Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Tremendous response to PV Quiz in Kodagu

January 19, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Educationadmin

SP Suman D Pennekar distributes trophy to Amoghavarsha and Deepak Raj, who won the first place and entered the grand finale, in the Prajavani Quiz competition held at Maithri Community hall in Madikeri. DDPI P S Macchado, Quiz Master Sacchin Deshpande looks

The excitement and enthusiasm was quite palpable among the students who participated in the quiz competition, organised by Prajavani and Deccan Herald, in association with Deeksha, at Maithri Community Hall in Madikeri on Friday.

The students, who participated in the competition, witnessed spontaneous replies from the top six teams to the questions of the quiz master.

The registration for the competition commenced at 8.30 am and the preliminary round began at 10 am.

Quiz Master Sacchin Deshpande conducted the quiz. As the questions appeared on the screen, some students answered them with a smiling face while others discussed their partners before answering them.

After the preliminary round, six teams were selected for the final round, which was indeed filled with excitement. It had five categories—question and answer, right or wrong, photography, audio and visual round and rapid round.

There were a few questions related to Huthari festival and also on Kodagu district. When all the six teams failed to answer a question, it was passed on to the audience, some of whom answered a few questions and won prizes.

Three teams from Coorg Public School in Gonikoppa were selected for the final round of regional-level contest. There was stiff competition among them. One of the teams, who could not answer in the rapid round had to be satisfied with fourth position.

Deepak Raj and Amoghavarsha of Coorg Public School, who answered with utmost care in the rapid round, won the first place, while Manjuprasad and Bopanna of the same school won the second place.

Hariprasad and Tushar of Shanthinikethana School won the third place.

There was tremendous response to the quiz as many students from border areas of Kodagu district also came to take part in the competition.

Inaugurating the quiz competition, MLC Sunil Subramani expressed happiness of organising the quiz competition in the district. In the competitive world, the students have to face competitive exams for employment. The students should prepare themselves for the exams, he added.

Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar and DDPI P S Macchado distributed prizes.

Prajavani had identified young achievers on account of New Year and were honoured on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Naina J A, DHNS – Madikeri / January 18th, 2020

Codava National Council says CAA will harm interests of tribe, demands ST tag

January 17, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

The memorandum submitted by the Codava National Council to the Centre through Kodagu DC Annies K Joy expresses reservations over the implementation of the CAA.

Madikeri :

The Codava National Council has urged the government to implement the CAA only after granting the ST tag for the Kodava community. CNC president NU Nachappa, in a press release, said the implementation of the Act will “harm the interest of the indigenous Codava tribe”.

The memorandum submitted by the CNC to the Centre through Kodagu DC Annies K Joy expresses reservations over the implementation of the CAA. Nachappa says, “Those refugees who avail citizenship status by CAA 2019 will be distributed in various states including Karnataka. According to reliable sources, Karnataka will receive 20 lakh refugees. They will be distributed in all the districts and Codava region of Coorg may be accommodating 1 lakh refugees. If that happens, it will subvert the demographic mosaic of our territory.”

Nachappa went on to add, “As per CAA, these refugees become legitimate citizens of our country. They will avail all the benefits and privileges in Kodagu that includes land, water and other amenities that will be an additional burden on earth and Mother Cauvery. Codava tribe is already a dwindling micro minority tribe. Naturally, the accommodation of refugees under CAA will exterminate the entire Codava tribe from their soil.”

Demanding that the Codava tribe ‘not be cheated’, he said, “The government has ensured that those areas of North-East and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladak & Leh will not be affected by CAA and CAA will be exempted in those areas. The refugees will not be accommodated in those areas because they have special protection under Article 371 R/W 5th & 6th Schedule areas. When such is the case, before the implementation of CAA, Codava tribe should be brought under ST tag and their geopolitical boundary should be earmarked as Autonomous Region under Article 371 R/w 6th& 8th Schedule.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 17th, 2020

Gen. Thimayya Museum In Madikeri Gets MiG-21 Fighter

January 15, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Madikeri:

A decommissioned MiG-21 fighter jet has been added to General K.S. Thimayya Museum in Madikeri thus adding to the existing collection of war relics at the war memorial. The fighter jet had been in use by the Indian Air Force.

The continuous effort of Retired Air Marshal Nanda Cariappa, son of late Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, has paved way for the inclusion of the MiG-21 C- 1624 fighter jet to the museum.

The fighter plane left Uttar Pradesh airbase on Jan.5 and was brought to Madikeri on a multi-wheeled carrier by road. The aircraft has arrived in parts and will be assembled by experts.

