MB Tarun, a Class 11 student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Doddamara Gowdanahally, Mysuru and Padmapriya, a Class 9 student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Madikeri will represent the state in the Pariksha Pe Charcha on April 01.
He will participate in the event virtually. They are among the 40 students selected from across the country to attend the fifth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha.
At the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will answer the queries of the students, a release stated.
TNN
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by TNN / March 31st, 2022
M.M. Uthappa has been awarded Ph.D in Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Sciences by the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, for his thesis ‘A study of motivational factors and its impact on project team performance (A study conducted at selected private and public sector companies in India)’ submitted under the guidance of Dr. A.N. Santosh Kumar.
Macharanda Madappa Uthappa is a Mechanical Engineer graduated from BMS College of Engineering, Bengaluru and earned his post-graduation — Master of Technology (M.Tech) and Master of Engineering Management (MEM) from VTU. He received his Doctorate during VTU’s 21st Annual Convocation held on Mar. 10 at Belagavi.
Uthappa is a Chartered Engineer (C Engg) and also an elected Fellow Member of Institution of Engineers India (FIE).
He started his career with Tata Group and after a 25-year corporate service till 2015 in various capacities, he quit the job in 2015 and registered as Full Time Research Scholar at VTU’s Research Centre in Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE), Mysuru.
Also a folk singer and lyricist, Uthappa has translated many Kannada devotional songs to Kodava paaje.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 17th, 2022
Journalist Ithichanda Ramesh Uthappa’s four books focusing on the mysteries of the elephant world will be released at a programme jointly organised by KSOU, Karnataka Forest Department, Wildlife Conservation Foundation and Bengaluru’s Akshara Mantapa Prakashana, at KSOU’s Cauvery auditorium in Mukthagangothri campus here at 3 pm on Oct.4.
The books to be released are: Abhimanyu the Great, Kusha Ki Kahani – A True Love Story, Aane Lokada Vismaya and its English translation The Talking Elephant.
KSOU Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Vidyashankar will inaugurate the programme. PCCF (Wildlife) Vijaykumar Gogi will deliver the keynote address. MP Pratap Simha, Mysuru CCF T. Heeralal, Chamarajanagar CCF Manojkumar and Wildlife Conservation Foundation’s Rajkumar Urs will release the books.
Karnataka State Wildlife Board Member and journalist Vinod Kumar Nayak will speak on the books. Golden Howdah carrying elephant Abhimanyu’s Mahout Vasanth and Photo-journalist Nagesh Panathale will be felicitated by MCDCC Bank President G.D. Harish Gowda on the occasion.
Abhimanyu the Great is about howdah elephant Abhimanyu’s traits and about the bonding between humans and elephants. The book also focuses on the special relationship that Abhimanyu has with his Mahout.
Kusha Ki Kahani’ is about the ‘love life’ of Dubare elephant camp member Kusha. The foreword for the book is written by Cinema Director Kaviraj, who is also known as a ‘romantic poet.’ Many in the cinema world believe that this book can become a story for films.
Aane Lokada Vismaya is about the individual success stories of many elephants that have earned global fame for their extraordinary acts. The Talking Elephant is the English version of Kannada work Aane Lokada Vismaya, which has been translated by writer K.R. Premalatha.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 02nd, 2021
Yavakapadi, a village in Kodagu houses the second palace of the Rajas who ruled the region between 1633 to 1834. It is called Naalnaad Aramane and is located among the hills in the forest. It is a two-storey structure built in the style of the traditional houses of Karnataka and Kerala. Beside this is the Aramane Government school, where the students seem to be distracted by tourists who come to the palace regularly .
Altogether, 13 students from the neighbouring tribal settlements study in the primary grades. And, nearby is a settlement called the Kaplakeri, the only one with members of the Kapala tribe.
Scholars claim that the tribe is a mixed race, the members are descendants of the Siddis. It is said that when the Arab and Portuguese sailors brought Bantu speaking Africans from Ethiopia to India, they were employed in the courts of Indian kings. Some of them resided in Uttara Kannada, Belagavi and Dharwad districts. The Rajas of Kodagu had relatives ruling kingdoms such as Nagara, Sode, and Kittur in parts of these regions. If the Kapala really has Siddi ancestors, then the Rajas must have brought their ancestors to the palace.
There are many theories about the origin of the word Kapala. According to the researchers, the word meant a protector, as they guarded the king in former times. Yet, another theory says that the word Kapala comes from the word kafir used by the Arabs for non-Muslim African natives at one time.
The Kapala community speaks the Kodava language, dresses like Kodavas and believes in the same religious practices. Every April they propitiate their gods in the theray ceremonies, the spirit worship of Kodagu.
