Another Mysurean Drithi Bopanna, pursuing M.Sc., in Global Business Management at Rennes School of Business, France, has been selected as a scholarship delegate for United Nation Organisation’s Annual “Change the World” Conference to be held at the UN Headquarters, New York City, in March 2019.
An alumnus of St. Joseph’s Central School and Sapient College, Vijayanagar, Drithi is the daughter of late Puliyanda Nithin Bopanna and Dr.Sujatha Bopanna, Dean of Studies, De Paul Degree College, Mysuru.
About the conference
The “Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN)” is an annual international meeting attended by 2,500 students from all over the world, where they debate the major issues of international political agenda.
To promote and preserve their way of life, Jenukuruba Ramesh has started Girijana Abhivrudhi Kala Samsthe, whose videos on YouTube have made their talent, and voice, heard in the outside world.
Madikeri :
Apart from external forces, the well-being of a forest also depends on those who reside in them the tribes. They protect nature, and their culture revolves around the flora, fauna, and every aspect of the forest.
However, owing to urbanisation, the tribes are losing their roots. To reintroduce the community culture and promote it to the outside world, the Girijana Abhivrudhi Kala Samsthe team was founded by Jenukurubara Ramesh, a resident of Nagarahole.
An internet search on the tribal dance of Nanachi Gaddhe of Nagarahole will introduce one to the rhythmic music and upbeat dance of the Jenukuruba tribes of Nagarahole. These forest dwellers sing songs that narrate their history and move in sync with the music coming out of plastic drums and sleigh bells. The song composed in the Jenukuruba language narrates the life stories, culture and history of the tribes.
“The tribals have unique culture, rituals and art forms. However, no one, including the community members, understood the importance of the need to protect and preserve our culture. But I had the strong urge to promote our lifestyle, and I formed an art team in 2007,” recalls Ramesh from Nanachi Gadde tribal settlement located by the forest fringe of Nagarahole.
Girijana Abhivrudhi Kala Samsthe members have performed across Kerala, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and other regions, promoting their culture.
As their popularity grew after videos of their performance were posted on YouTube by a few viewers who witnessed it live, the team was approached by movie directors. “Our team has performed in four Kannada movies. While two movies are yet to be released, our works can be seen in Vinay Kumar’s directorial venture Vyathe and in Rippen Swamy,” he tells.
Ramesh opines that art can preserve the unique culture of the tribes, and it is important for them to introduce their lifestyle to the outer world. “Art can help us get the attention of the government to fulfill our demands too,” he opines.
He explains that the tribal culture takes its roots from the forests as their ancestors sang life lessons while taking care of elephants.
He adds that the songs he has composed in the Jenukuruba language narrate the lifestyle of the community. “We pick forest resources and we depend on forests for everything. From extracting honey to looking for medicinal plants, tribals care for the forest. Even while picking honey, we make sure that we leave some untouched in the comb for the bees. Our deities in the form of stone installed by our ancestors are inside the forest. Our festivals revolve around the forest. Our graveyard is inside the forest. All these practices are now being retold by our team through plays, songs and dance,” he elaborates.
However, he opines that with urbanisation, the tribals are losing their culture. “Forest is like our sibling. But owing to government restrictions, we are being moved out of the forest which is affecting our culture. Many in the community have become victims of bad habits, and there is a need to create awareness in the community. While tribal leaders are voicing for the community to avail basic facilities, it is also necessary to create awareness among the community to bring the tribals back to their roots,” he adds.
He concludes by saying that tribes are torn between their ancestral culture and modernisation even as he explains that it would be tough for the community to move into townships as they are the children of the forest.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna GR / January 19th, 2025
Shree Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha conducts annual cultural contests
Mysuru:
Shree Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha, Mysuru, conducted its annual cultural competitions on Apr. 13 at Kodagu Sahakara Sangha premises in Jayalakshmipuram.
Inaugurating the programme by lighting the traditional lamp, Kodagu Model School (Vidyashankar Layout, Sathagalli, Mysuru) Education Council Chairperson Chowrira Seethamma Kalaiah, who was the chief guest, spoke on preserving Kodava land, language, their unique attire, customs and traditions which are the real assets of Kodava community, whose population is dwindling alarmingly of late. Calling upon the parents and elders to impart knowledge on culture and tradition to their children, she felt for an urgent need to create awareness among youths on Kodava culture (Kodavame).
Kollira Bollamma Kuttappa, President, Kodagu Mahila Sangha, welcomed and presided.
