Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Celebrating many firsts

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
It was all about music. / Photo: Elvin Lonan / The Hindu
It was all about music. / Photo: Elvin Lonan / The Hindu

As CounterCulture shuts down, founders Guru Somayaji and Vishwaraj Mohan recap their favourite shows in no particular rank

Whitefield venue CounterCulture underwent a management change last month, hosting its last show as a major music venue on May 30. While it would have been difficult for any live venue to survive while meeting the city’s demand for local and out-of-town bands, CounterCulture had the biggest space to offer bands and gig organisers – perfect for festivals like Bangalore Open Air and album launch concerts by bands ranging from Swarathma to Skyharbor since 2011.

We spoke to CounterCulture founders Guru Somayaji and Vishwaraj Mohan, who are now moving on to managing music programming and events at other venues, to recap their favourite shows in no particular rank.

Somayaji says, “At CounterCulture, pretty much every gig I have put on has been a favourite. As a programme director, there are pressures of choosing the right artiste for a night, but in the last few years, given the feedback and response, I guess, I have done some gigs right!”

The Bicycle Days and Tempo Tantrick(February 2011): This was CounterCulture’s first gig. None of us had a clue when we set up this gig that we would go on to host and produce some crazy gigs!

Peter Cat Recording Co. and Gowri (April 2011): This is the first time I got a call from this band saying they were driving down to Bangalore from New Delhi and were looking for a gig. It was also the first time we were hosting an artiste away from Bangalore. The magic of this gig and the music still remains fresh to a lot of people.

Pinknoise – Indie March Festival (March 2013): I think this was the first proper gig the band played after (bassist) Gyan Singh’s passing away. As a tribute to Gyan, we placed a Bass Amplifier right at the front of the stage and his recorded tracks were playing through it.

The intensity of the music and the love for him was felt through the gig. This to me was musically the most powerful gig!

Vedanth and Bindu – Indie March Festival (March 2013): For a brief while, we experimented with hosting classical music gigs. I still don’t know how this gig went on for two hours and 58 minutes non-stop, and the crowds refused to move. I never thought a combination of Kabir, Hindustani and Carnatic can have someone gripped for as long as this.

Parvaaz – Behosh Album Launch (July 2012): I first saw Parvaaz at The Big Mushroom Cloud Festival and didn’t like them at all. So when they landed up at CounterCulture to meet me to discuss their album launch, I approached it with some amount of cynicism. At around their album launch, I went on a motor-biking trip across South India. On the morning of the gig, I decided to brave incessant rains and walked into the venue soaking wet, and my, what a transformation the band had gone through since I first saw them in 2009.

Parvaaz – Baran Album Launch (September 2014): After the Behosh album launch, we kind of became friends with the band and when the time for their second album launch happened, I decided to make this an album launch to remember. I sat through their rehearsals, plenty of meetings, designing lighting spots, and a fully setup dress rehearsal. We never even expected to see that many people in one place singing out all their songs. It was possibly one of the best album launches.

The Bicycle Days – Calamitunes Album Launch – (July 2013): This was conceptually one of the craziest gigs I designed. For the first time, there was a band agreeing to my method of madness. I covered the entire stage with a screen made of “dizzy lizzy” cloth, the fabric that is used to stitch blouse and petticoat lining.

The band was lit up from behind and all the audience could see were silhouettes of musicians and that’s it. The focus was on forcing people to listen through the music as opposed to watching a band. As a lighting designer, this was quite a gig!

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Anurag Tagat / June 24th, 2015

Sound of music binds this Mangalurean Abreo family

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's

Mangaluru :

Like sound of music filled the von Trapp house, the Abreos’ home in Texas Houston, US, is filled with the sweet notes of violin. For, this family has seven child violinists and another two are in the making! This probably makes them the only family in the world to have so many fiddlers under one roof.

Dr Gerard Abreo, hailing from Kulshekar here married to Nicole has settled in the US. They have nine children – Michael Joseph, 16, Daniel Francis, 15, Christine Marie, 13, Maria Therese, 11, Jane Elizabeth, 9, Rachel Ann, 7, John Paul, 5, Luke Walter, 3 and the one year old Joseph. Of them while seven play the violin, John Paul has started practicing to join the group. “Luke will also join soon,” says the proud Dr Abreo, a well-known cardiologist. Nicole is an accomplished violinist with a degree to boot.

