Category Archives: Records, All

Charles II silver sugar box stars in our pick of five auction highlights this week

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare Charles II silver sugar box described as “in an exceptional state of preservation” that sold above estimate in Nottingham.

Charles II silver sugar box – £19,000 at Mellors & Kirk.

1. Prattware coiled pipe – £880

Prattware coiled pipe – £880 at Sworders.

Sworders in Essex is dispersing one of the world’s finest collections of pipes and smoking accoutrements across a number of sales this year. The Trevor Barton (1920-2008) collection represents more than 50 years of acquisition and study by a Hertfordshire pipe collector known to many in the antiques trade as ‘The Pipe Man’.

Barton began collecting pipes and other tobacco-related items in 1947, shortly after he was demobbed. In addition to regular visits to Bermondsey market, he travelled widely during a sales and marketing career which helped him to grow his collection.

Selected items from the Barton collection were sold at Christie’s in 2010, but the remainder were kept by the family. The first tranche of the collection formed part of Sworders’ Fine Interiors auction on September 22.

Every lot (many of them multiples) sold above top estimate including this Prattware coiled pipe c.1820, elaborately coiled and painted in ochre and blue dashes. Expected to bring £400-600, it made £880.

2. Coorg War knife – £8000

This 19th century Indian knife with a shaped and carved horn handle comes in its original morocco case. A handwritten label says it was gift from the Raja of Coorg to Colonel George Mackenzie Stuart, the commander of a column of the Madras Army at the taking of Coorg and commandant at the fortress of Vallore where the Raja was later held.

This appears to reference the Coorg War fought between the British East India Company and the small south Indian state in February-April 1834. British losses during the campaign were 93 killed before the British ensign was raised and Chikavira Rajendra, the last ruler of the Coorg kingdom, was sent into exile.

Coupled with this provenance, this fine knife sold for £8000 (estimate £400-600) at Gildings of Market Harborough on September 22.

3. Harry Rountree illustration – £2600

An illustration for ‘The Lost World’ by Harry Rountree – £2600 at David Lay’s in Penzance.

It was estimated at £40-60 but this 14 x 10in (35 x 25cm) pen and ink by New-Zealand-born artist Harry Rountree (1878-1950) sold for £2600 at David Lay in Penzance on September 17.

Fully signed, is one of the original grisaille illustrations created for Conan Doyle’s sci-fi classic The Lost World. The story of an expedition to a plateau in the Amazon basin where prehistoric beasts still survive has spawned many films (the first in 1925). However, it was originally published serially in the Strand Magazine during the months of April-November 1912 with Rountree supplying the illustrations.

4. Charles II silver sugar box – £19,000

Charles II silver sugar box – £19,000 at Mellors & Kirk.

In family ownership for several generations, this 27oz Charles II sugar box was described by Nottingham auctioneers Mellors & Kirk as “in an exceptional state of preservation, with hardly any sign of wear and no damage or repair worthy of note”.

Probably last on the market a century ago, it is engraved with an armorial crest and fully marked to the rim, lid and hasp for London 1681 and the maker’s mark AR with a mullet and two pellets below.

Estimated at £10,000-15,000 on September 16, it took £19,000.

5. Portrait of WH Auden – £28,000

Portrait of WH Auden by Maurice Feild – £28,000 at Bonhams.

This oil on canvas portrait of WH Auden (1907-73), offered for sale at the Bonhams Modern British and Irish Art sale on September 16 is by Maurice Feild (1905-1988). It came by descent from the artist to a private collection in the UK.

Feild and Auden were colleagues and friends during their time teaching at the Downs School, Colwall during the early 1930s with this informal 22 x 15in (56 x 38cm) portrait signed titled and dated verso 1937. It was a key year for Auden: his visit to Spain where he experienced first-hand the horrors of civil war, provided the inspiration for his poem Spain.

Feild, an associate of the Euston Road School of painters, later went on to teach at the Slade in 1954.

