Monthly Archives: November 2013

I am comfortable doing Lovemaking scenes: Harshika Poonacha

November 9, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

It’s been five years since actress Harshika Poonacha has been in Sandalwood, playing roles ranging from supporting actress to being a part of multi-starrers. The actress, who not long ago made the transition to playing lead heroine, recently bagged her first-ever state award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Shivarajkumar-starrer Thamassu. And that, the actress says, has taken her career to the next level. “No more supporting roles. I’ve arrived as a solo actress,” she says. Excerpts from the interview:

Your fifth film Thamassu gort you a State Award. Is it beginner’s luck?
I started my career as a solo heroine with PUC, but it was a supporting character that got me a State Award. I wouldn’t say I got lucky, as I have worked hard for my role in Thamassu. I feel honoured to receive one of the most prestigious awards so early in my career. There will be pressure to choose good roles from now on. I am looking forward to doing solo female leads.

What are the challenges you faced in the industry?
In my five years in Sandalwood, I have maintained a decent track record. While my initial films saw me paired with newcomers, I wanted to work with top heroes like Puneeth Rajkumar and Shivarajkumar. I got to work with them, but as their sister. I have no complaints, though, as I was able to perform well in the roles that I got. I wanted to establish myself as a solo lead, as I was getting only roles to play the hero’s sister. In fact, I missed out on playing the female lead opposite Puneeth because I had played his sister in Jackie. It was a challenge to break free of that image.

You rarely make it to the gossip columns even though you are quite the party animal. But when you did, it was after a spat with Aviva Bidapa over who had the meatier role in Ale…
I don’t want to comment about it. Once the film released, it became clear just who had the better role. This is exactly why I don’t want to do multi-starrers. In fact, my upcoming films — B-3 and an upcoming Telugu film (which marks her Telugu debut) — will see me playing solo female lead. As for the partying bit, well, I have a group of friends who I am close to. I don’t party with people from the industry, but I am nice to people when I meet them at filmi events and share a cordial relationship with everyone. Jealousy comes when you know them too well. I’d like to party and stay close only with my friends.

Tell us about your role in B-3…
It is the most special film in my career. B-3 revolves around three characters — hero, heroine and one more character (which will be the suspense). Sriki (Srikanth) plays a psychopath and I play a college student. I fall in love with him and what happens then forms the crux of the story. Since Sriki’s character is mentally unstable, he gets physically abusive with me. Throughout the film, we compete against each other and both of us had a lot of scope to perform. In fact, Ghana Shyam ( director) didn’t even allow us to talk to each other. I also did a lot of stunts in the film, which is one of the highlights. I have just won a state award and this role will definitely elevate me to the next level. In fact, I am hoping to receive an award for my performance in B-3.

You have also done some intimate scenes in the film…
I have taken a lot of risk for this film and one among them is the intimate scene. I have kissed and even did lovemaking scenes for the first time. I asked Ghana if it was really required for the film and he convinced me that it is important. I just trusted him and went ahead with the scene. We shot for nearly half a day and the scene appears for just 15 seconds in the film. I was comfortable doing lovemaking scenes. Ghana showed me the edited version and I must say that it looks more romantic than vulgar.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Sharanya CR / November 02nd, 2013

Tata Coffee re-appoints Deepak Kumar

November 9, 2013Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Leadersadmin

Bangalore :

Tata Coffee Ltd has re-appointed M. Deepak Kumar as Executive Director-Finance for a period of one year commencing from October 25, 2013.

The decision to re-appoint Deepak Kumar was taken at the board of directors of the company at its meeting held on October 18.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by Anil Urs anil.u@thehindu.co.in / October 18th, 2013

Harshika Poonacha thanks Thamassu team for first State Award

November 7, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Uncategorizedadmin

Sandalwood actress Harshika Poonacha is on cloud nine. At the Karnataka State Film Awards announced for the year 2011, she was adjudged the Best Supporting Actress for her work in the Kannada film Thamassu. The film, directed by Agni Sridhar, had Shivarajkumar in the lead. In fact, Shivarajkumar had won a Filmfare Best Actor nod for this film. The actress, who is currently in Hyderabad, took to her social networking page to thank the team of Thamassu. “Thamassu” The film which made me feel special,Thnx to Agni Shridhar sir and The Hatrick hero Shivanna sir My first STATE AWARD is dedicated to you both coz I wudn have made it possible without you both:) Thnq so much for the support and blessings :)) Also I thank all my beloved frens for wishing me on calls,texts and social networking sites :)) Love u all,muaaaaahhhhh,” she wrote.

