Principal Dr. Benny Kuriakose presided.

Pre-Primary Academic Coordinator Ramya Nanjappa highlighted the spectacular achievement made by the students in myriad fields. A resplendent display of cultural programme ranging from fluid and vibrant dances, melodious choirs, creative costume fair and power-packed action song left the audience spell-bound.

A special musical feast presented by the sitarist enthralled the audience. The school’s band mesmerised the gathering with the scintillating display of trumpets and drums.

Sharth House won the ‘Cock Trophy’ instituted for excellence in various House activities.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 28th, 2020

Why women of Karnataka’s Kodagu are busy learning how to use a rifle

January 31, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, Alladmin

Under a Kodagu police programme, nearly 150 women have been trained in five batches over the last year on 0.22 rifle.

Women undergoing rifle training in Kodagu's Gonikoppal village. | Photo: By special arrangement — Women undergoing rifle training in Kodagu’s Gonikoppal village. | Photo: By special arrangement

Bengaluru:

Women in Kodagu are up in arms, literally.

On Sunday, a group of women completed a five-day licensed firearm training programme in the southern Karnataka district under police supervision as a means to self-defence — against violent attacks and a tiger menace.

Under a Kodagu police people-interaction programme, nearly 150 women have been trained in five batches over the last year after the district’s superintendent of police, Suman Pennekar, took charge in December 2018.

The move has come as a response to the rising crime rate in the coffee plantation region, claim the women. ThePrint couldn’t independently verify this claim. However, several reports have emerged of murders and tiger attacks in the past few months.

Pennekar told ThePrint the training has been imparted to ensure that those who possess weapons feel accountable and not become “trigger happy”. The region is dominated by Kodavas — as people of Kodagu are called — a martial race that is one of the few tribes in the country allowed to possess guns without license.

These camps have so far been held across different talukas in Kodagu. The latest one took place at a centre in Gonikoppal village, where these women, dressed in white, learnt to aim and fire.

Women are trained on 0.22 rifle under the Civilians Rifle Training programme, as it is officially called.

Police personnel with women at a rifle training camp in Kodagu’s Gonikoppal village. | Photo: By special arrangement

For self-defence

Bharathi Bopanna enrolled herself for the programme after she received a text on messaging service WhatsApp about the latest camp. She decided it was important for her to know how to use family-owned arms to not just keep herself safe but also to adhere to the Kodava tradition.

In the district famous for its sprawling coffee plantations, Bopanna said there have been instances of attacks on women while they were alone at home during coffee planting and plucking seasons.

“Crime against women has increased, especially those who are home alone. I decided to learn how to operate a gun so that I can use it to defend myself if need be,” Bharathi said.

“One should be able to defend oneself. When the men in the house are not there, there may be criminals who may try to attack us. We should be prepared. When they hear that we are all trained in using a gun, they will think twice before committing a crime.”

A.B. Aarthi, who underwent the same training along with her 20-year-old daughter, said, “I took it up for my personal protection.

“We would wake up early and travel 25 km from our home to Gonikoppal to train. Many of us in Kodagu live in remote areas and sometimes women have to travel alone through isolated places. If something happens, there may be nobody to rescue us, so if we are armed, we will feel safer,” she said.

Apart from rigorous physical training, the women were also tested for their weapons skills at the end of the session.

“I managed to come third, despite handling a weapon for the first time,” said Bopanna while recommending that all women in the country should undergo the arms training.

‘Great responsibility’

Kodagu SP Pennekar told ThePrint that the civilian training programme was initiated in 1962, but the district hadn’t been conducting it regularly.

After she took over, Pennekar made an effort to get people from Kodagu to train as they all possess weapons. Over the year, enrolment has gone up in the camps.

She said many Kodavas have huge landholdings and these rifles help them keep trespassers at bay.

The training is to use the weapon judiciously — not to shoot but to deter, she said.

However, Pennekar has a word of caution for all.

“They should understand that along with handling a weapon comes a great responsibility. They should realise that this training is being given to ensure they understand why they have been given a special privilege and that they should learn to use it responsibly,” said Pennekar.

source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> India / by Rohini Swamy / January 01st, 2020

Latest trends in fashion becomes focus at Bangalore Derby 2020

January 27, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / CoorgShubra Aiyappa, Shubra Aiyappa - Actressadmin

While stylish hats were the traditional favourite among the women, the other fashion statements, which was a refreshing treat for the eyes, were monochrome colours, jumpsuits and pants.

Floral prints, bright colours and summery looks were the highlight at the Bangalore Derby on Sunday. (Photo| Meghana Sastry, EPS)

Bengaluru :

While the city’s temperature soared to 30° C on Sunday, the excitement for Shree Meenakshi Sundereshwara Bangalore Derby 2020, which took place at The Bangalore Turf Club, also amped up. More than 5,000 people attended the event but the showstoppers were the eight handsome horses who participated in the race.

