Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Multi-Faceted artist Late M. Veerappa

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

The Saga of Mysuru Toys across the Globe

VeerappaBF28dec2014

 Down The Memory Lane

by K. Vijaya Kumar, Former Jt. Director of Information & Publicity

This is a fascinating story which comes back to my memory where a grandfather starts manufacturing wooden toys for tiny-tots and school children of Mysuru way back in 1930s and his grandson carrying them later across the global market for the children of various other countries.

The other day, my long time friend V. Praphulla Chandra sent me a book on his father M. Veerappa in Kannada published by JSS Granthamala and released by Suttur Swamiji recently (author: L. Shivalingappa). Though this small book attaches importance by terming Veerappa as ‘Founding Father of Painting Vachanas’ (which depicts the gist of a Vachana) with many of his such paintings in print, it narrates his multifaceted art life which mainly includes wood-based handicrafts. Veerappa had also served as Assistant Superintendent of Chamarajendra Technical Institute (CTI), being an old student of the Institute in 1918-20.

An artist-turned-craftsman: Though Veerappa started his career as an artist after doing his Master’s at JJ School of Art in Bombay, by opening Bombay Art Studio in Mysuru, an opportunity given by Charles Tod Hunter (British), who was Personal Secretary to Krishnaraja Wadiyar, turns him manufacturing educational and play toys for children in 1930s. Charles also used to carry a few toys as gift to children in his country when he would visit during Christmas. Dewan Sir Mirza Ismail also had appreciated these toys, suggesting some modifications.

I remember to have seen him in his small toy shop opened in the first floor of a building (above R. Krishnaswamy Stationery Stores) by the side of Chamundeshwari Talkies on Sayyaji Rao Road.

Encouragement by Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay: The turning point, perhaps, was in 1959 when Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, the then Chairman of All India Handicrafts Board, visited his Mysuru Toys Company in V.V. Mohalla. Impressed with the works of Veerappa, the Board encouraged its further growth.

By then, the Government of India had already sponsored Veerappa for a training in lacquer art and art of packing in Japan. The letters he wrote to his son late V. Gowrishankar, describing vividly his experience starting from his ship journey from Calcutta Port to Tokyo and the dedication of Japanese to their work and way of life was published later as a book titled ‘Sayonara Japan’ (so popular, it found three editions— 1959, 64, and 69).

Mysuru Toys Factory on Nanjangud Road: The Mysuru Toys Company founded by Veerappa in 1935 with production centre on Kalidasa Road in V.V. Mohalla, grew over the years as his son V. Praphulla Chandra and grandson Satish P. Chandra, a Master’s Degree holder in Business Management from Princeton, USA, established a factory in eighties on Nanjangud Road near Kadakola, extending its wing to manufacturing houseware products along with wooden toys, exporting them abroad. Now the factory is closed.

UNICEF for toys and IKEA for housewares: Having found Mysuru Toys conform to the International Safety Standards, UNICEF wanted them to be supplied globally for children. Similarly, the popular housewares company of Sweden, IKEA started purchasing home furnishing commodities to be sold in their outlets. I was pleasantly surprised to come across Mysuru Toys in a store in Canada where my son lives (Burlington, Ontario) during one of my visits.

Best Export Award: Satish Chandra got the Best Export award three times given by All India Toys Manufacturing Association besides being selected for a foreign trade in wooden toys to North America and Europe. He has now settled in Bengaluru and owns Global Tech Park (P) Ltd.

Endowment in memory of Veerappa: V. Praphulla Chandra’s family have recently established an Endowment in the name of M. Veerappa at JSS Mahavidyapeetha, to honour an outstanding artist every year — one year under fine arts and another year under handicrafts alternatively — calling it ‘Artist M. Veerappa Award’ with a cash prize of Rs. 68,000 (Veerappa lived for 68 years).

