Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Welcome to the ‘Coorg Village’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
The renovated pond at Raja Seat as a part of the expansion of tourist facilities.   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A new tourist attraction is ready at Raja Seat in Madikeri to promote local culture, products

A project to develop and showcase a typical Kodagu village at Raja Seat in Madikeri, to promote the local culture and traditions besides making available crafts, spices and other commodities for which Kodagu is known, is now ready for launch.

The new attraction, called “Coorg Village”, is part of the expansion of tourism facilities in and around Raja Seat, a major tourist destination in Madikeri.

The area below Raja Seat is being developed with new facilities and one such facility is the “Coorg Village” that has around 15 stalls where the products for which Kodagu is famous would be made available for the tourists.

The new attraction is expected to be launched in the next few days as the stalls had been allotted to the government and institutions supported by the government for selling authentic commodities of Kodagu.

Also, the pond at Raja Seat has been renovated and garden had been developed around it, making it an ideal place to relax.

Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy has directed the officials to complete the pending works at the earliest.

Assistant Director of Tourism Raghavendra said the project is almost done and the stalls had been allotted to the government institutions and agencies so that only through them the products are marketed. No private players are allowed at the village and only certified products such as honey, spices, coffee and other products for which the “coffee land” is well-known would be made available.

This initiative is expected to help tourists get authentic commodities since it is a government-funded and government-backed project.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 28th, 2020

Rajyotsava Puraskara for teachers on November 28

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All
Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan will inaugurate the programme. Credit: DH.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat will confer Rajyotsava Puraskara for teachers at Devraj Urs Bhavan on November 28.

Addressing reporters in Madikeri on Wednesday, Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parishat president B S Lokesh Sagar said that the programme will begin at 2.30 pm.

Virajpet Arameri Kalancheri Mutt Shantamallikarjuna Swami will grace the occasion. Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan will inaugurate the programme.

Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah, MLC Sunil Subramani M P, Madikeri Taluk Panchayat President Tekkade Shobha Mohan, DDPI P S Macchado and others will be present.

Lokesh Sagar further said that the programme which was not held for the last seven to eight months owing to Covid-19 will be held regularly in future.

“Teachers who are not members of the Sahitya Parishat too have been considered for the felicitation. Teachers known for innovative methods of teaching will be felicitated. Also, the award-winning teachers will be honoured on the occasion,” he added.

Light songs competition

He said that the district unit of Kannada Sahitya Parishat will conduct a district-level Bhavageethe competition in Kushalnagar on November 29.

Also, a Vachana Sahitya Samavesha will be held in Somwarpet on December 12. A Suggi Kavigosthi in Ponnampet, a programme on Dasa compositions in Madikeri and an essay competition in Virajpet have been planned, he added.

District Kannada Sahitya parishat office-bearers Kudekal Santhosh, Nagaraj Shetty, Dayananda, Dhananjaya and Kavan Cariappa were present in the press meet.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DDNS, Madikeri / November 25th, 2020

‘Install Pandyanda Belliappa’s statue in Kodagu’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All
Achievers in the cooperative field were felicitated during the valedictory programmeof the Cooperative Week in Madikeri on Friday.

District Cooperative Union President A K Manu Muttappa demanded the installation of the statue of Pandyanda Belliappa, who has immensely contributed to the development of cooperative and education sectors in Kodagu district.

He was speaking during the valedictory programme of the 67th All India Cooperative Week in Madikeri on Friday.

“Pandyanda Belliappa was famously known as Gandhi of Kodagu. He was instrumental in the establishment of the senior college in Madikeri in 1950. He was also one of the pioneers of the cooperative movement in the district, along with Pandikuttira Changappa and M C Nanaiah,” he said.

Manu Muttappa further said that the District Cooperative Union has been bringing out a trimonthly magazine and the members of cooperative societies should utilise the same.

Various programmes are being organised by the District Central Cooperative Bank to strengthen the cooperative sector, he said.

Receiving Kodagu Sahakara Ratna award, M P Muttappa said that all people should acknowledge the contributions of the cooperative sector, which is run by the people and for the people.

He also felt the need to apply modern technology in the cooperative sector, to bring the sector closer to people, by sharing information about the same.

Kodagu Sahakara Ratna felicitation was offered to Matanda A Ramesh.

Kumbugowdana Uttappa was felicitated with Shrestha Sahakara Sanmana.

Macchamada Kanda Bhimaiah, Chotteyandamada Baby Poovaiah and KACM principal Dr R S Renuka were also felicitated on the occasion.

