Fabriano in Acquarello is the international artistic convention dedicated to water color painting. International Exhibition FabrianoIn Acquarello will be organized with the participation of InArte – International Watercolour Sociaty, Italy and in cooperation Municipality Fabriano, Fondazione Carifac, Fondazione Fedrigoni Istocarta, Rotary and Lions club from 23rd to 26th April 2015 with the participation of the most important watercolor communities from around the world that will allow Italian and foreign watercolorist demonstrate, share and discuss their work in a unique context.
Water Color Society of India, founded by Amit Kapoor in 2013 at New Delhi, a part of International Water Color Society functioning with the aim to promote and popularize water color/water media in every country and to bring the hidden Indian talent at International platform. The society has identified the water color painting of Shri Aimanda Rupesh Nanaiah, resident of Maragodu Village of Kodagu district. Aimada Rupesh Nanaiah is one among the 20 artists representing India for the Fabriano in Acquarello 2015 exhibition at Italy scheduled for April-May 2015. Shri Aimanda Rupesh Nanaiah was born on November 19, 1976. He did his Primary Education at St. Anne’s Convent, Siddapur and Secondary at Siddapur High School, Pre-University at Murnad Pre-university and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied arts 1995-2000 at CAVA Mysore.
A Special Cover was released to felicitate water colour painting of Shri Aimanda Rupesh Nanaiah selected for Fabriano in Acquerello 2015 on 14th February 2015 at Madikeri (Special Cover approval no. KTK/28/2015). The cover illustration depicts the water color painting selected for the exhibition with the title “Pathukutti-The Fish Seller”, and scenes of paddy transplantation, Madikeri Town, and other village scenes of Kodagu. The reverse of the cover also features paintings of tractor alongside paddy field and a Kodagu township. The cover was released by Senior Post Master, Madikeri. The cover was received b the Artist Shri Rupesh Nanaiah who and whose family were felicitated on the occasion. The event was held at the Madikeri Head Post Office Premises. The artist also gave a demonstration of sketching by sketching the post masters caricature. My stamp depicting the painting was also launched on the occasion.
Courtesy: Viswas Menon, Madikeri
Special Cover on Kodagina Gowramma – 14th February 2015.
Mrs. B. T. Gopal Krishna (b. 1912 – d. 1939), better known as Kodagina Gowramma, was an Indian writer who wrote in Kannada and lived in Kodagu. She was also a feminist and a supporter of the Indian Freedom Movement. Gowramma was born in 1912 and married to Mr. B. T. Gopal Krishna of Gundugutti village of Somwarpet taluk in Kodagu, then known as Coorg, a province in British India. She invited Mahatma Gandhi to her family house, during his campaign in Coorg, and donated all her gold ornaments towards the Harijan (Dalit) Welfare Fund. She died young, drowning in a whirlpool, at the age of 27, on April 13, 1939.
Gowramma wrote in Kannada and on the feminist ideology using the pen name ‘Kodagina Gowramma’. The stories that she wrote, such as “Aparaadhi Yaaru” (Who is the criminal), “Vaaniya Samasye”, “Aahuthi” and “Manuvina Raani”, were modern and progressive.
On the occasion of 10th District Kannada Sahithya Sammelana, a Special cover was released on Kodagina Gowramma on 14th February 2015 at Madikeri. (Special Cover approval no. KTK/27/2015). The Special Cover depicts the portrait of Gowramma, and photos of her two important books in Kannada “Kambani” and “Chiguru” and the special cancellation depicts the map of Karnataka and the Karnataka mate with 10th District Kannada Sahithya Sammelana in a circle.
Courtesy: Viswas Menon, Madikeri
source: http://www.indianphilately.net / Indian Philately Digest / Home> News> News Archive 2015> February 2015
The journey of coffee in India and the Soliga community’s role in conservation.