Why violin? “Violin is a difficult instrument to master. It requires immense concentration, perseverance, endurance and discipline. I believe this helped children do well in studies and it has spilled into their education and moral fibre,” says Dr Abreo adding soon the last one will also hold the fiddle. “They may have been forced to learn violin when they were young. But they play with joy now,” said Dr Abreo to TOI.

He admits the children have a lot of talent, which is backed by lot of hard work. The truth is that both paternal and maternal side has plenty of musical notes in them. Dr Gerard was the part of the Abreo Quartet David, Patsy, Gerald and Peter in the early 70’s at Bengaluru. They performed at various clubs, including the Catholic club, till the quartet broke in 1985 when brothers went to pursue their careers. Dr Abreo had organized a band when studying medicine at St John’s in Bengaluru and his band became the first college band to play at the St John’s Ball in 1990.

To help matters, his wife Nicole, a bachelor in Music from University of Toronto, assists the children in keeping in tune. Daniel says: Since everybody plays, it caught on. We practise every day for an hour at home. Once a week we get tutored. It’s fun.

Nicole, a home maker, says: Gerard helps a lot at home, hence things are easy and manageable even with nine kids around.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangaluru / by Stanley Pinto, TNN / June 25th, 2015

Crochet still rocks

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features
Archana Acharya and her mum Viraja. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Archana Acharya and her mum Viraja. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Meet the mother-daughter duo who create and sell crocheted products

Gone are the days when most of the women you saw doing crochet or knitting were grandmas in their rocking chairs. Crocheting has now become an obsession with the younger generation too and chances are you would never find a crotchetier, who says she has enough yarn!

This is pretty much the tale of how Viraja and her daughter Archana Acharya took their passion to the next level and set up Knotty Nest, a haven for all things crocheted.

This mother-daughter venture is a hand-made lifestyle and accessories brand . Viraja started crocheting at the tender age of six and has perfected her craft over the years, while Archana is an IT professional. They bring in the element of modernity by creating products that appeal to the younger crowd and those that draw from themes best loved by them. They also take on customised orders for which you can log on to (www.facebook.com/ KnottyNest).

Vijara, who used to crochet “till Archana was born” says bringing up two children took up her time and she stopped this craft.

“In the meanwhile, I learned baking, stuffed-toy making, and fabric painting. So I never really stopped learning. However, it was only when my daughter moved to Bangalore for her higher studies that she motivated me to start my crochet and embroidery work again. She inspired me to create more products. I received support from my family and that helped me turn my passion into a lucrative business. That’s how Knotty Nest was started in May 2012. It has been the best thing my daughter has gifted me with.”

At Knotty Nest, one can order a wide range of lifestyle accessories. “Through our products, we illustrate various cartoon characters. We sell everything from hand-crafted magnets, key chains and bookmarks to hair clips, sling bags, brooches, baby dresses, and earrings. We also make home décor products like canning jar lids and coasters, among other items,” the entrepreneur informs.

The duo enjoy what they do. “It has been a great learning experience so far. We participate in flea markets held in the city and have a good customer base here and in Mangalore. On the flipside, we still need to build a strong and viable market for our products. One of the turning points for us has been that we are now online on Junglee and Indibazaar where we get to showcase our work,” beams Archana.

In the coming days, Viraja informs: “We will be working on creating new and unique products and expanding our product line. We are looking at tying up with retail brands and are also interested in teaching this art to the younger generation.”

This column features those who choose to veer off the beaten track.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Neeti Sarkar / June 23rd, 2015

Resurrecting Roerich

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Travel, World Opinion

The first phase of Roerich Estate restoration work has been completed. Bangalore Mirror has the first pics of the internationally renowned artist’s dwelling

A few metres away from the house are the huge tombstones place
A few metres away from the house are the huge tombstones place

Russian ambassador Alexander Kadakin’s primary concern when he landed in the city in January was the beautification of tombstones of Russian artist Svetoslav Roerich and actress wife Devika Rani. His visit to Tataguni Estate – the residence of the couple on Kanakapura Road – came at a time when the state government was restoring a part of the property.
And now the first phase of Roerich Estate restoration work that kicked off about a year ago has been completed. The tombstones are spruced up, the quaint cottage where the couple lived has been restored without disturbing the aesthetics, a five-acre rose garden has been laid and the property has come alive. The Phase I work has cost the government Rs 2 crore.

