Monthly Archives: October 2020

Gulshan Devaiah’s sense of detachment has come with age and wisdom

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

A t2 chat with the actor, who started his career with a bang in Shaitan, spending 10 years in films and why he enjoys being a ‘troll’

” I am definitely not over the moon in terms of how my career has panned out since 2011. It could have been a lot better, I wish it was a lot better….it’s not. But it’s okay…..it’s not terrible . A lot of it is sometimes luck, you know….. I am not regretful of the decisions I made…. I wish i had got some better opportunities, but those did’nt happen “. Sourced by The Telegraph

It’s been almost a decade for Gulshan Devaiah in films and the actor has a thriller called Footfairy, that focuses on a serial killer with a foot fetish, releasing on October 24 on &Pictures, in a direct-to-TV-release. t2 chatted with the 42-year-old actor, who started his career with a bang in Shaitan, on spending 10 years in films and why he enjoys being a “troll”.

Footfairy looks like a bonafide Bollywood thriller after a long time. And it’s releasing first on TV…

News channels were providing entertainment all these days, so now it’s time for entertainment channels to do that! (Laughs) I don’t know how the buzz for a film is created, but I did see comments on the trailer like, ‘Gulshan Sir, underrated actor’ and things like that. I don’t pay much attention to stuff like this, but it feels nice that even after 10 years in the film industry, people still like me.

Have you evolved into this sense of detachment or was it always there?

No, I wasn’t always like that. I have suffered very badly because of too much attachment to the result of my films (laughs). During my theatre days, I was a process-oriented actor, but somewhere I lost track a little bit. I am not saying that if a film of mine does badly, I don’t get affected at all. Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota had a very bad theatrical release due to various circumstances. That did upset me a little bit, but I was better equipped as compared to early on in my career where I had little or no understanding of how the business of cinema works. I am older and wiser now and, therefore, more detached.

What made you sign on Footfairy? We’ve heard you are a big thriller fan…

I am a David Fincher fan, who has made some landmark thrillers. What jumped out at me in the case of Footfairy was the ending. I liked the kind of referencing that Kanishk Varma, who is the writer-director on this film, had put into the script. He’s also a fan of the genre, and many people, incidents, films and books have inspired this story.

When we had spoken after Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, you had said that you have a problem with films going directly to digital. Do you still feel the same, especially given how things have changed, and your own film is releasing on TV first?

I have made my peace with it, to a large extent. At that point of time, as a lover of the art form of cinema, I was a bit concerned with the advent of OTT platforms, that the cinematic experience is going to suffer. But I slowly began to understand that both the mediums will thrive and coexist. There’s a lot that they can learn from each other. The box-office medium can be both rigid and ruthless, and this is a viable alternative.

We are also operating in special circumstances where the traditional exhibition model is not going to work anywhere. So one has to innovate. And I feel that through Footfairy, &Pictures has come up with a great way of getting a new release directly into people’s homes. Which means that TV can also emerge as a medium, along with movie theatres and digital platforms, and the three can compete in a healthy way.

Having said that, I love the cinema experience. I have grown up watching films in theatres and I won’t let go of that. Movie theatres in Mumbai still haven’t opened, but once they do and if Tenet releases, you will find me in a theatre, even if I have to land up in a PPE suit! (Laughs)

It’s been almost a decade for you in films. Are you happy with the choices you’ve made, given the last time we had spoken you had said that the opportunities are opening up but they aren’t consistent…

I am definitely not over the moon in terms of how my career has panned out since 2011. It could have been a lot better, I wish it was a lot better… it’s not. But it’s okay… it’s not terrible. A lot of it is sometimes luck, you know.

If any one of my films had made a lot of money, that would have put me in a different place… that would have empowered me as an actor. I’ve done some good films, worked with some great people, I’ve had a variety of experiences, most of them really good. I have no reason to complain, and I am upbeat with what’s going to come up. I just did some work with (directors) Raj & DK and once they are ready to shoot, I have to go back to Rajasthan and finish shooting for my web series Fallen, which is directed by Reema Kagti (and co-stars Sonakshi Sinha, Vijay Varma and Sohum Shah).

