Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

This Bengaluru chef can cook for hours blindfolded

October 8, 2018Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

In the future, Sandesh hopes to open his own restaurant, one where he can practise exactly what he likes.

Bengaluru :

“Cooking is my girlfriend,” says Sandesh Adugemane, who has spent most of his life in the kitchen of his father’s restaurant in Gangavati, a town in the state. Now, the chef, who works in Hyderabad and is here in the city for an event, says that his ability to cook blindfolded for hours, has brought him fame.

“I first cooked blindfolded at 18. Since I’ve been in the kitchen since I was about three – I was able to identify ingredients such as turmeric, chilli, tamarind by then – cooking is something that comes to me naturally, and I was confident enough to cook without being able to see,” says Sandesh.

He had to drop out of college in his second year due to personal problems. He started working in the hotel and that’s when the idea to do something different came to him. “Even though word spread that I was cooking blindfolded, my father didn’t support me. People would come from different states to watch me, but my dad didn’t think what I was doing was worthwhile,” he says, adding that the longest he has cooked blindfolded was six hours. He has appeared in over 100 local cooking shows, he says.

It took him over a year to perfect his technique.

“The first dish I made blindfolded was gobi manchurian. A well-wisher happened to take a video and circulated it,” says Sandesh, who can make Indian and Chinese dishes blindfolded, but is trying to perfect continental cuisine.

About the mishaps when he just started cooking blindfolded, Sandesh says, “I can’t count the number of time I spilt hot oil onto myself. One time, because of being blindfolded and working in the kitchen for hours, my eyes had swollen up so big that I couldn’t open them for two days. My mother was worried and tried to get me to stop, but I was determined.”

In the future, Sandesh hopes to open his own restaurant, one where he can practise exactly what he likes.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Lifestyle> Food / by Express News Service / October 08th, 2018

‘Holy compost’ is the buzz word in Bengaluru

October 5, 2018Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economyadmin

The leaf composter at the Venugopalaswamy temple in Malleswaram. | Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement

An increasing number of temples are adopting eco-friendly measures

The idea of ‘holy compost’ is fast gaining ground after one temple in Bengaluru made compost out of its waste, branded it and sold it at a premium. Now, nearly 40 temples have installed leaf composters to process flower waste. They are yet to market the compost, but the trend shows that an increasing number of temples are adopting eco-friendly measures.

A leaf composter was installed at the Venugopalaswamy temple in Malleswaram on Tuesday while two will be installed in the Kadu Malleswara temple complex next week.

According to Vasuki Iyengar, who helped install these composters, most temples use flowers, such as marigolds, chrysanthemum and tulsi. “Some temples are also keen on composting vegetable peels, coffee and tea grounds, apart from the leaf bowls (donne in Kannada) that are used to distribute prasad,” he said. “A lot more temple managements are now open to discussing in situ processing solutions, as there is better awareness. That apart, such solutions require little investment and are not dependent on heavy machinery.”

At the Venugopalaswamy temple, Mr. Iyengar has trained three people to manage the leaf composter. “The temple has two desi cows. Their dung will be used as slurry, along with coco peat to aid composting,” he said.

One of the first temples to compost flower and kitchen waste was the Shakthi Mahaganapathy temple in Kalyan Nagar. The ‘zero waste’ temple has also invested in drum digesters for kitchen waste, said Ashok Betraj, temple trustee.

After installing these in June 2016, the temple management harvested over three tonnes of ‘holy compost’ in October last year and sold it at a premium. The temple’s success story seems to have captured the attention of the managements of many other temples in the city.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / October 04th, 2018

88 million-year-old isle and crater to be geoparks

October 3, 2018Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

St. Mary's Island in Udupi, with hexagonal basaltic rocks, is to get Global Geopark status. | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar — St. Mary’s Island in Udupi, with hexagonal basaltic rocks, is to get Global Geopark status. | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

Geological Survey chooses heritage locations in Maharashtra and Karnataka for UNESCO site status

In a first, an ancient circular lake created by a meteorite strike in Maharashtra and a hexagonal mosaic of basaltic rocks in an island off Udupi are poised to become global geoparks, under a Geological Survey of India (GSI) plan.

Lonar Lake in Maharashtra and St. Mary’s Island and Malpe beach in coastal Karnataka are the GSI’s candidates for UNESCO Global Geopark Network status.

The road to recognition, however, is long. An aspiring Global Geopark must have a dedicated website, a corporate identity, comprehensive management plan, protection plans, finance, and partnerships for it to be accepted. In mid-August, GSI moved ahead with the plan, setting a follow-up time frame of 100 days.

