Coorg: Stories and Essays by CP Belliappa. Rupa. Pages 264. Rs 395
‘Coorg: Stories and Essays’ draws from and builds on CP Belliappa’s earlier works on Coorg (officially known as Kodagu).
The book begins by tracing the progress of the land and its people during the rule of the Haleri rajas; the British annexation and their administration of the territory and the events that culminated in Coorg becoming a part of the Kannada-speaking state of Karnataka.
The essays and stories also offer the fascinating illustrated story of Princess Victoria Gowramma, the lost princess of Coorg.
Belliappa delves deep into antiquity, covering a wide range of topics relevant to understanding the ethos of Coorg.
source: http://www.tribuneindia.com / The Tribune / Home> Backflap> Book Reviews / April 23rd, 2023
The new pattern has more number of multiple choice questions compared to the earlier examinations.
M. Mohan Alva, chairman, Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri offering sweets to Ananya K.A., who topped the commerce stream in the second PU exams in Karnataka. The results were announced on April 21, 2023.
Ananya K.A., topper in the commerce stream of the second pre-university examination, said that the new pattern of the PU exam helped save time in answering the questions.
Ms. Ananya had prepared well for the new pattern that had more number of multiple choice questions compared to the earlier examinations. “I was better prepared,” she told The Hindu.
Ms. Ananya hails from Kushalnagar in Kodagu district. She is the eldest of two daughters of ex-serviceman K. Ashok and government school teacher G. Nalini. She was a student of Adichunchungiri School in Hassan up to class 10. She joined Alva’s Pre-University College, Moodbidri, in Dakshina Kannada district, two years ago under the free education scheme of Alva’s Education Foundation for sportspersons.
“I am a volleyball player. But due to an injury, I had to discontinue sports and concentrate on academics this year,” she told The Hindu.
As she has been staying in a sports hostel since class 8 in Hassan, it was not difficult for her to stay away from her family, in Moodbidri.
She is now preparing for the company secretary entrance examination scheduled on May 1.
Congratulating Ms. Ananya for securing 600/600 marks, M. Mohan Alva, chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri said this is first time that a commerce student has secured 100% marks in the examination. Mr. Alva said the foundation will continue to offer free education to youngsters with a talent for sports, cultural activities or academics.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by The Hindu Bureau / April 21st, 2023
Boys in sari and girls in traditional male attire at the Puthu Bhagwathy temple. Photo courtesy Nellira Ananya
The months of March, April and May witness many annual village temple festivals happening in Kodagu. The temple idols called ‘thadamb’ are carried by a priest on the head, in processions. ‘Therays’ (shaman dances), where performers wear colourful red costumes and imitate deities or ancestors, are organised in temples and ancestral homes of some clans.
The main festivals are the Bhagwathi Namme and the Boad Namme, which are held in honour of village deities. Two such temple festivals were held in the second week of April this year. One was at the Puthu Bhagwathy temple in Birunani village. The other was at Pannangalatamme in Yavakapadi village.
During the Puthu Bhagwathy festival, the people of Birunani make vows to the goddess in order to fulfil their wishes, often for the good health of their children. The celebrations include a ceremony similar to a wedding ritual, with the boys dressed as brides and the girls as grooms.
Legend has it that once five sibling gods — two brothers and three sisters — came to South Kodagu from Kerala. The eldest brother Mattlappa settled in Mathur near Ponnampet. The eldest sister Puthu Bhagwathy settled in Birunani. The younger brother Ogerelappa settled in the forests of Ogerelappa. The youngest sisters, twins, settled in Rudraguppe near the Kammaratappa temple and hill. They were known as Rudraguppelamme or Jodi Bhagwathy.
Members of the Kembatti, Kodava, Airi, Kudiya, Kaniya and other communities participate in the Pannagalatamme festival. They bring ‘bolle kall’ (toddy), umbrellas and other articles to the festival. A few members of the Kembatti community wear red or white ‘kuppyas’ (native coats) and perform ‘thirale’ or go into a trance.
The tale behind this festival goes as follows. Long ago, seven sibling gods — six brothers and one sister — lived in Kerala. The eldest brother settled in Tali Parambu and built a famous temple there. He sent his younger siblings eastward towards Kodagu to establish temples. Today, three of these other temples are in Kodagu, while the other three are in Kannur and Wayanad.
