Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The Unique Vacuum Syphon Coffee Is A Must-Try In Coorg And Here’s Why

Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world. Cold, hot, or roasted there are plenty of variations. It has become an essential part of many people’s lives. There are many cultures around the world that serve coffee using different ingredients and techniques. From Dalgona coffee to quirky vacuum Syphon coffee. If you want to try this unique Syphon coffee then head to this Big Cup Café in Coorg.

Read this article to learn about the intricate art of making vacuum Syphon coffee.


What makes Vacuum Syphon Coffee Different Than The Rest

If you are a coffee lover you should definitely try this vacuum syphon coffee. The technique used behind this coffee is quite difficult as it is based on the concepts of physics. Siphon coffee has the advantage of altering the flavour of coffee to the point where flavours are more apparent than pour-over techniques. Siphon allows the coffee’s flavours to develop more fully and it brings out some notes that you wouldn’t be able to detect in other methods. The first thing you’ll taste in a freshly made cup of Syphon brewed coffee is the flavour profile.

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Coorg’s Big Cup Café

Big Cup Café offers this unique vacuum Syphon coffee, which is as amusing as it is delicious. This café is located in Coorg, Karnataka the coffee bowl of India. The café is run by planter families based in the town. They have owned and managed coffee plantations for generations and Big Cup is the fusion of expertise in farming and hospitality. The café’s mission is to provide quality coffee, harvested right from its estates and provide a world-class coffee experience to its guests in a relaxed and calming atmosphere.

Big Cup Café is located in 3 different spots in the country. The Flagship café is in Coorg, followed by Sharjah and a recent addition in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. They are planning to open their café in Chennai and Bangalore.

Head to this café in Coorg and devour this unique vacuum Syphon coffee.

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source: http://www.curlytales.com / Curly Tales / Home> CT Discovery> Food / by Khushi Rastogi / August 03rd, 2022

A Nature Lover Plants 1 lakh 80 thousand plants in Kodagu

Kodagu:

In today’s situation where there are many people who think that I can get rich by acquiring property and money, this goldsmith has some love for the environment. Therefore, there is a great desire to earn money by trading gold and silver and to preserve the environment for the next generation. Trader Rajendra Singh has been continuously planting and nurturing plants for the past many years without any publicity. Rajendra Singh is originally from Rajasthan, residing in Siddapur, Virajapete taluk of Kodagu district. He settled in Kodagu 20 years ago.

Rajendrasingh, who was concerned about the environment from a young age, has a great love and concern for the environment. The reason for that is that Rajendra Singh, who was born and brought up in the desert of Rajasthan, felt that if there were no trees, he would face such difficulties.

Planting and nurturing work

Thus, even after coming to Kodagu, his concern for the environment did not diminish. They are constantly doing the work of planting and nurturing plants in school college premises, bank police station and government office premises.

A Nature Lover Plant 1 lakh 80 thousand plants in kodagu rsk mrq
Planting

What does Rajendra Singh say?

Especially in 2014, thousands of trees were cut down while the high tension line was being laid in Kodagu to Kerala. As a result, there was a lot of ups and downs in Kodagu without rain as before. Such a situation was created that if it came, it would pour down immediately, otherwise it would not rain at all. Rajendra Singh says that he was very bored by this and started planting a lot of plants.

Rajendra Singh who planted 1.80 lakh saplings

So far, approximately 1.80 lakh saplings have been planted and nurtured in school and college premises of various taluks of Kodagu, government offices, schools and colleges of Priyapatnam, Mysore taluk and Hunsur taluk. Besides, they are planting plants on roadsides and in forest areas.

Students are aware of the environment

They are watering the plants they have planted themselves during summer. Realizing that the work of planting and growing plants is not possible on his own due to the environmental degradation, Rajendrasingh is making students aware of the need to plant and grow plants before going to schools and colleges.

Planting

A businessman is also very concerned about the environment

Besides, they are working to encourage students to plant and grow plants by conducting various competitions and giving prizes. On the whole, the locals are appreciating his concern to save the environment even though he is a gold and silver trader.

