Roses are grown on nearly 250 hectares in and around Bangalore, while the daily production is around 15 lakh stems./ Photo: Bhagya Prakash K. / The Hindu
Around five million roses are expected to be exported from Bangalore
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, nearly five million roses are expected to be exported from Bangalore, which produces the best varieties in India.
C.G. Nagaraju, managing director, International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB) Ltd., told reporters here on Wednesday that roses were grown on nearly 250 hectares in and around Bangalore, while the daily production was around 15 lakh stems. The varieties that are in demand are ‘Taj Mahal’, ‘Grand Gala’ and ‘First Red’.
He said while roses did not have a market all round the year, they were in demand on certain days, such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. “This year, due to harsh weather in Europe, we expect increased exports of long-stemmed roses. The increase is likely to be between 20 to 25 per cent from last year when four million stems were exported,” he said.
Major exports are made to European countries, Gulf countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia. Increased exports are also being attributed to the Valentine’s Day weekend.
Mr. Nagaraju said that even locally, the sale of roses had picked up. With the wedding season a month away, the sale of roses was likely to see an increase. During Valentine’s Day, 25 lakh long-stemmed roses are expected to be sold locally.
V. Jhansi Lakshmi, vice-president of the South India Floriculture Association, said the floriculture industry would grow with good support from both the Union and State governments by having a single window system for the export of flowers. Customs and phytosanitation should be under a single window, and airfreight rates must be subsidises and import duties exempted, she said.
IFAB’s executive member M. Sridhar Chowdary said that in India, varieties that were developed nearly 10 years ago were cultivated. Indian growers face stiff competition from growers in Kenya, Ethiopia and China, where newer varieties were cultivated. “The biggest challenge is the royalty that growers will have to pay to cultivate the new varieties. It has to be resolved,” he added.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Bangalore – February 06th, 2014
The silver coin issued by Tipu Sultan, minted at Srirangpatanam. / The Hindu
Extremely rare and unique silver coins issued by Tipu Sultan will come under the hammer in Bangalore this weekend as a Silver Double Coin, also called as “Haidari”, and a half Anna, have been put on the block by a Delhi-based collector.
These two coins are among many other rare coins from the collectors’ kitty that will be auctioned during the three-day National Numismatic Exhibition, organised by the Bangalore-based auction house Marudhar Arts, starting from Friday.
The “Haidari”, which weighs 23 grams, according to Rajendra Maru of the auction house, has come for auction in India for the first time in several decades. “The last time we heard about the coin was some years back when a fake Haidari was in circulation. There are less than 100 such coins known to be with collectors,” he added. It is being auctioned with a base price of Rs. 1.5 lakh.
The Haidari was issued on March 16, 1790 by Tipu Sultan in honour of his father Hyder Ali. The coin minted in Srirangapatna was equivalent to 32 copper coins. The other coin issued by Tipu Sultan is an extremely rare half Anna silver coin issued in 1785 that weighs just half a gram and is 7.33 mm in size.
First time
A nearly 3,000-years-old silver coin belonging to Pauravas (Kura dynasty) of Kausambi region has also come for auction for the first time and has been categorised as extremely rare. The other first timer on the block is a punch marked Gold Pagoda coin issued by King Barma Bhopala (1187 AD -1188 AD) of Toragale dynasty in Dharwad region. According to a release, Bhopala ruled for just four to five months.
A lead coin issued by the Marathas of Tanjore that is categorised as exceedingly rare is also being auctioned along with very rare Re. 1 and Rs. 5 currency note of King George VI that was in use even after independence.
The exhibition will be held at Bell Hotel, next to the Bangalore City railway station between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and entry is free.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Special Correspondent / Bangalore – February 19th, 2014
Raghu Sapra has been appointed General Manager for DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bangalore. Sapra is responsible for the successful launch of the first DoubleTree Suites by Hilton hotel in India.
