Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Lack of care causing damage to museums: Expert

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

Mysore  :

With an objective to protect and conserve cultural heritage of the country, the Regional Conservation Laboratory (RCL), Mysore, a regional unit of National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property, Lucknow, commenced 10-day workshop on care and maintenance of museum objects at its premises in Siddharth Nagar on Monday. Mysore division additional commissioner M R Ravi inaugurated the workshop.

Speaking on the occasion professor of history and archaeology at the University of Mysore N S Rangaraju, stressing on the importance of conservation of monuments, said authorities need to utilize the facilities in a proper manner to conserve valuable monuments in the state. Though there are numerous experts in the field they are unrecognized, and thus the administration has failed to maintain monuments properly.

B V Kharbade, chief, RCL, Mysore, stressing on the importance of workshops said many people, who maintain museums lack the required knowledge. Internal pollution causes more damage to museums than external pollution. Improper lighting system and humidity are the major threats to monuments. Besides, faulty material used in maintenance too causes huge destruction, he pointed out. The objective of the workshop is to identify factors that cause deterioration of museum objects and to find solutions to prevent them, he said. The workshop will focus on areas such as care, maintenance, handling, storage and display of museum objects.

source:http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysore / TNN / October 07th, 2014

Mandya Ramesh invited to direct play in US

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

Mysore :

The members of Kannada Koota and Theatre enthusiasts of California in America have invited cine actor, theatrist and director Mandya Ramesh of Natana to direct a Kannada play at California.

Having seen the plays Chama Cheluve, Chora Charanadasi, Samsaradalli Sa Ni Da Pa, Agni Mattu Male and many children’s plays directed by Mandya Ramesh, the California Kannada Association has invited him to conduct theatre camp and direct a play in the US.

Mandya Ramesh has consented to stay in the US for 25 days and train America Kannadigas in Classical Theatre.

With all diplomatic formalities completed, the theatrist is scheduled to leave for the US in the second week of October along with his Natana theatre troupe artistes.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General  News / Tuesday , October 07th, 2014

Dr. Bhyrappa’s ‘PARVA’ to come alive as Telugu movie

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

ParvaBF13oct2014

Mysore :

‘Parva,’ one of the popular novels authored by city’s renowned writer Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa is all set to come alive on silver screen.

The movie, which will be shot in Telugu language, is said to be directed by Tollywood’s numero uno director Rajamouli.

Sources said that Rajamouli had expressed his desire to direct a movie based on the Kannada novel ‘Parva’ some time back. It is said, the book, which is also translated into English, was inspired by the great Hindu epic Mahabharatha. However, it is still not sure if Rajamouli had contacted writer Dr. Bhyrappa to seek his consent to do a film based on his novel.

Previously, Dr. Bhyrappa’s novel ‘Vamshavruksha’ was shot in Telugu by director Bapu with the title ‘Vamshavruksham’ which starred Anil Kapoor. Though, it is said that Kannada movie directors wanted to direct movies based on Bhyrappa’s novels nothing has come up so far.

‘Parva’ is sure to get a new dimension through Rajamouli. However, when Star of Mysore contacted, Dr. Bhyrappa was not available as he was abroad. He will be returning to city on Oct. 12.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General  News / Tuesday , October 07th, 2014

Staunch Swadeshi supporter

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

PrashantPandeyBF11oct2014

Meet Prashant Pandey who collected around 500 HMT watches. Pandey wants to create online HMT museum shortly.
passion varies from person to person.  While some people have passion for foreign-made products, others are fond of swadeshi products. Prashant Pandey belongs to the latter category. Pandey has been collecting watches for the last three years. His passion of collecting HMT watches made his five-year-old daughter follow him.

What made him collect watch?
Prashant Pandey is a strong supporter of Swadeshi products. Pandey considers HMT watches are an excellent example of a made in India product. “As an infant my aunt would put me to sleep by creating the tick tick sound of a mechanical watch by clicking her finger nails close to my ears. My first encounter with an HMT watch was when I saw an HMT watch on my grandfather’s wrist. It was an HMT quartz watch that was given to him by his organization. The other memory was of a visually impaired gentleman, who was reading time by feeling the dial of an HMT brail watch. As I grew up my memories of HMT watches faded until one day when I was travelling back late night from the Bangalore airport to my home and saw the HMT Bhawan on my way. The name HMT brought back my childhood memories and I decided to find out if they were still making watches,’’ narrates Pandey

Family support
According to him, these watches are pocket friendly creating a collection needs time and money and without the support of family it’s difficult to pursue it. “I have a very supportive family specially my wife. She has been very supportive and encouraged me to pursue my hobby. Some of my colleagues saw my watch and now they have an HMT watch on their wrists as well,’’ he said.  He exhibits his watches often to close friends and on the facebook page (facebook/HMTwatchespicturegallery) and group (facebook/HMTwatchcollectors) to help people understand that HMT made beautiful watches so that they do not fade away from the minds of general public.
He wants to request the government of India to pay some attention to the “made in India” along with “make in India” products. “I believe the future lies with our next generation. My five-year-old daughter Shubhangi is already an HMT fan and I also meet lot of kids and teenagers who proudly wear their HMT watches. Most of the members on our group are between 25 and 34 year,’’ he said.

