Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Call to preserve Kodava land, language and culture

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

Rear Admiral IB Uthaiah is DG Warship Design Bureau

New Delhi : 

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

Project for scientific disposal of legacy waste launched in Kodagu

A ₹12-crore project for the scientific disposal of legacy waste in Madikeri, Kushalnagar, and Virajpet in Kodagu district was launched on Friday.

An official statement here noted that MLA for Madikeri Mantar Gowda and MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar launched the project taken up under the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan scheme at Subramanyanagar on the outskirts of Madikeri.

Mr. Gowda said that approximately 1.52 lakh tonnes of legacy waste, including around 76,636 tonnes from Madikeri, have been taken up for bioremediation under the project at Madikeri, Kushalnagar, and Virajpet.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yaduveer said the Central funding for the disposal of solid waste under the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan scheme amounts to 50% of the project cost.

Madikeri Urban Development Authority chairman Rajesh Yellappa, city municipal council member Appanna, former president of Madikeri city municipal corporation Anitha Poovaiah, commissioner of the city municipal corporation H.R. Ramesh, and others were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / April 12th, 2025

Lives and nation transformed

‘Rising Sons’ takes us a hundred years back in time to a small village in the southern part of the country.

pix: penguin.co.in

Book: RISING SONS: A NOVEL

Published by: Penguin /Price: Rs 599 / Author: Kavery Nambisan

Kavery Nambisan, a surgeon by profession, has also achieved significant accolades for her writings. She began her career as a children’s author and steadily moved ahead, penning novels like The Scent of Pepper and The Story That Must Not Be Told that have gained her recognition. Rising Sons is her eighth novel. It takes us a hundred years back in time to a small village in the southern part of the country. It is a story that is immersed in the history that shaped our nation.

The general plot seems deceptively simple. It maps the lives of Devaraya’s family members, including his own, and would seem, on the surface, to be a basic coming-of-age story. Devaraya’s statement, “I have two boys and one-and-a-half girls”, opens the narrative and after a few pages it is revealed that the “half girl” is his adopted daughter, Chinni. His wife, Gowru, whom he collected from the Bhoodevi Anatha Ashram in Mysore, had been “orphaned” along with Bhagya when both their fathers were charged with theft and subsequently imprisoned. Their mothers followed their husbands, leaving the bewildered young girls alone. Chinni was Bhagya’s daughter. Devaraya, priding himself in his high Brahmin ancestry, scorned Bhagya who married the Malayali, Dharma, from the fishing community. He took a high-handed pleasure in arranging an abode for Bhagya in his village, Kesarugattu, where he had established himself as an honourable miller and a fair moneylender. He also held a proud position at a Mysore bank and visited his home fortnightly. Devaraya’s other children, the eldest, a boy named Nanju, another boy, Anna, and a daughter, Bhavani, were all overcome by the “darkness” Devaraya brought with him when he visited. The small village strictly adhered to the boundaries set by caste and Chinni’s inclusion in the Brahmin household after the unfortunate fate that befell her parents wagged tongues and incensed minds.

Devaraya was resolute in the education of his boys. Nanju was dutifully sent to the Putter Government High School (for boys) to complete his matriculation. Growing into a deeply thoughtful and keen young man, Nanju seemed to offer to his family a steadfast reputation. But the evils of caste divisions found the family. The revelation of the bitter truth of Devaraya’s childhood and his struggle to find a place for himself in the cruel rural society affected Nanju profoundly. Unable to bear the burden of his caste’s truth, he disappears from the pages of the book. Anna is more stoic in his handling of the shame. Beginning to trace his brother’s footsteps into higher education, Anna found himself getting involved in the struggle for national freedom. Inspired by the ideas of swaraj and the iron determination of the frail Gandhi, Anna and his friends rise above the aspersions of caste and delve into the newly-emerging political scenario. Anna becomes a successful Congressman and finds a life of glamour befitting his new role. Bhavani has long since been married off and is dismissed from the predominant plot line.

