Seetavva Ganapathy is flanked by her family members, during her 100th birthday celebrations, on Sunday.
Ketolira Seetavva Ganapathy from Naladi village in Kakkabbe near Napoklu, celebrated her 100th birthday at Muttavva auditorium, on Sunday.
During a fun-filled ceremony, Seetavva was flanked by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and relatives.
Seetavva is the youngest of the five children of Mepadiyanda Mandanna and Subbavva of Karada village. She was born in 1920. She was married to Ketolira Ganapathy of Naladi village in 1941.
Seetavva Ganapathy has nine children – five boys and four girls.
Her husband Ganapathy passed away at the age of 45 and since then, Seetavva raised her children, carrying the mantle of responsibilities on her shoulders.
There are 67 members in her family, including children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Seetavva’s son Appanna and grandson Kaddaniyanda Harish Bopanna spoke on the occasion.
Centenarian Seetavva wished good health and prosperity to all people.
There’s so much more to a coffee trail as we discover in this quick getaway to the hills of Kodagu…
A coffee country getaway
Coffee was the mood that reigned in the last few weeks — what with the World Coffee Conference & Expo 2023 that just concluded in Bengaluru and World Coffee Day or International Coffee Day observed on October 1 — the cuppa was everywhere and we coffee-holics weren’t complaining one bit! This was also the perfect time for us to head to Coorg or Kodagu — the hill-station where the commercial story of coffee in India began.
Know-it-alls will now feel the need to correct us and say coffee was first cultivated in the nearby Chikkamagaluru district and how Baba Budan Giri was where it all began and we will fully agree; Coorg, however was where commercial plantations began and that is why even today, South Indian coffee is synonymous with this district — that is the proud homeland of the Kodava or Coorgi people.
Now, most trips to this cool elevated coffee country would take the preferred route through the capital, Madikeri or Mercara, and would involve a mandatory visit to a coffee plantation, a processing plant and maybe, some shopping along the way. We, however, decided to go deeper into this verdant paradise — to the Pollibetta area — home to several of the Tata-owned coffee plantations in Karnataka.
We were there for a curated experience at the estates and also to check out the plethora of offerings under (Tata Consumer Products Limited) TCPL’s branded coffee portfolio like Tata Coffee Grand, Tata Coffee Gold and Tata Coffee Quick Filter. Puneet Das (president, packaged beverages, India & South Asia, TCPL) introduced us to several of the new formats including the delectable chukku coffee decoction variants that we are sure will take over the market very soon.
TCPL’s Branded Coffee Portfolio
Our stay, however, was organised at one of the many bungalows strewn across these estates that are now a part of the Ama Plantation Trails. One of the newest product offerings from Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL). Ama Trails and Stays, a group of heritage bungalows, guesthouses and homestays at unique locations across the country are meant for the curious and adventurous at heart who also have a penchant for old-world luxury.
We were assigned the Surgi Bungalow, a 40-year-old property in its current avatar, but probably around 150-years old, that is just across the road from Tata Coffee’s picturesque nine-hole golf course in Pollibetta. Perfect for a group of six, the bungalow’s three bedrooms can occupy two individuals each, thus making it a comfortable stay for a family or group of six.
Tata Coffee’s Nine-Hole Golf CourseSurgi BungalowSurgi BungalowOne of the bedrooms at Surgi Bungalow
Food is cooked in the bungalow and is catered to by IHCL, so expect high quality and standards, as well as a menu that can be altered for even the fussiest of eaters. We were welcomed that evening with hot cups of jaggery coffee, aloo bondas and an assortment of bajjis and pakodas — perfect eats for the now dropping mercury as the evening chill set in. Dinner was served almost immediately after and was a surprisingly large spread.
It didn’t take much of an effort to head to bed early that night. Cold weather and full tummies make the best combination for peaceful sleep and the next thing we remember was it was 6 am and our alarms had gone off simultaneously — quite the cacophony to be honest, especially when you’re in an environment so quiet, you can probably hear the squirrels, up in the trees, breathe.
