The first-ever ‘Coffee Dasara’ launched at Gandhi Maidan as part of the recently held Madikeri Dasara was a ground-breaking initiative to elevate the coffee industry and engage the farming community. This event raised awareness about the transformative changes in coffee cultivation and the various facilities available to growers.
Conceptualised by Dr. Manthar Gowda, MLA from Madikeri Constituency, the two-day event on Oct. 7 and 8 featured a diverse array of coffee enterprises and 34 departmental stalls, all dedicated to equipping growers in the district with essential information and resources.
Numerous organisations also participated, setting up stalls to offer supplementary materials and insights related to various agricultural products, including coffee, thereby fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation in the agricultural sector.
Inaugurating the Coffee Dasara, Agriculture Minister Cheluvarayaswamy affirmed the Government’s commitment to standing by farmers to ensure the comprehensive development of all agricultural activities, particularly coffee cultivation, which serves as the backbone of Kodagu’s economy.
He noted that coffee cultivation does not fall under the purview of the Agriculture Department or the State Government. In various regions of the State, paddy cultivation is widespread, supported by reservoirs. However, water availability often decreases as crops mature, leading to difficulties for farmers, he said.
“To tackle this issue, the State Government has decided to create farm ponds (krishi honda) in command areas, which will aid farmers during water shortage. The Government plans to grant permission for the construction of 250 farm ponds in Kodagu district,” he assured.
Escaping modernisation
As the chief guest, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, stressed that no region can escape the wave of modernisation. He underscored the need for balanced development while maintaining cultural roots.
Emphasising the promotion of coffee cultivation and industry, he advocated for the establishment of local coffee brands and raising awareness about domestic coffee consumption.
Virajpet MLA Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna praised the focus on coffee cultivation during the Madikeri Dasara celebrations, expressing hope that importance of coffee would continue to be emphasised in future Dasara festivals, spreading its significance throughout State.
MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda highlighted the numerous challenges faced by coffee growers and called for support, urging Ministers not to permit the conversion of paddy fields into non-agricultural land to preserve Kodagu’s agricultural heritage.
South Indian filter coffee
Coffee Board Chairman Dinesh Devabrinda announced a plan ‘from farm to market,’ aimed at doubling coffee production over the next decade while maintaining quality.
He noted that the Government of India recognises the significance of coffee and has allocated Rs. 307 crore to the Coffee Board for the development of the coffee industry. Of this, Rs. 19 crore will be provided to coffee growers in Kodagu through various assistance schemes.
Currently, the average coffee consumption per Indian is 30 cups. If this figure can be increased to at least 60 cups, internal coffee consumption could rise from 2,50,000 tonnes to 3,50,000 tonnes, significantly benefiting farmers.
He emphasised that South Indian filter coffee is among the best globally, and the Coffee Board is actively working on initiatives to promote this filter coffee on a worldwide scale.
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkata Raja, Assistant Commissioner Vinayak Narwade, former MLC Veena Achaiah, Secretary of Karnataka Planters’ Association K. Rajiv Ganapathy, President of the Coorg Planters’ Association Nanda Belliappa, General Secretary of the Women’s Coffee Awareness Society Anita Nanda, Coffee Board Member Taluru Kishore Kumar, Coffee Board member, Kodagu Congress President Dharmaraj Uthappa, former President Vinod Shivappa, General Secretary of the Madikeri Dasara Committee B.Y. Rajesh Yellappa and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 16th, 2024
The chants of ‘Jai Jai Maatha, Cauvery Maatha’ and other devotional callings filled the morning air at Talacauvery and the rituals were led by priest Prashanth Achar and others.
Devotees taking part in the Cauvery Tula Sankramana. (Photo | ENS)
Madikeri :
The chants ‘Ukki Baa Cauvery’ broke the morning mist at Talacauvery as the sacrosanct event of Cauvery Tula Sankramana was witnessed by thousands of devotees.
The holy water gushed out from the ‘Kundike’ at 7.41 am, a minute later than the predicted time. Rituals followed the holy event and the temple towns of Bhagamandala and Talacauvery flourished with devotion on Thursday.
The chants of ‘Jai Jai Maatha, Cauvery Maatha’ and other devotional callings filled the morning air at Talacauvery and the rituals were led by priest Prashanth Achar and others.