Sapra has over 17 years of experience in the lodging industry. He has held several positions with Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts and The Imperial, New Delhi, in India, before joining Hilton Worldwide in 2011.
Prior to his current assignment, as the Director of Operations, Sapra was part of the core pre-opening team for Hilton Bangalore Residences. Sapra started his career in the hospitality industry with The Radisson, New Delhi, as a Front Office Supervisor. Other highlights of his career include overseeing a significant refurbishment at the 524-room Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, and the successful transition of the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments into a 754-room complex.
source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com / HospitalityBizIndia.com / Home> Newstrack / by HBI staff reporter, Mumbai / Friday – January 31st, 2014
High in glamour quotient with exhaustive list of popular film and television stars of the country, this year’s Prag Cine Awards, to be held in Bengaluru, would honour veteran Assamese actress Mridula Baruah with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
For the first time since its inception in 2003, the award function would be held outside the State, where the stalwarts of Assamese cinema would take part. On the other hand, the talented contingent of actors and singers of the State would showcase their talent in the ‘silicon valley’ of India.
“Along with providing a national platform for our actors to perform, we have designed this year’s award ceremony as a fusion of Assamese and Kannada film industries, with hopes of strengthening the ties further and making the regional film industry stronger,” said Sanjive Narain, chairman and managing director of Prag Network, addressing the media today.
The award function, supported by Assam Society of Bangalore would be held on March 22.
Previously, the Prag Life time Achievement Award had been conferred on Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Gyanada Kakati, Abdul Mazid, Nipon Goswami and Biju Phukan. Mridula Baruah, who enthralled the audience of Assam with her mesmerising performances in a number of super hit movies over decades, would be honoured this year for her remarkable contribution to the Assamese cinema.
The Prag awards would be presented in 23 categories and would be telecast on nine regional satellite channels across the country. National award winning director and producer of Karnataka, Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar and theatre personality Bhagirathi would facilitate an easier co-ordination between the artistes of both the regional film industries.
“Bangalore is not just the IT hub, but also a home away from home for a large number of Assamese professionals, students and other people. Further, the distinguished members of Kannada, Tamil and other Southern film fraternity would be a part of this event, apart from those from the Hindi film and television world,” added Narain.
Lauding the effort of taking an Assamese film awards function to the national level, eminent playwright Arun Sarma said that positive changes should always be welcomed.
Popular Assamese actress Barasha Rani Bishaya, sharing her thoughts, said that all the regional actors harbour the hope of working in other regional film industries and in Bollywood. “Though we have the talent to compete, yet the opportunity must be there. The Prag Awards, though a one-day event, would open doors for us,” she said.
The awards would have performances by leading actors, including Nishita, Barasha, Asha, Tanvi, Meghranjini and singing sensation Zubeen, Papon and Zublee.
source: http://www.assamtribune.com / The Assam Tribune / Home / by Staff Reporter / Guwahati – January 31st, 2014
Multi-talented Puttur Suresh Nayak, who has created several records with his amazing memory and who has been fighting for the rights of differently-abled persons, will be conferred with the Suvarna Karnataka Seva Award.
He has been chosen for the award in recognition of his service to society and for setting records with his memory power.
Puttur Suresh Nayak, winner of Karnataka state award, initiated a public awareness campaign for the differently-abled in October last year with the aim of bringing them into the mainstream.
The award will be presented to him at a programme to be held at Mysore Engineer’s hall on February 2.
A magic show by Puttur Suresh Nayak and child magician Satwik Nayak titled “Magic Down Syndrome” to create awareness among the physically challenged will be held subsequent to the award ceremony.
Being differently-abled himself, he has been organizing this awareness campaign for the past 20 years along with various programmes which include Bhajans, tiger dance, Yakshagana, Krishna Vesha, dramas with jokers and much more. He has presented close to 1000 programmes in and around the district.
