Palecanda Bojamma (91), wife of late Palecanda P. Muthanna (former Advocate General of Karnataka and former President of Kodava Samaja, Bengaluru), passed away in Arizona, USA, on Apr. 22.
Originally from Madikeri town in Kodagu, Bojamma (Paruvangada) leaves behind her daughters Dechu Muthanna, Dr. Neeli Muthanna, son Poonacha Muthanna, grandsons and a host of relatives and friends.
Cremation took place at Paradise Memorial Gardens, East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA today (Apr. 24).
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Obituary / April 24th, 2026
I was recently invited to Kaveri Ponnapa’s book launch that I had been looking forward to.
Many in Mysuru may not recognise her name, but anyone who has even a passing interest in Coorg or the culture of small, distinct communities of this land would certainly know her remarkable work, ‘The Vanishing Kodavas.’
Just like her previous book, which was rich with history, culture and stunning imagery, her latest work, ‘Coorg: The Cookbook — Recipes and Stories from a Golden Land,’ is both beautiful to look at and deeply satisfying to read.
This book nourishes not just the appetite but jogs the memory, too.
‘Coorg: The Cookbook’ has been in the making since 2012 and the patience shows. It is thoughtfully structured into sections such as rice-based dishes, meats, seafood, vegetarian dishes, foraged foods, pickles, sweets and beverages.
Each section opens with a gentle historical introduction explaining how and why these foods became part of the Coorg dining table. It tells us why it is not just about how to cook, but also about understanding why Kodavas cook the way they do.
The book also includes sections on foundational pantry ingredients and the spices and herbs that define Coorg cuisine. For readers unfamiliar with some ingredients, the author thoughtfully offers alternatives.
There is even a section explaining how to use the book, making it as accessible to an outsider who may not be familiar with Coorg cuisine at all. That said, even a Kodava like me had some surprise discoveries.
The first surprise I encountered in the book was that while modern Coorg is synonymous with coffee plantations, it was earlier primarily a land of paddy farmers.
No wonder rice sits at the centre of not only Kodava cuisine but also culture. Appropriately, the first dish the book introduces is the humble yet iconic ‘Akki Otti’ or rice roti.
Another delightful revelation is the long-held myth that Coorg cuisine is dominated by pork. Yes, Coorg is famous for its pork dishes, but the book reminds us that Coorg food is far more diverse.
Of the 132 recipes in the book, just 36 are non-vegetarian dishes and only 6 of them are pork! The remaining dishes feature chicken, mutton, fish and crab.
Meanwhile, there are 45 vegetarian recipes! which include an array of ‘pallyas’ & ‘chutneys.’
So, the notion that Coorg cuisine is dominated by the hog is hogwash.
What also struck me personally were the dishes I had never heard of before. There are recipes such as ‘Miniature Jackfruit Pancakes’ (Coorg name: ‘Chatti Puttu’) and the intriguingly named ‘Steamed Rice Parcels with Hitchhiker Elephant Ear Leaves’! (Coorg name: ‘Mara Kembe Puttu’).
But what truly elevates this book beyond the realm of a cookbook are the stories quietly interwoven along with the recipes. Food, after all, is rarely just about taste; it is about people, places and memories.
Reading about the ‘Nende Kari’ or the ‘Crab Curry,’ transported me back to my childhood in Coorg. I remembered being sent to the paddy fields with my cousin to catch crabs for dinner. We would return with a small mug full, often with bleeding fingers. Crabs can put up quite a fight.
While our grandmother prepared the ‘Nende Kari’ (Crab Curry), we sat near the fireplace listening to her tell stories of elephants straying into plantations, of wild boar hunts and town gossip, all while the aroma of spices slowly filled the kitchen.
This is the kind of book that eventually becomes an heirloom, something to be preserved, treasured and passed down through generations. Kaveri Ponnapa herself writes, “Recipes are cultural inheritances.”
This is why ‘Coorg: The Cookbook’ feels more than just pages of recipes. It takes you on a journey down memory lane.
For many Kodavas living far from their homeland, the book may well feel like a bridge back to traditions that are slowly fading. That alone is reason enough to own a copy.