Abode of an artist
The stone building has been restored along with its old charm with the stone left exposed in its original state. Some repairs on the flooring, painting of the building, a fresh coat of polish on the red-oxide flooring, etc gave the house the traditional look.
A few metres away from the house are the huge tombstones placed. The couple’s names are written in Russian apart from English and Kannada.
The pathway leading up the tombstones is done up with granite, with steps. The walkway along the estate and into the wild has been cleaned up. The lake, that once was alive is dead now and the Lake Development Authority is taking up work on clearing out the natural vents to the water body from the adjacent catchment, that have been blocked.
“Due to rampant constructions in the adjacent areas and reckless earth filling up, water from the natural source has been blocked and the lake has dried up. LDA is now opening up the blocked channels and this monsoon, the lake should see some water,” says Manu Baligar, the chief executive officer of the Roerich and Devikarani Roerich Estate Board, which functions under the state government’s revenue department.
On the bund of this lake Roerich couple spent their evenings, Baligar said. The bench has not been altered, unlike the other fancier benches on the bund. The five acre land opposite the house has been turned into a beautiful rose garden.
The 468.33 acre estate is rich with fauna, has sandalwood trees and Bursera plantation from which the couple extracted linoloe aromatic oil. The sprawling plantation regularly has elephants and leopards as its uninvited guests. So much so, Kadrappa, one of the labourers is always armed with a sickle and escorts the guests into the wild with his weapon. Kadrappa, has been a loyal at the estate since 25 years and has seen Svetoslav and Devikarani in their last stages, before they shifted out of the estate and moved into a five-star hotel following ill health.

With a touch of Van Gogh

After a long drawn legal battle at the Supreme Court, against property encroachment, the state government set up the Board in 1996 to protect the heritage left behind by the renowned artist. While a lot of antique jewellery reportedly went missing from the house after the death of the couple, the government moved Roerich’s 241 paintings from his studio in the house to Venkatappa Art Gallery which is now under lock and key. “In the second phase of work, there is a project to set up a world-class art museum on the lines of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. We have asked the archaeology and museums department to come up with concepts. This will be a cultural centre and once the work is completed, all the Roerich paintings from Venkatappa Art Gallery will be shifted here,” Baligar told Bangalore Mirror.

source:http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Kushala S, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / June 23rd, 2015

The Mysore that was … Part 30: Lansdowne building , The oldest shopping complex of Mysuru

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

LandsdowneBF21jun2015

by M.L. Krishnaswami

Heritage — The Oxford Dictionary meaning is Nation’s Historic Buildings or Countryside. The Government’s definition is a building which has completed its life for over 100 years; this naturally excludes private person’s buildings which have no historic value or have no significance to public interest. Public building built at public cost and being used for general or public purposes like music halls, shopping arcades, colleges, etc. which have put their physical weight on Mother Earth for hundred years or more will naturally be named as heritage structures. In any country it becomes the bounden duty of the State to preserve and maintain in good shape such buildings. In this category, Lansdowne Building, the oldest shopping complex in Mysuru built a hundred years ago, eminently qualified for this sobriquet.

In addition to the above description, even houses built and lived by eminent figures in the fields of culture and arts, literature and drama also fall under this definition. This category includes houses of Kuvempu, R.K. Narayan, Bendre, Karanth and others. When it comes to a large linear shopping complex like the Lansdowne Building, some of the owners and tenants of individual shops have made enormous contribution to the growth of their particular brand of trade or avocation over this period. They had established their brand names in Mysuru State and beyond also. In this sense they have added their own glamour to the total heritage tag of the building. An attempt is made here to highlight a few samples in this category. Now read on:

Lansdowne Building was a much longer one before 1956, extending at an angle upto the junction of the Dufferin Clock Tower on the South of Devaraja Market, when a portion was pulled down to facilitate construction of the K.R. Circle and making a through road from there westwards upto DC’s Office. This road is now called Devaraja Urs Road.