Nirmiti Kendra has readied three concrete platforms to support the aircraft which will be available for public view soon. The war memorial already has an Army Battle Tank.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 12th, 2020

Amazon’s Mini Series ‘Afsos’, Brings Back Gulshan Devaiah With A Twisted Story

January 15, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Gulshan Devaiah, after Mard Ko Dard Nai Hota, is returning to the screen with another chilling character who is playing with life and death. Amazon Prime Video recently unveiled the trailer of their upcoming show titled, Afsos. The streaming service has called the series, as a suspense thriller about a suicidal man who hires a deadly assassin to kill him.

Starring Gulshan Devaiah, Anjali Patil, and Heeba Shah in the leading roles, Afsos, takes a look into the lives of depressed people. The mental illness that leads one wanting to take their life, can be a heavy burden and for our lead character, Nakul aka, Gulshan Devaiah, its a way out, but can’t get that right either.

In the trailer, Gulshan talks about feeling insignificant and wanting to take his own life. After his 11th attempt fails he hands over the task into another’s hand. A shady organisation, run by two assassins, who hand him a rate card for how he wants to die. In exchange for a hefty amount Gulshan then places an order for an assassin who is set to shoot him in the head. But after figuring out he wants to live, Gulshan has no option but to outrun his killer.

source: http://www.youtube.com

The events in the trailer then turn into suspense as, Gulshan is trying to run away with his therapist, Sholka, played by Anjali Patil. However, according to the trailer he does get killed. Anjali can be seen yelling out Nakul’s name, with blood splattered on her face. Heeba then can be seen walking away from the scene with a gun tucked in her shirt.

Another scene shows, Nakul standing next to his own body in the hospital, (which to be honest could be a dream or a hallucination). The show’s official description also calls the series as a dark comedy, it says, “A suicidal man and a deadly assassin encounter the world of immortality in this black comedy suspense thriller.” It hints that Afsos is more than a cat and mouse chase, and we might be able to see Gulshan develop a bond with his assassin.

Afsos, is sure to send a chill down your spin with the talented cast, good story. The dark comedy will also share some interesting concepts like a group of killers assisting in suicidal people. Ujjwal Chopra in the trailer can be seen complaining about how there is no dignity in killing people who want to die.

The trailer also sets an unusual tone for the story. While most of it comes off as an ironic comedy, it quickly turns into something dark to something supernatural. The text in the trailer, warns one about being careful what you wish for, in life and in death.

The eight-episode series is directed by Anubhuti Kashyap, who was part of films like the black comedy-drama Dev.D (2009) and crime-drama Gangs of Wasseypur (2012). Written by Anirban Dasgupta, Sourav Ghosh and Dibya Chatterjee, Afsos will air on Amazon Prime Video on, January 17, 2020.

source: http://www.filmibeat.com / FilmiBeat / Home> Television> Web Series / by Sanyukta Thakare / January 14th, 2019

‘Sri Bharatha Baahubali helped me test my acting skills’

January 12, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Model Sarah Harish is turning actor with Sri Bharatha Baahubali. She started her modelling career at the age of 17, and became a popular face on billboard and TV advertisements, and it has taken her almost nine years to make it to the big screen. “Initially, I was not thinking about acting. Even though I was approached with various subjects, I didn’t consider it until Sri Bharatha Baahubali happened,” says the newcomer from Coorg. “Director Manju Mandavya spotted me in a commercial and offered this subject,” she adds.

While shooting for Sri Bharatha Baahubali, Sarah realised that acting for a TV commercial and facing the camera for a movie character are completely different things. “Not much of acting is required when you are doing a TV commercial, which is not the case in cinema. Sri Bharatha Baahubali helped me test my acting skills,” she says.

So does she consider Sri Bharatha Baahubali as the perfect launchpad? Sarah reveals that it took her a little time to get convinced. “I was very new to this world of glamour. But the story and the way the director narrated the character to me, made me say ‘yes’. I realised that I have scope for performance, and the role is as important as the lead characters, played by Manju Mandavya and Chikkanna,” says Sarah, who plays an NRI in the film. “I was also happy to have got the freedom to choose my costumes. On the whole, everything about Sri Bharatha Baahubali was in my favour,” she adds.

Sarah admits that handling the 8-hour shifts was a challenge. But the feeling changed after she completed the film. “I was clueless when I started, and to top it, I was the only female in the whole team. I didn’t know what to expect and how to go about it. However, once I started, the scenario changed, and I got comfortable. This film helped me developed patience, and I got to learn a lot. It wouldn’t have happened without the help of director Manju Mandavya and Chikkanna,” explains Sarah.