He entered the 2013 Limca Book of Records for recalling 518 telephone numbers in 72 minutes; Asia Book of Records for the longest tongue and India Book of Records for recalling 204 telephone numbers in 30 minutes.
source: http://ww.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Mysore (EP) / Friday – January 31st, 2014
(L to R) Dr. C. Umesh Kamath, Dr. M.S. Natashekar, Dr. A.L. Hemalatha, Dr. P.A. Kushalappa
Mysore :
Last Sunday evening was quite enjoyable for me, enjoying the old Hindi and Kannada songs, going Down Memory Lane. The opportunity came with the annual Geeth Gaatha Chal (GGC) Doctor’s Musical Nite, a brainchild of Dr. C. Umesh Kamath of Kamakshi Hospital, Kuvempunagar. This time the venue was the MMC Platinum Jubilee Auditorium in J.K. Grounds.
I was surprised at the change of venue because in the past years, except twice, the venue has been the Karnataka Kalamandira, on Hunsur road. It was an ideal auditorium for programmes such as this where admission was free and open to all, with good acoustics and plenty of parking space inside the campus and the spillover along the road on two sides of the building. What happened this time? I put this question to the Organising Chairperson and the moving spirit behind this popular programme Dr. Umesh Kamath. The answer did not surprise me: “It is under repair.” In fact Kalamandira was under repair in 2009, 2010 and now 2014 and that was the reason GGC was shifted to J.K. Grounds Hall.
Yes, Turkey in the 19th Century used to be called the ‘Sick Man of Europe.’ Likewise we can call this Kalamandira the ‘Sick Building of Mysore.’ Even when money is provided, our Ministers, MLAs and officials are incapable of getting Kalamandira renovated at one go and in time. A non-performing Government, always ready with untenable excuses. The repair and the renovation work has finally taken off beginning Jan. 1, 2014 by the PWD and the completion period is April, 2014 according to official sources.
However, there was another genuine, stronger reason for shifting the venue. Last year it was held on January 6. I was present at that Musical Nite. A senior Police officer too was there. The programme was progressing beautifully, everyone was enthralled at the mesmerising music and songs from artistes performing like professionals.
It was a programme by the doctors where the singers are all doctors and their own family members. It was a Doctor’s Musical Nite programme, called appropriately Geeth Gaatha Chal, by the doctors, of the doctors and not ONLY for doctors but for all. Old, Hindi and Kannada film songs were sung by the lead doctor singers led by Dr. M.S. Natashekar, Dr. A.L. Hemalatha and Dr. P.A. Kushalappa on a stage magnificently mounted with video screens and best sound system. We were all enjoying the show, but then suddenly a shrill voice of protest was heard from behind the hall with an agitated man barging on to the stage with just a couple of men in tow making unreasonable, uncalled for demand on the organisers and to stop the programme. There was a brief period of confusion but they were pacified and the programme continued. I don’t think any complaint was made nor anyone taken to custody by the Police. Therefore, there was no guarantee this time too such incident would not occur. So GGC shifted the venue which is private and made the admission by invitation. I saw some guards posted at the entrance to shoo off uninvited trouble-makers like it happened last year.
How sad, because of a few anti-social elements Mysoreans are denied of a good, enjoyable musical programme! Let it be. After all, ours is too liberal a democracy where one can create troubles like this with impunity !
Despite this ‘protective’ measure, the hall was full. The stage was further upgraded with new technology and props. As they say, rain or shine, the show must go on and the show began on dot at 5 pm. In Mysore probably after our Suttur Seer Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji, it is Dr. Umesh Kamath who respects punctuality.
Hitler said in his belligerent mood that war was first born in the mind of a man. That was the mind of a war-monger. But in the case of a music-lover, music is first born in the mind of a man. So it was with Dr. Umesh Kamath who on coming to India in 1998 after years of service abroad and joined Kamakshi Hospital. Being fond of music, though not a singer himself as I learn, he would invite singer friends to his huge bungalow for tea or dinner and thus prompt them to sing. A kind of chamber music. The news of his interest in music, that’s matched equally by his wife Dr. Rekha Kamath, spread among the fellow doctors, so also the appetising aroma from their kitchen. As a result, once in 1999, there were about 50 doctors hungry for music and of course, a sumptuous dinner. It was sheer ecstasy, but for the tired couple it was agony next day.
