With cameras becoming more accessible and user-friendly, many people are developing a passion for photography. But setting the right frame for a perfect picture is something only a trained photographer would know.
Members of the 43-year-old Youth Photographic Society train aspiring photographers.
The group, founded in 1971, conducted a portrait workshop on May 22. The subjects for the portraits were Yakshagana artistes.
K S Srinivas, senior photographer and a group member, taught aspirants how to take pictures in different lights and various techniques in photography. The group also launched their website and a Facebook page on that day.
You can also sign up for regular lessons. “Regular workshops are conducted on first and third Saturdays where those interested get together to learn the nuances of photography,” says H Satish, president of the group since two months. “The workshops are taken by eminent photographers in the group.”
On June 4, the members will be taught macro photography and on June 5, they have planned an outing to Lal bagh.
The team also goes out together to click pictures. Their subjects change with season. “We go to Western Ghats in monsoon for macro photography. When it rains, smaller lifeforms such as insects and butterflies and frogs, come out,” he says.
They go for landscape photography from October to December to capture green expanses and waterfalls.
“The air also will be pure and sky will be clear,” says Satish who has been member of the group since 33 years.
As wildlife comes to watering holes in summer, the group journeys to spot them. These trips are planned for between March and May. They conduct an event called All India Photography Salon where about 5,000 entries come in every year. This is the 35th year of the competition to be held in October.
The group, which does not charge for the classes or workshops, also encourages the photographers by exhibiting their work at the their centre.
Deepak Kumar, a member of the group for 10 years, says, “My passion for photography made me join the group. I learnt the composition of pictures. As the senior photographers have worked on films (reels), they know the subject in depth. The workshops they conduct are quite enriching.”
The group is open to any photo enthusiasts 14 years and above. The one time membership fee is `500 for a year.
For details contact H Satish at 94486 87595.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Pratima Shantaveerish / Express News Service / May 26th, 2016
‘Nammuru Banuli’, a community radio station of the non-governmental organisation Women’s Welfare Society was inaugurated on its premises atop a hillock in Yellapur village of Hukkeri taluk recently.
Minister for Small Scale Industries and district in-charge Satish L. Jarkiholi inaugurated the station.
Important role
Mr. Jarkiholi said that the station could play an important role in spreading awareness on various issues like literacy, health, women and child development and agricultural practices, provide weather information and cultural programmes to villagers.
The former general manager of BCL, Bengaluru, N. Narasimha Swamy, said more NGOs should come forward to set up such stations in rural areas.
Amarsiddeshwar Swami of Adavisiddeshwar Mutt, Kundargi, was present.
‘Nammuru Banuli’ director Keerti S. Chougala briefed about the efforts put in to set up the station and highlighted its salient features and said more than a lakh people living in about 65 to 70 villages of Belagavi, Hukkeri and Gokak taluks falling in the radius of 15 to 25 km from the station would be able to access the radio programmes.
Topics
The Nammuru Banuli CRS will air programmes on various topics from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at FM 90.8MHz every day, where the evening schedule would be repetition of the morning programme.
Programmes
The programmes to be aired in Kannada language during the week are — Devotional and Spiritual – Shubhodaya; Agriculture – Raitharagagi Bitthona Beliyona; Women – Akka Kelavva; Children – Chinnara Mela, Health – Arogya Mitra; Education – Kaliyona Banni; Folklore – Janapara Jagatthu; Laughter – Nage Mallige; Environment – Parisara Premi; Employment – Namma Udyoga Namma Ayake; Legal literacy – Kanoon Samaya and Music – Raga Ranjani.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Belagavi – May 25th, 2016
Who says you cannot master your mother tongue in a foreign land?
A Class 10 student, who was born in Karnataka but did most of her early schooling outside the state, has proved that no formal training is needed when it comes to love for your mother tongue.
Shreya, who is currently studying in Kundapur of Udupi District in Karnataka, has scored 99 out of 100 in Kannada in her board exams.
This despite the fact that Kannada was not a part of her curriculum during most part of her school education.
She has scored 600 out of 625 marks in the SSLC Class 10 exam.
Starting her education at Mumbai’s St Xavier’s play school, Shreya has studied in Lagos (Nigeria), Tanzania, Uganda, Kundapur (Karnataka), Nairobi (Kenya), Hubli (Karnataka) and Druck (Bhutan).
