CNC says vested interests conspiring to include many others in Coorg by race classification
Mysore/Mysuru:
A gun is an integral part of Kodava culture, used in many rituals including birth, death and festivals and the Karnataka High Court has already upheld the Arms Act exemption granted to every person of Coorg by race Coorg (Kodagu district). As such, a law must be made to ensure that the rights of Kodavas over guns continue, demanded Codava National Council (CNC) President Nandineravanda U. Nachappa.
Addressing a press conference at Pathrakarthara Bhavan in the city yesterday, he said that all those who are settled in Kodagu are not Kodavas and attempts are being made by vested interests to portray a few communities as Coorgs (Kodavas by race). Attempts are being made at the highest official and political level to include many other communities in Coorgs by race classification for the sake of votes, he said.
“These vested interests who have settled in Kodagu — who are very different from the unique Kodava community — are systematically attempting to snatch away the exclusive rights of Kodavas by diluting the community itself and by demanding rights over guns. Kodava rights over guns are being questioned in the Court of law and the Courts have repeatedly upheld the Kodava community rights,” he noted.
The Kodava community has a long history with guns, and their culture is intrinsically linked with firearms. There are festivals in which gunshots are fired in the air, and a gun salute is performed when a child is born or a person dies. Firearms are an integral part of any Kodava festival, he said.
The British in recognition of their martial traditions granted the community a special privilege to own firearms without a licence in 1861. The exemption was then issued by the Union Government in 1963 under the provisions of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.
The Centre had issued a notification exempting every person of (the) Coorg race and every Jamma land tenure holder in Coorg from the Indian Arms Act. There was no curb on the privilege even after Coorg, which was a separate State earlier, merged with Karnataka, he said.
“This exemption has been questioned in Courts by vested interests and the Courts have repeatedly ruled in favour of Kodava community. As such, this exemption must be safeguarded with a law to protect the interests of the community. Like the Sikhs have been granted to possess the Kripan, Kodavas must be granted rights to possess a gun,” he demanded.
Other CNC leaders Kaliyanda Prakash, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd.) Balladichanda M. Parvathi, Chambanda Janath Kumar and Apparanda Poovanna were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 17th, 2022
Start planning a romantic trip to Coorg with your sweetheart
Coorg is a beautiful destination to spend time with your special someone. This lovely hill station is surrounded by coffee and spice plantations, pepper vines, waterfalls, streams, and rice paddies, making it a top destination for nature enthusiasts and couples. You can take a romantic stroll through the verdant plantations with your lover, inhaling the enticing aromas of cardamom and coffee.
Also, the landscape, geography, and climate of Coorg have earned it the title ‘India’s Own Scotland.’ If reading all of this has sparked your interest, there is much more that the place has to offer, which you can only witness by visiting there.
Let’s know more and start planning with your sweetheart for a romantic trip in Coorg.
The weather
Plan a trip to this hill station between November to March not just for the pleasant weather but also to celebrate Puttari, the harvest festival and to indulge in some mouth-watering local delicacies.
How to reach Coorg
By Air: Coorg does not have its airport and the nearest airport to Coorg lies at Mangalore, about 135 km away. It is well-connected to major cities in India including New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The second nearest airport is in Bangalore, which is located about 250 km from Coorg. From the airports, you can either board a bus or hire a cab to reach Coorg.
By Train: The nearest railway station from Coorg is at Mysore. Mysore railway station is connected to almost all notable cities in the country. It has a regular train schedule by which thousands of tourists visit Coorg daily. From the station, you can hire a cab or take a bus to Coorg. Apart from this, the railway stations in Mangalore and Hassan can also be conveniently used for reaching Coorg.
By Road: You can opt for your car and enjoy a long drive experience with your someone special. Coorg is well connected by road with all major cities in Karnataka. Cities like Mangalore (159 km), Mysore (120 km), Bangalore (267 km), and Hassan (103 km) are connected by a network of roads with Coorg. KSRTC also has an impressive line of deluxe buses that you can use to reach Coorg from nearby cities. You can also plan a road trip to Coorg and witness abundant natural beauty en route.