It was then the decision was made by Dr. Umesh Kamath to hold a Doctor’s Musical Nite, christening it as Geeth Gaatha Chal after the name of an old film, eponymous to the programme, once in a year so that he could throw it open to all doctors. A programme by a doctor for the doctors. The next year in 2000 it was held at Ganabharathi’s Veene Sheshanna Bhavan on Adichunchanagiri road in Kuvempunagar to a full house. The lead singers were, now legendary Dr. M.S. Natashekar and Dr. A.L. Hemalatha. One is blessed with the voice of Mukesh, the other with the voice of the Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar. One more doctor singer joined them in 2002, who has also become a legend in the GGC team, Dr. P.A. Kushalappa.
Like we say about film stars being discovered by so and so director, we can say Dr. Kushalappa (Prakash for his friends) was discovered by Dr. Umesh Kamath. It seems, Dr. Umesh Kamath was invited for a dinner at the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club in city and was surprised to see Dr. Kushalappa singing film songs in his own Kishore Kumar style setting the stage alive, if not ablaze, with his body movements. Now Dr. Umesh Kamath has an unbeatable combination of Mukesh, Kishore and Lata with their golden voices. The mould is cast for an annual show of Doctor’s Musical Nite and the ‘Geeth Gaatha Chal’ lives on …
Later Dr. V. Ganesh Rao joined bringing in the flavour of more Kannada songs while perfecting the technical props on the stage. My Rotarian friend Dr. S.K. Ghori, who was also with the team this year, made himself very conspicuous by his unique characterisation for a couple of songs, specially one from Raj Kapoor’s film drawing huge applause from the audience.
The venue of the nite was shifted to Kalamandira in 2001 as the Veene Sheshanna Bhavana was found too small for this big programme.
I felt sad when many of my friends and readers of this paper asked why the ‘admissions reserved’ unlike in the past. On my part, I told them, “Come, I will tell them to let you in.” How I wish our Police are bold enough to handle these trouble-makers so that they will not dare to trouble in future. After all, the organisers spend over Rs. two lakh for the free show, apart from the preparations months in advance.
Finally, how can I forget the flavour of the show, the ‘sutradhara’ par excellence. Syed Aftab Ahmed, the anchor. Everytime he appeared on the stage, he breathed life into it by interacting with the audience. His ability to speak fluently both Hindi and English, roller-coaster movement on the stage and above all the elephantine memory to remember those innumerable names from the world of Hindi films going ‘Down Memory Lane’ is amazing.
Tailpiece: As I drove home from the venue a thought crossed my mind: Would the next generation of young doctors and public remember the old Hindi and Kannada songs? Not surprisingly among the audience I saw a majority belonging to my age. And my age is…. Now, Dr. Umesh Kamath has a new task of attracting young doctors and also youngesters to GGC.
e-mail: kbg@starofmysore.com
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra……Abracadabra / by K.B. Ganapathy / February 11th, 2014
The team “Beasts At The Back” from Bangalore won the first prize of Rs 6 lakh at the Quiz on the Beach (QOTB), the flagship event of Atharva held at the beautiful Kaup beach with the stunning backdrop of the Arabian Sea, on Saturday evening.
The winning team consisted of participants Arvind V and Siddharth from BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore and St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore respectively. This was the 11th edition of QOTB and 26th edition of Atharva, the annual international B-fest of TA Pai Management Institute (Tapmi).
The second prize of Rs 3 lakh was won by Aditya Bagri and Saransh V from S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai and the team of Ranjiv Ravi and Ajay Srinath from ISB came third to bag the third prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh.