Shreya started her schooling from Mumbai’s St Xavier’s play school, then did her LKG in Lagos (Nigeria). She completed her UKG, 1st and 2nd standard in Tanzania, 3rd standard in Uganda.
She returned to India for a year and did her 4th standard from Kundapur.
She did the first term of her 5th standard in Nairobi, and second term in Hubli of Karnataka.
For 6th and 7th standard she was in Tumkur and for 8th and 9th standard in Bhutan’s Druck.
Finally, she returned to Kundapur for her SSLC.
Delighted with her result, she credits her teachers and parents for helping in Kannada. Like her father, Shreya also wants to be a Chartered Accountant.
(Content Courtesy: vijaykarnataka)
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / May 18th, 2016
Christoph Bertrams, Director of Max Mueller Bhavan, Bengaluru, in conversation with Senior Journalist N. Niranjan Nikam.
The cultural exchanges between two countries give the participants an opportunity to understand the rich heritage, history, life and culture of the respective places they visit. Goethe Institut – Max Mueller Bhavan in the country is one such phenomenon that is doing great service in this direction since the last 60 years. The Director of Max Mueller Bhavan, Bengaluru, Christoph Bertrams was in city with a group of ten artistes from Germany visiting many cultural places like Rangayana, Folk Museum in Manasagangotri and Pottery Makers in Doora village. Senior Journalist N. Niranjan Nikam caught up with Christoph, the friendly, warm, outspoken German, who has understood India and has a good perspective about the country. He spoke to ‘Star of Mysore’ (SOM) about the history of Max Mueller Bhavan, the Indian and German Culture and about the cultural exchanges. Excerpts. —Ed.
By N. Niranjan Nikam
SOM: You have been the Director of Max Mueller Bhavan, Bengaluru, for the last five years. How has your experience been?
Christoph Bertrams: In my former career in Latin America, it was a different experience. I am here in an Asian country for the first time and it has been an interesting experience. Since we work in the area of culture, we had no support from the Government in India whether it is the Central or the State Governments. ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) hardly supports us. But this was not the case in Latin American countries where the governments would support us with public funds. Here we do get some private funding. All cultural life depends on a few individuals. It is a great experience to work with such people.
SOM: In Bengaluru, what is your experience like?
Christoph: Bengaluru is a production hub. It is very active culturally and there are a few wonderful artistes like Pushpamala and Sheila Gowda. They work in Bengaluru but have their shows in Delhi and Mumbai. Surekha Sharada, the former Chief Curator of Bangalore Metro Art Centre (in the MG Road Metro Station) and Aisha Abraham have also been a great source of support for us. We had created an exhibition with them about the First World War and the Indians participating in it. These two were the two Indians who worked with us. It was a great success. You can work with talented artistes and produce art.
SOM: It is very fascinating to read about Max Mueller, a German Indologist and Sanskrit scholar born almost 200 years ago. Can you throw some light on him?
Christoph: Goethe Institut is there in 140 countries in the world and six in India. There is only one exception and that is India where it is called Goethe Institut — Max Mueller Bhavan; in all other countries it is just Goethe Institut. That is because of the enormous respect Max Mueller had for India and this is what he had to say about your country:
“If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered over the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions of some of them which well deserve the attention even of those who have studied Plato and Kant, I should point to India.’’
The Indian colleagues also feel strongly about the link with Max Mueller and they want this name to be there forever. It is a very good Institut.
SOM: Do you find any similarities between German and Indian cultures?
Christoph: (Smiles). It is much easier to argue what is the difference than similarities between the two cultures. Both are very strong cultures and, of course, the Indian culture is the older one. Therein lies the main difference. What is similar is the confluence of cultural activism. For instance, if one goes to a Film Festival what one looks at is the biggest festival with the biggest stars in attendance. It is not quality here but only quantity. But our film festivals are different. Of course there are both good and bad things when one talks about culture.
Again lots of time fusion is not possible. When they try it — for example, a jazz musician plays with a Sitarist and it is called fusion music. According to me fusion becomes confusion.
SOM: A group of ten people from different backgrounds like puppetry, theatre artistes, curator and photographer have all come together. How much do they learn from such exchanges?