–Jurmoloya Rava

source: http://www.cityplus.jagran.com / City Plus, Jagran / Home / by Jurmolya Rava / 2014-10-09

Irresistible charm of Yezdi bikes

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

MOTORBIKE CLUB

Superbikes and classy Royal Enfields are luring youngsters and young professionals.

But a distinctive motorbike group is trying to popularise the country-made Yezdi and Jawa bikes. No longer being manufactured, these bikes are more like a vintage item. Therefore, in an attempt to bring owners of these bikes together, Gursaurabh Singh started the ‘Yezdi and Jawa Club’ five years ago.

“Initially we were not active on the social networking sites. It was three years back when we started our page on Facebook to get connected to a maximum number of people,” says Singh, who started the group along with his avid-biker cousin Inderjeet Singh.

“At that time we were the only members. Gradually the number increased to five and now there are a 100 Yezdi and Jawa owners who are a part of this group.”The group expanded when Singh used to takehis 1978 model for maintenance at a local mechanic shop in Rajouri Garden.

“Mechanics did their role in giving strength to this group. They mentioned about the club to other people and they approached us. Now, every week atleast two to three people approach us for joining this club.”

As the number is increasing so are the rides and meetings. Considering the fact the bike does not give mileage like any other superbike, the group prefers not to take off on any long distance ride. “We have been to Alwar, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Nainital, besides doing rounds within the City,” says Singh.

Given that the maintenance of the bike is a costly affair, most of the owners are extra careful about its upkeep and health. Says Singh, “If we run the bike for 10,000 kilometres we have to pay just the double of it as maintenance. Also, there are some parts which are not available in the market. For this we have to ask the mechanic to especially make it or procure it. Even some parts which are still available can be availed from only limited shops in the city.”

Thirty-year-old Singh, who is the proud owner of Yezdi, loves the motorbike for its looks. “It has got a unique identity. Even the ‘vroom’ of this bike is distinctive. It forces people to turn around and give it more than a second look. I bought my bike from my neighbour in 2001 and since then I am taking care of it.”

But the young biker reveals a fondness for the 1964 model, which is the oldest model of the bike in the club. “It was imported from Czechoslovakia at that time. It is beautiful,” says Singh.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Metrolife / by Archana Mishra / DHNS – October 08th, 2014

Grandiose Jumboo Savari

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Travel, World Opinion

71 cultural troupes & 45 tableaux take part

JumbooBF10fri2014

Mysore :

Nearly five lakh people from across the globe yesterday converged on the Royal Route from the Palace to Bannimantap to witness Jumboo Savari, the spectacular event of the 404th edition of grandiose Mysore Dasara which ended on a colourful note.

The regal procession, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah by offering puja to Nandi Dhwaja in front of the Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple adjacent to the North Gate of the Palace at about 1.05 pm in the auspicious Dhanur Lagna, comprised of as many as 71 cultural troupes including 12 troupes from States like Assam, West Bengal, Tibet, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Chattisgarh, along with 45 tableaux passing through the Royal Route with elephant Balarama leading Gajendra, Gopi, Prashant, Harsha, Vikram, Varalakshmi from the front to reach Bannimantap at about 4.45pm.

Cultural troupes: As many as 71 cultural troupes highlighting the cultural features of many districts in the State and other States were part of the attractive Jumboo Savari.

Arjuna’s hat-trick: The majestic howdah elephant Arjuna, who carried the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari from the Palace to Bannimantap during the Jumboo Savari yesterday for the third year successively, achieved a hat-trick.

Three-tier security for Howdah: About 40 personnel, armed with AK-47 assault rifles provided a three-tier security to the 750 kg Golden Howdah, along with personnel from KSRP.

Commandant Ramdas Gowda, speaking to SOM, said that Assistant Commandant Mahadevaiah, Inspector Basavanna who are trained by Commandos of National Security Guards (NSG), supervised the security arrangements around the Howdah which has been insured for Rs. 15 crore.