Rainfall has decreased in Kodagu region since last one week. Two weeks ago there were scattered landslides along with rain in Kodagu environment.

source: http://www.irshivideos.com / IV News / Home> Latest News & Updates / August 01st, 2022

Sandooka: Virtual Museum Of Kodava Heritage & Culture

Call to help preserve memories of a vanishing people

While modernisation has opened many opportunities for the well-qualified, it has also distanced the young from their heritage and culture.  This is even more accentuated amongst Kodavas living outside Kodagu. There is a need to establish a platform where young Kodavas could learn and keep in touch with the community’s heritage, cultural practices, folklore, music, dance, festivals and history, says Mrs. Codanda Rathi Vinay Jha, IAS (Retd.) and Chair, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), who has initiated establishing a Virtual Museum of Kodava Heritage & Culture named ‘Sandooka,’ a treasure trove of information. —Ed

Kodavas are a micro-minority community in India, who live in Kodagu (Coorg) in Karnataka State. It is estimated that there are about 1,50,000 ethnic Kodavas within and outside Kodagu. 

Kodavas, by virtue of living quite isolated in a densely wooded hilly terrain on the Western Ghats of India since time immemorial, have developed their own unique culture, physical attributes, cuisine, language, attire, religious rituals and practices. 

Over the centuries, Kodavas adapted themselves to the harsh weather conditions, dangers from wild animals and the inhospitable terrain of Kodagu and transformed the land to an idyllic haven it is today.  With the passage of time, they toiled literally with bare hands to cultivate paddy in the valleys.

With the forests providing bountiful supply of wild game, they became expert hunters initially with bows and arrows, and later with firearms which enabled them to emerge as a warrior race.  They transformed the fertile land and were able to grow enough paddy that they could export to neighbouring areas. 

The interactions with immediate neighbours in present day Kerala, Mysuru and Mangaluru, influenced the Kodava language, places of worship, construction of their dwellings and some of the religious practices as well.  However, Kodavas still retain their fundamental philosophy of ancestor and nature worship.  They come under the broad umbrella of Hinduism.

Kodagu was ruled by Kodava Nayakas or Palegars who were basically warlords.  The Haleri dynasty established their rule in Kodagu after cleverly replacing the hopelessly divided Nayakas during the early part of the 17th century.  The Haleri Rajas ruled for over two centuries until the British takeover of the administration in 1834 after deposing the last Raja.  During the rule of the Haleri Rajas and later the British, Kodavas remained the prominent community very much involved in the administration.

During the British rule, education was introduced and this brought about quantum changes in the lifestyle of the Kodavas.  Kodavas found several employment opportunities.  Introduction and scientific cultivation of coffee and spices vastly improved the economy of the region.  Kodava culture and ethos found expression in the writings by the British, European and Kodava authors. 

By the time India got her independence, many Kodavas held important and high-level offices in sectors such as the Defence Forces, Administration, Revenue Department, Forest Department, Police, in the field of Education, Engineering and Medicine. 

Kodavas have several distinctive elements in their social, cultural and religious practices.  One of them is the deferential status given to women. There is no dowry system in the community.  Centuries ago, widow remarriage was permitted. This enlightened attitude is now reflected in well-educated Kodava women shining in a variety of fields.

After India’s independence many Kodavas ventured out of Kodagu seeking better opportunities in education, employment, business and sports.  Kodavas are now spread all over the globe.  The last three decades has seen a large number of Kodavas migrating outside the country. There is now a sizable number of Kodava diaspora in the US, Canada, UK and Australia.  In many cases, there are a couple of generation of Kodavas born and brought up outside Kodagu and outside India as well. 

While modernisation has opened many opportunities for the well-qualified, it has also distanced the young from their heritage and culture.  This is even more accentuated amongst Kodavas living outside Kodagu.  There is a need to establish a platform where young Kodavas could learn and keep in touch with the community’s heritage, cultural practices, folklore, music, dance, festivals and history. 