1. Phalamrutha Products, Founded by the late venerable Gundappa: Gundappa originally came from Chamarajanagar and after great initial hardships, established his industry and trading outlet for fruit juices, essences, ice creams and the like. His working place was in Ittigegud and the factory was mainly manned by his three sons and their families including the ladies. He had made such meticulous work in detail by distributing the work schedule among his sons and daughters-in-law, in shifts like an experienced works manager in a large factory. Besides, he had also employed a few people for outside work. Some of the processes were mechanised also. Utmost importance was given to maintaining the quality tag of the product. So much so, for people visiting Mysuru on vacation, both local and outside, a jaunt to the Phalamrutha outlet in Lansdowne Building was a must.

2. Late Hari Rao and his two sons ran “Brahmins Soda Factory” three or four shops towards North. The specialty of this unit was they used to make the essences of fruits at their house and bring them to their shop. Hari Rao used to trickle three or four drops of the particular essence in a glass, mix it with water or soda as per the client’s demands and serve it. This shop came under the portion of Lansdowne Building demolished in 1956 and thereafter his sons shifted the same to Old Bank Road. Another not so popular joint was the Padaki Soda Factory.

3. Khaddar Co-operative Society had occupied two adjacent shops and used to sell quality Khadi cloth. It had a large clientele comprising freedom fighters and lawyers. A small departure here: One experienced and Khadi clad tailor by name Bagare Narasingarao, popularly known by his nickname ‘Bachu,’ had occupied a part of the frontage of one of the shops here and people who bought Khaddar cloth in the Society gave him business to stitch their ware. He had good business.

My father who was a staunch Gandhian lawyer wore Khadi all his life and his sons, five in number, were perfect Khadiites. When we were school-going kids, we were taken there for measurement of knickers and pants. Bachu, the tailor, would invariably ask us which side right or left, we would hang our tool, as if he would make suitable provision for the same accordingly!! We would give a very wry small at his joke.

4. J. Nanumal and Son was another popular bookstall, selling stationery as also textbooks. They were Sindhis and the senior father was always in mill-dhoti worn with two identical pants like partitions fitting tight on both legs. His son Bhagwandas was a normally dressed person with two sons, all of whom shifted their shop up North near Chamundeshwari Talkies in 1956 when that portion of Lansdowne Building was demolished.

5. Other miscellaneous shops included a book shop (Venkateshwara), a photo frame unit and most importantly, a rubber stamp making venture, M.V.N. & Sons run by late M.V. Narasimhachar. A typing centre run by three Raju brothers had occupied two shops in a vantage location where half-a-dozen people were ready with their typewriters. The first floor portion of this linear building was occupied by auditors, lawyers, consultant engineers, who ran their professional practices there successfully for many years. A major portion of the first floor was occupied by Sarada Vilas Institutions who ran their primary and middle school sections there for a long-time.

The people who ran the above enterprises had become great hallmarks in their particular ventures and professions and had silently enhanced the heritage quotient of the brick and mortar building they occupied for a long time. Architecture adds looks to the building and enhances its livability value, but the people who live and work inside the four walls of the same breathe life into the edifice. Thus, we have ‘Stratford on Avon’ where Shakespeare’s memorial is housed and R.K. Narayan’s house in our own city which have the heritage tag not because of the buildings but because of the persons who lived there and added eternal value to the world by their works and life.

Post script: Lansdowne Building is now in a comatose state after a roof slab in a typing shop in the Southern wing collapsed on Aug. 25, 2012, and the entire building is barred for human dwelling and is earmarked for renovation. Sooner this work is taken up and completed the better as a few of the original tenants may not live to see the light of day when the renovation is completed. I am told this building is the property of the City Corporation and it is not out of place here if a request nay, appeal, is made to the Honourable Mayor and Commissioner to taken up restoration work.

Six months passed…

Whatever happened to Rs. 6 crore restoration work?

