General K S Thimayya’s Sunny Side residence which is being developed into a museum.
The 113th birth anniversary of General K S Thimayya will be observed on March 31 at his residence ‘Sunny Side’, said Colonel (retd) Subbaiah, General Thimayya and Field Marshal Cariappa Forum president.
Speaking to reporters in Madikeri on Tuesday, he said that the district administration has joined hands with the forum to conduct the event.
Elected representatives will not be part of the event owing to the model code of conduct.
“A discussion has been carried out with the district administration towards the preparations for General K S Thimayya’s birth anniversary. Grants were sought from the government on the occasion,” said Col Subbaiah.
He stated that Rs 3.50 crore out of Rs 5.50 crore grants has been released towards the development of the ‘Sunny Side’ residence of General Thimayya into a museum.
The remaining Rs 2 crore grant has been awaited. The work needs to gather pace. However, it has been planned to inaugurate the museum next year.
The Indian Army has already sent the ammunition to be displayed in the museum. General Thimayya’s life and achievements will be featured in the museum.
Major B S Nanjappa (retd) said that the project cost of General Thimayya museum has escalated during the last 10 years. When the project was proposed, the estimated cost of the development of the museum was rupees two crore.
Had the grants been released then, the project costs would not have increased, he added.
He said that the records related to General Thimayya such as his photographs and documents related to his school education have been procured.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service / Madikeri – March 20th, 2019
The Ammathi Kodava Samaj has taken a decision to ban serving of liquor during the Ganga Puja during the Kodava weddings.
Madikeri :
The Ammathi Kodava Samaj has taken a decision to ban serving of liquor during the Ganga Puja during the Kodava weddings. Anyone breaking this rule will have to pay a fine of Rs 25,000 to the samaj.
The decision was taken during the annual meet of the samaj and was supported by majority of the members.The traditional Kodava dance during the Ganga Puja is a two-hour ritual. However, the modern weddings extend it to over five hours.
“Serving of liquor is prohibited during the Ganga Puja until the bride completes the ritual of offering rice to Goddess Cauvery. A fine of Rs 25,000 will be levied on those who break this rule,” said M Bose Devaiah, president, Ammathi Kodava Samaj. He added that a fine of Rs 5,000 was levied earlier when the Ganga Puja exceeded the stipulated time.
“However, people used to pay this fine and continue with the dance. So, with an interest to preserve the original culture, we have taken this decision.” While this is the first of its kind decision, many opine that the rule will be adopted by other Kodava Samajs as well.
The decision has been welcomed by many. However, a Madikeri resident opined, “The affluent crowd book the Ammathi Kodava Samaj … they will not mind paying a fine of Rs 25,000 and continue enjoying the wedding ceremony as per their wish.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / March 21st, 2019
Kodagu BJP General Secretary was killed when a lorry collided with the Maruti Omni van in which he was travelling near Talatamane in Madikeri last evening. The deceased is Balachandra Kalagi (42), a resident of Sampaje.
Balachandra was on his way from Moornad and was proceeding on Talatamane bypass road to go to Sampaje, when the lorry collided with his van resulting in Balachandra suffering serious injuries. Though he was being rushed to Madikeri District Hospital, he breathed his last midway.
Madikeri Rural Police, who have registered a case, have launched a hunt to nab the driver of the lorry, who fled from the spot soon after the accident.
Meanwhile, hundreds of BJP activists and Balachandra’s supporters gathered at the hospital to pay their last respects.
Balachandra had also identified himself with Sangh Parivar and was the President of Sampaje Gram Panchayat and Sampaje Payasvini Co-operative Society.
As the Kodagu BJP General Secretary, Balachandra was campaigning for Pratap Simha, the BJP candidate for the coming Lok Sabha election.