It is with this aim in mind that Mrs. Codanda Rathi Vinay Jha, IAS (Retd.), as Chair, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), initiated establishing a Virtual Museum of Kodava Heritage & Culture (VMKHC).  This project is evocatively named — Sandooka — a treasure trove of information.  IFA has successfully supported several path-breaking projects in the field of  art and culture. 

Sandooka will be a living museum that will be interactive and open to receiving relevant new materials from the public.  People, especially the future generations of Kodavas, will have an easily accessible platform to gather details of their heritage.  Weblinks will also be given to some of the websites dealing with Kodava culture.  It is hoped that this treasure trove of information will be of immense help to those who wish to carry out further research on Kodavas. VMKHC will cover the following aspects of Kodagu and Kodavas:

1. Customs and Rituals  

2. Cuisine

3. Architecture                 

4. Clothes and Jewellery

5. Art & Craft                    

6. Landscape

7. Literature and Folklore

8. Community Histories

9. Festivals

The project is generously funded with a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) grant from Recaero India Pvt. Ltd., which is a pioneer in the field of aerospace engineering and is headed by Vinay Jha, IAS (Retd).  A highly professional team has been forged to deal with every aspect of the project.   The team comprises:

Lina Vincent – Project Head; Upasana Nattoji Roy – Designer (Switch Studio); Saurav Roy – Designer (Switch Studio) and Mookanda Nitin Kushalappa – Researcher.

IFA office-bearers are: Arundhati Ghosh (Executive Director) and Darshana Davé (Project Co-ordinator); Advisory Group: Rathi Vinay Jha, C.P. Belliappa and Hemanth Sathyanarayana.

Sandooka invites submission of Kodava artefacts, rare photographs, antiques including jewellery (photos) and anecdotes of yore.  All accepted materials will be given due recognition and credits. Sharing your valuable knowledge and collections will enrich the contents of Sandooka.

For details of submission of materials, please visit: www.sandookamuseum.org

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by C.P. Belliappa / August 01st, 2022

Digital libraries in Kodagu introduce Chess and board games to rural kids

Every school has a library hour and they are now being put to good use following the efforts from the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat.

TheOnline Chess Olympiad is scheduled to begin from September.

Madikeri :

Taking inspiration from the ongoing Chess Olympiad, the Karnataka state government has issued a notification to introduce the game of Chess to the students. Similarly, the rural kids of Kodagu are now indulging in the board game, which is being introduced across all the Digital Libraries in the district.

Every school has a library hour and they are now being put to good use following the efforts from the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat. “The state has issued a notification to introduce indoor board games in libraries.

Similarly, to coincide with the ongoing Chess Olympiad, Chess has been introduced in the digital libraries – which is being utilized by many rural kids,” explained Banwar Singh Meena, the CEO of ZP. He added that the digital libraries are being promoted as a social space and several indoor games including carrom and chess are being introduced.

The funds from the grama panchayat are being used to buy the required sports material and kids will have access to rubik cube, carrom, chess and even rural board games including ‘Chenna Mane’. “The concept is being introduced gradually across the libraries. The panchayat staff, librarian, PDO or anyone who knows the games is training the rural kids. These are all silent games and go hand in hand with the library decorum,” he added.

Many schools, especially in the rural parts, are now using the facilities of digital libraries to promote interest in reading and introduce the interest in board games. The kids who mostly spend their free time indulging in mobile phones, are now heading to libraries to play board games during the school’s library hour period and during their free time. 

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / July 31st, 2022

Mud fest in the marshes

When the monsoon turns farmlands into sludge tracts, Kodagu girds up for some thrilling rural sports.

Madikeri :

Monsoons in Kodagu are beautiful. The lushness of nature and play of the fog during the season is poetic — that’s apart from the recent calamities. And to add some thrill to the chilly wet weather, the ancestors of the land followed a unique pursuit — the ‘Kesaru Gaddhe Oota’ event or Sludge Sports. Races, football, tug-of-war… the sports are varied and taken up in slushy farmlands. Enthusiasts plunge into mud pools, unmindful of the rain and slippery earth, at one with nature. Young and old, girls and boys participate.