The roads leading to Bhagamandala and Talacauvery were flooded with devotees from midnight hours even as hundreds of devotees dressed in traditional Kodava attire marched barefoot to the temple from Bhagamandala.
A few devotees even carried out ‘padayatra’ from Virajpet and the temple towns were witness to the endless devotions from thousands of devotees. While the astrologers predicted the holy gushing of water to take place at 7.40 am, the same was witnessed a minute later. Hundreds took a dip in the holy water even as arrangements were in place to distribute the holy water to the gathered devotees.
Alongside the arrangements extended by the district administration and police department, several volunteers and other organizations joined in to ensure smooth ongoing of the activities during the festivity.
Increased security was deployed by the police department. Under the leadership of SP K Ramarajan, four DySPs, 12 Inspectors, 32 PSIs, 350 constables, two KSRP, four DAR staff and others extended security to the devotees.
Mass feeding to the devotees was extended by Kodagu Ekikarana Members. Apart from the traffic jam, all necessary arrangements were made to ensure smooth visits of the devotees.
Several dignitaries including district in-charge minister Boseraju, MLAs AS Ponnanna, Dr Mantar Gowda, DC Venkat Raja and others were present during the sacrosanct event.
source: http://www.newindianexpess.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / October 17th, 2024
Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, will be celebrating Cauvery (Kaveri) Sankramana Festival at the Samaja premises in Vijayanagar 1st Stage on Oct. 18.
Kani Puja will be performed at 10 am.
Holy water (Theertha) will be distributed to all the devotees present in the celebration.
All the devotees of Goddess Kaveri are requested to participate in Kani Puja, Festival celebration and also receive Theertha brought from Talacauvery, according to a release from K.A. Belliappa, Hon. Secretary of the Samaja.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 15th, 2024
Legend says that when Goddess Kaveri left Agasthya, the force of her current turned around the pleats of Kodava women’s saris.
A Kodava bride (image courtesy: YouTube)
The mystery of the Kodavas
The source of the sacred river Kaveri is in Kodagu (Coorg) on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Kodagu’s beautiful landscapes of thickly forested slopes, monsoon-fed streams, and abundant native flora and fauna are home to the Kodavas, a unique community with a martial lineage and customs that differ from their neighbors. The origins of the Kodavas who are primarily ancestor and nature worshippers remain shrouded in mystery – theories speculate they descended from a lost platoon of Alexander the Great’s soldiers or pre-Islamic Kurds who traveled from the present Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. None have been proven satisfactorily!
What sets the Kodavas apart from their southern neighbors is their traditional clothing. Men wear long black coats called kupsas, while women wear sarees draped quite differently from the traditional Indian style. This attire is best reflected at a Kodava wedding where, along with very distinctive jewelry, Kodava men and women showcase their unique cultural heritage and values.
A Kodava bride (image courtesy: YouTube)
The Legend of Kaveri
In Coorg, legend says that when an irate Kaveri left her husband the sage Agasthya, the Kodavas implored her to stay. She was adamant about leaving but promised to always remain with them in the form of a river, nourishing their land and giving them sustenance. When Kaveri left, the force of her current turned the pleats of the Kodava women’s saris around. To date, Kodava women wear their saris with the pleats behind, and one end wrapped under their left arm and pinned over the right shoulder.
How to drape a Kodava sari (image courtesy: Youtube)
Kodava brides wear their saris this way, with a long-sleeved blouse and a veil called a musku; elaborate Benarasi silks embroidered with motifs, in shades ranging from red to magenta are the preferred option. It is customary for a bride to wear either her mother’s or grandmother’s sari, most of which are preserved carefully over the years.
Our family to date uses my great-grandmother’s veil; tissue thin and delicate, yet surprisingly strong, and witness to many family weddings.
A Kodava bride (image courtesy: Shonali Madapa)
Inspired by nature
Kodava jewelry is inspired by nature – it is common to see patterns and designs representing the sun, moon, the serpent, flora and fauna, and in one instance specifically, the prickly skin of a jackfruit.
The jewelry is typically hollow, characterized by delicate repousse work–a method in which the metal is beaten from the inside into a desired shape or pattern. Gold studded with precious stones is primarily the metal of choice; silver is used only for the hands and feet.
