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Must-Shop Indigenous Culinary Ingredients Of Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All

For centuries, the Kodava people have been self-reliant on their cuisine, depending on the indigenous local produce; the concept of slow food comes naturally to the region’s communities. Most popular dishes of the Kodagu cuisine utilise naturally grown ingredients making it not just sustainable cooking but also one of the fantastic cuisines of India. 

As a culinary researcher, I am not biased towards any cuisine per se; however, the cuisine of Coorg has been an aspirational cuisine for me to explore. In the very first session, I attended on the regional cuisines of India, the discussion on the Kodagu cuisine was the highlight of the session, my mentor Dr P.S Sandilya explained to us the uniqueness of the food from the landlocked and less connected place of Coorg, its rich forests, spices, and the coffee plantations, and I was transported in my imagination to the beautiful region of Coorg, which I visited in December this year. 

The only way to reach Coorg is by road. For centuries, the Kodava people have been self-reliant on their cuisine, depending on the indigenous local produce; the concept of slow food comes naturally to the region’s communities. Most popular dishes of the Kodagu cuisine utilise naturally grown ingredients making it not just sustainable cooking but also one of the fantastic cuisines of India. 

Coffee

All around Coorg, you will find coffee plantations adorning the hill slopes. Not only can you enjoy the flavourful and aromatic coffees brewed at the local coffee shops, but you can also shop for coffee beans from different estates to take home. Coorg produces 40% of India’s coffee and is known to have a mild tropical flavour owing to the shades in which they are grown. The big cup café is one of the popular cafes in Madikeri, where you can experience the fantastic coffee from their estate called ‘Sandalkad estate’. Coffees are roasted in Situ, and watching the process unfold in front of your eyes is an enriching experience for a coffee enthusiast. Arabica, as well as robusta varieties of coffee, are available, which one can also experience growing in the plantations situated just 5 minutes away from the café. 

Markets in Madikeri, as well as the popular Kushal Nagar market, are beaming with shops selling coffee beans and powders from estates around the region, and makes for an ideal shopping experience to get hold of culinary gems from the region, known as the ‘Coffee Cup of India’. 

Spices 

Most visitors to Coorg stock up on the spices grown in the region. Coorg is one of India’s finest spice-growing regions, and one must buy a combination of different spices like pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves etc. Most Spice sellers of Coorg grow the products in their plantations and have fresh produce of different quality, oil content, and aroma, owing to the time of the year they are grown in. Being locally produced, one can buy high-quality spices at low prices in Madikeri, Kushalnagar, and Virajpet. Do a thorough inspection and ask to taste some of the spices. The aromatic pepper and cardamom found in Coorg will undoubtedly enthrall you, and you will buy more than you were set out to. 

Kachampuli 

Must-Shop Indigenous Culinary Ingredients Of Coorg
Image credits: Kachampuli

Coorg’s cuisine is bound to impress you with its unique flavours and high-quality, locally-grown ingredients. Your curiosity about the fantastic cuisine of Coorg majorly lies in the famed souring agent called ‘Kachampuli’. The dark fruity vinegar is extracted from the ripe fruits of a tree called ‘Garcinia Gummi- Guta’. Its unique flavour profile lends sourness to meat, chicken and vegetarian dishes alike and is used in dishes like Pandi curry and dry fry preparations like ‘Barthand’. ‘Kachampuli’s’ sour and astringent flavour combined with the flavourful spices makes for a heavenly combination, making Coorg cuisine one of the finest regional cuisines of India. 

‘Kachampuli’ is also known for its health quotient, beneficial for weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and excellent digestive properties. One must buy a bottle of Kachampuli to try cooking ‘Coorgi’ dishes at home and celebrate your love for good food. 

Honey 

In an ecosphere like one of the nature-rich Coorg, bees play an essential role as effective pollinators, feeding on the rich flora of the surroundings. Resultantly, and with the constant effort of the beekeepers, the honey produced in Coorg has attained a special status, defining its unique taste, aroma and colour. Do not miss out on buying a bottle of ‘Coorgi’ honey to take home, along with the sweet memories of the picturesque Coorg. 

Chocolates 

Chocolates are another ‘Coorgi’ delicacy one must indulge in. If you are travelling with kids, it’s tough to ignore this decadent ‘Coorgi’ product anyways. Homemade chocolates are sold in every nook and corner of Coorg, with numerous flavours, stuffings, shapes and sizes; buying chocolates in Coorg is not just inevitable but is also a pleasure to your senses. Visit choci chocolate, a speciality chocolate store located in Madikeri, for an exciting experience gorging at the choco goodies; you will indeed be tempted to try the different varieties of spectacular tasting chocolates of Coorg. 

