Bengaluru:
Actress Harshika Poonacha (C) with models during a jewelry show, in Bengaluru on June 12, 2018.
source: http://www.prokerala.com / ProKerala / Home> News / June 12th, 2018
Harshika Poonacha during a jewelry show
Vintage Car Collector In Kodagu Dies As Tree Branch Falls On Him
Madikeri:
A farmer and a vintage car collector died after a tree branch fell on him at Nellihudikeri village near Siddapura in Kodagu district yesterday.
The deceased, 67-year-old P.C. Ahmed Kutti Haji, was working in his Mubarak Estate along with his son Ashraf at around 11.30 am. Due to heavy rain and wind, a branch of a banyan tree fell on Ahmed Kutti. He was immediately rushed to a hospital. But he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Kodagu Deputy Commissioner P.I. Sreevidya has announced Rs.5 lakh compensation to his family. She sent the cheque through the Tahsildar.
Ahmed Kutti Haji is a coffee planter and also an industrialist. He has a huge collection of vintage cars which he threw open to public. Collecting vintage cars was a hobby for Ahmed who has 86 of them and over 15 vintage petrol jeeps. Not to stop there, he also has 20 old two-wheelers, a 125-year-old bicycle and a 200-year-old bullock cart. The oldest car in the collection is 1925 model.
Normally vintage car collectors eye Bengaluru to add cars to their collection. Changing the trend, Ahmed focussed on old workshops in Kodagu and surrounding areas to hunt vintage ‘beauties.’ After picking them, Ahmed gave old cars a fresh coat of paint and tuned them to working condition.
Almost all foreign cars owned by Ahmed were manufactured between 1925 and 1965. Barring Dharmasthala, no other place in the State has such a wide collection of vintage cars.
With his death, Kodagu has lost a vintage automobile enthusiast.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News /June 10th, 2018
Karnataka : Elderly Woman Shares Ramp With Harshika Poonacha on Mother’s Day ; Actress post cute pictures
How often do we get to see elderly people walking on the ramp? Rare as it is for Indian fashion scenario, a fashion show organised by Bangalore Mirror and Vijay Karnataka during International Mother’s Day had a granny taking over the runway with her cuteness.
South actress Harshika Poonacha shared her showstopper moment with the cute granny. For Harshika, as she claimed on social media, this fashion walk as showstopper was a ‘special one’.
She also posted adorable pictures of herself with the special ‘model’, who had earlier shared the ramp with daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter.
The elderly lady not only walked with aplomb but accentuated the cuteness quotient with her poses.
“I’ve walked for close to 100 fashion shows as a showstopper, but this was a special one. Vijaykarnataka Bangalore Mirror hosted a show for Mother’s Day where this granny was walking the ramp with her daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter and I couldn’t miss a chance,” her tweet read.
The actress will be next seen in Chitte, which will release on June 29.
source: http://www.mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com / Mumbai Mirror / Home> News> India / by Mirror Online / June 11th, 2018
FRANZ XAVER WINTERHALTER (1805-73) Princess Gouramma (1841-1864) Signed and dated 1852
Princess Gouramma (1841-1864) Signed and dated 1852
Oil on canvas | 153.2 x 91.8 cm (support, canvas/panel/str external) | RCIN 403841
Durbar Corridor, Osborne House
Description
Winterhalter was born in the Black Forest where he was encouraged to draw at school. In 1818 he went to Freiburg to study under Karl Ludwig Sch?ler and then moved to Munich in 1823, where he attended the Academy and studied under Josef Stieler, a fashionable portrait painter. Winterhalter was first brought to the attention of Queen Victoria by the Queen of the Belgians and subsequently painted numerous portraits at the English court from 1842 till his death.
Princess Gouramma (1841-64) was the daughter of the ex-Raja of Coorg. She was baptised in the Chapel at Buckingham Palace on 1 July 1852 and took the name ‘Victoria’, with Queen Victoria as her Sponsor. She had been considered a suitable bride for the Maharaja Duleep Singh whose portrait is also in the Royal Collection (RCIN 403843), but he declined to marry her. In 1860 she married Colonel John Campbell.
Here the Princess is depicted in Indian dress and rich jewellery, leaning on an Indian table. She is holding a Bible, an allusion to her conversion to Christianity.
Signed and dated: F Winterhalter / 1852.
Provenance
Painted for Queen Victoria
source: http://www.royalcollection.org.uk / Royal Collection Trust / Home> Collection> Explore The Collection
Mysuru Kodava Samaja To Celebrate 150th Birth Anniversary Of Appacha Kavi On June 10
Mysuru:
To mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Haradasa Appaneravanda Appacha Kavi, Akhila Kodava Samaja, Kodava Samaja, Mysuru and Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru, are jointly organising an event on June 10 (Sunday) at Kodava Samaja premises in Vijayanagar I Stage here at 9.30 am.