What of Chinni, then? Chinni retains the zeal and the sharpness of her rebellious parents. She reads and avidly follows the swadeshi movement. The little hints in the narrative about her relationship with Anna get buried under stories of sermons, speeches, rebellion and illegal pamphlets. Ironically, it is Devaraya’s “half” daughter who ultimately assumes full responsibility for him and his ageing wife.

Nambisan’s own childhood experiences in the warmth of her home colour the pages. Memories of home-cooked food, midnight adventures, and lasting friendships fill the lives of the growing children. The language lovingly encases the softness of these tender moments, moments that fleetingly haunt the characters in their busy adulthood.

In order to rise, one must fall. The novel is more about the poignant falls of fathers and brothers and sisters than about the consequent rise of sons and brothers. Nambisan deftly spins a tale that rushes us through the fast-changing nation at the brink of independence. In the rush, the author does not neglect her characters or her story. Rising Sons rises from amidst the bitter fall of its characters as an epic saga. The tale sits in the history of the country like a glowing ember, a showcase of how lives are changed, or remain unchanged, through the passage of time.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> Books / by Tayana Chaterjee / pix: by penguin.co.in / April 04th, 2025

Codava Community Seeks Exclusive Constituencies and ST Status Amid Concerns Over Delimitation

HIGHLIGHTS

The Codava National Council (CNC) organised a human chain demonstration in Birunani on Monday, urging the Union Government to address their long-standing demands.

Madikeri :

The Codava National Council (CNC) organised a human chain demonstration in Birunani on Monday, urging the Union Government to address their long-standing demands. The primary demand is the creation of exclusive Codava constituencies for the Assembly and Parliament to ensure adequate representation of the community within their traditional homeland.

The CNC expressed concerns that the ongoing delimitation process may overlook the interests of the Codava community. Leaders fear that political influences could result in the merging of Codavaland with neighbouring areas, undermining the representation of the indigenous Codavas.

The CNC has put forward two proposals: carving out dedicated Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Codavaland and creating exclusive representative bodies for the Codava community, similar to the Sangha Constituency for the Buddhist monastic community in Sikkim.

The CNC also reiterated its demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status under the Indian Constitution, highlighting the community’s distinct identity, culture, and history. The demand is anchored in Articles 244 and 371, along with provisions in the Sixth and Eighth Schedules, which recognise and protect tribal communities and languages.

The CNC argues that this misrepresentation has led to a gradual erosion of the community’s identity, describing it as a violation of international conventions on indigenous rights.

A writ petition filed by former Member of Parliament Dr. Subramanian Swamy in the Karnataka High Court seeks adjudication of the Codavas’ demands. The CNC is also advocating for recognition of Codavas under international frameworks such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The CNC has called for the restitution of ancestral lands that were taken over by various rulers, including the Keladi dynasty, British authorities, and subsequent governments.

The CNC remains firm in its demand for recognition as a distinct indigenous community and continues to engage with constitutional and legal avenues to secure their rights. The human chain event at Birunani marked the latest step in the community’s long-standing struggle for recognition and justice.

Is Sullia being pitched to be an assembly segment of Mysuru-Kodagu LS constituency?

In another development, DV Sadananda Gowda (former MP) and Shobha Karandlaje, representing Bengaluru North LS constituency, have been alleged to have brought pressure on the central government to annexe Sullia Assembly constituency, which is currently one of the eight assembly segments in Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, to be a part of the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency. The Codavas point out that this move will further strengthen the Vokkaliga dominance in the Kodagu district and will worsen the Codava community’s representation in the Karnataka assembly. “This is in a preliminary stage, and in the coming days we will further investigate the effects of the inclusion of the Sullia Assembly constituency into the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency.”

source: http://www/thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by The Hans India, Hans News Service / March 31t, 2025

Muddanda Hockey Festival from tomorrow

Kodava family hockey tournament celebrates silver jubilee

Madikeri:

Stage is set for the premier Kodava Family Hockey Festival which begins at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds from tomorrow.