Conducted by the quiz master Navin Jaykumar of the Landmark Quiz fame and Anustubh Datta, the finale resulted in a culmination of five months of quizzing extravaganza consisting of online rounds and city qualifiers in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai . Over 700 participants from across the globe participated and vied for the prizes worth Rs 13 lakh. The prize money this year was 13-fold increase over the previous year.
QOTB had gone international this year with an online round to cater to a global audience. The winners of the International Round of QOTB were Adithya Sriram Sankaran and Shreyas Rajagopalan from ESCP Europe. They won prize money of $500.
Overall QOTB had participants from colleges across the world like IIM Indore, TISS , NMIMS , NITIE, IIT Madras , IIM Bangalore , NIT-K Surathkal , Wichita State University, San Diego State University, National University of Singapore , ESCP Europe, BITS Pilani Dubai, University of Houston, etc.
There was a footfall of 800 people at the Kaup Beach. Udupi District Superintendent M.B. Boralingaiah, Assistant Superintendent of Police Annamalai, Managing Director- India at Group FM Prakash Gurumoorthy, Mohan Narayanan founder and CEO of Kubos Consultancy, Ashwin Raghuraman COO India Innovation Fund were present at the event.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangalore / by Stanley Pinto, TNN / February 02nd, 2014
More than 2000 guests treated with mouth-watering cuisines
Mysore :
They are no Karan-Arjun or Krishna- Balram but both share a strong relationship from the past 60 years depicting the same affection as that of brothers whom we have seen on television or heard about in stories of Bhagavata. At the time when families no more live together, here is a family that lives, eats and breathes together. Yes, I am talking about one of city’s well known families… The Shenoy’s of famous Mangalore Ganesh Beedi Works.
Yesterday it was a festival atmosphere among the members of various communities at the Govind Rao Memorial Hall on JLB Road when they came together to celebrate the 60th birthday of city’s industrialists M. Ramanath Shenoy and M. Jagannath Shenoy of Mangalore Ganesh Beedi Works, who are twins. It was a rare occasion where people from different walks of life came together to celebrate their 60th birthday.
The felicitation committee headed by Dr. C. Umesh Kamath had organised a grand event to celebrate 60th birthday of industrialists who are known for their philanthropy apart from taking care of their employees.
Both Ramanath Shenoy and Jagannath Shenoy were given a Poorakumbha Swagatha accompanied by Naadaswara on their arrival at the venue. The event began with both couples M. Jagannath Shenoy, his wife Kusuma Shenoy and M. Ramanath Shenoy, his wife Vasumathi came on the stage after seeking the blessings of Surendra Bhat, a senior member among the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community. Later, the event began with rendering of invocation by Rajesh Padiyar, who took the members present on a devotional journey.
Industrialists from Mysore and Mangalore, politicians, businessmen and well-wishers had come to wish both the brothers on their 60th birthday which is considered to be a great occasion among the Hindu community. Vishwanath Bhat, a close friend of Shenoys, spoke about Jagannath Shenoy and his achievements, also about the meaning of celebrating the 60th birthday of an individual.
The event was presided by K.V. Kamath, former Chairman of ICICI Bank along with his wife Rajalakshmi Kamath. Incidentally, K.V. Kamath is the co-brother of Ramanath Shenoy and Jagannath Shenoy. More than 1,000 people had assembled at the Govind Rao Memorial Hall to felicitate and greet the Shenoy brothers. Tributes were also paid to the parents of the Shenoy brothers on the occasion. Vijayraghavan, one of Jagannath Shenoy’s friends, spoke about their school days and the pranks they played when at school and home.
Speaking on the occasion, Jagannath Shenoy, thanked all those who were involved in organising the event. He also remembered tough situations and challenges he faced while taking over the management of Mangalore Ganesh Beedies.
Thanking his co-brother K.V. Kamath for his guidance when the company was in trouble, Jagannath Shenoy said that company had to take loan of Rs. 114 crore to solve a legal matter. “It is when Kamath helped me and till today he has been guiding me all through,” he said.
