Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Ganappa not the only star of the show

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

Hubli :

Who says Ganesha Chaturthi festivities are only about Bappa? The stars of the show during this year’s celebrations in the city will be theme-based tableaux.

Several mandals in Hubli have taken to the idea giving a touch of history, mythology, culture, social awareness and spirituality to their processions. Tableaux on the Mysore Dasara celebrations, the birth of Draupadi as depicted in the Mahabharata, the Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and the life of the Siddharudh swami, a mystic of the Advaita Vedanta stream widely regarded as one of the greatest saints of Hinduism, are expected to draw a large number of visitors.

Organizers of the Sri Varasiddhi Vinayak Mandali at Sheelavantar Oni have become more resourceful. They plan to have a tableau on the Mysore Dasara Jumboo Savari carrying Ganesha and Chamundi idols inaugurated by a statue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It’s not banking on the Dasara tableau alone to grab eyeballs. During a 5-minute-long show, tableaux on the bravery of freedom fighter Kittur Rani Chennamma and Onake Obavva, who had fought the forces of Hyder Ali single-handedly with a pestle (onake) in Chitradurga, on lifestyles and cultures of villages, and on national leaders led by a depiction of Bharat Mata will enthral audiences, says mandal designer Bahubali Umachagi.

Sri Ganeshotsav Mandali in Durgadbail is giving final touches to a replica of the Chennakesava temple in Belur. While its facade bears resemblance to the temple, its interiors give the feel of being inside a palace. A three-minute-long show on the birth of Draupadi, the daughter of king Drupada will be performed here, says Kishor Hanumasagar, vice president of the mandal.

The Ganesha idol installing committee of Boospeth will present a performance on the life of Siddharudha Swami. Sri Maruti Yuvaka Seva Sangha is hoping that those who wish to visit the famous Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur can tick it off their bucket list by seeing a replica of the temple at Simpli Galli. Raghavendra Bhat, president of the Sangha, says devotees can get darshans of a 7.5-ft tall idol %of goddess Mahalaxmi. %Later, silver idol of %Ganesha weighing 55kg will be presented before the audience, he adds.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hubli / TNN / August 29th, 2014

The talking Two …

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Suma Rajkumar and her doll Ricky

A marvellous relationship between Suma Rajkumar and her doll Ricky started around five years ago when Suma had decided to learn something unique and achieve in life. She knew life very much as a homemaker and a mother of two but the potion of success she had never tasted! Like they say, “there is always a time for everything in life,” Suma was being known to people as a ventriloquist when Ricky came into her life!

SumaRajkumarBF05sept2014

by Phalgunn Maharishi

Suma who hailed from an orthodox family in Bangalore dreamed of achieving a lot since her childhood. She had her hands laid on the then popular course of Printing and Technology in Mysore University and also had procured flying colours in her Kannada and English Typing Senior Grade courses. While recalling her life as a young girl, Suma said, “My father had a printing press at home and may be that’s the reason why he made me learn Printing and Technology.” She further added, “My friends and relatives know me for how much I talk! The chatterbox inside me pushed me into anchoring events and also into a local TV channel as a host.”

Suma takes pride of being the first female ventriloquist and magician of the city after she learnt the art of talking dolls and illusion from her master Jadugar Guruswamy six years ago. Before that, she knew nothing about the art. But her dedication, willingness, participation and involvement in learning has made her a maestro. While speaking about how she came into contact with her master, Suma said, “I used to take my children to Subrahmanya for their drawing classes and that is where I came to know about Jadugar Guruswamy whom I later bombarded with requests to teach me the art,” with a big smile. She also added, “He was really kind enough to accept my request and bring out the ventriloquist in me.”

With the urge of wanting to leave a footprint in this journey called life, Suma soon started performing the art of ventriloquism on small stages here and there. She has so far performed 450+ number of shows throughout the State. Some of her most successful shows have been performed at Dharmasthala Laksha Deepothsava, Mysore Dasara Exhibition, Central Jail, GRS, Suttur Jathra and also corporate get-togethers at companies like Nestle, BOC India Ltd, BEML, KMF, KPTCL, Rangsons and WEP Peripherals to name a few. She has also been in the focal point during the TV show ‘Kamanabillu’ aired in Kasturi TV when her talking doll Ricky gave it a tremendous opening.

While speaking about her first presentation, Suma said, “Five years ago, I had taken my children to a cultural event organised by Inner Wheel – Rotary Club. There I met the then President of the Club Rachana and requested her to provide me an opportunity to showcase my talent at the valedictory function. Never before had I presented a ventriloquism show but the President was kind enough and agreed immediately.” She later added with a proud smile of achievement, “The show was a success and thereafter I have never looked back in my life.”

