Mookonda Kushalappa takes you back to the year 1834, offering you an account of a beautiful, complex place and its multi-faceted people

“I was brought up in Bangalore but my grandfather lived in Coorg and I used to visit it often. I was fascinated by the place and began reading a lot about it and there was a hunger in me to tell its story.”

So he did. His novel Long Ago in Coorg delves into the history of Kodagu in the modern era beginning from the invasion of the British East India Company in 1834 and going all the way to the present day existence of the Kodagu district. “Some of the interesting aspects of the book include the Coorg War of 1834 fought between the British and the Coorgs, the rebellion of 1837 where a pretender tried to claim the throne of Kodagu and the Gandhian movement in Kodagu,” adds Nitin.

History has always been a reigning passion for this 27-year-old software engineer who also makes iphone apps, blogs, sketches, writes poetry and edits on Wikipedia.

“The past fascinates me,” he says adding that the distinct culture and tradition of Coorg, which makes it an eclectic melting pot of sorts added to his fascination for the place. “The culture is essentially Dravidian with West Asian influences and fantastic theories abound about the place.”

In addition to this book, he has written another, also based on Coorg history, “The book is called The Early Coorgs and is based on Kodagu’s mythology, prehistory and early history before 1600,” he says.

On future plans he shrugs, “Well, honestly I don’t plan anything long term, I take one day at a time. I try to be different and do what I like. But yes, more writing will definitely happen.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Society / by Preeti Zachariah / Bangalore – April 02nd, 2014

Mysore and Kodagu MP A H Vishwanath admitted to media persons, on Tuesday, that he sacrificed one sheep and a fowl at the shrine of Handikere Chowdamma, in Kachuvinahalli Reserve forest.

He has also allegedly violated law by entering the Reserve forest without permission. Range Forest Officer Devaraj said, the MP and his family had obtained oral permission to visit the shrine in the Reserve forest. “However, they were asked not to perform any pooja,” he said. While Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Shivashankar Swamy said, “Following a request from the MP, the department had made arrangements to ferry 15 members of the family, besides giving them adequate security. Permission was given on humanitarian grounds. No complaints have been received in this regard.”

Vishwanath, along with MLA H P Manjunath, was in Neralekuppe, on the fringes of the forest, in the taluk, supervising the feast, where non-vegetarian food was served. The feat had been organised for his followers and Congress party workers. People were arriving in various vehicles, including trucks, up to 4 pm and 5,000 people attended it, according to one estimate.

Surprisingly, leaders from opposition parties also savoured the food and enjoyed Vishwanath’s hospitality. JD(S) candidate in the last Assembly election Kumaraswamy, who lost against Manjunath, and BJP candidate Annaiah Nayak were prominent among the guests. Vishwanath brushed aside questions, if it was a election campaign feast. He said, “There is no politics in hosting this lunch. My wife had made a vow to the deity to make some offerings during the last Assembly elections. We are fulfilling it. We have offered pooja to the deity and sacrificed one sheep and a fowl,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said, three days back he also fulfilled a vow to Periyapattanadamma at Periyapatna. “I have see, to which goddess I have to fulfil a vow in Madikeri,” he quipped.

Hunsur town’s famous caterer Raghu had prepared the food. He said, four quintals of rice, 500 kg mutton and 700 kg chicken was used.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Hunsur (Ramesh District) / February 04th, 2014

Madikeri :

Home Minister K.J. George, who is also In-Charge of Kodagu district, said that he would discuss with the district administration about continuing the provision of possessing guns without licenses, as per the exemption provided under the Indian Arms Act, exclusively for Kodavas by race and Jamma land holders of the district.

He was speaking to press persons after landing at the helipad in Mercara Towns Golf Course here on Saturday.

Referring to a question on the delay in issuing exemption certificate (EC) to the eligible persons in Kodagu, George said the earlier practice would be continued and that the State government had not given any instructions to the district administration in this regard. He also assured to discuss the issue with the officials concerned.

When pointed out that the incidents of crime in the borders of Kodagu were on the rise, mostly involving criminal elements from the neighbouring Kerala State, the Minister said that the State government will deal sternly with persons indulging in anti-social activities and vitiating peace in society.

“Not only Kodagu but the entire State faced shortage of Police personnel,” said the Minister and added that in order to fill up the vacancies, the process for appointing 8,500 Police personnel and 500 Sub-Inspectors had commenced.

Regarding the Opposition parties’ allegations that the law and order situation in the State has deteriorated (following the incident of the attempt to murder Kodagu BJP President Suja Kushalappa), Home Minister George said that those who are making such allegations have been given a befitting reply during the last Assembly elections. He claimed that the law and order situation in State is normal and there is no need for anxiety.

In reply to another query, George said his political career started from Kodagu and he was pleased to serve the district as the in-charge Minister.

District Congress President B.T. Pradeep, spokesperson B.S. Thammaiah, former Minister M.M. Nanaiah and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 27th, 2014

Even as Madikeri city is getting ready like a bride for the 80th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, which is only a week away, the tourist destinations in Kodagu district too are inviting the visitors for the Sammelana.

The district administration too is gearing up to promote tourism and attract more number of tourists to visit the tourism places, on the occasion of literary convention. The KSRTC has made arrangements for providing special bus facilities to the selected tourism destinations during these days.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat district unit has initiated the process of printing 10,000 booklets providing information about various tourism spots in the district and surrounding regions. These booklets will be distributed to the representatives who arrive at the convention, said Booklet Committee President H T Anil.

Madikeri, which is the headquarter of Kodagu district is located 1,170 metres above the sea level. The district is known for its picturesque greenery, dense forests, soothing weather, hills and ranges, waterfall and coffee plantations. No tourist can ever forget the beauty of Kodagu when it is covered with mist offering an amazing experience. If one stands in the spots like Rajaseat and Stewert Hill, one can see the best view of sun set and sun rise.

Tourism destinations

The fort built by Mudduraj Urs who ruled Kodagu in 1681 and the church in the fort premises (which has now been converted as museum) attract tourists for their historical significance. Antiques, documents, materials and costumes belonging to Field Marshal Kariappa.

Rajaseat garden, Omkareshwara temple built by Lingarajendra-II, Rajara Gadduge are some of the important tourism destinations in Madikeri city. Other tourism places that are well known among tourists are Talacauvery which is 44 km from Madikeri, Bhagamanadala (39 km from the city) mountainous range Mandalpatti which is at a distance of 18 km from Madikeri, Tibetan colony at Bailukuppe (34 km from the city), Harangi reservoir (39 km from Madikeri), Dubare elephant camp (42 km from Madikeri), Nalkunadu palace (40 km from Madikeri) and waterfalls like Abbi, Irpu, Mallalli and Chelavara. However, waterfalls now do not offer as beautiful view as they offer during monsoon.

Be cautious

Tourists will have to be cautious while travelling in areas like Anekadu near Kushalnagar, Dubare, Virajpet and Gonikoppa due to wild elephants which often wander here.

Presence of tigers is felt in Thithimathi and Srimangala which are adjacent to Nagarahole reserve forest. Tourists should be careful while travelling in these regions, especially in the morning and evening.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Shrikanth Kallammanavar Madikeri / DHNS – January 02nd, 2014