Recalling her first schedule with Chikkanna, she says, “My first few shots made me nervous, and I was hesitant to go for retakes, thinking I will be wasting Chikkanna’s time. But they told me to relax, and it helped me get into the character.”

Ask Sarah about what she misses about the film sets, and pat comes to the reply, “Food.” She adds, “I would wait to eat ragi mudde every day during the 45-day shooting schedule stretched over eight months. Being a first-timer, I was given a lot of importance on the sets, which I loved, and miss now.”

Working with Chikkanna was one of the best things about the film, Sarah says. “His sense of humour is too good, and it can lighten the atmosphere in any set-up. The best about being with Chikkanna is seeing him act. He is a one-take actor, and that’s something I should be learning from him,” she adds, also mentioning director-actor Manju Mandavya, who dons many hats in the film. “He is a multi-talented person, and I wonder how he manages to do so much, and still keeps himself calm. Even when there is a lot of chaos, he still handled it with so much patience,” she says.

Sarah is now waiting to watch her film, which is set for release on January 17. “There are bumper gifts on offer, and those who watch the film in the first two weeks will get an opportunity to win a car, gold, and gift hampers. I too want to be in the audience and get lucky,” she laughs.

source: http://www.m.dailyhunt.com / Daily Hunt / Home> English News> Cinemaexpress.com / by www.cinemaexpress.com / January 11th, 2020

Showcasin Kodava Culture

January 10, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainmentadmin

A fictional play ‘Pommodira Ponnapa’ based on the life of Pommodhira Ponnappa will be staged in the city.

Bengaluru :

A fictional play ‘Pommodira Ponnapa’ based on the life of Pommodhira Ponnappa will be staged in the city. The play will also showcase Kodava culture.

It revolves around the life led by great Kodavas. The crux of the play is the friendship between the hero Ponnu and Kala. It celebrates the loyalty and sacrifice as it plays out in their relationship. It also highlights the unconditional love of the warrior woman Poovi towards Ponnu and her respect towards nature to live life meaningfully.

It has been directed by K R Ganesh Shenoy, one of the founding members of Sanchaya theatre troupe, Bengaluru. He has been an active name in theatre circle for more than three decades, He has contributed to many theatre, literature works and many Kannada programmes. Ganesh Shenoy has earlier directed ‘SuddiiduSuddi’ play for VASP theatre and he’s currently directing ‘Pommodira Ponnapa’ for the same. The play has been written by Lalitha KP.

This play will be staged at Ranga Shankara on January 10 and 11.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / January 08th, 2020

Patrade

January 10, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Uncategorizedadmin

At Karavalli, every dish is sourced from its region of origin, and the recipes learnt from mothers and grandmothers. Patrade, a popular Konkani dish, was sourced from Pangal Nayak’s ancestral home in Katpadi near Udupi on the Mangalore coast. Colocasia leaves grow wildly in this region, especially in the monsoon. These leaves are layered with a paste of lentils and spices, rolled, steamed and pan-roasted to make Patrade. It is a great evening snack. Of course, there are numerous variations of it across India.

Serves 8

Cook Time 01h

Plus 3 hours for soaking rice

Ingredients
250 gm rice
50 gm ghee
50 gm red chillies
25 gm coriander seeds
25 gm cumin seeds
20 gm roasted moong dal
20 gm roasted chana dal
20 gm roasted toor dal
20 gm salt
50 ml tamarind pulp
20 colocasia leaves

Preparation
Soak the rice in 2 cups of water for 2-3 hours and drain.
Grind the rice, along with all other ingredients, except the colocasia leaves and ghee, into a thick batter.

Clean the colocasia leaves and remove the thick veins. Place the leaves on a platform with the back facing up.
Spread the batter on one leaf in an even layer and cover it with another leaf. Spread another layer of batter on it. Repeat the process twice.
Fold both ends and roll up the leaves, ensuring no batter oozes out.
Once all the rolls are made, place them in a steamer for about 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow the Patrade to cool.
Once cool, cut them into thick slices.

Heat ghee in a pan and fry the Patrade (for about 4 minutes on each side) and serve with extra ghee.