Suma presented her ventriloquism show for twenty minutes in the beginning and most of her shows were adjoined or collaborated with other artistes. Later, the demand for her talent and the constant requests of people to see her shows for longer duration led Suma to learn the art of illusion under her master Jadugar Guruswamy. By then she was totally ready to give an independent two hour show and entertain the audience. She dedicated her first show with both ventriloquism and illusion to ‘Balakiyara Bala Mandira’, a government undertaken orphanage near Race Course in city. “The pleasure in performing a full length show in front of the orphan girls was surely an unforgettable experience,” commented Suma while remembering those days.

The shows presented by Suma are usually fun-filled with jokes being cracked every now and then. She usually takes the role of a mother and Ricky the doll as her child and deliver every possible notorious and mischievous dialogues tackling the present social situations. While speaking about the format and presentation of her shows, Suma said, “My shows are usually built up constantly. No story line and no dedicated themes can be found. But I develop the script and sequence everything according to my audience and the society.” She also added, “My master has taught me everything and imbibed his knowledge into me. Apart from that, I have implemented my own style of presentation to avoid the imitations of my master.”

Suma is lucky enough to have a husband and children who support her a lot in fulfilling her dreams. Her husband who is a businessman has been assisting Suma everywhere and in every show to make it a success. “He is the one who assists me back stage,” said Suma with happiness loaded in her words.

Suma Rajkumar, a unique talent in a very unique field, is really an appreciable woman who has proved once again that women are no lesser than men. She is also a trained yoga practitioner and is currently teaching her students daily for two hours along side her busy schedule. Suma has also been a proud recipient of the prestigious “Kittur Rani Chenamma Prashasthi” for her tremendous achievement in ventriloquism and illusion along with other numerous awards like “Kadamba Seva Ratna,” “Mysore Nakshatra,” “Kayaka Ratna” and many more. She truly is an inspiration for all the mothers and homemakers to keep their right step ahead to live a life they deserve!

[Suma Rajkumar can be contacted on Mob: 94806-39568]

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 31st,  2014

All-India Open Dog show

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports

357 dogs of 37 breeds participate

District Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad is seen releasing catalogues on dogs at the All-India Level Dog Show conducted by the Canine Club of Mysore (CCM) at the Dasara Expo Ground this morning while MLA G.T. Devegowda, CCM President B.P. Manjunath, former MUDA Chairman L. Nagendra and others look on. Picture right shows a lady holding a St. Bernard, which was a star attraction at the Show.
District Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad is seen releasing catalogues on dogs at the All-India Level Dog Show conducted by the Canine Club of Mysore (CCM) at the Dasara Expo Ground this morning while MLA G.T. Devegowda, CCM President B.P. Manjunath, former MUDA Chairman L. Nagendra and others look on. Picture right shows a lady holding a St. Bernard, which was a star attraction at the Show.

Mysore :

The people assembled at Dasara Expo Grounds here watched in sheer awe and praise as dogs of various breeds sashayed on the ramp with immaculate behavior at the first All India Open Dog Show organised by Canine Club of Mysore (CCM) this morning.

In all, 357 dogs of 37 breeds including Siberian Husky, Pinscher, Great Dane, Pug, Boxer, Saint Bernard, German Shepherd, Mudhol, Chow, Hound, Labrador, Dachshund, Beagle and Cocker Spaniel participated in the show.

The show was judged by Edwina Thomas, Yvonne Meintjes from Austrialia, C.V. Sudarshan from Chennai and T. Preetham from Bangalore. Prizes will be awarded in the evening.

The dogs were judged on seven parameters like gait, health, looks, behavior and taking orders from the owner. The smallest of the dogs weighed just 1.5 kg.

The dog owners had come from Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pune, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and other places.

It was a common sight to find some of the owners pampering their prized exotic possessions in the air-conditioned comfort of their vehicles as they did not want to take any chance with the vagaries of weather which could affect the dogs.

Some of the participating dogs were seen draped in dazzling clothes to beautify them.

A few stalls had cropped up at the grounds to sell dog biscuits, belts, leads and toiletries, making good business.

District In-charge Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad inaugurated the dog show which was dedicated to late Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar.

Earlier to that, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar offered floral tributes to a portrait of Wadiyar kept on the dais.

