Dr Afreen Amir, a native of Kodagu, is now part of a research team in London that is already working towards finding a vaccine for Covid-19 pandemic.The research team has been researching on ‘Dexamethasone’, a steroid, which has given a new hope by possibly being a potent vaccine against the Covid-19.
After completing her MBBS in Mangaluru, Dr Afreen pursued her higher education in London and has been working as a doctor there. Her husband Mushir too, is a doctor in London. Afreen’s father S I Amiruddin is currently based in Dubai. He is the elder brother of Kodagu Zilla Janapada Parishat General Secretary Munir Ahmed.
“Afreen completed her SSLC from St Joseph School in Madikeri. She had emerged as the second topper in the district, in the Class 10 board exams. Currently, she is one of the seven experts who are working on the Covid-19 vaccine in London. She always had an inclination towards research in medicine”, Munir Ahmed said.
‘Dexamethasone’, the possible vaccine for the Covid-19, has been subjected to laboratory experiments. The researchers are of the opinion that with the use of the Dexamethasone, about one third of the death rate of the Covid-19 patients can been reduced. A report in this regard is expected to be out soon.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / June 19th, 2020
When Rudresh Mahanthappa recorded Bird Calls, the alto saxophonist wanted to pay tribute to one of his heroes who was probably the greatest alto saxophonist of all time, but he didn’t want to make a straight-up Charlie Parker covers record. Instead, he re-cast Parker tunes to the extent that they became Mahanthappa originals. Five years later, he crosses completely over into playing covers of Parker and other sources for his inspiration.
Hero Trio is that ‘all-covers’ record, which is about the only thing this boundary-pushing composer, bandleader and ace reedman hadn’t yet attempted in one of the most creative jazz careers since the turn of the 21st century. And far from being just an exercise in his interpretive skills (which are unique and stimulating), here is a large window into what makes Rudresh Mahanthappa tick, what lights his fire, what shaped him into the artist he is today. It reaches across generations and genres, but ‘Bird’ still looms large.
The Hero Trio band is a pared down version of the quintet that made Bird Calls. Drummer Rudy Royston and Mahanthappa’s longtime acoustic bassist François Moutin are all who’s needed for Mahanthappa to flesh out these songs in meaningful ways because the saxophonist is so good at fully sketching out the melody and harmony of a song without chordal support and his rhythm section is so good at taking these songs into fresh new places.
“Red Cross” is what I’d call the track that perfectly bridges us from Bird Calls to Hero Trio, mainly because it’s a Charlie Parker song. The trio puts its own stamp on the tune, never fully playing out the head before diving into improv and there’s even a new bridge. “Barbados/26-2” has a funky interlude tacked on front and only after that is done we hear Parker’s 12-bar blues. Moutin gets first dibs on soloing, and when Rudresh Mahanthappa does his thing next, he stretches bebop out to its logical limits. From there, the trio transitions into John Coltrane’s “26-2”, where Trane did what Mahanthappa did on Bird Calls and built a song around the chord changes of Parker’s “Confirmation,” but that, too, is puckish and livelier than the original.
There are other vintage jazz standards on Hero Trio and none of these are treated in ways they’ve been treated ever before. For instance, Mahanthappa chose “I’ll Remember April” because he was thinking about Sonny Rollins’ performance of it on Live at the Village Vanguard from 1957 as well as Lee Konitz’s 1961 rendition. But it’s hard not to notice the crazy, contemporary rhythm Moutin and Royston keeps slipping underneath it and at one point they spill over into the leader’s space. It sounds like irresistible fun, and they do it again for yet one more Parker classic, “Dewey Square.” For an anguished take on “I Can’t Get Started,” Moutin devises a bass line that matches Mahanthappa’s sentiment instead of Vernon Duke’s melody and Royston plays to the mood as well.
A couple of jazz songs from the post-bop era show up in creative renderings. For Keith Jarrett’s 70s tune “The Windup,” Moutin undertakes Jarrett’s role in the song while Mahanthappa is playing Jan Garbarek. Moutin later is fast, dexterous and lyrical for his aside. Moutin saws with sorrow just as David Izenzon did on Ornette Coleman’s “Sadness”, and Mahanthappa wavers his notes perfectly just as Coleman did but still within his own language.
