Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Hollywood Stars Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones In Madikeri

Madikeri/Kushalnagar:

High-profile Hollywood stars Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, accompanied by their son Dylan, are on a tour of India following Michael’s honorary recognition at the International Film Festival (IFFA) in Goa where he received the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award.

Currently, the family is exploring the enchanting region of Kodagu as part of their private tour. Post-IFFA in Goa, the family visited Tamil Nadu, where they visited the historic city of Thanjavur and the awe-inspiring Brihadishvara Temple — a magnificent Chola period temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, renowned for its exquisite architecture.

Documenting their spiritual journey, the seasoned actor shared moments on social media, featuring the family offering prayers at the Temple adorned with garlands. Michael Douglas captioned the images, stating, “sightseeing with the best.”

Continuing their Indian sojourn, the family made a stopover at Kabini, enjoying a day at a secluded resort, before reaching Madikeri on Dec. 5. Choosing the serene Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa in Galibeedu village as their place of stay, the family explored the Mercara Downs Golf Club, engaging in a round of golf. Sources disclosed that Michael Douglas insisted on keeping their visit private.

Having visited India thrice before, mainly exploring the northern regions, Michael Douglas expressed a desire to delve into the southern part of the country this time. The family entrusted their travel plans to a New Delhi-based travel firm, utilising a chartered chopper for transportation. Impressed by the expansive 102-acre Golf Club, Michael Douglas and his family praised it as an ideal retreat for unwinding and spending quality family time. Their stay in Madikeri, Kodagu, is expected to continue for two to three days and details about their future travel plans remain confidential.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 07th, 2023

MLA A.S. Ponnanna Inaugurates Annual Get-Together Of Sri Kaveri Kodava Association

Mysore/Mysuru:

The annual get-together of Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru East, was held at its premises in Vidyashankara Nagar in Mysuru yesterday.

Virajpet MLA Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna, who was the chief guest, inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp.

Association President Puliyanda S. Devaiah presided. Kodava Samaja Mysuru President Ponjanda A. Ganapathy was the special invitee.

On the occasion, MLA Ponnanna felicitated Senior Members of the Association for their services to the causes of community, institutions, education and in general — Kuppanda M. Achaiah, Manipanda A. Muthanna and Star of Mysore and Mysuru Mithra Founder-Editor Kalyatanda B. Ganapathy, who received Hon. Doctorate from University of Mysore recently.

Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru East,  runs an educational institution — The Kodagu Model School — from LKG to X Standard at Vidyashankara Nagar here.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 04th, 2023

Get-Together Of Sri Kaveri Kodava Assn. Tomorrow

The annual get-together of Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru East, will be held at its premises at No. 4, Kaveri Road, Vidyashankaranagar, Mysuru, tomorrow (Dec. 3) at 10 am.

 Association President Puliyanda S. Devaiah will preside. Virajpet MLA Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna will be the chief guest. Kodava Samaja Mysuru President Ponjanda

A. Ganapathy will be the special invitee.

Association Senior Members Kuppanda M. Achaiah and Maniyapanda A. Muthanna will be felicitated on the occasion.

Also, Star of Mysore and Mysuru Mithra Founder-Editor K.B. Ganapathy, who received Hon. Doctorate from University of Mysore recently, will be honoured as a special achiever.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / December 02nd, 2023

Bigg Boss Kannada 10: All You Need To Know About Wild Card Entry Pavi Poovappa

Pavi Poovappa is a popular Indian fashion model who started her career in the fashion industry in 2013.

Pavi secured the first position in Riz Fashion Miss Awesome Bangalore in 2016.
Pavi secured the first position in Riz Fashion Miss Awesome Bangalore in 2016.

Bigg Boss Kannada season 10, hosted by Kiccha Sudeep, is currently in full swing. The show has managed to capture the attention of the viewers, keeping them on the edge of their seats. The show has reached the halfway point, with exactly 50 days remaining. Meanwhile, Bigg Boss Kannada has a new twist for the viewers, where two new wild card entries are brought to the house by Avinash Shetty and Pavi Poovappa.

Today, let’s take a look at the professional and personal life of wild card entry Pavi Poovappa.

According to reports, Pavi Poovappa is a popular Indian fashion model who is known for her strong presence on social media platforms. She has walked the ramp for several prominent brands. The model is known for her style statement and her mesmerising photoshoots for different brands. She started her career in the fashion industry in 2013. Over the years, Pavi has emerged as an influential model. In 2015, she also won the title of Mr and Miss Flamingo Sandlehood Star contestant. She also secured the first position in Riz Fashion Miss Awesome Bangalore in 2016.