“The first record of coffee in India is around 1799, when the British set up an experimental plot in Thalassery, Kerala. From then on, coffee planting came to the Nilgiris, Coorg (now Kodagu) and other parts,” says Arshiya Bose. | Photo Credit: AMANDA PEROBELLI
What will your cup of coffee taste like by 2050? Worse, will you even get your cup of coffee? Alarmist as this question might sound, these questions are being asked for the last 10 days. A study published on PLOS One, a peer-reviewed open-access journal published by the Public Library of Science in January 2022 (Expected global suitability of coffee, cashew and avocado due to climate change), predicts an overall decline in the world’s suitable growing land for arabica coffee by 2050.
Amidst the worry of what the future holds for coffee, a recent panel discussion at Bangalore International Centre (BIC) explored the ecological history of coffee in India, the impacts of coffee production on biodiversity, producer observations of everyday climate change on their farms and how the Soliga, an indigenous community, grows coffee on the Biligiri Ranganatha Tiger Reserve Hills (B.R. Hills) in Karnataka.
M. Kethe Gowda and M. Sannarange Gowda. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In B.R. Hills area
M. Sannarange Gowda from the Soliga community, who grows coffee on his biodiverse farm in B.R. Hills, leads various capacity-building programmes for regenerative agriculture. The co-founder of a community-led YouTube channel, Kaadina Makkalu, says that the community started growing coffee initially as it was not something that animals preferred eating. M. Kethe Gowda, co-founder of the channel who has over two decades of experience in ecological research on bees and honey, native tree species, and birds, advocates for holistic farming practices that conserve local ecosystems and biodiversity. He leads experimental work on non-chemical approaches to managing pest and disease outbreaks and is passionate about community outreach.
Sannarange Gowda says, “We grew crops like ragi, maize and so on, which would frequently be destroyed or eaten by animals like deer, elephant, wild boar, monkey and birds in the forest and the hill area… Over a period of time, the Horticulture Department started encouraging people in podus (settlements) to grow coffee, because wild animals would pass through the farms and not feed on them. We needed registered land to grow coffee and could not just grow it anywhere. We finally got a piece of land, and since then, we started growing coffee.”
Kethe Gowda goes back to a time when his ancestors lived in the forest, and there were various podus inside the forest. “There we grew crops like ragi, maize, hyacinth beans, dal, pumpkin, mustard and more. The Forest Department at one point wanted all of us inside the forest to live outside the forest, because when tiger reserves were established, that was the rule. We were told we would be given land close to the B.R. Hills area, but we had to come out of the forest.“ Kethe Gowda says that it did not feel right for them to move out of the land they have always called home for centuries.
“We told the forest officials that our crops were ripe, and we could not leave until they were harvested, but they brought in tamed elephants to destroy our crops and asked us to leave. So, this is how we came out of the actual forest and lived in the B.R. Hills area,“ he explains.
Arshiya Bose and M. Sannarange Gowda. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A colonial project
Arshiya Bose, who holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Cambridge, U.K., and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from ETH-Zurich, says that according to legend it was a Sufi saint, Baba Budan, was brought coffee seeds to India. But coffee as we know it today, grown in commercial plantations, was a colonial project.
British planters who came over from Sri Lanka started growing coffee. “The first record of coffee in India is around 1799, when the British set up an experimental plot in Thalassery, Kerala. From then on, coffee planting came to the Nilgiris, Coorg (now Kodagu) and other parts,” says Arshiya, who is the founder of Black Baza Coffee which she started in 2016. It is a social and conservation enterprise that partners with smallholder coffee producers in India’s Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Coffee’s journey to India
“What is fascinating about the way the colonial coffee project went forward is that many of the British planters who were here were actually Naturalists back home in England. So, they kept a very detailed record of not only how they grew coffee, but also what kind of wildlife they saw. There was a prolific writer and journal keeper, Edwin Lester Arnold, who found himself in Coorg around the mid 1800s. In one of his books he describes what kind of wildlife was there. He writes how coffee growers borrowed their coffee planting method from how they cultivated wheat back in England and Europe,” she explains.
Much has changed since that time and Indian now produces a lot of coffee, being the eight largest coffee producing country in the world as of 2022.
