Category Archives: Historical Links, Pre-Independence

A tribute ….Dr. H.A.B. Parpia, the man

Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Science & Technology

Mysore : 

Freedom fighter,  Scientist,  Activist

By Maj. Gen. S.G.Vombatkere (Retd.)

Dr. Hossain Ali Bhimji Parpia, “Hossy” to his friends, passed away in his home in Mysore on 9th July 2013. It is difficult to break up his 90-years lifetime into his “working years” and his “retired life” because he was a do-er, a go-getter, in his thoughts, words and actions throughout his life.

In his early years as a volunteer at Gandhiji’s Sewagram Ashram, he learned about truth, freedom and secularism from his personal interactions with the Mahatma. Later, while in college at Bombay (now Mumbai), he was a student leader active in the freedom movement, beaten and arrested by Police under British rule. This motivation and experience in his formative years made him what he was in later life — a fighter with a powerful drive to use his skills and abilities to better the lives of his fellow countrymen.

He went to USA for higher studies and earned his Ph.D in Food Science & Technology from Oregon State University at Corvallis, returning to India in 1951. It was in Corvallis that he met Carolyn Wilkes, who joined him in Bombay, where they were married on Republic Day 1953, and Carolyn relinquished her US citizenship to become an Indian citizen.

His expertise in food technology was recognised by Pandit Nehru, who urged him to join the CSIR and this led him to CFTRI in 1956. As Director from 1962-72, Dr. Parpia’s remarkable abilities helped place CFTRI on the world map for research in food science and technology. His initiative got CFTRI recognised as a centre for academic research. He was doctoral guide to 18 candidates for their PhD degrees, and was Visiting Faculty in Food Science at M.I.T, USA, from 1967-78. This led to key, prized UN appointments in Rome, New York and Tokyo in the areas of food science and technology, development and education, between 1972 and 1984.

In his eventful professional life as a scientist, he rose to be an authority in his chosen field, with a host of scientific publications. He organised national and international workshops and symposia, and chaired sessions at many other international and national events. It would need too much space to mention the awards and honours that he received in India and USA for his work in food science and its practical applications. He was a member of several professional scientific bodies both in India and abroad, and a regular reader and contributor to their journals.

He later remained in touch with his profession as Founder-President, Afro-Asian Federation of Food Science and Technology Institutions.

On retirement, Dr. & Mrs.Parpia settled in Mysore. Never one to sit back and put his feet up, he along with six others, Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy notable among them, founded Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) in 1989, to address Mysore’s consumer, civic and environmental problems and was its first President.

As a student of comparative religion and his early exposure to the Mahatma, he had respect for all religions. When the fallout of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition hit Mysore, he was among the few intrepid, communally neutral stalwarts who, with moral and physical courage, dared to walk the troubled streets of Mysore, calling upon all to cease violence.

Though some people saw a rough exterior when he strongly objected to wrong-doing, corruption and inefficiency in government working, Dr. Parpia was in reality gentle at heart, compassionate and generous. He never turned away anybody who came to him for help, involving himself in their problems, with his ready personal participation, advice or financial assistance.

He actively participated in the civic and environmental affairs of Mysore City and was the initiator of Mysore Agenda Task Force (MATF) by personal liaison with the then Chief Minister, S.M.Krishna. Along with Sheila Irani, he conducted the activities of People’s Education Trust as its President, and was devoted particularly to education of the girl child and to women’s empowerment.

Dr. Parpia was vigorous and tenacious in pursuing issues of education and food adulteration at the local level, and reforms and policy at national level concerning civil liberties, food, agriculture and elections. He always used his considerable influence and personal contacts for greater social benefit, never with partisan aims. In later years, even failing health did not diminish his zeal and he continued to wield his pen and telephone to fight for causes that were close to his heart.