This year’s ‘Muddanda Hockey Namme’ also marks the 25th edition of the tournament. A total of 396 teams have registered to take part in the tournament compared to 360 teams in last year’s Kundyolanda Hockey Fest. The tournament will be inaugurated by Legal Advisor to Chief Minister and MLA Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds at 12 noon. Prior to the inaugural event, a traditional Kodava rally will be held from Gen. K.S. Thimayya Circle in the town till the College grounds.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, District Minister N.S. Boseraju, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda, MLC Mandepanda Suja Kushalappa, Ajuna Awardee Anjaparavanda B. Subbaiah and Madikeri Kodava Samaja President Manduvanda P. Muthappa will be chief guests. Deputy Commissioner Venkatraja, SP K. Ramarajan and Kodagu University Vice-Chancellor Ashok Sangappa Alura will be the guests.

The inaugural ceremony will also feature an exhibition match between Kodagu Hockey Academy XI and Karnataka XI.

This year matches will take place at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds and at Police Parade Grounds. As part of the festival’s silver jubilee, a special ‘Kreeda Jyothi’ (Sports Torch) marathon will be held, visiting the Ainmanes (ancestral homes) of Kodava families. The marathon was flagged off by MLA A.S. Ponnanna and Leela Kuttappa, wife of Pandanda Kuttappa, the Founder of Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, on Mar. 25 at the Ainmane of Pandanda family in Karada village.

The Kreeda Jyothi has passed through the ancestral houses of Cheppudira, Alamenganda, Kallichanda, Machamada, Chekkera, Maneyapanda, Kuppanda, Nellamakkada, Mandepanda, Thathanda, Mandetira, Muddanda, Iychettira, Ballachanda, Biddanda among others.

To commemorate 25 years of the festival, a women’s hockey tournament has been introduced as part of the Muddanda Hockey Festival. So far, 40 women’s teams have registered and more entries are expected before Apr. 10 deadline. The women’s matches will be played at the Police Parade Grounds in Madikeri.

Tournament organisers have announced Rs. 5 lakh cash reward and a trophy for the winners of Muddanda Hockey Fest. Runners will receive Rs. 3 lakh cash reward along with a trophy and the losing teams in semi-finals will receive Rs. 1 lakh cash along with trophies.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Sports / March 27th, 2025

Mysurean emerges Champion at Trump International Golf

Mysuru:

The 24-year-old Mysurean, Drishti Karumbaya, who emerged the Ladies’ Golf Champion at Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach County, Florida, celebrated her victory with the 78-year-old US President Donald Trump, who won the Men’s Golf Championship.

“I just won the Golf Club Championship, probably my last, at Trump International Golf Club, in Palm Beach County, Florida,” Trump wrote on social media on Sunday afternoon.

Drishti, daughter of Dentist Dr. P.G. Karumbaya (Palachanda Chethan) and Swetha Karumbaya (Kandrathanda), residents of Yadavagiri in Mysuru, is working as a Golf Coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University and is a member of Trump International Golf Club.

An alumnus of St. Joseph’s Central School and NPS International in Vijayanagar, Mysuru, she is a double major in Sociology and Human Development from California State University.

Having initiated into golfing when she was 9 years old at JWGC, Mysuru, Drishti had a Career Best Ranking of #5 in the U-13 category in India, was the runner-up in the Wester India Ladies & Junior Girls Championship in 2014, winner of the CGL Indian Gold Union South Zone Event by 11 strokes in 2015 and winner of the Prestige Golfshire IGU South Zone Junior Championship in 2016. She has also won various Championships representing  California State University.

At the Trump International Golf Club Championship, Drishti won Stableford on day-1 and Matchplay on day-2 and 3.

Drishti’s younger brother Dhruv Bopanna is also a pro-golfer in Mysuru.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Sports / March 19th, 2025

Film Director A.T. Raghu passes away

Bengaluru:

Noted film director Apadanda T. Raghu (A.T. Raghu) passed away at his R.T. Nagar residence, here yesterday. He was 76.