The restoration work of Lansdowne Building is being taken up as per the specifications given by the Heritage Department at an estimated cost of Rs. 6 crore — Rs. 3 crore for strengthening the building, water proofing the roof, wooden works and painting; another Rs. 3 crore for providing toilets, road and drain works and concreting. The work is yet to start as the two persons, who took part in the tender process, could not produce proper documents. Hence, the MCC has called for a re-tender. It may be recalled, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah had launched the restoration work of the Lansdowne Building and performed the ground-breaking ceremony in city on Jan. 11, 2015.

e-mail: mlkswami@yahoo.in

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Monday – June 15th, 2015

Two friends join hands to spread Bicycle culture in city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Sports
Vikas Hosahalli & Mahesh Siddegowda
Vikas Hosahalli & Mahesh Siddegowda

Mysuru :

‘If passion can take you places, then Mysuru is the place to polish your passions till perfection.’ This seems to be the collective conscience among the young in city who are leaving behind fat-pay cheques from multi-national corporate companies to follow their hearts.

Like Rohan Abijith and Dhruva Rao, who gave up their lucrative jobs to start the ‘Science Ashram’ at Jayalakshmipuram, there is a rising trend among the young in the city to innovate, collaborate and start ventures that are benefiting the society on the whole.

Now two friends have joined hands to inculcate bicycle culture among Mysureans that can not only save the environment from pollution but can also keep individuals fit!

Nowadays in the fast paced modern world, man is totally dependent on petroleum products to keep moving about in his two and four-wheelers. The gasoline-run vehicles not only pollute the environment, but have also been cause for numerous accidents and deaths in the world. People suffer from breathing problems after inhaling the air polluted by the carbon dioxide emission from these vehicles.

Before it is too late, human beings must realise the importance of clean air and environment and in this context, several environmentalists and naturalists have come forward to work for a people-friendly environment.

The city is not lagging behind on such environmentally conscious matters and is fortunate to have two young men namely Vikas Hosahalli, a resident of Kuvempunagar and Mahesh Siddegowda, residing at Kesare, the founders of ‘Green Wheel Ride’ who have been trying to instill ‘Cycling Culture’ among Mysureans. In the first phase of cycling promotion, the duo have opened centres near State Bank of Mysore in Chamundipuram, near Gnanaganga School in Kuvempunagar, near Vikram Nursing School in Gokulam and near Corporation Bank branch in V. V. Mohalla.

Green Wheel Ride has plans to open 75 to 100 franchise points at various locations in city. The unique feature of this ‘Cycling Concept’ is that one may hire a bicycle from one centre and hand over the bicycle at the nearest destination centre.

Speaking to SOM, Vikas said that the duo was looking for places to set up their franchisees and are happy to engage in partnerships with institutions and environmentally conscious corporate houses.

“There are lots of un-used spaces in government office buildings and they are perfect to have these e-bikes installed there. The officials can use these bikes for their transport, but we are not getting any positive response from them,” says Vikas.

After having relinquished their plum positions in MNCs, Mahesh, a mechanical engineer by profession, has been engaged in altering the bicycles and Vikas is into the maintenance work of these bicycles.

Battery operated bicycles: We may be wondering how to pedal on these bicycles especially during summer, relax; these bicycles operate on eco-friendly batteries. ‘Lithium Ion’ technology is used for these bicycles and once the battery is charged, the bicycle runs for 70 kms at 20 km per hour. The cost for 3-hour charge will be less than a Rupee.

Triple mechanism on bicycle: An individual can ride the bicycle by pedalling if he or she wants to exercise; the bicycle can also be operated with pedals and accelerator on battery. The bicycle has the option of being operated only on accelerator.

The spare parts for these bicycles are manufactured by Green Wheel Ride at their Hootagalli unit in city. Bicycles are assembled at the Vidyaranyapuram unit, here, and the brand name for these bicycles is ‘Made in Mysuru.’

These bicycles may be hired at 50 paise per minute for members and Re. 1 per minute for non-members. Bicycles are available for hire between 8 am and 6 pm at the designated bicycle centres in city.

Riders who wish to avail these bicycles on hire should submit a passport sized photograph, identity card, address proof and give their thumb impression on biometric machine. The firm has its own App for registration of members and to identify the path travelled by the bicycle rider.

E-Bike: The battery-operated bicycle was launched only 18 days ago in Mysuru and has been christened ‘E-Bike’ for its eco-friendly mechanism. Our aim is to save the environment from pollution and reduce the dependency on petrol, diesel operated vehicles. Even if 10 percent of our population uses these bicycles, the country would save lakhs of rupees on petroleum products import. Ten bicycles have been made available at the Karanji Kere premises for the convenience of the public. A fee of Rs. 25 will be charged for 30 minutes use. About 3,500 people have used 10 bicycles which were operational at Karanji Lake during the last 10 months covering a distance of 15,000kms.

