Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Gandhi Bhavan celebrates Golden jubilee

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Uncategorized
Senior advocate Prof. Ravi Verma Kumar is seen offering floral tributes to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at Senate Bhavan in Manasagangotri this morning as Gandhians Dr. H.S. Doreswamy, Dr. G. Madegowda, Shanthi N. Badriah, Dr. H. Srinivasaiah, Mysore University Gandhi Bhavan Director Prof. S. Shivarajappa and others look on.
Senior advocate Prof. Ravi Verma Kumar is seen offering floral tributes to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at Senate Bhavan in Manasagangotri this morning as Gandhians Dr. H.S. Doreswamy, Dr. G. Madegowda, Shanthi N. Badriah, Dr. H. Srinivasaiah, Mysore University Gandhi Bhavan Director Prof. S. Shivarajappa and others look on.

Mysuru :

“It is distressing to note that the principles preached and practiced by Gandhiji, who is being praised by renowned personalities across the world, are vanishing in the very country where the Mahatma was born,” rued Prof. Ravi Verma Kumar, Senior advocate of Karnataka High Court here this morning.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Gandhi Bhavan of the University of Mysore (UoM), said to be one of the oldest Gandhi Bhavans in India (started in 1965), at Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Senate Bhavan in Manasagangotri in city.

Regretting that many intelligent students at various Universities across the country, who undertake many progressive activities, were being attacked and branded as anti-nationals for fighting for Freedom of Speech and Expression, the senior advocate said if Gandhiji was alive today, even he (Gandhiji) would have been branded as an anti-national.

Veteran freedom fighter and Gandhian Dr. H.S. Doreswamy, President of Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Bengaluru, Dr. H. Srinivasaiah, Mandya Gandhi Bhavan Founder-President Dr. G. Madegowda and Gandhian Shanthi N. Badriah were felicitated on the occasion.

Gandhi Bhavan Director Prof. S. Shivarajappa, UoM Registrar Prof. C. Basavaraju and others were present on the occasion.

About UoM’s Gandhi Bhavan: It has a rich history of association with Gandhians and institutions committed to promoting Gandhian philosophy. It also has a collection of books that date back to the pre-independence era and is in the process of establishing a Gandhi Museum to preserve archival materials belonging to Gandhian era and other documents throwing light on Gandhiji’s works.

The foundation stone for the Gandhi Bhavan in city, which was laid on Sept.9, 1960 by the then Chief Minister B.D.Jatti, was inaugurated by former Prime Minister of India Morarji Desai on Jan.31, 1965.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / April 01st, 2016

Govt polytechnic girls walk the ramp in style

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Hubballi  :

On Friday, the campus of the Government Polytechnic for Women wa s packed with models showcasing innovative and colourful themes. Themes like straw, peacock, mirror, flowers and Matsya Kanye (fish lady) attracted huge crowds.

However, most audiences were unaware that the designs were prepared by models themselves who are students of the Apparel Design and Fabrication Technology (ADFT). This show was not organised by a corporate company, but hosted by the Government Polytechnic for Women whose students are studying for a diploma in ADFT.

Polytechnic principal GM Goni said the college has girl students from poor or middle class families. “These girls sought permission to host a fashion show and since designing is part of their curriculum, we allowed it for the annual gathering,” he said.

Manjula Kadam, head of the ADFT department, said it’s a three-year course and it has been helpful for girls of middle or lower middle class families. “It’s generally assumed that fashion designing is for students of rich families. However, ADFT has enabled poor girls with a sense of fashion to do the course. Now, students have made us proud by showcasing designs stitched by themselves. It shows they have updated their knowledge on a par with industry requirement,” she said.

Kalyani L, who guided the students, said they used skills like hand embroidery and handicraft to prepare innovative themes. “In all, 23 girl students in the sixth semester prepared designs as part of their project. They started preparing eight days ago. As modeling is not prescribed in their syllabus, they practiced walking on the ramp and other actions required for the show,” she said. Shivaleela Hosamani and MS Bijapur, other faculty members of ADFT, said students were cautious while chosing themes for the show.

Annapurna Mysuru, who presented designs on the Straw theme, shared her friends’ used synthetic material. Krutika Bendigeri, who showcased the Peacock theme, said she wanted to chose a Nature-related theme. Rohini Devadas, who prepared and presented designs on the Mirror theme, said this show has given her confidence to continue in the garment industry.

Innovative designs
The students’ designs were very innovative. They ensured there was not even a hint of obscenity. When beauty is being commercialized, students proved it can be presented without compromising on the modesty of women. Young minds at work educated the audience about fashion, said writer Prajna Mattihalli .

