Kuppalli, Kuvempu home, Thirthahalli

Renowned Kannada poet Kuvempu was born in Kuppalli village near Thirthahalli in Shivamogga District. The traditional house of Kuvempu where he lived and grew up is developed into a museum. The childhood home of Kuvempu at Kuppalli has been converted into a museum by a trust called Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishtana.

Kuppalli is around 18 km from Thirthahalli and 80 kms from the Shivamogga. From Shivamogga, one has to take NH – 13 to reach Thirthahalli, and take Koppa road to reach Kuppalli. From Bangalore, one has to take NH-206 to reach Shivamogga. There is an overnight bus run by KSRTC from Bangalore to Kuppalli. The total distance from Bangalore to Kuppalli is around 350 km.

Kuppalli - house of Kuvempu is well maintained and there is a small park in front of the house. House is open for visitors from morning 9 to evening 6. There are lot of things inside the house which tell the visitors the lifestyle of people in this part of the world in 40's and 50's. There is also a small collection of books of KUVEMPU.

The first letter in the pen name Kuvempu (ಕುವೆಂಪು) from his full name Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa” is symbolic of this place Kuppalli.  

The house consists of a central square area open to sky and surrounded by a courtyard. There is an entry fee of Rupees ten for adults and for children over the age of ten. Photography inside the house is prohibited.

                                                                 Kavishaila

Another major attraction here is the 'Kavishaila' - which is a tomb of late poet. Kavishaila is just a small hill adjacent to the house. There is a trekking path from the house to reach Kavishaila. Kavishaila is cool, silent and beautiful. Kavishaila is slightly higher place so you can see adjacent hills and green paddy fields.

Kavishaila is a rock monument made of megalithic rocks and dedicated to Kuvempu. It is on the top of a small hill in Kuppalli. Arranged in a circular fashion, the rocks have been placed to resemble the Stonehenge in England. At the centre of this rock monument is the place where Kuvempu was laid to rest after his death and a memorial has been constructed at that location. Near this monument, is a small rock where Kuvempu used to sit and discuss about literature and other topics with his other litterateur friends. The scenery around this place is breathtaking. Granite slabs containing engraved poems and quotes of Kuvempu have been placed near the monument.

 

                                                    Birth Centenary building

Before the poet’s house is an ancient house renovated in commemoration of his centenary birth celebrations. Many paintings of oil on canvas depicting story of Kuvempu’s novels can be seen here. Photos of birds captured by Tejasvi in his lens are also displayed here.

POEM

Ready to Die ...

Let me go, Let me die

Let me speak, let me say bye

I’m not like others who say no to death

I’m like a soldier who’s ready to stop my breath

Where are you scary one

Who scares everyone

Allow me to hold you

For I want to see you

I do not want to cry & shed a tear

Why should I cry for whom I have no fear

I know you will make my dear ones weep

They know that you will take me away & keep

You have all the might

But I’ll give you a fight

You’ll cherish me like a noble man

For I greeted death like a gentle man

It’s a long desire of mine

To win over you & be fine

I’ll be gone in a while

But not without a smile

I have for you no fear

As I have with me no tear

I’m here, ready to die

Are you there, it’s not a lie

Eyes…..

Wake up my lovely eyes

Look around this lovely morning,

For I desire to kiss those pretty eyes,

And wish a warm Good morning…

Wake up my sweet heart,

it is a lovely sight,

look around with YOUR eyes,

the  mist has covered in white,

to make your morning bright...

Your eyes are the reason

why I’m alive

Your eyes are the reason why

I want to live

And your eyes are the reason

Why I can't die

Pretty eyes . . .

Come in my dreams tonight

to wish me Good night. .

Angel

Twenty years ago, I gave to an angel my heart…

But, a beast took my angel away and my heart…

Twenty years later, I don’t want to lose my heart…

I’ll take my angel with me and keep her in my heart…

God, you reward your men in heaven, not on earth

Rewards me with an angel on earth, not in heaven

Angel..you may hide at dawn from me …

But, I’m in the sun rays at sunrise looking at you

You may close your eyes at night to avoid me..

But, I’m in the stars when you sleep staring at you

You may run away when you walk from me

But, I’m in your shadow following you

You may close the doors to stop me

But, I’m in the air always with you

You may hide your hair from me

But, I’m in the wind moving your hair around you

You may not show your hands to me

But, I’m in the ring in the pretty fingers with you

You may shut your eyes to stop seeing me

But, I’m in your eyelashes seeing your lovely eyes and you

You may not show your face to me

But, I’m in your rosy lips kissing you

You may hide your neck from me

But, I’m in your chain moving around you

You may close the door when you dress from me

But, I’m in the mirror to see your beauty with you

You may not want to romance with me

But, I’m in the pillow kissing you and in the blanket sleeping on you 

Birds singing,

bells ringing,

breeze blowing,

flowers blooming

for my angel is coming !