The Geopark tag is akin to that of a ‘World Heritage Site’ for historical monuments that can bring India’s famed geological features to the global stage.

“These are spectacular to look at even for the general public who may not understand that they are also geologically important. Lonar lake is the only known meteorite crater in basaltic rock and is world famous, while St. Mary’s island is a unique phenomenon that has been preserved well,” says Asit Saha, Director, Geodata, at the GSI Headquarters in Kolkata.

St. Mary’s Island, declared a national geo-heritage site in 1975, is estimated to be an 88-million-year-old formation that goes back to a time when Greater India broke away from Madagascar.

Relatively young

Lonar crater became a geo-heritage site in 1979. It is relatively young geologically, at just 50,000 years old. A meteorite estimated to weigh two-million-tonnes slammed into the Earth, creating a 1.83-km diameter crater where the lake formed. It is distinguished by a near-perfect, circular ejecta blanket, which refers to earth thrown up during the collision, around it.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by Mohit M. Rao / Bengaluru – October 02nd, 2018

Lifetime achievement award for Lakshmi

October 2, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

BANGALORE, 04/03/2009: Actor Lakshmi at the 75th year celebrations of Kannada cinema held at Palace Grounds in Bangalore recently. Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash | Photo Credit: Bhagya Prakash K

Multi-lingual senior actor Lakshmi has won the Dr. Rajkumar award for lifetime achievement for 2017.

The award is given by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Karnataka . Lakshmi has won several awards, including national award for best actress in 1977.

Kannada film-maker S. Narayan has bagged the Puttanna Kanagal award given to film directors for lifetime achievement. Senior Kannada film producer G.N. Lakshmipathy has been chosen for the Dr. Vishnuvardhan award for lifetime achievement for 2017.

This year the award selection committee was headed by senior actor and producer J.K. Srinivasamurthy. All the three awards carry a purse of ₹2 lakh, with a gold medal. The committee met Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday and submitted their report.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Bengaluru – October 02nd, 2018

In Bengaluru, it’s a buy one, get one restored citizens’ initiative

October 1, 2018About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

A metal replica of the Begur stone dating back to 890 AD. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The aim is to make metal replicas of stone inscriptions to fund restoration of the original

A 1,100-year-old ‘veeragallu’ (hero stone) dating back to 890 AD, which lay neglected inside the Naganatheshwara temple in Begur, was recently restored thanks to the INTACH. But, not all surviving stones that have Bengaluru’s history etched on them are this lucky. Now, a group of citizens interested in the city’s history are attempting to change this by creating miniature metal replicas of inscription stones as souvenirs and use the proceeds from their sales to preserve and restore inscription stones around the city

“The primary intent of the initiative is to raise funds for safeguarding the inscription stones. To begin with, we will use the funds to build a protective structure for the 750 AD Hebbal inscription stone, which is the oldest known written record of any language found in Bengaluru till date. Depending on the success of this initiative, we will replicate the same for other stones,” said Vinay Kumar, co-founder of Inscription Stones of Bangalore, a citizens group which has been trying to locate, preserve and create awareness about inscriptions stones around the city.

The team has roped in architect Yashaswini Sharma, who has designed a mantapa in keeping with the architecture during the Ganga dynasty.

Palm-sized replicas

Along with the Revival Heritage Hub, the team will be using 3D scanners to scan the inscription, which enhances the readability of the stone. The scan will then be converted into 3D prints, which will be used to create the palm-sized metal replicas.

As a pilot, the team has created a metal replica of the Begur stone.

Mr. Kumar also feels that the initiative will help create a connect between people and the city’s history. “When we started the group, we found that there was lack of awareness and participation among people, leading to neglect of these stones. Through the project, we wish to make heritage conservation inclusive and get a large number of people to take ownership in protecting our heritage,” he said.

We were initially reluctant to go commercial, but felt that these souvenirs can ensure that more people get involved in the preservation of the stones, he said.

“The proceeds from the sales will help make the whole initiative a self-sustainable one.”

However, no decision on pricing has been taken yet. “But, we will try to keep it as affordable as possible,” Mr. Kumar said. The group can be contacted on Facebook (Inscription Stones of Bangalore) or Twitter (@inscriptionblr).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Sarumathi K / Bengaluru – September 29th, 2018

Tracing the oral history of erstwhile Mysuru State

September 30, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

The cover of the book Marethuhoda Mysurina Putagalu. | Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement

Krishnaraja Wadiyar, king of erstwhile Mysuru, had held a meeting in Bengaluru in 1912 to exclusively discuss the impact of fast growing population and the ways and means to check it?