I am not regretful of the decisions I made… I wish I had got some better opportunities, but those didn’t happen.

Screengrab from the trailer of Footfairy. Sourced by The Telegraph

One thing that happened in the lockdown is that you’ve really exploded on Twitter over the last few months…

(Laughs) I think I’ve just found my way of authentic expression. I always try and be authentic, in my work and in how I express myself. There’s also a certain sense of humour that I want to hold on to. Which, in a way, is helping me cope with a lot of the nonsense that’s been going around. Especially over the last few months, urban society has been sadly exposed, there’s been a lot of decay. I can’t do anything about it, but I tried to let it affect me less by holding on to the sense of humour that I have. I am quite happy being a troll on Twitter… most of the time I am trolling people! (Laughs)

Film-maker Vivek Agnihotri has already branded you his favourite troll!

(Laughs) He has no option! We do like each other, we made a film together (Hate Story) and I have respect for him for the professional relationship we’ve had. But mostly he says things to which I have an opposing opinion and I have to figure out how to respond to that. I think I have found my calling with him and our relationship has transitioned from director-actor to nuisance value and troll! (Laughs) He is a bit of a nuisance value.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> Entertainment / by Priyanka Roy / October 21st, 2020

A taste of Kodagu

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Nature

Commonly known as black vinegar, ‘kachampuli’ is indigenous to the district and is prepared by locals.

Madikeri :

Udiyanda Subbaiah, a 90-year-old resident of K Nidugane in Madikeri, is always busy during the rainy season. While most of the residents stay indoors due to the wet and chilly weather, Subbaiah (aka thaatha) goes out early in the morning and begins his search for the Malabar tamarind fruit – scientifically called  Garcinia gummi-gutta.

With his feet buried in slush, Subbaiah walks miles to collect the ripened fruits. He rushes back home with a basketful and sits down to remove loads of bloodsucking leeches that have crept all over him. He later sets up a make-shift tent and begins the tedious job of brewing vinegar from the fruit – popularly known as Kodagu’s ‘kachampuli’.

Kodagu district is known for its exclusive traditional culinary and the ‘pandi’ (pork) curry tops the table. And adding the special tang to these traditional non-vegetarian dishes is ‘kachampuli’ or ‘pulineer’ (puli in Kodava language means sour). Commonly known as black vinegar, ‘kachampuli’ is indigenous to the district and is prepared by the locals during the rainy season.

 “The ‘kachampuli’ fruits start to ripen following the first rain in the monsoon season. Every day, we collect the ripened fruits that are mostly fallen on the ground. We take the fruits home and separate the seeds. Next, we put the fruits on a handmade wooden grill, which is fixed atop wood fire. The fruits have to be dried at high temperature continuously for nearly two days. The dried fruits are then put in boiling water (measured in proper proportion) and kept in a container for over a day.

The pulp gets separated from the fruit in the boiling water and the water is strained, which is then heated constantly on wood fire for nearly two days…the water must be heated until it gets thick and starts foaming. It might take more than two days sometimes,” explains K A Vedavathi, a resident of Galibeedu, about this sour extract. She has been brewing ‘kachampuli’ for nearly 25 years now. 

While there are various methods of making ‘kachampuli’, Subbaiah follows the simplest one. “Until the extracted vinegar is thick and filled with flavour, the method used to brew it will not make much of a difference,” he opines. Subbaiah collects the ripe fruits, squeezes the pulp and brings the liquid to perfect blend by constantly heating it – sometimes for two days straight.