In many ways, to use a culinary euphemism, this book pairs beautifully with Kaveri’s earlier work, ‘The Vanishing Kodavas.’
One documents the culture, the other documents the cuisine. Culture and cuisine, the two pillars that define every community.
Kaveri Ponnapa observed that “Kodavas are vanishing,” but with her books, she has made sure they will not be forgotten.
The state budget has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for the reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges following incessant rainfall in regions including Virajpet, Madikeri and Ponnampet.
Madikeri :
Road connectivity and the health sector in Kodagu have received a boost in the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. While Congress members termed it a progressive budget, BJP leaders criticised it as a “useless budget” with no special consideration for the district.
The state budget has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for the reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges following incessant rainfall in regions including Virajpet, Madikeri and Ponnampet.
Developmental projects for the Kodava Development Board, funds for the welfare of tribes who form a significant population in the district, and the health sector have also received support in the budget.
Virajpet Hospital will be upgraded from a 200 bed capacity to 400 beds, the budget assures funds for the upgradation of Kushalnagar Community Hospital. (File photo)
While Virajpet Hospital will be upgraded from a 200 bed capacity to 400 beds, the budget assures funds for the upgradation of Kushalnagar Community Hospital. Ponnampet will also get a new community hospital.
However, stakeholders in the tourism sector said the budget does not mention any special funds for tourism development.
Nagendra Prasad, president of the Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association, said that although Kodagu generates increased revenue for the state through tourism and liquor sales, no funds have been sanctioned for tourism infrastructure in the district.
“From property tax of hospitality facilities to GST, the tourism sector contributes immensely to the state revenue. But unfortunately, this revenue is not being invested back to further improve the sector,” he opined.
Meanwhile, former BJP MLA K. G. Bopaiah criticised the budget as a “useless” one and a “record budget of complete failure”. He said the budget is not people friendly and added that for the 17th time the Chief Minister has made “only promises, declarations and vague plans without any absolute focus”.
He recalled that the BJP government had sanctioned special funds to the district as per the Nanjundappa report due to heavy rainfall and said, “We used to sanction up to Rs 100 crore as a special package for the district. But for the past three years, the state has neglected Kodagu,” he alleged.
He further alleged that there is no plan or precision in the sanctioning of funds for mitigation projects to curb wildlife conflict.
Dharmaja Uthappa, district president of the Congress party, said the budget is progressive and that the Kodava Development Board, road connectivity and the health sector have received a boost.
“Even the issue of wildlife conflict is addressed and it is overall a pro development budget,” he opined.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / March 06th, 2026
Sangeetha Sambhrama will feature a book, album and website launch, followed by a concert of Madikeri Nagendra’s original compositions.
Madikeri Nagendra’s sonorous voice and unique compositions have a special place in Kannada’s Sugama Sangeetha or journey of musical expression. An event titled, Sangeetha Sambhrama, will be a reminder of a bygone era of music that once played a major role in Karnataka’s musical milieu.
The event commemorates Nagendra’s 75th birth anniversary and has been organised by his son, Bharath Nagendra. Born on September 16, 1950, to a culturally vibrant family, Nagendra’s early exposure to classical music, saw him become a household name and a contemporary of Rathnamala Prakash, Malathi Sharma, Shimoga Subbanna.
According to the Bengaluru-based Bharath, the event will bring together musicians, scholars and connoisseurs of music. The evening will begin with the launch of Madikeri Nagendra – Yashogaathe, a book that chronicles the artiste’s journey. This will be followed by the release of an audio album Geethavenna Jeevana, a compilation of 11 original compositions by Nagendra, orchestrated by Praveen D Rao.
Saanidhya, a website documenting the curated knowledge of Sugama Sangeetha, will also be launched on the occasion. Live music will be presented by vocalists Supriya Raghunandan, Meghana Bhat, Srilakshmi Belmannu, Keerthan Holla, Nishchay Vishwasena and Bhargav HC, as part of the celebrations.