The caparisoned Arjuna, at his majestic best, flanked by Kumki elephants Mary and Kaveri, carried the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysore, placed inside the 750 kg Golden Howdah to the accompaniment of recital of classical music by Palace artistes, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah inside the Palace premises at 3.16 pm, who showered floral petals to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General  News  / Friday, October 05th, 2014

95-year-old to lead Gorava dance in Jumboo Savari

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

GoravaraBF07oct2014

Mysore :

Folk art troupe Goravara Kunitha, with men wearing headgear made of bear-hair, will be a special attraction in the Dasara Jumboo Savari procession with a 95-year-old man Puttamallegowda (see pic) leading the troupe.

He hails from Chamarajanagar district’s Ramasamudra village. Despite his advanced age, Puttamallegowda is very agile and dances like a teenager. He was the cynosure of all eyes at the Raitha Dasara (farmers’ Dasara) procession recently.

Speaking to SOM, Puttamallegowda said that he has been into the art since the age of 18 and has taught several youngsters. He said that he won the Karnataka Rajyotsava award when S. Bangarappa was the Chief Minister. He has been participating in Dasara procession since the past 30 years.

The term Gorava refers to people belonging to the Kuruba Gowda community who have taken a special vow and dress in the traditional overcoat and headgear, and beat a damroo shouting “Elukoti.. Elukoti…” (Seven crores) – the number of Goravas Mailara, armed with bows and arrows, took to battle against a demon, Mallasura and his brother. They also dance in ritualistic warrior like dance called the “Goravara Kunitha” with a small “dollu” in one hand and a flute in the other hand. It is a custom in most villages of Karnataka to bring young children in front of the Goravas to get their blessings and to allay the fears of children.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday, October 01st, 2014

Environmentalist Prof. K.B.Sadanand no more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

SadananadBF07oct2014

Mysore :

K.B. Sadanand, a former Botany professor in the University of Mysore and an environment conservation enthusiast, passed away this morning at the age of 72.

A bachelor and residing in Jayalakshmipuram with his brother Prof. K.B. Prabhu Prasad, a littérateur, he was very active with the Zoo activities as a member of its Education Wing. He also played a vital role in designing the Butterfly Park at Karanji Lake.

He was the Chief Editor of Kannada Vishwa Kosha (lexicon) and has written several books on environment conservation. As per his wish, his body was donated to JSS Medical College.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday, October 01st, 2014

First Gujarati Leader in America

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

Sir,

The occasion of Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to the US brings to mind “Virchand Raghavji Gandhi,” a barrister and religious scholar, who is widely regarded as “the first Gujarati leader to make a public visit to the US.”

A prized archival photograph showing “Virchand Gandhi (turbaned at extreme left) with Swami Vivekananda with a flowing turban in the centre at the World Parliament of Religions, Chicago, 1893.”
A prized archival photograph showing “Virchand Gandhi (turbaned at extreme left) with Swami Vivekananda with a flowing turban in the centre at the World Parliament of Religions, Chicago, 1893.”

Virchand Gandhi (1864-1901) represented Jainism at the World’s Parliament of Religions (Chicago, 1893), where Swami Vivekananda made his immortal speech. Virchand Gandhi delivered more than 500 lectures on religion and philosophy across the US and Europe, and is often hailed as the Father of American Jainism.

Mrs. Howard, an American woman, became his foremost disciple, almost like Sister Nivedita in the case of Swami Vivekananda, and was among the first converts to the tenets of Jainism under his influence.

—S. G. Seetharam

Gita Road

25.9.2014

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / Tuesday,  September 30th,  2014

PIO’s thesis to detail sex workers’ life in Mumbai

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

Mangalore  :

India-born German Chaya Maria Schupp, who has been searching for her biological mother from the past decade, is also another mission — documenting the lives of sex workers in Mumbai.

She is pursuing her doctorate thesis on the subject as part of an exchange programme between the University of Kassel, Germany, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The thesis will document the lives of women in the red-light areas of Mumbai and how they cope with home and work.

Chaya, who started working on her thesis in 2011, plans to submit it early next year. “Only half of the work is done. I have interviewed countless sex workers and have come to understand their plight,” she said.

The major focus of her thesis is to study the system. Though Germany has many red-light districts, Chaya does not want to comment on it or compare it with the one in Mumbai.

According to her, women have been pushed into sex trade majorly due to poverty and violence at home. “There are different hues of women I have seen. Many of those who have joined voluntarily due to poverty do not enjoy it. Some come to make a fast buck. Some are forced into it. Some are happy and others unhappy,” said Chaya, who has studied women’s issues. “I like to study issues affecting women. My focus has been violation of women’s rights,” she said.

Chaya was six when she was adopted by a German couple.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangalore / Stanley Pinto, TNN / October 03rd, 2014