I thank my eyes
For looking at your pretty eyes

I thank my mind
For enjoying your beautiful smile

I thank my hands
For feeling your curly hair

I thank my lips
For kissing your rosy lips

I thank my senses
For looking at your lovely face

I thank my soul
For being with your soul

I thank my heart
For winning your heart
I thank you my love
For being my love
I gave you a smile
You gave me your heart…

I gave you my love
You gave me your life

I gave you good wishes

You gave me good luck…

Disappearing Angel….

Once God appeared and asked me, `What is your wish?’

I said,’I want to love an Angel’.

God said,’your wish will be granted’.

Many days passed, but no Angel appeared….

I asked God, ‘Where is my Angel?’

God replied,’Angels are not made in a day. I have to work hard for many days to make an Angel’.

After many days, I saw an Angel in a bicycle. Her eyes were shining bright like diamonds. She looked into my eyes. It was love at first sight !

Then the Angel disappeared…

One Sunday morning, I saw the Angel again in Church.

When I saw her, she looked into my eyes,

Few Sundays in Church, I saw the Angel.

Then the Angel disappeared…

A few years later, the Angel’s father came with a proposal.

A marriage proposal !

But, tears filled my eyes, when the proposal was for my brother !

Then the Angel disappeared…

For twenty years, the Angel disappeared.

I forgot the Angel and God.

Suddenly, one Sunday evening,

the Angel appeared…

`I love you’….I proposed the Angel…

as I knew that she will disappear…

`Love you’, replied the Angel…

God, I need one more wish. `Do not make the Angel disappear…'

MOON

Moon, Moon wake up soOn,

birds are singing,

flowers are blooming,

clouds are warming,

nature waiting to see your face charming

Moon, cute moon come out,

You are queen of the dark night,

make every dream bright,

and wish everyone good night

my life was dark,

YOU lit the bright light in my life 

Articles in Indian Express

Sun City, South Africa

SUN CITY

Sun City in South Africa is one of the best resort in the world. As the name suggests, it is not just a resort, it is a city filled with entertainment. Sun city is a mix of entertainment, watersports, gambling, family fun and golf. It is a luxury casino and resort.

                                Palace of the Lost city Hotel, view from terrace

Water world

Elephant ivory 

                                                             Valley of the waves

Our group of friends decided to break our journey in South Africa for a couple of days, on our way back to India from Brazil.

Sun city is situated in the dense forests of South Africa and spread across 5 sq kms. It is in South Africa’s North West province. Sun city is 200 kms from Johannesburg and takes two hours drive to reach.

Sun city has four star hotels, casino, water activities, wild life safari, night life, golf and many more. Sun city was developed by hotel magnate Sol Kerzner as part of Sun International group of properties in 1979.

Hotels

The star hotels are Palace of the Lost City, Sun City hotel, The Cabanas and the Cascades hotel. The Palace of the Lost City is one of the most extraordinary hotels in the world. This 338 room hotel is a fantasy of luxury. The elevetor has carvings of elephant  ivory. The interior is adorned with Mosaics, murals and artwork. 25 hectares of botanical jungle surround the hotel with waterfalls and pathways.

Valley of the waves

The Lost City’s premier attraction is Valley of the Waves, which has exciting water activities. An artificial sandy beach generates huge waves through a powerful wave machine. Every 90 seconds a 1.2 metre wave is generated and crashes on the white sandy beach. 

Sun City is home to two water theme parks, one dedicated to slides and rides,and the other to action-packed water sports. The resort’s lake is home to Waterworld, where the attractions include from bumper boats to parasailing, jet ski and water-ski.

Golf

There are two world class golf courses in Sun city, designed by South African legend Gary Player. The Lost City Golf Course and the Gary Player Golf Course.  It has two 18-hole, 72 golf courses and is South Africa's major golf destination.

The Lost City Golf Course is a unique experience and offers spectacular views across the bushveld. Also to be noted are the use of bunkers and extensive water-features - and at the 13th hole, 38 crocodiles await.

Casino

Sun City Extravaganza takes place every evening with live show and cabaret. Guests can also try their hand at blackjack or the slot machines at Harlequins Casino in the Sun City Hotel. There are wide variety of restaurants catering seafood and fine dining.