At a personal level, Hossy was gifted with a quick wit and a wry sense of humour. With a prodigious memory, he always had an appropriate anecdote or joke for every occasion and, together with Carolyn, was always excellent company. A man of impeccable integrity and forthright honesty, he was a mentor to many and a beacon for his dedication to the principles of democracy and secularism, and peaceful protest.

His passing away is an irreparable loss to Carolyn and their four children and ten grandchildren. It is also a great loss to his many friends and admirers in India and abroad, who will miss his towering presence.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles /  By Maj. Gen. S.G.Vombatkere (Retd.) / July 10th, 2013

Kasargod: Foundation for Govinda Pai Memorial on June 23

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Kasargod : 

Office bearers of Govinda Pai Memorial Committee informed at a press conference held here on Friday June 21, that union petroleum minister, M Veerappa Moily, will be laying the foundation stone for the construction of ‘Gilivindu’, a cultural hub being built as memorial to Rashtrakavi Manjeshwar Govinda Pai. The building, which was conceptualized several years ago, will come up at Manjeshwar in the district where the late poet’s house stands.

“The foundation-laying function will be chaired by MP, P Karunakaran. MLAs, P B Abdul Razack and N A Nellikunnu, zilla panchayat president, Shyamala Devi, district collector, P S Muhammed Sagir, will be among the dignitaries who will grace the function. The project cost of this cultural hub, including museum, open air theatre, indoor theatre and library, has been put at Rs 3.8 crore.

This project will be jointly funded by Kerala and Karnataka state governments besides the central government.

District collector, P S Muhammed Sagir, additional district magistrate, H Dineshan, information officer, K Abdul Rahman, B V Kakkillaya, and others were present at the press conference

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Stephen Kayyar / Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP) / Saturday – June 23rd, 2013

Patapati Chaddi does disappearing act

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

PatapatiBF09jun2013

Mandya is not only known for sugarcane or Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam, but it is also famous for its unique knickers which is also called ‘Mandya Chaddi’. However, with modernisation, it has nearly disappeared in the district.

Mandya Chaddi, which used to be 20 inches in length with loose fitting breeches, used to reach below the knees and tied with a cord around the waist was worn by all the men in the district. They were easily recognised in the crowd from their shorts as it had become traditional attire.

Nanjegowda, an 80-year- old farmer from Hosahalli in Mandya, said as the men used to work in agriculture land, the chaddi was comfortable to wear and work.

“Only during functions, we used to wear lungi on the chaddi, but otherwise all were in Mandya Chaddi with stripes”, he said.

The cloth is usually purchased from either Bangalore or Mysore. In Mysore, once famous ‘Hanneradani Galli’ near Sayyaji Rao Road is famous for cloth merchants. “Only during functions in the house or during festival we used to purchase cloth for the entire family. We used to purchase 15 or 20 mts length single cloth and all the men in the family used to get shorts stitched from the same cloth”, he said and added that now the people prefer trousers rather than chaddi.

A nearly decade ago the shops at the Hanneradani Galli had been demolished and recently Garuda Mall has come up in that place.

Mandya chaddi was also worn for protest. In 1978, the farmers of Mandya conducted Mandya-Bangalore Chaddi Yatra wearing shorts against the then CM D Devaraj Urs for his decision to construct Varuna Canal from KRS to Mysore.

Similarly, in some of the Kannada movies, the actors have worn the chaddi just to woo the farmers from Mandya and other districts to watch the movies.

S R Tailors on 3rd Main Road is one of the oldest tailoring shop in Mandya. Rajesh Pisseya, the owner of the shop, said the people are now ashamed of wearing Mandya Patapati Chaddi.

“However,  there are a few old people in the village, who still come and get the Chaddi stitched,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by B K Lakshimikantha / ENS – Mandya / June 01st, 2013

Mini Steam Engine , the latest attraction at Railway Museum

Amazing Feats, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology, Travel

SteamEngineBF25may2013

Mysore :

A miniature steam engine is the main attraction at the Railway Museum’s Sriranga Pavilion at the City Railway Station in city.