 Raghu is survived by his wife Leela Raghu (Palengada), son Bijoy Ganapathy, daughter Binu Sachin (Bayavanda) and a host of relatives and friends. Last rites were held at Hebbal Crematorium in Bengaluru today afternoon, according to family sources.

Raghu’s journey in film industry began with the movie ‘Nyaya Neethi Dharma’ released in 1980. He has directed a total of 55 films in Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Kodava languages.  Among the popular movies directed by him include ‘Kattu Rani’ (Malayalam – 1985), ‘Ajay Vijay’ (Kannada – 1990), ‘Mandyada Gandu’ (Kannada – 1994). He also directed a Hindi movie titled ‘Meri Adalat’ starring Tamil superstar Rajnikanth.

A native of Bettathur village in Kodagu district, Raghu also served as the Member of Kodava Sahitya Academy between 2014 and 2017. He has produced and directed Kodava language serials such as ‘Ainmane,’ ‘Pombolcha,’ ‘Thamane,’ ‘Gejje Thand,’ ‘Jamma Bhoomi’ and ‘Nanga Kodava’ which were telecast on DD Chandana.

His contributions to movie industry earned him several recognitions including the prestigious Puttanna Kanagal Award, Rajyotsava Award, Kodava Sahitya Academy Award, Kalasagara Sangeetha Nrithya Nataka Academy Award, Bangalore Doordarshan Chandana Award for Cinema, Bangalore Kodava Samaja Centenary Celebration award, among others.     

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 21st, 2025

Kodava Hockey Festival adds all-women 5s event

The month-long ‘Kodava Hockey Namme’, popularly known as Coorg’s hockey festival, is set to begin on March 28 in Madikeri and the household of the Muddandas – the host family for this year – is eager to make it grander than ever as it is the 25th edition of the tournament.

The Kodava Hockey Festival, a family-based tournament, is celebrating its silver jubilee this year.  Credit: Special Arrangement 

Bengaluru:

A sense of excitement is brewing in the coffee land of Kodagu as the hilly region prepares for its annual celebration of a sport close to the hearts of Kodavas. 

The month-long ‘Kodava Hockey Namme’, popularly known as Coorg’s hockey festival, is set to begin on March 28 in Madikeri and the household of the Muddandas – the host family for this year – is eager to make it grander than ever as it is the 25th edition of the tournament.  

And to mark this milestone, a 5-a-side all-women competition is being introduced in addition to the customary 11-a-side event. 

“This year being the silver jubilee, we wanted to add more to the festival and came up with this idea,” Rashin Subbaiah, president of the tournament and member of the host family, told DH.

“We observed that many young girls were interested in taking part. Though there has never been age or gender restriction, many women/ girls were reluctant to get onto the field. So we thought about introducing an exclusive all-women event to put them under the spotlight,” explained Subbaiah.

Undoubtedly, the response so far has been overwhelming as the organisers have already received entries from 37 teams for the 5s event. Those numbers are expected to cross 50 before the entry date closes on April 10. 

“The all-women’s 5s will begin in the last week of the festival with its final on April 26 when the main event has its semifinals scheduled. We planned this strategically because spectators come in big numbers to witness the final few days of the hockey extravaganza,” said Vikram Uthappa, another member of the organising committee. 

The no age/ gender bar tournament which began in 1997 with 60 teams, swelled to 360 in 2024 and will feature 396 squads on three grounds – two at the Field Marshal KM Cariappa College and one at the Police Grounds – this summer. Last year, 92-year-old Chittiappa, who made news as the oldest participant, will be seen in action for his team – Annadiyanda family – in this edition as well. 

Traditionally, the mixed-team tournament has had female participants playing with and against their male counterparts in the 11-a-side event. Former junior India women players – goalkeeper Shivachaliyanda Nilan, Mallamada N Ponnamma, Mallamada Leelavathi among others – from the region have been a part of the festival. 

A female participant, this year, can play in the 11s team and also turn out for a 5s squad as well. However, picking a team to play for in the 5s competition could be a bit of a quandary for a few.