The adage ‘Artist is mortal but art is immortal’ applies to the art of Veerappa, who had attained the single-mindedness and concentration as an artist par excellence. One can find his paintings in the State Archaeology Museum in Wellington Lodge, ‘Chitralaya,’ a private gallery, his earliest residence now renovated on 6th Main, 6th Cross, V.V. Mohalla where his another grandson Gowrishankar Sanjay lives. Another grandson, Santosh Shivanna is running a showroom called ‘Woodlife’ nearby on Adipampa Road, where adjoining Veerappa’s another son, my friend M.V. Subramanya (formerly of Perfect Industries, Printing Division) lives.

e-mail: kumarkv59@gmail.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles /  Monday , December 22nd, 2014

Danish Architect Mogens Thiesen in city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Mysuru :

The Danish Architect Mogens Thiesen will be in Mysuru from Dec. 22 to Dec. 30. Mogens Thiesen was working for the Danish Government during The Danish Mysore Project in the early sixties. He was the Architect at the project between the Indian Government and the Danish Government.

Mogens Thiesen will be visiting The Danish Mysore Project and his former staff living in Mysore.

Mogens Thiesen will also celebrate his 80th birthday together with his old friends in Mysore and his oldest son, daughter-in-law and four grand-children.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General  News /  Monday , December 22nd, 2014

Workshop for Adivasi Youth begins

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Girijan Social Activist Dr. Jerry Pais is seen releasing the Kannada Version of ‘Early Childhood Care and Education Policy’ during the workshop in city this morning as NACDIP Forum President (South India) Dr. Krishnan, Nisarga Foundation President Nanjundaiah, District Child Protection Officer Jayaram and others look on
Girijan Social Activist Dr. Jerry Pais is seen releasing the Kannada Version of ‘Early Childhood Care and Education Policy’ during the workshop in city this morning as NACDIP Forum President (South India) Dr. Krishnan, Nisarga Foundation President Nanjundaiah, District Child Protection Officer Jayaram and others look on

Mysuru :

A day-long workshop on ‘Learning other languages through mother tongue’ organised jointly by National Advocacy Council for Development of Indigenous People (NAC-DIP)Karnataka Forum and Nisarga Foundation commenced this morning at Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra on Mysuru-Nanjangud road here. About 50 representatives of Adivasi Youth are attending the workshop. The Kannada Version of ‘Early Childhood Care and Education Policy’ was released on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director Radha said that most of the adivasis had come to the main stream of society but still a few were languishing in dark oblivious of their rights. She suggested NGOs to meet such adivasis and spread awareness among them. She opined that child marriage itself was a violation of Child Rights which should be curbed totally. She advised adivasis to send their Children to Anganavadi centres to get access to nutritious food.

Girijan Social Activist Dr. Jerry Pais presided. NACDIP Forum President (South India) Dr. Krishnan, Nisarga Foundation President Nanjundaiah, District Child Protection Officer Jayaram and others were present at the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General  News /  Monday , December 22nd, 2014

First international puppet fest from Jan. 1

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion

100 artists will be participating in the event being organised by Dhaatu Puppet Theatre

What to expect

* Conferences: 9 am to 1 pm;

* Short performances: 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm

* Spectacular performances: 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm

* The curtain-raiser Puppet Show will take place at NGMA on December 30, 5 pm

* Puppet Parade on January 1 from 10 am. It will go through M.G. Road, Church Street and reach Metro Rangoli walkway.

* Films of puppets from Jan 1-4 at Rangoli theatre.

* Inauguration of puppet performing space at Dhaatu, Banashankari on January 1, 3.30 pm

* A Dhaatu bus stop on K.R. Road with permanent puppet exhibits. Inauguration on January 1, 4.30 pm

* KIA houses two puppet installations

* Participants include Prof. Katia Legeret of Paris-8 University; Prof. Claudia Orenstein from Hunter College, New York; Dimitri Jaganeau from Brussels, Belgium; Dadi Padamjee, President, UNIMA.

* ‘Vijayanagara Vybhava’ by Dhaatu, directed by Anupama Hoskere, would have 72 puppets tracing the performing arts of Karnataka from Tretayuga. January 4, 7.30 pm JSS auditorium

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – December 27th, 2014

Winners of State-Level Yoga contest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports
Seen in the picture are the achievers of Vivekananda Yoga Foundation and Research Institution with the Yoga instructor Dr. Ganesh Kumar
Seen in the picture are the achievers of Vivekananda Yoga Foundation and Research Institution with the Yoga instructor Dr. Ganesh Kumar

Mysuru :

