Tag Archives: Deepa Bhasthi – Kodagu

Coffee Dasara brews hope for growers amid challenges

September 28, 2025Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee Board, India (wef. Nov 17, 2021), Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, AllA Nanda Belliappa, A Nanda Belliappa - Chairman - Coorg Planters Association, Chettalli, Coffee Board Director, Coffee Board President Dinesh Devavrinda, Coffee Dasara 2025, Coffee Dasara in Kodagu, Coffee Dasara in Madikeri, Coffee Grower - Karan, Coorg Planters Association, Coorg Planters' Association, D P Ravishankar, D Y Abdul Razak, D Y Abdul Razak - Kodlipet, Deepa Bhasthi - Kodagu, Deepa Bhasthi - Winner - International Booker Prize for Translation, Dinesh Devavrinda, DP Ravishankar - Ponnampet, Dr Chendrimada, Dr Chendrimada Captain Thimmaiah, Dr Chendrimada Captain Thimmaiah - Assistant Director - Veterinary Services, Dr Ichettira Mandappa, Dr Ichettira Mandappa - Coffee Board Director, DY Abdul Razak, Edadante Village, H T Anil, H T Anil - Convenor - Coffee Dasara 2025, Jermie D'Souza, Jyothika, Jyothika - Women's Coffee Awareness Forum, Jyothika Bopanna, Karan, Karnataka's First Woman Coffee Entrepreneur, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner - Venkat Raja, Lava Edadante, Lava Edadante - Edadante Village, Madikeri Dasara Committee, Madikeri Dasara Committee Chairperson - P Kalavathi, Madikeri Dasara Cultural Committee, Madikeri MLA Dr Manthar Gowda, Madikeri Town Municipality President - P Kalavathi, MLC Veena Achaiah, Nizamuddin Siddiqui, Nizamuddin Siddiqui - Coffee Entrepreneur - Madikeri, P Kalavathi, Ponnampet, Ponnathmotte, Robert, Robert - Ponnathmotte in Chettalli, S G Medappa, S M Chengappa - Kiragandur, Sakamma Auditorium, Venkat Raja - DC Kodagu, Venkat Raja - Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu, Vikram, Vikram - Masagodu, Vinod Shivappa, Vinod Shivappa - President - UPASIadmin

45 stalls celebrate Kodagu’s coffee culture as top growers honoured

Madikeri:

The Coffee Dasara celebration held on Wednesday at Gandhi Maidan, Madikeri, captivated visitors with a vibrant display of coffee culture, featuring 45 thematic stalls and a strong message of solidarity with coffee growers grappling with persistent challenges.

The event was jointly organised by the Madikeri Dasara Committee, Madikeri Dasara Cultural Committee and the Coorg Planters Association inside the Sakamma Auditorium, named after Karnataka’s first woman coffee entrepreneur. The coffee mega event was executed and coordinated by H.T. Anil.

Inaugurating the celebration, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda highlighted that despite favourable market prices, coffee growers continue to face serious hardships.

“Labour shortages, climate fluctuations, and market instability are major hurdles, especially for small-scale producers. We must unite to tackle these challenges,” Dr. Mantar Gowda urged.

Dr. Mantar Gowda noted that Kodagu district accounts for nearly 75 percent of Karnataka’s coffee production and stressed that Coffee Dasara, which began last year, should become an annual platform to foster dialogue and development.

Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda with Coffee Dasara Convener H.T. Anil during the event.

Crop insurance coverage

Coffee Board Chairman Dinesh Devavrinda underscored the need for insurance coverage for coffee crops, similar to schemes available for arecanut and pepper. He pointed out that coffee is cultivated not only in Karnataka’s Kodagu, Hassan and Chikkamagalur districts but also across the north-eastern States and encouraged farmers to take pride in their profession.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting farmers, promising to act as a bridge between growers and policy-makers. He announced plans to launch video-based training programmes on coffee cultivation and marketing, emphasising the urgent need for modernisation in the 21st century.

Technical insights

Several experts shared technical insights during the event. Dr. Ichettira Mandappa, Coffee Board Director, spoke about maintaining quality in coffee cultivation, coffee grower Karan discussed emerging varietals in coffee farming, Jermie D’Souza presented research on dwarf robusta strains while Dr. Chendrimada Captain Thimmaiah, Assistant Director, Veterinary Services, explained the role of soil fertility in improving yields.