Kodagu is primarily an agricultural district, and the culture of the people is often intertwined with their farmlands. The important festivals of the district revolve around nature and farms — be it ‘Puthari’, ‘Kailpodh’ or ‘Tula Sankramana’. Similarly, the district is also active in sports, and what’s interesting is that the ancestors connected sports activities with farmlands, and took the entertainment level up by a notch.

Every year, between June and August, several farmlands, especially in rural areas of the district, host unique sports events. Sludgy farmlands become running tracks and hundreds take part in the event amid pouring rain and chilly weather.“All our festivals are linked to farmlands, and our ancestors also linked sports activities with the farms. Once the fields were sowed with paddy seeds, the traditional sports ‘Naati Oota’ (translating to harvest run) would be held in every village,” explained Apattira Tatu Monnappa, former president of the District Youth Club, and winner of the State Youth Award. In ancestral times, races were hosted in sludgy farmlands ploughed for paddy. 

As soon as the monsoon sets in, various organisations and associations come forward to host sports events at private farmlands. Though sludge sports in farmlands formed a part of the culture, the activities witnessed a gradual decline. “Earlier, every village hosted this activity during the cultivation season. Locally grown produce, including banana bunches, coconuts and arecanuts, were handed over as prizes to the winners. This slowly vanished as youngsters moved to cities and showed less interest in their farms,” recalled Kannikanda Subbaiah, a native of Surlabbi village.

Nevertheless, the traditions are now being revived. While the villagers themselves hosted sports activities in farmlands as a part of farming customs, they are now being organised by various organisations and associations. “While there were several sports activities during summer, events were few during the monsoon. With an aim to revive the rural sports tradition and involve youngsters in sports activities during the monsoon, we started organising ‘Kesaru Gaddhe’ annually,” explained Rafeque Tuchamakeri, founder-president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ponnampet Nisarga. The organisation has been hosting the event for the past six years at a private farmland in Bittangala.

“During ancestral times, sporting events on farmlands were part of agriculture activity. Rural sports brought together the entire village, and it was a means of relaxation before the tedious work began. With  farmlands now being abandoned and the interest in agriculture vanishing, rural sports have become a means of reviving both agriculture and sports. The associations and organisations now aim to introduce agricultural activities through these sports events,” opined Tatu.

Sports activities now draw a large number of youngsters into the farmlands and have become events that residents look forward to. “Not many youngsters are interested in agriculture. To introduce agriculture and invoke interest in farmlan­ds, sports activities in the farmlands were being held from ancestral times. While sports is a means of entertainment, it has also become a medium to introduce farming among kids. Interest in sports is, in turn, helping develop interest in agriculture,” concluded Shashi Somaiah, a sports journalist and resident of Madikeri.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / July 31st, 2022

‘Get acquainted with Kodava tradition’

Kodava Education Society Joint Secretary Chiriyapanda Raja Nanjappa inaugurates ‘Kodavame Padipu’ programme at CIT PU College in Ponnampet on Wednesday. Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy Chairperson Dr Parvathi Appaiah, Academy member Dr Mullengada Revathi

People are busy in agricultural activities during the month of Kakkada and also it keeps raining during the month. Hence, our ancestors imposed restrictions on holding auspicious programmes during Kakkada month, opined Kodava Sahitya Academy member Dr Mullengada Revathi Poovaiah.

Speaking during ‘Kodavame Padipu’ programme, organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, at Coorg Institute of Technology (CIT) in Ponnampet on Wednesday, she said that the youth should understand the reasons behind the religious rituals. “Our elders gave a lot of importance to indigenous food and used them during the rainy season. They planned their food according to the seasons,” Revathi added.