Other Products To Look Out For 

In Coorg, there is plenty of produce. Dry fruits like Raisins, Cashews, and Figs are of good quality in the region. Grapes and Oranges are of good quality as well. Grapes are used to produce homemade wines, which can be tried and then bought at very reasonable prices all across Coorg. Home-made wines come in different and unique flavours, from fruity to chilli and spiced wines. Bamboo shoots, also known as ‘Bimballe’, are grown locally and are a delicious choice for vegetarians to enjoy the ‘Bimballe’ curry, to be enjoyed with ‘Kadambuttu’, the steamed rice balls. ‘Sanakki rice’, the short-grained and aromatic rice grown in Karnataka, is used to prepare Akki Roti, Nool Puttu, Kadambuttu, Paputtu etc. One can also buy coarsely ground rice semolina called ‘Akki Tari’, which can be an ideal ingredient to prepare rice-based idlis, upmas, puttus, etc. 

‘Kaartha Masala’ is the regional spice mix of Coorg used in preparing traditional dishes such as the famed Pandi curry, chicken and fish dishes, the dark coloured masala is made of dry roasted spices of Coorg like coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, black peppercorns etc. 

Of the many delicious indigenous ingredients growing in Coorg, the tradition of making pickles and chutneys is common to all households in that region. These amazing pickles can be bought from stores and markets, making it easy for you to relish the flavour of Coorg cuisine for a long time.   

Writing this article has been a tease to my palate, as it is tough to discuss such delicious ingredients without your mouth being flooded with water. Having enjoyed these flavours over the period of two weeks that I have spent in Coorg has been one of the best culinary experiences of my life, and I would urge you all to explore this fantastic region of Coorg and treat your taste buds with some of the finest culinary produce of India. Coorg’s weather and beautiful locations will keep your senses and soul satiated with natural goodness. Coorg is waiting for you! 

Sidharth Bhan Gupta, is a food writer travelling across India on a Cultural and Culinary Exploration.  

source: http://www.slurrp.com / Slurrp / Home> Article / by Sidharth Bhan Gupta / December 19th, 2022

Kodagu grower makes big gains from dwarf Robusta coffee variety

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, , , , , , , , ,

Suresh has harvested nearly 7000 kilos of ripened coffee beans from a total of 1220 dwarf varieties of Robusta plants.

coffee
Image used for representational purpose only.

Madikeri :

The coffee sector is not doing well. The reasons are many such as crop damage caused by incessant rains, disease outbreaks and overall changes in climatic conditions. However, a 
“progressive” farmer in Madikeri, Ponnachettira Suresh is doing well. Suresh has harvested nearly 7000 kilos of ripened coffee beans from a total of 1220 dwarf varieties of Robusta plants.

“A planter is also a doctor who treats the plants,” Suresh quips.

It was in 2020 that Suresh learnt about the dwarf variety of Robusta coffee from a friend in Kolkata. Always open to experimenting, Suresh availed five seeds of this dwarf Robusta variety and he developed them into seedlings.

“Out of the five seeds, one did not survive. However, from the four seedlings, I propagated 196 dwarf plants and I have now planted 1220 plants of the same species,” explained Suresh.

With 6 feet X 6 feet spacing, a total of three acres of land was developed with the dwarf variety of Robusta and Suresh planted Gliricidia Tree for the shade across the area.

“The plants are yielding after three years and I have picked 7000 kilos so far,” he said.

Suresh explained that the dwarf variety does not require any over-the-top maintenance. “The plantation was manured five to six times, irrigated in February and March with sprinkler irrigation and a chemical spray was carried out before monsoon to avoid dropping and rotting of the plants,” he added. He opined that the maintenance of the plantation varies and depends on the condition of the soil, weather and other variants.

“I do not use complex manure. Instead, I feed the plants with only the required amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. These nutrients are fed by hand as per requirement. While the labour charge might increase in this process, it will ensure proper health and growth of the plant as not all nutrients are required in equal amounts,” he shared.  He provides the plants with nutrients depending on the weather condition, which has helped his estate flourish.

“However, the dwarf Robusta variety has not been certified by the Coffee Board and this might be due to the lack of interest in this regard. Nevertheless, I have marked five dwarf variety plants and I will be recording the yield of these plants for the coming five years. This data will be handed over to the coffee board,” he said.