Kodengada Sumithra Nanaiah of Kiruguru village has been brewing ‘kachampuli’ in the most authentic way for 25 years now.  “A funnel-like structure is raised using wooden logs and this structure is called ‘bhalley’ in Kodava language. Banana leaves are used to cover the funnel and the ‘bhalley’ is filled with the ripened fruits. The structure is covered to prevent rainwater entering it and a container is placed under the filter. Once the fruits start to ferment, the juice drops down into the container. The liquid collected is then heated on wood fire and the thickened extract is ‘kachampuli’ or ‘pulineer’,” explains Anju Thimmaiah, daughter-in-law of Sumithra.

The popularity of this black vinegar is reaching worldwide even as Michelin Star Chef Gordon Ramsay was introduced to its authentic taste during his recent visit to Kodagu. ‘Kachampuli’ is usually bought from the locals who prepare it without adulteration. The numerous spices shops that have opened across the district have become good marketers for the product and the vinegar is reaching all across the country. “We sell the thickened vinegar at Rs 700 to Rs 800 per 750 ml bottle. The same is sold at a higher price in retail shops, but the product at retail shops is prone to adulteration and is usually watery,” explains Ramyashree, daughter of Vedavathi.

The Ponnampet Forestry College has now started an initiative to rejuvenate the Garcinia gummi-gutta trees.  They have started a nursery where grafts of the plant are sold to farmers. The college administration is also promoting the traditional art of brewing ‘kachampuli’ as the Garcinia gummi-gutta fruits are collected in large numbers from the farmers and the students of the college are involved in brewing the traditional vinegar.

PULI POINTS

  • ‘Kachampuli’ is locally brewed by many residents and this earns the local families an annual income
  • This vinegar has a shelf-life of nearly three years
  • Malabar tamarind trees are not cultivated but are found naturally across the terrains of the district

Mother-daughter duo Vedavathi and Ramyashree at work. Nonagenarian Subbaiah brewing Kachampuli. Inset: Garcinia gummi-gutta fruit | Express

VARIOUS USES

Nothing goes waste while preparing ‘pulineer’. There is great demand for the dried pulp in neighbouring Kerala. It is sold between Rs 75 and Rs 100 per kg

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna G R / Express News Service / October 25th, 2020

GTN, A Legend And A Luminary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Voice of the Reader:

Sir, 

KBG’s  ‘Nostalgically Speaking-8’ write-up on Prof. G.T. Narayana Rao in SOM dated Sept.6, 2020, has prompted me to write about my association with him since 1975. He joined our team of Ganabharathi as Committee Member in 1980 when I was the Vice-President. 

Guddehittalu Thimmappaiah Narayana Rao, GTN as he was popularly called, after his early education in Madikeri and Mangalore passed MA in Mathematics at Madras (1947). Lecturer in Madikeri College (1953-63) was his first appointment. After a three-year stint in Government College in Bangalore he came to Mysore in 1969 to settle down. He was absolutely simple in his dress, wearing white pant and bush shirt and chappals, going on a cycle or by walk wherever he had to go but equally forthright in speaking his mind out. He was a role model to some of us who were much younger to him.

GTN took the mantle of collecting funds for the construction of Veene Seshanna Bhavana on Adichunchanagiri road. His slogan was ‘Jagannatha’s Rath has to be drawn by all’ and  believed in ‘No great work has ever suffered for want of funds.’ He never hesitated to ask any stranger for funds and he even carried a receipt book in his bag to give it readily. His involvement was so much as he did not spare some of the shop owners on Sayyaji Rao and Dhanvanthri Roads. 

I fondly remember him barging into my clinic even during busy hours just to tell me a ‘vismaya’ (miracle in his words) that he collected a few hundred rupees. The major donation of Rs. 1 lakh he got was from Dr. Veerendra Heggade of Dharmasthala who was his student in a Bangalore College. 

As the estimated cost of construction was Rs.12 lakh he had to make a couple of trips to Bombay. Once he was invited by the  Bombay University to deliver a lecture on Science subjects offering him the flight and hotel charges. He politely refused to accept it and travelled in Gandhi class and stayed for a few days in his friend’s house asking the organisers to make that amount as a donation to Ganabharathi!