K. Kavya Kuttappa, Vice-President; K. Bhavani Belliappa, Secretary; M. Jaya Muthappa, Treasurer; A. Tara Somaiah and P. Vimala Poonacha, Joint Secretaries; K. Pushpa Machaiah and K. Pushpa Nanaiah, Organising Secretaries and P. Lovely Appaiah, Kodagu Mahila Sangha Advisor, were present.
Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Ponjanda A. Ganapathy, former Samaja Presidents Moovera K. Kuttappa, Kekada M. Belliappa and Kattera A. Kariappa and Kodagu Sahakara Sangha President Chambanda Nanjamma were the special invitees.
The Sangha members and their children actively participated in singing, dance, pick-and-speak and drawing competitions.
Kaliyanda Renu Muthamma (Kodava songs, Pick & Speak), Anusha Kumar (Dance), Vidyashree (Singing) and Mukkaty Muthappa (Drawing) were the judges. The event concluded with prize distribution by Machanda Jaya Muthappa. Kodandera Pushpa Machaiah proposed a vote of thanks.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 24th, 2025
Coorg Institute of Technology (CIT), Ponnampet, won the State-level Inter-Collegiate Hockey Tournament, organised by MYCAS College in city recently. A total of 9 colleges from across the State participated in the tournament.
CIT, Ponnampet and Anugraha College, Kushalnagar, reached the finals and fought fiercely for the trophy. After scoring 2 goals each in a closely fought final match, the match went to a penalty shoot-out.
CIT won the battle and lifted the trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 while Anugraha College took the second place and received a cash prize of Rs. 7,000 and a trophy. Individual medals were presented to the players. While Best Player award was won by Gokul from Anugraha College, Bevan Ganapathy from CIT bagged Best Goal-keeper award.
Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by Muruvanda Spoorthi Seethamma, an ultra-marathoner. Chethan, Brown and Abhishek were the referees.
G. Ramacharan, Director (Operations), MYCAS College, C. Archana, Principal, MYCAS PU College and Dr. T.J. Ramya, Lead Student and faculty development were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / April 21st, 2025
RAdm IB Uthaiah, took over as the Director General, Warship Design Bureau, New Delhi, from RAdm Bimal Kumar.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy in Nov 1987, RAdm IB Uthaiah is an alumnus of the Naval College of Engineering, INS Shivaji, Lonavala, and holds an M. Tech and M. Phil degree in addition. In a career spanning over 35 years, he has served the Indian Navy in various capacities; with appointments at the Warship Design Bureau, Training Academies, Naval Dockyard (Vzg), all Naval Commands and the Naval Headquarters.
On being elevated to Flag Rank, the officer has tenanted appointments as Additional Director General (Technical), Project Seabird; Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, and Chief Staff Officer (Technical), at the Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command, prior taking over his current assignment.
source: http://www.aviation-defence-universe.com / Aviation & Defence Universe / Home> Navy / February 01st, 2023
A delegation of Akhila Kodava Samaja has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, demanding a Ministerial berth for Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna, who is also the Legal Advisor to the CM.
The delegation led by Akhila Kodava Samaja President Paradanda Subramani Kaveriappa, met Siddaramaiah at his T.K. Layout residence in the city yesterday.
The Kodava delegates brought to the CM’s notice that, Ponnanna belongs to the linguistic minority Kodava community. He should be accommodated into the Cabinet, in view of finding solutions to the long lasting issues of the district, for development and political representation.
Following the memorandum, the CM assured to take a look into their demand.
The delegation included Vice-President of Akhila Kodava Samaja Ajjikuttira Madaiah, Hon. Secretary Tithiyanda Vijay Kumar, Treasurer Mandepanda Muthanna, Joint Secretary Nandetira Madappa, Moovera Rekha Prakash, President of Kodava Samaja Mysuru P.A. Ganapathy, Vice-President M.P. Nanaiah, Secretary K.A. Belliappa, Joint Secretary A. Diana Poovaiah and Treasurer I.G Kashiappa.
The memorandum
In the memorandum, it is stated that, during your (CM Siddaramaiah) tenure in office, ‘Kodavas’ who were wrongly mentioned as ‘Kodagaru’ in the classified categories identified by the Government was corrected, thus realising several years demand of the community. We are grateful for taking the step to solve the long pending issue in coordination and cooperation of active MLA A.S. Ponnanna.