A picture of obvious literary interest, it was pitched at an appealing £800-1200 but found sufficient admirers to bring £28,000.

source: http://www.antiquestradegazette.com / Antiques Trade Gazette / Home> News> 2020 / by Roland Arkell / September 25th, 2020

Mangaluru: Enjoy Yakshagana performance in ‘Arebhashe’ dialect

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Mangaluru :

For the first time a Yakshagana episode in the regional dialect of Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu, ‘Arebhashe’ has been created. It has been set to conform to the prosody requirements of Yakshagana and its first experimental ‘Talamaddale’ held recently was successful.

Young Bhagwath, Bhayashree Kulkunda has authored this Yakshagna Prasanga in Arebhashe as per the request of Karnataka Arebhashe Samskriti and Sahitya Academy. Yakshagana and Talamaddale have already been tried in this language but in the cases so far the lyrics were in Kannada. The academy felt that even the literature of the episode should be in Arebhashe. As per the academy’s plans, Bhavyashree has been translating five episodes into Arebhashe. She has already completed the translation of two episodes, ‘Sharasetu Bandhana’ and Panchavati’.

‘Sharasetu Bandhana’ episode is being recorded on audio and video in the form of Talamaddale with the title, ‘Banada Paala’.

President of the Sahitya Academy, Laxminarayana Kajegadde said that when the academy wanted to create Yakshagana Prasangas in Arebhashe, it was a challenge to find a person who can write in that language. He said that many who knew the language were not aware of the prosody requirements. Then Bhavyashree was approached. She initially hesitated but since has joined hands with the academy’s efforts, he stated.

Bhavyashree Kulkuda said that her first Guru, Vishwavinoda Banari encouraged her to start creating Yakskhagana lyrics in Arebhashe and her current Guru, Ganesh Kolekady guided about the prosody needs. She also said that Bhagwath, Subraya Sampaje, gave suggestions about the language while academy president, Laxminarayan Kajegadde and member Jabbar Samo cooperated with her.

‘Baanada Paala’ first Aebhashe Yakshagana Taamadddale with the participation of Bhavyashree Kulkunda as Bhagawathi, Murari Kadabalithaya on Chende and Akshay Rao Vittal supported by Arthadharis, Koltige Narayana Gowda Jabbar Samo Sampaje and Jayanand Sampaje will be available shortly on Youtube. Kajegadde said that already two episodes have been translated into Arebhashe and shortly five episodes will be available in Arebhashe.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru(SP) / September 22nd, 2020

Kodava Samaja Celebrates 152nd Birth Anniversary Of Appacha Kavi

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Mysore/Mysuru: 

Mysuru Kodava Samaja celebrated the 152nd birth anniversary of Haradasa Appaneravanda Appacha Kavi as Kodava Thakk and Sahitya Divasa at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Bhavan in Vijayanagar here yesterday.

Rangayana Director Addanda C. Cariappa, Nellamakkada B. Kaveriappa of Bharani Art Gallery and Chenanda Uthappa spoke about the life and achievements of Haradasa Appacha Kavi and also about the lifetime achievements of litterateurs Dr. I.M. Muthanna and B.D. Ganapathy in their centenary year of celebration.

Maintaining that Appacha Kavi was not limited to just one community, they said that everyone should read the works of the great poet in order to have a deeper understanding of his contributions to the society.

Pointing out that Appacha Kavi is credited with scripting the first Kodava play and also acting in it, they opined that the great poet is very aptly called as Adikavi of Kodava language.

Mysuru Kodava Samaja President K.M. Belliappa, Secretary M.M. Ponnappa, Vice-President M.M. Ponnappa, Treasurer M.B. Jeevan, former Presidents Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, K.A. Kariappa, M.M. Karumbaiah, M.K. Kuttappa, B.M. Nanaiah and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 22nd, 2020

Who are the Kodavas? A riddle that ethnologists are yet to crack, says P.T. Bopanna

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Author PT Bopanna says while there are a number of theories on who the Kodavas are, none are scientific enough to establish the origin of the race

After retiring from journalism in 2010, with four decades in the field, PT Bopanna has championed the cause of Kodagu (Coorg) district in Karnataka. Bopanna’s passion to showcase Kodagu’s beauty, culture, cuisine and people serves as a mirror to the hilly region.