Explore beautiful places in Coorg
Golden Temple: Experience Tibetan Culture
Credit: Trip Advisor
There are several temples in Coorg but this one is simply stands out for its outstanding beauty. Coorg is the only place in Southern India with a Tibetan settlement. The Namdroling Monastery, better known locally as the Golden Temple is a beautiful Tibetan monastery. It’s a great way to know different cultures. The surrounding stalls also have Tibetan food like momos and thukpas! Visiting Bylakuppe is truly one of the best things to do in Coorg. It is also one of the best places to visit in Bangalore.
Abbey Falls
Credit: Thrillophilia
Coorg is blessed with nature’s bounty and photographing it is one of the best things to do in Coorg. The milky waterfall located in a scenic coffee and spice plantation offers a great view for that perfect Instagram photo. So don’t fret while wondering what to do in Coorg, just head to Abbey falls! This is one of the most popular waterfalls in Coorg. You can click loads of pictures there with your partner.
Barapole- River Rafting
Credit: Treebo
One of the most underrated activities to do in Coorg is river rafting. Coorg is a great place for whitewater rafting, especially during the monsoons. The Barapole River has grades ranging from I to V offering the ultimate adventure experience to travellers. River rafting in Coorg is one activity that you must add to your list of things to do in Coorg in August.
Amazing food in Coorg
pix05
Coorg cuisine is unique and different from the rest of Karnataka. It’s predominantly non-vegetarian and uses local ingredients like forest produce, meat, rice and rice-based products. Eating their famous pork or pandi curry is a must. For vegetarians, there is akki rotti, nool puttu, and koovaleputtu. If you are looking for things to do in Coorg at night, then enjoy one of these dishes for dinner on your trip there with your partner.
Jeep Safari- Sightseeing
Credit: Travel blogs
If you love exploring, then one of the top things to do in Coorg is to enjoy the Jeep Safari. There are various jeep safari tours available and one can choose the best one suited to their preferences. Some of the best places to explore on a jeep safari in Coorg are Kabbe Hills which offers breathtaking views of the landscape, Nishani Hills which is an off-road jeep drive, and Mallalli waterfalls which takes one to the cascading falls in Coorg.
Chettali
Credit: Etravelfly
If you are into exploring culture, an interesting thing to do in Coorg would be to visit a local village. Chettalli is a small village on the Madikeri, Siddapur Road is just the place. With the misty hills being perfectly complemented by the unending greenery it provides a great place to enjoy the serenity and relax.
When shortlisting places for Coorg sightseeing, make sure you don’t miss out on this one. The popular Cherala Bhagwati Temple in Chettalli also attracts a lot of tourists and visitors.
Microlight flying in Coorg
Credit: indiabizclub
The dramatic landscape of Coorg is perfect for a microlight flying experience. Fly about 5000 feet above the ground to feel the adrenaline rush. Soar above the verdant mountains and gushing rivers to enjoy the spellbinding views. The flight starts from Ponnampet and goes to the South of Coorg. The duration is usually between 10 to 30 minutes.
Ayurjeevan
Credit: Trip Advisor
The Ayurjeevan Ayurvedic Therapy Centre is another great Place to Visit in Coorgfor couples that will certainly leave a lasting mark on your mind and heart but interestingly, not for its beauty or nature but for its wondrous services. It is where you should visit if you like to pamper yourself at exclusive spa treatments. This place in Coorg offers a wide range of authentic Ayurvedic massages and spa packages that will invigorate thoroughly. For a refreshing and rejuvenating vacation, this is a must in the places to visit in Coorg with your partner.
Romantic Places To Stay In Coorg
In Coorg, you will find lavish destinations to reconnect yourself to nature, or marvelling at the unique interiors of the place. Like: Taj Madikeri Resort And Spa, Woodstock Resort, Heritage Resort and more.
This was an elaborate guide to having the most of what Coorg has to offer when it comes to romantic trips. Have a splendid time enjoying the lush green pastures, nature walks, and clicking memorable pictures in coffee and tea plantations as you explore the above-mentioned romantic places to visit in Coorg. A vacation in Karnataka would be all the more amazing if the itinerary includes a visit to the romantic Coorg.
source: http://www.cityspidey.com / CitySpidey / Home> News / by Lifestyle Desk / February 08th, 2022
In a new trend to the release of movies, the title card of Kodava movie ‘Bheerya’ was released after the shooting, casting and editing works have been completed. The movie is ready to be released on the silver screen.