Inaugurating the programme, Kodava Education Society Joint Secretary Chiriyapanda Raja Nanjappa said it is believed that the Kodava tribe was present during the origination of River Cauvery and called upon the present generation to get acquainted with the local tradition and culture.

He further said, “The Jamma land is not government land. It is inherited by Kodavas from generations. Also, the gun is used for religious rituals in Kodava culture. However, our ancestors did not use a gun for fighting. Gun rights of Kodavas should be preserved, he added.

During the programme, the resource persons spoke on the importance of ‘Kakkada Padinett’, ‘Kakkada Tingalra Pudume’, ‘Kodava Namme’ and ‘Kodava Takk’.

Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy Chairperson Dr Ammatanda Parvathi Appaiah, member Padinjaranda Prabhukumar, CIT PU College Principal Dr Sannuvanda Rohini Thimmaiah, Thookbolak Kala Sahitya Vedike convener Madhosh Poovaiah and others were present.

Students of CIT PU College watched the programme online.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / DHNS, Kodagu / August 14th, 2020

‘Nadi Utsava to create awareness on protection of rivers’

DC calls upon various organisations to help make the festival a success.

Deputy Commissioner Dr B C Sateesha chairs a preparatory meeting on Nadi Utsava at his office in Madikeri on Monday. DH Photo

Nadi Utsava will be held as a part of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence in the district, said Deputy Commissioner Dr B C Sateesha.

The festival is directed towards spreading awareness on the protection of rivers, river banks and cleanliness, he said.

He was speaking during a preparatory meeting held at his office in Madikeri on Monday.

The deputy commissioner called upon various organisations to join hands with the district administration in making the Utsava successful.

Kaveri Neeravari Nigama Ltd engineer Nagesh said that the Nadi Utsava will be held on December 17 and 18.

The inaugural function will be held in Talakaveri on December 17 afternoon and the programme will be held in Kushalnagar on December 18.

A motorbike rally will be held from Talakaveri to Bhagamandala to create awareness about cleanliness. Later, a programme directed towards creating awareness on the protection of rivers will be held at Triveni Sangama.

Also, a cleanliness camp and Deepotsava are planned as a part of Nadi Utsava, he added.

Nagesh further said that a formal stage function will be held on December 18. The Nadi Utsava Jagruthi rally will be taken out from the Kaveri statue to the Ayyappa Swamy Temple.

Kaveri Nadi Jagruthi Vedike president Chandramohan said that the organisations in 23 Gram Panchayat limits and a Town Panchayat limit in Bhagamandala to Shirangala should take part in the Nadi Utsava. Information should be provided to the organisation by the administration.

Leader Monti Ganesh requested the organisers to ensure precautionary measures against Covid-19.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat district president M P Keshava Kamath called upon the youth to take part in the Utsava in large numbers.

Kodagu Gowda Samaja Federation president Surthale Somanna said that importance should be given to the cleanliness campaign in the Gram Panchayats in the Kaveri river basin.

All people should come together for the good cause of protecting the Kaveri river, he added.

During the meeting, it was decided to form sub-committees of Nadi Utsava.

Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy chairperson Ammatanda Parvathi Appaiah, Karnataka Arebhashe Cultural and Literary Academy chairman Lakshminarayana Kajegadde, leaders M B Devaiah and Talakaveri-Bhagamandala temple executive officer Krishnappa were present, among others.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / December 06th, 2021

New Team For Igguthappa Kodava Assn

A group photo of the new office-bearers of Sri Igguthappa  Kodava  Association, Vivekananda Nagar, Mysuru. President: Moodera P. Belliappa, Vice-President: Nellamakkada Kaverappa, Joint Secretary: Porangada Somaiah,  Hon. Secretary / Treasurer: Anjanda Kumari; Committee Members: Saddumudira Kalappa, Chottangada Belliappa, Kuttetira Suresh, Appachettolanda Beena Erappa, Chottekalapanda Prema Uthaiah and Kademada Harish Poovaiah.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / March 16th, 2017

‘Appacha Kavi’s residence should be developed as memorial’

Kodava Samaja, Napoklu, president Appachettolanda Manu Muttappa inaugurates the 153rd birth anniversary celebrations of Appacha Kavi, organised at Appacha Kavi auditorium in Kodava Samaja, Napoklu.

