Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Air Marshal Nanda Cariappa Releases ‘War – The Ugly Mistress’ In City

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022)

Mysuru/Mysore: 

Air Marshal (Retd.) K.C. Cariappa (Nanda) released Dr. Lata Muthanna’s novel “War – The Ugly Mistress” at a programme organised by Mysuru Book Clubs-2015 at Sri Kanteerava Narasimharaja Sports Club (Mysore Sports Club) on Lalitha Mahal Road here last evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal Nanda Cariappa said that his profession is related to the book. Pointing out that the book has focussed on Indian Navy, he said that it reminds one of the turbulent  times of the war period over 50 years ago.

Noting that the author has vividly explained war scenarios, he said that the book has also highlighted the post-war scenarios.

Recalling his younger days when he dreamt of becoming a pilot, which he realised by joining the Air Force, he said that he was fortunate to get an opportunity to serve the Nation. He further said that everyone should read this book for a better understanding of the serious consequences of war.

Prof. K.C. Belliappa, former Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, who was the chief guest, said one can get a real war experience by reading the book and lauded the author’s contribution to literature though she is a doctor by profession.

Dr. Lata Muthanna, a well-known Consulting Physician,  said the book owes a lot to serendipity. She stated that when she started to draw the outlines of the narrative, the civil war in Sri Lanka was still on. After the civil war ended, she went to Sri Lanka and spent time with the main character of her book, Angeline, a Singaporean, who as a child, had survived the Second World War. The book literally carries her (Dr. Lata) to different places and various periods of time. It was as though she lived through the wars and felt the fear, anger and desperation of all those who were involved in it, she said. Maintaining that no Government has the right to throw its people into the jaws of death, she said that the world citizenry should never allow that to happen.

The book release was followed by a panel discussion, in which retired Statistician Boverianda Nanjamma and retired engineer Boverianda Chinnappa took part. Both are translators and scholars of Kodava studies

Sharada Chengappa, a multifaceted personality, received the first copy of the book. Her husband Chengappa was a well-known freedom fighter, who had the good fortune of caring for Mahatma Gandhi when he visited Kodagu.

Mysuru Book Clubs-2015 Founder-President Shubha Sanjay Urs, Chinimamba Desraj Urs, Sita Bhaskar, Nalini, Kavita Bopaiah and others were present at the event.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 12th, 2020

This coffee estate property is now a holiday home in Coorg that promotes sustainability

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Studio 4A builds a serene escape amidst natural landscaping with an undeniable old-world quality.

This coffee estate property is now a holiday home in Coorg that promotes sustainability | Architectural Digest India
Divya R

The clients approached Studio 4A co-founders Vijay Narayanan and Appachu Nanjappa to build an estate house that would also double as a vacation home in Coorg. Located amidst a coffee estate with the views of the distant elk hills, the structure is barely visible from the driveway, which is at an elevated plane. This single-storied gable-roofed 4,000 square-foot house sits where an old house once stood.

This coffee estate property is now a holiday home in Coorg that promotes sustainability | Architectural Digest India
View of the house from the coffee estate. Divya R

“One enters the planar entry pavilion with a low floating roof. A forty-feet-long Kota cladded linear wall directs movement, creates an entry court and prepares one for the dramatic reveals of views yet to be experienced,” says Vijay. “We designed a house that celebrates the natural landscape and local climate. In a tropical setting , covered semi-open spaces allow one to be with nature while being protected. The house is designed as a response to its climatic context and organised into two distinct parts,” adds Appachu.

Court at the entry framed by the Kota wall.
Court at the entry framed by the Kota wall. Divya R

Selecting materials and creating the inner courtyard and spaces integrated with the surrounding landscape have been key to modern design. They also focussed on upcycling pieces, such as the antique wooden column in the court that was salvaged from the old house that once stood on this site. The form and finishes of the structure are bare and simple hence in total harmony with the surroundings, celebrating the tropical weather and landscape.