As a model, she also walked the ramp for numerous prestige events like Coimbatore Style Week, India Glam Fashion Week, Fermina Wedding Show, Prime Fashion Week, and Malabar Fashion Week.

She also participated in Miss Karnataka International and won the title of Miss Body Beautiful. In 2018, she appeared in the Kannada reality show Soppana Sundari, a modelling contest aired on Sun Life.

Talking about her life and family life, Pavi Poovappa hails from Kodagu, Karnataka.

She did her schooling at Lewa English High School in Bangalore. Later, she completed her graduation from Rajajainagar PU College in Rajajainagar. Her father passed away in 2006 and her mother’s name is Panikuttira Pannnamma. She also has a brother, Rakesh Poovappa. As per reports, Pavi Poovappa has been dating DJ Maddy since 2020.

On the other hand, the other wild card contestant, Avinash Shetty, is also known as Asthik Avinash Shetty. He is an actor and model, initially making his mark in Tulu cinema with the film Jai Tulunadu and later featuring in Kannada films like Power alongside Puneeth Rajkumar.

source: http://www.news18.com / News18 / Home> Movies / by Entertainment Bureau , Local News Desk / November 28th, 2023

Kodavas Celebrate Paithande Namme

Mysuru:

Hundreds of Kodava community members assembled at the Mysuru Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar First Stage yesterday evening to witness a unique tradition of Kodava Paithande Namme.

The event, organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, Madikeri and Sri Bhagavathi Kodava Association, Mysuru, was inaugurated by Maj. Gen. Codanda K. Karumbaya SM (Retd.) It was presided over by Biddatanda S. Thammaiah, the Chairman of Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy.

In the past, Kodava society had a practice of honouring mothers who gave birth to ten or more children and they used to be respectfully adored as a great mother. Such mothers used to be honoured in a public function ‘Mangala’ (marriage ceremony) called ‘Paithandekkalapa’ or ‘Paithande Namme.’

The age-old tradition was introduced to the audience along with the rituals practiced during Paithande Namme.  According to the organisers, the event was organised to recall the traditions that are rarely practiced now or are on the verge of extinction.

Apart from Paithande Namme, traditional dances including Bolakaat, Ummathat and Kathiyat were performed. The main attraction of the evening was, however, the mock show of Narimangala (wedding of a hunted tiger), a custom unique to Kodavas where the hunter of a tiger is wedded to the soul of the animal. The ritual was performed complete with traditional dresses, swords, guns, bands and other paraphernalia.

Maj. Gen. Codanda K. Karumbaya SM (Retd.) is seen inaugurating Kodava ‘Paithande Namme’ at Mysuru Kodava Samaja yesterday evening along with President of Sri Bhagavathi Kodava Association Ballachanda D. Subbaiah and Chairman of Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy Biddatanda S. Thammaiah. Others seen are (from left) former President of Mysuru Kodava Samaja Dr. Adengada A. Kuttappa, Chairman of Sree Cauvery Education Council Prof. Kambeyanda C. Belliappa, Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief Kalyatanda B. Ganapathy, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s former Corporator Kaddaniyanda Harish Bopanna, Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Moovera K. Kuttappa, Superintendent of Police (retired), Directorate of Civil Enforcement-Mysuru Aramanamada K. Suresh and retired Police Officer Ballyamanda M. Nanaiah.

Minority Status :

Along with these traditional performances, the event was also a platform for  chief guests to speak about the welfare of Kodavas. In his inaugural address, Maj. Gen. Codanda K. Karumbaya SM (Retd.) said that the Kodava Sahitya Academy was doing good work to preserve Kodava traditions within Kodagu district and  also outside.

“We Kodavas do not have facilities like reservation as we are economically and educationally forward. But it is imperative for us to obtain minority status as enshrined in the Indian Constitution,” he said and called upon the community to stay united and fight for minority status. He suggested Kodavas to have one organisation to fight for recognitions and welfare of the community.

Political Representation :

In his address, Superintendent of Police (retired), Directorate of Civil Enforcement Mysuru Aramanamada K. Suresh opined that Kodavas must have a political representation. “We are a small community and we should ensure that we have representation in the Legislative Assembly and Council. This will give the much-needed political power to the community,” he said

“As Kodavas are educationally forward, the youths must take up competitive examinations and make a place for themselves in the upper echelons of the government,” he added.