Bharath says Saanidhya is an initiative to create a living archive for the next generation. “There is a dearth of information about Sugama Sangeetha on the internet. In the past, singers kept this form alive by singing compositions of writers such as Kuvempu and Da Ra Bendre. Yashwanth Halebandi, for instance, was known for singing Bendre’s songs. This website is an effort to keep this art form from disappearing.”.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Music / by Sindhu Nagaraj / February 04th, 2026
The renovated building of the Maharshi Valmiki Tribal Residential School at Nagarahole, constructed at a cost of ₹1.8 crore, was inaugurated on Friday by Kodagu District In-charge Minister N.S. Boseraju and Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor and MLA A.S. Ponnanna. The project was undertaken jointly by the Kodagu District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
After the inauguration, Minister Boseraju interacted with the students and enquired about their learning environment, food quality, and facilities. He asked whether they were receiving eggs, bananas, and “chikki” as per the weekly menu. When students replied that they had rice, sambar, and ragi balls for lunch, he further inquired about the type of sambar served. The students responded it was made of gram and vegetables, following which the minister advised them to study well and make the best use of government facilities.
Inspecting dormitories and storage rooms, Boseraju said that several deficiencies in the school had been addressed through this renovation, which included new classrooms, solar power installation, playground development, and construction of a protective railway barricade. He added that the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) would provide additional funds for pending works.
MLA A.S. Ponnanna said efforts were being made to bring tribal students into the mainstream through better infrastructure and learning support. He urged authorities to expedite the remaining works, such as the teachers’ quarters, playground facilities, and iron fencing along the railway boundary. He also appealed for the distribution of Forest Rights Certificates to unregularised tribal families in the Nagarahole region.
On the occasion, Minister Boseraju distributed sports materials to students. Several district and local officials were present.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka> Bengaluru / by The Hans India / November 05th, 2025
Maletira “Mac” Machayya died January 17, 2026, at Eventide in Fargo, ND. There will be a celebration of life Friday, January 30, from 1 pm to 3 pm at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND.
A private inurnment ceremony will take place at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Fargo.
Maletira Ganapathy Machayya, the son of Dr. Maletira and Bollamma Ganapathy Machayya, was born February 10, 1937, in Madikeri, India.
He earned his medical degree from Madras Medical College, India, in 1960. He completed a General Surgery Residency at Furness General Hospital, Barrow-in-Furness, England, in 1969, and Urology Residency at Preston Royal Infirmary, Preston, England, in 1971.
While in England, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. He completed a rotating internship at Illinois General Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, in 1972.
Mac married Margaret “Maggie” Burns in 1971 in Barrow-in-Furness, England.
In 1972, Mac, Maggie, and newborn son Mark moved to Valley City, North Dakota, where Mac began a distinguished career as a general surgeon. There, they raised their family and made lifelong friends. Mac served the community for many years at Mercy Hospital and Meritcare Clinic, which later became Sanford Clinic. His dedication to patient care earned him the respect and gratitude of countless individuals and families throughout the region.
In his free time, you would find Mac working on a new project around the house, woodworking and creating stained glass art. Mac was also a member of The Lions Club in Valley City. Many memorable summers were spent with family and friends at the cabin on Lake Eunice in Minnesota. Maggie passed away in 2005. In 2013, Mac moved to Fargo to be closer to his family.
He is survived by his three sons, Mark (Katie) with grandchildren Makayla, Dakota, and Memphis, Bemidji, MN; Kevin (Jamie) with grandchildren Josie and Gaby, West Fargo; and Jon (Jill) with grandchildren Ellie, Lincoln, and Vera, West Fargo; sister-in-law June Burns, Barrow-in-Furness, England; and extended family in England and India.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; Maggie’s parents, Edward and Frances Burns; brother Devaiah Ganapathy; sister Maletira Sushiela; and brother-in-law Antony Burns.
Mac’s family is appreciative of the care received from Eventide and HIA Hospice.
In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Sanford Health Foundation or CHI Mercy Health Foundation Valley City.
Arrangements by West Funeral Home, West Fargo.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Millet dishes take centre-stage at traditional food revival competition in Madikeri.