The Hero Trio finds ways to liven up old and familiar songs outside the realm of jazz, too. Rudresh Mahanthappa covers all the harmonic touch points of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” so that there’s no mistaken what song this is, but judiciously avoids adding unnecessary notes that would clutter it up. Mahanthappa exploits the phrasing irregularities in the Johnny Cash hit “Ring of Fire” as a springboard for freedom. Plus, it’s a great melody, a common trait of all of the songs chosen for this album.
Just because Rudresh Mahanthappa took a break from composing for this project doesn’t mean he took a break from creating. Hero Trio has just as many delightful surprises and audacious musicianship as any other Mahanthappa record.
Hero Trio will release on June 19, 2020 from Whirlwind Recordings.
source: http://www.somethingelsereview.com / Some Thing Else ‘ / by S Victor Aaron / June 11th, 2020
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy said that the compensation for fruit and vegetable growers, affected by Covid-19 lockdown, would be distributed as per the eligibility and through direct benefit transfer.
Banana, papaya, fig, pineapple, watermelon, muskmelon, green chilly, tomato, cabbage, pumpkin, ash gourd, carrot, onion and capsicum crops are included under the compensation scheme.
Every beneficiary will be provided with a maximum compensation of Rs 15,000 per hectare, where the fruits or vegetables were cultivated. Minimum compensation is fixed at Rs 2,000, Annies said.
The farmers, who enrolled under Crop Survey 2019-20, will be eligible for the compensation. The list of the names of farmers enrolled in the survey will be displayed at Raitha Samparka Kendra of the taluk Horticulture department.
Two weeks time will be provided to file objections if any. The farmers need not submit any documents with the application to claim compensation for the above mentioned fruit and vegetable crops.
However, the farmers, who are not enrolled in the Crop Survey, should submit the original copy of RTC, letter of consent (in case of joint RTC), self-declaration certificate, details of bank account, IFSC code and the photocopy of the first page of bank passbook indicating name and address clearly and other necessary documents if the RTC holders have expired.
The application formats are available at the office of the taluk Horticulture departments and at all Nadakatcheri offices.
The last date to submit the application is June 17.
The filled application should be submitted, along with relevant documents, to Senior Assistant Director, Horticulture department (Zilla Panchayat), Madikeri (Phone: 9448336863) and Senior Assistant Director, Horticulture department (Zilla Panchayat), Somwarpet (Phone:855393335) and Senior Assistant Director, Horticulture department (Zilla Panchayat), Ponnampet (Phone:9448049020).
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / June 12th, 2020
The Kodava Koota of North America has instituted a scholarship for the year 2020 to recognise and reward meritorious Kodava students studying in India.
Kodava Koota is a non-profit organisation founded in 2017 by like-minded Kodavas living in North America under the leadership of Gina Konganda, an entrepreneur based out of Dallas, Texas. She constituted a Board of 8 members (Appachu Ballachanda, Phoenix, AZ – Vice-President, Appanna Chottera, New Jersey – Secretary, Avinash Chottangada, Atlanta, GA – Treasurer, Nithan Monnanda, Philadelphia, PA – Kodagu Initiatives, Nalini Kuliyakanda, Goldsboro, NC – Culture and Traditions, Priya Pattada, San Francisco, CA – Membership and Subbaiah Cherumandanda, Los Angeles, CA – Career and Entrepreneurship), who are undertaking several initiatives both in North America and Kodagu.
In the year 2020, Kodava Koota is institutionalising multiple scholarships amounting to $10,000 (about Rs.7.5 lakh) for Kodava students in India. Kodava Koota has allocated $3,000 (about Rs. 2.2 lakh) from its membership fund and one of its members Jyothi and Pavan Pattada have donated $7,000 (about Rs. 5.3 lakh) for this initiative.