“I have documented the lifestyle, language and cuisine of Kodagu beyond the well-known akki rotti and pandi curry,” says 70-year-old Bopanna, who runs five Kodagu-centric websites, has published seven books and produced a documentary on Kodagu. Bopanna’s latest book, My Coorg Chronicles, (Rolling Stone Publications) traces his journey from journalism to activism, and his efforts to chronicle the unknown facets of Kodagu. My Coorg Chronicles has colourful photographs, illustrations and a caricature of Bopanna by cartoonist Ponnappa.

Bopanna speaks to MetroPlus about the many aspects of his journey.

Excerpts.

Would you describe yourself as a journalist, activist or chronicler?

After studying journalism at Bhavan’s College of Journalism in Mumbai, I started my career in 1981 as the Coorg Correspondent of The Hindu. I registered my first domain www.coorgtourisminfo.com in 2005. Initially the traffic to my website was not encouraging. So I decided to bring out the content from the website as a book in 2006. Discover Coorg was a runaway success. I brought out two more editions of the book, adding more content with each edition. It was also translated into Kannada.

Your research reveals Kodavas as being different from the rest of Indians…

Kodava women are highly educated. There is no dowry system, and women drape their saris opposite to the style adopted by the rest of India. The customs are unique. Kodavas are Hindus, but priests have no role in their marriages. Kodavas revere the Cauvery River, they worship nature and guns. The Keil Murtha festival is dedicated to guns. The harvest festival, Puttari, is ushered in with a gunshot. When I realised that the land has a rich culinary tradition and I compiled traditional recipes in the website, coorgrecipes.com in 2006.

Who exactly are the Kodavas?

This is a riddle that ethnologists are yet to crack. There are any number of theories on who they are, but none scientific enough to establish the origin of the race. One theory says they are the descendants of Alexander the Great, while another traces their origins to a band of Kurds from Iraq.

Why did you bring out a video on Kodagu?

During the course of my work I realised there was a lack of documentation on Kodagu. This was mainly because Kodava language does not have a script. The language is a mixture of Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam. Any documentation was only after the British annexed Coorg in 1834. They kept records and maintained diaries. After Independence, especially after Coorg merged with Mysore State (Karnataka) in 1956, there wasn’t any documentation. I decided to produce a video on various aspects of Kodagu and in 2014 brought out a DVD, Discover Coorg. The video features tourist spots, homestays, jewellery, hockey and golf, Kodava marriages and traditional folk dances.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Society / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – August 18th, 2020

Okkuta supports priests of Talacauvery

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
A view of Talacauvery Kshetra in Madikeri.

Kodagu Gowda Samajagala Okkuta has decided to support fully the priests who perform puja at Talacauvery Kshetra.

The decision was taken during a meeting held in the presence of Gowda Federation Youth wing, said Okkuta president Somanna Soorthale.

Okkuta office-bearers said, “The unscientific works at Gajagiri Betta led to its caving in. A delegation will be taken to the state government shortly demanding action against those who were responsible for such activities. At a time when the death of the Talacauvery priest and family members is still fresh in our mind, a few have been trying to recreate the history of Talacauvery, which is condemnable move.”

A few are trying to disrupt peace in peace-loving district, Somanna alleged. Kodi and Ballada families have been discharging their duties at Talacauvery and Sri Bhagandeshwara Temples for several centuries.

“We condemn all the unscientific activities that are carried out within 10-km radius of the Kshetra and all those that affect the sanctity of the Kshetra. However, we can not accept those who have been trying to harass those who are carrying out business activities in Talacauvery. Goddess Cauvery is worshiped by all. It is sad that a few are trying to distort the history of Talacauvery kshetra,” he added.