Unlike the British coffee plantations, the Soligas continued growing coffee amid the forest. | Photo Credit: Abhishek Chinnappa
Impact on biodiversity
Arshiya explains that unfortunately, in the process of large-scale cultivation and development of plantations, there has been a huge impact on the kind of biodiversity that existed.
“If you take the map of rainforests in the world or coffee plantations in the world, these maps often overlap almost identically,” she says, adding that there is huge loss of forest cover in India to coffee plantations in districts like Kodagu. Arshia argues that for long-term resilience, coffee should be grown amid trees. “It regulates the kind of humidity, soil moisture coffee needs, and provides the buffer against any kind of extreme events that may happen around you,“ she adds.
Unlike the British coffee plantations, the Soligas continued growing coffee amid the forest. “We continued to grow coffee under the forest canopies, which is very beneficial. There were jamun, ficus and other threes, because of which wildlife like sloth bear, white-cheek barbet, deer etc. came to feed on the fruit, excrete in the same spot, which would in turn into manure for the coffee plants. I am proud of the wildlife that comes to our farm, which shows how healthy our farm is,” Sannarange Gowda explains with pride.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / November 29th, 2024
I first met Sonam when I was judging the Mattina Coffee Latte Art Battle, where he emerged as the winner—something that, in hindsight, comes as no surprise. What does amaze me is the journey from that moment to his victory in the 2024 UAE Aeropress Championship.
Sonam is a man of many talents. While coffee brewing might come to mind first, his true strength lies in his unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of perfection. It was a genuine pleasure to feature him on The Coffee Story, an interview series that highlights people in our vibrant coffee community, sharing their stories to inspire others.
Tell me a bit about yourself and how you started your coffee journey?
Hello, I’m Sonam Sherpa from the beautiful hills of Darjeeling, in Northeast India. My city is famous for tea, yet here I am in the coffee industry. I began my journey in Darjeeling with Cafe Coffee Day, a well-known Indian brand, as an all-rounder. However, my real coffee journey started in 2019 when I moved to the UAE and joined Costa Coffee to build a stable financial foundation. At that time, coffee wasn’t really a passion; it was just a job for me, like many people working for a paycheck. But I’ve always loved connecting with people, learning something new from each interaction.
Working at Costa Coffee was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I received foundational training in coffee theory and practice and was later assigned to an outlet in Al Ain, UAE. With every passing day, I developed a stronger curiosity about coffee. At first, it was challenging to work with the coffee machine since I didn’t have many opportunities to use it. Over time, though, I pushed myself to learn the standards and improve my skills.
Things changed about three months into my job at Costa Coffee when I received an email about the Barista of the Year Championship. For those who don’t know, it’s a competition among Costa Coffee baristas to showcase the brand’s excellence. I decided to register and soon found myself competing in store heats in Abu Dhabi, then advancing to area heats. Eventually, I made it to the top 10 finalists in the country.
During that time, I connected with Khyam Rai, a former Costa champion, who helped me immensely. His guidance and support were invaluable, and through him, I also met many Nepali baristas. This was my introduction to the world of specialty coffee, which inspired me to dive deeper, collecting coffee tools and handbooks to continue learning.
I’ve also tried various professions, like tour guide, hotelier, retailer, and teacher, but coffee truly felt like the right fit. Being a coffee professional is unique because I go to sleep excited about starting a new day.
There is a lot I want to ask you about winning the Aeropress competition in the UAE, the routine, the win. But before I dive into that, how do you feel you have evolved as a professional since you started in the industry?
I feel that commitment, dedication, and hard work have played the biggest roles in my growth. It also depends on how you view the industry. For me and for Puja, my wife and partner, it’s been a shared journey, helping each other along the way. I remember receiving a brewing set as a birthday gift, which was the start of our brewing practice at home. We attended numerous events like cupping sessions, latte art throwdowns, and various coffee workshops to learn, compete, and connect with others.
Our first National Brewers Cup and Barista Championship in 2022 was a major milestone. We didn’t know much about these competitions, so we researched deeply to understand them. Unfortunately, we couldn’t practice during work hours or have access to full competition setups, so we rented a room for four months and even rented a coffee machine and grinder. We would practice from 6 pm. until we were exhausted and then again in the mornings before work. The feeling of tiredness was worth it all along with the sense of growth, excitement, and accomplishment was unforgettable. Even now, on days when I feel lazy, I think back to those times, and it keeps me motivated.