Following his demise, all the programmes and events scheduled on Mar.20 has been cancelled and condolence programmes will be held in the district, said MLA K.G. Bopaiah.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 2019
Rashtrakavi Kuvempu’s daughter Tarini and writer Chidananda Gowda presented ‘Kodagina Gowramma Endowment Award’ for the year 2018-19, to Government First Grade College Napoklu principal Dr Kaveri Prakash, in Madikeri on Wednesday.
Kodagina Gowramma Endowment Award for the year 2018-19 was presented to writer and Government First Grade College Napoklu principal Dr Kaveri Prakash.
Rastrakavi Kuvempu’s daughter Tarini and writer Chidananda Gowda presented the award to Dr Kaveri, during a programme organised by Kannada Sahitya Parishat, on the birth anniversary of litterateur Kodagina Gowramma, in Madikeri on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, Tarini said that the nature of Kodagu has inspired many writers and poets, including her father Kuvempu. “Malnad was close to his heart,” said Tarini.
Tarini further said that Kodagina Gowramma was known for her short stories in Kannada. Her writings reflected noble values.
Tarini recalled reading Gowramma’s stories during her childhood. Unfortunately, Gowramma’s lived only for 27 years, she added.
Writer Chidananda Gowda said that young writers of today should read the works of writers of yesteryear like Kodagina Gowramma.
Speaking after receiving the award, Dr Kaveri Prakash said that Kodagina Gowramma’s thoughts were rational and mature.
Her short stories came after a deep thought process and research, she added.
Dr Kaveri Prakash’s book ‘Kodavara Samskaragalu’ was selected for Kodagina Gowramma award by Kannada Sahitya Parishat.
Kannada Sahitya Parishat district president B S Lokesh Sagar, Kodagu Zilla Lekhakiyara Balaga president Kasturi Govinda Mayya and writer Susheela were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service / Madikeri – March 13th, 2019
Host of Indian Army weapons to be displayed at Gen. K.S. Thimayya Memorial Museum in Madikeri
First it was an Army Tank that arrived at ‘Sunny Side’, Gen. Kodandera Subayya Thimayya’s house in Madikeri that is being converted into a museum. Next is the turn of weapons used by the soldiers of Indian Army to arrive at the house. And all these have arrived as per the directions of Chief of Army Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat.
During his visit to Kodagu on Nov. 4, 2017 to unveil the bronze statues of Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa and General Kodandera S. Thimayya at Cauvery College in Gonikoppal, South Kodagu, Gen. Rawat had promised to deliver vintage weapons to increase the value of ‘Sunny Side’ so that it can be a major military attraction.
With works to convert ‘Sunny Side’ on G.T. Road in Madikeri into a memorial museum, weapons have started arriving as promised by Gen. Rawat. First it was an Army Tank that was transported by road from Kirkee War Cemetery at Khadki, a town near Pune in Maharashtra, to the General Thimayya Museum.
The weapons that were used by the soldiers of Indian Army in the past during many operations have been donated to the museum. The weapons include Light Machine Guns that are over 60 years old, Medium Machine guns, Self-Loading Rifles, 7.62 and 303 Bore rifles, rocket launchers, 32 mm rifle and 38 mm rifles, among others.
With the shipment of weapons reaching the museum, preparations are underway to assemble the spare parts of the weapons, according to Army Officials. Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa-General K.S. Thimayya Forum Convenor Major Biddanda A. Nanjappa said that visitors will get to see a cannon used by the Indian Army which is being transported from Madras Regiment of the Indian Army.
“Army Chief Gen. Rawat had provided a list of 1,400 guns and the Forum members were asked to choose any 45 guns from the list. Accordingly we prepared the list of the arms that we wanted for the museum and sent it to the Army Chief,” Maj. Nanjappa told Star of Mysore.
But as the arms and their spares were deposited at different arms depots across the country, there was delay in the shipment of arms to the museum at Madikeri. Later, the Forum presented a memorandum to Major General Kodanda P. Cariappa, who is working in the Military regiment of the President of India, who in turn formed a six member team headed by Hawaldar Sarjit Singh to despatch the arms.