“We are also thankful on behalf of Kodava community for facilitating the direct purchase of 7 acres of Government land, that was in the possession of Bangalore Kodava Samaja, at Hosahalli village in Yalahanka taluk, at a discounted rate, at the bidding of Ponnanna. With your swift and positive response, the Cabinet approved the decision, helping Kodava Samaja to retain the land,” states the memorandum.
Ponnanna, with his development works backed by progressive thinking, has emerged as a popular MLA among Kodavas. Till the year 1956, Kodagu (earlier Coorg) was a C- State, but its growth was stunted after merging the erstwhile State with Mysore State (that later became Karnataka). The number of Assembly Constituencies was reduced to two from three and the Kodavas continue to be deprived of higher positions both politically and in bureaucracy, with our men being pushed to the corner for whatsoever reasons. It has been two decades since neither of the Kodava community leaders have been inducted into the Ministry, the Kodava Samaja leaders said.
In fact, it is true that, the people of Kodagu region are still reeling under the threat of flood, landslide and natural calamity during rainy season. Most of the villages are still out of bounds for the lack of roads and some of the roads are worn out, making them unfit for vehicle movement at ease.
The district from where originates River Cauvery, the lifeline of people of the region, supplying the drinking water to Bengaluru, Mysuru and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, is also an eco-sensitive region. It is only if MLA like A.S. Ponnanna, a native of Kodagu is given due representation in the Cabinet, he has the capacity to safeguard the identity of the district. Nothing would be a bigger gift than the Ministry for Ponnanna, who is aware of people’s pulse, representing myriad culture and the sensitive issues plaguing the district.
Taking all these points into cognisance, yourself (Siddaramaiah) hailed as a beacon of hope for minorities and backward classes, should consider the demand of Akhila Kodava Samaja, the umbrella organisation of Kodava community, represented by leaders from various places, to accommodate A.S. Ponnanna into the Cabinet, urges Kodava Samaja in its demand to CM.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 26th, 2025
The state-level ‘Literary and Cultural Fest’ programme, along with book releases, a survey presentation, and a poetry meet, will be held jointly by Samartha Kannadigaru (NOM) Kodagu district and the late Chandrashekar Rao Memorial Trust, Mumbai, on Saturday, May 3, at the Red Bricks Satkaar building in Madikeri.
The event will be presided over by Shridevi Chandrashekhar Rao, founder of the late Chandrashekar Rao Memorial Trust. Former president of Kodagu District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, T P Ramesh, will inaugurate the ‘Literary and Cultural Fest’ and launch the event.
K Pratap, vice-president of Chandrashekar Rao Trust, will be present. Senior announcer of Akashvani Madikeri, Subraya Sampaje, will unveil two books: ‘Nuditeru’, a literary and artistic work authored by Mumbai-based writer and theatre artist Gopal Trasi, and ‘Harategalu’, a compilation of writings by the late Chandrashekar Rao, edited by writer and theatre artiste S Daya.
Dr G P Kusuma, a writer from Mumbai, will introduce the book Harategalu, and writer Shwetha M U from Mandya will introduce Nudisiri. Following this, Pushpa Krishnananda Shet and Muneer Ahmed will be felicitated.
A poetry gathering titled ‘Kavi-Kavyakalarava’ will be held under the presidency of Gopal Trasi and inaugurated by Smitha Amritraj Sampaje. Poets Girish Kiggalu, Milan Bharath, Hemanth Parera, Kripa Devaraj, Ramya Murnadu, Ranjith Kavalapara, Dr G P Kusuma, Vinod Moodagadde, Saroja Amati, Santosh Kudekkal, Leela Dayananda, Harish Kiggalu, Sunita Kushalnagar, Kumuda Shetty, Sangeeta Raviraj, Janet I J, Harish Leela, and others will participate.
As part of the cultural celebration, group dances will be performed by the Shivam Dance Team from Murnadu and Janani and team from Madikeri. Members of the Janapada Parishat Madikeri taluk unit will present folk singing performances.
The founders and organizers of Samartha Kannadigaru, including Lingaesh Hunasuru (Founder), Jayalakshi K (Chief Coordinator), and the team of coordinators, along with office bearers of the Chandrashekar Rao Trust, have invited art and literature enthusiasts to participate in the event.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri / April 26th,2025
The festival unites top brewers and baristas of the country, including experts from global and regional café chains, all showcasing dynamic skills and innovation.