Makers of this particular movie had initially decided to keep the shooting and other works under wraps. Normally, before any movie is shot, the producers and directors would release the title with much fanfare and gain enough publicity in the media. Likewise, many such movies do not see the light of the day and many times they remain on paper.
However, ‘Bheerya’ Kodava movie makers decided to go against the flow and completed all the necessary works before launching the title in public. The title release was recently done by noted advocate and President of Bengaluru Kodava Samaja Mukkatira T. Nanaiah.
The film will be released in April. It has been produced under the banner ‘Thithira Cine Creations’ and has been directed by Balyamederira Aryan Muddappa. The film has been financed and produced by entrepreneur Thithira Sharmili Appachu.
The title ‘Bheerya’ comes with a tagline ‘Badalavanera Boli’ (the light of change) and signifies the martial race of Kodavas who are known for their valour in the war fields all over the world.
The Kodava community has contributed to the Armed Forces in a significant manner and it occupies a pride of place in India’s culture and ethos. The title signifies this spirit, said Sharmili.
Except for minor works including dubbing and other works, the entire process of movie-making has been completed and is ready for release in April, she added. The movie has senior and junior artistes and their names will be released in the due course.
Releasing the title, Nanaiah wished good luck for the movie team and said more and more Kodava movies must hit the screens and this is a way to safeguard and document the unique Kodava culture. Director Aryan Muddappa and Raj Charan of Udupi who played the role of villain in the movie were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 09th, 2022
The Kaveri flowing through Nisargadhama in Karnataka, Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The story of how the river Kaveri came to be.
The Kaveri (earlier known as Ponni, the golden maid, because of the fine golden silt deposits) flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The river originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Range in the Western Ghats, of Karnataka’s Kodagu district,1,341 m above sea level, and flows in a south-easterly direction for about 800 km before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It reaches the sea in Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district. This is Tamil Nadu’s largest river, dividing the state into north and south.
The Kaveri is a sacred river and is worshipped as the goddess Kaveramma. Its name comes from the Sankethi word for river.
Myths and legends
The story of how Kaveri came to be begins with how the sage Agastya came south. A mountain called Vindhya had an inflated opinion of itself. However, when a person praised Meru, another mountain, right in front of Vindhya, Vindhya grew jealous. Wanting to be taller than Meru, it started growing skywards.
Soon, Vindhya would block the sun. The people, animals, and trees in the forests lying in Vindhya’s shadow stopped receiving any sunlight. No matter how high the sun rose, Vindhya grew taller and blocked his light. The pleas of the people, animals, and the forests fell on deaf ears.
As a last resort, the gods approached the powerful sage Agastya for help. On reaching Vindhya, the sage asked him to bend so that he could cross over to the south. Since Agastya was known for his wrath, Vindhya did not want to be cursed and agreed to bend. After Agastya had crossed over, he asked Vindhya to stay that way till he returned. Vindhya promised to do so. The sage wisely stayed back in the south, leading to much happiness among the people around the Vindhya.
With his yogic powers, Agastya collected the most beautiful parts of creatures in the forests he visited and put them together in the form of a beautiful infant. He now wanted someone to raise the child and decided to marry.
Meanwhile, king Kavera, who ruled in that region, had also prayed to Lord Brahma for a child. In a mythologically convenient coincidence, Lord Brahma had a daughter Vishnumaya, who craved to serve humanity.
Brahma blessed Kavera so that Vishnumaya was born to him as Lopamudra. In yet another coincidence, she was also the infant Agasthya created. Lopamudra became a beautiful woman, with her craving to serve humanity intact.
Idols of saint Agastya and Lopamudra / Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
On one of his many travels, Agastya met Lopamudra, and asked Kavera for her hand in marriage. He was already of advanced age, had gnarled looks, wore the clothes of a mendicant and his unkempt hair stood out. Yet, Lopamudra agreed to marry the sage on one condition—he was not to leave her alone for a great stretch of time. If he did, she would leave. Sage Agasthya agreed.