When TOI reached out to the actress, she sounded ecstatic. “I am overjoyed. In fact, I was sleeping when the award was announced and my phone was on mute. I missed a whole bunch of calls and messages. I am replying to everyone now,” she said, adding that the team of her new film was throwing a party for her this evening. “Right now, my award is the only thing on my mind,” she signed off.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada> Filmfare / Pratibha Joy, TNN / October 25th, 2013

‘To have Sachin Tendulkar watch our sport was a fabulous feeling’

November 5, 2013Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sportsadmin

Roger Federer (left) met Sachin Tendulkar during 2011 Wimbledon at All England Club in London. The tennis great said that it was a great honour meeting the Indian batting legend © Getty Images

by Rohan Bopanna

Growing up, I watched my dad following cricket devotedly. I distinctly remember my father pointing Sachin Tendulkar to me, saying he was an upcoming player and would do well.

Cricket could easily pass off as a religion in India and whether you like it or not, the sport grows on you at a very young age when you see it being played by everyone, whether it’s in school, parks, on the road etc., It has been the same in my case too, so much so I still absolutely love playing cricket when I find the time.

Since the age of 13, I really started following cricket and, of course, Sachin who had become a national icon by then. The stuff, which caught my eye, was definitely his straight drive and the manner in which he moved swiftly and the ease that he hit the ball with.

Sachin is an iconic figure according to me. At such a young age he was a revelation not only on the field but also off it with the maturity in which he conducted himself during his interviews.

Playing a professional sport myself, when I read about the amount of hard work and hours of training that Sachin put in practicing to become a professional athlete, I get motivated. I was motivated to see that even a quality player like him would put in so much of time into his sport. It just goes to show that there are no short-cuts.

I remember meeting Sachin in Bangalore for the first time, when he had come to open a sports bar, which I was invited for among few others. I got to spend some time and have dinner with him and it was an honour to see how humble and down to earth he was.

Sachin is a sportsman known worldwide; I remember seeing him at Wimbledon few years ago and even met him once at the stadium as he had come to watch Roger Federer play. To just have him watching our sport was a fabulous feeling.

I would most definitely remember the innings he played in the Sydney Test match in 2004 when he was 241 not out. He was so well composed and delivered a quality innings.

In a regular scenario, time just passes by. But two minutes spent talking to Sachin Tendulkar was such an honour which I will always cherish.

I am certain he will be not forgotten easily and will be spoken about in many years to come for sure. Sachin is an icon in so many ways that no matter what he takes up I am sure he would be supported, respected and loved for it.

— As told to Sudatta Mukherjee

(Rohan Bopanna is a tennis player and currently ranked third in the world in doubles rankings. In 2010, Bopanna along with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, popularly known as the ‘Indo-Pak Express’ finished runners-up in doubles at the US Open.)

source: http://www.cricketcountry.com / CricketCountry.com / Home> News & Features / by Rohan Bopanna / October 28th, 2013

2001 Junior Hockey World Cup heroes honoured

November 5, 2013Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sportsadmin

Mumbai:

Bombay Gold Cup is a popular tournament and some of India’s top teams participate in it. Some of India’s biggest stars have enthralled crowds at the Mahindra Stadium in Churchgate.

What makes the 48th edition of this tournament unique though, is that seven players from the 2001 Junior World Cup winning team are in the city.

On Thursday, the Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd. (MHAL), which is conducting the Bombay Gold Cup, felicitated the heroes of that spectacular triumph 12 years ago.

Mumbai boy Viren Rasquinha, Indian Oil’s Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and Devesh Chouhan, Air India boys Prabodh Tirkey, Arjun Halappa and Vikram Pillay were all handed mementoes in between matches at the MHA on Thursday.

All the players have fond memories of their triumph, which briefly marked the revival of Indian hockey.

Recalling his experience, Halappa who has now become a national selector, says: “It was a turning point for Indian hockey, a revival of sorts. Players started getting attention and with it came decent money from the government. We also found a sponsor in Sahara who gave us all the support we needed.

“The future of hockey was looking up.”

That entire batch was arguably the best India has seen in a long, long time. Many of the World Cup heroes graduated to become formidable India stars. Rasquinha, in fact, went on to lead the team.