MLA G.T. Devegowda, CCM President B.P. Manjunath, BJP leader L. Nagendra and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 31st,  2014

Renowned Kathak dancer Maya Rao dead

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

 

Maya Rao
Maya Rao

Renowned Kathak dancer Maya Rao, who helped the dance form gain popularity in South India, died here on Monday. She was 86. Known for her mastery over abhinaya and dance ballet, Maya Rao died at a private hospital following a massive cardiac arrest, according to her only daughter Madhu Nataraj, Kathak and contemporary dancer.

Guru to nearly 4,000 students across the globe in about eight decades of her career, she set up the Natya Institute of Dance and Choreography in 1987 here. Scores of her students paid their last respects to “Maya Didi” at the institute at Malleswaram.

Some of her dance ballets such as Amir Khusro, Krishnadevaraya, Vijayanagara Vaibhava, and Masti’s Kaamana Billu are regarded as masterpiece productions in dance.

Maya Rao, recipient of the National Award for Choreography, was born in 1928 in Bangalore, and practised the Lucknow and Jaipur gharana of Kathak having learnt from greats such as Shambhu Maharaj and Sunder Prasad. Armed with a Master’s in Choreography from the USSR in 1964, Maya’s ground-breaking work in choreography has helped thousands of dancers learn the composition and arrangement of dances.

Maya Rao was cremated in the evening.

source: http;//www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Ranjani Govind / Bangalore – September 02nd, 2014

DVD on Daasara Padagalu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

 Mysore :

The premier launch of Daasar – The Fables, India’s first DVD with animated visuals on Daasara Padagalu, will take place at 6 pm on Sept.1 at Bhavan’s Priyamvada Birla Institute of Management auditorium, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Vijayanagara First Stage.

Prof. Bhashyam Swamiji, founder of Vijayanagar Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple will be the chief guest. N. Ramanuja, Chairman, BVB Bangalore and Dr. A.T. Bhashyam, Hon. Treasurer, BVB Mysore, will be the guests of honour. BVB Offg. Chairman & ‘Star of Mysore’ Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy will preside.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Brief / August 30th,  2014

__________________________________________________________________ 

Daasa Sahitya Animated DVD released 

BVB Mysore Officiating Chairman and Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy (centre) released the DVD ‘Daasa - The Fables’ in city yesterday. Others seen are Vedatma Animation Studios Director B.S. Srinivas, Gundlupet Municipal Councillor S. Govindarajan, BVB Karnataka Chairman N. Ramanuja, BVB Mysore Hon. Treasurer Dr. A.T. Bhashyam and Vedatma Animation Studios Managing Director Sukanya Srinivas.
BVB Mysore Officiating Chairman and Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy (centre) released the DVD ‘Daasa – The Fables’ in city yesterday. Others seen are Vedatma Animation Studios Director B.S. Srinivas, Gundlupet Municipal Councillor S. Govindarajan, BVB Karnataka Chairman N. Ramanuja, BVB Mysore Hon. Treasurer Dr. A.T. Bhashyam and Vedatma Animation Studios Managing Director Sukanya Srinivas.

Mysore : (SBD&DM)

India’s first DVD with animated visuals on Daasara Padagalu (Daasa – The Fables), brought out by Vedatma Animation Studios, Bangalore, was released at a function organised at Bhavan’s Priyamvada Birla Institute of Management, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), Vijayanagar, here yesterday.

Speaking after releasing the DVD, BVB Mysore Officiating Chairman and Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy said that the DVD is a very useful tool in developing a devotional mindset among the people, who are living in the midst of a confused society.

Ganapathy further said that this DVD was brought out not purely for commercial purpose but also as a service to the society.

BVB Karnataka Chairman N. Ramanuja complimented Vedatma Studios for bringing out the DVD with the united efforts of everyone involved. Terming late Mathur Krishnamurthy, K.B. Ganapathy, P.S. Ganapathy and A.V. Narasimha Murthy as pillars of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Ramanuja recalled their services in the growth of the BVB.

Vedatma Animation Studios Managing Director Sukanya Srinivas, who delivered the keynote address, gave a brief on the greatness of Daasa Sahitya.

BVB Mysore Hon. Treasurer Dr. A.T. Bhashyam, Gundlupet Municipal Councillor S. Govindarajan, Vedatma Animation Studios Director B.S. Srinivas and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News  / September 02nd,  2014

Sea Shell Ganesha

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

seashellGaneshaBF02sept2014

Mysore :

City’s noted Sea Shell artist Radha Mallappa is seen giving final touches to the 11 feet tall idol of Ganesha made out of sea shells at her residence in Bannimantap.