Christoph: This time it is called “Spot on bangaloREsidents.” We bring those people to India who have never been here before. They are all selected through a very strict selection process. Each time we receive about 200 applications. After the selection they all arrive together on a Sunday. If they say that they have a performance on Monday in Germany and after that they will come they are not allowed. These people are first introduced into the cultural life of the city. Take Paul Affeld who represents a vibrant combination of hip hop and puppet theatre as witnessed by his famous band “Puppetmastaz.” He has come here to see what Indian puppetry has to offer.
SOM: Indian puppetry has a great tradition and he will have a lot of takeaways.
Christoph: Yes that is true. He will interact with the puppet masters as his interest lies in the theatrical development between classical acting, puppetry and dance. They have visited Rangashankara where they have interacted with Arundathi Nag. Jagruthi theatre is another place where Paul has gone.
These chosen few stay with the Indian hosts and there are 25 of them in the list in Bengaluru and it is increasing. This is how the exchange of knowledge takes place between Germany and India. However, it is sad that in India there is no government funding at all for such activities.
SOM: Having been with Goethe Institut for 25 years how much of its philosophy have you imbibed?
Christoph: The thing I learn most whichever country I go to is the culture of that place. As I told in the beginning Indian culture is very old. The main objective of mine is to learn about this first. Both Bengaluru and Mysuru are culturally very vibrant. During our visit here, we learnt about the visual arts. We visited Rangayana and interacted with the artistes there. The puppetry show which we showed is a bit different from what is shown here. The children in the Chinnara Mela participated very enthusiastically. Though the way we talk to children and the way they are controlled here are a bit different. In the evening we all attended a party hosted by the international artiste N.S. Harsha, who is from your own place, where we again met some great artistes, writers, architects, graphic artistes and the interaction was very good.
This is why we are rotated in our jobs. If I stick to one place I will not learn anything much.
SOM: What is it about Goethe Institut that is unique? Because, it is said, the falling of Berlin Wall makes a turning point for Goethe Institut. (This question is answered by Maureen Gonsalves, Programme Coordinator who is travelling with the team).
Maureen Gonsalves: Earlier East and West Germany had different cultures. After the fall of the Berlin Wall this has more or less disappeared. However, as an outsider I feel that there could be some differences still there. Coming to the Goethe Institut, there is a lot of emphasis on exchange programmes.
We do not fund but support the cultural exchanges to create or facilitate and enhance the culture milieu. It is a give and take. Germany has a budget for Goethe Institut.
SOM: Many Indian students are going to Germany for further studies. What is it that attracts them? Do they have to learn German to study in Germany?
Maureen Gonsalves: One of the main reasons is Germany has no tuition fee. They just have a small semester fee and living expenses. Economically it is attractive. However, now it is not entirely true as a few Universities are charging tuition fees. Their standard of education is very high. Master’s courses are in English. Only under-graduate courses are in German. I know of students who do not speak a single word of German, who have passed out and come.
SOM: Can you throw some light on the controversy regarding replacing German with Sanskrit in CBSE schools after a MoU having been signed with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan?
Christoph: I am not aware of it and hence I do not want to comment on it.
SOM: Great thinkers and philosophers have come out of Germany. In spite of this it has been responsible for two World Wars?
Christoph: This is the big conflict we feel, as Germans. As the well-known German Philosopher, Sociologist and Composer Theodor W. Adorno known for his critical theory of society has said, “To write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric,” a dictum he strongly believed in and which is a part of post-war Germany’s struggle with history and culture.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / May 11th, 2016
The year 2015-2016 has been marked as the centenary year of the late actress B. Jayamma. She was not just involved in cinema, but also theatre. In fact, she even supported her husband, Gubbi Veeranna to run the Gubbi Drama Company, writes MURALIDHARA KHAJANE
Rasika Janananda Nataka Sabha, a prominent professional theatre group in the 1920s, was staging Seetha Kalyana in Bangalore. In the climax scene- theswayamvara of Sita, Lord Sri Ram broke the Shiva Dhanush while attempting to string the bow. A young girl essaying role of Seetha walked gracefully and garlanded Rama.