The Medium Machine Gun that will be displayed at the museum has the capacity to easily kill an enemy soldier who is at a distance of two miles. The Light Machine Guns were used by a platoon to rain bullets on the enemy while Bazooka Rocket Launchers blew enemy posts and bunkers at the border to smithereens. Even some of the personal arms used by the soldiers in one-on-one combat will be displayed.
Maj. Nanjappa further said that Gen. Rawat has agreed to provide a Bofors gun in the museum premises. As the Bofors gun is a huge one, the Madras Regiment has been entrusted with the responsibility of transportation and installation. The Bofors gun will be among the main attractions at the ‘Sunny Side’.
The arms and ammunition will provide a galaxy of information to the younger generation on old-time war guns and machinery and the Museum will also inspire the youths to join the Armed Forces, he said. “Visitors can actually feel the guns to understand the battle-line difficulties and how modern weaponry has made India to fight the enemy effectively,” he added.
‘Sunny Side’ is being renovated and artworks featuring the valour of Indian soldiers on the battlefield will occupy the centre stage. Other main attractions of the museum will be the articles used by Gen. K.S. Thimayya, military uniforms, books and information on Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Besides, there are plans to design a park and install a statue of K.S. Thimayya on the two- acre plot. It may be mentioned here that the State Government had announced the opening of Gen. K.S. Thimayya Memorial Museum.
Subsequently, the Kodagu district administration had submitted a Rs. 5.5 crore proposal to the State Government for approval. So far, Rs. 3.5 crore out of the total estimate of Rs. 6 crore has been utilised for renovation and other expenses related to the museum, according to officials, who also said that the Museum will become one of the major tourist attractions of Kodagu.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / March 2019
Retired Air Marshal K C Nanda Cariappa in Kodagu at Madikeri on 10 March 2019. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Much before Abhinandan, there was Cariappa, taken PoW by Pakistan.
The fighter aircraft blew up in a ball of flame and crashed. The pilot ejected safely, but when he landed with his parachute, he was immediately surrounded by Pakistani troops. It was September 22, 1965, and the officer was 27-year-old Flight Lieutenant K.C. Cariappa.
“I wasn’t sure whether I was in India or Pakistan. When our artillery opened up, one of the Pakistani soldiers said that your guns are firing at us. That’s when I realised that I had been taken as a prisoner of war (PoW),” recounts Air Marshal Cariappa (retd) in a telephonic interview from his home in Madikeri in Karnataka. He landed in Punjab’s Khem Karan sector, 5 km from the International Border, which had been occupied by the Pakistani Army.
The pilot spent the next few weeks being moved from one hospital to another because of a spinal injury and a damaged arm from shelling. As news of him being the son of then General K.M. Cariappa (who had retired as the Chief of the Army Staff and would be later conferred the rank of Field Marshal) spread, he was visited by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Muhammad Musa and one of Pakistan President General Ayub Khan’s son, who gave him a P.G. Wodehouse book and cigarettes.
Retired Air Marshal K C Nanda Cariappa in Kodagu at Madikeri on 10 March 2019. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Ayub Khan, who had served under Cariappa Senior in the North West Frontier Province, offered to return the young captive. But that offer was politely rejected by General Cariappa, who said that all Indian PoWs were his sons. The young officer was shifted to the main prison camp at Fort Dargai, where all the other Indian PoWs were detained. As a captive, life was far from comfortable.
“Food was terrible. We had pooris and a mug of tea for breakfast, and rice, two chapattis, lacey bhindi (lady’s finger) and a soupy preparation of turnip for lunch, which was repeated for dinner.”
The officers were given a pair of hawaai slippers, a dungaree and a blanket which were far from enough to keep warm. But, in the company of six other Indian Air Force officers at the prison camp life became somewhat cheerful.
“(Sqdn Ldr) Piloo Kakkar would read out chapters from Mahabharata and Ramayana and Sikky (Sqdn Ldr B P Sikand) had us in splits of laughter recalling his youth.”