Haradasa Appacha Kavi has done notable contributions to Kodava language and literature and his works are evergreen. He wrote about Kodava culture in the 19th Century and most of his poems and dramas sprang from his experiences and based on studies conducted by him on the Kodava community. Appacha Kavi was born on Sept. 21, 1868 and he was not only a poet but also a social reformer. He wrote about social issues and rose to be an ‘Amarakavi.’
Kodava historian and scholar Bachiraniyanda P. Appanna will be the chief guest. President of Akhila Kodava Samaja Mathanda C. Monnappa will deliver the introductory address. Nellamakkada B. Kaverappa, Ittira Parvathi Cariappa and Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah will speak on Appacha Kavi.
Kodava folk artiste Chenanda A. Uthappa will speak on Appacha Kavi’s play ‘Yayathi’ and theatre artiste Addanda C. Cariappa will speak on Appacha Kavi’s poetry. President of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, Ballyamanda M. Nanaiah will preside.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 08th, 2018
They say models can’t act; I hope I’ve done justice to my role: Dayana Erappa
When the cast of Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (CCV) was announced, everyone was surprised to know that a new face (at least for Kollywood), Dayana Erappa, was to play one of the leads.
Dayana is a Coorgi lass, an international model who has been in the fashion industry for more than five years; brought up in Bengaluru, but moved to Mumbai for modelling assignments… and now, a Kollywood actress, too!
But acting was never on her mind until Mani Ratnam’s project came by, she says. “I didn’t know if I was the right fit in cinema as I am tall and dusky. So, acting never crossed my mind. I was busy with my modelling assignments and even went to Milan for a couple of months.
One day, I got a call from Mani Ratnam’s production house asking me if I’d be interested in acting. Initially, I thought it was a prank call. Later, I tried to locate the person who spoke to me on FB and found that he was working in that production house. They asked me if I spoke Tamil and Telugu. Now I am fluent only in Tamil, not Telugu, but still, they asked me to send my pictures.
After three months, they said that their team will be in Mumbai to conduct auditions. I met Siva (co-writer of the film) sir and Shaad Ali (director and associate of Mani Ratnam). They gave me a script, I did an audition. Again, after a few months, they asked me to come for another audition, this time, in Chennai. Mani sir was supposed to be present for this one. I was super nervous, but he made me comfortable. Later, I was told that I am a part of the film. But it was only when they announced the title and cast officially, that I came to know that I was one of the leads,” says Dayana.
Then followed an acting workshop in Chennai for 15 days, and then, the shoot.
Dayana says her role is a stylish one. “We shot in Serbia — that was the schedule which we wrapped up recently. I was very nervous. Since I had a lot of time in between, I attended theatre workshops in Mumbai. I have no background in acting and I wanted to ensure that I when I go for the shoot, I am good. But the shooting was pretty smooth. Mani sir would say, ‘Kanna, do this’, or ‘do that’. He was really kind and knows exactly what he wants from an actor. I had a lot of doubts, but Mani sir said I shouldn’t be too technical in acting. Simbu is my co-star, and he, too, helped me on the set.”
So, what next? “I never thought I could be an actor until this movie happened. I am waiting to see the audience reactions. They say models can’t act, but I hope I have done justice to the role. So, let’s see.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Entertainment> Tamil Nadu> Movies> News / by Sharanya CR / June 07th, 2018
AGM Of Kodava Federation Held: Kodava Apex Body To Take Up Issues With Kodagu DC
Madikeri:
The Federation of Kodava Samajas, Balagodu, Virajpet taluk, held its Annual General Body Meeting for the year 2017-18 on June 5, 2018 at its head office in Balagodu.
The meeting was attended by about 140 members. Federation President Kallichanda Vishnu Kariappa presided.
The President said that the membership drive in three categories namely, Kodava Samaja membership, Donor Membership and Kodava Okka (Family) Membership drive is pursued vigorously in order to strengthen the Federation.
The President said the Federation had received a letter dated 25.5.2018 from some members jointly requesting the Federation in its General Body of 2017-18 to discuss the issues mentioned in the letter and take appropriate decisions or pass resolutions. Among the issues mentioned in this letter were as follows:
1. To set up a Secretariat with an able Administrator to receive complaints and petitions from the members for solution with the guidance and help from the Federation. The Secretariat will interact with various Government Departments, if necessary, and report to the General Council or the President or the Secretary.