Suresh has always been a “progressive” grower and he has a 400-year-old Robusta plant known as Robusta Peridenia, a 200-year-old variety known as Coffea Congensis and other rare varieties of crops that are still yielding. He is also an avid orange grower and has won a state award for best cultivation of Coorg Mandarin.   

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / December 18th, 2022

Honey festival in Madikeri

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Honey (Apiculture, Bee Keeping) (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Records, All, , , , , , ,

The Kodagu district administration has planned a Honey Festival in the gardens of Raja Seat in Madikeri on December 24 and 25.

The festival, which has been planned in association with Kodagu Zilla Panchayat and Horticulture Department, is aimed at encouraging apiculture in Kodagu in view of the worldwide demand for Coorg honey.

The festival is expected to bring together not only people engaged in apiculture, but also scientists, societies and companies engaged in producing honey.

The festival will also feature demonstrations on apiculture and other technical knowledge of the field by local researchers and scientists from the College of Forestry and government officials, and exhibition stalls.

More information can be obtained from the Deputy Director of Horticulture Chikkera Pramod on 94831-10621 and Vasanth B.D. on 94490-75077.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / December 17th, 2022

Nine-time National Drag Racing Champion Hemanth Muddappa to ride with Hero Motocorp

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports,
Nine-time National Drag Racing Champion Hemanth Muddappa to ride with Hero Motocorp

New Delhi :

Hero MotoCorp has signed nine-time National Drag Racing Champion Hemanth Muddappa as a brand ambassador for the Hero Xtreme 160R. Hemanth will promote the drag racing culture in India with Hero MotoCorp’s ongoing XDrags, a pan India drag racing experiential event organised on the Hero Xtreme 160R. Hero MotoCorp and Hemanth have already hosted 16 XDrags events so far.

Bengaluru-based Hemanth has been breaking records, including his own, in the drag racing circuit. Earlier this month, he bagged his fifth consecutive title at the MMSC FMSCI Indian National Drag Racing Championship 2021.

Hemanth won two golds in the above 1050cc (Super Sport) and 851-1050cc (Super Sport) categories and races across three classes – 851-1050cc, 1050cc and above, and foreign open unrestricted. He is the only Indian Drag Racer to win in two classes and holds the record for the fastest time across drag strips in India.

From being told by doctors that he will hardly be able to walk after meeting with a life-threatening accident to clinching the title of India’s Fastest Racer, Muddappa’s race with his life has been inspirational and thrilling as well.

Ranjivjit Singh, Chief Growth Officer, Hero MotoCorp said, “We are delighted to welcome Hemanth as a new addition to our team. We heartily congratulate him for his recent wins. Muddappa’s presence bolsters our commitment to the advancement of drag racing culture in India, which hasn’t been fully explored so far. Drag racing is the shortest and quickest form of motorsports and the Hero Xtreme 160R, the fastest to 0-60 km/h in its segment, is a perfect fit for this racing format.”

Hemanth Muddappa, Rider, Hero MotoCorp said, “This is the beginning of a thrilling ride and I am elated to join the Hero family as it aims to grow the drag racing culture in India. The sport has the power to take the young Indian sportspersons to the world podium. Hero MotoCorp is continuously doing great work towards the enhancement of all motorsport. I have always admired the company from afar and now it is a privilege to represent it. I will continue to do my best to win and break records and keep the Hero flag flying high always. Go Boom!” (ANI)

source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> Sports / by ANI / March 08th, 2022

Western Ghats In All Shades Of Green Opens At RMNH

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, , , , , , ,

Month-long photo exhibition brings alive one of the jewels that remain on earth

Mysore/Mysuru:

Marking International Mountain Day, a month-long photography exhibition on the theme ‘Western Ghats’ began at Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH), Siddarthanagar in the city on Sunday (Dec. 11).

The exhibition is an attempt to celebrate the glorious natural history of the mountain range closest to us — The Western Ghats, which cover Kodagu in Karnataka, Ooty in Tamil Nadu and Munnar Hill Range in Kerala.

The expo is a collaborative effort of RMNH and writer, photographer K.C. Mandappa to raise awareness and inspire passion and conservation of mountains that are responsible for life sustenance and also livelihoods.

The photography exhibition was inaugurated by Munnar Tata Tea Estate Manager Dr. K.N. Chengappa in the presence of RMNH Chief Dr. A.P. Tiwari, senior scientists M. Vijay and Education Officer B.S. Yogendra.