What does stand out though is a clear design influence from an entirely different region. This remains as much of a mystery as are the origins of the Kodavas. The kokkethathi, a crescent-shaped pendant inspired by the moon, does bear a similarity to a pendant found in Oman, as does the peechai kathi, similar to the traditional daggers worn by Omani men. Perhaps this lends credence to one of the many theories on the origins of the Kodavas–a tribe who migrated to India many centuries ago, from the Middle East via land and sea.
Kodava Brides: The Sacred Seven
Tradition dictates Kodava bridal jewelry. Considered a tribute to the seven rishis who did penance at Talakaveri in ancient times and to receive their blessings, Kodava brides of yore wore seven ornaments on their hair, seven earrings, seven chains around the neck, seven bangles and bracelets on their hands and seven ornaments for their feet. Modern Kodava brides do wear similar traditional jewelry, but it is increasingly rare to find a bride who wears all seven required ornaments.
Kodava bridal jewelry (image courtesy: YouTube)
The bride wears a pendant on her forehead with seven gold ornaments of diminishing sizes decorating her braid. The most striking is a crescent-shaped pendant representing the moon. She wears chandelier earrings known as jhumkas in gold, studded with diamonds, rubies, and pearls, with gold chains linked to her hair.
Her seven necklaces include the pathak – a gold coin set with corals, surmounted by a serpent head, symbolic of fertility; the paavale maala – a coral and gold necklace her mother places on her neck the evening before the wedding, and the joomale – a necklace of finely crafted gold beads strung on black thread. She also wears the kokkethathi – a unique crescent-shaped pendant on a chain, the showstopper of all her jewelry. The crescent is surmounted by the head of a serpent, a figure of Goddess Lakshmi, and two birds. A row of descending cabochon rubies and a string of hanging pearls on the edge, complete the design. This pendant bears an uncanny resemblance to the ‘boat’ design that occurs frequently in classical Greek jewelry of the 4th and 5th century BC.
Other jewels such as the adige – a ruby choker with a matching pendant, the paunsara or a chain of gold coins, and the chengole – a thick gold chain, complete the set of ornaments around her neck.
Tradition and grace
On her hands, the bride wears numerous traditional bangles known as kadagas; most are oval and not circular in shape, as a result of which they fit the wrist better. The pimbale is worn first, followed by the jodi kadaga (which appears to be inspired by bamboo and its distinctive nodal points on the stem), and the paunchi, a spiky bracelet inspired by the jackfruit, interspersed with numerous red and black glass bangles and other gold bracelets.
Kodava bridal jewelry (image courtesy: YouTube)
The most fascinating pieces of Kodava bridal jewelry are the silver bracelets and anklets called the kaisara and the kaalpili. Both these ornaments have characteristic rings attached to delicate silver chains that link to a bangle around the wrist or ankle. The intricacy of the design adds to the overall grace that the bride exudes.
A Kodava bride’s silver anklets (image courtesy: Shonali Madapa)
The Kodava bride’s attire is both practical and alluring, a throwback to earlier days when people had to walk long distances through dense forests and perhaps face unexpected attacks from rival clans or wild animals. With her pleats safely out of the way and all corners of the sari pinned in place, the Kodava sari allows unhindered movement and embodies the traditional Kodava way of life, both spirited and practical.
Kodava bridegrooms. Of kupsas, knives, and knotted sashes.
Like his bride, centuries ago, a Kodava bridegroom may have had to fend off rivals or wildlife as he walked long distances from his okka (patrilineal clan home) through dense forests, to the house of his bride and back. The trip was fraught with danger. The bridegroom as well as the males in his party had to be well equipped to deal with this. Consequently, weaponry formed a critical part of the bridegroom’s attire.
The present-day attire of a Kodava bridegroom reflects this aspect of the Kodava’s martial tradition. Knives and a pointed staff were and still are an intrinsic part of a bridegroom’s outfit. Over a long white coat called a kupsa, the bridegroom wears a richly embroidered red brocade silk sash – a chale – around his waist and a thick band of gold or silver on one wrist. His headgear is complemented by a red silk scarf.
A Kodava bride and groom (image courtesy: Shonali Madapa)
Tucked into the front of the sash is a curved knife known as the peechekathi, sheathed in a beautifully ornamented case. Typically, peechekathis are family heirlooms handed down from generation to generation. The sheath, made from silver, ivory, teak, or ebony elaborately embellished with patterns of gold and silver is attached to a silver chain with a thick silver tassel hooked behind to the sash with a small silver disc. From the disc hang several delicately crafted miniature objects including a gun, the Kodava war knife, an ear-pick, and a toothpick. Solely representative of practical and martial traditions, these objects fortunately are not used in public.