The event also featured a felicitation ceremony honouring outstanding coffee farmers, recognising their contributions to the industry.

Growers felicitated

Distinguished coffee growers were felicitated by International Booker Prize-2025 winner Deepa Bhasthi, who hails from Madikeri. They included Vinod Shivappa, former President of UPASI (United Planters’ Association of Southern India), S.M. Chengappa, progressive farmer from Kiragandur, Lava Edadante from Edadante village, D.P. Ravishankar from Ponnampet, D.Y. Abdul Razak from Kodlipet, Vikram from Masagodu, Robert from Ponnathmotte in Chettalli and Nizamuddin Siddiqui, senior coffee entrepreneur from Madikeri.

Prominent dignitaries present included the Coorg Planters Association Chairman A. Nanda Belliappa, Madikeri Town Municipality President and Madikeri Dasara Committee Chairperson P. Kalavathi, Madikeri Dasara Committee office-bearers, Jyothika of Women’s Coffee Awareness Forum, former MLCs Veena Achaiah and S.G. Medappa.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 28th, 2025

In their farm with five pet dogs, Booker winner Deepa Bhasthi’s husband celebrates in Kodagu

May 24, 2025Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), World OpinionArtists of Kodagu, Chettira Sujan Nanaiah, Chettira Sujan Nanaiah - Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Coorg, Darshan Devaiah B P, Deepa Bhasthi, Deepa Bhasthi - Field Marshal K M Cariappa College Madikeri, Deepa Bhasthi - Kodagu, Deepa Bhasthi - Kodagu Vidyalaya, Deepa Bhasthi - Winner - International Booker Prize for Translation, Kannada Translators in Kodagu, Kodagu, Kodagu District, Kodagu First, Madikeri, Sujan Nanaiah, Sujan Nanaiah - Kodagu Artistadmin

While the literary world applauded in London, back home in Kodagu, her win was met with joy, disbelief, and a bit of solitude.

Deepa Bhasthi won the International Booker Prize for her translation of Kannada author Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp short story collection, in London on May 20, 2025. | Photo Credit: Deepa Bhasthi/Instagram

While Karnataka’s Kodagu-born writer Deepa Bhasthi celebrates a historic International Booker Prize win in London, her husband Chettira Sujan Nanaiah is celebrating in his own quiet way — on a farm, with five pet dogs, and congratulatory phone calls at their peaceful home in Madikeri.

On Tuesday night, Ms. Bhasthi, along with writer-activist Banu Mushtaq, was awarded the prestigious GBP 50,000 International Booker Prize for her translation of the latter’s short story collection, Heart Lamp. While the literary world applauded her in London, back home in Kodagu, the win was met with joy, disbelief, and a bit of solitude.

Speaking to The Hindu over the phone on Wednesday morning, Sujan Nanaiah — an artist-turned-farmer — shared his happiness. “She’s still in shock and joy. We spoke briefly in the morning. I couldn’t be there with her due to other commitments, but I’m extremely happy and proud,” he said.

Quiet life in Madikeri

The couple, who moved to their native Madikeri during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been living a quiet life on their farm surrounded by lush greenery. “It’s a simple life. We grow our own food, look after our pets, and enjoy being close to nature,” he said.

Mr. Nanaiah, who studied fine arts at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru, first met Ms. Bhasthi seven years ago at an art exhibition where he was a participant. What began as a friendship evolved into marriage and a shared life in Kodagu.

As calls poured in from family and friends, Mr. Nanaiah was busy tending to farm duties and looking after their pets. “I didn’t expect her to win, but I’m thrilled for her and the recognition it brings to Kannada literature,” he said, adding that he was the one who shared the good news with Bhasthi’s parents on May 21 morning. “They were emotional and proud. It’s a big moment for our family,” he added.

Born and raised in Madikeri, Ms. Bhasthi studied at Kodagu Vidyalaya before moving to Mangaluru for a degree in Mass Communication. She worked with print publications in Bengaluru before transitioning to freelance writing and literary translation.

Mr. Nanaiah said that Deepa’s return to Kodagu is expected around May 26, though her schedule is still uncertain. For now, as she enjoys her moment on the international stage, her immensely proud husband continues to hold fort at their serene Madikeri farmhouse.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Karnataka / by Darshan Devaiah B P / May 22nd, 2025