Vanishing Traditions :

Speaking on vanishing Kodava culture and traditions, Keethiyanda Kavya Kuttappa said that the unique traditional Kodava attire which people wore on all occasions earlier has become rare now. “This is because Kodavas blindly ape Western culture. Unfortunately, some Kodavas think speaking Kodava language is improper,” she said.

“Many Kodavas have migrated to cities in search of employment and they have forgotten the customs and traditions. They don’t even go to their roots in Kodagu and this is the reason why traditions are being forgotten,” she opined. In a fervent plea to parents, Kavya said that it was their responsibility to ensure that their children dress well when they attend community and public functions.

On the occasion, a book “Kodira Poomale” written by Uluvangada Cauvery Uday was released by former BBMP Corporator Kaddaniyanda Harish Bopanna and Academy Chairman Biddatanda S. Thammaiah.

A CD that was brought out in 1985 on “Kodava Baalopaat” sung by late Napanda Thimmaiah and team from Garvale village in Kodagu was released by Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Moovera K. Kuttappa. The original CD was brought out by Thammu Poovaiah and Ambika of Nada Lahari, Madikeri.

Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy felicitated the President of Sri Bhagavathi Kodava Association Ballachanda D. Subbaiah. A book and CD sale was also organised.

Kodava MLA Candidate:

Concurring with Aramanamada K. Suresh on political representation to Kodavas, businessman and former BBMP Corporator Kaddaniyanda Harish Bopanna (in pic) regretted that Kodavas were dominated by other communities in Kodagu, their homeland. He appealed the community members to elect a Kodava candidate to the Assembly irrespective of the political party.

He also advised Kodavas not to sell their properties in Kodagu to others but instead sell them within the community if it is inevitable. He called upon them to support Kodava youth who have set up businesses in Kodagu and outside.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News /July 13th, 2017

A Group Of Young Homegrown Chefs Are Elevating & Shining A Spotlight On Coorg Cuisine

A Group Of Young Homegrown Chefs Are Elevating & Shining A Spotlight On Coorg Cuisine

The versatility of Indian cuisine continues to impress food enthusiasts who seek rich flavours and manage to find a range of varying flavour palettes in a single country. However, some regional cuisines are often overlooked due to the appeal of other famously adored dishes. One of them is Coorg cuisine, which has been influenced and shaped by the history, geography and culture of the people of the region. Many young chefs from Coorg are now mastering their own family recipes and sharing them with millions on social media. Here are a few homegrown chefs on our radar who are elevating and shining a spotlight on Coorg cuisine.

1. Anjali Ganapathi

A home chef who has been sharing the authentic recipes behind traditional Coorg cuisines, Anjali Ganapathi runs a small, niche catering company called Pig Out with her core team. She has always had an inclination towards exploring her roots and since a very young age learnt the art of cooking some wonderfully complex dishes. The chef presently shares her wisdom with many through her online recipes and also organises events at cooking studios and other places across the city. The customer base extends beyond native Coorgi people as Chef Anjali wishes to introduce the regional cuisine to different communities around India.  

Find them here.

2. Curly Sue Pork

Pork dishes are easily the star of Coorg cuisine, especially if cooked in the traditional way using family recipes. The Curly Sue takeaway joint and blog is perfecting the method of these recipes and making them more accessible to everyone. They source the meat from farmers who own their own farms and use a delightfully indulgent process of slow cooking the meat for four to eight hours. The most delectable meat needs to be given its due and the chefs at Curly Sue are adamant about achieving just that as well as sharing some insight into their process of preparation.

Find them here.

3. Sitara Cariappa

A food blog run by chef Sitara Cariappa and her family is an ode to the Coorg people and their love for coffee brews, spirits and meat dishes, especially those made with pork. They often delve into the childhood memories that are so closely associated with the cuisine and discuss their family recipes. The page also helps the audience to gain an understanding of the local ingredients and how they can be utilised to achieve wholesome flavours. They are slowly building a community of food enthusiasts who all share a passion for learning more about the specialities of the region as well as the culture that enables its excellence. 