This is said to be the first of its kind model of a railway engine that actually runs on steam on miniature tracks laid inside the museum. The mini locomotive measures 84 cms in length, 31 cms in width, 36 cms in height and runs on a track measuring 15 cms in width. This engine is said to be a replica of Fairy Queen, a steam engine of the pre-Independence era.

The miniature model has been created by J.R. Antony Raj Padua and S. Shivakumar, technicians of the Mechanical Department of South Western Railways (SWR).

“Using scrap materials at the Railways Workshop and discarded brass items, we created this replica under the supervision of our superiors in six months’ time, spending Rs. 15,000,” they said.

This steam engine has a boiler unit in which the steam generated from boiling water is passed through a cylinder containing pistons which make the wheels of the engine move forward. Like the real engine, this too can move backwards when engaged in reverse gear.

Though such miniature railway engines were built in the past too, they were electric-powered. But this engine is the absolute replica of the Fairy Queen, which used to run on steam.

SWR General Manager Ashok Kumar Mittal flagged off the mini engine yesterday. Mysore Division DGM Vinod Kumar, Engineering Division Senior Divisional Engineer Kashi Vishwanath, Sr. DCM Dr. Anup Dayanand Sadhu, Publlic Relations Officer Ravindra and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 19th, 2013

Historical tomb paintings make way for glasswork

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence
INTRICATE: The paintings inside the tomb of Sufi saint Syed Shaha Qhabululla Husayni, at the dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Bandanawaz Geusdaraz in Gulbarga. / Photo: Arun Kulkarni / The Hindu
INTRICATE: The paintings inside the tomb of Sufi saint Syed Shaha Qhabululla Husayni, at the dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Bandanawaz Geusdaraz in Gulbarga. / Photo: Arun Kulkarni / The Hindu

600-year-old artwork used natural dyes

Intricate paintings done over 600 years ago inside the tomb of Sufi saint Syed Shaha Qhabululla Husayni, at the dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Bandanawaz Geusdaraz, could soon be replaced with glasswork.

Artist and scholar Rehman Patel, who brought to light the work going on inside the tomb, described as “shocking” the dargah authorities’ decision to replace the paintings made of natural dyes with “cheap glasswork”. The next generation would be deprived of the priceless artwork, he said.

Dr. Patel, who forte is the Surpur form of miniature paintings, said here on Monday that the paintings were in the old Persian style, popularly known as Deccani art. They were done by artistes from Iran, who decorated the walls and the domed ceiling.

The tomb was constructed in the 14th century by Bahamani kings Firuz Shah Bahamani and Ahmed Shah Al Wali, he added.

Dr. Patel, who has applied to the Ministry of Culture to undertake a study on Islamic art of north Karnataka, said the paintings had been replaced by glass in half of the tomb when he visited two days ago.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Gulbarga – May 21st, 2013

Railways gets ASI nod to shift Tipu’s armoury

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel
The 220-year-old Tipu armoury will be the first structure in the country to be shifted without breaking or altering its structure | EPS
The 220-year-old Tipu armoury will be the first structure in the country to be shifted without breaking or altering its structure | EPS

After three years of persistent efforts, the Railways has obtained the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) clearance to shift Tipu Sultan’s armoury at Srirangapatna to lay the second railway line under Bangalore-Mysore Doubling Project.

South Western Railways chief administrative officer Adesh Sharma said, “Now, we have obtained all the clearances required to shift the armoury.”

“As none of such structures have been shifted till now in the country, we may have to search for a company which has partnership with foreign construction companies to shift the structures without breaking them. We may invite tenders to shift the armoury very soon,” he said.

Relocation to Pre-identified Site

The 800-tonne armoury will be lifted without disturbing its structure using jacks and it will be shifted to an pre-identified site that is around 150 metres away from its present location using some advanced machines.

Tipu’s armoury is a protected monument under The Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1961.