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hubli / Sangamesh Menasinakai / March 19th, 2016

Books on M.S., Bangalore Nagarathnamma released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Did you know that Carnatic vocalist Bangalore Nagarathnamma was the first ever musician to have paid taxes to the British government in the early 1900s, and was the first Indian woman to have braved her way to perform in Jaffna? She and M.S. Subbulakshmi were among the first women musicians to be accompanied by men on the mridanga and violin when it was considered a societal taboo.

Author N. Jagadish Koppa
Author N. Jagadish Koppa

An account of rare informationon the two musical greats, who come from a Devadasi lineage, has been recorded in two recently released books in Kannada — Ditta Kalavide Bengaluru Nagarathnamma and Manadolagina Suprabhata M.S. Subbulakshmi, authored by N. Jagadish Koppa and published by Vikasa Prakashana. “It is the first two in a series planned on artistes from the Devadasi community who have contributed to cultural progress,” said Dr. R. Poornima of Vikasa Prakashana.

“While in Tamil Nadu, I chanced upon the Devadasi cult and their poetic and melodic inheritance that contributed immensely to the country’s progress in art and culture. Both were steely women… M.S. was known as the ‘daughter of Shanmukhavadivu,’ and Nagarathnamma as the ‘daughter of Puttalakshamma’,” writes Koppa.

The author goes on to find out on Nagarathnamma that the Oxford University Press in 1991 in the chapter on ‘Women Writers of India’ includes her as the “first woman writer of India” as she had, in 1917, edited the 17th Century Telugu classical poetry Radhika Swantanamu, which got embroiled into controversies for its bold, lyrical features.

Nagarathnamma was born in 1872 at Nanjangud and was brought to Mysuru as a toddler, before she entered Bengaluru and later settled in Tamil Nadu. Her time at Nagarathpet and later at Naraharirayana Gudde, where Judge Narahari Rao built a house for her, are little known facts. “That she sold her house to make money for building a Samadhi of Tyagaraja is common knowledge now,” says Mr. Koppa.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – March 30th, 2016

Bengaluru gears up for a new vintage car museum

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion
Car collector Dr Ravi Prakash promises to pull the wraps off over 900 classic beauties
Car collector Dr Ravi Prakash promises to pull the wraps off over 900 classic beauties

Classic car lovers may soon be spotted wheeling down the state highway more frequently than ever before. Giving the finishing touch to his glossies, doctor-turned-vintage-car-collector Ravi Prakash is almost ready to steer open the doors of a nine lakh square feet property on the fringes of Bengaluru that will house a covetable collection of more than 900 classic cars, together with a range of time-honoured motorbikes and carriages.

Describing it as an ‘auto-history museum’, Dr Ravi says, “More than a treasure trove of vintage automotives, I hope to create an aural-visual and educative experience that every vehicle enthusiast and historian would want to have. The museum will illustrate the evolution of motor vehicles through its exhibits. But more importantly, it will replicate the bygone era, complete with the classic favourites, road networks as well as the people and attire of old times.”

From the Bentleys, Aston Martins and Rolls-Royces to the Mini Coopers, the museum will showcase a diverse collection of glistening steel beauties that could make even the most hard-nosed cynic quiver with excitement. Located on a farmland near Rajarajeshwari Nagar along the Mysore Road, the museum will not just line up the cars in an array. “Expected to be one of the 10 largest vintage car museums in the world, this state-of-the-art venue will promote awareness about old-style vehicles. The property will also comprise an automotive mall, serving as a platform for buyers and sellers,” adds the collector, who himself was a national rallying and racing champion between 1981 and 1984, and is a die-hard fan of the Mercedes Benz classics.

It’s not just this cardiothoracic surgeon who likes to travel back in time. His daughter Rupali also takes interest in old cars. “She is into vintage car merchandising and is quite passionate about it,” sums up Dr Ravi, who dreams to make this museum a major tourist hub in the coming years.

Zooming facts

The museum will be equipped with advanced technology, wherein each car will be displayed under individual sheds.

Among the lot will be a car driven by Motilal Nehru.

Visitors will have access to an enviable collection of 18,000 books and journals on automobiles, apart from other antiques.

Typically, the restoration and modification process for every car takes around six to nine months, while it may also vary between three to four years, depending on the amount of work required on the vehicle.

The restoration of the vehicles is a done by a team of 15 motor experts at a special workshop.

A restaurant featuring car-themed design and decor will be the star attraction of the auto-mall.