Naren Thimmaiah

Chef Naren Thimmaiah has been the face of Taj Hotels’ iconic Karavalli for over two decades, ensuring that it has a permanent spot among the world’s finest restaurants. His culinary genius has won him and his restaurant multiple prestigious awards. He is popular on television, and serves on the Board of Studies at Christ University and Srinivas University in addition to numerous hotel management institutes. He also advises the food panel of MasterChef India.

source: http://www.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> Food> Taste Test / by Naren Thimmaiah / January 08th, 2020

The making of India

January 10, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Uncategorizedadmin

In her latest book India Through People: 25 Game Changers, Devika Cariapa talks about the people who drove change
“Children are naturally interested in history,” feels writer Devika Cariapa. “Notice how carefully even the youngest of them listens to stories told by a grandmother or elder — particularly lingering on details of how they lived, what they wore, what they did at school and what they ate for lunch! It’s a natural progression then to get young readers interested in stories from history in a factual but fun way. Once they are hooked, it becomes a lifelong interest.” Devika, whose second and latest book for Tulika, India Through People: 25 Game Changers, was released last week, is also an archaeologist.

“The more I worked in archaeology, researching and visiting sites, the more I felt there were wonderful stories there that children would enjoy,” says Devika, over email. And so, when she became a full-time writer, she knew what her first book would be about — India Through Archaeology: Excavating History, is part of Tulika’s India Focus series. Devika explains that the series “will tell the story of India through the lens of different subjects”.

In India Through People…, Devika talks about India’s recent past, that she calls “a century and a half of great, radical changes”. To do so, she has picked 25 people who “helmed that change with great courage and vision”. She explains: “These game changers, all born after 1850, dealt with the challenges of the time and in doing so, not only left an imprint on their particular fields but also forged new paths for the nation.”

Narrowing down on the 25 men and women, however, was not an easy task. “This was probably the most difficult part of doing the book!” she adds. “For every one person included, there were at least two others that we felt could have been featured instead. We chose people from a range of fields and different parts of the country and ensured that those we could not fit in due to constraints of the size of the book were referenced in the timelines attached to each chapter.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books / by Akila Kannadasan / August 20th, 2019

Addanda C. Cariappa Takes Charge As Rangayana Director

January 1, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Mysuru:

Senior theatre personality Addanda C. Cariappa took charge as the 18th Director of Rangayana, Mysuru, after offering floral tributes to the portrait of theatre repertory’s Founder-Director B.V. Karanth in the Director’s Office at Rangayana here this morning.

Speaking to presspersons, Cariappa said that it was the blessings of his parents and his over 30 years of dedicated service to the theatre that had brought him to the post. Noting that he was delighted to become the Director, he said he would give his best to take the theatre repertory to much greater heights.

Maintaining that he had only aspired for the post, but had not expected it, he said that he was satisfied with his work of promoting theatre in Kodagu, which was not an easy task.

Admitting that the National Theatre Festival Bahuroopi is a challenge, Cariappa said that Bahuroopi should have been organised during Sankranti, but this year it has been deferred due to the delay in the appointment of the Director. Although the festival may be delayed, it will be ensured that the event will be organised as a prime theatre festival of the country, he remarked and added that he will be holding a meeting with senior Rangayana artistes later this afternoon to discuss the ways to take Bahuroopi to every nook and corner of the country.

Replying to a question on the removal of Rangayana Directors even before completion of their term, he said that the heads of all cultural Institutions like Rangayana should be allowed to complete their terms, as they will have chalked out programmes for 3 years. The removal of heads of cultural Institutions with change in Government will hurt the plans envisaged by them, he said while asserting that the Directors of any Cultural Authority, including Rangayana should not be disturbed till the completion of their term. Even Baragur Ramachandrappa Committee too had recommended the same to the Government, he said .

Replying to another question on whether his political affiliations with the BJP had helped him in occupying the top post, Cariappa said that as an individual he has been in politics, engaging himself in social work. “I have contributed a lot for promoting theatre in Kodagu along with my wife Anitha, also a theatre artiste and the Government recognising my work for theatre has appointed me to the post out of trust,” he said.

Replying to another question on whether there will be more Kodava plays in Rangayana, he said that ‘Rangabhoomi’ is in itself a language and as such there is no particular language for theatre. Asserting that many Kodava plays have been staged at Rangayana in the past, he stressed that languages such as Kodava, Tulu and Konkani are brotherly languages of Kannada and as such any harm to these languages will certainly hurt Kannada.

Rangayana Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunswamy, Kannada and Culture Assistant Director H. Channappa and others were present on the occasion.

Thereafter, Cariappa addressed Kodava Samaja members and Rangayana artistes at Bhoomigeetha, where a one-minute silence was observed as a mark of tribute to the departed Pejawar Mutt Seer.