District Central Cooperative Bank vice president Kotolira Harish Poovaiah, District Cooperative Union vice president Pattada Manu Ramachandra, directors B D Manjunath, H M Ramesh, P B Raghu Nanaiah, Kannanda Sampath and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 20th, 2020

Villages buzz with activities ahead of GP polls

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All
K K Manjunath Kumar.

As the date for the Gram Panchayat elections could be announced at any time, the political arena in Kodagu is buzzing with activities.

Politicians, especially the young leaders from the BJP, Congress and JD(S) have been paying visits to rural areas.

MLAs, ZP president, Taluk Panchayat presidents and members have gone one step ahead and have been performing groundbreaking for various development works in rural areas from the past four to five months.

Candidates of Gram Panchayat election do not contest directly through political parties but are supported by the political parties externally.

Political parties are making their best possible effort to attract voters for the candidates supported by them. They are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure their victory as the Gram Panchayat election is a good opportunity to strengthen the roots of the party.

Also, for young leaders, it is the first step to enter into politics. Discussions are being held about the young leaders in each ward of the village, who are contesting elections.

Kodagu has been a strong fortress of the BJP from the past several years when it comes to the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat and Town Panchayats.

There is only one MLC from Congress and JD(S) is yet to open their account. The political parties think that victory in the Gram Panchayat will pave the way to win more seats in the upcoming Assembly elections.

BJP particular on winning

BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel has conducted a meeting of leaders in Madikeri and has asked them to ensure that 80% of the winning candidates are from BJP.

Congress chants unity mantra

Congress leaders have been forgetting their internal differences and have been conducting meetings.

Kodagu District Congress Committee President K K Manjunath Kumar said that the party has been making preparations from the past six months to face Gram Panchayat elections.

Meetings with local leaders are being conducted regularly and the leaders are being trained. There is a good response, he said.

Even though JD(S) has been making preparations, there is no buzz of activities, say the rural voters.

District administration starts preparations

On the other hand, the district administration has been making preparations to conduct free and fair elections in Gram Panchayats.

A preparatory meeting has been held by Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.

There are a total of 104 Gram Panchayats in the district and 562 polling booths have been identified.

Returning officers and assistant returning officers are being deputed. Training will be held for officials in Madikeri on November 21, in Somwarpet on November 23 and in Virajpet on November 24.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A, DHNS, Madikeri / November 21st, 2020

Bride heads to exam hall directly from wedding hall

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features

A bride came directly from the marriage hall to the Junior College in Madikeri to write a competitive examination, after completing her wedding rituals, on Sunday.

Swathi, a resident of Ashokapura, is the bride. The competitive examination for the selection of DCC Bank staff had coincided with the date of her marriage with Suresh from Madhuramma Pattana in Suntikoppa.

The marriage was held at Ambedkar Bhavan in Madikeri. The auspicious timing was fixed so that it did not clash with the timing of the examination.

Swathi and Suresh entered into wedlock between 6.30 am and 9 am on Sunday and Swathi later came to the exam hall in the Junior College in Madikeri directly, in her wedding attire.

Swathi Suresh said that she had been preparing for the competitive exam from the past several months.

The marriage rituals were performed in short, so that she did not lag behind the schedule of the exam.

Swathi expressed her confidence in clearing the exam.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 22nd, 2020

Create a world of Kodava folklore, says M C Nanaiah

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All
Four books published by Kodava Makkada Koota were released at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri on Sunday. Credit: DH photo.

Former minister M C Nanaiah called upon Kodava Samaja associations to take up an innovative project to feature Kodava culture and way of life.

He was speaking after releasing four books brought out by Kodava Makkada Koota, during a programme held at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri, on Sunday.

Nanaiah felt that the Kodagu needs to have a museum for Kodava culture, in the format of ‘Janapada Loka’ in Ramanagar, which was a brainchild of folklore scholar Dr Nagegowda.

“There are high chances of the project not serving the purpose if the government takes up the work. Therefore, Kodava Samaja associations should initiate the project with the help of various like-minded organisations,” he said and lamented that the work on Kodava Heritage Centre, which was initiated by the government, is now stagnant.

The former minister meanwhile said that the books on Kodava culture and tradition should not be confined to Kodava language, but, should be published in various other languages.

“All must forget their differences and contribute towards the creation of a harmonious society,” he added.

He meanwhile said that senior writer Bacharaniyanda Appanna is a guide for budding writers.