Mysuru Yoga Okkuta had organised State-level yoga championship on Dec. 14 at Narayanananda Vishwayogashrama in which the following students of Vivekananda Yoga Foundation and Research Institution have bagged the Team Championship:

8-10 years: Anitha (III prize), Amulya (IV), Madan (V)

11-14 years: H. Khushi (I), Damini (III), K. Vignesh, Suraj and Anjali Bhaskar (IV); 15-18 years: Gangadhara (II), Sourabha (III)

19-25 years: Madan Gowda (I), Kiran (III)

26-35 years: Padma (III) and Shivanetra (IV)

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News  /  Sunday , December 21st, 2014

Prof. G.H. Nayak gets Sahitya Academy Award for collection of Essays

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Mysuru :

Noted city based Kannada writer and critic Prof. G.H. Nayak has won the Kendriya Sahitya Academy award-2014 for ‘Uttarardha,’ a compilation of his essays on literary criticism.

The award carries a cheque of Rs.1 lakh, an engraved copper plaque and a shawl. It will be presented at the festival of letters, the annual function of the academy to take place on Mar. 9, 2015.

‘Uttarardha’ got the award along with works of Ashwin Mehta (Gujarati) and Madhav Sardesai (Konkani).

The awards were recommended by Jury members representing 22 Indian Languages and approved by the Executive Board of the Academy in New Delhi on Friday.

Originally hailing from Surve in Ankola Taluk of Uttara Kannada District, Prof. G.H. Nayak, 79, a resident of Saraswathipuram in the city, had served as Kannada Professor at University of Mysore.

Prof. Nayak, a Pampa award recipient in 2010, has many works to his credit which include Harishchandra, Kavya, Odu, Vimarshe, Anivarya, Samakaleena, Dalita Horata, Nijadani, Sahitya Sameekshe and Sakalika.

Speaking to ‘SOM’ after the announcement of the award, Prof. Nayak shared his joy saying that he was delighted to get the award.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General  News  /  Saturday , December 20th, 2014

Monumental men who want to preserve Bangalore

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

Bangalore :

Bangalore is 477 years old or at least the record books say so. From the times of Kempegowda to its Silicon Valley  days, this city has stood witness to several stories, some told, some untold and many forgotten.

In search of this treasure trove of tales, a group of architects and a few likeminded others started some years ago Bygone Bangalore, a group on a social networking site. Their objective is to revive and relieve those forgotten stories. What started as page for sharing old photographs is now turning out to be among the few groups mirroring the city’s heritage.

“Did you know Chhatrapati Shivaji got married in a temple in Malleswaram?” asks Naresh Narasimhan, an architect who has been a part of Bygone Bangalore from its initial days. “In fact, his father owned a huge house in Chickpet. That’s the thing, the more you know about your city’s past, the more you love it,” he says.

From the outset, the group had its goals defined: to bring to the fore old and inspiring photographs of the Garden City, to prompt conversations about the place, especially on social networking forums and among the new migrant population.

“Unlike Chennai, New Delhi or Mumbai, our photo archive is minimal. We wanted members of this group to share old frames from their albums to increase this database. Thanks to the network, we have been able to exhibit some rare photos of Bangalore,” says Kiran Natarajan, another member of Bygone Bangalore.

As was conceived, these photographs soon led to conversations, even explorations. “Recently we found the tomb of Hyder Ali’s maternal uncle, Ibrahim, in Kumbarpet. Ibrahim was instrumental in making Hyder a king and this piece of history was lying unattended there,” says Mansoor Ali, an architect.

Members of the group also looked back to trace the history of Russell Market. And what they found was quite intriguing. Inside the present building, which is almost 133 years old, stands a 150-year-old clock tower. “Earlier it was called the New Market. It was an open ground where hawkers sold goods to British officers. The British later decided to a build a concrete structure there. It was one straight corridor with a clock tower on it.

The market was expanded again in 1921, but the original construction remains. In fact, some people are keen on getting that clock ticking once again,” says Kiran.

As the explorations continue, every trivia from the yesteryears is shared with those interested during heritage works organized by the group. “Recently, we organized a food walk in Basavanagudi. We wanted to explore the history of Basavanagudi through the traditional eateries in the area. This is one part of the city which retains its old-world charm,” says Ali.