The feeling must have been unreal. What was your game plan going into the Aeropress Championship in Lisbon, Portugal?
Yes, the feeling was incredible! It was our first World Championship, so we made sure we were well-prepared. We created specific recipes for different coffee processes and roast levels and even carried five liters of distilled water from the UAE to Portugal, just to be safe. We expected a washed, light-roast coffee, and when we got an Ethiopia Guji washed coffee, we had a recipe ready for it. We ended up in the top 16, which was an amazing achievement for us.
I have always seen you and Puja as an inspiration to many baristas and coffee professionals here in the UAE. What advice would you give those who are planning to compete?
Thank you, Naveed, for the kind words. My advice is to ask yourself why you want to compete. Dedication is essential. Learn and work hard every day, and remember, it’s crucial to embrace and learn from your mistakes. Also, don’t worry about what others say about you.
What are you working on next? Are there any personal skills or industry-related areas you’d like to focus on?
I’m looking forward to deepening my knowledge of the coffee industry.
You’re working with Kranti Coffee now. Can you tell us what Kranti is about and what you do there?
At Kranti Coffee, we’re dedicated to providing access to exotic and microlot coffees in Dubai, connecting our producers with the UAE’s coffee community. As a green coffee buyer, I’m responsible for selecting unique coffees directly from farms, focusing on the specific qualities of nanolots and microlots. My role also involves building strong relationships at the farm level to ensure that every coffee meets our quality standards and vision.
How did you and Divesh meet and started working on Kranti?
Divesh used to be a regular customer of mine, and we spent countless hours talking about coffee. His passion for the craft was contagious, and I always enjoyed our conversations. We grew even closer after I left my job to start consulting for people opening cafes. It was during one of those discussions that the idea for Kranti was born.
We talked about introducing Indian specialty coffee to the UAE, a concept that felt instantly right. I had always wanted to showcase Indian specialty coffee, and this project gave me the perfect opportunity to bring that vision to life in a way that aligned with my passion and work.
From there, we started reaching out to coffee producers in India. I sent emails, built connections, and eventually traveled to India myself. The experience was incredible. I met farmers, learned about their craft firsthand, and shared our vision for Indian specialty coffee. I returned to the UAE with many great green coffee samples, ready to dive into research and development. At the same time, I gained a deeper understanding of the market—what people were looking for in terms of flavors and quality.
After months of hard work and learning, we were finally ready. In 2023, Kranti launched at the World of Coffee Dubai, marking the start of something truly special. It became a platform to showcase the exotic coffees of India.
What do you think is the future of Indian specialty coffee and the specialty coffee scene in India?
India is traditionally known for commercial coffee exports, but more producers have recently started focusing on quality over quantity. Specialty Indian coffee has begun gaining international attention. Many producers are now committed to sustainable practices like preserving biodiversity, promoting organic farming, and supporting social responsibility, which make Indian coffee unique. Intercropping with spices and fruits, for example, not only boosts farm income but also improves soil health and coffee quality.
Although India is a tea-drinking country, specialty coffee consumers are growing, and so are the number of cafes and roasters. Events like coffee festivals, workshops, and training are helping to build a coffee culture and engage new consumers.
In my hometown, Darjeeling, we now have several specialty cafes. We also run a community called Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim Coffee Community, where we hold workshops from planting to roasting and brewing. We’ve been doing this since 2022, and each year, we see more interest, which makes me optimistic about the future of specialty coffee in India. Wherever I go in India, I can always find great specialty coffee, and I believe Indian specialty coffee will continue reaching new heights.
source: http://www.theneedforcoffee.com / The Need For Coffee / Home> The Blog> The Coffee Story / by Naveed Syed / November 23rd, 2024
Lieutenant General (retd) Codanda Somanna passed away at his residence at Panjaraparte in Virajpet last evening. He was 94. He was down by age related ailments.