Lamenting over the pervading corruption in society, he pointed out that the vice chancellor posts in the universities are being literally ‘purchased’ by the aspirants nowadays, which shows how low the education system has stooped.

Introspection is required in this regard, he said.

‘Moily did not constitute Kodava Academy’

M C Nanaiah said that in some books it has been depicted that former chief minister Veerappa Moily had himself constituted Kodava Sahitya Academy.

“But, in reality, when I was in the opposition, I had mounted pressure on the government headed by then chief minister Veerappa Moily to institute Kodava Academy, after he announced Tulu Academy. During the chief ministerial tenure of J H Patel, the then Kannada and Culture minister B T Lalitha Nayak proposed to merge all linguistic academies into one. But, I opposed the proposal and convinced the chief minister to retain the academies,” he added.

Nanaiah meanwhile released the book ‘Ottajodi’ on the occasion.

Releasing the book ‘Changira’ authored by Bacharaniyanda Appanna, MLC Veena Achaiah said that the cultural aspects should not be forgotten.

She hoped that the Kodava Sahitya Academy will take steps to preserve the tradition towards handing it over to the next generation.

Releasing the book ‘Appanna Dampathi Kanda America’, Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy chairperson Ammatanda Parvathi Appaiah said that Appanna couple has gathered a huge knowledge by visiting various countries.

Kodagu Press Club president Ajjamada Ramesh Kuttappa released the book ‘Appanna Dampathi Kanda Europe’, on the occasion.

He said that getting awards by lobbying is very discouraging for the real achievers.

Bacharaniyanda Ranu Appanna and international hockey player Ajjamada Mayur Subbaiah were present.

Kodava Makkada Koota president Bollajira B Ayyappa, secretary Puttarira Arun Kalaiah and director Baleyada Divya Mandappa were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 22nd, 2020

Agama scholars visit Talacauvery

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All
Agama scholars offer a special prayer at Talacauvery on Saturday.

Scholars well versed in ‘Agama Shastra’ visited Talacauvery on Saturday to find a solution to the problem related to the damaged Shivalinga at the kshetra.

The state government had sent the scholars to Talacauvery, on the request by MLC Veena Achaiah.

After offering special prayers to Cauvery, the scholars inspected the damaged Shivalinga.

They later held discussions with Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah, MLC Veena Achaiah and Bhagamandala-Talacauvery temple chairman B S Thammaiah.

Speaking on the occasion, MLC Veena Achaiah said that there was confusion on whether the damaged Shivalinga should be immersed in the sea or not.

“I had requested the government, on the floor of the legislative council, to intervene in the matter. Responding to the request, the Muzrai department sent the Agama scholars,” she said.

She meanwhile said that no decision could be arrived at as the matter lies before the court.

Temple committee chairman B S Thammaiah said that as per the Hindu tradition, a damaged idol cannot be worshipped.

The Shivalinga carved out of black stone has been damaged and it is prudent to immerse it in the sea. The temple committee has already submitted an affidavit to the court, he added.

Takka head Kodi Motaiah and temple committee members were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 21st, 2020

Seminar on Pattole Palame on Saturday

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, in association with Cauvery College, Virajpet, will organise a seminar ‘Pattole Palame – Arabera’ at Akhila Kodava Samaja Auditorium in Virajpet at 10 am on November 21, stated a press release.

Academy former president Bacharaniyanda P Appanna will inaugurate the programme.

Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy president Dr Ammatanda Parvathi Appaiah will preside.

Senior writer Bovveriyanda Nanjamma Chinnappa, Akhila Kodava Samaja vice president Ajjikuttira Subramani Madaiah and Cauvery College principal Dr A S Poovamma will be present.

A book, ‘Badkra Nade’, authored by Hanchettira Fancy Muttanna and a book ‘Sri Rama Rasayana’ authored by Kasturi Govindammaiah will be released.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 20th, 2020

Varsha Bollamma: I feel incomplete if I don’t dub

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg
Varsha Bollamma   | Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement

Varsha Bollamma on her new Telugu film ‘Middle Class Melodies’ and why she’s happy with performance-oriented, girl-next-door characters

Think Varsha Bollamma and the top recall would be the characters she played in the Tamil films 96, Bigil, and Jaanu (remake of 96) and Choosi Choodangaane in Telugu. In her new Telugu film Middle Class Melodies (MCM), which will stream on Amazon Prime Video on November 20, she portrays a young woman named Sandhya, struggling to assert herself. “I think I get these girl-next-door characters because of the films I’ve done so far and because of the way I look,” she says with a laugh, during the interview. “I am happy that there’s scope to perform and people appreciate my work,” she adds.