This outdoor court is adjacent to the gallery and connects the two parts of the house.
This outdoor court is adjacent to the gallery and connects the two parts of the house. Divya R
The spectacular view of the hills and the starlit night skies get mirrored onto the infinity pool.
The spectacular view of the hills and the star-lit night skies get mirrored onto the infinity pool. Divya R

The tropical architecture, with long verandahs, courtyards, high ceilings, breezy folding doors and interconnected areas around the courtyard, create various outdoor spaces between the primary volumes including an exterior infinity swimming pool, a stepped sunken seating and a deck opening from the living area.

All private spaces such as the bedrooms are organised around a skylit internal court. The common spaces are in a...
All private spaces, such as the bedrooms, are organised around a skylit internal court. The common spaces are in a separate wing. Divya R
A pitched wooden roof imbues character and frames the view while ensuring ventilation. All the furniture is either...
A pitched wooden roof imbues character and frames the view while ensuring ventilation. All the furniture is either repurposed from the old house or customised by Studio 4A. Divya R
A wooden dining table with three pendant lights reinforces the charm of the era bygone.
A wooden dining table with three pendant lights reinforces the charm of the era bygone. Divya R

The large windows from the bedroom open to the pool and the view beyond. High-pitched ceilings and expansive windows keep the bedrooms well-ventilated and negate the need for air-conditioning. All bathrooms have recessed ceiling lights which are concealed in the rafters of the roof. The surface finishes are dominated by cement oxide, repurposed dark wood ceilings and white-rendered walls to create contrasts between light and dark, thus creating a pared-back aesthetic.

The washrooms are wellventilated with glazed skylights that help keep the moisture away in humid weather. The wet and...
The washrooms are well-ventilated with glazed skylights that help keep the moisture away in humid weather. The wet and dry areas have been defined using granite partitions. Divya R

Rafters from the old house, door frames and furniture have been upcycled and reused in the new structure. Rainwater from the gables descends to a gravel path at the ground level; the water then gets channelled away through the drains in the periphery. As a result, planter boxes border the edges instead of metal fencing.

source: http://www.architecturaldigest.in / Architectural Digest / Home> Decorting / by Rashmi Haralalka / April 21st, 2023

Coorg: Stories and Essays

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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

Tales of temple festivals

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
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

Art and Artists’ Galore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), , , , ,

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

Karnataka polls: Weddings miss the “cheers” in Kodagu

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Liquor is a must for Kodava community weddings.

alcohol, prohibition, liquor
Image used for representational purpose only.

Madikeri :

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

Nitin Kushalappa’s Book “Dakshin: South Indian Myths And Fables Retold” Launched

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), , , , , , , , , ,

Mysuru :

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

New zip line facility in Madikeri, India

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), , , , , , ,

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

At 79, Padma Shri Ummathat Ki Rani is busy pushing for a Kodava ‘lipi’

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), , , , , , , , , ,

Rani’s entire career has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the folk dance form, Ummathat, of the Kodava tradition.

Rani Machaiah (seated) was felicitated at a function in Madikeri on Thursday, 26 January. (Supplied)
Rani Machaiah (seated) was felicitated at a function in Madikeri on Thursday 26 Jan (supplied)

The news came as mellifluous as the song that accompanies Ummathat, the traditional dance form of Kodagu.

Rani Machaiah — better known as Ummathat Ki Rani  — was at her home in Madikeri when she received the news of the nation honouring her with Padma Shri.

Congratulatory calls have been flooding her from relatives, friends, well-wishers, and most importantly, from her large number of students since Wednesday, 25 January.

“A train of thoughts crossed my mind,” the 79-year-old shared her experience with South First. “I have worked for around 50 years, promoting this traditional dance form.”

She has been leading Ummathat since 1984 and she had trained over 10,000 students.

Rani recalled taking her students to different states to showcase the dance form. “Ummathat is performed by a troupe of 20 — two will be singing and the other eighteen will dance to narrate a story,” she explained.