The state’s Department of Archeology cleared the shifting of the monument nearly three years ago after the Railways found it impossible to change the alignment of the new line.

As it is located within 300 metres of Lord Ranganath  Temple at Srirangapatna, a national monument, and is protected under The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958, the Railways had to obtain a clearance for shifting it from the Archaeological Survey of India.

At the behest of the Railways and the state government, the Institution of Engineers had suggested three methods of shifting the monument to retain its originality. They are—demolishing the monument and replicating it with the same material, cutting the monument into huge blocks and replicating it by pasting the blocks with the special glue and shifting the monument as it is.

The Railways and the state government had agreed to shift the monument as it is after obtaining the necessary clearances.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by  N R Madhusudhan – Banglaore / May 14th, 2013

N R Pura history unravels as Bhadra backwaters depletes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

NRpuraBF18may2013
The drastic reduction of water quantity in Bhadra backwaters this summer, reveals several interesting historical facts to those who are history enthusiasts. The remains of Lingapura arch bridge, Old Shimoga road, connectivity routes narrate century old stories.

N R Pura which was earlier called as Yedehalli was part of Lakkavalli taluk till 1882.

Yedehalli was sub-taluk till 1897 and it was named as Narasimharajapura from the day Narasimharaja Wodeyar visited Yedehalli in 1915. This area was considered as the centre of paddy cultivation as paddy was grown here in highest quantity in the State prior to the construction of Bhadra dam. With the construction of Bhadra dam submerging the agricultural land in the backwaters, the generation old rich culture, economy and connectivity routes to different towns were destroyed.

But, now the decrease in the quantity of water in backwaters has opened up the remains of the past, narrating the good old stories. Lingapura arch bridge in the backwaters can be viewed if one travels for about five kilo meters from the taluk centre via Old Shimoga road. Though the bridge was submerged in water 60 years ago, the bridge is still intact, showcasing the technological proficiency. The bridge was built using pure Indian technology century ago during the British administration.

Old road

One could reach Shimoga by travelling for about 38.4 kilo meters by travelling on this old road. But now one has to travel for about 55 km in the long route to reach Shimoga. Elders in these villages remember the bus stand that located near the arch bridge from where they used to board the bus to travel to Shimoga.

If one visits this area, one can witness the gravel road that connects Shimoga, reminds people’s existence in Haleda Nivasa, Devale Koppa, Lingapura villages, Koteda Nivasa temple, Ganapathi temple and Venkataramana temple.

Recollecting the good old days, a senior villager L Nagaraj says that his family owned land in Kanakalli village. Everyday three buses belonging to Shankar Company used to ply to Shimoga. But many villagers including him had to lose their land due to dam construction.
The fertile land and the rich heritage of this Malnad region was destroyed with the construction of the dam, that in turn helped to solve drinking water crisis.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District /  N R Pura, DHNS / May 13th, 2013

Whose history is it anyway?

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, World Opinion
Srirangapatana Fort./ Photo: M.A. Sriram / The Hindu
Srirangapatana Fort./ Photo: M.A. Sriram / The Hindu

While the nation quibbles over polarised perspectives of Tipu Sultan, whose death anniversary was on May 4, precious reminders of his reign cry out for attention.

Over two centuries after the fall of Srirangapatna (old Seringapatam), the legend of Tipu Sultan lives on in hitherto undiscovered manuscripts and art works and fresh controversy. Every now and then, some new discovery is made, adding to the mystique that surrounds the Sultan and giving fresh momentum to the debate about how we should perceive him.

While we quibble over our polarised perspectives, a crumbling fort and other precious reminders of this important chapter of our history cry out for attention. The deteriorating paintings on the walls of the Daria Daulat Bagh (Tipu’s magnificent Summer Palace), the encroachments in and around the fort and the sorry state of the Rocket Court are only a few examples of our neglect. The amazing sense of history one gets in Srirangapatna, where tumultuous events once unfolded, is hard to replicate. But do we have the will and the resources to maintain our heritage and showcase it more effectively, both for ourselves and for the world?