It is good that Akhila Kodava Samaja is planning to conduct Shatarudrabhisheka at Talacauvery on September 21. It would have been good if all the communities were invited for the same.

The meeting also condoled the death of Chief Priest Narayana Achar and four others in landslide at Gajagiri Betta in the first week of August.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS/ September 20th, 2020

Levista: Made in India, savoured globally

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Its distinct taste can be traced to the geographical speciality of its plantation in Coorg

Image Credit: Supplied / gulfnews.com

You experience the flavour of Levista, right from the beans to the coffee you drink. The beaming spirit of SLN Group is like a perfect cup of coffee — fulfilling, hearty, crisp, wholesome and so gratifying since 1956.

Levista’s distinct taste can be traced to the geographical speciality of its plantation, which is rooted in Coorg, the coffee capital of India. It is born from the rich expertise of a company that supplies coffee to leading Indian and global coffee companies, and is among the top ten coffee exporters of India. Millions of coffee drinkers wake up to Levista every morning. It is the coffee for coffee lovers, and across the world, people have placed their trust in the timeless flavour of its legacy.

Wafting across the world

Levista has definitive plans in place to spread its aroma across 10 countries, and has undertaken brand building associations with leading entities.

It also has Café Levista, located strategically across cities for discerning coffee lovers, to enjoy a wholesome experience with friends and loved ones. By 2025, 500 such outlets will be operational in India and overseas to deliver its rich taste and heritage. Levista pours the best quality brew made from handpicked beans, with offerings across instant, filter, and artisanal range of coffees.

An association befitting Kings

Recently, Levista has proudly associated with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as their official licensed coffee partner.

It’s a distinctive milestone for two big brands to come together during the Indian Premier League, as the action shifts to the UAE this season.

To make it truly memorable, there will be CSK combo packs which will be retailed as a limited edition, along with the team’s memorabilia.

It will indeed be an unbeatable mix for coffee and cricket fans, when the world is watching. The quality and flavour of Levista resonates with the vivacity and passion of CSK.

source: http://www.gulfnews.com / Gulf News / Home> Lifestyle> GN Focus Report / September 13th, 2020

From Pandi Curry to Kadambuttu, Kodagu introduces Coorg’s cuisine to Hyderabadis

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
_DSC0218
Thatte Idli

The emerging food trends in the city where cloud kitchens introduce newer micro cuisines has been a rather positive coincidence during the lockdown. Otherwise unexplored dishes from smaller regions with local produce have been making a foray into the City of Nizams. Take, for instance, the newly-opened outlet Kodagu. They are now delivering a select few no-nonsense delicacies all inspired by Kodava  cuisine from Coorg. It boasts of unique flavours with a distinct taste – simmered spices, slow-cooked meat paired with puttus (rice preparation).

Koli Curry

Founder Sateesh Polkam says he and his family fell in love with the dishes from this part of Karnataka once they visited in 2012. “While we started experimenting since then it took us eight long years and lots of courage to take the plunge,” he reminisces. The plan came to fruition when he got a break from my work due to the pandemic.  “At the moment, we are only delivering orders placed online. However, we have been getting a lot of encouragement and wouldn’t mind looking at a venue in the next one year,” he says.

In the mood for Kodava cuisine ?

Sateesh mentions that he and his team work on keeping the taste as authentic as possible. We do understand that the essentials of the Coorgi cuisine is very much intact and recognise the distinct flavours like that of pepper, ginger and garlic and the quintessential kachampuli (a reduction similar to balsamic vinegar). The cooking time for these dishes remains rather slow. They simmer in the spices as a result, the meat dishes are more flavourful and tender. Take their Pandi Curry (pork) for instance. That is easily the highlight of the menu. It is cooked-well and goes easily with the big thatte idlis – which as the word suggests in Kannada, would fill up your whole plate because of its sheer size. The flavourful curry with the melt-in-your-mouth idli makes for a good match without being overwhelming or spicy.