Coffee Plantations
We chugged down mug-fulls of Tata Coffee Grand and headed out for an estate walk that lasted for over two hours. Picking ripe avocados and smelling a gazillion flowers along the way, this is the perfect time to discover these plantations and estates on foot. The air still has a chill and the humidity of the afternoon is far away. There’s also a sense of childlike amusement with the symphony of bird-calls and animal chitterings that give you quite the jocund company throughout the walk.
Building up quite the appetite, breakfast was an elaborate affair and thankfully so. Post breakfast, we advise you to do what we did — relax in the well-kempt gardens, read a book or take a quick snooze. Checkout is only at 12 noon and so you have quite a few hours to make the most of this romantic bungalow experience. You could also ask for a guided estate visit, where you will learn the A to Z of coffee growing and lots more. Coffee tastings can also be organised.
Perfect for family getaways or for that gang of friends who like the leisurely life, the Ama Trails and Stays offer several other bungalow stay options here, including but not limited to Taneerhulla Bungalow & Cottage, Woshully Bungalow, Cottabetta Bungalow and Polibetta Bungalow.
INR 28,000 onwards. Nearest railhead and airhead: Mysuru. Five hour drive from Bengaluru and three hour drive from Mysuru.
Email: romal@newindianexpress.com X: @elromal
source: http://www.indulgexpress.com / The New Indian Express, INDULGE / Home> Travel / by Romal Laisram / October 05th, 2023
As many as 1.30 lakh people have enrolled under the scheme and have already availed the benefit worth ₹2.90 crore, says Minister in charge of district .
Minister in charge of Kodagu district N.S. Boseraju speaking after launching the Gruha Jyothi scheme in Madikeri on Tuesday, August 15. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The Gruha Jyothi scheme was formally launched in Kodagu on Tuesday, August 15. Inaugurating the scheme, which is one of the guarantees of the Congress government, in Madikeri, Minister in charge of Kodagu district N.S. Boseraju said 1.30 lakh people have enrolled under the scheme, availing benefits to the tune of ₹2.90 crore.
The Minister said the government would be spending a sum of ₹60,000 crore on the guarantees and all guarantees announced by the government will be implemented by December.
Amidst the spiraling prices of essential commodities, the guarantees would be able to bring some succor to the poor people, he opined.
Virajpet MLA and Legal Advisor to Chief Minister A.S. Ponnanna said the guarantees would help to empower the people and added that the Shakti scheme – the guarantee of free bus rides for women – has strengthened the transport corporations. “The empty buses are now running full,” he added.
He said the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept its promises even though the Centre refused to give rice for distribution under Anna Bhagya scheme. However, the government decided to pay money equivalent to five kg of rice. The guarantees will help to economically empower the people, he added.
Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda said 1.30 lakh out of 1.68 lakh eligible beneficiaries have enrolled under the Gruha Jyothi scheme. He told the officials to ensure that other eligible beneficiaries enroll under the scheme at the earliest so that they could also avail the benefits.
Describing the Congress government “pro-poor”, he expressed confidence that there won’t be any mismanagement under the free power scheme and added that the bill will be generated if the consumption crossed 200 units.
The MLA urged the Minister to put on hold the request from 30 staff of the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) for transfer from Kodagu.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau, Mysuru / August 15tj, 2023
Karnataka State Souharda Federal Cooperative Ltd., Mysuru Regional Office, in association with District Souharda Cooperative Federations of Mysuru, Mandya and Kodagu districts, has organised a theme-based training programme for the Members and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Mysuru and Kodagu District Souharda Cooperative Federation Limited on Nov. 28 at Rotary Children’s Library Association, Rotary Centre, JLB Road in the city.
According to a press release from Shivakumar Biradar, Regional Manager of Karnataka State Souharda Federal Cooperative Ltd., the programme will start with breakfast and registration at 9.30 am, followed by the inaugural session between 10.30 am and 11 am.
A lecture session is organised on the topic ‘Rights and Duties of Directors’ from 11 am to 1.30 pm.
Following the lunch break, there will be another lecture on the topic ‘Filing of Case and Loan Recovery Procedures’ from 2.30 pm to 4 pm.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 26th, 2023
The versatility of Indian cuisine continues to impress food enthusiasts who seek rich flavours and manage to find a range of varying flavour palettes in a single country. However, some regional cuisines are often overlooked due to the appeal of other famously adored dishes. One of them is Coorg cuisine, which has been influenced and shaped by the history, geography and culture of the people of the region. Many young chefs from Coorg are now mastering their own family recipes and sharing them with millions on social media. Here are a few homegrown chefs on our radar who are elevating and shining a spotlight on Coorg cuisine.