Find them here.

source: http://www.homegrown.co.in / Homegrown / Home> #HGExplore / by Gulbahaar Kaur / April 11th, 2023

Swetha Changappa wishes ‘Kailpodh’ to all Kodavas

Actress-host Shwetha Changappa is celebrating the festival of Kailpodh with her son Jiyaan Aiyappa. She shared a video on social media where she is seen dressed in a traditional Kodava-style saree and wishing the Kodava community a happy and prosperous Kailpodh.

Swetha Changappa wishes 'Kailpodh' to all Kodavas

Actress-host Shwetha Changappa is celebrating ‘Kailpodh’ with full enthusiasm. Draped in a traditional Kodava-style saree, the proud Kodavati recently took to her social media handle and shared an adorable video, where she is seen posing along with her little munchkin, Jiyaan Aiyappa.

The Kodavati’s wish

Shwetha in the video is seen wishing all the Kodava community people a very happy and a prosperous Kailpodh.

She is seen wishing in the native language and talks about the importance of celebrating the festival.

Swetha’s baby boy is also seen in the video and wishing everyone on the occasion in his cutest way possible.

The Kailpodh festival

For the uninitiated, September 3rd marks the festival of Kailpodh, in Coorg. While in Kodagu the festival is celebrated on different days, elsewhere Kail-Podh is observed at homes on the third of September.

The Kail Podh day begins with the youngsters touching the feet of their parents.

Traditional and household weapons, such as guns, war knives, swords, spears, bows, and arrows, are cleaned and placed near the thook bolcha (hanging prayer lamp) in the house.

On a work front
Swetha Changappa is currently seen hosting kids-based reality game show, Chota Champion, which returned to the Kannada small screens after a long gap.

The doting mommy

Talking about Swetha’s three-year-old son, Jiyaan has indeed become the latest sensation. The baby is quite popular on social media as mommy Swetha’s Instagram handle is filled with videos and pictures of Jiyaan. The actress indeed seems to be enjoying her motherhood to the fullest.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> TV> Kannada / etimes.in / September 03rd, 2023

Puthari Namme: Harvest Festival Celebrated In Traditional Grandeur

Youth Wing of Mysuru Kodava Samaja inaugurated

Mysore/Mysuru:

‘Puthari Namme,’ the harvest festival of Kodagu, symbolising the first harvest of the paddy crop, was celebrated in a grand and traditional manner last evening at the Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar First Stage here.

The festivities showcased a diverse array of Kodava cultural events, eliciting enthusiastic applause from the gathered audience.

Hundreds of Kodava community members including men, women and children had gathered at the Kodava Samaja and took home the paddy crop (kadiru), chanting “Poli Poli Deva” and prayed to Lord Igguthappa and Goddess Cauvery and welcomed the Dhanya Lakshmi to their homes. 

The highlight of the event was the cultural performances by young community members who have spent hours and days learning the traditional Kodava dances and songs. Their performance received loud applause from the community members and the boys and girls have been saddled with continuing the tradition of this small community that is facing the onslaught of modernisation.

The members of Kodagu Gowda Samaja in Vijayanagar Railway Layout, Mysuru, during the celebrations.

The performances featured captivating dances like ‘Ummathaat’, ‘Bolakaat’,  ‘Puthari Kolata,’ ‘Kathiyaat,’ ‘Baalopaat,’ ‘Pareyakali’ and ‘Taalipaat’.

Notably, a new Youth Wing of the Mysuru Kodava Samaja was inaugurated and Katera Vedik Uthaiah has been nominated as its President. The other  members of the team will be announced soon.

Commencing with a puja dedicated to the deities Lord Igguthappa and Goddess Cauvery, the festival progressed with a symbolic harvesting of the paddy crop (kadiru) and ceremonial firing into the air.

 Kodava men donned their traditional attire of ‘kupya-chele,’ ‘peechekathi,’ and ‘mande-tuni,’ while women adorned themselves in the customary red sarees and ‘vasthra.’

As an integral part of the festivities, special ‘tambittu’ made from fried ‘kusubalakki’ mixed with ripe banana, was distributed to all the members.

Mysuru Kodava Samaja teams that have won various prizes in hockey matches and other cultural performances at Federation of Kodava Samajas, Balugodu, were honoured.

Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Ponjanda A. Ganapathy, Vice-President Machimada P. Nanaiah, Hon. Secretary Ketolira Ravi Belliappa, Treasurer Ittira Kashiappa, Joint Secretary Ajjikuttira Diana Poovaiah, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club President Kuttimada D. Muthappa, office-bearers and committee members were present on the occasion.