If you prefer chicken, opt for their Koli Curry. We love the succulent nature of the chicken, soaked in coconut-based masalas. The spices are subtle and never unnecessarily hot. You can also eat it with the Kadambuttu – Steamed Rice Dumplings, with coconut shreds. The hidden coconut bits add a slight sweetness that tempers the spices in the koli curry well. However, if you like pork, you must give Kodagu’s Pork Ribs a shot! It tears easy from the bone and is easily one of the top picks from their selection. 


Price for two – Rs 600.

source: http://www.indulgexpress.com / The New Indian Express – INDULGE EXPRESS / Home> Food / by Paulami Sen / September 15th, 2020

KSIIDC Lists Kushalnagar Airstrip As Priority One

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All

Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited also plans to develop a helipad

Kushalnagar:

The Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KSIIDC), the nodal agency for the development of airstrips across Karnataka, has listed the proposed airstrip at Kushalnagar as a priority one. 

In its website, the KSIIDC has listed the 950-metre Kushalnagar airstrip as located adjacent to Sainik School with land availability of 49.5 acres. There is a proposal to develop the area as an airstrip and a helipad. An airstrip would have  basic minimum facilities like the airstrip, terminal with security post, fencing and security by local Police. 

The Government Order to develop Kushalnagar airstrip along with other airstrips at Chikkamagalur, Karwar, Raichur, Gadag, Bagalkot, Davanagere and Udupi was issued way back in 2018 after the Narendra Modi Government announced Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) or the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagarik (UDAN) Scheme. Among them, airstrips at Chikkamagalur, Karwar and Kushalnagar are being taken up on priority.

Last December, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry had selected Kushalnagar airstrip under the fourth round of RCS-UDAN Scheme. The airstrip was listed under unserved airport category — any airport at which there have been no scheduled commercial flights. But there were no bidders last time as the Kushalnagar airstrip was in nascent stage. Now that the land has been identified, the Government is looking forward to private companies to develop the airstrip under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model.  

Agri Minister unhappy

The land for the airstrip has been identified behind the Kodagu Sainik School at Koodige. Over 49.5 acres land owned by Agricultural Department at Doddathoor village till the border of Basavanathoor village has been identified for the airstrip and in June last year, a team of officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had visited the site and accepted the land proposal. 

But Karnataka Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil has not taken the land issue lightly as 49.5 acres is being taken from his Department. At a recent meeting of Agriculture Department in Madikeri, the issue was brought to his notice by some officials and the Minister categorically stated that the Department land would not be handed over to the airstrip. 

Justifying his move, Patil told the officers that the Department had 475 acres of flat land in Kushalnagar. A part of the land was later given to Sainik School which occupied over 66 acres. Likewise, over 15 Departments including Koodige Sports School, Dairy and Poultry Farms of Animal Husbandry Department and Horticulture Department have got lands. 

“If we go on giving lands to all, our Department would suffer as we too need land for our agriculture research and extension activities,” Patil reasoned, refusing to hand over the land to the airstrip. 

Ideal place for airstrip: MLA

Patil’s statement notwithstanding, Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan, who first proposed an airport to Kodagu when he was the Minister for Youth Services and Sports in 2012, told Star of Mysore that the land has been finalised and there is no question of changing it at this juncture. 

“A 50-acre flat land is not available anywhere in Kodagu that is a hilly terrain. This land is ideal and we will get it for sure. As there is a Sainik School next to the airstrip, there is a proposal to establish an Aviation Training Academy where this Academy can train flight aspirants from Kodagu, Mysuru and surrounding regions. This is an ideal place for the airstrip, helipad and the Aviation Training Academy,” he explained. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 12th, 2020

Six Girl Students March Into All-Boys Kodagu Sainik School

Education, Records, All

Kushalnagar:

The Sainik School at Koodige in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district has made a historic change in its admission procedure by admitting girl students for the first time since its establishment. The school has so far remained strictly all-boys institution.