1. Anjali Ganapathi
A home chef who has been sharing the authentic recipes behind traditional Coorg cuisines, Anjali Ganapathi runs a small, niche catering company called Pig Out with her core team. She has always had an inclination towards exploring her roots and since a very young age learnt the art of cooking some wonderfully complex dishes. The chef presently shares her wisdom with many through her online recipes and also organises events at cooking studios and other places across the city. The customer base extends beyond native Coorgi people as Chef Anjali wishes to introduce the regional cuisine to different communities around India.
Pork dishes are easily the star of Coorg cuisine, especially if cooked in the traditional way using family recipes. The Curly Sue takeaway joint and blog is perfecting the method of these recipes and making them more accessible to everyone. They source the meat from farmers who own their own farms and use a delightfully indulgent process of slow cooking the meat for four to eight hours. The most delectable meat needs to be given its due and the chefs at Curly Sue are adamant about achieving just that as well as sharing some insight into their process of preparation.
A food blog run by chef Sitara Cariappa and her family is an ode to the Coorg people and their love for coffee brews, spirits and meat dishes, especially those made with pork. They often delve into the childhood memories that are so closely associated with the cuisine and discuss their family recipes. The page also helps the audience to gain an understanding of the local ingredients and how they can be utilised to achieve wholesome flavours. They are slowly building a community of food enthusiasts who all share a passion for learning more about the specialities of the region as well as the culture that enables its excellence.
Actress-host Shwetha Changappa is celebrating the festival of Kailpodh with her son Jiyaan Aiyappa. She shared a video on social media where she is seen dressed in a traditional Kodava-style saree and wishing the Kodava community a happy and prosperous Kailpodh.
Actress-host Shwetha Changappa is celebrating ‘Kailpodh’ with full enthusiasm. Draped in a traditional Kodava-style saree, the proud Kodavati recently took to her social media handle and shared an adorable video, where she is seen posing along with her little munchkin, Jiyaan Aiyappa.
The Kodavati’s wish
Shwetha in the video is seen wishing all the Kodava community people a very happy and a prosperous Kailpodh.
She is seen wishing in the native language and talks about the importance of celebrating the festival.
Swetha’s baby boy is also seen in the video and wishing everyone on the occasion in his cutest way possible.
The Kailpodh festival
For the uninitiated, September 3rd marks the festival of Kailpodh, in Coorg. While in Kodagu the festival is celebrated on different days, elsewhere Kail-Podh is observed at homes on the third of September.
The Kail Podh day begins with the youngsters touching the feet of their parents.
Traditional and household weapons, such as guns, war knives, swords, spears, bows, and arrows, are cleaned and placed near the thook bolcha (hanging prayer lamp) in the house.
On a work front Swetha Changappa is currently seen hosting kids-based reality game show, Chota Champion, which returned to the Kannada small screens after a long gap.
The doting mommy
Talking about Swetha’s three-year-old son, Jiyaan has indeed become the latest sensation. The baby is quite popular on social media as mommy Swetha’s Instagram handle is filled with videos and pictures of Jiyaan. The actress indeed seems to be enjoying her motherhood to the fullest.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> TV> Kannada / etimes.in / September 03rd, 2023
Tucked in a hidden valley down a winding clay road some 5 kilometres from Karnataka’s town of Madikeri (in the Coorg district) lies the Garden Farm. On the fringes of the valley is where the bungalow is placed, marking the beginning of a dense forest shading coffee plants. It is here a close-knit family has set up a sanctuary for fellow nature lovers, giving them a place where they can truly enjoy the beauty of the Coorg landscape without obtrusive power-lines and the cacophony of buses blaring Top Forty Kannada music. And if you don’t love nature, well, they don’t want you to find their guesthouse.
Off The Beaten Track
Even after we drove our Enfields down a long, winding forest trail with steep inclines (only jeeps and bikes can make the journey during monsoon season) and crossed a wide green valley, we could barely make out the large guest house standing 25 meters away as the view of the facade is obscured by a beautiful line of flowering trees and bushes. Basically, this valley villa could be a Pablo Escobar Bungalow, just substitute the cocaine and machine guns with a sense of true tranquility.