Explaining the reason behind the team’s success, striker Deepak Thakur, who top-scored with ten goals including two hat-tricks in the tournament, says: “Our approach was positive. Even before we could leave for Hobart, we had created a positive atmosphere. We had decided that come what may, we have to win this World Cup. We stayed like a family and every player knew another very well, as a result of which we combined well on the field.”

Rasquinha, who probably was in the best form of his career, couldn’t agree with his teammate more: “The best thing about that team was that coach Rajinder Singh created a super atmosphere. We knew each other very well, because we were playing as a unit since 1998. I guess sharing a good rapport with teammates makes a big difference,” he insists.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Hockey> Air India / by Sudheendra Tripathi, TNN / October 25th, 2013

Kodavas board special train to Delhi for rally on Nov. 1

November 4, 2013About Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, Alladmin

Mysore :

With the objective of seeking autonomous status for Kodagu district, nearly 2,000 persons of the Kodava community boarded a special train this morning to participate in the Delhi Chalo rally, to be staged from the Ram Leela Maidan to the Parliament House on Nov. 1.

The special train, called Codava National Council (CNC) Express, left the City Railway Station at 11.10 am, with 20 coaches, including a pantry car and store-room. The store room coach was stacked with water bottles, groceries for the entire journey of seven days, LPG cylinders, cooking and serving utensils, vegetables and other materials. A team of 70 cooks and their helpers also accompanied the rallyists.

The rallyists started arriving at the railway station since 8 am itself in their private cars and rented vehicles including buses and tempos.

Posters about the demands of CNC were pasted on the coaches along with the coach numbers which were allotted area-wise to participants coming from various towns and villages in Kodagu. People of all ages, including women and children were seen enthusiastically boarding the train.

CNC President N.U. Nachappa, speaking to SOM, reiterated that the CNC’s demand was not for a separate State but for declaring the hill district as an autonomous region.

One of the CNC members said that though sight-seeing in Delhi was not important in their agenda, they will make a brief halt at Jaipur and are expected to return to Mysore on Nov. 4.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / October 29th, 2013

Peek into Coorg from Kannur

November 4, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Natureadmin

Paithalmala is an enchanting hill station and a trekkers’ delight. This hilly region, about 1372 metres above sea level and 65 km away from Kannur, is the highest geographic peak of Kannur. Nestled along the Kerala-Karnataka border, it is one of the favourite spots for nature enthusiasts, photographers and trekkers alike.

Paithalmala, situated near the Kodagu forest, is located along huge mountains spread over 500 acres of land amidst dense forest.

There are two trekking seasons at Paithalmala-monsoon and summer.

Monsoon trekking offers an adventurous experience and is the best time to capture the beauty of the mountains enveloped in a blanket of mist. However, trekking during monsoon is more difficult because of the extreme weather. Trekkers are also cautioned about leeches and occasional elephant visits. So, the best time for trekking is January to March.

Trekking begins through the dense forest followed by the plain grassland on the hilltop. An observatory tower built by the tourism department on the hilltop can be reached after a 45-minute walk from Paithal valley. The tower offers a breathtaking view of the valley and one see most parts of Kannur.

The best part of the trek is the walk from the observatory tower to the dense forest.

One can walk along the top of the hill enjoying the mesmerising beauty of the Coorg forest and Paithal valley. Small streams and ponds within the forest are special attractions.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Travel / by DC / Serin Sam / October 25th, 2013

MLA Vasu donates Rs. 1 lakh to Kodagu Gowda education fund

November 3, 2013Educationadmin

Announces Rs. 10 lakh for hostel in Mysore

Madikeri :

“Owing to severe competition in all sectors, students, despite having acquired high qualification, find it tough to get a good job without proper guidance,” opined MLA Vasu.

He was speaking at a programme organised by Kodagu Gowda Vidya Sangha at Gowda Samaj premises here yesterday to present awards to meritorious students.

Vasu pointed out that during earlier days, just an ordinary degree was able to fetch a good job and the scenario changed dramatically over the years owing to rise in number of graduates and tough competition in the job market. He appealed to the Kodagu Gowda Vidya Sangha to construct a good educational institution to provide quality education to students of all communities.