He is survived by his wife Renu Somanna, son and daughter. His son Nived Nanjappa is serving as a doctor in the US.
Somanna led the ‘blue star’ operation in Punjab with success. The last rites will be performed after 12 noon today at his farmhouse with military honours. Senior officers of the Army paid their last respects to the decorated soldier.
Lt. Gen. Codanda Somanna with wife Renu Somanna.
The last rites should have been held with full military honours. But, due to the Covid-19 crisis, symbolic military honours were accorded to the departed soul. Somanna had played a pivotal role in Operation Blue Star at Amritsar. He was serving as the chief patron of the Field Marshal Cariappa-General Thimayya Forum.
General Dalbir Singh Suhag, the then Indian Army chief, along with General Bipin Rawat (present Chief of Defence Staff of India) had, in 2016, visited the house of Somanna during their trip to Kodagu. Field Marshal Cariappa-General Thimayya Forum president Col (retd) K.C. Subbaiah paid tributes to Somanna, saying he was known for his discipline.
General Dalbir Singh Suhag, the then Indian Army chief, along with General Bipin Rawat (present Chief of Defence Staff of India) had, in 2016, visited the house of Lt. Gen. Somanna.
Reaching out to a veteran general
On Aug. 8 2016, the Facebook page of ADGPI-Indian Army has a post:
“A mega veterans rally was held at Madikeri on 6 Aug 2016 which was attended by General Dalbir Singh, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and over 1800 Veterans and Veer Naris from Kodagu District. The COAS while attending the rally realised that the senior most veteran of the area, Lt Gen C.N. Somanna (Param Vishisht Seva Medal), 90 years old was not present. Gen. C.N. Somanna was commissioned into 3/11 GR, but went on to command 4 Guards. He was the Vice Chief of Army Staff in 1984-1985. On enquiry he was informed about the ill health of Lt Gen Somanna. The COAS immediately modified the programme and travelled over 40 kms to meet the General at his home in Virajpet.”
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 14th, 2020
Kodagu district, known as the “Scotland of India,” faces an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures soaring to 35°C. The usual cool climate and abundant rainfall have given way to severe drought, leaving landscapes parched. Residents combat the heat by consuming watermelon and refreshing beverages. Concerns rise as the absence of rain depletes water sources and raises fears of even hotter summer months ahead.
Residents of Kodagu district, often dubbed as the “Scotland of India” for its lush greenery and cool climate, are currently grappling with an unusual heatwave as temperatures soar to 35 degrees Celsius. Once known for its abundant rainfall and fog-covered hills, the district is now experiencing a severe drought, leaving its scenic landscapes parched and its residents sweltering under the scorching sun.
Traditionally, Kodagu district, also known as Coorg, enjoyed moderate temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, thanks to ample rainfall that kept the region cool and foggy throughout the year. However, this year’s acute water shortage has transformed the district into a hot and arid terrain, devoid of its usual cloud cover and mist.
The absence of rainfall has led to the depletion of reservoirs, rivers, and streams, leaving the land dry and barren. With daily temperatures consistently reaching 34 to 35 degrees Celsius, residents find it challenging to venture outdoors, fearing the intense heat. Even simple tasks like buying groceries or commuting to work have become daunting endeavours, prompting many to stay indoors or seek refuge under umbrellas when stepping outside.
To combat the oppressive heat, residents have turned to consuming watermelon and other fruits with high water content, as well as indulging in fresh water and ice creams in large quantities. The demand for refreshing beverages has surged, with local vendors reporting a significant increase in sales.
Traders and residents alike express astonishment at the intensity of the heatwave, noting that such extreme weather conditions are unprecedented in their experience. Typically, monsoon rains would have arrived by March, providing relief from the heat. However, as the first week of April passes without a drop of rain, concerns mount about the impending summer months and the likelihood of temperatures rising even further.
source: http://www.newsable.asianetnews.com / Newsable Asianet / Home> English News> Karnataka / by Vinaykumar Patil / April 08th, 2024
The Government of India has issued the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) (Sixteenth Amendment) Order, 2024. The notification was published on November 20, 2024 and has come into immediate effect. This amendment introduces special conditions for importing coffee beans into the country.