A personal pond right outside our doorstep.
Nourishing Yourself In Nature
Everything we ate and drank at the Garden Farm was locally sourced and organic, even the water. Yes, the hill station home boasted fresh mineral water from a well. At first we were skeptical, but the water was completely safe and had a naturally sweetness that is absent in packaged mineral water.
Moreover, on the property the family behind the Garden Farm grow fresh coffee, pepper, cardamom, pineapples, bananas, rice, mangosteens, jackfruit, various types of mangoes, oranges, a type of plum among myriad other plants and trees the author is clueless about.
The farm is home to a large grove of pineapples.
The caretaker of the guesthouse trotted across the valley every morning, brewed a pot of lovely coffee and was happy to take us around the many forest paths on the property, encouraging us to pluck whatever fruit struck our fancy on the stroll. However, the best part was that all our meals were delicious and straight from the farm – their pork fry was to die for.
Also, as a someone who frequently abuses beetroot for being a useless and unappetising vegetable, I devoured three portions of the cooked veggie. To sum up the experience of eating at Garden farm, our tastebuds were more than content.
The Garden Farm was made for lazily turning the pages of novels, going on forest walks, bonding over bonfires, playing a boardgame or a bit of carrom, and fishing in the pond or stream. Not to come off as poetically pedantic, but each breath taken at the Garden Farm filled our lungs with an at ease contentment that is rarity for urban dwellers.
Leaning back with a good book and an even better view.
We saw the caretaker of the guesthouse climb to the top of a 40 foot tree with no rope that was covered in fire ants. When he came down later and crossed the valley he just beamed us his ordinary smile. It is important to say his smile is like that of a child who has secret, and I have a funny feeling each day we marvelled at that man’s life, he very politely marvelled back at ours.
The choice he made to live out his days on farm was simple and smart. To live in the midst of beauty. Our decision to live in plaster cubes with a view of an army of other plastic cubes is perhaps not the most beautiful of choices. It is not safer either. Even though we thought he was insane for climbing the tree with zero protection, the chances of him falling is most likely equal to the chance a city person will get hit by a delivery driver. Rest was not the only thing gained at the Garden Farm, a bit of perspective was also an added bonus.
Hill station happiness (The caretaker and his lovely son Kavin).
Interiors Of The Hidden Garden Cabin
Sleep at the Garden Farm meant silence took on a whole new meaning. The top part of the house was open air which meant we got a refreshing hill breeze; however, this of course meant the mosquito nets were essential.
The wooden flooring and staircase made the bungalow take on a homey cabin feel. Moreover, the second floor hosted several cushioned floor mats which were perfect for afternoon naps. Also, we got to dig into a wonderful and comprehensive selection of good reads!
Afternoon nap upstairs.
Wooden staircase.
A Final Look Back
If you love nature or feel like you need some time to take in the great outdoors, the Garden Farm beckons.
Crouching amoung the bushes to try and capture a full frontal view of the home.
source: http://www.homegrown.co.in / Homegrown / Home> #HGExplore / by Julian Manning / June 08th, 2021
‘Puthari Namme,’ the harvest festival of Kodagu, symbolising the first harvest of the paddy crop, was celebrated in a grand and traditional manner last evening at the Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar First Stage here.
The festivities showcased a diverse array of Kodava cultural events, eliciting enthusiastic applause from the gathered audience.
Hundreds of Kodava community members including men, women and children had gathered at the Kodava Samaja and took home the paddy crop (kadiru), chanting “Poli Poli Deva” and prayed to Lord Igguthappa and Goddess Cauvery and welcomed the Dhanya Lakshmi to their homes.
The highlight of the event was the cultural performances by young community members who have spent hours and days learning the traditional Kodava dances and songs. Their performance received loud applause from the community members and the boys and girls have been saddled with continuing the tradition of this small community that is facing the onslaught of modernisation.
The members of Kodagu Gowda Samaja in Vijayanagar Railway Layout, Mysuru, during the celebrations.