The objective of this initiative is to encourage Kodava students and reward them with scholarships as a token of appreciation towards their accomplishments and encourage other students to follow suit.
CATEGORIES: Medicine Studies (2 students pursuing under-graduate or post-graduate); Ph.D (1 pursuing Ph.D in the area of Science, Engineering or Technology); Engineering (2 under-graduate or post-graduates); Dental Sciences (1 under-graduate or post-graduate); Agricultural Science (1 under-graduate or post-graduate) and 2 students pursuing Master’s in Science and Mathematics.
ELIGIBILITY: Kodava students studying anywhere in India are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Awards will be adjudicated by Kodava Koota Board or a Committee constituted by it. The scholarships will be administered through its partners Coorg Education Fund (coorgeducationfund.com).
LAST DATE TO APPLY: Applications should reach Kodava Koota before July 31, 2020. Signature and seal of the educational institution is mandatory on the supporting documents like marks cards and letter of recommendation.
Students who are going to start 1st year of the course in 2020 are eligible to apply but will have to attach documents that confirm admission in addition to Grade 12 (or 2nd PUC marks sheet); First year students of courses like MBBS, BDS, BE where CET/NEET are applicable, applicants should upload a copy of the CET/NEET allotment order.
Fill the application forms and upload the supporting documents via: https://forms.gle/jcxPQDJMBZiNhJrQA
For more details, reach out to: kodavakoota.na@gmail.com or coorgedufund@gmail.com, according to a press release from the Kodava Koota.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 12th, 2020
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy holds a meeting with the stakeholders of the tourism department in Madikeri on Tuesday.
Permission has been given to reopen 800 homestays in Kodagu district, said Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.
Chairing a meeting with the stakeholders of the tourism department in Madikeri on Tuesday, she said that homestays should follow all safety guidelines issued by the government with regard to the control of Covid-19 without fail and the complete details of visitors should be registered.
“However, there is no permission to conduct meetings, functions and parties,” she added.
She also said that currently, there are no containment areas in the district. However, it cannot be predicted that there will not be any in future. If any person arriving at a homestay is tested positive for Covid-19, then the entire premises will be declared as the containment area.
Therefore, the role of visitors and the owners of hotels and homestays is crucial, she said.
Any issues in this regard can be addressed to the DC office control room number 1077 or WhatsApp number 85500 01077.
District Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Sneha, Assistant Commissioner T Javaregowda, Health and Family Welfare officer Dr K Mohan, Homestay Association President B G Anantashayana, Resort Association President B R Nagendra Prasad and Tours and Travels Association President Cheyyanda Satya were present in the meeting.
Veteran Havildar Paravanda S. Nanda Nanaiah (55), a native of Kopatti in Kodagu and a resident of Raghavendranagar, Mysuru, passed away today morning at 4.30 am due to cardiac arrest.
After his combatant service in the Indian Army, he was re-employed as Police Constable and posted at Nazarbad Police Station in city.
He leaves behind his wife Yeshodha, a teacher in Government Primary School, Yeraganahalli, sons Archan and Darrin, mother and a large number of relatives and friends.
Cremation took place this afternoon at the foot of Chamundi Hill.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Obituary / June 04th, 2020
A rare Rurk’s ristella skink was found by some wildlife enthusiasts on their way to Madapur in Kodagu district recently. Ristella rurkii, commonly known as Rurk’s ristella, is a species of skink endemic to the Western Ghats of Southern India. It is a small, insectivorous, diurnal skink found in Shola grasslands and rainforests of hills ranges in parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The specific name, rurkii, is in honour of “Dr. Rurk” who collected the type specimen in the Anaimalai Hills, High Ranges, Travancore, and the Palani Hills, of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is endemic to rainforests South of Palghat Gap.
It is a small, slender lizard and grows up to 15 inches in total length (including tail). The skin is bronze-coloured, with dark sides. The eyelids are immovable, in contrast to many other skinks. It is a shy species, which lives under stones and leaves in dry places, such as South slopes, fields and meadows. It is active during twilight and hunts for insects and small snails. It is a typical ground dweller and dislikes climbing.