The group also delves into issues of conversation. “There were 1,880 documented buildings in Bangalore, today there are less than 400 remaining. While some of these are with government, those owned by individuals are being demolished to accommodate real estate boom,” says Naresh.

Heritage isn’t just about concrete structures. It’s going back in time to Bangalore’s old way of life. If you want to experience it, step out and look for it. Even though places like Madiwala and HSR Layout have turned into concrete jungles, they too have a history. For instance, the temple of old Madiwala village still exists, and the temple fest still happens. What’s heartening is that more people are coming forward to participate in these celebrations that keep the Bangalore of yore alive

Kiran Natarajan | Bygone Bangalore member and what they know is shared to those interested, through heritage walks by the group.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bengaluru> Namma Metro / by Arun Dev, TNN / May 05th, 2014

Wildlife Calendar ‘ BANADA BADUKU ‘ released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Travel

BanadaCalendarBF25dec2014

Mysuru :

“Skill in a job alone can bring best results,” opined Sarod Maestro Pandit Rajiv Taranath.

He was speaking after releasing the wildlife calendar ‘Banada Baduku’ brought out by photographer Lokesh Mosale at a function organised at Rani Bahadur auditorium in Manasagangotri here on Wednesday.

Taranath pointed out that skill was fading in many jobs and a few people like politicians, only deliver lectures and show no performance. He commended the creativity and skill of Lokesh Mosale.

Mysore University VC Prof. K.S. Rangappa said that Lokesh Mosale had captured the beauty of wildlife and compiled the calendar in a beautiful way.

Environmentalist Rajani Patil, entrepreneur S.P. Madhu, Lokesh Mosale and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General  News  /  Friday , December 19th, 2014

Rs.100 crore for Development of Heritage Structures in Mysuru

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Belagavi :

The Government has earmarked Rs. 100 crore for development of heritage structures in Mysuru, which houses as many as 201 heritage structures for the year 2014-15, announced Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake here yesterday.

Answering a query from MLC Sandesh Nagaraj in the Council, Sorake said that the funds would be utilised for renovating Lansdowne building, Devaraja Market, installing the statue of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar at Hardinge Circle, concreting Jumboo Savari Route, widening and developing Irwin Road and development of houses around the flower market located south of Devaraja Market.

Sorake also said that works of asphalting the stretch of B.N.Road from Hardinge Circle to Basaveshwara Circle, Albert Victor Road, Nelson Mandela Road and adjoining roads in city would also be taken up.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General  News  /  Friday , December 19th, 2014

A precious bond

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

 