2. Federation to take up the cause of getting the Linguistic Minority status.
3. Make efforts to get Scheduled Tribe status for Kodavas.
4. Federation to ensure that no new places of worship are constructed near important temples of Kodavas like Sri Padi Igguthappa Temple at Kakkabe, Bhagandeshwara Temple at Bhagamandala, Mruthyunjaya Temple at Badaga etc. in order to protect the sanctity of these ancient temples.
5. Federation to take up the issue of Caste Certificate to be issued to Kodavas. At present, the Tahsildar is issuing the certificate saying ‘Kodagaru’ instead of ‘Kodava.’ This is causing problems wherever Caste Certificate is required to get benefits under Government schemes.
6. Federation to discuss with the concerned Government Department to complete the remaining 600 mts. road work from Pukola, Birunani, to Virajpet via Kotiyala, which will reduce the distance to Virajpet taluk headquarters by about 28 kms for the villagers.
7. Federation to discuss with the Government to withdraw cases filed against those who participated in the agitation against the high tension power lines going across South Kodagu to Kerala.
The President told the General Body that the Governing Council had discussed these issues at a special meeting inviting the representatives of all Kodava Samajas and would soon be meeting the Deputy Commissioner to discuss the matter and find solutions.
Raising the issue of the proposed Railway line criss-crossing Kodagu district, a senior member of the Federation expressed surprise that the massive protest march which was launched under the initiative of Mysuru Kodava Samaja, in association with some of the Kodava Samajas in Kodagu, should have been first discussed by the Federation which is the apex body of all Kodavas and led by the Federation. However, the President said that since it was done in a hurried manner the Federation could not take the leadership.
The Annual General Body Meeting concluded with a vote of thanks followed by a lunch.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 06th, 2018
Four-Day Personality Development Camp Begins In City
Mysuru:
A four-day special Personality Development camp ‘Spoorthi 2018’ is being organised since yesterday for students who hail from Kodagu and pursuing their studies from PUC to Graduation. The camp is being organised by Kodava Deena Bandhu Charitable Trust at Kodava Samaja, Vijayanagar First Stage. The camp will conclude on June 5.
The camp was inaugurated last evening by Major General (Rtd.) Codanda K. Karumbaya and senior Orthodontist Dr. Adengada A. Kuttappa. Addressing the students, Karumbaya said that students must have grip over at least four to five languages so that they can pursue a career in any part of the world. Along with mother tongue and the medium of study, students must strive to learn dominant foreign languages, he said.
Giving an example of Indian Army, the retired officer said that people from various nook and corners of India serve in the Army. One common thread that unites them is Hindi. They all learn Hindi and protect the nation like one family, he said.
On the choice of careers, he said that students must have a proper aim and the courage to pursue their dreams. And it is important for them to periodically assess their capabilities and career path.
A step-by-step monitoring process where there is a room for improvement must be a part of a student’s activity, Karumbaya opined.
In his address, Dr. Kuttappa said that it is important for students to read and know about achievers. Almost all the achievers had a tough childhood where they fought against odds to study. “Even our Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a difficult childhood where he sold tea on Railway platforms to eke out a living. Our former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam used to study under streetlight due to abject poverty,” he said.
Students must not discontinue studies at any cost and must strive to secure merit scholarships to pursue their education. Only those who realise the value of education and money at a young age will make good citizens and this in turn, will give rise to a good society, Dr. Kuttappa said.
Kodava Deena Bandhu Charitable Trust Honorary Secretary Pattada A. Jayakumar, Kattera A. Cariappa and Trustee Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd.) Chowrira A. Ganapathy were present.
During the special camp, achievers in various fields will address the students and guide them in academics and careers.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 02nd, 2018
Hills plans to go big with coffee in cinchona land
Kalimpong (West Bengal ):
Four hundred farmers from Kalimpong have been selected to cultivate coffee in the land of tea nearly two centuries after British civil surgeon Archibald Campbell started tea plantations in the Hills way back in 1841.
Among them, 50 had been to the Coffee Research Institute at Chikmangalur in September. They will train the selected farmers.
Members of the Indian Coffee Board, agronomists who had come down to Kalimpong gave the goahead after preliminary soil tests and the weather conditions. A cool to temperate climate is ideal for coffee as it is for tea.
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration had identified 400 acres of land in Kalimpong for coffee cultivation as a pilot project. The four such clusters are spread over Bhalokhop, Algarah, Gidbaling and Lolay Gaon, each having around 10-12 villages. Experts cleared the proposal for mass cultivation after the initial farming came out successful. “The idea is to develop a coffee brand, much like the Darjeeling tea. We have already advertised e-tenders for prospective agencies and will start the cultivation from June,” said Samuel Rai, director of Cinchona and Other Medicinal Plants in Mungpo. The land was lying idle for all these days after the state government shut the cinchona unit.