A.A. Poovaiah of Wildlife First, who spotted the skink by the side of the road, told ‘Star of Mysore’ that he confirmed with retired Forest Officer and Wildlife First Trustee K.M. Chinnappa that it was a rare sighting. “Chinnappa has been inside forests of Kodagu (Western Ghats) all through his life and he has not seen the species so far,” Poovaiah said. The photo of this Caecilian was clicked by Putherira Pappu Thimmaiah.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 08th, 2020
Beneficiaries during the handing over of the houses.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka stated that a grant of Rs 10 crore would be released by the state government towards a permanent building for relief centre in Kodagu.
Symbolically handing over the houses to flood victims in Jambur in Somwarpet on Thursday, the minister said that when the building was vacant, it would be used for government meetings.
He further said that an official order had been issued by the government facilitating the land owners to convert their land. However, there is no scope for building houses in sensitive areas and on river banks.
“Four NDRF teams have arrived in Karnataka and will be stationed in Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Belagavi and Dharwad districts till the end of monsoon,” Ashoka said.
He said that Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa would complete the reamining three years of his tenure and there was no doubt about it. The government is stable, he added. His response came in the wake of the recent statements made by Congress leader Siddaramaiah.
“The CM has been handling the Covid-19 situation well”, Ashoka added. He added that the Centre had granted Rs 1,039 crore for disaster management in Karnataka this year and Rs 395 has already been released.
District In-charge Minister V Somanna said that 463 houses had been handed over to the beneficiaries on Thursday. Earlier, 35 houses were provided to the flood victims in Karnangeri. As many as 250 houses are being built by Infosys Foundation. Rest of the houses will be handed over soon, he added.
Somanna also read out the message by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa. In his message, Yediyurappa stated that the government had carried out all possible measures to provide relief to the flood victims of Kodagu. The CM stated that he could not attend the programme due to other commitments.
MP Prathap Simha, MLA K G Bopaiah, MLA Appachu Ranjan, MLC Sunil Subramani, MLC Veena Acchaiah, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat President B A Harish, Department of Housing Secretary Manoj Kumar Meena, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Managing Director Dr V Ramprasad Manohar, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K Lakshmipriya were present.
JD(S) members protest
Around 60 members of JD(S) staged a protest in Jambur against the government for not inviting former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy to the programme.
Conducting a protest meet in the leadership of JD(S) district president K M B Ganesh, the protesters said that it was Kumaraswamy who had initiated the rehabilitation project by releasing grants during the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.
But the present BJP-led state government has forgotten all courtesy, they said and shouted slogans against the government. The police took the protesters into custody.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / June 05th, 2020
A National Disaster Response Team of 25 people reached Kodagu district on Tuesday and will be in Madikeri during monsoon. The NDRF team reaches Kodagu on Tuesday and will stay in the district till the end of this monsoon season | EXPRESS
Madikeri:
A National Disaster Response Team of 25 people reached Kodagu district on Tuesday and will be in Madikeri during monsoon. The team is likely to stay in the district till August-end. The team members are from the 10th Battalion of the NDRF and arrived from Andhra Pradesh.
The team is headed by Commanding Officer R K Upadhyaya. The team has been sent to the district following a request from Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies K Joy.
The NDRF team is likely to conduct mock rescue operations. Following the 2018 floods in Kodagu, the district administration is taking all precautionary steps.
The NDRF and the Karnataka Civil Defence Quick Response Team have actively involved themselves in rescue operations during monsoon across Kodagu district since 2018.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / June 03rd, 2020
City’s theatre repertory assets including sets, costumes, properties, light, sound system and plays being digitised for posterity
Mysore/Mysuru:
Digitisation is profoundly changing the experience of theatre, not only in terms of new technology-based access, production and dissemination, but also in terms of participation and creation.
Be it through smartphone apps, streaming media or 3D effects, digital technology has crept into the modern theatre. Artistes and art directors have been experimenting with technology for years to enrich their work, revitalise theatrical performance and make theatre more relevant to digital audiences.