Six girl students have secured admission to sixth standard after rigorous entrance and medical tests. They will be treated as boarders and will stay inside the campus once the academic year starts after the Centre relaxes COVID-19 unlock rules for educational institutions. 

Sainik schools were established in 1951 with the aim of reducing the regional and class gaps among officers in the Indian Military. Sainik School in Kodagu is the 22nd Sainik School in the country and the second in Karnataka. It was established on Oct. 18, 2007. There are 25 such schools in the country now. 

The Kodagu School comes under the purview of Karnataka State Government and Ministry of Defence and is administered by a Local Board of Administrators. Col. G. Kannan is the Principal of the School while Lt. Col. Seema Tripathi is the Vice-Principal. 

The school trains its students in overall development while providing quality education and creating a consciousness of national integration. For admission to Class 6, child should be between 10 and 12 years, and for admission to Class 9, child should be between 13 and 15 years.

Though Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had given a nod to allow girls to take admission in these schools from 2017 onwards, the process began in 2018 with Sainik School in Chhingchhip in Mizoram becoming the first school to admit girls. Later the process began in other schools.

The six girls who have secured admission for Kodagu Sainik School were selected from a group of 455 students who wrote the All India Sainik School Entrance Examination (AISSEE). In all, 8 students have secured admission and two will be day scholars. The remaining six will stay inside the school campus. They are Deepa Ullagaddi, G.N. Priyanka, Haripriya Suresh Savadi, Tripti Kumari, Vanishree and Sanjana. Avni Avasthi and Vaishnavi Yeddula will be day scholars. 

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Vice-Principal Lt. Col. Seema Tripathi said that 10 percent of class strength will be reserved for girls. Each class has 85 students. “It will be the first batch for us and we are all eager to receive and train them to be Army officers. Infrastructure like hostel rooms, indoors and game rooms have been created in the Administrative Block and staff like lady warden, lady nurse and one lady employee have been appointed,” she said. 

“We want to make the girls feel at home. At the same time we understand that they will need some extra attention, care and counselling. We are prepared for it. The school has sent a proposal to the Government for an exclusive dormitory/ hostel for girls as the strength will increase from next year,” Lt. Col. Seema Tripathi said. 

While the academic activities will be the same for boys and girls, there will be some relaxations to girls when it comes to physical activities. “At present, we are holding daily online classes for all students in the absence of regular classroom atmosphere. But a strict ‘no gadget day’ is observed on Sundays,” she added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 13th, 2020

Three New Bridges To Come Up On River Cauvery

Business & Economy, Records, All

Mysore/Mysuru:

Kodagu MP Pratap Simha this morning inspected the ongoing works of Mysuru-Bengaluru 10-lane Highway along with a team of officials. The 140-odd-km Highway is being upgraded to a 10-lane Highway and as an Economic Corridor. The 10 lanes includetwo service roads on either sides of the eight-lane main carriageway. 

The NHAI has taken up the core works at an estimated cost of Rs. 7,400 crore. The project is under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I approved by the Government of India. The MP told reporters that three new bridges will be built across River Cauvery. The road will have several bypass stretches and the main towns will not  be touched. 

One 7-kilometre bypass road will be constructed at Siddalingapura after Naguvinahalli between Paschimavahini and Naguvinahalli. This bypass road will not touch Srirangapatna and a new 300-metre long and 60-metre wide bridge will be constructed on River Cauvery at Ganjam and the bypass road will connect the existing Highway after K. Shettihalli. 

The MP also inspected the 93-km six-lane Mysuru-Madikeri Economic Corridor Expressway Project along the Mysuru-Madikeri NH-275. The 115 km-long Expressway is being built to connect Mysuru and Madikeri. Once completed, the Expressway will not touch Mysuru and will link the Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway that is being expanded to 10-lane Highway. The NHAI has completed the boundary marking (stone fixing) exercise so far. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 11th, 2020