The amendment applies specifically to coffee beans (Coffea spp.) imported from any country for consumption or processing in India.
The aim is to prevent the entry of Coffee Berry Borers (Hypothenemus hampei and Sophranica ventralis), a destructive pest that can devastate coffee crops.
All imported coffee beans must now undergo fumigation with either Methyl Bromide or Phosphine to eliminate any potential Coffee Berry Borers.
The fumigation treatment details must be endorsed on the Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the exporting or re-exporting country.
This amendment helps to protect India’s coffee industry from invasive pests. Stricter import regulations ensure the quality and safety of imported coffee beans and minimize the risk of introducing harmful pests into the country’s agricultural ecosystem.
The solo performances at the 10th edition of Manthana in Mangaluru brought the Kodava culture and strong women characters from the epics under spotlight
Shilpa Nanjappa’s presented the ‘Tales of Kodava’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Shilpa Nanjappa, a Kodava, brought out the rich culture and ways of worship of her people and the greatness of River Cauvery (whose origin is in Coorg) through her ‘Tales in Kodava’. She gave a clear, comprehensive introduction, as the songs were in Kodava.
This was presented as part of the 10th edition of Manthana, organised by Mangaluru’s Nrityaangan, which featured many solo performances.
Shilpa’s entry was full of zest and she lit up the stage with her expressive face and powerful movements. She began with a Kauthuvam in ragamalika that narrated the tale of Ayyappa, with keen focus on Mohini. It was an adaptation from ‘The song of Saastaavu’, a part of the Pattole Palame, a compilation of folklore passed down orally through ancestral songs. She beautifully presented the contrast between the clumsy movements of Bhasmasura and the graceful dance of Mohini.
‘Sri mula kanniye, pommale kodu male’, a patriotic song accepted as the anthem of independent Kodagu, blended the legends about the river goddess Kaveri and her present condition. The way Shilpa portrayed the callousness with which people pollute her pure waters would have melted anyone’s heart. When she stated that this is also the story of every single woman, manipulated and silenced through history, one nodded in agreement.
Before concluding her performance with a self-composed thillana, Shilpa presented a sringara pada ‘Aye, thumbi’, portraying an enraged Kanditha Nayika who is scorned by the man she loves. Her thillana was on the Puthari festival, a ‘harvest festival’ of the Kodavas when they dedicate their rice harvest to Igguthappa, who, centuries ago, taught them the method of cultivating paddy. The choreography of this piece had movements inspired by the indigenous dance forms of the Kodavas.
Shilpa’s performance was followed by four vibrant solo presentations on important female characters from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Divya Nair as Chitrangada | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Divya Nair was convincing in her portrayal as Chitrangada, the princess of Manipur and the only heiress to the throne, who was brought up by her father as a strong warrior and an able ruler. Though her thoughts and behaviour are unlike those of a woman, tender feelings of love blossom in her heart when she meets Arjuna, the Pandava prince. When her son Babruvahana is born, she transforms herself into a fond mother, too. Divya brought out the nuances of Chitrangada’s character with her lively movements and striking abhinayas. She left the spectators wondering, ‘Who are you, Chitrangada –– a warrior, a lover, a mother, or all of these?’ The lyrics had been composed by Dr. Suneel and were set to music by Sankaran Menon.
Indu Venu beautifully transformed into Kaikeyi | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Indu Venu transformed into Kaikeyi, who is torn between her intense love for Rama and her unbearable jealousy when she hears that he will be made king. Kaikeyi fears that once Rama becomes king, she and her son Bharata will have no identity. With Tulsidas’s ‘Tumak Chalat Ramachandra’, Indu Venu brought out the essence of motherly love. Along with Tulsi Ramayan, verses penned by Dr. Himanshu Srivastava were used for Indu Venu’s portrayal of Kaikeyi. Music and rhythmic composition for this was by Sujesh Menon and Vinay Nagarajan.