A traditional peeche kathi, handed down over generations.(image courtesy: Shonali Madapa)
A heavy thodang or a metal clasp of bronze or silver fixed to the back of the bridegroom’s waist holds the odi kathi, the large Kodava war knife. The bridegroom also carries a waist-high wooden staff called the gejje thande made from ebony, decorated with bands of silver and small bells. The staff ends in a lethal metal point which doubles as a weapon.
The bridegrooms proxy
A unique and less widely known feature of the thande is that it can stand in as proxy for the bridegroom if he cannot be physically present at the wedding. This centuries-old custom reflects the martial heritage of the Kodavas. A man could suddenly be called away to battle, in which case the thande would be carried by the bojakara (best man) to the bride’s home so that ceremonies could proceed.
The bojakara is normally a closely related male who mentors and assists the bridegroom through the wedding ceremonies. Kodava weddings are normally a two-day affair with various rituals performed simultaneously at the bride and bridegroom’s respective okkas, before the final murtha – an auspicious ceremony where a gathering of family, clan members, and community assembles to bless the couple.
Men in Black
If you are invited to a Kodava wedding, besides the resplendent array of dazzling silk sarees worn by the women, be prepared for the men in black. Attired in black kupsas with chales and peechekathis, they provide a striking contrast to the sole wearer of the white kupsa–the bridegroom at his martial best.
The thodang, a heavy metal clasp which holds the odi kathi (a traditional Kodava war knife), placed at the back of the bridegroom’s waist (image courtesy: Shonali Madapa)
What’s most striking about Kodava jewelry, is its intricate and clever use of geometric forms and shapes–the building blocks of any good design vocabulary. Walk down any bye lane of a town in Coorg and you might stumble on a master craftsman, ever willing to show you a craft that has been practiced for centuries.
The procession of the tableaus started ritualistically with Pete Sri Rama Mandira’s tableau kick-starting the show.
Tableau showcased by Sri Kote Ganapathi Temple
Madikeri :
The iconic Madikeri Dasara recorded a grand closure with thousands thronging the city to witness the festivity. The ten temple committees in the city put forth a pompous tableau show, marking the end of the ten-day celebrations.
Despite rainy weather, Madikeri City was jarred with loud noises and bright lights on Saturday. The committees began the Vijayadashami celebration with grandeur as fireworks filled the air in the city. A large number of people gathered along the roads to witness the show.
The procession of the tableaus started ritualistically with Pete Sri Rama Mandira’s tableau kick-starting the show. Ten different mythological demons, goddesses and gods were showcased in the tableau display.
Sri Kote Ganapathi Temple which showcased the story of the massacre of Ajagara-Shalabasura demons by Lord Ganesha bagged the first place. Sri Kote Mariyamma Temple stood second with the display of Lord Krishna’s childhood and the killing of the demon Kamsa. Sri Dandina Mariyamma Temple stood third with the showcase of the ‘Kaushika Mahatme’ mythological story.
A minor rift broke out between a temple committee and the judges of the tableau competition after the announcement of the results. However, the issue was resolved later.
Cultural programmes were also hosted at Gandhi Maidan as a part of the celebration. Increased police force and special police teams were deployed to ensure smooth proceedings of the festivity.
The Gonikoppal Dasara was also witnessed by a large number of people, and tableaus exhibiting religious and awareness messages were showcased.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home / by Prajna G R / October 13th, 2024
Dr. S.V. Narasimhan, a family physician based at Virajpet in Kodagu district, is an avid birder, nature lover, adept at computers, Karnatak music and astronomy.
Author of Feathered Jewels of Coorg, a field-guide to 310 species of birds found in Coorg, Dr. Narasimhan is the pioneer in spreading wildlife conservation messages through his unique hand-painted Wildlife Message Cards that are sent free to individuals throughout the world to mark the Wildlife Week.
Total number of hand-painted cards made by him this year is 2,180; in 40 years, 81,595 cards. Total recipients this year including Star of Mysore – 1,236; in 40 years – 16,220 persons.