After the marriage, this unlikely couple settled down in sage Agastya’s ashram. Once, on his travels, the sage fell ill and fainted. Since no help was in sight, Lopamudra had to carry him home by herself. Somehow, the strong-willed Lopamudra began carrying him home. On the dark path home, Agastya’s dangling foot touched a sleeping holy man. Absolutely furious, the holy man cursed the owner of the foot that he would die at sunrise.
Lopamudra, however, thought that this was unfair. After all, she was the one carrying the sage and had not meant to humiliate the holy man deliberately. So, to prevent the curse from taking effect, she invoked: “May the sun not rise if I have been a good and chaste wife and helped my husband.”
The sun really did not rise and the earth was enveloped in darkness. Shaken, the gods came running to Lopamudra begging her to lift her ban on the sunrise. Explaining her reason, she offered to lift the ban only if they lifted the uncalled-for curse by the holy man. The gods did as told—sage Agastya lived and Lopamudra lifted her ban. The sun rose and all was well again on Earth.
Legend explains how Lopamudra became Kaveri. The people in the present-day Kaveri basin region were facing intense drought and crop loss. They prayed to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, for help.
Since Agastya would not part from Lopamudra, he turned her into water and left her in the kamandala he carried with him. Seeing an opportunity, Lord Ganesha took the form of a crow and toppled the kamandala leading Lopamudra to flow out as a river. The sage’s disciples tried to stop her, but she felt this was her way of serving people. Diving into the Earth, she reappeared at Bhagamandala. Much later, Agastya came looking for her and recognised her in the river she had become. This river came to be called Kaveri, as she was Kavera’s daughter.
Wanting to be the holiest river, she prayed to Lord Vishnu asking to be made holier than the Ganga. Vishnu explained that Ganga’s holiness could not be undermined as she originated from his feet. He offered Kaveri to be his garland, close to his heart—and therefore, more sacred. And that is how three of the holiest shrines of Vishnu—the Adi Ranga, the Madhya Ranga and the Antya Ranga—came to be at Srirangapatna, Shivanasamudra and Srirangam respectively. In each of these places, the temples are on islands with the Kaveri encircling it—just like the mythical garland.
From this legend comes another which says that the river Ganga herself comes, via an underground route, to bathe in the Cauvery and cleanse herself every year. Just as Vishnumaya had wanted, she flowed on Earth as Kaveri serving humanity.
Where to go
Located in the Brahmagiri Hills in Karnataka’s Coorg district, Talakaveri is generally considered to be the source of the Kaveri. A tank and a temple (in honour of the goddess Kaveramma) have been built at the spot the river is said to originate. The river itself feeds off a spring close to the tank. In normal times, thousands of Hindu devotees visit Talakaveri at the time of the Kaveri Sankramana, a festival that celebrates the annual emergence of the river. Talakaveri also offers excellent panoramic views of the surrounding Western Ghats.
Devotees flocking to and bathing at Talakaveri / Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Then, there are the three river-island towns Srirangapatna—(in Karnataka), Shivanasamudra (in Karnataka) and Srirangam (in Tamil Nadu). These places house three of the holiest shrines, each dedicated to Ranganatha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu—the Adi Ranga, the Madhya Ranga and the Anthya Ranga, respectively. In each of these locations, mythology meets reality as Kaveri encircles these islands in the shape of a mythical garland.
Festival to attend
The aforementioned Kaveri Sankramana is perhaps the holiest festival associated with the river, celebrated usually in mid-October in Talakaveri every year. Another important festival is the Kaveri Pushkaram, observed once every 12 years in Mayiladuthurai in Tamil Nadu. It is marked by a ritualistic dip in the Kaveri’s waters and elaborate pujas on the Thula Ghat.
Lamps afloat in the river during Kaveri Pushkaram / Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Two other festivals in honour of the Kaveri are Aadi Perukku and Kaveri Vellam. Aadi Perukku sees women worship nature and goddess Parvati by making rice and flower offerings. They also take a dip in the Kaveri at the several bathing ghats along the course of the river. Kaveri Vellam, on the other hand, is one of those rare festivals that celebrates floods. In the 12 districts that the Kaveri passes through in Tamil Nadu, people offer aartis in the flooded, overflowing river before moving to higher ground and safety. The belief is that the river will not harm the devout people and instead bless them with bountiful harvests.
source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook India / Home> Outlook Traveller> Explore> Story / by OT Staff / February 05th, 2022
For Nikitha Kikanamada, a sophomore nursing major at Quinnipiac University, the beginning of the spring semester is bittersweet, as it’s her last semester as the titleholder of Miss Connecticut Teen USA.