She has worked on it for the past three years, using 260kgs of sea shells of 240 types, including some exotic varieties, the entire project costing approximately Rs. 8 lakhs.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News  / August 27th,  2014

LINK TO THE PAST – Ancient map of Bidar unearthed in London

About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
Historian and painter Rehman Patel says illustrations on the political and social history of India are included on either side of the map. / The Hindu
Historian and painter Rehman Patel says illustrations on the political and social history of India are included on either side of the map. / The Hindu

The map is included in an atlas produced by Colonel Jean Baptiste Gentil, Military Adviser to the Nawab of Awadh Shuja-ud-Daula

In exciting news for historians, an ancient atlas, which includes a map of Bidar, prepared by French officer Colonel Jean Baptiste Gentil, Military Adviser to the Nawab of Awadh Shuja-ud-Daula (1763 to 75), was found tucked away in the India Office Library at London. The map shows Bidar, which was once a capital city of the Bahamani Kingdom and an educational centre with historical importance.

Historian and painter Rehman Patel, who reproduced the map, said that in the interests of preserving the historic post and throwing more light about the history of the Bidar and its cultural heritage, the State government should put pressure on the Union government to bring it back to India and place it in Bidar.

Illustrations

He added that Col. Gentil had utilised the services of local artists to produce a series of illustrations on the political and social history of India.

Dr. Patel pointed out that illustrations were included on either side of the map. They reveal the representatives of different Sufi orders and thick forests with drawings of wild animals. These drawings also include Bidri craftsman and the different wares that were produced in Bidar. The bespectacled artisan at the bottom left of the page is portrayed as engraving a floral pattern on the side of a globular huqqa, with his wife and pet parrot looking on.

The illustration is reinforced by having a caption: ‘Fabrique de Beder ou on incruste en or et argent’ (Beder workshop for inlaying in gold and silver).

At the bottom right corner, there is a drawing of the types of wares produced: ‘vases incrustes’, or ‘inlaid vessels’. These include a globular huqqua on a stand, a bell-shaped huqqua, spittoons, boxes, a ewer and wash basin.

Reference to Bidriware

Dr. Patel said so far, the earliest unambiguous reference to Bidriware was in the Chahar Gulshan, written in Persian in 1759 AD. This includes a statistical account taken, on internal evidence, from an earlier compilation of about 1720 AD.

Book II of the Chahar Gulshan is ‘an account of five Subhas (administrative divisions) of Deccan’, one of the five being Bidar, referred to by its Bahmani and Mughal names. A manuscript in the British Library has the following passage: ‘The subah of Mohammadabad called Zafarabad (Bidar).

Bidar was also known from an illustration in an atlas produced in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh in (1770 AD) under the Nawab of Awadh (Oudh) Shuja-ud-Daula, who ruled from 1754-75 AD. During this period, Bidar was under the control of Muhammad Ghauth Saif-ud-Daula, but he died shortly after his appointment, and his brother Saif Jang Najm-ud-Daula Bahadur became the governor in his place.

Dr. Patel said that enquiries at the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Bidar revealed that the district administration did not have a copy of the manuscript and the atlas produced by Col. Gentil.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by T. V. Sivanandan / Gulbarga – September 01st, 2014

Jawa and Yezdi ride to Hampi to promote road safety

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports, Travel

Bangalore :

The first all-India Jawa and Yezdi Ride to Hampi will be held between August 15 and 17 in support of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India’s (FMSCI) Action for Road Safety campaign.

Organised by the Jawa and Yezdi Club of Hyderabad (JAYCOH), close to 60 riders from across the country have confirmed participation for the ride to the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire in northern Karnataka on Independence Day.

The motorcyclists from Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram and Nasik on their vintage machines will ride out of their respective cities on the morning of August 15 and reach Hampi by the evening.

Pune has the most participants at 24, followed by Hyderabad at 16.

“It is a very encouraging sign when motorcycle clubs and independent groups take the initiative to promote road safety,” FMSCI President J Prithiviraj said.

“India has the world’s largest number of road accident casualties. We need to work towards improving road safety awareness in the country,”Prithiviraj added.

The FIA (Federation Internationale de L’Automobile) had launched its Action for Road Safety global campaign in support of the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety. The FIA’s initiative aims to lower the alarming figures associated with global road accidents and to spread the safer motoring message.

The FMSCI has adopted and is implementing FIA’s Action for Road Satefy global campaign.

All participating vehicles will carry FIA Road Safety Campaign sticker to create awareness on the importance of road safety. The riders will distribute pamphlets propagating road safety and take the FIA Road Safety pledge – 10 Golden Rules – in front the Queen’s Bath, a World Heritage monument in Hampi.