The Special Wildlife Messenger of this year is Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus). A resident bird of the Himalayan foothills of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland States of India, these birds belong to the most beautiful family of pheasants. Males about 70 cms, have a rich mix of colours on their feathers. They are found in the tropical forests of sub-Himalayan States of Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya. They are found near human settlements and have been domesticated since 7,400 years, forming the primary species of all the domesticated chicken all over the world. Omnivorous, they feed on fallen fruits, seeds, roots and tubers along with arthropods, larvae and earthworms, lizards and insects foraged with its toes.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 13th, 2024
Kodagu, the lush green forests in the faint backdrop of the hill range, graze each other as the warm light pours through the valley. The boundaries of small towns slowly melt into the green with flowering plants blooming by the roadside. Also known as the Kashmir of South India and Scotland of India by the British, the sunlight trickling through the hazy landscape of Coorg is a dream setting for a photographer.
The facade of Huilekere House in our team member and artist Rashmi Manodhas rendition.
After an eighteen kilometer drive from Virajpet to the small village of B Shettigeri and another five kilometer downhill, mesmerized by the strong scent of coffee flowers past the Koottiyal lake, welcomes you to the Huilekere House, peeking beyond the lofty coffee plantations seated in a 200-acre land in the Kerala-Karnataka border. The birds chirp merrily along the burbles of the river as the dewdrops settle slowly on the coffee berries. The scent of the mouldy dried leaves infuses the chilly atmosphere, with every step feeling more in tune with nature.
At night in Coorg, when I was talking with the estate manager Husainika in the courtyard of the estate, it unexpectedly rained like a guest. The rain fell on the coffee plantations that lay outside.. the cold wind.. fell into a great feeling. An unforgettable night in beautiful Coorg.
The front elevation of Huilekere House
The design of the house pays homage to the richness of the traditional Ainmanes resided by the Kodava clan. The Kayale (the wide front veranda), Chadara Kamba (large square wooden pillars that taper upwards), and Munds (square central courtyards that are open to the sky) are characteristic features adopted from the Coorg Ainmanes.
Chadara Kamba supporting the verandah
The Chadara Kambas support the courtyards and the verandah, while the roofs slope inside the courtyards and the four exterior walls. The rafters and the joinery fit perfectly, which involves skilled wood craftsmanship. It is one of the three types of Ainmanes called the Mundmane (a square structure built around a mund), followed by the Othe Pore and Madakmane. The extensive, wooden slab seating called the Aimaras was a significant feature of these houses. The one on the left was used only by the founder of the clan or the Karanavas. It was the reserved seating for the Pattedar or the head of the family.
The house is raised on stone pillars instead of mud. The long, polished wooden slabs fixed to the low parapets called ‘aimara’, which sit on the front verandah, evoke the grandeur of tradition. The courtyards of this house encourage natural light and ventilation. All other rooms lead to corridors around the courtyard. The tiled roof slopes down to the two courtyards and four sides of the house. The service block containing the laundry and servant quarters is located across the entrance to the house. Elaborate woodwork done by skilled craftsmen can be seen throughout the house. Thus, this traditional style house is proof that aesthetic creations can be created without any additional decorative elements on the elevation.
View of the front verandah
Strolling along the extensive laterite stone pathway as the breeze from the trees brushes across the face, it takes you back to the past glory of the Kodava heritage. The lush green grass adds a pop of colour that compliments the facade extending twenty six meters horizontally.
The stone pathways leading to the entrance
The flight of steps carved intricately from stone leading to the entrance on a structure built on a stone plinth instead of mud stops at the Kayale. There are two entrances on the western and northern sides of the house. The majestic scale is a recognizable aspect of the Ainmanes, ranging from ten to twenty meters. Upon opening the main door, two Munds with elegant seating and Chadara Kambas emerge into view.
Steps carved intricately from stone
The courtyards encourage natural light and ventilation into the house, as the narrow corridor circulates and connects the rooms. Paintings on the wall, the carvings on the pillars, the wooden frames, and the capital beams celebrate their love for fauna and flora.
View of the interior courtyard
View of the exterior courtyard
To lend a signature touch to the house, terracotta tiles were used in the verandah and in the interior, natural stones have been used. The residence is adorned with numerous antique treasures on display. The dark-coloured furniture and wall decorations provide a striking contrast to the light-coloured interior. A warm lighting with coloured and pattered decorative fixtures is used to light up the house as it feels natural and fosters relaxation. All in all, this summer residence emanates warmth and comfort by striking the right balance between neutral beige hues and pops of colour.