According to researchers, Ashok Patel and Sumitra, the tribe has 159 members and 33 families. The Raja had settled them behind the palace and gave them a piece of land. But now the land is not enough for them to make a living. Hence, the Kapalas earn by working in the neighbouring farmlands. They belong to three different kudi (clans): Aranat Kapala, Bollaat Kapala, and the Paalekat Kapala. The different clans differ in the religious activities they take part in. They form blocks, or administrative divisions, along with the Adia, the Paale and the Kudiya tribes of the village.
Aranat Kapala is one among the different families remembered during festivities at the Padi Igguthappa Temple of Kakkabe. They claim to be from Arangutur village in North Malabar. Members of this family are ‘ceremonially possessed’ by the spirit of Kunhi Boltu.
During Shivaratri and other festivals the children of the Aranat Kapala dress up in disguises as part of the festivities. Thammi, a Paalekoot Kapala, and a member of the local gram panchayat, says, ‘‘the Kapalas are politically significant at the village level but insignificant at higher levels because of their small number.’’
The children study until the fifth standard at the Aramane School, where they are taught Kannada and English. Then they go to Kakkabe Government school which is three kilometres away.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum> Spectrum Statescan / by Mookonda Kushalappa / August 04th, 2018
Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General K S Thimayya, both from Kodagu, broke down several barriers for Indians in the army.
The entrance to the General Thimayya museum. Photos by author
The General Thimayya Memorial Museum commemorates the life of the Indian General and is meant to inspire the younger generation to join the armed forces.
The museum was originally called Sunnyside and was the family home of Gen Thimayya. But not many people know that it was his mother Cheppudira Cheethavva (aka Seethamma) who inherited the house from her father.
Thimayya’s two brothers went on to serve in the army as well. Thimayya himself had a four-decade-long career in the armed forces from 1921 to 1961. A distinguished combat officer, he saw action in the Second World War, then in the 1948 war against Pakistan and went on to serve as Army Chief from 1957 to 1961.
After his retirement, he was sent on a peacekeeping mission to Cyprus, where he passed away in 1964.
But his illustrious career in the armed forces could have turned out differently. At one point, as a young lieutenant, he wanted to quit the army and join the Indian freedom movement, but was dissuaded from doing so by the Motilal Nehru.
“Nothing will please the British more than your resignation. For 30 years we have fought for Army Indianisation. We are now winning the fight. If you give up, we shall have lost it,” Nehru told him. “We are going to win independence. Perhaps not this year or the next, but sooner than later the British will be driven out. When that happens, India will stand alone. We will have no one to protect us but ourselves. It is then that our survival will depend upon men like you.”
Nehru’s prescient words led Thimayya to stay on in the army. The rest is history, and is on display at Thimayya’s family home.
For some years, the Sunnyside House served as the RTO office in Madikeri. This was until the Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum, whose president Col (retired) Kandrathanda C Subbaiah and convener Major (retired) Biddanda Nanda Nanjappa renovated and converted it into a museum.
This museum is spread over 2.6 acres and located on G T Road in Mahadevpet in Madikeri, and was inaugurated in February 2021 by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind.
An old-style building, many rooms in the house have been dedicated to various members of Thimayya’s family. One room has been dedicated to General Thimayya’s wife Codanda Nina. Another room is dedicated to Thimayya’s brother Freddie, the painter, while a third has been dedicated to General Thimayya’s home regiment, the Kumaon.
One room also displays Kodava culture: there is a Kuppya Chele (traditional male costume) on display accompanied by a hand-wound, Pani-katt, white turban.
The house itself has several pictures from Thimayya’s life, along with a video film. There is a famous photo of the General riding a Lambretta scooter. There are also pictures of Thimayya during his wedding.
A photo of the General on his scooter at the museum. Photos by author
Besides this, a replica of his uniform and medals are on display.
The museum also houses 24 weapons donated by General Bipin Rawat.
Outside the house, near the entrance, stands a battle tank called Himmath, donated by the Army training centre in Pune, a decommissioned MIG21 supersonic fighter jet and interceptor aircraft, a 24-feet INS Shivalik ship model, a Sindhughosh submarine and a Navy gun mount (anti-aircraft gun).
A rocket launcher is just one of the many weapons on display at the museum. Photos by author
Both the tank and the jet were used during the 1971 war.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum / by Mookonda Kushapallpa / DHNS / March 19th, 2022
After being deferred in January, the eighth edition of the Karnataka Bird Festival will be held in Madikeri from April 8-10, 2022.
Image used for representational purpose only. (Photo | Express)
Bengaluru :
After being deferred in January, the eighth edition of the Karnataka Bird Festival will be held in Madikeri from April 8-10, 2022.
The festival, organised by the Karnataka forest department and Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board, aims to draw attention of people to bird watching, spark interest among young wildlife enthusiasts, show people the bio-diversity of forests, and shift their focus from tiger-centric wildlife safari and tourism.