Dishes prepared from millets grabbed the attention at a cooking competition organised in Madikeri to revive forgotten culinary traditions. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Traditional dishes prepared with millets emerged as the highlight of a cooking competition organised in Madikeri, in Kodagu district of Karnataka, to revive forgotten culinary traditions.
Over 60 teams participated in the district-level competition, organized by the Kodagu district administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Department of Agriculture. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Over 60 teams participated in the district-level competition, organized by the Kodagu district administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Department of Agriculture at the office of the Joint Director of Agriculture in Madikeri earlier this week.
The exhibition showcased an impressive variety of snacks and dishes prepared using diverse millets, including jowar, ragi, foxtail millet, pearl millet, kodo millet, barnyard millet, and little millet.
Among the creative entries were ragi dosa, nippattu, chakli, kodu bale, kajjaya, millet payasa, millet pulao, ragi biscuits, white jowar biscuits, millet cake, millet paddu, millet laddu, brinjal cutlet, and foxtail millet dosa.
Separate prizes were awarded across three categories: spicy dishes, sweet dishes, and forgotten traditional dishes. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Other notable dishes were jackfruit cutlet, buki kajjaya, ragi laddu, gulige payasa, sajje nadu, foxtail millet cutlet, papaya halwa, pearl millet halwa, millet vade, and fenugreek leaf vade.
Separate prizes were awarded across three categories: spicy dishes, sweet dishes, and forgotten traditional dishes. First prize winners received ₹5,000, second prize ₹3,000, and third prize ₹2,000.
Speaking at the event, Joint Director of Agriculture Chandrashekar emphasized the nutritional benefits of millets, and encouraged people to incorporate them in their daily diet. He highlighted that millet consumption strengthens bones and provides essential calcium.
Awareness rally
Prior to the competition, an awareness rally on the importance of millets was flagged off by Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Anand Prakash Meena.
NCC students, farmers, and officials from the Agriculture and Horticulture departments participated in the rally, which began from the fort premises in Madikeri and concluded at Gandhi Maidan.
Addressing participants at the fort premises, Mr. Meena stressed that millets are nutrient-rich. He called for greater awareness about their benefits. He opined that incorporating millets helps maintain a balanced diet, and can aid in managing diabetes and blood pressure.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 16th, 2026
The MP highlighted the immediate need to prevent pollution to the river and sought fund allocation in the union budget for conservation, sanitation, waste management and riverbank protection works.
Cauvery River image used for representation purposes only.(File Photo | Express
Madikeri :
Mysuru–Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar has written to the Union Minister of Jal Shakti seeking central government support for the conservation of the River Cauvery in Kodagu.
The MP highlighted the immediate need to prevent pollution to the river and sought fund allocation in the union budget for Cauvery river conservation, sanitation, waste management and riverbank protection works.
The letter stressed on the immediate need for conservation and development of the riverbanks of Cauvery across the district. The MP also pointed out that the river has become a victim of increased pollution due to the flow of untreated wastewater from houses and commercial setups and from encroachments alongside the riverbanks.
“These issues are affecting water quality, public health, river ecology and the livelihoods of people dependent on the river,” the MP noted.
He urged the union minister to order a comprehensive survey of the boundaries of the River Cauvery in the district to enable eviction of the encroachments, followed by rehabilitation and systematic riverbank development in a planned manner.
The MP also highlighted the need to regulate activities along riverbanks in Madikeri, Virajpet and Kushalnagar taluks while also requesting the establishment of scientific sanitation and drainage facilities.
Wadiyar also sought a focused intervention to regulate tourist activities along the riverbanks and address recurring flood issues. He urged the need for eco-friendly riverfront development.
Mentioning the interstate importance of the River Cauvery, he urged the minister to formulate a central government-supported phased action plan for conservation and development of the Cauvery.
He has requested funds in the forthcoming budget for Cauvery river conservation, sanitation, waste management and riverbank protection works.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 09th, 2026
‘All necessary measures should be taken to curb stray dogs while ensuring animal welfare and the safety of citizens’.
The district administrations of Mandya and Kodagu held separate meetings on Tuesday to discuss measures to control the menace of stray dogs in their respective districts in the light of the Supreme Court’s recent directions.