This young girl B. Jayamma, who made her debut as an actor through Seetha Kalyana dominated both Kannada theatre and cinema for long. Besides being a star of the silent celluloid era, Jayamma carved a niche for herself in pre-Independent India in the fields of theatre, cinema and music and a generation of artists.
Born on November 26, 1915, it was Jayamma’s centenary last year. She passed away in 1988, bringing her incredible journey to an end.
Seetha’s role in Seetha Kalyana made Jayamma a star and enacted the female protagonists in several historical and mythological films. She played Sadarame in Sadarame, Satyabhama in Sri Krishna Parijata, Badanda Devi of Shivajalandhara, Savithri of Sati Savithri and Seeta inRamayana with her brilliant performance and mellifluous voice. Her celluloid journey which began with Harimaya in 1931, ended in Sakshatkara in 1971. She acted in 28 films in four decades.
Writing about Jayamma is akin to browsing the pages of a sepia album, every page of which is the story of a bygone era of Kannada theatre and cinema. It will be a nostalgic journey in to world totally forgotten and equally difficult for the present generation to imagine.
Jayamma was the first daughter of police officer T.N. Mallappa and B. Kamalamma who were residents of Balepet in Bangalore. Kamalamma and her sisters Sundaramma, Rudramma and Kittamma were also theatre artists. While her father wanted Jayamma to become a doctor, she leaned towards theatre. After the death of her father, the seven-year-old Jayamma grew under the influence of her aunts. A teacher in Balepet School nurtured Jayamma’s talent in acting and singing. Meanwhile after the death of Mallappa, Kamalamma also joined her sisters, who were part of professional theatre.
Surrounded by theatre activities, Jayamma slowly lost interest in academics. Observing her interest, Shamanna, a teacher close to Rasika Janananda Sabha, played an important role in Jayamma making her debut as an actor in Seetha Kalyana. Jayamma, who was following her aunt Sundaramma got chances to act in plays such as Kabir and Ramayana in Sri Channabasaveshwara Nataka Mandali of Shantarajappa. She got an opportunity to do female protagonist characters after joining Balabasavegowda Nataka Company. She became a star through her roles as Chanchalakumari ofSadarame, Chitratare of Gulebakavali and Rati of Manmatha Vijaya.
Jayamma joined the renowned Gubbi Company for a salary of Rs.30 a month. It was a huge amount at that point of time. Though a trained actor, Jayamma’s artistic talents were further honed to meet the demands of Gubbi Company for nearly three months. Her very first performance in Veera Narasimha Charitre brought Jayamma both name and fame. Senior artists in the troupe, G. Nageshasharayaru, Narasimhaianavaru and Ramachandrarayaru appreciated her performance. From then she became an important part of the company. Meanwhile, Jayamma, who had discontinued her studies when she was in the third standard, continued her studies until matriculation. Jayamma’s performance as Rani Mrinalini in Rajabhakti opened the doors of celluloid world.
Entry into celluloid
At a time when silent movies were making ‘sound’ in the northern part of India, Gubbi Veeranna along with Yaragudipati Varada Rao popularly known as Y.V. Rao, who was producer, director, thespian screenwriter, editor and actor known for his work in cinema, floated Karnataka Pictures. Harimayawas its first production. While Rajam was Satyabhama in the film, Jayamma justified her character as Jambavati.
In 1931, Jayamma emerged as the lead actress in His Love Affair produced by Karnataka Pictures. Interestingly, a Belgium technician Raphael Aloget helped Gubbi Veeranna and Jayamma in helming the movie. For this social film, which is about young lovers, who reject tradition to get united, Jayamma learnt swimming, cycle riding and car driving! The film fared well.
Her Love Affair
During the making of Harimaya and His Love Affair, Veeranna developed a liking for Jayamma and married her in 1931. Later Jayamma started helping Veeranna in strengthening the Gubbi Company. She took the troupe to various parts of north Karnataka and staged its landmark productions. Meanwhile, she also learnt Hindustani music, along with that she learnt playing the violin from Malavalli Subbanna. She also learnt music from Salem Doreswamy Iyengar and gave concerts in even events like Ramotsava.
Despite being active in cinema and music, Jayamma did not neglect theatre, which made her what she was. People still remember her performance in Kurukshetra, staged on December 31, 1934. Huge money was spent to erect gorgeous sets for the play and stalwarts of professional theatres and Diwan Mirza Ismail watched that performance and Jayamma essayed the role of Draupadi in the play, while Veeranna breathed life in to Duryodhana’s character.