A charitable foundation will run the museum, the proceeds of which will be primarily spent for the treatment of road accident victims, while the rest of the money will be used for the acquisition and restoration of cars.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / by  Reema Gowalla / TNN / March 28th, 2016

S.V.N. National Award for Kadri Gopalnath

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Kadri Gopalnath will receive the award on May 1.
Kadri Gopalnath will receive the award on May 1.

Kadri Gopalnath of Mangaluru may have bagged a multitude of awards, but this year’s S.V. Narayanaswany Rao National Award from the Chamarajpet Ramaseva Mandali seems extra special to him.

“It was nearly 40 years ago that I was in the process of rediscovering and exploring the Belgian instrument for adapting it to Carnatic genre. After years of research and modifications to suit the genre, I was rearing to showcase my Carnatic experimentations when mandali founder S.V.N. Rao was open-minded to offer me a morning slot. Today, I feel rewarded to be taking an award instituted in his name,” says Mr. Gopalnath, who will receive the award during Ramothsava on May 1.

Mr. Gopalnath was at the right place at the right time, according to S.N. Varadaraj, general secretary of the mandali.

“In 1977, when some of the best Nadaswara professionals were unable to make it to the mandali, Gopalnath’s approach proved timely as audiences were exposed to a foreign instrument on a classical platform,” says Mr. Varadaraj.

Belgian instrument-maker and musician Adolphe Sax, who invented saxophone in 1840, would never have imagined that his invention would one day see Carnatic flourishes on it.

“My modifications with controlled blow, apart from altering the pads and fastening some keys for easier Carnatic oscillations helped me tackle every composition in every raga. In a way, my hard work not only helped me propagate classical Indian music on an established European instrument, but it is more rewarding to see hundreds of enthusiasts taking to the instrument in the last two decades. The instrument has gained a niche in Carnatic,” says Mr. Gopalnath.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – March 28th, 2016

‘Sneha Spandana ’ conferred with Youth Club Award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel

SnehaSpandanaBF28mar2016

Mysuru :

City’s Sneha Spandana Mahila Mandali, Kuvempunagar, was conferred with District Youth Club Award at the District Youth Convention jointly organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Department of Collegiate Education, Student Welfare Wing and NSS Unit, University of Mysore, (UoM) at Humanities auditorium, Manasagangotri here recently.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 and a citation.

Speaking on the occasion of award presentation, Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa said that Mysuru bagging the ‘Cleanest City in India’ tag for the second consecutive time, has brought enormous joy to him.

Pointing out that many Self Help Groups had joined hands with the MCC in keeping the city clean, Bhyrappa observed that relentless co-operation by Associations and Organisations, civic groups and members of the public, will go a long way in the city retaining the tag for a long time.

Maintaining that the MCC has launched several initiatives for making the city plastic-free, he called upon the co-operation of all stakeholders in this regard.

Noting that every individual has his/her own strengths, he opined that everyone should utilise their strengths for the betterment of society. He called upon Organisations to guide the youths in the right direction.

Joint Director of Collegiate Education Prof. Morabada Mallikarjuna, University of Mysore Dean Dr. M. Rudraiah, Administrative Officer Prof. C. Ramaswamy, Nehru Yuva Kendra’s M.N. Nataraj and others were present.

A total of 25 youth groups of the district were presented sports equipments on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 28th, 2016

A Tribute to Mysore ‘Mali’ Vidwan A.V. Prakash

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
The last flute concert of Vidwan A.V. Prakash at Chandramouleshwara Temple in Vontikoppal, Mysuru.
The last flute concert of Vidwan A.V. Prakash at Chandramouleshwara Temple in Vontikoppal, Mysuru.

Vidwan A.V Prakash was born into a lower middle class family of musicians with many brothers and a sister, the parents striving hard to make both ends meet. His father Ganakalarathna A.K. Muthanna, a violinist of repute, derived more pleasure in listening to the divine twang of the violin than in collecting fees from his pupils. Vid. Muthanna played the violin to its glory till he was a hundred and two years of age.

Prakash learnt to play the flute from a very young age and achieved success through diligence, single-mindedness and discipline. Within a short period of time, he was not only able to earn eminence as an artiste of absolute finesse but to also help the family economically. He contributed his mite in celebrating his sister Rajalakshmi’s marriage with the well-known violinist Vid. H.K. Narasimhamurthy, who was also a disciple of his father. Rajalakshmi too is a musician of repute.

I have been acquainted with Prakash for a long time. He was my classmate at Government Middle School, Chamundipuram and I had taken a few lessons from him on playing the flute, which he had given me, free of cost, a generous trait which he was known for. It is another matter that I did not pursue the art. We played cricket together and I attended a number of his music concert practicing sessions as well as a few of his concerts. Prakash took up a job in the State Bank of Mysore (SBM)at Mysore which brought some material relief to his family. He devoted his spare time to the flute — his soul mate, demonstrating the impossibility of separating an artiste from his musical instrument.