“This dance form is similar to the traditional ones of every other state,” she added.

Creating masters

Rani doesn’t dance anymore. But she still teaches students to master the art form. She had trained several batches of students.

Padma Shri Rani Machaiah. (Supplied)
Padma Shri Rani Machaiah. (Supplied)

“Once they get married, they leave and a new batch joins. Girls of any age can join the troupe,” Rani said.

Her students had performed in Lakshadweep, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and several places across Karnataka.

“We get invitations from various places and institutions from all over the country and we perform our traditional Ummathat there,” Rani, who has dedicated herself to preserving and promoting the traditional dance form, said.

Rani was born in 1943 in Siddapura in the Kodagu district. Her husband, the late Machaiah, was an advocate, who passed away when she was 65.

Her son, Sathish Machaiah, 55, is a software engineer in Bengaluru. Rani’s daughter, Saritha Devaiah, is a homemaker in Kodagu. Her husband Devaiah owns a plantation.

When asked about her inspiration to take up Ummathat, Rani said it was personal interest.

Now, a lipi

Rani is the chairperson of Kaveri Kalavrunda Sangha, an organisation she founded. She is the recipient of the Rajyotsava Award and many other honours.

She was a former president of Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and at present, she is encouraging groups of Kodavas working on designing a lipi — alphabet or script — for the Kodava language to preserve its literature since the language doesn’t have a lipi now (traditionally, Kodavas use the Thirke script, which is an abugida).

“It will look somewhat similar to Kannada and it will have phonetics and extra words that are used in the Kodava language in Kannada lipi,” Rani said.

source: http://www.thesouthfirst.com / South First / Home> Karnataka / by Bellie Thomas / January 27th, 2023

Commoners appointed SVEEP ambassadors in Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Records, All, Sports, , , , , , , ,
Kodagu DC B.C. athish (second from right) with SVEEP ambassadors Eshwari, Ravi Muthappa and Basavaraj Badiger in Madikeri on Thursday. Kodagu ZP CEO S.Prakash is also present. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Kodagu district administration has appointed a few commoners drawn from the civil society as its ambassador for Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) drive.

The ambassadors are S.K. Eshwari of Mekari village who is specially abled; Basavaraj Badiger, an arts and painting teacher from 7 Hoskote Government Higher Primary School; and K. Ravi Muthappa who is a Home Guard personnel. They were felicitated by the Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu B.C. Satish, ZP CEO S. Prakash and others on behalf of the SVEEP committee with shawl and fruits on Thursday and the posters to create voters awareness and education were also released on the occasion.

The authorities said though Ms. Eshwari is specially abled she was determined to overcome it and despite certain limitations, mastered various types of crafts and has been described as a role model for others. Determined to be self-reliant, Ms. Eshwari mastered sewing and has taken to sports in a big way including wheel chair race, swimming etc. As an individual who was schooled at home, Ms. Eshwari is also into writing poetry and stories, scripting plays and has won state-level prize in poetry writing, the authorities added. This apart she is also into vegetable carving and has spread the message of Swacch Bharat, wealth from waste and plastic-free drive among other such national programmes and has won many awards.

Similarly, Mr. Basavaraj Badiger has his own achievements and has been a fine arts teacher since 16 years. His works have been exhibited in different parts of the State including at Pattadakal festival, Badami festival etc and he has won the best teacher award at the taluk level. Besides, he has also won a state-level award for teachers’ co-curricular activities.

Mr. K.Ravi Muthappa has been with the Home Guards sinc 13 years. Belonging to Ivathoklu near Cheerambani, he has engaged himself in social service since many years. His services are sought during accidents in rivers, waterfalls and lakes and he has retrieved 39 human bodies so far. In the 2019 floods that ravaged the district Mr. Muthappa was instrumental in retrieving 5 bodies of a family that was buried in the slush in Korangala.

The three will take part in various voters awareness programme in the days ahead, said the authorities.

www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / April 06th, 2023