A particularly memorable occasion was the New Year’s eve.
“We used to get a terrible fruit called mittha, which was a kind of a grapefruit but far from sweet. We asked for an earthen pot, put this fruit and our chapatis into the pot and added some methylated spirit stolen from the nursing orderly who would come to dress up our wounds. We then wrapped up the pot with a blanket and place it near a fire to prepare our brew, snake juice. For dessert, we had Marie biscuits and chocolates that we melted so we had almost the original Oreo sandwich!”
The 81-year-old says that while there was no ill-treatment or third-degree torture during his captivity, there was always “the fear of the unknown” haunting the prisoners.
Talking about Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman’s capture by the Pakistani military, he says that “the rules of the game have changed due to social media”, but there is a need to adhere to a “code of conduct”. “While there were horrible videos of his bloodied face circulating, these were also an acknowledgment of the fact that he was in Pakistani custody.” His were “kinder and benign years”.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by Jagriti Chandra / New Delhi – March 11th, 2019
The Kodagu principality was ruled by the Haleri dynasty between 1600 and 1834.
During this time, a Havyaka family moved from Adamane in Shimoga to Palathadaka near Subrahmanya in Dakshina Kannada. Hence, they identify themselves as the Adamane Palathadaka (AP) family. Many AP family members were related to the officials who served under the Kodagu rulers.
A member of this generation, Dr A P Lalit Mohan, has their family tree.
The AP family claims their descent from Subbarasaya, who served as a karnika (treasurer) in Kodagu, as well as his brother Thimmarasaya. A number of Subbarasayas and Thimmarasayas can be found in the family tree.
Dr Mohan claims that two female members Mahadevamma, the wife of Dodda Vira Rajendra, and Gowramma, one of Chikka Vira Rajendra’s 13 queens, were born in the AP family.
Two missionaries, Hermann Friedrich Mögling in his Coorg Memoirs and Georg Richter in his Gazetteer Coorg narrated the story of the Rajas.
Linga Raja I died in 1780 while his three sons, Vira Raja, Appaji Raja and Linga Raja II, were still young. Hyder Ali became their guardian of the princes and took up the direct administration of Kodagu. He maintained that when they would come of age, the throne of Kodagu would be restored to them. In the meantime, he appointed Subbarasaya, from the AP family, as the amaldar of Kodagu.
In 1782, Kodagu rose in rebellion. The princes and their family members were moved to Gorur Fort in Hassan. After the death of Hyder Ali, his son, Tipu Sultan, succeeded as the ruler of Mysore. The Kodagu princely family was again moved to Periyapatna Fort. They were being held in confinement and were prevented from reaching their capital, Madikeri. Tipu marched through Kodagu in 1784. When Kodagu rebelled again, he returned.
Subbarasaya was succeeded as amaldar by his nephew Nagappayya. Nagappayya was charged with treason by Tipu Sultan and was condemned to death. He then fled to Wayanad and took asylum under Kote Raja in Kotangadi.
During 1788, two Kodagu leaders, Appaneravanda Achayya and Pattacheravanda Boluka, helped Vira Raja and his family escape. Most of the family members settled in Kurchi in Kodagu. From there, Vira Raja with Achayya, Boluka and his other men led a guerrilla war against Tipu Sultan.
Nostalgia
The Kote Raja sent bandits to Kurchi where they killed the family members, including Vira Raja’s first wife, looted the place and burnt it down. Despite this setback, by 1791, Vira Raja reclaimed Madikeri. In 1795, a new palace was built in Nalknad. Vira Raja had a daughter, Rajammaji, from his first marriage.
He desired to have a son. Hence, the following year, a mantapa (pavilion) was built in front of this palace where Vira Raja married Maha Devamma in a grand ceremony. Maha Devamma later came to be called as ‘Maha Deva Rani’. Vira Raja and Maha Deva Rani had four daughters: Devammaji, Muddammaji, Rajammaji and Mahadevammaji.