The Ainmane, traditional house of Haradasa Appacha Kavi, the first poet of Kodagu, should be developed into a memorial, said Appachettolanda Manu Muttappa, president of Napoklu Kodava Samaja.

He was speaking during the 153rd birth anniversary celebrations of Appacha Kavi, organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and Napoklu Kodava Samaja, at Appacha Kavi auditorium, on Tuesday.

Manu Muttappa said that along with the residences of great poets and writers, their native places should also be developed.

“There is a need to introduce Appacha Kavi’s works to the present generation. Appacha Kavi had great knowledge of Kannada and Sanskrit. An education officer called Raghunatha Raya inspired Appacha Kavi to create literary works in the Kodava language, he said.

Speaking on Appacha Kavi, Rangayana, Mysuru, director Addanda Cariappa said that Appacha Kavi should be awarded the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ award.

Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy chairperson Dr Ammatanda Parvathi Appaiah, Academy registrar Ajjikuttira Girish, Appaneravanda Ainmane Development Committee president Appaneravanda Chummi Devaiah, Appaneravanda Ramu and Dr Manoj were present.

‘Ummattat’ and other cultural programmes were held on the occasion.

Folklore scholar Bottolanda Kashi Achaiah sang songs composed by Appacha Kavi.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Napoklu / September 21st, 2022

Karnataka Arrabashe Culture and Sahitya Academy: Honorary Award announced to three IV News

Karnataka Arrabashe Culture and Sahitya Akademi has announced the Honorary Award for the year 2021.

Tukaram Enekallu of Kadaba, P.G. of Sullya. Chandira Basappa of Ambekal, Madikeri will be honored with the award, Lakshminarayan Kazegadde, president of the academy said in the announcement.

Tukaram
Tukaram Enekallu of Kadaba taluk is a retired Director of College Physical Education by profession. In 1992, Subrahmanya K.S.S. “Kusuma Saranga” stage unit was established in the college and produced 26 plays in 23 years. In addition, many rural talents have been brought to modern theater and given theater education. Alumni of Kusuma Saranga Ranga Troupe have been selected for the prestigious “Ninasam” organization due to their immense contribution. Maha Mai, Chitrapata, Harinabhisaran, Sirisampi plays produced under his leadership have received state level awards. He was honored by the Karnataka State Drama Academy in 2010. Recently, he has also won the DK District CGK Ranga Award.

P.G. Ambekal
PG Ambekal (Puttanna Gowda Ambekal) of Paylar, Amara Mutnur village, Sulya taluk, graduated with MA, BED, was a teacher in Chettalli High School, Kodagu district, and settled in Bangalore after retirement. His works are Tabli Manha-anthology in Arabic, Goode Chaguttu-Jompe of Arabic dramas, Ninna Premada Pariya-anthology in Kannada, Avaravara Kanni-anthology in Arabic (in print). Kodagu Mate in Arrabish, Goudadoni and Hingara are well known to the Arrabish community for writing several Arrabish articles in the newspaper. Acted in several plays. Several school students have also been brought to the stage. He was honored for his achievements in the field of literature in the 2nd Semi-Language Literature Conference held at Alur-Siddapur of Somwarpet Taluk.

Chandira K. Basappa
Chandira K. of Kokeri village. Basappana is a resident of Napoklu in Madikeri taluk. Chosen for the award for achievement in the field of culture. After serving as a Subedar in the Indian Land Army after Excelsior, he retired and currently resides in Mysore.

He is also a Sobane singer who has composed works in Arabic including Sri Mate Kaveri Suprabhata in Arabic, Sripadi Iggutappa Deva Suprabhata, Composition of God’s Names in Arabic.

source: http://www.irshivideos.com / IV News / Home> Latest News / edited / July 26th, 2022