During her Miss Teen USA interview, Kikanamada wore a Sherwani, a traditional South Asian suit. (Contributed by Nikitha Kikanamada)
Kikanamada will pass down the title to the winner of Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2022 in April, after holding it since June 2021. She has used her platform as the first Indian-American titleholder to increase representation of her South Asian culture, as well as expanding her mental health advocacy.
After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2019, Kikanamada started an Instagram account called More for Myself, where she raises awareness for mental health issues. She also runs an account called The South Asian Segment, where she features the stories of people of South Asian descent to combat stereotypes.
“(Mental health issues are) not something that is talked about in South Asian households,” Kikanamada said. “So to be the face of change for those people who look like me, I’m just so honored.”
In November 2021, Kikanamada took her platform to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she competed in Miss Teen USA. While she did not place in the competition, Kikanamada said she enjoyed the opportunity to represent her home state.
“Even though I didn’t win or even place, I was able to share my story,” Kikanamada said. “And that, in itself, is an achievement.”
As she enters her first college semester that is not simultaneously preoccupied with preparations for her next pageant, Kikanamada said she is looking forward to continuing her education.
“I don’t know if I will be back yet as a Miss,” Kikanamada said. “I hope to, I really do, but it’s a lot. It’s mentally, physically and emotionally a lot. And I just want to focus on myself right now and my career.”
Despite juggling nursing school and preparing for pageants, Kikanamada said her professors have always been supportive and understanding of her situation.
“(Last semester) they were more than happy to accommodate me and everything that I’ve been doing,” Kikanamada said. “They seem very proud of me, which gives me a lot of support.”
Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2021 and Quinnipiac nursing student Nikitha Kikanamada (right) poses with Miss Teen USA 2021 Breanna Myles (left). (Contributed by Nikitha Kikanamada)
Professor of psychology Anne Eisbach taught Kikanamada in a child development psychology course during the fall. She said she enjoyed learning about Kikanamada’s efforts as titleholder.
“It was clear to me that she was strongly committed to her responsibilities both as a student and a titleholder – and I was impressed with how she balanced both roles,” Eisbach said. “… As a professor, I always encourage my students to broaden their education beyond the classroom and so I was happy to support Nikitha as she was able to make this happen!”
Before being named Miss Connecticut Teen USA, Kikanamada also held the titles of Miss South Windsor Teen USA 2020 and Miss Teen India Connecticut 2018. She first entered the pageant industry at eight years old, when her mom enrolled her in modeling and acting classes.
“She always told me, ‘I just saw something in you,’” Kikanamada said.
After modeling, acting and dancing for several years, Kikanamada entered pageants through the National American Miss organization, a program for girls ages 4-20. Through NAM, Kikanamada participated in competitions for preteen titles throughout the Northeast.
In high school, Kikanamada went on to win Miss Teen India Connecticut, her first major pageant title. Kikanamada said her time as the titleholder for Miss Teen India Connecticut piqued her interest in the opportunity to represent her Indian heritage on a larger scale.
“I was able to take my culture and my background and something I love, which is pageants, and in ways mix them into one, which was really amazing,” Kikanamada said.
In 2019, Kikanamada had another opportunity to represent her culture when she competed for Miss Connecticut Teen USA. After not placing in the competition, Kikanamada decided to move on from pageants and focus on finishing high school and pursuing college. Then, when she received a letter in the mail asking her to come back to compete in Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2020, she decided she wanted to give it one more shot.
“I wasn’t going to (compete again), I really wasn’t,” Kikanamada said. “I begged my mom to let me be coached — usually girls get coached for their local pageants, (but) I’ve never been coached before, until I reached out to the coaches that sponsored (the previous) year.”
Kikanamada joined KP Consulting, where she has multiple coaches that help her prepare for competitions.