On the celluloid front, Jayamma acted in Subhadra (1941) and Jeevana Nataka (1942), for which Aa. Na. Krishnaraya wrote the script. Meanwhile, Jayamma also acted in Tamil and Telugu films.
Similarly, Jayamma also made a name through her performance in Swarga Seema in 1945. The film is about a village girl becoming a top film star. Hemareddy Mallamma, produced by Veeranna and with Jayamma in the lead, released the same year in six theatres at that time. When this film completed 100 days in theatres, Nijalingappa, who later became the Chief Minister of Karnataka, participated in the function organised to mark the occasion and distributed mementos to all those who contributed for the success of the film. Jayamma was given a gold chained West End watch. Another film which created ripples in the South Indian film industry is Tyagayya by V. Nagayya. Jayamma essayed the role of Dharmambe, the wife of saint Tyagaraja. This film besides being screened in various parts of the country, went abroad and enthralled both cinema and music lovers. Gunasagari produced by Gubbi Veeranna is another landmark film in her career.
Apart from her contribution to the fields of theatre, cinema and music, Jayamma also engaged herself in social service after she stopped acting. She worked for the welfare of the economically weak artists under the leadership of T.S. Karibasavaiah, the founder of Kanteerava Studio.
In 1981, Jayamma was nominated to serve as member of the Karnataka State Legislative Council. She passed away in the year 1988, bringing her incredible journey to an end. Though a bit late, the government did not forget Jayamma’s contribution to cinema, theatre and music and released Rs.10-lakh to the Department of Kannada and Culture to celebrate the centenary year of the artiste in 2016.
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, has brought out a 40-page booklet by R.A. Pushpa Bharathi on Jayamma. This article is based on the facts recorded in the booklet.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Reviw / by Muralidhara Khajane / Bengaluru – May 12th, 2016
Dr. P.D. Padmakumar (second from left) is seen receiving the award from former Union Minister M.V. Rajashekharan (extreme left) as others look on.
Mysuru :
Dr. P.D. Padmakumar, retired Joint Director of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and a resident of Kuvempunagar here, was conferred ‘Bharat Ratna Mother Teresa Gold Medal-2016’ by Global Economic Progress & Research Association (GEPRA), Bengaluru, during the ‘34th National Unity Conference’ held at Bengaluru on May 1.
The award was given in recognition of his outstanding contribution to society through individual achievements and national economic growth. The award, which comprised a trophy, a certificate and a gold medal, was given away by M.V. Rajashekharan, former Union Minister, V. Padmanabha Kedilaya, District & Sessions Judge, Dr. H. Shivanna, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences and Dr. I.S. Basha, General Secretary, GEPRA.
Dr. Padmakumar, a gold medallist in BVSc, has also won gold medal in MA (Jainology & Prakrit) from University of Mysuru. Apart from this, he has won several awards including ‘Best Veterinarian’ and ‘Best Deputy Director’ award from the Department of AH&Vs, Karnataka and ‘Best Horanaadu Kannadiga’ by Delhi Kannadiga Monthly Magazine during the 24th National Kannada Sammelana.
He has authored and published a book titled ‘Keraladalli Jainadharma’ which was later translated to English, Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil. He also runs a free Vet Clinic in city.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 06th, 2016
Art historian Prof. Choodamani Nandagopal is seen receiving D.V. Halabhavi Award from Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji
Mysuru :
Noted art historian Prof. Choodamani Nandagopal was conferred D.V. Halabhavi Award (2014) at a programme organised under the aegis of JSS Mahavidyapeetha at Suttur Shakha Mutt at the foot of Chamundi Hill here yesterday.
Speaking after receiving the award, Prof. Choodamani said that many of arts expressive forms such as music, dance, painting, literature, architecture, etc., have got prominence in our country, which is known for its rich cultural history.
Noting that art is not only for entertainment, she observed that art is a form for an artist to develop penance.
Pointing out that art helps one to take ‘Shastra’ and ‘Sadhane’ together, she cautioned against selling art for a price.
Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji graced the occasion.