Green Wheel Ride has plans to open such Bicycle Centres in other cities too and those interested to join the organisation may contact: 95358 50001 or visit the website: www.ecobike.rentals

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday – June 14th, 2015

‘Sita Ashoka’, The sacred tree with medicinal values

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature

SitaAshokaBF20jun2015

by Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy, Scientist, Mob: 97429-91057, e-mail: swamy_clri@hotmail.com

Ashoka’ or ‘Sita Ashoka,’ one of the most beautiful indigenous trees, looks marvellous when fragrant, pale apricot (scarlet) Ixora like blooms are fashioned amidst the deep green shiny foliage. It is a sacred tree for Hindus and Buddhists. Therefore, it is widely grown in gardens adjoining temples and monasteries. According to one belief, Lord Buddha was born under an ‘Ashoka tree.’ According to Ramayana, it is associated with chastity. Sita, after being abducted by Ravana, spent her days grieving for Rama in Ashoka Vana. A quaint Hindu belief is that the tree will flower only in places trodden upon by a woman’s foot!

In West Bengal, women eat the flower buds on ‘Ashoka Shanthi’ day. The scientific name is ‘Saraca asoca’ belonging to Fabaceae (pea family). ‘Saraca’ is derived from Western Indian vernacular name for the tree; ‘asoca’ means ‘sorrow – less’ in Sanskrit. It is native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Malaysia. It is found wild in forests of Khasia Hills in Assam and Western Ghats and grown all over India.

It is a medium-sized, evergreen, hardy tree with erect trunk, rounded crown and drooping foliage. The bark is distinguished by the presence of warty protuberances on its outer surface. The compound leaves are arranged alternately on the stem; leaflets, 3-6 pairs, opposite, deep green, elliptic oblong in shape with wavy edges; surface is glabrous and shiny.

Young leaves are coppery red and flaccid — the distinguishing feature. Large clusters of golden yellow fragrant flowers appear on trunks and old branches, 4-6” across. The flowers have no petals and the sepals form a tube at the base and open up into 4-6 petal like lobes, first orange and later turn to scarlet. The stamens are orange near the base and scarlet upwards.

The fruit is a dehiscent pod with 4 to 8 seeds. They are fleshy and red when young and closely resemble the young tamarind pods.

Uses: The tree has immense medicinal value. The bark is astringent and used in uterine infections, menorrhagia (scant menses), dysmenorrheal (painful menses, menstrual cramps), leucorrhoea, as a uterine sedative and tonic. The bark powder is also used for improving skin complexion. The flowers are used in diabetes and dysentery. Seeds are chewed as a substitute for betel-nuts. Ayurvedic medicines ‘Ashokarishtam’, ‘Ashoka Ghrita’ and ‘Chandranadi Thailam’ contain ingredients from this tree. The timber is used for house building in Sri Lanka.

Other related species: S. cauliflora: Yellow and orange flowers (yellow turning red) on thin woody branches, but not on trunks; S.declinata (red asoca): Large clusters of red flowers on old branches and twigs; S.thaipingensis (yellow saraca): Large clusters of golden yellow flowers on trunks and old branches.

Note: Polyalthia longifolia is often planted in many places in the name of ‘Ashoka’ tree. This is a misnomer. At best, it can be labeled as ‘Madras Ashoka’ or ‘False Ashoka.’

Useful tips: Suitable for small avenues, parks, big gardens as well as home gardens.

Prefers shady situation and a porous, moist soil.

Needs shelter from dry wind in hot places.

Easily propagated from seeds.

Looks beautiful when planted in the corner of a lawn.

Peak flowering season: February to June.

This beautiful tree can be seen in Curzon Park, park adjacent to B.M. Hospital on Hunsur Road and many other places.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday – June 14th, 2015

DC Office to move out of 120-year old Monument

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

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by S.N. Venkatnag Sobers

One of the heritage structures in Mysuru is the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Though, there are no authentic documentation regarding the building, it is said that the foundation for the building was laid on June 20, 1887 and the construction was completed in 1895.