“I love them so much,” Kikanamada said. “They truly just helped me be who I am today. They helped me find a purpose in my life.”
Kaet Parent, one of Kikanamada’s coaches, said her preparation for Miss Connecticut Teen USA was challenging as it was plagued by uncertainty — the pageant was postponed multiple times due to the pandemic.
“Nikitha was on top of everything, no matter how frustrating anything was in terms of COVID impacting the dates being changed, a lot of uncertainty, she just remained diligent,” Parent said. “She had a goal and her goal was to win, and nothing was gonna get in her way.”
Beyond coaching, Parent said she has valued getting to know Kikanamada on a personal level, calling her “special and incredible.”
“Nikitha just has this fire inside of her that is so special,” Parent said. “… I think that is something that anyone around her, not even talking in the world of pageants, but anyone around her — friends or family professors — they see that and I think that is something that people latch onto.”
source: http://www.quchronicle.com / The Quinnipiac Chronicle / Home> Featured> Features> News / by Melina Khan, News Editor / February 03rd, 2022
Progress in India may not be a pretty sight, but there is welcome respite to be had amid the birdsong, cuisine and coffee plantations of south Karnataka.
The traditional Kodagu spread at the Muthanna household. (Photo: Priya Ramani)
It is something of a privilege for a city dweller to live in the middle of a coffee plantation, as I did for four days in the lush Karnataka district of Kodagu last week. I watched the early morning mists roll in, shivering lightly as the wind whipped in over the coral trees and silver oaks, and the air filled with the insistent “tsees” of Orange-headed Thrushes, the “zweets” of Oriental White-Eyes and many other strange and wonderful creatures.
The journey to Madikeri, the district headquarters, evoked mixed feelings . The cool winds and rolling hills of south Karnataka are always a pleasure to drive through but it is hard to ignore patches of rubbish, rubble and construction. Progress in India is not a pretty sight. Even the once sylvan Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe boasted double-glazed glass on mansions that evoked the architecture of their distant, lost land.
It is best to focus instead on more pleasurable things, such as reading aloud, and compulsively, the signboards along the highway, a disease that afflicts my family. So, I could not help but point out to my unfortunate travelling companions the whimsical ways of Karnataka’s highway proprietors and municipal officials: wayside lunch stops called Hotel Stop And Taste, Hotel Le Ruchi, Hotel Purple Delicacy (only because its walls were painted purple) and—to our perplexment—Hotel Silent Zone; and settlements called “Town of the Divine Goddess” (Periyapatna), “Toy Town” (Channapatna) and “Historical Town” (Srirangapatna).
At the base of the Kodagu Hills, we stopped for lunch at a little eatery that simply called itself Fish Curry And Rice Hotel. They brought us lacy neer dosas, tawa-fried kane or silverfish and surmai or kingfish pulimunchi, a tangy, fiery coastal curry that derives its flavour and name from tamarind or puli.
That lunch was the harbinger of the meals to come.
At our destination, Captain K’s Getaway, perched on the edge of a verdant valley, we found a host who was not just an accomplished chef but cooked our dinners herself, helped by her son and daughter. Leila Alvares, as it emerged, was a well-known name back home in Bengaluru, where she has produced many musicals. The daughter of a former mariner—hence the home-stay’s name—she ran a coffee estate, hosted guests and offered sublime food, spanning Coorg to Continental, with a barbeque thrown in. Captain K’s has only two rooms, so even when it’s full—we took both rooms—it’s empty.
I was also lucky that my old friend Kavitha Muthanna was a 20-minute drive away. It was for her wedding that we were last in Kodagu, 12 years ago. As we drove in to Madikeri, we stopped at a modest one-room home she and her husband were creating for themselves in a former storehouse for grain and coffee in the middle of the family plantation: a bed, tiny kitchen, tiny living area and a great, glorious outdoors, bounded by a paddy field and old-growth trees that towered over the coffee bushes.
One afternoon, Kavitha’s mother, Veena Muthanna, invited us to lunch at her hillside home in Madikeri. As we admired the sylvan views, she told us how things had changed over the last decade, pointing to buildings over the treetops, including many ugly ones sporting those double-glazed, sealed windows—why anyone would block the air in breezy Madikeri was a mystery.