In Mandya, Deputy Commissioner Kumar directed the urban local bodies to take up Animal Birth Control (ABC) and anti-rabies vaccination programmes effectively.
All necessary measures should be taken to curb stray dogs while ensuring animal welfare and the safety of citizens, he said and emphasised the need for collection of information on stray dogs in schools and colleges, hospitals, government offices, railway stations, and playgrounds.
He also directed the officials to identify suitable locations for sterilisation surgeries. Also, appropriate measures should be taken to manage shelters for stray dogs in collaboration with animal welfare organisations and the Department of Animal Husbandry.
The guidelines of the Supreme Court must be strictly followed in the management of stray dogs and the sterilisation operations, he said.
Citing the Supreme Court orders, Mr. Kumar said stray dogs should be removed from high-risk areas like educational institutions, bus stands, railway stations, and hospitals. He issued directions for round the clock security in stadiums to prevent stray dogs from the entering the premises.
Students should be made aware of rabies while free anti-rabies vaccination programme should be taken up for stray and pet dogs, he said.
He directed the officials to set up a helpline to receive complaints regarding stray dog issues, and a nodal officer must be appointed at the district level to take necessary action.
In Kodagu, Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja said the local bodies like city municipal councils, town municipal councils, town panchayats, and gram panchayats should earmark at least one acre of land within their jurisdiction and construct a compound wall to facilitate the relocation of stray dogs.
He said measures should be taken to relocate the stray dogs and ensure their proper protection while appointing nodal officers to conduct regular inspections to monitor the control of stray dogs.
He said the government and private hospitals should maintain adequate stock of anti-rabies vaccines so that timely treatment is provided to dog-bite victims.
“Whenever cases of dog bites or attacks by animals are reported, the local body officials must be informed and the government and private hospitals should ensure timely emergency medical services and first aid,” he said.
While Madikeri city municipal council Commissioner H.R. Ramesh informed the meeting that one and a half acre of land on the outskirts of Madikeri has been earmarked for locating stray dogs, the Deputy Commissioner instructed officials concerned that land be similiarly earmarked even in Somwarpet, Kushalnagar, Ponnampet, and Gonikoppal limits.
Kodagu District Health and Family Welfare Officer Satish Kumar said that 4,872 cases of dog bites were reported in the district in 2024 and 4,217 cases between January to October in 2025.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / November 18th, 2025
On November 5, 2025, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, visited the 19 Karnataka Battalion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Madikeri. This visit highlighted the Indian Army’s dedication to fostering youth involvement in nation-building and promoting leadership, discipline, and patriotism among cadets.
Throughout his visit, Lt Gen Seth received a comprehensive briefing on the battalion’s notable history, organizational structure, and major accomplishments since it was formed in 1954. The presentation emphasized the unit’s ongoing achievements in training cadets from various schools and colleges in Karnataka, as well as its exceptional performance in adventure activities, social awareness initiatives, and national-level competitions.
Lt Gen Seth lauded the battalion’s steadfast dedication to the central mission of the National Cadet Corps, which is to develop young men and women into responsible citizens and future leaders for the Armed Forces and the nation. He commended the officers and training staff for their professionalism and commitment to instilling values of discipline, integrity, and service in the cadets.
The General Officer also engaged with a group of distinguished cadets who have represented the battalion at various regional and national events, including the Republic Day Parade, the All India Nau Sainik Camp, and the Thal Sainik Camp. He acknowledged their enthusiasm, confidence, and dedication to serving the nation in diverse roles.
In his address to the cadets, Lt Gen Seth encouraged them to uphold the NCC’s motto of “Unity and Discipline” and to focus their efforts on nation-building and social welfare. He emphasized that the NCC offers an unparalleled platform for character development and leadership training, urging cadets to continue pursuing excellence in all aspects of life.
The visit concluded with Lt Gen Seth expressing his belief that the 19 Karnataka Battalion NCC would maintain its tradition of honor, discipline, and service, making significant contributions to the youth development initiatives of the Indian Armed Forces.
source: http://www.shop.ssbcrack.com / SSB Crack / Home / November 06th, 2025
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