“Every year a different location, region, bio-diversity, and a different bird is focused upon to increase awareness and ensure better conservation measures.
This year, the mascot is Baza bird,” a forest department official said. Baza is a migratory bird from the eastern Himalayas, China and South East Asia. Forest officials of the region have reportedly sighted a couple of the birds now, in the onset of summer.
Kumar Pushkar, additional Principal Conservator of Forests and CEO of the Board told TNIE that the festival was postponed because of spike in Covid-19 cases. “We always wanted to host one is Kodagu because of its bio-diversity and the many species which can be sighted there. Baza was chosen because it is sighted in winters in this region.
There will be around six to seven different trails, which the deputy conservator of forest is finalising. The event will also cover Madikeri city, and will be inaugurated by forests minister Umesh V Katti,” he said. Experts from across the country will be brought to share their experience, knowledge.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Bosky Khanna, Express News Service / March 14th, 2022
Telugu actress Rashmika Mandanna is making news since the time her last release Pushpa-The Rise became a blockbuster, breaking all records at the box office. The pretty lady is not only a great actress but also a fashionista, who loves wearing statement making clothes. While she has always inspired millennials in experimenting with clothes, her recent sari outing has left one and all impressed, as it revives an old tradition.
Kodava sari Rashmika picked up a midnight blue georgette sari by designer Nitika Gujral. The beautiful sari featured antique zardozi embroidery. She draped the sari in Coorgi Kodava style. What makes the gesture so special is the fact that Rashmika hails from the Kodava community and wore the drape as a tribute to her ancestors.
The price The dark blue drape is totally made in India and costs INR 77,500.
The accessories Styled by celebrity stylist Stacey Cardoz, Rashmika finished off her look with chunky oxidised jhumkas and rings.
She looked stunning We loved Rashmika’s gorgeous blue sari and think it could be your perfect pick for a friend’s wedding or the festive season.
What is a Kodava sari? It’s a special sari draping style followed by the Kodava community, which is a ethnolinguistic group from the region of Kodagu (Coorg) in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
What makes it so special? The Kodava or Kodagu style of draping features pleats created in the rear, instead of the front. What makes this draping style rather different is the fact that the loose end of the sari is draped back-to-front over the right shoulder, and is pinned to the rest of the sari.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> E Times> News> Lifestyle> Fashion> Style Guide / by TimesofIndia.com / March 09th, 2022
A handful of artisans in the hill district still produce the Dudi (a small drum) at a time when globalisation is slowly killing the art of making these musical instruments.
Madikeri :
Rustic and rhythmic sounds resonate in the air in the Kodagu district when Kodavas observe special occasions. These rustic sounds are from the traditional drum called the ‘Dudi’. With a metal base and the batter head made of animal hide, Dudi holds a special place in the rituals practised by the Kodavas.
While the traditional Dudis still hold a great significance among the community, the art of making Dudis is slowly dying. Today, only a handful of artisans are creating this unique instrument. Nonagenarian Subbaiah U is one of them. Elaborating on how he makes Dudis, Subbaiah says, “In the past, I used to make Dudis from the skin of muccha (lion-tailed macaques). As hunting of macaques is prohibited by law now, I use goatskin.”
First, artisans buy the hide from meat shops for approximately Rs 350 a piece and then the tedious and intricate process of making the drum begins. “The first tough job is removing hair from the goatskin. One cannot use blades as it can damage the skin. We rub the skin on a hard surface, like stones, to remove the hair and then cut it to the size of the base. We need two skins to make a Dudi,” explains 65-year-old KA Ganapathi, another artisan who has been making Dudi for nearly three decades now.
Going back to the myth and origin of Dudi, historian Bacharaniyanda Appanna says, “In the past, forest dwellers created the instrument for entertainment. It is said that they wanted to imitate the sound of the woodpecker that resonates in the forest.” Dudis were earlier made using hollow tree barks for the base and lion-tailed macaque’s skin for the resonating heads.
Ropes made from natural plant fibres were twisted around the drum and canes were used to imitate the sound of the woodpecker. Gradually, bronze replaced the wood for the base and goatskin for the head. “Now, not many work with bronze and workers who can repair bronze material are also rare. While we fix the resonating heads of old bronze bases, the new ones are created using brass,” he explains.
The cleaned goatskin is first soaked in water and then placed on an hourglass-shaped metal base. It is neatly stitched (using plant fibres) around the vertical openings of the metal base and is dried under the Sun. A ring created using plant fibres is placed on top of the skin and around the metal base. They are then stitched with ropes, which were earlier plant-based but are now made of nylon. The ropes are then carefully tightened around Dudi. “The two sides of the Dudi give a slightly different sound and they are differentiated as male and female sound,” adds Ganapathi.