Four siblings came to Kodagu. The farm they were camping in belonged to the Pardanda joint family in Kunjila. The sister milked a cow belonging to the family which was grazing there. She used the milk to cook the rice. The rice was placed in a clay pot and buried in the hot sand beside a stream.
There were banana trees growing on the farm. The siblings cut a few leaves to use as plates. Ummavva of the Pardanda family saw this and scolded them. The sibling gods then cursed the family that no bananas would thereafter grow on their farm.
Muthanna, the head of the Pardanda family, then came and sought their forgiveness. But the curse took effect. However, the Pardanda were made the ‘deva thakka’ (hereditary temple managers) of the Igguthappa temple which was built in the nearby Padi hamlet.
Another brother settled in Palur and became known as Palurappa. The last brother settled in Thirunelli across the Kodagu border in Wayanad and is called as Pemmaiah.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum / by Mookonda Kushalappa / April 20th, 2023
S.N. Rajarao (68), former Kodagu Zilla Panchayat President and a resident of Heggadahalli village in Koodige Gram Panchayat limits, passed away following a heart attack at a private hospital in Mysuru on Monday night.
He leaves behind his wife, three sons, two daughters and a host of relatives and friends.
Rajarao had also served as Koodige Gram Panchayat President, President of Social Justice Standing Committee and Kodagu Zilla Panchayat President, where he had served for more than three decades.
He had also served as the President of Basavanahalli Multipurpose Tribal Co-operative Society, Director of Koodige Agriculture Co-operative Society and was the Member of Virajpet taluk’s Akrama Sakrama Committee.
Last rites were held at the family’s farm land in Seegehosur yesterday, according to family sources.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 19th, 2023
The second Art Shastra event is being held by Evolve Back Resorts at the Coorg property Chikkana Halli Estate. Evolve Back is returning with Art Shastra to showcase Indian art and artists from all over the nation after a successful first edition in 2016 at Hampi.
The event will feature engaging discussions about modern stylisation, contemporary art, and printmaking workshops, followed by excursions to the Dubare Elephant Camp and the Tibetan hamlet in Bylekuppe.
The event will feature artwork by renowned artists from across the country like S.G. Vasudev, R.M. Palaniappan, Indrapramit Roy, Shipra Bhattacharya, among 16 others.
Date: April 2 to 6, 2023
Venue: Evolve Back Chikkana Halli Estate, Coorg, Karnataka, India
(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> National-World / by IANSlife / April 19th, 2023
The ban on liquor at private weddings and functions has left celebrations bereft of “cheers” in Kodagu.
The prohibition came into effect in view of the Karnataka assembly elections scheduled for May 10.
The ban on liquor has been imposed by the Excise Department on the orders of the State Election Commission.
While permission for serving liquor at private functions was granted during past elections, the same stands cancelled now.
Serving liquor at private functions including weddings is a common practice among the majority of people in Kodagu. Liquor is a must for Kodava community weddings.
During the previous elections, the Code of Conduct exempted the residents from serving liquor at weddings. But they had to shell out Rs 11,500 as a fee to the excise department. However, this was not the case this time.
“The order came from the State Election Commission”, confirmed district excise DC, Jagadish.
But many residents had taken permission from the excise department well in advance by paying the fee.
“The ban was imposed on April 11. The cash paid by several families for a liquor permit in view of weddings are being refunded”, Jagadish said.
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Federation of the Kodava Samaj has submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission requesting to withdraw the ban imposed on serving liquor during private functions. The representatives of the federation met the Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar and explained about the custom of serving liquor during Kodava weddings.
Many who have already purchased liquor in large quantities for functions are in a dilemma and hope that the Election Commission would pay heed to their demand.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / April 16th, 2023
The brothers are now looking forward to take part in the Master Games Championship in South Korea in May.
(From right) Belliappa, Machamma and Palekanda Bopaiah on an open jeep
Madikeri :
The Palekanda brothers who landed at Kadanuru in Kodagu, went around an open jeep with Australian Master Games Championship medals dangling from their necks. Palekanda Bopaiah (95) and Belliappa (86) won two medals each.
While Bopaiah won gold in the 100-m race category and a silver in the javelin throw, Belliappa’s golden moment came in the 1500-m walking race and a bronze medal in the 100-m race. “My elder brother actually came first in the javelin throw. However, there were some technical problems, which could not be rectified despite our efforts to convince the jury,” said Belliappa.