The expo has a total of 36 incredible photographs captured by Mandappa that explore the beautiful scenic geographical features, the flora and fauna, rich greenery and beautiful natural landscapes of Kodagu district. The photograph that displays two wild elephants passing through a water body at Pollibetta in Virajpet taluk, is much symbolic of wildlife and biodiversity in the district.

The photograph of a green snake which can hardly be noticed amidst the rich greenery, showcases the mysteries of nature. A photograph featuring three Nilgiri Tahrs roaming around in Munnar Hill range of Kerala is equally exciting.

Apart from this, the exhibition has many other interesting, exciting and absorbing rare photographs, featuring the hill ranges around the Paadi Igguthappa Temple at Kakkabbe, the flow of Cauvery as a small river near Napoklu, Nilgiri Hill range etc.

Mandappa said that the exhibition, apart from Kodagu district, has many photographs on places close to Mysuru that come under the Western Ghats. Pointing out that the photographs on display cover various aspects and activities concerning wildlife, agriculture, hill ranges, the rich flora and fauna, natural vegetation etc., in Kodagu district, he said that the expo also has many magnificent and captivating photos on Ooty and Munnar Hill ranges and the vast landscapes.

At this exhibition, one can experience the Western Ghats like never before and see some of the most threatened and vulnerable species on the Indian subcontinent in an area that routinely faces obstacles to conservation such as human-wildlife conflict, habitat fragmentation, habitat destruction, and road-related wildlife kills.

RMNH Education Officer B.S. Yogendra said that Mandappa has been excellent in capturing the geographical features of the beautiful landscapes of Western Ghats in a most absorbing manner.

Noting that Mandappa has carried out an in-depth study of the geographical features of Western Ghats, he said that water bodies like lakes and rivers and other water sources can exist only if there are hill ranges.

Pointing out that agriculture is an integral part of our nature, he said that mountains and hill ranges are crucial for survival of wildlife, vegetation and habitation. He further said that the illustration of the photographs too is excellent. “These photographs are arguably the most valuable tools we have for raising awareness and mobilising efforts to protect what jewels remain on this planet,” he added.

Expo open till Jan. 10

 The month-long photography expo which opened on Dec. 11, will go on till Jan. 10, 2023. It will be open on all days from 10 am to 6 pm, barring Monday, which is a weekly-off day and other public holidays.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 14th, 2022

ILT20 2022-23: Veteran Robin Uthappa joins Dubai Capitals ahead of inaugural season: Check Out

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, Uncategorized, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

ILT20 2022-23:  International League T20 (ILT20) franchise, Dubai Capitals (DC), have acquired the services of former India international Robin Uthappa for the…

ILT20 2022-23: 

International League T20 (ILT20) franchise, Dubai Capitals (DC), have acquired the services of former India international Robin Uthappa for the inaugural season. The 37-year-old Uthappa, who recently announced his retirement from the IPL, played the last two IPL seasons for CSK. The swashbuckling right-hander is set to join the Dubai-based ILT20 franchise and will look to replicate his success in the middle-east nation.

Image

“As classy as it gets at Dubai Capitals. Here’s welcoming 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐞 to our family, now eager to see a few dancing down-the-track shots at the Dubai International,” the franchise shared the joining of Uthappa on their official Twitter handle.

ILT20 2022-23

Apart from Robin, several other big names will grace the tournament

In the IPL, Uthappa featured in 205 matches, scoring 4,952 runs with an average of 27.51. The Karnataka stalwart scored 27 half-centuries in his IPL career and registered his best score of 88 runs against RCB in April this year. Apart from Uthappa, star players like Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan, Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga will take part in the maiden season of ILT20.

Dubai Capitals Team Squad 2023

The players who will be in the first UAE T20 League have been announced by Dubai Capitals, which is a branch of Delhi Capitals.

  • Rovman Powell (West Indies)
  • Robin Uthappa (India)
  • Hazratullah Zazai (Afghanistan)
  • Daniel Lawrence (England)
  • George Munsey (Scotland)
  • Bhanuka Rajapaksa (West Indies)
  • Rovman Powell (Sri Lanka)
  • Niroshan Dickwella (Sri Lanka)
  • Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)
  • Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka)
  • Fabian Allen (West Indies)
  • Isuru Udana (Sri Lanka)
  • Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)
  • Dushmantha Chameera (Sri Lanka)
  • Fred Klaassen (Netherlands)
  • Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe)

source: http://www.insidesport.in / Inside Sport / Home> Cricket / by Pranchal Srivastava, Editor / December 15th, 2022

Sri Kaveri Kodava Association Mysuru-East Holds Get-Together

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Samajas, Associations, Clubs (wef. Sept. 03rd, 2022)), Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022)

Mysore/Mysuru:

The annual get-together of Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru-East, was held at its premises in Vidyashankar Layout in city on Nov. 27. Rangayana Mysuru Director Addanda  C. Cariappa was the chief guest. Kodava Samaja Mysuru President Mechanda M. Shashi Ponnappa was the special invitee. Association President Puliyanda S. Devaiah presided over the function.