His love for Karnatak music started while he was in  Madras and it continued till his end in 2008. His reviews on music were unbiased and forthright, sometimes quite open and critical too. 

Ganabharathi on the occasion of Veene Seshanna Bhavan’s  Silver Jubilee in 2016 posthumously honoured GTN with a Silver Plaque which was received by his wife Lakshmi Devi Rao. It is also gratifying to note that a memorial music concert is instituted in his memory in Ganabharathi. His admirers have contributed handsomely to this fund.

Being an avid student of Science he always used to quote Einstein’s popular saying ‘Science without religion is lame and Religion without science is blind’. He has written several books on science including Nobel Laureates Einstein and Chandrashekar. One of his books in Kannada ‘Vijnanada Moolatatvagalu’ has won an award also.  After becoming the President of Ganabharathi in 2011, I am proud to say that I am following his footsteps in collecting funds for the development of the institution. 

I would like to conclude with GTN’s yet another selfless service for a cause. With his intense commitment to the improvement of art and culture in Mysuru he had provided free of cost a place in his house for the noted Dance Master late Muralidhara Rao to conduct his classes.

– Dr. C.G. Narasimhan, Mysuru, 9.10.2020

source:http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / by Dr C G Narasimhan / October 22nd, 2020

Your career won’t go forward if you don’t hustle in industry: ‘Hunterr’ actor Gulshan Devaiah

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

The actor said even though it’s a ‘bit too late’, he has began to put his feet in important doors to break casting stereotype and land roles that will, otherwise, not come to him.

Bollywood actor Gulshan Devaiah (Photo | Gulshan Devaiah Instagram)

Mumbai :

Actor Gulshan Devaiah says after a decade in the industry he has finally started to pitch himself for projects he is interested in.

Devaiah has been a part of several acclaimed films, starting from his 2011 breakthrough “Shaitan”, “Hunterrr” (2015) and Vasan Bala’s 2018 action-comedy “Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota”.

The actor said even though it’s a “bit too late”, he has began to put his feet in important doors to break casting stereotype and land roles that will, otherwise, not come to him.

Devaiah said he started doing this after realising that meritocracy can’t exist in art as it’s difficult to measure a person’s talent with another.

“You can’t do that with a performance. What is it then? It’s all about perception. We are in the business of perception which is why actors like to control their perception through PR, Instagram, wearing expensive rental clothes, by shaking the right hands.

“Many of them do it subconsciously because we know meritocracy can’t exist in art.

I am conscious about that too, so I can’t keep whining that I’m not getting opportunities.

Because you’re in the place of perception, if you don’t hustle then your career won’t go forward,” the actor told PTI.

Though Devaiah has garnered considerable acclaim for his performances, the actor said he could’ve done better.

“If I had one film that was a smashing box office success, then I would have been empowered. It puts you in the spotlight. But when that’s not the case, you have to try and look for opportunities.”

The pitfalls of merely wishing to do better but not actively pursuing those opportunities has resulted in people from the industry often looking at him and wondering ‘Damn! Why didn’t we think of you’, the actor said.

Devaiah’s attempt is to now gently remind people of his talent at every given opportunity.

“If I feel there are certain directors or projects that I find interesting because I’ve heard about them, I’m going to find out if there’s something in there for me.

“They can say no and so far it has only been no! I’ve come really close many times but nothing, zero so far. But I’m happy that I can hustle.”

The actor is gearing up for his latest crime thriller “Footfairy”, set to release on October 24 on &Pictures.

Billed as a cat and mouse chase between a CBI officer, played by Devaiah, and a mysterious serial killer, the film is written and directed by Kanishk Varma.

Devaiah gravitated towards the film as it offered him a chance to break free from the “villain” characters he felt he was getting trapped into.