Vatal Mutt’s Siddalinga Shivacharya Swamiji, former MLA N. Gangadhar, former Principal of JSS Halabhavi School of Art (Dharwad) Suresh D. Halabhavi and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – May 05th, 2016
City’s renowned musicologist Karnataka Kalashree Vid. V. Nanjundaswamy has been selected for the prestigious ‘Shastra Kaustuba’ award to be presented by Ananya Cultural Trust, Bengaluru, on May 8 (Sunday) at a function to be held at Sevasadana, 14th Cross, Malleswaram in Benglauru at 9.30 am. The award will be presented by Padma Bhushana Sangeeta Kalanidhi Dr. T.V. Goapalakrishna.
The ‘Shastra Kastuba’ award is considered to be prestigious as it is the only award instituted by any organisation for musicology.
Vid. V. Nanjundaswamy, a resident of 3rd North Cross, Anikethana Road in Kuvempunagar, is a renowned musicologist. He is a Srividya exponent, a guide to researchers and a yoga specialist. He has created more than 100 music features and is renowned as ‘The Lord of Features.’
A retired bank employee Vid. Nanjundaswamy has composed music for Lalitha Shasranama and many more Sanskrit slokas and has scientifically analysed them and given talks within the country and abroad. He has also guided Ph.D students. Being active in AIR Vid. Nanjundaswamy has conducted many programmes such as chintana, quiz and special lectures.
Being a prolific writer, he has authored books such as ‘Yogadarpana’, ‘Sangeetha Sankasha’ to name a few. He has published innumerable articles on yoga, srividya, and music. Adding to this, Vid. Nanjundaswamy is credited for publishing all the 94 kritis of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore, in both Kannada and English languages which are available on www.amazon.in
Vid. Nanjundaswamy has been conferred with many awards and titles such as ‘Karnataka Kalashree’, ‘Sangeetha Vidya Varidhi’, ‘Sangeetha Kalatapasvi’ and many more. He also passed the ‘Kavya’ exam in Sanskrit. Having served in SBM, he has retired voluntarily from service around 20 years back and thereafter dedicated himself to music, yoga and srividya — his true passions.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – May 05th, 2016
Netas promise to look into the problems of artisans
Karnataka State Handicrafts Manufacturers Association (KSHMA) felicitated 25 craftspersons (five of them are seen here) on May 1 at Jaganmohan Palace auditorium in city. They are seen with MLA Vasu, Mayor B.L.Bhyrappa, former Mayor P. Vishwanath, KSHMA President S. Ramu (fifth from left), Honorary President P. Gowaraiah (fourth from left), Senior Journalist N. Niranjan Nikam, Corporators R. Nagaraju, C. Ramesh & M.J. Ravikumar and others.
Mysuru :
The media sometimes misses a good function not deliberately but simply because it does not have the manpower to cover all the functions happening simultaneously or also because it does not understand the importance of an event that really needs to be focused.
One such occasion which the media did not cover was the happening at Jaganmohan Palace auditorium on May 1. The occasion was the function organised by the Karnataka State Handicrafts Manufacturers Association (KSHMA), an organisation which has in its Committee people from the Handicrafts industry coming together and trying to do something for their community which is one of the most neglected ones in the State, in spite of Mysuru being the handicraft land of the country.
The heartening fact was that 25 craftspersons, all aged above 60, including some women were chosen and honoured for their contribution to the industry on Labour Day. Most of them are not really literates. They have been slogging hard, involved in various aspects of the trade, like inlay work, cutting, polishing, engraving, drawing to name a few.
If one wall plate, table, rosewood box or a dining set has to be produced all these hands are a must to complete the product. Each one is a specialised skill and they are all complementary to one another. The polishing, which is the finishing aspect of the wall plate, is as important as the engraving that makes a Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswathi or a Ganesha look beautiful.
One more unique feature of the KSHMA is the kind of commitment shown by the people in the Committee. For instance, the Honorary President P. Gowraiah, Master Craftsman, State and National Award Winner, of Sri Arundathi Handicrafts, and President S. Ramu, the State Award Winner, of Sri Geetha Fine Arts, both involved in manufacture of rosewood inlay, carving and other products are business rivals. But they have been friends for more than 40 years and each one respects the other completely and stand by one another in both good and bad times.