“It was tough to get through the registration process,” he said, “because the championship lacked authoritative representation from the nation. Fortunately, Mohan S, a scientist, from Chintamani of Chikkaballapur, helped us.” Mohan bagged a gold medal in the long jump in the 30-plus category.
“Without Mohan, we would not have won these medals. He helped us with the documentation. We will never forget him,” he said.
Meanwhile, 77-year-old Machamma also won a silver medal in the javelin throw. The brothers are now looking forward to take part in the Master Games Championship in South Korea in May. However, they are worried about arranging finances.
“Australian athletes are supported by their government. We hope that our government also supports us,” Belliappa said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR / Express News Service / March 18th, 2023
Mookonda Nitin Kushalappa’s English book “Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold” was launched at Atta Galatta Bookstore auditorium in Bengaluru on April 2.
The event was attended by Maha Vir Chakra awardee Lt. Col. Puttichanda S. Ganapathi, IRS Officer Preeth Ganapathy, retired Superintendent of Police Mookonda K. Ganapathy, Col. Maddanda Uthappa, Ponnakachira Machaiah, retired Assistant Commissioner of Customs Muckatira Suresh and others.
This book, which was earlier released on Amazon on Feb.13, 2023, is already a bestseller in various book categories. Atta Galatta is located in Indiranagar and has a cafeteria with an auditorium attached to its bookstore.
Presenting the slide show to the audience along with his wife Deepthi, Nitin spoke of the 15 stories in his collection, the regions and sources they came from, the illustrations and the rhymes that support the stories.
Lt. Col. P.S. Ganapathi, MVC, spoke of how he came to meet Nitin a few years ago and how they worked together on a previous book, ‘The Major Who Kept His Cool’ (Col. Ganapathi’s biography authored by Nitin).
Sanjeev Rajarao spoke of how he reaches out to Nitin for any information on Kodagu and Kodavas and how Nitin connects the dots.
Mrs. Leo, Nitin’s school teacher, Preeth Ganapathy, IRS, Bayavanda Monnappa, COO of BHive, Mookonda K. Ganapathy and Vishwanath also spoke. Nitin’s mother Mookonda Pushpa Poonacha spoke about the importance of folklore.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 07th, 2023
Tourists park by the waterfalls on the Bhagamandala-Karike Road and litter the area with plastic and liquor waste.
A forest checkpost at Karike in Kodagu district
Madikeri :
Not just inter-state, now even intra- and inter-district vehicles will have to pay an entry fee at the forest gates of Nagarahole in Kodagu. The forest department took this step to put an end to the rampant dumping of garbage and littering in forest areas in the district.
Kodagu Chief Conservator of Forests Murthy BNN pointed out that it had become a herculean task for the department to control littering and dumping of garbage in forest fringes. “But after we introduced strict checking and entry fee at Nagarahole Gate, the dumping of huge quantities of waste materials brought from Kerala into Kodagu forests has been controlled,” he said.
Entry fee will also now be collected at Makutta Gate in South Kodagu where garbage was being dumped from Kerala and surrounding areas. To prevent unauthorised parking and littering, the forest department is conducting regular vigil in forest areas that lead to popular tourist spots.
Tourists park by the waterfalls on the Bhagamandala-Karike Road and litter the area with plastic and liquor waste. “This is causing an adverse effect on the wildlife and the department is conducting stringent checks to control this,” he said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / April 15th, 2023
Raja’s Seat, a historic viewing point in southern India that is popular with tourists, has had a new zip line installed.
The zip line, said by the Hindu Bureau to be 310m in length, was inaugurated by deputy commissioner of Kodagu, BC Sateesha, and additional superintendent of Kodagu District Police, KS Sundar Raj, who both took a ride on the new attraction.
Mr Sateesha urged the local authorities to “pay adequate attention to safety aspects and obtain a certificate from General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure.” He also emphasised to the Horticulture Department officials that “full compliance of the guidelines issued by the Academy for practice of adventure sports” should be achieved.
The zip line facility is being operated in partnership with a “private player” from the city of Bengaluru for the next five years.
source: http://www.intergameonline.com / iNTERGAME / Home> Coin-Op> Pay-to-Pay / by Joey Howey / April 13th, 2023
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