He donated Rs. 1 lakh to Gowda Education Fund and announced that he would provide a fund of Rs. 10 lakh for modernising the Sangha hostel in Mysore. He assured to discuss with MP H. Vishwanath and Chief Minister Siddharamaiah to allot a four acre plot identified for the Sangha to establish an educational institution.

District Government Employees’ Association President Karnaiyyana Ravi, Entrepreneur D.B. Balakrishna, Sangha President Hosur Ramesh Joyappa, former Manager of Madikeri Town Co-operative Bank Kotera Seethamma, Sangha Secretary S. Erappa, Vice-President Ambekallu Naveen Kushalappa and others were present.

Scholarships and awards were presented to 62 students who excelled in studies and various competitions. Students Rashmi, Jahnavi, Helen and Chetana, who had excelled in the degree examinations were felicitated.

Teacher Ame Chandramma, who was adjudged the best teacher during Teachers’ Day celebration, too was felicitated on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / October 28th, 2013

Mangalore University’s first off-campus to be inaugurated on Nov. 18

November 3, 2013Educationadmin

University may offer PG courses in commerce, social work, chemistry./ The Hindu

Science block, housing blocks for teachers, hostels ready

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate Mangalore University’s first post-graduation study centre outside its Mangalagangotri campus at Chikkaluvaru in Kodagu district on November 18. Classes on the new campus will being in December.

The study centre, which is about 16 km from Kushalnagar, is spread on 72.5 acres of land. Vice-Chancellor T. C. Shivashankara Murthy said the government had promised to hand over another 30 acres to make the centre a 100-acre off-campus.

Prof. Murthy said that science block, six housing blocks for teachers and a hostel with 20 rooms for women and another hostel of similar size for men were ready at Chikkaluvaru. The two hostels would accommodate 160 students, 80 men and 80 women. He said the arts block was under construction.

The university is offering bio-chemistry and microbiology post-graduation courses at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College at Madikeri. As the first semester classes for 2013-14 have commenced, those classes would be shifted to Chikkaluvaru campus after the first semester examinations in November, the Vice-Chancellor said.

The classes of second semester for those courses would be conducted at Chikkaluvaru from December end.

The university has proposed to offer post-graduation courses in chemistry, economics, commerce and social work at Chikkaluvarau from 2014-15, he said.

Second PG centre

The government recently allotted 20 acres to the university at Belapu village, about 25 km from Udupi town, to open the university’s second post-graduate study centre.

The university has prepared a Rs. 22-crore proposal to build infrastructure at Belapu and has written to the government to release Rs. 5 crore as initial fund.

It has been planned to lay the foundation stone for the construction once the government allotted the first instalment, Prof. Murthy said.

An arts block, a science block and a commerce block, a shopping centre, hostels for men and women would come up at Belapu, he said.

Minister for Higher Education R.V. Deshpande is expected to attend the inauguration of the PG study centre.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangalore / by Raviprasad Kamila / Mangalore – October 25th, 2013

Chinapa’s countdown

November 3, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

One of the biggest festivals of the country, Sunburn will no longer have one of the country’s popular favourite artistes, Nikhil Chinapa. Instead, Chinapa will be seen collaborating with LIVE Viacom18 as the festival director, “I am going to be working with them as an artist. I do not aim to make the festival bigger and better than Sunburn,” he begins. As for the new festival, Chinapa says, “We haven’t decided a name. I want the festival to be amazing. Order a masala dosa but what matters is who you are eating it with, what time of the day it is, what music is running in the background and if the girl at the opposite table looked at you and smiled. I think all these factors make the experience amazing.”

The festival, scheduled from December 26 to 30 will be electronic and may coincide with Sunburn’s dates. “My vision is to have 17 screens at the end of 10 years. I will also include camping in the third year of the festival,” he adds. Chinapa promises a lot of new talent, artistes from abroad and of course his wife and DJ Pearl.

The venue will remain the same, Goa, though Chinapa agrees that down South, the East Coast Road in Chennai could also be a great spot to host the festival. “I think go-MAD is doing pretty good when it comes to Chennai. They should make it the biggest festival in Chennai. I did come for the latest version and it was well done.” He is also organising a festival for 21 year olds. “This fest has no alcohol and will teach youngsters to be music producers. The fest will be conducted by professionals,” he concludes. More information about the new festival will be announced later this month.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Mrinalini Sundar / ENS – Hyderabad / October 25th, 2013

Kodagu First

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