The performances featured captivating dances like ‘Ummathaat’, ‘Bolakaat’, ‘Puthari Kolata,’ ‘Kathiyaat,’ ‘Baalopaat,’ ‘Pareyakali’ and ‘Taalipaat’.
Notably, a new Youth Wing of the Mysuru Kodava Samaja was inaugurated and Katera Vedik Uthaiah has been nominated as its President. The other members of the team will be announced soon.
Commencing with a puja dedicated to the deities Lord Igguthappa and Goddess Cauvery, the festival progressed with a symbolic harvesting of the paddy crop (kadiru) and ceremonial firing into the air.
Kodava men donned their traditional attire of ‘kupya-chele,’ ‘peechekathi,’ and ‘mande-tuni,’ while women adorned themselves in the customary red sarees and ‘vasthra.’
As an integral part of the festivities, special ‘tambittu’ made from fried ‘kusubalakki’ mixed with ripe banana, was distributed to all the members.
Mysuru Kodava Samaja teams that have won various prizes in hockey matches and other cultural performances at Federation of Kodava Samajas, Balugodu, were honoured.
Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Ponjanda A. Ganapathy, Vice-President Machimada P. Nanaiah, Hon. Secretary Ketolira Ravi Belliappa, Treasurer Ittira Kashiappa, Joint Secretary Ajjikuttira Diana Poovaiah, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club President Kuttimada D. Muthappa, office-bearers and committee members were present on the occasion.
A group photo of the members of the newly constituted Youth Wing of Mysuru Kodava Samaja with Samaja President Ponjanda A. Ganapathy and others.
The harvest festival was also celebrated at Kodagu Gowda Samaja in Vijayanagar Railway Layout, Mysuru.
Simultaneously, ‘Puthari Namme’ was celebrated in grandeur across Kodagu district yesterday.
The festival commenced with the ‘Nere Kattu’ performance at Kakkabbe’s Paadi Sri Igguthappa Temple at 7.30 pm. Subsequent celebrations were held across Kodagu district.
Though the festival concluded yesterday, the celebrations are set to continue for a week in rural areas of Kodagu and during this extended period, traditional ‘Puthari Kolata’ will take centre stage, accompanied by various other dance forms at the designated ‘Mandh’ in villages.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / November 28th, 2023
The Kodava Muslim Association (KMA) illuminated the night with joy as they celebrated the ancient custom of removing the traditional Kadiru (New Rice Crop) on the auspicious occasion of Puttari festival. The festivities took place on Monday night, drawing the spirited participation of hundreds of members from the Kodava Muslim community, marking the Harvest Festival of Kodavas.
At the striking hour of 8:30 PM, the Kadiru removal ceremony unfolded in the Jamma Gadde of the Kolumanda family in Aimangal village, Gonikoppa. Led by KMA President Duddiyanda H. and Sufi Haji, the event saw elders from Aimangala village, KMA members, and Kootambattira Hussain coming together to share in the holy Swalat. Boiled rice milk, a symbol of abundance, was distributed to all attendees, fostering a sense of unity and community spirit.
Key figures in the program included KMA Vice President Akkalatanda S. Moidu, General Secretary Italathanda Rafiq Tuchamakeri, Treasurer Harishchandra A. Hamsa, Joint Secretary Karatorera K Mustafa, Organizing Secretary Meetalathanda M. Ismail, and Senior Director Chimmichira K. Ibrahim (Ummani).
The presence of local Jamaat presidents, such as the head of Kondangeri Jamaat and K.M.A. Director Kuppandir K. Yusuf Haji, and the President of Katrakolli Jamaat, Alira M., added a distinguished touch to the celebration. Residents from various areas, including Kottamudi, Cheriyaparambu, Kunjila, Kolakeri, Kondangeri, Chamiyala, Gundikere, Nalvathoklu, Ambatti Kandangala, Katrakolli, Halligattu, and Begur, joined the festivities alongside children from Aimangal. The program, hosted by Kolumanda Rafeek, extended its warmth with a traditional Tambittu-Puttari sweet potato breakfast and dinner, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Kodava Muslim community. The Kadiru, symbolizing the new rice crop, was then respectfully taken to households, marking the culmination of a joyous and culturally significant event.
source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> News> Latest News / by The Hindustan Gazette / November 28th, 2023
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