Experts have conducted workshops for five days with farmers and officials of the hill council. “Earlier, we had sent some farmers for training but the time was short. So we requested the Coffee Board to send experts to the hills to conduct workshop and interact with the farmers,” Rai said.
To maintain quality, GTA will only cultivate the Chandgiri variety of coffee beans. A central factory will also be set up in Kalimpong. “We will use the best quality seeds of the Arabic variety, which is more aromatic with less caffeine content. Also, the variety is suitable for the Hills. Roasting and grinding will be done in a centralized factory, but all other aspects, like peeling the skin, parchment and dehauling, will be done in the cluster level,” the Cinchona director said.
BV Suresh Kumar, deputy director (Research) Coffee Board, who was one of the team members, said: “Coffee cultivation in Kalimpong is in its infant stage. There is potential to be economically viable in the long run. The flavour is there but the yield has to be assessed,” he said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Kolkata News / by Deep Gazmer / TNN / June 05th, 2018
Going the Parsi way
Fair-skinned, educated and Westernized, they are the Parsis of the south. And their numbers too are declining— from 175,000 in 1992 to 125,000 in 2010 (Bureau of Economics and Statistics). Kodavas, or Coorgis, are concentrated in Coorg, Karnataka, which the British turned into a major district of coffee plantations. The land is also known for its mist-cloaked hills scented with honey, cardamom and oranges.
Kodavas are more numerous than India’s Parsis, Bahá’ís and Jews but that’s no solace. “We might vanish by 2030,” says Chepudira M. Thilak Subbaiah, president of the Kodava Samaja Bangalore that held its centenary celebrations in early November. “Young Kodavas are educated workaholics and don’t care about families. They don’t want more than one child.” According to Subbaiah, Bangalore has the largest population of Kodavas (35,000) after Coorg (70,000).
“The concern is not so much of losing at a numbers game,” says Sarita Mandanna, whose debut novel Tiger Hills was set in Coorg at the turn of the 20th century, “but the risk of losing an entire way of life, and the land as we once knew it.”
Kodavas are warrior-caste Hindus but their festivals and rituals are different. They have no priest, no holy fire and no dowry in weddings. They are great pork eaters. They worship Kaveri, the river that originates in Coorg. With a literacy rate estimated at 80%, their vocabulary is a mix of Persian, Sanskrit, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. Almost everyone has an estate—it could be 1 acre or 500 acres. Some say they migrated from the Kurd region in West Asia, others claim they are descendants of Alexander’s army. Traditionally a martial race, they have produced army icons like K.S. Thimayya and K.M. Cariappa. Other notable Kodavas are athlete Ashwini Nachappa and VJ Nikhil Chinappa.
Explaining the reason behind the dwindling numbers, the Bangalore-based author, Prof. P.S. Appaiah, says: “Until 1950, families had at least half a dozen children each. After the government introduced family planning, the Kodavas showed the most enthusiasm. General Cariappa himself would tell us not to go beyond two children. He said that we couldn’t afford to make India a jam-packed stadium.”
The Kodavas have been known for their well-knit joint families. “With better education and exposure, Kodavas are opting for smaller families, a trend that’s evident in most of educated India,” says Mandanna. “With land no longer jointly held within a family, but being parcelled into smaller acreages, it’s no longer viable to support a large brood of children.”
Young people are moving to cities like Bangalore, Mysore and Mumbai, where many have found their calling in the IT industry. “Many Kodavas are finding it hard to find suitable life partners within Kodavas, which forces them to marry non-Kodavas or stay as singles,” says Kishor Cariappa, moderator of KodaguCommunity.com, a site where people discuss topics ranging from marrying outside the community to Kodava cuisine.
A woman married to a Kodava is not considered a Kodavathi, but the children of the marriage are Kodavas. “Not so if a Kodava woman marries outside, in keeping with traditions observed in most of the country,” says Mandanna, whose sister married a Tamilian Brahmin. “Marrying within the community has its advantages in terms of a shared cultural background, but it is no guarantee of happiness, and I think a lot of the older Kodavas have come to recognize that.”
Despite the alarmists, there is no scare of extinction yet. “We are not going down like the Parsis,” says Mumbai-based art director Dipti Subramani, a Kodava who married outside her community. “I think we can maintain our present numbers.”
How can they be increased?
“We’re asking people to have more babies,” says Subbaiah. “Instead of criticizing young people marrying non-Kodavas, we must open our arms to people from other communities and not treat them as ‘outsiders’,” says Cariappa. However, some have other concerns. “If the Kodava population too goes up,” says Appaiah, “imagine what will be India’s fate.”
source: http://www.livemint.com / LiveMint / Home> Live / by Mayank Austen Soofi / November 25th, 2011