While stylish hats were the traditional favourite among the women, taking inspiration from Royal Ascot, the popular derby in London, the other fashion statements, which was a refreshing treat for the eyes, were monochrome colours, jumpsuits and pants.

Nishita Sivappa, daughter of Vinod Sivappa, chairman of Bangalore Turf Club, says when it comes to attending a derby, she has to go for something comfortable, in which she can enjoy the thrill of the race. “I have always loved breaking tradition. While ladies prefer dresses or skirt, which is lovely, I prefer comfortable pants and shirt, accessorised with a statement belt,” says Sivappa, who went for a co-ordinated pure white set, with a black and gold statement belt along with oversized sunglasses.

While Sivappa chose all-white, actress Shubra Aiyappa decided to got for a body-fitting jumpsuit. “I have been in that jumpsuit phase so went ahead with the instinct,” said Aiyappa, who picked the jumpsuit from a designer boutique in Dubai.

Derby without some harmless betting sounds incomplete. But actress-model Sanjjanaa Galrani says she usually does not gamble and moreover, she is working towards reducing one vice of her in a year. She was wearing a purple velvet dress, which she paired up with classy shoes, a fashionable watch and a trench.

“I added the trench so that people don’t get distracted from the race,” the actress added playfully. Celebrity fashion designer Delna Poonawalla, who comes from a famous family of horse breeders, gave a glimpse of her new collection too.

While women put on the fashion game so high, men didn’t hesitate to play along too. They showed off tapered pants, chequered suits and printed blazers. However, it was the race and good spirit that took all their attention.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Lifestyle> Fashion / by Monika Monalisa / Express News Service / January 27th, 2020

121st Birth Anniversary Of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa

January 27, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, is celebrating the 121st birth anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa on Jan. 28 at 8.30 am at the Circle named after him in city (previously Metropole Circle).

The members will offer floral tribute to the bust of Field Marshal.

The Kodavas residing in city, Defence personnel and general public are requested to join in large numbers, according to a press release from Samaja President K.M. Belliappa.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / January 25th, 2020

Unbound: Visionary Women Collecting Textiles

January 26, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World OpinionNima Poovaya- Smithadmin

Two Temple Place, London

Phulkari (detail; early 20th century), unknown maker. Photo: Paul Tucker; © Bradford Museums and Galleries

Seven women who collected textiles during the 20th century are the focus of this exhibition, which considers how the collections they formed – ranging from Balkan costumes to South Asian saris – helped to assert the status of these materials as works of art. Find out more from Two Temple Place’s website.

Preview the exhibition below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

Giubba (19th century), Albania. Photo: Calderdale Museums Collection, Halifax

The artist and writer Edith Durham (1863–1944) travelled widely across the Balkans in early 20th century, becoming renowned for her anthropological reports on life in Serbia, Albania and Kosovo. In 1935, her collection of Balkan costume and jewellery – including this giubba, a traditional robe worn by Albanian women – was donated in 1935 to the Bankfield Museum in Halifax, where it remains to this day.

Brocade shoe without clog (1735–45), unknown maker. Photo: John Chase Photography/The Olive Matthews Collection, Chertsey Museum

Drawn to historic fashion from a young age, Olive Matthews built up a significant collection of more than 4,000 objects over the course of her lifetime – being careful always to stick to a budget of no more than £5 per item. She focused particularly on delicate needlework and embroidery – as seen on this shoe of brocaded silk from the 18th century.

Curtain with jungle repeat pattern (n.d.), Enid Marx. Photo: Harminder Judge/Compton Verney

Along with her friend Margaret Lambert, Enid Marx amassed a major collection of English folk art after 1932, although by this time she was already a renowned textile artist in her own right, having studied alongside Eric Ravilious and Edward Bawden at the Royal College of Art in the 1920s. In the exhibition, examples of her own work – such as this repeating pattern, reminiscent of animal hide – are on show alongside objects from her collection.

Phulkari (early 20th century), unknown maker. Photo: Paul Tucker; © Bradford Museums and Galleries

From 1985–98, Nima Poovaya-Smith was senior keeper of international arts at Bradford Art Galleries and Museums, during which time she established the transcultural gallery at Cartwright Hall. She built up a collection at the gallery that reflected Bradford’s history of textile manufacture and explored the influence on it of fabrics from across the world – in particular southern Asia. This colourful cloth is an example of phulkari (‘floral work’ in Punjabi), so-called because of the embroidered patterns that extend over every inch of the fabric.

Event website

source: http://www.apollo-magazine.com / Apollo / Home> Whats On / January 25th – April 19th, 2020

‘Makkada Manas’ to be released soon

January 26, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

The premiere show of Kodava movie—Makkada Manas—will be held in Bengaluru on January 25.

The movie will be released in theatres shortly, said script writer Dinesh Kalimada.