Pilanesberg National Park

Adjacent to Sun City is the beautiful Pilanesberg National Park, one of the largest in South Africa and also a malaria free zone. The park covers an area of 55,000 hectares and its plains are rich and fertile as they were once part of a now extinct volcanic crater. Majestic hills encircle the park and a large central watering hole is ideal for game viewing. Pilanesberg National Park is home to all of the Big Five including giraffe, hippo, zebra and crocodile as well as an extreme diversity of bird life and over 300 species have been recorded. There are a number of picnic spots here.

The Pilanesberg National Park was opened in 1979 and can lay claim to one of the most successful resettlement projects in South Africa. Over 6,000 animals were reintroduced to the park during the 1980's and the park today is home to nearly all animal species of Southern Africa.

The Kwena Gardens Crocodile Sanctuary is located near the entrance to the resort. There are over 300 Nile crocodiles and the two largest captive crocodiles in the world.

There are no direct flights to Sun City. Visitors should fly to Johannesburg first and then hire a vehicle to reach Sun city.

Devbagh Beach, Karwar, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka

Karwar is on the northern most side of coastal Karnataka. Bordering Goa just a few kilometers away, Karwar has what Goa has to offer. Be it the Konkani language or the Konkan cuisine, Karwar resembles Goa in all ways. Only the Portuguese influence is absent here, as it is part of Karnataka state.

Western Ghats embrace Karwar beach on the eastern side and the Arabian sea on the west. Karwar beach has all the making to inspire anyone. In Karwar, it is like mountains are rising out of the sea. The Western Ghats emerge out in the Arabian Sea. The river Kali joins the sea at Karwar. The backwaters here are beautiful and the landscape is dotted with hill ranges, forests and deep valleys.

Karwar is a small town with one side of the road the narrow coastline hugging the Arabian Sea and the other side with dark thick forest of the Western Ghats. Karwar is sandwiched in between both mountain and sea, with its unique coastal beauty. It is rich in flora and fauna.

There are many beautiful places in Karwar. Some of them are Karwar beach, Devbagh beach, Binaga beach, Tilmatti beach & Majali beach.

The bay near Binaga, where the Indian Navy has its new base is called INS Kadamba as a part of Project Seabird. The Casurina beach, now called the Kamat Bay, Agra Beach, Anjidiv island are all occupied by the Indian Navy.

There are 5 islands off the coast of Karwar of which Devbagh is the largest and the most beautiful.

Devbagh Beach is famous for the golden sands and cool breeze, and it also provides a variety of water sports such as fishing, sailing, and dolphin hunting. The Devbagh Beach is an island beach that faces towards the vast Arabian Sea on one side and the dense Western Ghats on the other. One can enjoy the beauty of dense forests and the rough Sea at the same time. Taking a dip in the beautiful lakes, which are formed by the little springs belonging to the Western Ghats, is worth experiencing.

Devbagh beach resort property is beautiful. The resort is in a casuarinas grove, and the scenery of the resort from a boat in the sea is beautiful. There is transfer to the Devbagh Resort by a ferry which is about 15 minutes. Behind the resort is a forest. It is very safe and is home to Indian foxes and the 2nd largest butterfly in India which is called Southern Bird Wing. One can walk for about 3 kms into the forest behind, and can reach the other end of the island. The island attaches itself to the mainland during low tide.

In the mornings, the waves are rough and in the evening, during the low tide, the waves disappear and the beach becomes like a shallow lake. Patches of sand appear in the water, as the sea level is low. Once can keep walking into the sea, and you will still find yourself standing in just knee deep water. This is great place to learn swimming. As this is an estuary, the salinity is also low.

Karwar beach is said to have inspired the legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore to pen his first play.

 "The sea beach of Karwar is certainly a fit place in which to realize that the  beauty of nature is not a mirage of imagination but reflects joy of the infinite and thus draws us to lose ourselves in it." - Rabindranath Tagore

The Karwar beach is famous for its seafood and is prepared in different styles with coconut and spice. This beach is inside the city and in close proximity to the highway.

Binaga Beach

The beach is located 5 kilometers from Karwar and a mile away from Anjidiv Island near the Goa-Karnataka border. The famous ‘Our Lady of St Anne’s Church’ lies on the Binaga Beach, which was built by the Portuguese. A naval base has been set up by the Indian navy for its operations and is called the Project Seabird.

Tilmatti Beach

The beach has a unique stretch of black sand and offers a range of tourist delights such as dolphin watching, rock climbing, river cruises, and visiting a ship wreck. There are a lot of resorts and tourism organizations that offer you the opportunity to take part in these activities