In the meeting held with technocrat Sir M. Visvesvaraya and administrator Mirza Ismail, the king decided to promote family planning in his State besides underlining the need to increase cultivation of crops to feed the growing population.

Such information related to history have been recorded in the Kannada book Marethuhoda Mysurina Putagalu (The forgotten pages of Mysuru) being released in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Authored by Dharmendra Kumar Arenahalli, the book is a collection of 52 stories or instances related to the history of the then Mysuru State including Bengaluru and its kings. “It is oral history or the instances referred to in folklore. I have spent five years and spoken to about 100 persons to collect the stories,” says the author.

Mr. Kumar, 50, is a civil engineer, who worked abroad for 18 years. “I have been fascinated by the history of Mysuru right from my childhood. My grandfather bought the house in which we live in Mysuru from Krishnaraja Wadiyar for ₹two. Since the house had such a history, it also has some of the articles depicting Mysuru heritage. This started drawing my interest towards Mysuru history right from childhood,” he says.

Next thing on Mr. Kumar’s mind is to write on a comprehensive history of Mysuru State and kings right from 1399 to 1947.

Marethuhoda Mysurina Putagalu is being released at JSS College in Jayanagar 7th Block at 10 a.m. in the presence of cricketer Javagal Srinath on Sunday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / September 29th, 2018

Kalaburagi’s SBR School gears up for a alumni utsav, golden jubilee celebration

September 30, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, Alladmin

A view of Sharnbasveshwar Residential Public School (SBR School) in Kalaburagi. | Photo Credit: Arun Kulkarni

Sharanbasveshwar Residential Public School, popularly known as SBR School, is gearing up for its alumni utsav and golden jubilee celebration.Activities are in full swing on the campus of Sharnbasveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangh (SVVS), the parental body that runs the school, for making the five-day celebration a success. The event is scheduled to begin on November 9. A huge pandal that could accommodate around 5,000 people is being built for the purpose.

The SBR Alumni Association is playing a key role in organising the event. Attempts are on for inviting Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu for inaugurating the event.

Congress Leader in Lok Sabha M. Mallikarjun Kharge and former Supreme Court judge Shivaraj Patil have consented to be part of the inaugural session. Justice Patil would deliver a special lecture.

Swamy Nirbhayananda Saraswathi from Vijayapura would be the chief guest on the second day. Prominent alumni of SBR who have attained great heights in their careers would share the dais to share their experiences with the audience. Mohan Palesha, Past District Governor of Rotary International from Pune, would address the evening session which would be followed by cultural programmes.

Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamy of Suttur Mutt will be the chief guest on the third day. The heads of major educational institutions in the State, including Prabhakar Kore from Belagavi, Veeranna Charantimath from Bagalakot, M.B. Patil from Vijayapur, Syed Shah Khusro Hussaini from Kalaburagi and Shamanur Shivashankarappa from Davanagere would participate in the morning session. Lavanya Patel, motivational speaker, would address the gathering in the evening.

Siddeshwar Swamy of Vijayapura would be the chief guest on the fourth day.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Kalaburagi – September 29th, 2018

Three-day 1,000-km car rally for amateurs flagged off in Bengaluru

September 22, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sportsadmin

The first stop of the rally was at Seebi in Sira taluk where the rallyists planted trees at the historic Seebi Narasimha Swamy Temple.

The heritage drive motor car rally being flagged off in Bengaluru on Friday

Chitradurga :

Aimed at popularising car rallies among amateurs while making them explore historic spots and beautiful temples, a 1,000-kilometre heritage drive took off in Bengaluru on Friday. The rally was flagged off by the present head of erstwhile Mysuru Wadiyar dynasty Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar at a private hotel in Bengaluru. The first stop of the rally was at Seebi in Sira taluk where the rallyists planted trees at the historic Seebi Narasimha Swamy Temple.

Motorsports enthusiast Sujith Kumar along with Vijayalakshmi of an organisation Heritage Parampara are organising the Time Speed and Distance (TSD) rally even for novice rallyists to promote the sense of culture and tourism in Karnataka.