Jagannath Shenoy also added that the company cleared all the liabilities within the given time and today the turnover is around Rs. 550 crore per year. He advised the youngsters to respect parents and elders. Speaking about his company, Jagannath Shenoy said that the Government of India has announced the deadline to close the tobacco industry by 2020. But, till now the Government has not come out with any alternative programme for those involved in the beedi industry. “There are around 65,000 people dependent on the industry and the company has been paying Rs. 3.5 crore every week towards wages. But, if the industry is shut, there is no alternative for these workers who are not educated. Let government come with an alternative job for these beedi workers,” said Shenoy.
Later, K.V. Kamath said that nothing was made easy for Jagannath Shenoy and whatever he got was only on merit. “He wanted to change things in 1993 and be an entrepreneur. His hard work and dedication has brought him to this level and I feel very proud of him,” he added.
GSB Sabha Vice-President Mahesh Shenoy, Secretary Mahesh Kamat, Dr. C.D. Srinivas Murthy, Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, Vijaya Vittala Vidyashala Secretary Rtn. R. Vasudev Bhat, Canara Bank Deputy General Manager Dr. S.T. Ramachandra, music patron Rtn. K.V. Murthy, Industrialist B.R. Pai, MLA Vasu, MLC G. Madhusudhan, former MLC Thontadarya, Dr. C.G. Narasimhan, Rtn. Parthanath, Dr. C.K.N. Raja, Kamakshi Hospital Administrator Dr. K.R. Kamath and others were present.
More than 2,000 guests were treated to 12 kinds of cuisines specially prepared for the occasion. A total of 10 cooks were brought from Mangalore to prepare the special dishes.
The menu included Ghee Rice, Kurma, Gobi Manchurian, Khichdi and desserts.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / February 08th, 2014
Hasan Mansur, a veteran human rights activist, passed away in Bangalore on Wednesday morning.
Prof. Mansur (1930-2014), who retired as the Head of the Department of English in Bangalore University, was closely associated with People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and a host of other human rights initiatives, and fact-finding efforts in Karnataka and elsewhere.
Prof. Mansur was one of the founding members of the Karnataka Civil Liberties Committee (KCLC) in 1984. He went on to work for the PUCL, with which he was associated till the end.
His role at PUCL
In a press release, the PUCL State committee has said that Prof. Mansur played a significant role in broad-basing the concerns of PUCL and taking it beyond the traditional human rights issues to focus attention on violations of socio-economic rights, including the right to housing and the right to water.
Prof. Mansur was also one of the founding members of the Karnataka chapter of the Indo-Pak People’s Friendship Forum and was associated with trade union movements since the 1950s.
Speaking to The Hindu , Ramdas Rao, his colleague at the university and a co-activist in PUCL, said: “I admired Prof. Mansur for the way he brought together literature, politics and human rights.” Recalling his love for literary greats like James Joyce, Pablo Neruda and T.S. Eliot, he said: “He could quote large chunks of Joyce’s Ulysses and Eliot’s Four Quartets and continued to teach to the larger community of his friends even after he retired.”
Prof. Mansur leaves behind his wife, Hasnath Mansur, and a son. Funeral prayers were held at Arab Lane Mosque on Richmond Road on Wednesday evening. admired Mansur for the way he brought together literature, politics and human rights: Ramdas Rao.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bangalore – February 13th, 2014
Fact finding missionThe research was tough and interesting, says Sumana Khan / photo: k. MURALI KUMAR
Sumana Khan’s historical thriller, The Revenge of Kaivalya, revels in city reference, from Jyothi Nivas College, to Malleswaram18th Cross. The author tells MINI ANTHIKAD CHHIBBER she had fun featuring all her favourite haunts
T he Revenge of Kaivalya (Westland, Rs 350) was fully realised before it was picked up by publishers. Sumana Khan’s historical thriller is set in different time zones and places —there is present day Bangalore and Sakleshpura and a mystery 450 years in the making. “The book didn’t come together immediately,” said Sumana before a reading at Easylib, the online library. “It was put together; a bit like mosaic tiles.”