Directed by Vinod Anantoju and written by Janardhan Pasumarthi, Middle Class Melodies stars Anand Deverakonda as someone who aspires to open a tiffin centre in Guntur and Varsha wanting to make her own life decisions: “We would have come across many girls like Sandhya. She struggles to stand up for herself; it’s almost like there’s an invisible wall between her and her dreams. I liked that I had to emote without relying on many dialogues,” says Varsha.

MCM was initially planned to be filmed in sync sound and the director wanted a leading lady who can speak Telugu fluently. Though the film was offered to Varsha, at that point, she was hesitant. The Coorg-born and Bengaluru-bred Varsha is well versed in Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam and has learnt to speak Telugu fairly well. “But sync sound is a huge responsibility. Only when they decided not to go for sync sound, did I agree to do the film. I can learn the dialogues and dub them myself,” she explains.

Her ease with languages have come in handy: “I feel incomplete as an actor if I don’t dub for myself. The dubbing artiste might do a great job but I like to do it myself, and do it well. I’ve dubbed in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu for Choosi Choodangaane. I developed cold feet for my Malayalam films,” she says.

Anand Deverakonda and Varsha Bollamma in the film   | Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement

MCM is set in the Guntur region of Andhra Pradesh. The script reading sessions, recalls Varsha, helped her learn the native dialect: “Director Vinod is from Guntur and he ensured that we learnt the diction. He would send us voice notes to learn the stresses and pauses. I used to speak to my driver, make-up person and everyone on set in Telugu to get comfortable with the language and the dialect.”

She credits the film’s editor Raviteja Girijala, who also edited Choosi Choodangaane, for suggesting her name: “Middle Class Melodies is much more than the story of the protagonists. The supporting characters also get to shine.”

Next up, she has a few Tamil and Telugu films and has been listening to scripts: “In the first two months of lockdown, nothing much happened. I learnt to play the guitar and pretty much did what everyone did — make Dalgona coffee, paani puri, etc. Then I brought home a pup — Hachiko and our lives began to revolve around him.”

A microbiology student from Mount Carmel, Bengaluru, Varsha remembers wanting to be an actor since age five! “I just wanted to be seen on television. My mom suggested that I study engineering. I told her I would rather be a good actor than become a bad engineer. I liked studying biological sciences but acting was my priority.”

Her bio on her Instagram page leads to Aasra, a suicide prevention and counselling centre: “I put this up on the day Sushanth Singh Rajput passed away. There could be many with mental health issues and not knowing whom to call for help. I wanted to do something even if it benefits a few people,” says Varsha.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Movies / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / Hyderabad – November 18th, 2020

Collection of poems released in Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All
‘Kalpaneya Kannadi’, a collection of poems by Kayapanda C Devaiah, was released at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri on Tuesday.

‘Kalpaneya Kannadi’, a collection of poems which speaks on Kodava culture, tradition and achievers from Kodagu, penned by Kayapanda C Devaiah and published by Kodava Makkada Koota was released during a programme held at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri on Tuesday.

Writer Bacharaniyanda P Appanna released the collection of poems and said that new writers are emerging in Kannada language, which is a positive sign.

The work ‘Kalpaneya Kannadi’ has elements which will be liked by people of all age groups, he said.

Author Kayapanda C Devaiah said that he has been writing poems and stories from the past several years and the work of converting the feelings into letters is bringing him satisfaction.

Kodava Makkada Koota President Bollajira B Ayyappa said that the Koota has been publishing books in Kannada, English, Hindi and Kodava language, about the achievers of Kodavas.

Four more books will be released by Kodava Makkada Koota on November 22, he added.

Ayyappa meanwhile said that he has been the president of Kodava Makkada Koota from the past eight years. The programmes implemented by the Koota have been fulfilling. One of them is the installation of the statue of Squadron Leader Ajjamada Devaiah.

He added that he aspires to get into politics. He will be resigning from the post of the president of Kodava Makkada Koota and will be handing over the charge to the new president if young and energetic persons come forward.

Kodava Makkada Koota honorary secretary Puttarira Karun Kalaiah, social worker Patrapanda P Somanna and leader Ballachanda A Ganapathy were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru /by DHNS, Madikeri / November 13th, 2020