A group photo of the members of the newly constituted Youth Wing of Mysuru Kodava Samaja with Samaja President Ponjanda A. Ganapathy and others.

The harvest festival was also celebrated at Kodagu Gowda Samaja in Vijayanagar Railway Layout, Mysuru.

Simultaneously, ‘Puthari Namme’ was celebrated in grandeur across Kodagu district yesterday.

The festival commenced with the ‘Nere Kattu’ performance at Kakkabbe’s Paadi Sri Igguthappa Temple at 7.30 pm. Subsequent celebrations were held across Kodagu district.

Though the festival concluded yesterday, the celebrations are set to continue for a week in rural areas of Kodagu and during this extended period, traditional ‘Puthari Kolata’ will take centre stage, accompanied by various other dance forms at the designated ‘Mandh’ in villages.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / November 28th, 2023

Kodava Muslim Community Celebrates Puttari Festival in Gonikoppa

Coorg:

The Kodava Muslim Association (KMA) illuminated the night with joy as they celebrated the ancient custom of removing the traditional Kadiru (New Rice Crop) on the auspicious occasion of Puttari festival. The festivities took place on Monday night, drawing the spirited participation of hundreds of members from the Kodava Muslim community, marking the Harvest Festival of Kodavas.

At the striking hour of 8:30 PM, the Kadiru removal ceremony unfolded in the Jamma Gadde of the Kolumanda family in Aimangal village, Gonikoppa. Led by KMA President Duddiyanda H. and Sufi Haji, the event saw elders from Aimangala village, KMA members, and Kootambattira Hussain coming together to share in the holy Swalat. Boiled rice milk, a symbol of abundance, was distributed to all attendees, fostering a sense of unity and community spirit.

Key figures in the program included KMA Vice President Akkalatanda S. Moidu, General Secretary Italathanda Rafiq Tuchamakeri, Treasurer Harishchandra A. Hamsa, Joint Secretary Karatorera K Mustafa, Organizing Secretary Meetalathanda M. Ismail, and Senior Director Chimmichira K. Ibrahim (Ummani).

The presence of local Jamaat presidents, such as the head of Kondangeri Jamaat and K.M.A. Director Kuppandir K. Yusuf Haji, and the President of Katrakolli Jamaat, Alira M., added a distinguished touch to the celebration. Residents from various areas, including Kottamudi, Cheriyaparambu, Kunjila, Kolakeri, Kondangeri, Chamiyala, Gundikere, Nalvathoklu, Ambatti Kandangala, Katrakolli, Halligattu, and Begur, joined the festivities alongside children from Aimangal. The program, hosted by Kolumanda Rafeek, extended its warmth with a traditional Tambittu-Puttari sweet potato breakfast and dinner, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Kodava Muslim community. The Kadiru, symbolizing the new rice crop, was then respectfully taken to households, marking the culmination of a joyous and culturally significant event.

source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> News> Latest News / by The Hindustan Gazette / November 28th, 2023

UAE Kodava Community Gathers For Puthari Festival

Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna emphasises community representation in democracy

Dubai:

A Puthari get-together was organised recently in Dubai by the UAE Kodava Committee. The event not only featured cultural festivities but also offered valuable insights from Virajpet MLA Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna who was the chief guest.

Ponnanna underscored the importance of community representation in a democratic system. “It’s crucial to have representation in democracy for our community.” Stressing the role of the ‘Connecting Kodavas’ initiative, he highlighted its relevance and the necessity for systematic participation in the democratic process.

Ponnanna, along with Palengada Amit from ‘Connecting Kodavas,’ encouraged a collective mindset towards sustaining the Kodava community, irrespective of geographical locations. They also urged attendees to support such initiatives, emphasising a systematic thought process about the community’s survival.

“Regardless of our activities and locations, our thought process should be directed                          towards sustaining our Kodava community. We should all come together and contemplate the survival of our community,”  remarked Ponnanna.

The event also featured engaging activities, including a quiz focused on Kodagu, providing a fun way for attendees to reconnect with the rich heritage and traditions of Kodava culture. Dressed in Kodava attire, participants underscored the sense of community and unity.

Beyond its celebratory nature, the Puthari get-together served as a platform to discuss pressing community issues and lay the groundwork for a brighter future. Delegates from ‘Connecting Kodavas’ also highlighted the importance of events like the upcoming Global Kodava Summit in 2023.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 27th, 2023