Recalling the history of Rangayana since its inception in 1989, he said in a lighter vein how he married Anitha, who was a Rangayana artiste then.

Pointing out that Kodagu’s most acclaimed poet Appacha Kavi was inspired by Mohammad Peer, a professional theatre artiste from Mysuru in those times, Cariappa recounted his association with the theatre for over three decades.

Declaring that he will not be carried away by the top post, he assured that he would work honestly for bringing more name and fame for the city’s theatre repertory. Likening the work in Rangayana as that of a farmer, he said that a perfect co-ordination between all those involved was needed for bringing out the best of Rangayana.

Mysuru Kodava Samaja President K.K. Belliappa, Secretary M.M. Ponnappa, former Presidents Dr. A.A. Kuttappa and K.A. Cariappa, Corporator M.U. Subbaiah, actor Jadhav, noted theatre personality Nanda Halemane, senior Rangayana artiste Hulugappa Kattimani and others were present on the occasion.

Former Rangayana Directors

B.V. Karanth (1989), Y.K. Muddukrishna (1995-Incharge), C. Basavalingaiah (1996), Prasanna (2001), K.T. Chikkanna (2003-Incharge), Chidambara Rao Jambe (2004), K.T. Chikkanna (2008-Incharge), Dr. B. Jayashree (2009), K.T. Chikkanna (2009-Incharge), Lingadevaru Halemane (2010), B.T. Munirajaiah (2011-Incharge), Dr. B.V. Rajaram (2011), K.R. Ramakrishna (2013-Incharge), H. Janardhan (2013), K.A. Dayanand (2016-Incharge), M.S. Archana (2017-Incharge), Bhagirathi Bai Kadam (2017).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 31st, 2019

A Father Figure Of Forest’s Flora And Fauna

December 22, 2019Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, Alladmin

Title : An Autobiography of a Kodava Forester
Author : Dr. Kodira Achappa Kushalapa, IFS (Retd.)
Pages : 228
Price : Rs. 200
Year : 2019
Publisher : Dr. K.A. Kushalapa, Mysuru.

In the film of 90 minutes duration, titled “Beautiful people: Some call them animals,” a comic allegory produced in 1974, focussing on various animals that live in arid desert environment of Africa by Jamie Uys, humorously draws parallels between animal and human behaviour. Dr. K.A. Kushalapa can vouch for the message in the film that the denizens of the forest are indeed beautiful people in a wide sense of the term, having shouldered the arduous duties of conserving India’s forests, steadily shrinking as a percentage of the total geographical area of the country. His empathy for the denizens and concern for enduring the flora have not witnessed even an iota of diminishing to this day despite retiring from an illustrious service for long years as a professional forester. Circle for Mysuru’s intelligentsia and senior citizens who have known him can testify to the vast knowledge of the author about A to Z of forest and its importance of vital role in sustaining the balance between human beings and other species on earth.

The narrative divided into 16 chapters, each with a caption indicative of specific aspects of the author’s early life and landmark events relating to his professional career culminating in his elevation to the highest post in the Department of Forest in the State Government.

Writing about Dr. Kushal-apa, in his foreword, Man-depanda K. Appayya, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of Karnataka, has expressed his admiration of the author’s noble qualities of head and heart, that earned him respect, recognition and rewards by his achievements both academic and professional.

The events of the author’s childhood and in later stages presented in all humility and graphic details trigger in the minds of readers what a person can achieve by being stoic and steadfast along with the support of family members, as revealed by the author himself in his preface. The trials and tribulations that he has encountered at different periods of life but overcome with courage and hope sound poignant. His life’s saga belies the myth of Kodavas as a community of only planters and warriors, by emerging as a star among them in the world of academics also. The 128 published papers listed in the book’s Chapter 14, 10 abstracts of technical papers and 10 titles of social articles listed in Chapter 15 give the readers an insight into Dr. Kushalapa’s deep interest in enlightening the lay people dispelling their utter lack of knowledge about forests.

Dr. Kushalapa has thought-fully included 69 photographs, many in colour, with images of his family members as well as people who were his colleagues, showing him as an impeccable handsome person. If his dream of generating in Kodava youth the desire to spread out into various areas of challenge by pursuing professions outside the ambit of restricted areas for which Kodavas are known, is fulfilled, the author’s autobiography gets full worth of the work of writing and publishing. The proceeds of the sale of the publication is meant to be utilised for philanthropic cause. —BRS

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / December 22nd, 2019

Kodagu First

a Celebration. Positive News, Facts & Achievements about Kodagu, Coorgs and the People of Kodagu – here at Home and Overseas