We focused our attention on Mrs Muthanna’s welcoming lunch table. There was, of course, a traditional and most delicious pandhi, or pork curry, and fried fishbut what stood out was the vegetarian spread that I normally tend to ignore. There was a bamboo-shoot vegetable and a kuru, or kidney bean (of a local speckled variety, pictured), curry produced by Eliza, a smiling, robust woman who does the daily cooking. Instead of mutton pulao, there was a soya nuggets pulao, and there were fluffy akki or rice-flour rotis.
Kuru beans before cooking. (Photo: Kavitha Muthanna)
As we retired for dessert—home-made caramel custard and gulab jamuns—we noticed eaves of paddy behind Mrs Muthanna’s photo frames. They had been taken from the harvest and placed there for blessings and good luck. Tradition, the Madikeri breeze, welcoming hosts and fine food—what better way to prepare for the week ahead.
Eliza’s Kuru Curry
Made with kuru, or fresh speckled kidney bean
Ingredients
Half kg shelled kuru In a mixie, grind A handful of grated coconut Half tsp chilli powder One-fourth tsp dhania (coriander) powder One-fourth tsp turmeric One-fourth tsp jeera (cumin) powder A pinch of saunf (aniseed) Half tsp ginger paste One-fourth tsp garlic paste (Grind well. Do not add water to this mixture) 1 onion, sliced 1 tomato, chopped 1 tsp mustard seeds 1 tbsp curry leaves 1 tbsp vegetable oil Salt to taste
Method
In a pressure cooker, heat the oil, splutter some mustard seeds, then fry a sliced onion until golden brown. Add the ground masala and fry further till it smells heavenly (Kavitha’s description) and the colour changes. Add the tomato and sauté for another minute. Add salt. Add water till above the level of the mixture. Add the beans and curry leaves. Close cooker. Let steam for two whistles, then simmer for five minutes. Open cooker and enjoy madi with a lashing of ghee.
Our Daily Bread is a column on easy, inventive cooking. Samar Halarnkar is the author of The Married Man’s Guide To Creative Cooking—And Other Dubious Adventures. @samar11
source: http://www.lifestyle.livemint.con / Mint / Home> Mint Lounge> Food> Cook / by Samar Halarnkar / December 19th, 2021
The Annual General Body Meeting (AGM)of Ramakrishnanagar I Block Kodava Welfare Association and adjoining residents was held on Jan.2 at Shree Ganapathy Temple in Ramakrishnanagar.
Association President Kattera A. Nanaiah presided.
On the occasion, Kenjangada Suchetha Cariappa – Gold Medal in M. Tech, Kadiyamada Nisha Cariappa – B.Sc. and Nayakanda Kishtij Cariappa -10th CBSE, were felicitated with cash prizes for securing highest marks.
Maletira Ganesh, Secretary, presented the annual report while the financial report for 2020-21 was presented by the Treasurer.
Kotrangada Manan Mandanna rendered the invocation. Poodrimada Somaiah, Vice-President, welcomed. Kenja-ngada Cariappa, Joint Secretary, proposed a vote of thanks. Kotrangada Shruthy Poonacha compered.
About 50 Kodava families of Ramakrishnanagar I Block and adjoining areas were present at the meeting.
The following are the new office-bearers of the Association for the next three-year term:
Actress Daisy Bopanna had contracted coronavirus recently and has fully recovered now! Daisy was asymptomatic and isolated herself immediately upon knowing.
She says, “I isolated and informed everyone that I had been in contact with. The worst aspect of contracting the Covid-19 is the absolute mental pressure to restrain the virus from spreading further. After quarantining for 10 days thankfully it has now been confirmed that I am Covid negative.”
Daisy stayed positive throughout the ordeal. She said, “There was also a silver lining too. I got to spend a lot of time self-actualising and introspecting.”
When asked how she spent her time in the quarantine she said watching shows and movies online was rather fun. She added, “I read quite a few books as well. To be honest, I was always an avid reader and self-isolation gave me the time to read a few books that were on my wish-list.”
source: http://www.tribuneindia.com / The Tribune / Home> Lifestyle / January 15th, 2022
Surrounded by the thick foliage of bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees, Nisargadhama is an island formed by the river Cauvery near Kushalnagar, writes Suryakumar.