Tipu's fort at Srirangapatna / Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Tipu’s fort at Srirangapatna /
Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Whatever the answer may be, a series of recent events in different corners of the globe would appear to suggest that interest in Tipu will always be alive. Earlier this year, the Archaeological Survey of India made what officials described as the most “sensational archaeological discoveries” in the history of Srirangapatna. The five interlinked underground tunnels, found very close to Tipu’s Palace, open up new possibilities for research.

A discovery no less exciting was made less than a year ago in the U.K., where a detailed record of the spoils seized by the East India Company after the Fall of Srirangapatna, surfaced for the first time. No one knew where these precious historical records lay or how they landed up in a second-hand bookshop before being bought by the collector who took them into Sotheby’s for evaluation and auction.

Among the treasures described in these papers is the only known sketch of Tipu’s lost throne. The most exquisite ornament of this spectacular gold-covered throne, a bejewelled huma or bird of paradise over the canopy, is part of the royal collection. Of the tiger head finials, now known to have been 10 — and not eight, as previously thought — only four have been seen so far. The whereabouts of three became known only when they were put up for auction; the fourth is exhibited in a castle.

From time to time, Tipu objects — housed in castles, manors, bank vaults and cottages — emerge to go under the hammer at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonham’s. Parallel to this activity is another, an emotional journey, undertaken by the other stake-holders in Srirangapatna’s past, descendants of the British and French — settled in countries like the U.K., Canada and Switzerland, who have visited Srirangapatna and carried out the restoration of their ancestors’ graves. In 2008, Charles Baillie — former Chancellor of Queen’s University and a descendant of Col. William Baillie who was defeated by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in 1780 in the Battle of Pollilur — visited the Colonel’s mausoleum for the first time. The tomb has since been restored by his family with the help of a grant from the British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia.

The Garrison cemetery, once off the tourist itinerary, is seeing more visitors following its renovation by the de Meuron family of Switzerland. The Regiment de Meuron, raised in Switzerland in 1781, served the East India Company in the Mysore Campaign of 1799.

Tipu’s capital has its share of mystery for the French too. Recently, a former French diplomat who visited Srirangapatna in an effort to trace the graves of the French soldiers who’d died there during this period — “for my country” — had to return unsuccessful.

An even deeper mystery shrouds the death of General Lally who fought the British army on Tipu’s side at Pollilur in 1780. Some French scholars have concluded that he could have died in India in 1790, or in 1799, at Srirangapatna at the time of Tipu Sultan’s death. But there is no evidence to support their claims. General Lally figures prominently in the enormous mural, depicting the Battle of Pollilur that decorates both sides of one of the main doorways of the Daria Daulat Bagh. Pollilur has been described as ‘one of the greatest calamities that has ever befallen British arms’. It was also the last time an Indian prince was able to inflict a crushing defeat on an imperial power.

A depiction of the Battle of Pollilur. / Special Arrangement / The Hindu
A depiction of the Battle of Pollilur. / Special Arrangement / The Hindu

The figure of Tipu Sultan continues to fascinate the West, where an industry of scholarship has grown around him. In recent years there has been a marked shift from the earlier view, largely shaped by accounts from British sources — the official historians, for example, and soldiers who fought at Srirangapatna, of Tipu as “a monster, pure and simple”. Noted British scholars have, in their different ways, attempted an evaluation of the Sultan that moves away from this one-dimensional appraisal of Tipu as a fanatic. Nor do they flinch when it comes to describing their own excesses during this time. Anne Buddle recognised his patronage of the arts and curated two major exhibitions devoted to Tipu, first in London in 1990, and second, The Tiger and the Thistle Exhibition, at the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1999. Ten years ago, a BBC crew was on location in Srirangapatna, filming forWellesley: The Iron Duke, a lavishly constructed TV series hosted by the late historian Richard Holmes. Contrast their pride in this chapter of our shared history with our own apathy towards it.