This is something that is rarely seen in even the best of organisations where back-biting and one-upmanship is the order of the day as we ourselves see in the many so-called elite clubs in city. There is probably a lesson in this for even the people occupying the top posts in academic circles and a subject of study that one must understand and emulate.
Hence, these two gentlemen have been able to focus on the problems they face as they themselves have come from that background having learnt the basic skills of handicrafts and grown from humble beginnings to big businessmen today.
“Some of us including the late A. Gnaneshwar Nikam, Doreswamy Adar, Subramanya Achar, Cheluvachar, all national awardees, came together to form the Association almost 25 years ago. We decided to honour our own people who are involved in the trade, every three years,” said Ramu speaking to Star of Mysore.
Awards function
Each craftsperson was presented Rs. 5,000, a certificate, a shawl, Mysore Peta and fruits. They were all honoured by MLA Vasu, who later in his address promised to look into the problems of the craftspersons and also assured them of a place in the Mysore Palace premises where 20 permanent structures are going to come up. This assurance was given after Ramu made a plea to the MLA, saying that if a place is given to them, a few craftspersons would display their skills working on wood to the visiting tourists.
MP Pratap Simha and MLA M.K. Somashekar also came to the function in spite of having to attend the Labour Day events in other places and assured the people in the industry of all support.
Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa, former Mayor P. Vishwanath, Corporators R. Nagaraju, C. Ramesh, Ramani and M.J. Ravikumar, former Corporator Vasudev and Senior Journalist N. Niranjan Nikam were present at the felicitation function.
A souvenir titled “Karakushala Kale,” Volume-3, 2016, was released by P. Vishwanath on the occasion. Santosh Kalaavidha of Naatya’s Dance House compered the programme. Amma Ramachandra and his team from University of Mysore, rendered folk songs.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday – May 04th, 2016
A photograph from The Legacy of Jettys depicts a wrestling match. Photo: Special Arrangement
The book documents the community’s original settlers from Modhera in Gujarat.
“The Jettys community of wrestlers knew the science of wrestling much before the world knew what the art of fighting meant,” says C. Maheshwaran, author of the book Legacy of Jettys to be launched next week by Prince Yaduveer in Bengaluru.
It took Mr. Maheshwaran 10 years of research into this wrestling community to bring about the 188-page book in English, with a host of interesting photos that trace their art.
These originators of martial skills, who came from Gujarat, once depended on royal patronage after their migration, and were mainly associated with the Royal kingdom of Mysore, apart from Thanjavur, Krishnadevaraya, Tipu Sultan, Gaekwads of Baroda and the Rajput King, Prithviraj Chauhan of Ajmer.
Migration to the south
Legacy of Jettys is a 188-page exhaustive addition to the world of books in English with a host of interesting photos that documents the community’s original settlers from Modhera in Gujarat. Nearly 400 families subsequently migrated to the south looking for royal patronage to the art in 1025 A.D., i.e., 991 years ago.
How the Jettys get totally dependent on royal patronage but get intrinsically close and loyal to the kings are points that the Jettys later emotionally contemplate on, both with cherished memories and regret, says the author. “The withdrawal of the privy purse (raja dhana) later to the erstwhile princely States brings in a shadow of economic gloom in the lives of Jettys as they hardly receive any money for their profession. It is in contrast to the bright and bracing days the wrestlers earlier enjoyed in the palace,” he says.
The community of Jettys made their way to the south after entering Andhra Pradesh first. Their language is a curious mix of many vernacular idioms, including Telugu and Kannada, called the Mallabhasha, secretly spoken during war and wrestling. “Nowhere in the world is there a community of wrestlers as the Jettys. They are said to have followed the knowledge recorded in the 5000-year-old text ‘Mallapuraan’ that is believed to have been dictated by Lord Krishna and Balarama in Sanskrit and Devanagiri,” writes Mr. Maheswaran. “It covers scientific wrestling skills, human anatomy, pressure points in the body, nutritional science and body language,” he says.
Several hundreds of Jetty families that the author was in touch with offer distressing narratives of helplessness they go through, because of the absence of alternative professions after the royals were unable to help them, says Maheshwaran, a martial arts practitioner himself and belonging to the section of Jettys who believed in education and entering other professions.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – May 03rd, 2016