Vid. Prakash grew in stature under the tutelage of well-known flautists T.R. Mahalingam and N. Ramani. He associated himself with Mysuru Akashvani as an artiste and a Board Member. He gained in more fame having performed at Gayana Samaja; Gana Kala Parishat; Lalithakala Academy and Sri Krishna Sangeetha Sabha in Bengaluru. Vid. Prakash gave concerts all over the country and won plaudists for his mastery over the art. In 1986, he thrilled the audience at the International SAARC Summit held in Bengaluru. And in 1996, he regaled the audience at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal.

Vid. Prakash was honoured with the Best Flautist Award (1987-88) from the Indian Fine Arts Society in Chennai. He has given concerts at the Durbar Hall of Mysore Palace and in many countries abroad. Laxmi Enterprises, Mysuru, has recorded and released a number of cassettes of quality by way of felicitating the grandiose flutist. Continuing his saga in the world of music, Vid. Prakash received Artiste of the Year award in 2004-05 from Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya Academy. He was also honoured by the Gayana Samaja, Bengaluru, in 2001-02 by the then Chief Minister S.M. Krishna. He has been conferred the titles of Kalajyothi and Adarsha Kalavida by the music patrons in Karnataka.

On the evening of 17th March 2016, a few minutes into the concert at Chandramouleshwara Temple in Vontikoppal, Mysuru, Vid. Prakash suffered a massive heart attack and passed away. He was playing krithi ‘raghunayaka’ in hamsadwani raga with aplomb. The fact that he met his end while giving a concert in a well-attended programme gives one the feeling that his soul has reached the lotus feet of the Lord. Fortunately, for music lovers, his two sons, A.P. Srinivas and A.P. Krishna Prasad are musicians of great promise and will carry the legacy forward.

On a personal note, nearly four decades ago, when my mother (a connoisseur of music) was alive, Vid. Prakash and Dr. S.Vijayaraghavan, a well-known Veena exponent and a mutual friend of the Vidwan and me, had visited my house where they presented a delightful duet con- cert that was recorded in an Akai tape recorder which is still with us, a priceless souvenir.

Condolence Meet: At the condolence meeting that was held on March 23, Dr. S. Vijayaraghavan observed that Prakash’s home was a flute factory, a hub of teaching and learning. The sombre end of Vid. Prakash makes one realise that the true value of a moment becomes apparent until that precious moment becomes a memory.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles /  by B .K. Vishwanath  / March 26th, 2016

Inner Wheel Club of Mysore celebrates Golden Jubilee

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Seen on the dais are (from left) Annes Selina Vagh, Binnie Nanaiah, Naina Achappa, Past Association President Shailaja Bhat, Inner Wheel Mysore President Seijal Luthra, Inner Wheel District - 318 Chairman Sudha Prasad and Inner Wheel Mysore Secretary Sujatha Bhat.
Seen on the dais are (from left) Annes Selina Vagh, Binnie Nanaiah, Naina Achappa, Past Association President Shailaja Bhat, Inner Wheel Mysore President Seijal Luthra, Inner Wheel District – 318 Chairman Sudha Prasad and Inner Wheel Mysore Secretary Sujatha Bhat.

Mysuru :

The Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Inner Wheel Club of Mysore was held last evening at Wind Chimes in Nazarbad with the Past Association President of Inner Wheel Clubs in India Shailaja Bhat as the chief guest and Sudha Prasad, District Chairman-318, as the guest of honour.

The senior-most member of the Club, who is the first Charter Treasurer and a Past District Chairman Binnie Nanaiah and Selina Vagh, a dedicated member and major donor of the Club were recognised for their service and involvement in the Club’s activities.

Speaking on the occasion, Shailaja Bhat stressed on the need for personal Service and commitment to the cause of Service.

She appreciated the Club’s Project of Organ Donation awareness as a need of the hour and Swachh Bharat programme as an attempt to work towards a cleaner city.

Sudha Prasad emphasised on the need to develop the Happy School Project of Building Toilets in Schools which the Club has taken up and the growth of the Club in its 50 years of Friendship and Service.

She said the Club was engaged in various social service activities such as installation of drinking water units in schools, construction of school toilets, distribution of wheel chairs to the specially abled and other such activities.

She further said that the Club has come with three more plans — Swachh Bharat campaign, creating awareness on organ donation and construction of toilets in villages.

Swachh Bharat campaign and organ donation posters were released by the dignitaries. The Club’s blue coloured collar was changed to yellow colour to mark the occasion.