Manjula Subrahmanyabrought alive Hidimba as a demoness. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Manjula Subrahmanya portrayed Hidimba, the beautiful demoness, who is besotted with love for the tall and well-built Bhima and becomes the eldest daughter in law of the Kuru clan. Her life with Bhima is brief, and when he goes back to his family, she is alone again. When Gatotkacha is born, her motherly instincts are awakened and she is a happy mother. When Bhima returns after many years, she is delighted but soon finds out that Bhima wants their son to participate in the war. Hidimba makes her supreme sacrifice as she willingly gives her son to Bhima and goes back to her life of lonely wandering.
With an intensely expressive face and strong masculine movements, Manjula brought alive Hidimba as a demoness. At the same time, by throwing light on her soft motherly feelings and her sacrifice, she made Hidimba’s personality soar high. Manjula painted a clear picture of the complex character of Hidimba, who is only briefly mentioned in the Mahabharata.
The lyrics for this presentation were by Kavitha Adooru, music by Vineeth Purvankara and jathis by Manjunath Putturu.
Radhika Shetty chose to present a different picture of Manthara | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Radhika Shetty, founder of Nrityaangan, presented ‘Manthareya Antharala’, a glimpse into the inner world of Manthara. Not conventionally beautiful, and abandoned by her parents, she finds refuge under Kaikeyi’s father and turns into a mother figure for Kaikeyi. Her actions are based on her boundless love for Kaikeyi and Bharata, who is like her grandson. Did she want anything for herself? Radhika’s expressive gestures and sensitive portrayal presented a different picture of Manthara. By the time Radhika concluded, the spectators were ready to understand Manthara and even sympathise with her.
Radhika’s presentation was based on Kuvempu’s Sri Ramayana Darshanam from which she had taken the lyrics that were set to music by Karthik Hebbar, Bengaluru.
The music ensemble was absolutely stunning. Vidyashree Radhakrishna’s impressive nattuvangam had dignity, strength, clarity and deftness. Nandakumar Unnikrishnan sang with emotion and gave life to the characters portrayed by the dansers. Mridangam by Karthik Vydhatri maintained the liveliness and flute by Nithish Ammannaya added melody and sweetness.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Dance / by B Ramadevi / November 26th, 2024
The ambitious project to construct a hanging bridge over the River Cauvery at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu is poised to further transform this popular tourist destination.
Dubare draws thousands of tourists each month and the addition of a hanging bridge connecting both riverbanks promises to be a significant attraction. Currently, one side of the river is managed by the Tourism Department, while the Forest Department oversees the opposite side, home to the renowned elephant camp.
Presently, tourists can only traverse the river via motorised boats. Due to the high demand for boat rides, many visitors risk crossing on slippery rocks — when the water level is low, leading to accidents and prompting criticism of the Forest Department.
The original hanging bridge plan envisioned a 110-metre structure supported by three columns — two at the ends and one in the centre — with an estimated cost of Rs. 3 crore.
Two poles instead of three
However, the new proposal extends the bridge length to 210 metres, supported by only two poles, eliminating the central column thanks to enhanced suspension wire technology. The revised design will be higher at the centre than at the ends for added stability.
This updated project is estimated to cost Rs. 6 crore. The bridge will have a walking width of 1.5 metres and will be constructed above last year’s flash flood level to ensure safety.
Hanging bridge expert Patanjali Bharadwaj has finalised the design, materials and total project cost, including labour. Unlike the previous proposal where land ownership was shared between the Tourism and Forest Departments, the new project will be built entirely on Forest Department land, streamlining the approval process.
Budget estimate of Rs. 6 crore
The design and location survey have been completed and submitted to the Public Works Department (PWD). A budget estimate of Rs. 6 crore has been forwarded to the Finance Department for final approval. Patanjali Bharadwaj has designed the bridge and calculated the material cost as per the PWD budget list and provided the cost estimate.
The State Government and the PWD have granted in-principle approval and the project has been included in the Forest Department’s Action Plan, receiving sanction from the Forest Minister.
Funding will come from the Kodagu Foundation, which pools entry fees collected at various parks, trekking spots and forest guest houses, supplemented by government funds.