Srirangapatna has all the makings of good theatre — the towering figure of the king undone by treachery, a fierce battle and the river that runs through its history like a leitmotif. The area around the Mysore Gate on the ramparts of the Srirangapatna Fort has reportedly been selected for a sound-and-light show focussing on the life and times of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. But the wheels of officialdom grind slowly, so it may be quite some time before this and other projects on the anvil for the fort and this historic city take off.

In the meantime, the enormous potential of the place as a tourist attraction continues to be squandered tragically and there are worrying portents. Witness the slow erosion of Mysore’s legacy as a Maharaja’s capital with high-rise buildings mushrooming next to heritage structures in the heart of the city.

While tourism is unquestionably one of the drivers of our economy, in Srirangapatna, preserving our national heritage is the greater compulsion now. It’s time all discussions on whether Tipu Sultan was a cruel tyrant or a far-sighted ruler were relegated to the academic world, where they belong. Like it or not, he is a part of our history and we owe it to posterity to preserve the historical treasures of Srirangapatna.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Sunday Magazine / by June Gaur / May 04th, 2013

Pages from history : Narasimha idol’s journey : Pakistan to Haridwar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

By Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore

One of the memorable contributions of Kulapati Dr. K.M. Munshi is starting of a fortnightly journal, popularly known as Bhavan’s Journal which has readers all over the world. Dedicated to life, literature and culture, the journal is sought after by common people as well as scholars. This journal’s issue dated 31, March 2013 contained an article written by a senior journalist Dilip Chaware (pages 35-42) and I thought that it would be really interesting to our readers also. Hence inspired by this article I am narrating this journey of Narasimha idol from Multan (Pakistan) to Haridwar (India).

About 200 years ago, there lived a Brahmin Ganeshabhatta Joshi in Sangameshwar and he migrated to Pune to take up a job. His family deity was Lord Narasimha. One day he had a dream in which God Narasimha appeared and told him that he has been lying under a cactus shrub in Kashi and wanted Ganeshabhatta to build a temple for him. Ganeshabhatta and his wife went to Kashi, discovered this image of Narasimha and brought this to Pune and built a small temple for it. After the death of Ganeshabhatta, nine generations have been worshipping this image. How this image reached Kashi is still a mystery. Perhaps to avert a Muslim attack, some well-meaning person may have hidden this image under a cactus shrub.

Recently, Anantharao Joshi, the present descendent of Ganeshabhatta heard a rumour that there was a Narasimha temple at Multan in Pakistan which had some stone idols. Encouraged by this news, Joshi wanted to visit Multan and find out the truth for himself. His sons who were abroad came forward to finance his desire of visiting Multan. Luck also favoured him as a five-day cricket match between India and Pakistan was arranged at Multan in 2004. Joshi got the visa easily to go to Multan under the pretext of witnessing the cricket match.

With the help of his friends, he established contact with a person named Hussain Gardezi, an agriculturist in Multan. Though a Muslim, he had a soft corner for the purpose of Joshi’s visit to Multan and promised all help. Joshi reached Multan in Mar. 2004 and as per the desire of Gardezi, stayed in his house.

Gardezi was very affectionate and provided vegetarian food to Joshi. Thus Joshi was not only comfortable but was also happy by the warmth and affection shown by some of the people of Multan. He also met a local Hindu who had kept two idols, one of sage Vyasa and the other of goddess Lakshmi. Out of fear of the iconoclast neighbours, he had kept them in his bank safe locker. Joshi was very happy to see both the idols stealthily and offered worship.