“I was getting bored with the negative characters. A lot of the offers were also repetitive, I’d be offered a villain or a grey character. I thought this would be nice and break the mould. Negative characters for me are now retired indefinitely.”

The actor said it’s pointless to “endlessly complain” about getting only certain kinds of roles without even trying to break the chain by saying no.

“I don’t want to do similar roles even if I’m told that people love me in negative roles. I tell them I’ll give you an opportunity to love me in other roles too.

You have to take responsibility for yourself and stop blaming the system. I am happy people want to work with me, it’s unfortunate that they’re offering me villain roles. It’s not their fault,” he added.

“Footfairy” also stars Kunaal Roy Kapur and Sagrika Ghatge.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Hindi / by PTI / October 22nd, 2020

IPL 2020: Robin Uthappa achieves another milestone, joins Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina in elite list

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals batsman Robin Uthappa on Saturday achieved another feat in his career and the fifth Indian player after Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to score over 4,500 runs in IPL.

(pic credits: PTI)

New Delhi | Jagran Sports Desk:

 Robin Uthappa, who was going through a lean patch, on Saturday returned to form and smashed a fiery 41 off 22 balls to give Rajasthan Royals a solid opening stand against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

During his innings, Uthappa also achieved another landmark in Indian Premier League (IPL) career and went past 4,500 runs in the cash-rich league. By doing so, the 34-year-old became the ninth batsman overall and the fifth Indian player after Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to achieve this huge landmark.

Following his fiery innings against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Uthappa said that he really enjoyed opening the innings again, adding that “wanted to give a good start” to his team. He noted that the “pitch became slower and slower as the innings progressed”, which was making it difficult to play shorts freely.

“If we were told we would get 177 (at the start), we would have happily taken it. Glad that I got the opportunity to open – the wickets are slowing down, and I think it will further slow down as the tournament progresses. We are confident about defending this – have a decent bowling attack, but they have a good batting line-up as well,” Uthappa said, as reported by Hindustan Times.

In his remarkable IPL career, Uthappa has played 184 matches and 4,535 runs at an average of 28.34 and a strike rate of 130.09. Out of the total number of runs, Uthappa has scored 2,439 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders in six IPL seasons. The 34-year-old also has 24 fifties to his name with 87 being his highest total.

However, Uthappa’s innings was not enoug for Rajasthan Royals as Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated them easily with 7 wickets in hand. AB de Villiers smashed an unbeaten 55 off 22 balls after skipper Virat Kohli scored 32-ball 43 as RCB, chasing 179 for three in 19.4 overs.

Posted By: Aalok Sensharma

source: http://www.english.jagran.com / Jagran English / Home> News> Cricket / by Jagran Sports Desk / October 17th, 2020

Avid Birder’s Wildlife Message Cards 2020

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nature, Records, All

Mysore/Mysuru:

 Dr. S.V. Narasimhan, a family physician based at Virajpet in Kodagu district, is an avid birder, nature lover, adept at computers, Karnatak music and astronomy.

Author of Feathered Jewels of Coorg, a field-guide to 310 species of birds found in Coorg, Dr. Narasimhan is the pioneer in spreading wildlife conservation messages through his unique hand-painted Wildlife Message Cards that are sent free to individuals throughout the world to mark the Wildlife Week.

Total number of hand-painted cards made by him this year is 1,930; in 36 years, 72,655 cards. Total recipients this year including Star of Mysore – 1,010; in 36 years – 13,004 persons.

The Special Wildlife Messenger of this year is Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) — This is the most common garden bird of India. It has a black chest that is turned forwards and has bright red patches on the cheeks and vent. Melodiously vocal, it feeds on fruits, nectar and small insects.

