Monthly Archives: December 2011

Contest for best family photograph

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

BANGALORE:
Better Photography, a magazine on photography, organised a competition on India’s best family photograph called the Fun Frames contest recently. The winners are yet to be announced. Winners will get the opportunity to spend a holiday package from Club Mahindra for an entire family and a fabulous Olympus PEN E-P3 camera, the candidate would also be recognised on a national level by the magazine.
The concept was to capture precious memorable moments shared with family and friends through photographs and send the entries to the Fun Frames contest.
The contest was categorised in six sections namely,� family portraits, going places, kids at play, togetherness of the joy , photo series—‘A Travelogue in Frames’ and photo series—‘A Family Photoessay.’
The contest was promoted on a large scale through television promos on CNBC TV18, CNN IBN, Awaaz, CNN IBN, IBN Lokmat, magazine advertisements in Better Photography, Overdrive, T3, Chip, AV Max, Better Interiors, Entrepreneur, Burrp, Noise Factory along with banner ads across web18 sites including In.com , moneycontrol.com , ibnlive, ibn khabar, cricketnext.com. Social media was targeted and the contest was highlighted on facebook and twitter with various continuous promotions across Club Mahindra properties through banners, standees and fliers.
The entries were collected through a dedicated website (http://betterphotography.in/funframes/ ) as well as physical print entries by post were accepted. The last date for receiving the entries was November 15 and the magazine received an overwhelming 6,000 entries from towns and cities all over India.
Better Photography editor, K Madhavan Pillai said, “The number of entries was incredible and to receive a response from the smallest towns to the biggest metros in India was astonishing. We plan to conduct many more opportunities through photography to explore the talent and capabilities of the people of India.”
Renowned photographer Madhur Shroff� has been bestowed with the responsibility of selecting the final six entries that would go ahead to participate in the final face off.

The face off would require the participation of the families so the finalists would get an opportunity to stay with them at Club
Mahindra in Coorg. The winner of the final face off would be announced on� December 7 at an event in the Club Mahindra property in Coorg.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Bangalore / posted December 05th, 2011 / Express News Service, Indian Express

Kodagu, Karnataka Tourism and Attractions

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This page Kodagu Karnataka Tourism and Attractions gives the details about the Important tourist places in coorg bhagamandala, Harangi Backwaters, Madikeri sight seeing, Nagarhole National Park, Nisargadhama Tourist places and Nisargadhama tour and Talacauvery temple and sight seeing including weather and climate of Kodagu in Karnataka.

Kodagu Tour

The scenic splendor of the Western Ghats with undulating meadows and hills was called as Coorg or the Scotland of India. The region is famous for coffee estates and orange orchards plantation.

Tourist places Around Kodagu

Bhagamandala Tourism

Bhagamandala is a special place in Karnataka for the union of rivers. This place is situated at the distance of 38km from Medikeri. A small town to the west of medikeri , where the sacred river Cauvery and its tributary Kannike meet. This Sangam is considered sacred and draws many pilgrims and visitors. Near the confluence is the Bhagandeshwara Shivan temple which has a peculiar style of architecture similar to the temple of Kerala.

Harangi Backwaters

This place is situated at the distance of 30km from Hunsur. A pretty reservoir close to Kushalnagar recently constructed here attracts more visitors. Harangi Backwaters is an ideal picnic spot or for week end gate way. The highest point provides a breathtaking view of the vast water area below.

Madikeri Tourist Places

Madikeri the most beautiful hill station of Karnataka is located at the distance of 254km from Bangalore. Standing at a height of about 1524 metres elevation in rich green trap of the Western Ghats, Medikeri is rich scenes of enchanting loveliness. One can have a glimpse of the Arabian Sea from its peak. The 19th century fort has several old buildings, a temple and a chapel, some of which are mow converted as museums. Two lives- like elephants made out of mortar stand in their beautiful garden which presents an enchanting view of the valleys to Shiva with two sacred ponds on one side. On the outskirts are the massive strictures. A little away from Madikeri are two water falls which are situated in very picturesque surrounding. Abbey water falls and oruppu water falls enhance the beauty of Madikeri.

Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole National Park the popular tourist spot of KarnatakaThis place is situated 42km from Hunsur. A famous wild life sanctuary very well maintained with excellent forest lodge. This place gives an opportunity to the visitors to see wild life of all kinds varying from majestic elephants to bison, deer and jackal moving about within their own natural setting. Jeep and elephant rides are available for jungle safari.
Nagarhole National Park timings: 9:00 am- 5:30 pm
Nagarhole National Park safari Timings: 10:00 am- 2:30 pm

Nisargadhama Tour

On the state highway, from Madikeri to Kushalnagar at a distance of 3km are few islets on the river Cauvery. The cluster of huts built of wood and bamboo, this resort blend with the thick forest around. It is a popular resort frequented by many tourists.
Nisargadhama Entry Fee: Entry Fee: Rs 10, Rs 5 for kids
Nisargadhama timings: 9:00 am- 5:30 pm