“We thank the FMSCI and Hosepet Round Table 231 for being associated with this ride to promote road safety awareness,” said P Jaiveer Rao of JAYCOH. “Our Jawas and Yezdis being vintage motorcycles, we felt the a World Heritage site like Hampi.

source: http://ww.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> More Sports> Others / by Sunil Subbaiah, TNN / August 14th, 2014

A rare discovery of ‘ Stone Hut ‘ at Kunti Betta

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

StoneHutBF01sept2014

Kunti Betta is a hillock near Pandavapura Taluk head quarters in Mandya District. It is a mine of ancient archaeological site of importance for the researchers. Situated at about 2882 ft above the sea level it has the evidences of Megalithic culture. Stone hut of the Stone Age man was discovered at this place, which is a rare and a unique discovery in the subcontinent.

Dr. S.G. Ramadasa Reddy, HoD of History and NSS officer of Govt. First Grade College, Kuvempunagar, Mysore, along with Prof. B.S. Manjunatha, D. Banumaih’s College, Mysore and NSS volunteers, conducted field survey of Kunti Betta and were successful in tracing the rare stone hut of Stone Age man.

At the outset, the stone hut appears triangular in shape and seem to be constructed by the ancient man. It appears that they must have cut stone rocks and inclined in a triangular shape with a supporting heavy rock at the back, and stone slabs fixed to the floor. The door of the hut is of 5.7 ft width and 6.5 ft height. The inside dimension is 8 ft wide, 6.5 ft width in the middle and 8.2 ft width at the back. Considering all these details, one may come to the conclusion, that the ancient man must have used this stone hut for living purpose.

Similar stone huts have been discovered in various parts of the world but is the first of its kind in India. For instance American Research and Preservation Department has discovered four stone huts in Colorado. There is a marked similarity between them and the stone hut discovered at Kunti Betta.

Similar stone hut has been found at Terra Amite in Mount boron in nice in France. This is the first discovery of the stone hut of the old Paleolithic man. Upper Paleolithic man hut was found in Israel’s Bahalo II.

Huts made out of the bones of the mammoth animals, were also discovered at Chi Chu Bu in Japan, Sub Sahara of South Africa and South Russia. The hut at Ukraine is a mammoth animal bone hut in the shape of a room of 8 ft space. Similar hut is also found at Kostenski Bershevo in Malt and Berlet sites near Masco.

Kunti Betta with all such rare evidences of ancient culture and civilisation richly deserves to be taken note of by the concerned departments so as to shed new light on the history of Ancient India by excavation, research and conservation.

[e-mail:ramadasareddysg@yahoo.in]

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / August 26th,  2014

Adoption of tigress Manya and her son Shaurya renewed

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Travel
Zoo Executive Director B.P. Ravi is seen presenting a memento to the representatives of Kumar Organic Products Ltd., Bangalore, which renewed the adoption of Tigress ‘Manya’ for the 6th time and her son ‘Shaurya’ for 4th time consecutively.
Zoo Executive Director B.P. Ravi is seen presenting a memento to the representatives of Kumar Organic Products Ltd., Bangalore, which renewed the adoption of Tigress ‘Manya’ for the 6th time and her son ‘Shaurya’ for 4th time consecutively.

Mysore :

Kumar Organic Products Ltd., Bangalore, has renewed the adoption of Tigress ‘Manya’ f or the 6th time and her son ‘Shaurya’ for 4th time consecutively by making a payment of Rs. 2 lakhs for a period of one more year ending up to 24.8.2015 and 28.9.2015 respectively for both mother and son.

Mysore Zoo, has in a press release, expressed its gratitude to Kumar Organic Products for their support and involvement in conservation efforts.

“We hope that their continued support inspires other Corporates / Institutions to take up the cause of conservation,” said the release and added, “There is overwhelming response from the sponsors towards adoption and till date the total amount collected towards adoption is Rs. 17,18,393 compared to Rs.16,65,393 collected during the last year on the same date.”

Adoption of Animals

The II PU students of Maharshi PU College have adopted a Love Bird of the Zoo for a period of one year from 22.8.2014 to 21.8.2015 under ‘Adoption of Animals’ scheme by paying Rs.1,000 as adoption fee.

The following persons have also adopted the animals under the scheme: Shivu (Kajani), Mysore – Indian Cobra (Rs.2,000); Vikrant Yadav, New Delhi – Love Bird (Rs.1,000).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 26th,  2014