Famous People From Coorg (Actors/ramp models)

1.Biddu Appaiah  is an Indian-British music producer, and song-writer who lifted the careers of British star Tina Charles, Pakistani-British singer Nazia Hassan, Alisha Chinai and many more

2. Zulfi Syed the model-turned-actor is from Virajpet, Coorg. He is a former winner of Gladrags Manhunt Contest. He has done modelling for Raymonds, Levis, Axe and others. His filmography includes, Lara (2009), Yahan Ke Hum Sikander (2009), Jimmy,(2008), Mr. Hot Mr. Kool (2007), Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2005) & Wajahh (2004).

3.Nikhil Chinappa MTV VJ & music composer is a well known face to all music lovers. He anchors the hugely popular show MTV Select. He has also acted in a film, Snip with Sophia Haque.

4.Daisy Bopanna (Born: 15-Dec-1980) is an Indian actress in Bollywood and South Indian movies.Her hit movies: Gaalipata (Kannada, 2008); Aishwarya (Kannada, 2006); Garam Masala (Hindi, 2005);Chakkara Viyugam (Tamil, 2008); Bharatchandran IPS (Malayalam, 2005); Prajapathi (Malayalam, 2006)

5.Nidhi Subbaiah is a model turned actress who did a television commercial for ‘Fair & Lovely’. She played lead roles in Kannada movies such as 'Krishna Nee Late Aagi Baaro', 'Vara' and 'Chamkaisi chindi Udaisi'. She has also acted in a Tamil movie, 'Kadhalan Kadhali'.

6.Tina Ponaapa the Coorg girl who won the national award for her first film Meera (Tamil) is the lead actress of the movie 24 Hours in Melbourne.

Famous People From Coorg (athletes)

1.Ayiudda Robin Uthappa (born 11 November 1985), an Indian cricketer,son of an international hockey referee, is a limited overs cricket specialist
2.Joshna Chinappa (born 1986) was the first Indian girl to win the British Squash Championship title in 2003, at Sheffield, U.K and was also the youngest Indian women's national champion.
3.Rohan Bopanna (born 4 March 1980) is one of the Indian High Seeded professional tennis player.
4.Ashwini Nanchappa (October 21, 1967) is an accomplished athlete and the glory girl of Indian female sprinting at the turn of the 80's having beaten P.T. Usha.
5.Jagat & Anita Nanjappa are a well-known couple in the sport of motor racing in India. They have participated and won many motorbike and car rallies in India. Together, they have won nine Indian National Rally Riders Championship awards in the motorbike section from 1986 to 1996. Their victories led MRF to sponsor them.

Famous People From Coorg (Military Service)

1. Field Marshal  Kodandera Madappa Cariappa OBE (28 January 1899 - 15 May 1993) was the first Indian Chief of Staff and one of the highest Indian Military rank holders.He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Military in 1949.
2.Kodendera Subayya Thimmaya  (March 30, 1906 - 1965). He became a commissioned officer of the British Indian Army in 1926. He became Chief of Staff of the Indian Army in 1957.

Rai Saheb I P Muthanna, WW1(1914-1918) hero who served in Iraq, "Muthanna Road" and "Muthanna Airbase" in Baghdad are named after him.

3. Air Marshal K C Nanda  son of Field Marshal Cariappa, POW during the 1971 Indo-Pak War when he was an air force pilot.

4. Air Marshal Cheppudira D Subbia  Joined IAF and was commissioned in April 1942 at the age of 18. Retired in 1978 after serving a full tenure in the rank of Air Marshal. In the early 40s he flew Hurricane fighters, Tempest Fighters etc. He was among the first to be decorated for piloting skill & bravery and was awarded the Vir Chakra and later on the param vishisht seva medal.

5. Lt General Apparnada Ayiappa  As a captain he saw action in the Malyan campaign in 1942 against the Japanese in World War II. He was the first Indian Signal officer in chief. He got promoted as Lt. Gen. and then got promoted as Master General of Ordnance. He was the first Indian to be Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals. He was then deputed to Bharath Electronics Ltd (BEL) where he became chairman and held the post until 1972.

AS YOU CAN SEE SUCH GREAT PEOPLE WHO SERVED ARE MILITARY GAINED COORG THE NAME "LAND OF THE GENERALS"

History Of Coorg

A little history about Coorg -
Coorg was under the Gangas rule during 9th and 10th Centuries and Cholas in the 11th Century. Changalvas were allies to both the above Dynasties but they were independent till 14th Century as Hoysalas defeated the Cholas in the 12th Century. Changalvas accepted the supremacy Hoysalas from the 14th to 16th Century.The Nayakas who later paved the way to the Haleri Rajas of Kodagu ruled Coorg till 1834.