Remnant Kalyana Mantapa in front of Nalknad palace in Kodagu. Photo by author
Vira Raja had his will made before he died in 1809. Accordingly, Devammaji succeeded him to the throne. But two years later, her uncle Linga Raja forced her to abdicate the throne in his favour.
Linga Raja ruled from 1811 until his death in 1820. He got his four nieces married. Linga Raja’s son Chikka Vira Raja succeeded him. By 1826, Chikka Vira Raja got Muddammaji and her family members killed.
During the 1834 war between Kodagu and the British East India Company, Chikka Vira Raja surrendered to the British. After his exile, he went to London where he died in 1864. Karnika Thimmappayya, who was his brother-in-law, died in 1868.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum> Spectrum Statesman / by Mookonda Kushalappa / March 10th, 2019
Jaggery coffee may not be your cup of tea but expect the brown brew to be presented as a welcome drink at a resort in the middle of a large coffee plantation, such as the Cottabetta bungalow in Pollibetta, Coorg, south Karnataka. Nearly 130 years old, this plantation resort was once the residence of British planters. Owned by the Tatas now, it consists of a Kerala-style house with the bedrooms around the inner courtyard, offering the old-world charm and comfort.
On the hillsides, a dense forest of short and stunted trees bearing this exotic berry, in the shadow of the taller trees on which pepper creepers climb high, abounds. The soil here is good for a host of other spices, too. That’s what the traders from the west came looking for, and then settled down to rule our country.
A tour of this particular plantation gives an insight into the process of producing coffee. According to a tour guide, Udhav, a coffee plant starts yielding berries after seven years, and then goes on doing it for over 75 years. Initially the berries are red, but turn brown once they go through several stages of drying, pulping, roasting and grinding before landing on our tables as the brew with a heady aroma. Robusta is the variety that grows here. It’s the favourite of the elephants, too. Most plantations are surrounded by an electric fence to protect them from pachyderms (animals like elephants, hippopotamus and rhinoceros) but, says Udhav, “sometimes they find out how to switch it off. Generally, it is the matriarch of the herd who knows how”!
Monastery
In another direction from Madikeri, about five kilometres off the Bangalore road, lies a Buddhist monastery, Namdroling. This seminary imparts education in the Nyingmapa tradition of Buddhism. Over 3,000 students from the primary to postgraduate level, from the Himalayan regions and abroad, “chant and study, work and practice” here. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche set up this monastery in 1963.
He “attained Mahaparinirvana” in 2009. The Dalai Lama consecrated it and christened it as Namdroling, though its full name is Thegchog Namdrol Shedrub Dargyeling (Land of increasing practice and teaching of the utmost yana that achieves spontaneous liberation). The centre is also known as the Golden Temple because of the three 40-feet high, gilded statues of the Buddhist icons. The entire complex has been elaborately decorated with the Tibetan-style paintings, murals and religious figures. Bylakuppe, a small town where this is located, is a far cry from Tibet in terms of climate and culture but it houses the second largest Tibetan settlement after Dharamsala.
Around 40km from Madikeri is Talakaveri, on the Brahmagiri hill, the source of the Kaveri river. A tank marks the source of the river, and a nearby temple is a popular place for pilgrimage. Not too far from Madikeri lies the Dubare elephant camp. It is located on the banks of Kaveri. Apart from watching big animals, one can do some still-river rafting close by. The best time to visit Coorg is soon after the rains when water cascades down the falls and mist rises up to shroud the mountains. Perhaps, that’s why it’s also known as the Scotland of India.
source: http://www.tribuneindia.com / The Tribune / Home> Spectrum> Travel / by Lalit Mohan / March 10th, 2019
St Michael’s Church Madikeri is the main Church of Kodagu deanary with almost 500 families. The renovation of the sanctuary and the altar of this church have added beauty and have created a better atmosphere for prayer and liturgical services.