Talacauvery Karnataka Tour

This holy place of Karnataka is located at the distance of 40km from Medikeri. This is the birth place of the sacred river Cauvery, situated on the slopes of the Brahmagiri hills. The Tula Sankramana is regarded as the most auspicious day by the people of Kodagu for visiting this place. There is a small pond which is the source of the river. One can see the water gushing out at a prescribed moment known beforehand.
Talacauvery Temple: Omkareshwara temple, a popular pilgrim destination.
Talacauvery Temple timings: 6:00 am- 8:30 pm

source: http://www.karnatakaspider.com / Author: Kavitha / Posted November 29th, 2011

Madikeri Fort / Madikeri Palace

About Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Madikeri Fort / Madikeri Palace

Madikeri Fort was first built as a mud fort by Mudduraja at the end of 17th century. He also built a palace inside the fort. It was eventually rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan who later named the site as Jaffarabad.

The Madikeri fort had witnessed several fierce battles. In 1700, Doddavira Rajendra took control of the fort. The Palace was renovated by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1812-1814.

The fort encompasses a church which houses the state archaeological museum, and in 1812, when the British took over the territory the fort, the palace and its apartments were all transformed into district offices. Two magnificent mortar elephant figures can also be seen inside the fort. The palace features a stone formation of a tortoise, which has initials of King Vijayarajendra engraved on it.

The palace is built in gothic style, and the church inside is known as the St. Mark’s Church which has been converted into a museum with historical artifacts, along with a section dedicated to Field Marshal Cariappa. Besides museum, this fort also houses a district prison, the Kote Mahaganapathi Temple and the Mahatma Gandhi Public Library.

source: http://www.folksden.com / Karnataka

Designer Arati Monappa’s 10 rules of style for homes

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


Arati Monappa, designer and owner of Serenity reveals her 10 rules of style.

1. There are two categories of people who have antiques — those who have inherited them and those who buy them because they are genuinely interested and have read up about them. It’s important to keep a piece from the past, that has been handed down from generation to generation. Especially because, antiques today are so expensive. So, if you’ve inherited any antique, keep it.

2. There are so many ways you can put your heirlooms to use. For instance, if you have a very old pashmina shawl, one that’s not good to be used by you, you may use it as a drape over your sofa. It enhances the furniture piece and two, becomes a talking point.

3. Antique pieces blend very easily into today’s modern homes. You may have a technology driven home, stocked with plasma TVs and other hi-tech gadgets and still add antique pieces like old copper or brass lamps or wood carvings. These pieces give character and personality to an otherwise stainless steel, shiny, impersonal house.

4. Talking about care for copper pieces, I use a powder called Pitambari. You just rub the powder over the item to make it gleam. There are more solid means of preserving these pieces too, like applying a coat of lacquer. For old wooden pieces, you may apply a coat of MRF’s wood coat polish. Or you may simply use a brush to remove the dust and rub linseed oil on it.

5.Antiques are undervalued. I see people throwing out items like old copper pots or beautifully woven baskets and replacing them with plastic mugs and plastic bags. There is a need for a certain education about the value of the old heirlooms. Not because of their value, but mainly because, plastic can’t be recycled and is not good for the environment. By buying plastic, you are adding to the junk.

6. There are quite a few old valuables that young couples interested in doing up their homes could buy. They could go for a lovely ceramic pottery piece or pick up old lamps. An old lamp in the corner is enough to add character to the living room. Old textiles are another option. For instance, your grandmother’s old woven sari could make for a beautiful framed piece of art, in the hall.

7. My store Serenity, is a good example of how you can bring the old into the new. We’ve re-used old glass panes, doors and grills for the interiors. So, even if its a modern five- year-oldbuilding, it’s got all these old elements like granite pillars, attangadi tiles for the floor, old mirrors and more.

8. Bangalore has quite a few places where you could go hunting for antiques. There’s Thar Gallery in Indiranagar. I believe Raintree carries a range of old furniture. Then of course, you have Russell Market, where you still have little shops where you can pick up an interesting salvaged piece.

9. I like to spend money on carpets and artworks. I think these two are very important in a home and add a whole new character to it. A painting doesn’t have to be expensive. It could also mean indigenous art like a mithila, madhubani or warli art.

10. I am very fond of carpets for the intricacy of their weaves. I am partial to porcelain and ceramic too. I like my teacups and teapots!

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / Home> Lifestyle> Report / by Mahalakshmi Prabhakaran / Place:Bangalore, Agency:DNA / Thursday, December 01st, 2011

Nikhil Chinappa’s magical night in Bangalore

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

The weekend started with a bang for all the revellers who stepped out into the nippy Bangalore evening, dressed in their best for a night on the town.

Nikhil Chinappa took over the console at Bling, The Zuri Whitefield, weaving his magic over all the people who thronged the nightclub and tripped non-stop on some funky commercial numbers.

As it was a ladies’ night, the girls were given complimentary vodka shots, which went down very well! BT spotted Rohit Barker, Tuhin Mehta and Priti Chand, among others thoroughly enjoying the evening.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Parties> Bangalore> Home> Collection / TNN / November 27th, 2011