The building constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.75 lakh, had two halls and 27 rooms which served as the offices and chambers. It was also the place where the Mysore Representative Assembly was held during the Wadiyars rule in early 1900s. Built in European style, the building has octagonal dome with an unusual double-bulb final resting on an elaborately composed square drum, ardhes of different shapes, with corinthian pilasters, open verandahs leading into high ceilings.

The area where DC office is located was called as ‘Gordon Park’ named after Sir James Davidson Gordon, the British Administrator, who was the guardian of Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar.

The building which is spread over 30,000 sq ft was surrounded by 92 acre open space. The building was dedicated to Sir Gordon as a gratitude for his services extended to Mysore Kingdom till Chamaraja Wadiyar became an adult and took over the administration. Chamaraja Wadiyar was coronated at the age of five.

Some of the important offices which were housed at Deputy Commissioner’s office were the District Treasury, District Excise Office, Judicial Records Room, Revenue Records Room, Office of the Superintendent of Police, the District Forest Office on the ground floor and District Health Office, Mysore Sub-Divisional Office on the first floor.

The present DC office building which is 120-year-old heritage building houses the offices of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner (Mysuru Taluk), District Treasury, Department of Food and Civil Supplies, Deputy Director of Land Records and District Urban Development Cell (DUDC). Offices belonging to Department of Social Welfare, and Department of Backward Communities and Minorities (BCM) which were at the DC’s office have been shifted owing to space constraint.

Attara Kacheri: The Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mysuru was earlier known as ‘Attara Kacheri’ as it housed offices of 18 different departments. It is believed that the then King Chikkadevaraja Wadiyar (1673 to 1704) had divided the administration of Mysore State to 18 departments for smooth functioning of the kingdom. Chikkadevaraja Wadiyar was influenced by Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb who had also divided the administration into 18 departments. After the British left the Kingdom, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office was converted into Dewan’s Office which housed the offices of 18 departments.

Sir James Davidson Gordon: Right in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, there is a bronze statue of Sir James Davidson Gordon, who served as the Chief Commissioner of Mysuru from 1878-81. He was also the guardian to the then King Chamaraja Wadiyar from 1871-1873.

Sir Gordon was born to Evelyn Meadows during 1835. After joining the Civil Service in 1854, he worked as the Private Secretary to Governor General Lord Lawrence from 1866-73. Later, he became the Judicial Commissioner of Mysore, Chief Commissioner in 1878 and a Resident of Mysore in 1882. Sir Gordon retired in 1883 and died on June 27, 1889.

When Sir Gordon was serving as the Chief Commissioner, Chamaraja Wadiyar was the heir to the throne. Since Chamaraja Wadiyar was a minor, Sir Gordon took care of his education and guided him with the administration. After he became the King, Gordon continued to guide him and resided in the building in Mysuru.

New DC office: The construction of the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office will be taken up on a 15 acre land located in German Press premises in Siddharthanagar. Around 100 acre of land belonging to State Government was leased to Central Government for a period of 99 years for Re.1 annual rent agreement. Now, the Central Government has handed over 15 acre land to the State Government following its request to accommodate the new DC’s office. The matter was also pursued by Mysuru-Kodagu MP Prathap Simha.

Though, the lease period of the land was valid till 2061, the Central Government handed over the land back to the State Government to go ahead with the project. Previously, the State Government had earmarked Rs. 35 crore for the construction of new DC Office complex and had instructed the District Administration to identify the land.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, DC C. Shikha said that the new building with a basement and two floors will have offices of 25 departments including those which are functioning in rented premises.

The built up area will be around 17,000 sq mts and will be designed by the State Public Works Department keeping in mind the heritage and cultural values of the Mysuru district, said Shikha.

She also mentioned that new building will be public, disabled and senior citizen friendly with ample parking space and lung space around the building.

When asked about the new DC office being too far from the city, DC Shikha mentioned that it would not be difficult for people to reach the new DC office as it was well connected with transport facilities and was near to the sub-urban bus stand.

Adding that the land identified for the new DC office was ideal, Shikha mentioned that it would have been difficult for the District Administration to find a suitable land in city limits.