When it came to publishing, Sumana did her research and realised that while “Indian readers have always been open to genre fiction, they are not open to Indian authors writing genre fiction in English. That has changed since. I self-published Kaivalya with CinnamonTeal. It was my editor there who said it should be published. I approached Westland and here it is.”
The 39-year-old author who went to school in Malleswaram (Cluny Convent) and MES College admits to enjoying putting in Bangalore references. Café Coffee Day near Jyothi Nivas College, Baskin Robbins in Malleswaram 18th Cross, Regal Bar in J.P. Nagar, Puttenhalli Lake, Anekal all have walk-on parts in the book. “Oh yes I did have fun with the Bangalore bit. Most of the places (especially the eateries) are my favourite haunts. The main reason for setting the scene in Bangalore was because I know the place and this was essential to bring in authenticity especially since the action is quite fast-paced. And there’s always a thrill for a reader to recognize the places – the connect is instant.”
After working for a decade in Wipro, Sumana moved to the UK in 2009. “I am back to academics. I am pursuing my masters in Psychology. I enjoy reading thrillers and horror. I thought when I gave writing a shot, it would have to be something I like to read.”
Kaivalya follows multiple storylines. In Sakleshpura, there is the larger-than-life Dhruv, the forest officer who is investigating a strange death, Tara who is studying paranormal phenomena and the newly wed Shivaranjini whose life is turned upside down when she unknowingly picks up a pendant. In Bangalore there is Neel, whose swanky penthouse in Sarjapur reeks of burnt flesh, his friend VJ who is in the film business and is in urgent need of money to close a property deal in Sakleshpura, a tough cop, Shakti, and the mysterious gangster Matchu. Back in time, there is Kaivalya’s story. Set in Sampigepura, in the outskirts of Hampi, Poovamma finds and adopts a strange, gifted girl, Kaivalya, whose tragedy is in tandem with the Battle of Thalikote, in 1565 which resulted in the rout of the Vijayanagara Empire.
“The research was tough and interesting,” Sumana comments. “For information on the Vijayanagara empire, I referred to Robert Sewell’s A forgotten Empire . I have never been to Sakleshpura. I have a lot of friends who are avid trekkers. And the rest is all caffeine-fired imagination.” Admitting that reigning in such a vast canvas was tough, “especially the resolution,” Sumana says “it was a fascinating journey.”
Explaining the unusual name, Sumana says: “Kaivalya is more of a yogic concept. It is a state of absolute Samadhi, if you will, where one is completely detached; a blissful alone-ness, the attainment of moksha. This ‘perfect’ state of the soul is referred to as Kaivalya in Jainism. It is far more complex in the metaphysical sense. One can say Kaivalya is a state of being. It found a strong resonance during the Vijayanagara era, which was the golden era for Vedantic philosophies and literature.”
Attempting to describe the rationale behind Kaivalya’s anger, which prompts her to follow the object of her revenge through 400 years Sumana says: “For a rational person, no circumstance can justify such anger and vengefulness. When blinded by such vitriolic anger, reason and logic take leave and one ends up doing things that are destructive. In Kaivalya’s case, she is complex and mystical character and the strength of her emotions – both positive and negative – are beyond human. In a way, I also draw inspiration from our Asuras. Be it Hiranyakashyapu or Ravana, they were extremely accomplished in terms of intellect, talent, mental prowess. But when that very same positivity is turned inside out into something negative it results in catastrophe.”
Counting Stephen King and Charlotte Bronte among her favourite writers, Sumana says the history of Karnataka is largely un-mined in fiction. “At least when it comes to historical fiction in English.”
The reason for setting the scene in Bangalore was because I know the city. And there is always a thrill for a reader to recognize the places.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Mini Anthikad Chhibber / February 13th, 2014