Inner Wheel Mysore President Seijal Luthra, Secretary Sujatha Bhat, senior members Naina Achappa, Geetha Kuttappa, Chandrika Raghu, Jahnavi Murthy and others were present at the celebrations.

The 50 Past Presidents of the Club and 12 Past District Chairmen were recognised. It was a gala evening of cultural programme and celebrations

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 26th, 2016

Two-Day National Congress of Spiritual Scientists begins

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology
Aravind Jatti, President, Basava Samithi, Bengaluru, is seen delivering the keynote address at the 23rd National Congress of Spiritual Scientists at Rotary School on KRS road here this morning. Others seen are Rotary Mysore President H.S. Venkatesh, Vijay Foundation Managing Trustee Dr. B.R. Pai, Brahmarshi Patriji and Vice-Chairman, Indian Federation of Spiritual Scientists S.K. Rajan.
Aravind Jatti, President, Basava Samithi, Bengaluru, is seen delivering the keynote address at the 23rd National Congress of Spiritual Scientists at Rotary School on KRS road here this morning. Others seen are Rotary Mysore President H.S. Venkatesh, Vijay Foundation Managing Trustee Dr. B.R. Pai, Brahmarshi Patriji and Vice-Chairman, Indian Federation of Spiritual Scientists S.K. Rajan.

Mysuru :

The two-day 23rd National Congress of Spiritual Scientists organised jointly by Indian Federation of Spiritual Scientists, Rotary Mysore and Vijay Foundation commenced this morning at Rotary High School auditorium on KRS road here.

Nearly 250 Spiritual Scientists across the country are participating in the meet which will focus on meditation and knowledge of spiritual wisdom and pyramid energy.

Founder of Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement Brahmarshi Patriji inaugurated the Congress by lighting the traditional lamp.

Delivering the keynote address Aravind Jatti, President, Basava Samithi, Bengaluru said that Culture and Civilisation were two faces of the same coin, the former focussing on inner behaviour and the latter on outer effect.

He stressed the need for a scientific angle to assess spiritualism and added that the concept of meditation was preached ages ago by Basavanna, the unparalleled Social Reformer. He pointed out that meditation was an excellent tool to focus thoughts on any subject.

Several spiritual Scientists will address the gathering.

S.K. Rajan, Vice-Chairman, Indian Federation of Spiritual Scientists, Dr.Jeevandhar Ketappanavar, Expert on works of Kabir Das and Basavanna, Dr. B.R. Pai, Managing Trustee, Vijay Foundation and H.S. Venkatesh, President, Rotary Mysore were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 26th, 2016

In a first, Korean mastiff worth Rs 1 crore comes to India

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

KoreanMastiff02BF24mar2016

 

Bengaluru :

The Korean Dosa mastiff has a heavy wrinkled skin, hanging jowls and a blunt nose, but it is entitled to put it up in the air. For this rare bundle costs an eye-popping Rs 1 crore-as much as a good-sized villa. And the nose may be flat, but it smells sharp.

Bengalurean Satish S, who is importing this exotic breed, is set to become the first owner of the Korean breed in India. Satish, breeder and president of Indian Dog Breeders’ Association, said two two-month-old pups, each costing Rs 1 crore, are flying in from China. This is the first time the breed is entering India, he claimed.

“This is a dream come true, I wanted this dog for over 20 years,” said Satish, who has over 150 dogs, a combination of rare and big breeds, at his farmhouse in Kumbalgodu, and has been in the business for over 25 years. “After a long and exhausting search, I finally got good news. I was in touch with a breeder in China whose Korean mastiff littered recently. I’m importing one female and one male pup,” he said.

“It is one of the rarest breeds, known for its heavily wrinkled body. The body is so wrinkly that even its eyes are barely visible,” he said.

The pups are on their way to Bengaluru, with a day’s rest to break their long and strenuous journey. They were put on a plane from Beijing to Bangkok, where they rested on Monday, and will arrive on Wednesday.

Satish is rolling out the red carpet for the two pups-one will be picked up in a Rolls Royce and another will travel in a Range Rover from the airport to his house in Banashankari II Stage. “I’ve rented a Rolls Royce for a day. The Range Rover belongs to a friend,” he said.
“They are coming from a cooler place, so I will keep them in an air-conditioned room till they adjust a bit to the heat here,” said Satish.

KoreanMastiffBF24mar2016

The most expensive dog Satish has imported till date is the Tibetan mastiff, for which he paid Rs 65 lakh. “But the Korean mastiff will be my most expensive buy now,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / by Aditi Sequeira, TNN / March 22nd, 2016