Vinod Hayagriv (54) & Chaitanya V Cotha (28)
Vinod Hayagriv (54) & Chaitanya V Cotha (28)
Friends, critics and business partners — this father-son duo who run a 145-year old jewellery house get candid about their relationship in and out of office 
As a class four student when Chaitanya V Cotha was diagnosed with dyslexia, his father, C Vinod Hayagriv, the Managing Director of C Krishniah Chetty & Sons (CKC), felt like there was a wall in front of him. “What was the future going to be like, where would this lead to, what would he be, will he be himself, would it be a difficult life?” Hayagriv recalls asking himself. Referring to his elder son as a Taare Zameen Par kid, he adds, “Initially, we felt terrible as parents. It just wasn’t easy.”
But, today, when he looks back, Hayagriv is a proud father. Full of praise about how Cotha not only overcame his disability but also went on to manage the 1869 founded family-run business as its Executive Director, the 54-year-old also points out how Cotha has spearheaded three ventures of his own. When we meet the father-son duo at The Touchstone, off Cubbon Road on Friday morning, Hayagriv says, “He’s got a fighting determination. Most people would have given up midway.”
Which is the reason Hayagriv would be present at every parent-teacher meeting to make note of his son’s progress. “That’s something I didn’t do for my younger son,” he says, even as father and son unanimously agree that Shreyas is the “smartest” in the family. Talking about how Cotha has trained himself well in the last 10 years — from not being able to read long passages to pursuing a course in gemology and an MBA course, we are told that he is called back to school (Mallya Aditi International School) to talk to students facing similar issues.
When Hayagriv entered the family-run business in the ’80s, it was considered a natural progression for him to join his father CV Hayagriv (known as Hayagriv senior). But it was a different story when Cotha, who completed his Masters in Business Management from Regis University in 2009, was to enter the business in 2010.
Although the idea of joining the family business was always at the “back of his mind”, Cotha had begun applying for jobs back in the US.
He even got an offer from a leading jewellery brand in the world, which incidentally was also a family business. Wanting his father to aid in the decision-making process, Cotha asked his dad to come over and take a look at the place he might be working at. Never mind the speeding ticket that they got while driving down from San Diego to Arizona (which Cotha admits was his fault), Hayagriv laughs as he tells us that he was impressed with the line-up of Rolls-Royce and Porches in front of the store. “It’s a fine life that he gave up. If I were him, I might still take that option,” Hayagriv says. To which Cotha immediately reminds him that he was recently offered a position to head the store in California.
“It was completely his decision. We had a couple of brainstorming sessions with my sisters, one in Mysore, and the other in the US, to give their suggestions,” Hayagriv says. To which Cotha says, “But, right at the beginning my father had set things straight; I remember him saying, ‘The business is not built for you.’ That way he’s very open in how he thinks, he never forced us to come back.”
Starting from scratch
When Cotha finally took the decision of coming back to India, he didn’t join his father as one would have expected. Instead, he started a new business of his own —1869 Guild, a manufacturing and wholesale jewellery business. Having taken no financial assistance from his father, Cotha, who was working out of an office space on Avenue Road, found himself going to small jewellers in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Punjab to get dealers for his venture. And within a span of 18 months, he had tied up with 250 stores.
Going from jeweller to jeweller, “without being the shadow of his father” was tough, he admits. But, looking back, he is thankful for the experience of spreading the word about the set-up and learning the ropes of the business. “When you go out there, people don’t know who you are. I was out travelling to smaller places in the state, at least 20 days a month. I must admit, it was hard, but I enjoyed it. People looked at me as me — not part of CKC,” he says.
It was a similar story when Cotha’s younger brother, Shreyas was contemplating his plan of action after graduation. But, following his elder brother’s example, Shreyas too ditched the offer to work for the “second largest jewellery company” in the world to join the CKC in 2012.
Work and play 
When it comes to working with his sons, Hayagriv makes no bones when he admits that it’s “very tough”. A generation gap, different mindsets and conflicting viewpoints are some of the reasons for this. “When I was working with my father, it was different. I used to do as he said. But with my sons it’s different. They are opinionated, there are numerous debates, and all this requires a lot of tolerance. But, in a way, it is positive,” says Hayagriv, who consults his father even today when it comes to taking decisions. “But whatever happens, we never walk out of arguments,” Cotha adds.
For instance, at present, they are working on a wealth and asset management structure that would work for each of the four families (Hayagriv senior, junior, the two sons and their families). Hayagriv and his father are planning a safety net (in terms of old age, health) for each of the family members. “My father has done a lot of family settlements and partitions in his life. These are the areas that his experience comes in handy,” he says.
When it comes to their working styles too, they’re like chalk and cheese. Though Hayagriv thinks about work 24/7, with dinner table conversations revolving around the business, Cotha switches off once he’s out of office. “No screen time post work hours. I must credit that to my wife Yagnika,” says Cotha, who spends his free time with his toddler son.
When Hayagriv does unwind, he often heads outdoors — golfing or trekking. In fact, earlier this year, Hayagriv used a Trikke to commute to work. “Actually, Dad is a fun guy off work,” Cotha reveals. As a principle though, the family, we’re told, never goes on vacations together. It’s planned in such a way that one of them is there to ensure the business runs smoothly.
The women in their lives 
Behind these successful men, are their wives, who they credit for keeping them going through ups and downs. Hayagriv turns to his wife Triveni for financial advice, although he doesn’t heed it all the time. “Especially in stock market matters, there are times that she has told me that I should just sell them but I didn’t,” he says, regretting the I-told-you-so moments this gives rise to.
Although Cotha turns to his father for advice on business, he’s also influenced by his mother, who is involved in charity work. “She cares a lot for people in general. Those are some qualities I hope to inherit,” he adds. Looks like this is one family with ties as solid as gold.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / BangaloreMirror.com / Home> Columns> Sunday Read / by Vidya Iyengar, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / December 21st, 2014