The beautiful sanctuary was blessed by Fr K A William, bishop of diocese of Mysuru on March 5 during the Eucharistic celebration concelebrated by Fr Madalai Muthu, dean of Kodagu deanary, Fr Alfred John Mendonca, parish priest of St Michael’s Church, Fr Naveen Kumar, correspondent and the priests from different parishes of Mysuru diocese. The bishop blessed the sanctuary, cross, statues of Mother Mary and St Michael, Lectern, altar and tabernacle during the Eucharistic celebration.
The Eucharistic celebration was followed by a short felicitation programme mastered by Justin P J Fr Naveen Kumar, correspondent of St Michael’s Educational Institutions. He welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering.
Fr William K.A, bishop of Mysuru diocese, Walter Pinto, architect and designer of the renovated sanctuary and altar, and Fr Alfred John Mendonca, parish Priest of St Michael’s Church Madikeri were honored.
Charles D’Cunha, Sujay, Martin P J, and Stalin Philip were also given a memento each for their service towards the renovation of the sanctuary.
Fr Alfred John Mendonca, parish priest rendered the vote of thanks. He appreciated the selfless service of parish council secretary Johnson K A and all the parish council members, their cooperation and generous contribution by the parishioners and the service offered by the Sisters of the Congregations of St Joseph of Tarbes and Bethany. The beautiful ceremony concluded with a fellowship meal.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / Media Release / March 07th, 2019
Biddanda M Chengappa THEN AND NOW: Second Lt Col Biddanda M Chengappa
Col. Biddanda M Chengappa, 102, a soldier who saw action during WWII in Burma against the Japanese, passed away at his son’s home in Ahmedabad. His son BC Mandappa told DNA that the centenarian was not ailing. “He was very lucid in the morning and went on with his routine of having breakfast, reading newspapers, and tracking post-Pulwama attack etc. He had his lunch and went for an afternoon siesta.”
He further recounts how his father fondly recalled his time in Burma. “He was only 24 when he joined the Army in 1941, soon after being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and packed off to battlefront during World War II. The war was at India’s doorsteps in Burma as the Japanese were advancing. Second Lt Chengappa was in the Indian brigade deployed to stop the Japanese.” Along with a dozen newly commissioned officers, he was sent with a shipload of soldiers to Rangoon where they lacked both equipment and experience to take on the fierce enemy, recalls the family.
“While the British superiors on the Eastern Front were a bunch of inefficient lot preoccupied with own comforts, Second Lt Chengappa and the other Indians were sent to the enemy line where before his own eyes he watched two fellow Coorgs fall to the Japanese followed in quick succession by Indians,” says Mandappa.
Within a week, only 20 survivors remained and were sent orders to retreat from the thick forests in northern Burma where they were stationed. “My father and 19 others somehow managed to hitch a ride on to a truck carrying kerosene supplies for some distance. As bullets flew around everybody prayed and hung on for dear life as even one small spark would have turned the truck into a flaming death trap,” he recalls.
Later the group began walking through the forest for Kohima in Nagaland. The lone Burmese army officer guided them through the forest, where away from the enemy at night the tired men fell asleep under the trees. “But Second Lt Chengappa’s troubles were far from over. He woke to a searing pain in his leg to find a snake had bitten him. All the men had was some first-aid and he thought he would breathe his last there,” recounts Mandappa.
Meanwhile, back in Palangala, Coorg (in today’s K’taka) his parents had been told their son was missing in action. “With no news for more than a month, they feared the worst.”
Soon promoted as Major, he served in Gaza during late 1950s as part of UN Peacekeeping Force. Married to Sheila from the Codanda family, he has three sons and retired as a Colonel and settled in Coorg.
A passionate golfer, he played well into his late 90s and was happy to drive his car till a few years later, they recall.
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> India / by Yogesh Pawar / March 08th, 2019
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