Bulbuls are mostly monogamous. They build an open cup-shaped nest made of rootlets and leaves lined with soft fibre. They live for about 10-11 years.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 20th, 2020

Saudi woman sets Guinness record for making the world’s largest coffee painting

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Coffee News, World Opinion

‘It took me 45 days of continuous work to complete’

The world’s largest coffee painting by Saudi artist Ohud Abdullah Almalki depicting founding fathers of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman (R) and the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in Jeddah | AFP /GUINESS WORLD RECORDS

A Saudi artist became the country’s first woman to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by making the world’s “largest coffee painting”. Ohud Abdullah Almalki used expired coffee to illustrate renowned leaders from the country and the neighbouring UAE in a 220 square metre piece.

“It took me 45 days of continuous work to complete, under the watchful eyes of two witnesses, video recording and drone footage,” Almalki said.

The artwork created on a canvas of seven connected cloths is called Naseej and was created in the Saudi city of Jeddah. Approximately 4.5 kg of expired coffee powder mixed with water was used to create the painting. The edge is done in a traditional Bedouin decoration style known as ‘Al-Sadu’.

“My aim is to remind the world of the centuries-old entente between the two nations,” Almalki said. The painting features the founding fathers of Saudi Arabia and the UAE — the late King Abdul Aziz bin Saud and the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan.  

In 2015, 8,264 women joined together in Saudi’s Riyadh to form the largest “human awareness ribbon”, to create awareness for breast cancer.

source: http://www.theweek.in / The Week / Home> News> World / by Web Desk / October 19th, 2020

Video of Arebhashe talamaddale to go online soon

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
A file photo of the recording of Yakshagana talamaddale Banada Pala in Arebhashe.  

A talamaddale, a variant of Yakshagana theatre, recorded for the first time in Arebhashe, a Kannada dialect spoken in parts of Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Kasaragod (Kerala), will be available on a social media platform shortly.

Arebhashe is spoken by a section of the Gowda community.

Recorded under the auspices of Karnataka Arebhashe Samskriti and Sahitya Academy, the Banada Pala Prasanga video recorded in Arebhashe will be uploaded on YouTube within the next 10 days, according to chairman of the academy Lakshminarayana Kajegadde. The performance lasts about two hours.

Banada Pala is the translated version of Yakshagana script “Sharasetubandhana” written by late Hattiyangady Rama Bhatta. Yakshagana bhagavatha (singer-cum-director) Bhavyashree Kulkunda has translated it into Arebhashe in the prosody suitable to it.

Mr. Kajegadde told The Hindu that Ms. Kulkunda has translated another script “Panchavati” written by Parthi Subba, considered as the father of Yakshagana, to Arebhashe on behalf of the academy. It is also for the talamaddale performance.

Ms. Kulkunda said that she is now fine tuning its script in Arebhashe in consultation with Ganesh Kolekkadi, an expert on prosody and Yakshagana script writer, and Subraya Sampaje, a Yakshagana bhagavatha. The two had guided her in translating the first script.

Mr. Kajegadde said that Ms. Kulkunda is now translating one more Yakshagana script Kamsa Vadhe written by Matti Vasudeva Prabhu to Arebhase suitable for Yakshagana performance. It is also for the academy.

In addition, the academy will get two more Yakshagana scripts translated into Arebhashe. Of them, one will be for talamaddale and the other for a Yakshagana performance.

Tentatively, it has identified Krishnarjuna Kalaga or Karnavasana scripts suitable for talamaddale and Indrajitu Kalaga as suitable for the Yakshagana performance. The scripts are yet to be finalised.

Thus, Mr. Kajegdde said that the academy will ensure that it had three scripts translated for talamaddale performance and two scripts suitable for performing Yakshagana. It will preserve those scripts and make them available to performers.

Ms. Kulkunda said that finding an appropriate word while translating Kannada Yakshagana songs into Arebhashe is a challenging task. The translation should also match with the Yakshagana prosody. She translated the first script during the lockdown.

The first video production has Kolthige Narayana Gowda, Jabbar Samo Sampaje and Jayananda Sampaje as “arthadaris”. Ms. Kulkunda, Murari Kadambalithaya and Akshay Rao Vitla are the background artistes.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by Raviprasad Kamila / Mangaluru – October 19th, 2020

Karnataka: Items from bygone era enthrall people

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All
Visitors look at the vast range of antique utensils and other items exhibited from the collection of Ponnacchana Madhu in Madikeri on Friday.