After a brief stop at Seebi, the rally entered Challakere taluk and moved to Hampi of Ballari district where the first day concluded. On Saturday, the rally will move across Hampi and the participants visit historic structures like Virupaksha Temple, Lotus Mahal and Mahanavami Dibba.The rally will conclude at Bengaluru on Sunday where the winners will be awarded. The entire rally will be based on the rules and regulations fixed by the FMSCI, the official motor sports administrator in India.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by G. Subhash Chandra , Express News Service / September 22nd, 2018

A course for men to share, care, and cook

September 21, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, Alladmin

The workshop is conducted by Murali Mohan Kati. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Workshop aims to ‘provide young men the space to reflect on their lives and gain new perspectives’

Ever since he became a father a year ago, 33-year-old graphic designer Narayan has been reflecting on his role at home and traditionally assigned gender roles. Is his duty limited to being the sole provider for the family?

In his endeavour to seek answers and discover facets of himself, he has signed up for a weekend course, simply titled ‘Reserved for Men’. The two-month course aims to ‘provide young men the space to reflect on their lives as men and gain new perspectives’.

Participants will also be taught skills and values usually assigned to women: they will learn how to share, care and cook.

“The very fact that there is such a course speaks volumes on social mores and gender roles. But I’m excited and look forward to the course,” said Narayan.

The course is being taught at Baduku Community College, which is part of Samvada, an organisation that works with youth from marginalised groups and offers flexible course formats in subjects such as sustainable agriculture and waste management. Murali Mohan Kati, the principal of the college whose brainchild it is, said the idea of running such a course took root many years ago, but became reality only after he experienced fatherhood. It gave him new perspectives on gender roles.

“Globally, the focus is now shifting towards sensitising men. Masculinity is at the root of many problems in the social sphere, including trolls issuing rape threats on social media. Masculine studies is taking a big leap in gender studies academically as well. We are trying to help a set of men reflect on their lives,” Mr. Kati said.

Vineeth R., an economics lecturer who has signed up for the course, said that every time he washes up after dinner, he hears a little voice in his head telling him it’s not his job.

“I often see myself as helping my wife. That’s wrong. Doing the dishes is my responsibility as well. But the conditioning is too hard. I hope I gain a clearer perspective on this through the course,” he said.

‘Reserved for men’ will also equip men with skill sets to help them lead a more fulfilling life.

Mr. Kati gave the example of the simple act of expressing one’s emotions. The stoic man who does not indulge in sharing his feelings is a common cultural stereotype. To counter this, the course will enlist psychologists and relationship counsellors who will teach participants how to create a space conducive to talking about their feelings.

Group activities and theatre workshops will be tools to help men empathise with the women in their lives.

Participants will have to bring a female member of their family – a partner, mother, sister – during the last two weekends. “Many youth in their 20s face issues with their mothers and start screaming at them. They are even clueless about menopause,” Mr. Kati said.

To maintain diary

Those attending the course – men in the age group of 21 and 40 – will maintain a diary recording their reflections. “By the end of eight weeks, if they begin questioning themselves and their role even in small everyday tasks, the course will be a success,” he added.

The course will start from September 22 and will be held for a duration of eight weekends for Rs. 1,000.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by K.V. Aditya Bharadwaj / Bengaluru – September 21st, 2018

A film fest to mark 100th Tulu film

September 16, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

KCA to hold regional film festival in Mangaluru

Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA) is holding a three-day regional film festival in Mangaluru to mark the achievement of the Tulu film industry in crossing the 100-movie mark. Four landmark Tulu films, including national award winning movie Paddayi, directed by Abhaya Simha, will be screened in the festival, besides films in Kannada, Kodava, Banjara, Konkani and Beary languages.

According to Nagatihalli Chandrashekar, Chairman, KCA, nine films will be screened at the regional film festival scheduled to be held at a state-of-the-art screen in St. Aloysius College from September 21 to 23.

“This week, the number of Tulu films made in the last four decades will be crossing the 100 mark. This regional film festival is to mark the event,” he said.

Many of the Tulu films have managed to complete 100 days in theatres. The ₹60-lakh Chaali Polilu made ₹2 crore at the box office recently. This despite the fact that Tulu is not a language included in the eighth schedule of the Constitution, and is spoken only in the coastal districts of Karnataka by about 75-lakh people, said Mr. Chandrashekar.

Attributing the success of the Tulu film industry to the patronage of Tulu-speaking people in Mumbai and abroad, especially in the United Arab Emirates, Tulu scholar Dr. Na. Damodadara Shetty said, “No other language, being spoken by a small community, in the country has made an achievement of this kind in films.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / September 15th, 2018

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