Three senior members — Kalappanda B. Vishwanath, Kanjithanda  K. Aiyappa (ex-President) and Chowrira K. Seethamma (Chairperson – Academic Council) — were honoured by the Association for their selfless contribution.

Also, three members from the Association — Ittira Dr. Priya Uthaiah, Pattamada Dr. Lavya Muthamma and Manduvanda Kumari Ektha Ganapathy — were felicitated for their outstanding achievement in the field of education.

Students who achieved academic excellence were also honoured by the Association. Members gathered in large numbers and made the event a grand success.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 14th, 2022

23rd Kodava Hockey Festival From March 20

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hosts Appachettolanda family expecting participation of more than 350 teams

Madikeri:

The Kodava Family Hockey or ‘Hockey Namme’ is back with a bang after a gap of four years. This time, the tournament will be hosted by the Appachettolanda family from March 20 to April 10, 2023 at Napoklu village in Kodagu.

“After 2018, the hockey festival did not see the light of the day due to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be organising the 23rd annual ‘Hockey Namme’ in 2023 in a grand manner. The fest will be held at Napoklu General Thimayya Ground and more than 350 Kodava families are likely to take part in the tournament,” said Appachettolanda Manu Muthappa, the President of the Hockey Festival Committee.

Addressing a press conference in Madikeri recently, he said that in the last hockey tournament held in 2018, a total of 333 Kodava families participated in the Kulletria Cup Hockey and this time, they were expecting the participation of more than 350 families.

The festival is being conducted under the aegis of Kodava Hockey Academy.

It may be mentioned here that to prepare the family teams for the upcoming hockey festival, the Kodava Hockey Academy had organised the first Pandanda M. Kuttappa Memorial Cup rink hockey festival, in memory of the founder of the Academy and the hockey festival. It was organised from Oct. 27 to Nov. 6 at Ponnampet Turf Ground and a total of 114 teams had participated.

The logo of the Appachettolanda Cup family tournament was unveiled in Bengaluru recently by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai where a delegation of the family had called on the CM. Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah, MLC Suja Kushalappa and the tournament-organising family members were present.

“The CM has assured us that a Rs. 1 crore grant will be released for the hockey festival for the first time and the CM has consented to inaugurate the tournament on March 20. In all, Rs. 1.50 crore will be spent for the festival and the remaining Rs. 50 lakh will be pooled-in by the family members and collected from donors. We are planning to invite and felicitate a host of national and international hockey players who have made the Kodagu district proud and hockey champions from all communities will be honoured,” Manu Muthappa said.

In all, three grounds will be utilised for the hockey festival and they will be also used as a back-up in case it rains. Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda Bopanna, who is the son of late Pandanda Kuttappa, will be one of the guests in the inaugural event. “It was his father who launched the first Kodava Family Hockey Tournament in 1997 and was organised by the Pandanda family, Manu Muthappa noted.

Secretary of the Hockey Festival Committee Appachettolanda Vasanth Muthappa, members Appachettolanda Harish Somaiah, Appachettolanda Ravi Monnappa, Appachettolanda Janath Kumar and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 13th, 2022

The Wild Cat’s Compendium: Cats Of All Tribes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), Uncategorized, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), World Opinion, , , , ,

Title : The Wild Cat’s Compendium / Author : Dr. Nima Poovaya Smith /Year : 2022 /Pages :  51 /Price : Rs. 449

(Kindle version)

Publisher: Caracal Publications, United Kingdom

Dr. Nima Poovaya-Smith (parental home Ammanichanda) has just launched a delightful book titled  The Wild Cat’s Compendium, which is a collection of 45 brilliantly crafted verses on 45 species of wild cats as well as few of the domestic ones. 

Composing poems is an art and Nima excels in succinctly portraying the feline species in all its glory. In a few apt words, the 45 poems read as fluidly as the graceful strides of the cats. 

     (Read the sample poem.)

Nima Poovaya-Smith in conversation with David Lascelles, 8th Earl of Harewood, during the launch of her book.