The PWD will supervise the construction, with the tender process set to begin following financial clearance. If funding is timely, the bridge could be completed within six months, with an expected finish date in 2025.
Boating to be discontinued
Bhaskar, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Madikeri Circle, explained the project’s earlier challenges. “Previously, land issues stalled progress due to the split ownership between the Tourism and Forest Departments, complicating clearances under the Wildlife Act. This time, we selected land solely managed by the Forest Department, eliminating these administrative obstacles. We are committed to seeing the project through. Once operational, boating services will be discontinued, though river rafting will continue,” he said.
For context, Patanjali Bharadwaj is the son of Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj, known as the ‘Bridge Man’ for constructing over 100 suspension footbridges across India. Girish Bharadwaj founded ‘Rational Engineering Industries’ in 1975 in Sullia, Dakshina Kannada, now known as Ayasshilpa. Patanjali is continuing his father’s legacy with this new project.
Revenue boost
The Dubare Elephant Camp operates daily from 9 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 5.30 pm. Forest officials report that the site welcomes an average of 500 to 700 tourists daily and has four boats for river crossings.
“During festivals and weekends, when over 2,000 tourists visit daily, managing the crowds becomes difficult. Weight restrictions limit boat capacity, forcing many visitors to leave without experiencing the elephant camp. The hanging bridge will resolve these issues and is expected to boost revenue,” officials added.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 24th, 2024
KSRTC buses with the registration of Madikeri RTO were added to the existing fleet of buses operated by the Madikeri depot on Thursday.
Five ‘Ashwamedha’ buses were the new buses with KA-12 vehicle registration that were flagged off in Madikeri by MLA Mantar Gowda.
The five buses will operate as Dasara special in view of the Navarathri celebrations. After Dasara, the buses will be operated in Kodagu district, said the MLA, after flagging off the buses at a function held in Madikeri.
The MLA said he had urged Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy for allocating buses with KA-12 registration (Madikeri RTO), during his recent visit to Shanivarasanthe in Kodagu district. Responding to the request, the Minister sanctioned the buses with the Madikeri registration, he said, while expressing happiness over the sanction of buses with Madikeri registration.
More KSRTC buses will ply in Kodagu in the coming days. Women can travel in the newly allotted buses as part of the Shakti scheme, he added.
The five buses have also got fancy registration numbers KA-12 F-01, F-02, F-03, F-04, F-05, the MLA said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / October 10th, 2024
Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Gill and co-driver Aniruddha Rangnekar overcame initial hiccups and performed admirably to take the lead after Day 1 in the Robusta Rally, the fifth and penultimate round of the fmsci Indian National Rally Championship 2024 here, on Saturday.
Gill, the Speed Maestro from Delhi, was forced to start on a cautious note as their intercom failed resulting in no calls and he had to drive from memory. After losing 17.4 seconds to Karna Kadur, who was fastest in Stage 1, Gill bounced back brilliantly to clock the fastest times in the remaining five Stages and took a handsome lead of over 53 seconds by the end of the day.
“It has been a perfect day. The stages were rougher than I expected with massive stones and boulders but we managed to overcome all odds as our tyres performed well. We had decent speeds and the goal is to bring back the car home tomorrow,” said Gill, the seven-time National champion.
Championship leaders Karna Kadur and co-driver Musa Sherif of Arka Motorsports were second overall followed by Hassan’s Jason Saldhanha and local co-driver Timmu Uddapanda.
Jason Saldhanha overtook former National champion Aditya Thakur (Chettinad Sporting) in the final stage of the day and was also leading in INRC2 class with Thakur in second place ahead of Jahaan Singh Gill of Snap Racing. Chettinad Sporting’s Daraius Shroff from Mumbai, the championship leader in the INRC3 category took a 20-second lead over Abhin Rai.
Fabid Ahmer, Harkrishan Wadia, Philippos Matthai, and Chetan Shivram were some of the top casualties on Day 1. On Sunday, the rally will run another six Special Stages at Woshully and Margoli estates.
Provisional Results after Day 1 (Leg 1 – Saturday):