The movie portrays the relationship between parents and children, he told reporters. Talented persons from Kodagu such as Arjun Devaiah, Ashwini Nachappa, Josna Ponnappa are the inspiration for the movie.

The movie is directed by Suleman Koria and produced by Bollimada Dati Uthaiah.

Story writer Gangadar said the movie was shot in different parts of the district.

The movie will be released is four theatres in the district. The premiere show will be for athletes and artistes from Kodagu. There are two songs in the movie.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / January 19th, 2020

Literary Association Will Help Enhancement Of Creativity, Says Rangayana Director

January 22, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Mysuru:

Rangayana Director Addanda C. Cariappa has said that reading novels, poems and other literary works will largely help in enhancement of creativity among people. He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Cauvery Sambhramothsava,’ the annual day celebrations of Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions (SCEI) at its premises in Kuvempunagar here yesterday.

Maintaining that students who score 98 percent marks in SSLC and PUC cannot be called as intelligent students as there are other factors that define intelligence, Cariappa said that at the same time, students scoring mere pass marks cannot be termed as duds.

Citing the example of former President Dr. Abdul Kalam, who worked as a newspaper boy in his student days and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who used to sell tea, he said that creativity exists in every human being and improving creativity is key for achieving set goals.

Recalling an instance when Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa visited Ponnampet Government School about 30 years ago, where he (Addanda C. Cariappa) was a ninth standard student then and questioned the students on what they wanted to become in the future, Cariappa said that while almost every student said that they wanted to become an engineer or a doctor, a student by name Mahadeva was exceptional when he said that he wanted to drive a bullock-cart. The Field Marshal asked him to study well and wished him, Cariappa said.

Now, two years ago, he happened to visit Sedam in Kalaburagi district, when he met Mahadeva and enquired him what he was doing here. Mahadeva replied that he had become a doctor, after he drew inspiration from the Field Marshal’s encouraging words, Cariappa said.

Noting that students must always draw inspiration from great achievers and good things in life, he advised the students to become honourable persons in the society by occupying top positions in their chosen profession.

Corporator M.C. Ramesh, in his address, called upon the students to develop humanity, benevolence and sportsman spirit and to respect the elders.

Meritorious students who scored high marks in SSLC, PUC and Degree courses were presented ‘Pratibha Puraskar,’ while the winners of various contests organised as part of the Annual Day, were distributed prizes on the occasion.

A cultural presentation by girl students and songs from old and new hits enthralled the audience.

SCEI – Kodava Samaja Education Council Chairman M.K. Kuttappa, Kodava Samaja President K.M. Belliappa, Vice-president M.M. Ponnappa, SCEI Secretary M.P. Subbaiah, Treasurer M.B. Aiyappa, Principal Krupalini S. Raj, K.M. Padmavathi, Rashmi and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 19th, 2020

RS MP Kupendra Reddy Calls Kodava Community To Stay United On Tribal Status

January 20, 2020About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leadersadmin

Madikeri:

Maintaining that Kodava community has been deprived of tribal status due to lack of organised efforts and killer instinct, Rajya Sabha (RS) member Kupendra Reddy called upon Kodava community members to launch a movement for getting Constitutionally mandated tribal status.

He was speaking at a seminar on Kodava Tribal Status, organised by Codava National Council (CNC) at Capitol village on the outskirts of Madikeri town yesterday.

Stating that the richness of Kodava culture and practices are key factors in getting tribal status, Reddy said that even the British had considered Kodavas as a tribal community in a census conducted by them. But Kodavas have chosen to stay away from the status as they considered it inferior, he regretted.

Pointing out that Kodavas need tribal status to get Government posts, he lauded the fighting spirit of CNC President N.U. Nachappa, who has been waging a battle for the cause for over a decade

Reiterating that lack of unity among Kodava community had deprived the community of its rights, he appealed the community to support Nachappa in his struggles.

Another RS MP B.K. Hariprasad said that Kodava community which emanated from the banks of the holy river Cauvery is now staring at a crisis. Arguing that the Constitutionally mandated status alone can help Kodava culture and tradition to sustain, Hariprasad called upon the community members to shun a feeling of inferiority, if they have any.

Claiming that the Sanskrit speaking population, which is hardly 50,000 in number has got reservation, he wondered why the Kodava population which is multiple times higher has not got reservation. Although Kodavas were socially and academically forward, they have been deprived of opportunities, he regretted. Hariprasad further said that he had raised his voice for an appropriate status for Kodava language in Parliament.

CNC President N.U. Nachappa in his address, said that a tribal status alone can save Kodava culture, tradition and practices from becoming extinct.

Pointing out Kodava Gun Rights has never been misused for any anti-national activities, he said that the Gun Rights has remained in place even after seven decades of independence because of this fact. Nachappa warned that Kodavas will have no future if they fail to learn about tribal rights listed in the schedule of the Constitution.