The artisans of Dudi are sought after for their special work even today, but the art may soon become extinct. Dudis are extensively used during Kodava weddings, festivals and even funerals. However, these traditional instruments are now being sourced from mass production centres.
“Many times these instruments are made from plastic and are sourced from Mysuru,” confirms Appanna. The old-time artisans who put in a lot of effort to make Dudis charge between Rs 500 and Rs 700 for a Dudi and they also receive orders to repair the old ones. Philanthropists said that these artisans should be supported to revive the dying art that contributes greatly in preserving the tribal culture.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR / Express News Service / March 06th, 2022
Starring actors Raj Tarun, Varsha Bollamma, Murali Sharma, Indraja, and Vennela Kishore, the upcoming movie ‘Stand Up Rahul’, has grabbed attention.
The makers of this upcoming Telugu romantic comedy released the trailer, creating much anticipation.
As the trailer divulges the film’s storyline, hero Raj Tarun is established as a young man, who cannot put up with a regular job. The reason given for his inconsistent career path is his sarcasm.
Rahul (Raj Tarun), then decides to take up a job as a stand-up comedian, when his mother (role played by Indraja) is against the idea. Rahul’s father, a role played by Murali Sharma, on the other hand, encourages his son to take up the job, while his role is well-established as a new-age father.
The heroine in ‘Stand Up Rahul’ is established as a dreamer, who meets Rahul, and they start living-in, together. Vennela Kishore’s role seems to have acted in a lengthy role, after quite some time, and his scenes in the trailer amplify the hype.
The stand-up comic scenes imbibed in the trailer cut, seem to be interesting, while it is expected that the family audience will enjoy the movie.
Directed by Santo Mohan Veeranki, is being co-produced by Nandkumar Abbineni and Bharath Maguluri under the banners of Dream Town Productions and HighFive Pictures. ‘Stand Up Rahul’, is slated for its release on March 18.
source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home / by IANS / March 06th, 2022
From an abandoned barren land to a green lush private sanctuary, author Pamela Malhotra recounts the transformation.
Bengaluru :
Pamela Malhotra’s From the Heart of Nature (`599, Penguin Random House) documents the story behind the creation of a private forest sanctuary in India. More than just the struggle, Malhotra also recounts how she connected with animals and trees both at a physical and spiritual level.
What was the turning point in your life?
My husband Anil and I shared that love of wildlife and that dream. This realisation initially came while living in the USA in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which is why we established our first small wildlife sanctuary on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1979. When we came to India in January of 1986, we were quite upset by the deforestation we saw, especially in the Himalayas. We had gone to Haridwar and fell in love with the Himalayas. So, we purchased land in the Uttarkashi region to help reforest that area.
How did you zero-in on Kodagu?
There were land ceiling laws in the state (then Uttar Pradesh – now Uttarakhand) that limited a family to owning just 12 acres of land. There was not enough land for establishing a forest wildlife sanctuary through reforestation. Also, we had visited Nagarhole National Park in Jan 1986, where the then-Wildlife Warden of the Park urged us to establish our forest wildlife sanctuary in his home district of Kodagu. As a result my husband Anil travelled throughout southern India to see what he could find, finally finding suitable land in Kodagu. Purchasing larger pieces of land was possible here if the land was deemed ‘plantation’ and the purchaser was an agriculturalist which my husband was.
What were the initial struggles that you faced?
Accessing the land. It was almost impossible to bring in any kind of building materials for our home in the beginning due to the poor roads. So, my husband put loads of rocks and other road material into these dirt roads to help give us drivable access which was also a big boon for the local people. Another major challenge was the legal maze encountered in the district since lands were divided into several different categories, often with different rules/laws applying to different categories in terms of purchase and ownership. Acceptance by the local people was also initially a challenge, although the older generation did understand the importance of maintaining forests and not killing off all the wildlife. The most distressing challenges have been illegal logging and poaching of wildlife.
The sanctuary is spread across 300 acres, what are the kinds of species that are found there?
Hundreds of species have made the sanctuary their full-time home and/or come visit frequently. A short list of species found here includes 100s of species of butterflies and birds including Great Indian Hornbills and Malabar Grey Hornbills, Bengal tiger, Asian leopard, Asian elephant, sloth bear, dhole (Indian wild dog), Gaur (Indian bison), species of deer (sambar, cheetal, muntjac/barking deer) etc. So diverse are the species found here that one Oxford scientist dubbed our sanctuary ‘Noah’s Ark’.
You first purchased the land for the sanctuary in 1992, to create a private sanctuary. How did you decide on writing a book?
I hope to sow the seeds of love of nature in the hearts and minds of all who read the book, and to create a sacred perspective when viewing and dealing with nature.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Monica Monalisa, Express News Service / March 02nd, 2022
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