She was speaking after inaugurating the exhibition of antique items from the collection of Ponnacchana Madhu at Coffee Krupa building near Raja Seat in Madikeri on Friday. The exhibition a part of Janapada Dasara, was organised by Taluk Janapada Parishat.

“The items that were used by our ancestors had scientific applications. Some utensils in the older days were designed to improve the health of people. Unfortunately, the young generation is forgetting the significance of the livelihood of their ancestors,” she added.

Zilla Janapada Parishat president B G Anantashayana said that the folklore was close to nature. Folklore is a form of knowledge. But, the modernity has been taking us away from this knowledge, he added.

Taluk Janapada Parishat president Anil H T said that Ponnacchana Madhu, the exhibitor, had collected rare items in the last three years.

These items will be on display till October 26. The work by Madhu and Preethu couple is laudable, he added.

Collector and Exhibitor Ponnacchana Madhu said that he purchased old items in the households, after convincing the elders in the houses. Many tourists have been willing to purchase them from me. However, they are not for sale. The collection began with an old lamp contributed by an old lady called Arifa Munavar, a scrap dealer in Madikeri.

Taluk Janapada Parishat Treasurer Ambekal Navin Kushalappa, Parishat Directors Savita Rakesh and Veenakshi were present.

Exquisite collection

The collection showcases traditional weapons, a 120-year-old mud bowl, an ancient lamp from a temple in Tamilnadu with 84 diyas, puja items, African dolls, bronze items,  utensils, coffee grinding machines and so on.

The agricultural equipment are an added attraction.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by DHNS, Madikeri / October 17th, 2020

Cauvery, coffee and curiosity

Coffee News
Representative image/Credit: Pixabay Image

We ran out of our commercially made coffee powder recently and since I was just back from Coorg with a truckload of pure coffee, I decided to open one of the packets. As I undid the sticky tape of the coffee, a whiff took me back to the time when I was a kid, growing up in the then almost new Indiranagar in Bengaluru. 

Just after the double road, on the way to Ulsoor, on the right was housed Cauvery Coffee Works. Run by two sisters, it was a store operating out of a garage. The store faced what is today a huge commercial complex that houses Krishna Sweets among many other stores. Like most homes in Bengaluru, their home too had a lot of trees and plants. The garage was connected to the house through a batwing door, and they would appear mysteriously through this portal when customers would arrive. Clad in the typical Coorg saree, with full-sleeved blouses, or a fitted cardigan in winter, the two sisters were elegant and stylish with their bobbed hair, large bindis and jewellery! 

My grandma would always send us to Cauvery Coffee Works, with strict instructions that the coffee powder must be freshly ground and to not buy the already powdered product. This was an errand I loved to run as I was fascinated by the sisters, their bat-wing door, the coffee roaster, grinder and the invigorating smell of the coffee! As a curious kid, I had the special privilege to duck under the counter, enter the store, flap the bat-wing door and call out to the sisters, “Akka, I want coffee.” They would smile and ask how granny was doing and automatically start the process to powder the coffee for packing – they knew my grandma well.

It took a long time for me to get my hands on my 200 gm purchase, the green coffee would be running on the roaster like a large Russian Roulette with a million chips on it. I would watch fascinated as it slowly turned dark brown and as the smell grew stronger. I would help them store the roasted beans in large containers and watch every move with a keenness that was rooted in curiosity.

Once roasted, the powder would be weighed in a butter paper or brown paper packet bearing the logo and the store name, taped with brown tape ready to be taken away. From the coffee grounds to the packing, everything was bio-degradable! A guilt-free way to get-up, get out and smell the coffee!

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Opinion> Right in the Middle / by Devika Ramarathnam / October 17th, 2020