Living room of the Huilekere House
Dining room of the Huilekere House
The residence is adorned with numerous antique treasures on display
The timber roofing in Huilekere House
Designed by Benny Kuriakose and Associates, it heeds the concept of “form follows function”. The beauty in the simplicity confirms that additional decorative elements are unnecessary for the aesthetics of a building. Coorg can make any voyager fall in love with the scenic beauty anew with every visit, invoking memories of the timeless grace that will continue to follow for a lifetime. This residence is a beautiful and elegant space where you can enjoy the beauty of nature all around you.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament is returning for the first time since 2017. The event will feature 12 nations, competing in six-a-side matches.
FILE PHOTO: Robin Uthappa. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Robin Uthappa will lead a seven-member Indian team at Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament, set to be held from November 1 to 3.
The rest of the squad includes Bharat Chipli, Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Shahbaz Nadeem, Shreevats Goswami and Stuart Binny.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament is returning for the first time since 2017 and will be played at the Tin Kwong Road Cricket Ground. The event will feature 12 nations, competing in six-a-side matches.
The 12 teams will be divided into four pools of three each, who will compete in a round-robin format. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the quarterfinals. While the winners of the quarterfinals will enter the Cup semifinals, the losers of the quarterfinals will compete in the Plate semifinals.
The bottom-placed team in each pool will play the Bowl Competition.
A total of 29 matches will be played in the three-day tournament.
A Women’s Exhibition Match will also be held on the final day of the tournament to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.con / Sportstar / Home> Cricket / by Team Sportstar / October 12th, 2024
Managers’ bungalows turned into heritage holiday homes let one share the heritage of this coffee country with a boutique stay experience.
An erstwhile estate bungalow in Polibetta, restored into a luxurious abode under amã, an IHCL companyamã Stays & Trails
We shoot down the Bangalore-Mysore expressway at incredible speed, but fail to shake off the urban landscape. It is as if the city has extruded itself to fill spaces that were once the coconut groves and paddy fields of my girlhood days. A diversion brings us to a quainter, and bumpier – “local road”. Slowly the scruffy quasi-industrial landscape dries up as we turn into the tree-lined road to Gonikoppa.
Checking in with amã Stays
Tata Coffee owned bungalows have been converted into exclusive and luxurious heritage homestays by sister company IHCLamã Stays & Trails
I lose myself in the gigantic bamboo thickets and sky-shattering canopies whizzing past. Soon the undergrowth seems to thin out and appears more regular. Too regular…pruned bushes…coffee country! The road winds gently around soft slopes glistening in the monsoon sprinkle and leads me through a white-and-blue gate. I have arrived at the Tata Coffee Woshully Estate.
Coorg is a tamed wilderness. The British domesticated these ancient forests to carve out estates in the most spectacular locales. They were private, of course, you had to be a sahib or akin to one to sojourn in the estate bungalows.
Taneerhulla Cottage, one of the private bungalows amidst lush estateamã Stays & Trails
All this is irrelevant now because I am at the porch of the Taneerhulla Cottage, one of the private bungalows that Tata Coffee has thrown open to guests. Infact, a clutch of such bungalows have been tastefully restored into heritage stays under amã Stays & Trails, an IHCL company in the recent years.
The porch overlooks a well-groomed lawn dotted with anthurium. The divide between the living quarters and the estate is a narrow strip of lawn with coffee bushes peeping over the fence. I expected the “cottage” to be a tiny space with frilly curtains and basic comforts. But this place is, to use a Victorian term, “well-appointed”.
Well appointed cottage with three rooms and a verdant garden / amã Stays & Trails
Ramdasan, the chef, places steaming coffee before me. I accept graciously, successfully camouflaging my tea fundamentalism. Richie Ponanna, my guide, leads me first to the drawing room with its comfortable couches and generous windows. A warm kitchen adjoins a dining space, the high point of which is the crockery cupboard. I rush to complete my toilette. The estate managers have invited me for a tour.
Hidden estate treasures
We bounce down wet slopes in a jeep, gathering nuggets of history. I learn that Woshully is one among the many estates of the Polibetta area which were managed by British Consolidated Coffee since 1943 before being taken over by Tata Coffee.