Madikeri, our holiday destination, turned out to be rather disappointing. Its fort and adjoining museum were closed, as they are every Monday. They remained shut the following day, which happened to be a government holiday. For the same reason, the residence of late General Thimayya (maintained as a memorial to his military achievements) proved elusive. As for the famed sunset at Raja’s Seat, since the sun was barely visible it could hardly disappear in a blaze of glory.
Archway at Nisargadhama. PHOTOS BY AUTHOR
Despite these setbacks, our trip to Kodagu was not a failure. There was much to enjoy at Kushalanagar, about 30 km from Madikeri. The highlight was Nisargadhama, a scenic nature resort on an island in the River Cauvery. Negotiating the hanging rope bridge that spans the water was an interesting experience. When we kept walking, it seemed steady, but if we stopped suddenly we were aware of a swaying sensation.
Once across, we found ourselves in a vast green expanse of bamboo groves and teak and sandalwood trees. There were stone seats, matching the artistically crafted archways, but tempting though it was to sit and soak in the ambience, we kept going.
We paused now and then to admire the realistic sculptures of men and women in Kodava costumes, performing traditional dances. These images are safely within enclosures, to protect them from over-enthusiastic selfie-seekers. Moving on, we came to an amazing aviary. Colourful parakeets perched on our palms, helping themselves to the birdseed provided by the person in charge.
The children among us were a bit nervous, but so gently did our feathered friends feed that we felt not the slightest discomfort. What did make us uneasy at Nisargadhama was the large number of people who were thronging the shops at the entrance, with total disregard for social distancing.
Crowds were also a problem at Harangi Dam. By contrast, Chiklihole Dam, (a small reservoir, about 15 km from Kushalanagar) was refreshing. We drove unhindered to the top (not easily accessible at other similar sites) and found it free of unmasked tourists. Not that we could entirely escape Covid! It dashed our hopes of visiting the Golden Temple at nearby Bylakuppe. The Namdroling Monastery, home to a community of monks and nuns, was barred to outsiders because of the pandemic.
St Sebastian’s Church
Fortunately, we managed to see another significant place of worship. Constructed a few years ago, St Sebastian’s Church stands on a hill from which one gets a panoramic view of Kushalanagar. There was scarcely anyone around, but a boy playing on the premises kindly opened a side door for us. Beautiful statues adorn the interior and exterior of this splendid edifice.
Figurines of a different sort caught our attention at a wayside stall. Each time we passed BM Road, we were fascinated by colourful life-size replicas of animals that seemed to be staring straight at us. Made of cement, and evidently intended for and evidently intended for parks and gardens, they were among the several spectacular sights of Kushalanagar.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sunday Herald> Sunday Herald Melange / by Suryakumar Dennison / January 30th, 2022
The contribution of the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army was recalled with pride in the district
The Field Marshal KM Cariappa Circle in Madikeri (Photo | Express)
Madikeri :
The 123rd birth anniversary of Field Marshal KM Cariappa was observed with reverence across Kodagu on Friday. The contribution of the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army was recalled with pride in the district.
A floral tribute to the statue of FMKM Cariappa was offered at his namesake circle in Madikeri. Kodagu DC BC Sateesha, MLAs Appachu Ranjan and KG Bopaiah, former MLC MC Nanaiah, Retired Major Nanda Nanjappa and others were present during the ceremony.
A tribute to the leader was also offered at the family house of Roshanara in Madikeri. Gonikoppal Cauvery College students paid homage to FMKM Cariappa’s statue at the college premises.
Meanwhile, addressing the media after offering a floral tribute, FMKM Cariappa’s son Retired Air Marshal KC Cariappa said, “My father always taught me that my priorities are my duty to God, to my country and family. He taught me that the colour of blood that flows in my veins is the same irrespective of my religion. There is no difference in terms of caste, colour or religion in the Army. However, we are losing sight of this in India today. There are too many walls that are being created due to religious divide. I hope that we mature as a country and respect everyone’s religion and beliefs.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 28th, 2022
WELCOME. If you like what you see "SUBSCRIBE via EMAIL" to receive FREE regular UPDATES.
Read More »