Following the footsteps of world theatres with regard to going digital, Mysuru’s theatre repertoire Rangayana, led by its Director Addanda C. Cariappa has begun digitisation of all plays staged and theatre festivals hosted by it since its inception over 30 years ago and also the theatre songs for which renowned playwright and Rangayana’s first Director B.V. Karanth has composed music.
Along with digitisation of dramas and assets, all physical properties of Rangayana will also be available in digital format.
Unprotected assets
Speaking to ‘Star of Mysore’ this morning, Cariappa said that Rangayana has assets including sets, costumes, properties, light and sound system. “Over the years, the storage space of these assets had turned a dumpyard with no documentation whatsoever. Digitisation of all the physical assets will enable us to protect them and at the same time transfer them to the next generation,” he said.
Digitisation will enable reuse of assets and it will provide valuable information on the growth of Rangayana in phases. “Also, at present, there is Rangayana Repertoire, Senior, Junior Repertoires and a School. Much has been written on them and we have loads of photos of plays. We are documenting all of them in electronic form,” he said.
A list of plays that have not been digitised so far has been prepared and the digitisation process has begun from today. This is being done to ensure that theatre lovers do not forget old plays with the passage of time. As this is a fresh initiative, artistes will be trained on enacting the old plays, he said.
Theatre Repertoire Rangayana has huge light and sound assets. They are being listed and documented for posterity.
Use of digital technology
Primarily, digitisation is the use of digital technology to project dramas and also to distribute them — from analogue content to online. With digitisation, there is the flexibility of programming which makes it cost-effective and digital content will remain in the same condition year on year, he explained.
“The new initiative aims to encourage an effective exchange of ideas on how theatre (Rangayana) can be brought closer to online communities. Stages can be transformed with technology in order to garner more engagement by both offline and online audiences,” Cariappa added.
After the recording is over, plays will be uploaded on social websites, he said and added that this apart, the songs for which B.V. Karanth has composed music, will be sung by senior theatre artiste Ramachandra Adapa which will also be recorded and digitised.
Electric systems being accounted for so that the assets can be used at a later date.
Theatre Library on cards
Stating that it has been proposed to set up a first-of-its-kind ‘Theatre Library,’ Cariappa said that the Library will feature a well-equipped recording room, a hall and a studio. Asserting that the library is one of the ambitious projects of Rangayana, he said that the modalities will be discussed with artistes and staff, following which a proposal will be sent to the Government.
Over the years, all plays performed at Rangayana were photographed and stored in albums. Now these photos are being digitised.
Over the years, all plays performed at Rangayana were photographed and stored in albums. Now these photos are being digitised.
Planting of saplings
Highlighting the other activities of Rangayana, Cariappa said that they include expansion of greenery and upkeep of all drama equipment, costumes and other paraphernalia.
Noting that it has been planned to plant 100 saplings in Rangayana premises in association with the Forest Department, he said that several rare species of plants are being brought from Kodagu too and planted in the campus.
The costumes, special effects, artworks, pottery, face designs and other paraphernalia being accounted for and digitised
Cleaning, organising theatre properties
“All theatre properties at Rangayana are being cleaned and organised. All decorative equipment are kept at Lankesh Gallery and lighting props are moved to a separate room. Each and every property belonging to Rangayana will be preserved carefully,” said the Rangayana Director.
Reacting on the same, senior artiste Geetha Montadka said, “For many years, properties including CDs and files were not arranged properly. Some properties were also drenched during rains. Hence, taking care of the properties required for Rangayana theatre activities is our responsibility. Earlier, we had to depend on others to keep the Rangayana building clean and to maintain the props by drying and arranging them. Also, to organise files we used to depend on others. But, now for the past two months as there are no activities at Rangayana due to lockdown and all of us artistes unitedly have taken up the cleaning and organising works. This has indeed brought happiness to all of us and also increased our responsibilities.”
[Photos by M.N. Lakshminarayana Yadav]
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / pics by M.N. Lakshminarayana Yadav / June 01st, 2020
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