The Taneerhulla Bungalow can home ten adults in it’s cosy nooks and spacious bedrooms / amã Stays & Trails
I finally understand the technical difference between a cottage and a bungalow when we visit Taneerhulla Bungalow. From the outside it appears solid and practical, set amidst elderly trees. A commanding porch opens into a lovingly polished rosewood staircase. I am led into the drawing room by gracious hosts. Six of me can fit into the bay window. And there are eight of these gorgeous spots for basking in the winter sunshine or watching the afternoon rain.
Spots perfect for sun basking or watching the rain / amã Stays & Trails
It has been years since I saw a real cloakroom, so I linger there. All rooms, including the five bedrooms, have working fireplaces. The bathrooms are large enough to tango in but, sadly, the fittings are new. Wood-fired kitchen stoves, a king-sized pantry, and a round jewel of a dining table…
At Woshully Bungalow, the façade is distinctly Coorg, with a long, tiled verandah suggestive of the ainmane / amã Stays & Trails
Next, Woshully Bungalow. The façade is distinctly Coorg, with a long, tiled verandah suggestive of the ainmane, the traditional homestead. The bungalow offers a telescopic view of the entire stretch of road though the estate.
The interiors are tastefully curated for modern comfortsamã Stays & Trails
At dinner, conversation centres around the famous ghost of Anandpur Estate. There is much laughter and the managers trade estate stories. Every now and then, one of the ladies slides quietly behind the doors of the kitchen. I realise that this is the touch that makes my stay comfortable and homey, without feeling like I have intruded on somebody’s private space.
Glenlorna Bungalow is tucked amidst rolling hills of endless teaam / ã Stays & Trails
The next day, after a visit to the elegant Glenlorna Bungalow, we head to the river to see whitewater rafting in action. Estate Manager C.U. Ashok expertly manoeuvres the jeep downhill. We hear the river almost as soon as we see it, a white frothy ribbon set in jade. The olive-green river is guarded on all sides by archaic sentinels – great-grandfather trees stretching up to the sky. There is a deep silence despite the chatter of boys getting ready to go for a ride on the rafts. It’s a beautiful, serene experience.
On the drive back, I make a list of things I could do on a longer holiday here – amateur historiography of the old Anandpur cemetery, a visit to the church, where the first Victoria Cross in India was awarded in 1917, a round of golf… Then again maybe I’d be content to laze around, walk the trails, and visit my friend, the river.
The Information
Getting There:
Coorg is easily accessible from Bengaluru via road. Nearest airports are in Mysuru and Bengaluru.
Plantation Trails:
Tata Coffee, which owns large tracts of plantations in Coorg’s coffee-growing areas, has opened many bungalows as heritage holiday homes, under the sub-brand amã Stays & Trails. Built in colonial style, the bungalows offer multiple rooms and have dedicated staff including a cook. Though seemingly set in the middle of nowhere (actually Polibetta in Coorg), a holiday at the bungalows come with luxuries as room service, a laundry service and local trails. Activities include open-jeep drives through the plantations to learn about coffee-making techniques, cycling in the estate, bird watching, trekking in the surrounding hills and playing golf at the Tata Coffee Golf Course.
Yesterday I travelled to Kushalnagar in Kodagu to see a friend in an eye hospital, “Lopamudra Eye Care,” who was undergoing a procedure for cataract. While in the waiting area, I noticed a number of framed certificates, citations, testimonials and photographs about the doctor. Being a private, personal hospital, such displays are expected and understandable.
However, what interested me was a couple of framed displays that seemed unique and modestly appropriate for a doctor who is a native Kodava and the hospital is in Kodagu.
I took the photographs of some of these displays to study them later. There was a photograph of a native Kodava of the early 20th century in his ethnic ceremonial attire (see picture). He is the grandfather of Dr. M.M. Ponnappa of Lopamudra Eye Care. He was honoured by the British Masters of the Colonial days with the title Rao Bahadur. So, he is Rao Bahadur Mukkatira Aiyappa. Could be, his grandson, this doctor Dr. M.M. Ponnappa, is so proud of his grandfather, he chose to honour his memory by hanging his photograph in the front office area.