Cats of All Tribes

Cats of all tribes major, middling, minor, inlaid menace and glamour, damascened suits of shadow armour.

Your coats boast such stylish motifs. Spots, dots, rosettes, stripes, flecks, spirals.

Draw breath, there is more, of this feline allure. Marbled, banded, clouded, streaked, stippled, brindled.

Your fur a lush canvas for lavish mark-making. Each unique striation etched with precision. Nature’s artful illusion.

The guile of the design, woven into the dapple of sun and shade, dissolving into air without hint or sign.

Seeing you without knowing we do, even when face-to-face. Our deepest, murkiest selves in plain view to that occult feline gaze.

African Golden Cats: By Joseph Wolf

What is remarkable about this compendium is the in-depth research that has gone into the lives, habitat, behaviour, and appearance of each variety of cat.  Nima has been working on this book for quite a few years and has packed a great deal of information wonderfully crafted using her treasure trove of highly refined vocabulary. In addition, Nima has woven the grave threats these feline species face in the wild and that their primary detractors belong to the human species. In one of the poems, she has given a consciously chilling recipe for preparing tiger bone wine.   Hopefully those who indulge in such shameful practices will realise and shun their superstition-ridden beliefs.

In the Introduction to the book, Nima mentions about her (and mine) maternal grandparents’ home (in Palangala village, Kodagu), where tigers and other wild cats roamed close to human dwellings. During our childhood days we have heard several tiger tales from our shikar-loving uncles. Over the years, those childhood memories have expanded in Nima’s mind to bring out this wonderful collection of poems.

As a bonus, each poem is richly illustrated with paintings by several well-known artists.  One of the artists is Nima’s brother Sunil’s wife Sheila, an alumna of CAVA, Mysuru.

Nima earned her Ph.D in English literature from Mysore University under the guidance of Prof. U.R. Ananthamurthy who used to mention that Nima was one of his best students. She went on a scholarship to University of Leeds to pursue her post-doctoral studies. She has been a curator of several museums in the UK.  She was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2016 for her contribution in the field of arts and museums. She was appointed as Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire in 2020, which entails interacting with the British royal family.

Chinese Mountain Cat: By Sheila Ammanichanda

Currently Nima is a Senior Visiting Research Fellow, School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, University of Leeds.

Wild Cats’ Compendium was launched at the Ilkley Literature Festival in October 2022. In the accompanying photograph, Nima is in conversation with David Lascelles, 8th Earl of Harewood (and second cousin of King Charles III), during the book launch.

Wild Cat’s Compendium is available on Amazon. However, currently only kindle version of the book is marketed in India: The Wild Cats’ Compendium: Cats of All Tribes eBook: Poovaya-Smith, Nima: Amazon.in: Kindle Store

Reading Wild Cat’s Compendium is an enriching experience. Every time you re-read a poem you learn something more. I rate this book as a Collectors’ Item.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by C.P. Belliappa / December 12th, 2022

Doha: KSQ honours coach of Karnataka men’s team, former Indian Hockey player

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , ,

Doha:

Karnataka Sangha Qatar in cooperation with Indian cultural Center hosted Indian Community.

Welcome reception to V S Vinay, ex Indian Hockey team player and current Hockey Karnataka Sr team coach and felicitated on December 6 at Ashok Hall Auditorium of Indian Cultural Centre.

Dignitaries present during this event was president of Indian Cultural Center P N Baburajan, vice president of Indian Cultural Center Subramanaya Hebbgelu.

The platform to this felicitation was created by Indian Cultural Centre to Honour the dignitaries visiting State of Qatar during the FIFA 2022 event.

Mahesh Gowda president – Karnataka Sangha Qatar welcomed the gathering and thanked V S Vinay for giving time for the reception and expressed confidence that under his mentorship many players will get trained and join Indian Hockey team and play for the country, also mentioned it is a proud moment that V S Vinay hails from Coorg district of Karnataka and which is know for producing world class players and won many medals for India.

Mahesh Gowda also thanked Indian cultural organisations for their invite and all Associated Organisations for felicitating the guest.

P N Baburajan in his address briefed the dignitary about Indian Cultural Center and how ICC is involved in the FIFA celebrations.

V S Vinaya thanked Karnataka Sangha and Indian Cultural Centre for felicitating him and people for there time to meet him, also motivated the parents to put their children in any sports and also briefed how their children get all the training facilities from the federation if they are really doing well in the sport.

The programme emcee was done by KSQ member Nithi Ramesh.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Middle East / by Media Release / December 10th, 2022