On enquiring, it was discovered that there was a Hindu temple at a place called Prahladapura and the authorities of Pakistan changed its name as Kilabagh. The Narasimha temple was located at this place. Without giving much publicity, Joshi and friends went to this place where they saw a temple in complete ruins and its materials being used to build a mosque at the same spot. They jumped over the compound of the mosque and entered into the temple. Joshi had a mixed feeling of sorrow and joy at the same time; sorrow because the temple had been destroyed and joy because seeing the ruined parts of the temple of god Narasimha. The stone sanctum (garbhagriha) was 15ft square with a height of 20ft. It also had a pradakshina space. He saw a 15ft. tall stone pillar from which came out Lord Narasimha to kill the demon Hiranyakashipu. However, Joshi was disappointed that he did not see the image of Lord Narasimha.

Then Joshi met a retired Commissioner by name Rana who took the former to the Multan city library. Both searched for relevant books. Finally, they came across a book written by Sayyad Aurlab Ali Gilani titled Muraga-e-Multan (1938). It gave a good description of the temple and referred to the idol of Narasimha which had rubies fixed for his eyes. It was a wealthy temple and was repaired in 1876. After the partition, the temple was destroyed and the saint Mahant Baba Ramananda took the image and kept it in Fatechand Gurudwara for safety, near vegetable market. Later the Gurudwara was also destroyed. Rana requested the Pakistan Government to permit him to rebuild the Gurudwara. But the Government did not grant permission.

Highly disappointed, Joshi returned to Pune. While talking to an elderly person by name Godbole, he got the clue to meet Dr. Shawab Lalit of Shimla. He introduced him to Batra, an active member of the Multan Seva Sangh which is still in existence. Batra informed Joshi that the Narasimha image is safe at a temple in Haridwar and was in daily worship.

What actually happened is equally interesting. There was a saint Narayanadas Baba at Multan who knew about all these things at the temple. When some people destroyed the temple, this Baba packed the Narasimha idol in a wooden crate and was trying to load it into a plane leaving for Delhi. Suddenly an unruly group moved towards the crate and were about to destroy it. Having no other alternative, Baba pulled out his revolver and threatened to kill them. The people vanished and the crate with the Narasimha idol was loaded into plane and safely reached Delhi. As planned earlier, it was taken to Haridwar and was consecrated in Narasimha Dham temple.

The standing marble image of Narasimha is 4 ft. tall; it has a lion face and is holding the demon Hiranyakashipu in his two hands tearing out his stomach. Vishnu, Lakshmi and Prahlada are at the bottom. Though I had been to Haridwar, I did not know that this was the Multani Narasimha and missed seeing him. So, when you go to Haridwar do not forget to pay your respect to this idol of Narasimha. Thus Narasimha has come back to his own country escaping from the clutches of iconoclasts. Thus the Haridwar Narasimha temple is unique and has a saga behind it.

sources: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / May 04th, 2013

Vedantha Hemmige remembered on his 2nd death anniversary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders

HemmigeBF10may2013

Mysore :

“Vedantha Hemmige, who was a bundle of energy throughout his life for any movement, was a model politician too,” said former MLC D. Madegowda.

He was presiding over a programme organised at the Freedom Fighters Park premises in Subbarayanakere grounds here yesterday to mark the 2nd death anniversary of freedom fighter Vedantha Hemmige.

Madegowda pointed out that Hemmige was an amicable person for every one who had a fighting spirit even in distress situations. He regretted that money was ruling the society now.

Freedom fighter Revanna, speaking on the occasion, recalled that Hemmige was instrumental in holding the Freedom Fighters’ Association members together during a period of dissidence. He added that Hemmige had all the qualities of a true leader who never showed pride even when he was a legislator.

Freedom Fighters’ Association President D.N. Jagadish, working President Dr. M.G. Krishnamurthy, Secretary M.R. Ramasesh, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President M. Chandrashekar, FPA India President Maddikere Gopal, Bhargavi Hemmige (daughter-in-law of late Hemmige), Prof. P.V. Nanjaraj Urs, former Mayor Purushotham and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 04th, 2013