And, again most appropriately, the legend of this legendary coffee planter and a philanthropist of those days (who had, no doubt, cultivated the company of the British Officers in Kodagu) as written in a newspaper was also displayed. The text details about the great gifts of this Kodava man. Curiously the news must have originated from Karachi (now in Pakistan) and taken from the newspaper ‘The Madras Mail’ (which was published by the British from Madras, now Chennai).
Reading its contents I was thrilled. Let me reproduce it:
The Madras Mail
Pluck Office, Karachi
M. Mukkatira Iyappah
Devanageri Virarajendrapet
Virarajendrapet is now embellished with a clock tower, erected in front of the post office.
The foundation stone of the building was laid by Sir Hugh Daly, the Chief Commissioner of Coorg on 5th February, 1914, when he visited the town, during his tour in Coorg. It is the gift of Mr. Mukkatira Iyappah, a successful coffee planter in commemoration of the coronation of the King-Emperor at Delhi. lt has already proven to be a boon to the public.
Mr. R.K Ellis, I.C.S., the District Magistrate of Coorg, performed the opening ceremony on the 16th of January and handed over the building to Virarajendrapet municipality.
Mr. Mukkatira Iyappah has also gifted the outpatient block of the civil hospital of Gonikoppal and an inspection bungalow of Fraserpet (now Kushalnagara) which has immensely benefited the people and district administration of Coorg.
Those who visit Virajpet in South Kodagu could not miss to see the famous Clock Tower at the junction of three roads in the busy down-town area built in red-brick. By the way, history records the location of the Clock Tower was selected (in 1914) for the reason that it was the place where General Abercromby, the General who marched with his troops from Malabar via Kodagu (to reinforce the British and allied forces fighting Tipu Sultan in May 1799 at Srirangapatna), met the Maharaja of Kodagu Virarajendra Wadeyar and signed a peace treaty. The Kodagu Raja founded the city Virarajendrapet to commemorate the occasion.
Be that as it may, the Clock Tower was a gift of Mr. Mukkatira Iyappah (Aiyappa) in commemoration of the coronation of the King-Emperor at Delhi. The opening ceremony of the Clock Tower was held on 16th January (1915), just one year after its foundation was laid.
Iyappah had also gifted an Outpatient Block of Government Hospital at Gonikoppal and an Inspection Bungalow of then Fraserpet, now Kushalnagar.
It is said, what one gives often goes round and round and comes back multi-fold to the giver — or to his progeny. The same seems to have happened to Dr. M.M. Ponnappa and his brother Dr. M.M. Amrit Nanaiah, who is running the Lopamudra Medical Centre in Gonikoppal.
It is inscrutable that both these brothers are today successfully running their hospitals, one in Gonikoppal and another in Kushalnagar, the towns where their grandfather Aiyappa had generously built two valuable facilities for the good of the public. Vedic values and Sanatana Dharma are seen working in a mysteriously subtle way as reward for Mukkatira Aiyappa’s selfless service to his fellow men. Let it be.
But as I scanned the wall, I noticed two boards with closely written text which read like pedagogy and a lesson in morals. Let me produce them here for the benefit of those who are on the path of virtuous and even spiritual life:
Keep it simple
Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes. (Well, I guess I have followed this advice by visiting this hospital !)
Forgive quickly. Life is short.
Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 am (I agree, I do follow this even to this night!).
Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
Count your blessings.
Wave at the children on a school bus.
Remember that 80 percent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
Don’t expect life to be fair…
Have a firm handshake.
Look people in the eye.
Keep Secrets.
Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
Avoid sarcastic remarks.
Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 percent of all your happiness or misery.
When playing games with children, let them win.
Be romantic. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Don’t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It’s there for our convenience, not the caller’s.
Be a good loser for your loved ones. Be a good winner of Hearts.
When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
And finally, a board with some information from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with penal sections. I’m sure Dr. Javeed Nayeem, our weekly columnist, Over a Cup of Evening Tea, who was the President of MAHAN, an Association of Doctors and Hospitals, to protect themselves from the vandals, will love this.
Yes, protection to doctors and hospitals from people who attack them for different reasons, are there in the law books. But, in our too liberal a Democracy these laws are more often subverted, sabotaged and violated with impunity rather than enforced. Hence, this reminder of IPC to the patients. Examples are many, but the recent one is in the rape and murder of a duty doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal.
e-mail: voice@starofmysore.com
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Columns> abracadabra / by G.B. Ganapathy / October 10th, 2024
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