India International Coffee Festival
India International Coffee Festival (IICF) 2025, a multi-city event supported by the Coffee Board of India and presented by the Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI), is back for semi-finals and finals in Bengaluru. The festival unites top brewers and baristas of the country, including experts from global and regional café chains, all showcasing dynamic skills and innovation.
“ From a brewer’s and barista’s perspective, we’re hosting five different competitions at IICF 2025. Starting with the National Barista Championship, it was held for the first time across Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. What makes this year special is the kind of participants we’re seeing. The Indian Filter Coffee Championship has also evolved this year. We’ve hosted it outside Bengaluru for the first time, with a round conducted in Coorg. Now, our finalists come from both Coorg and Bengaluru, which brings a richer regional representation,” begins festival curator Sreeram G.
What’s new this edition?
In addition to all the competitions, the festival boasts a special panel discussion aimed at enhancing the knowledge of baristas and enriching the experience of those planning to participate next year. Our favourite one is the panel titled Coffee Brewing with or without Technology, focusing on how to brew coffee both with and without the use of advanced gadgets.
With coffee, workshops, brew bars and everything coffee-related at the core of this event, IICF 2025 also introduces lifestyle elements, food stalls and a wide range of entertainment. These additions make the festival set to become the ultimate destination for coffee lovers, engaging a larger audience and transforming the coffee experience. “From coffee producers to equipment suppliers, IICF 2025 will cover the entire coffee lifecycle. This year, we’re also thrilled to welcome international participants from Brazil and Finland, making their debut at the event,” he shares.
IICF entertainment zone
If you’re planning to attend IICF, come with a strong appetite for coffee because every stall will have something unique and exceptional to offer. One of the highlights is the Specialty Coffee Association of India Pavilion, which will be hosting continuous workshops. These sessions are deeply engaging and a must-visit for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of coffee.
If you are here purely for entertainment purposes, then we suggest dropping by on April 26, as the festival will be brimming with live performances including an exciting blend of music, dance and cultural events. “The highlight of the event will be Kannada rapper and singer All OK, popularly known for tracks like Maryade Prashne, RCB Party Anthem and Mallige Hoova. The festival will also feature a range of dynamic performances, such as the traditional Dollu Kunitha, a puppet dance and Western Troupe Dance. Other exciting performances include Rangageethe and Samanvanya Tarangam,” he concludes.
₹250 onwards. April 25-27, 10 am onwards. At Chamara Vajra, Bellary Road.
source: http://www.indulgexpress.com / Indulge Express, Indian Express / Home> Bengaluru / by Srushti Kulkarni / April 20th, 2025
Senior Congress leader, coffee planter and a popular Madikeri resident, Bottolanda Mittu Chengappa (83), passed away last evening at a private hospital in Ammathi, Kodagu district.
For the past few months, he had been unwell and was resting at his home in Mullusoge before his condition worsened on Tuesday night, leading to his hospitalisation. He is survived by his wife Yashika and two daughters Kavya and Krithi.
Mittu Chengappa’s passing marks the end of an era in Kodagu’s political landscape, where he had been a dominant force for over half a century.
Beginning his public life in the 1980s as a member of the Madikeri Municipality, he quickly established himself as a grassroots leader who could connect with people across social strata.
Though he faced setbacks, including a defeat in the MLC elections, his resilience saw him emerge as a politician and the unchallenged king-maker of Kodagu politics.
Unwavering loyalty to Congress
His political journey was characterised by unwavering loyalty to the Congress party.
As a third-generation coffee planter, he transformed his family estates into models of agricultural excellence. His passionate monologues about the “art of making perfect coffee” became legendary, with many dignitaries making trips to his Stuart Hill bungalow just to taste his personally brewed Coorg coffee.
His friendships spanned the worlds of cinema and art. The late Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish considered him a brother, while Superstar Rajinikanth frequently sought the tranquillity of his coffee estates.
As per Kodava traditions, his funeral was conducted at the Kodava Samaja burial ground in Madikeri today afternoon. Before the final rites, his body lay in state at Gandhi Maidan from 10 am to 1 pm, allowing thousands of admirers to pay homage. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Dy. CM D.K. Shivakumar have condoled his death. Energy Ministers K.J. George and Kodagu District Minister N.S. Boseraj arrived in Madikeri this morning to pay their respects. They reached Madikeri by helicopter. MLAs Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna and Dr. Manthar Gowda were also present along with a host of Congress leaders in Kodagu.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 25th, 2025
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