While the choice of family to represent will be a no-brainer for the unmarried girls, the married women, however, will have to decide between her ‘Thamane’ (father’s house) and ‘Bakemane’ (husband’s house).

Irrespective of one’s choice, there will be one more reason to celebrate both women and hockey in the Kodava land come April.  

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports> Hockey / by Hita Prakash / March 20th, 2025

Kodava Family Hockey Namme turns 25: Stage set for Muddanda Cup Hockey Festival from Mar. 28

Madikeri:

The Kodava Family Hockey Namme (Festival) celebrates its 25th edition this year, with the Muddanda Cup Hockey Tournament set to begin on  Mar. 28 and continue until Apr. 27.

Matches will be played across three different grounds, with 370 teams already registered for the competition.

Addressing the media in Madikeri yesterday, Kodagu Hockey Academy President Pandanda K. Bopanna noted that while 360 teams participated in last year’s Kundyolanda Hockey Fest, this year’s registrations have already reached 370, with a few more days left for additional entries.

He announced that the inaugural ceremony will feature an exhibition match between Kodagu Hockey Academy XI and Karnataka XI.

Tournament Director Badakada Deena Poovaiah and Coordinator Muddanda Roy Thammaiah will oversee the event.

Cheppudira Cariappa will serve as the main commentator, assisted by Maletira Srinivas, while Kecchettira Prasanna will be in charge of match coordination. The inauguration will also include a special felicitation ceremony honouring the Kundyolanda family, which achieved a Guinness World Record last year.

Umpire training

Hockey Academy Working President Mekerira Ravi Pemmaiah revealed that a training programme for hockey umpires will be conducted on Mar. 19 and 20 at Cauvery College, Virajpet, urging young hockey enthusiasts to participate.

Academy Vice-President Kukkera Jaya Chinnappa stated that several dignitaries, including Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLC M.P. Suja Kushalappa, Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Maken, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Vekatraja, and Kodagu SP K. Ramrajan, will attend the grand opening ceremony.

Kreeda Jyothi

Muddanda Hockey Festival Chairman Muddanda Rashin Subbaiah confirmed that matches will take place at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds and the Police Parade Grounds. As part of the festival’s silver jubilee celebrations, a special ‘Kreeda Jyothi’ (Sports Torch) marathon will be held, visiting the Ainmanes (ancestral homes) of Kodava families.

The marathon will commence at 8 am on Mar. 25 from the Ainmane of the Pandanda family in Karada village, the pioneers of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival.

It will pass through eight Ainmanes in Ponnampet and surrounding areas before concluding on Mar. 28. On the inaugural day, a rally carrying the sports torch will proceed from General Thimayya Circle to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds, flagged off by MLA A.S. Ponnanna.

To commemorate 25 years of the festival, a women’s hockey tournament has been introduced as part of the Muddanda Hockey Festival. So far, 30 women’s teams have registered, and more entries are expected before the Apr. 10 deadline.

The women’s matches will be played at the Police Parade Grounds in Madikeri. Star Indian hockey players Lalremsiami Hmarzote from the women’s national team and Indian men’s team captain Harmanpreet Singh will visit Madikeri during the tournament.

Matrimonial meet

The festival will also feature a thand-bendhu (matrimonial meet) and a quiz competition at the venue. A special cyclothon is scheduled for Apr. 26, and DJ music will entertain spectators from the pre-quarterfinal stage through the final.

An open ‘Maja Run’ from Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle has also been planned as part of the celebrations. Parking arrangements have been made for 2,000 vehicles, and Bengaluru-based Vandana Trust will assist in waste management throughout the month-long event.

Additionally, a shooting competition will be held on Apr. 20 at Ground No. 2, featuring three categories: 50-metre .22 rifle shooting, 30-metre 12-bore gun shooting, and 15-metre air rifle egg shooting. A traditional coconut shooting competition will also be organised.

Muddanda Family President Muddanda B. Devaiah urged members of the Kodava community to participate in large numbers in the rally from General Thimayya Circle to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 16th, 2025