Now the question arises as to what would happen to the old DC office building after completion of the new building. Reacting to this, DC Shikha said that the old office building will be retained by the Revenue Department and the State Government would decide on the measures to be taken to preserve and conserve the heritage structure.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday – June 14th, 2015

Bengaluru misses Charles Correa too

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

CharlesTELAN19jun2015

The Hyderabad-born architect had strong links with Bengaluru too.

“One has to open up to the skies… only then will your buildings look up to light and ventilation in a scientific way,” renowned architect Charles Correa, who passed away at 84 in Mumbai yesterday, had said during one of his visits to Bengaluru.

He had many ideas on art and architecture and their role in shaping the building environment and urban landscape at large, particularly public spaces of Bengaluru. He passionately combined old-world charm and new age design philosophies that spoke of his strength to retain green values. His book, “A Place in the Shade” strongly exhort habitats to “respond to the overriding parameters of climate, culture and financial resources”.

He was known for his forthright comments on changing Mumabai’s landscape and bringing in local sensibilities into its architectural make-up. The Hyderabad-born architect had strong links with Bengaluru too.

Some of Correa’s buildings well-known in Bengaluru are the Jawaharlal Nehru Science Centre, off Jakkur, his own house that he built for his daughter at Koramangala where Fab India presently operates from, and the renowned LIC Tower or the Vishweshwaraya Centre where his exposed concrete work comes into reference even after 40 years of its historic handling for architects today.

He had strong views on the laying of Metro on M.G. Road. “The track on M.G. Road should have gone underground; or at least the elevated part should have been in steel instead of the ugly concrete expressions with gigantic pillars running all along,” Mr. Correa had said in an interview with The Hindu.

He, however, wanted the metro running elevated especially on the Vidhana Soudha Road. “Although I haven’t studied the buildings and the flow pattern near the Vidhana Soudha, it could have proved a heavenly addition to be above-ground. I can visualise the rail running 20-feet above the ground in steel, this gossamer being a typical contemporary narrative adding to the drama amidst the traditional looking State Assembly and the Karnataka High Court,” he had said.

Architects mourn death

Well-known architect Nagaraj Vastarey says about Correa: “There would never be a masterly figure as him in architecture anymore. Correa, apart from Balakrishna Doshi, was a point of reference to most of us growing up as architects.” Mr. Vastarey explained that in those days studying architecture was different as there wasn’t much of theory, but practical buildings from Correa meant lessons to all of us for references.”

Says architect Sandeep J. of Architecture Paradigm, “Correa rode the architectural world like a colossus, leaving behind a trail of master-pieces that are hard to match. The very aura around the man indicated that you were in the presence of a master architect, making you think twice before you decided to start a conversation.”

We have many architects who create wonderful forms and also those who create great spaces. “Charles Correa stands tall in Indian architecture as a creator of both form and space, as could be seen in Bharath Bhavan, Bhopal,” says Architect Sathya Prakash Varanashi. “His sense of scale, colour and visual aesthetics compliment the overall design, which together resulted in projects like Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, adding a new dimension to the history of modern architecture in India.”

Mr. Varanashi explained that Correa did not experiment with innovative structures or international styles, which possibly helped him to perfect his ideas across varied building locations and types. Alternately, he explored each project without getting stuck to the earlier projects, to the extent where one building appears totally different from the other. The Bengaluru projects Vishweshwaraya Tower opposite Vidhana Soudha and Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Studies may not even appear as designed by same architect. Correa had a mind that never got stuck, letting him explore designs like very few world architects could.

Those who have frequented the earlier Fab India showroom in Koramangala, Bengaluru have walked into the house which Correa designed for his stay in Bengaluru! “The fact that a house gets the new avatar as a shop, without losing its spirits, shows the flexibility with which the house has been conceived,” said Mr. Varanashi.

The early buildings of Correa, including the famous Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalay at Sabarmati Ashram, synthesized his international exposure with the local contexts, charted a new road map for architecture in India. His fluency in dealing with residential houses – from LIC Colony in Bengaluru to Kanchanganga Apartments in Mumbai – shows a variety very few architects have been able to even think of.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – June 17th, 2015

A new world, in photos

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, Travel, World Opinion
Youngsters in the mahout community look at the camera. Photo courtesy: CLIC Abroad Foundation
Youngsters in the mahout community look at the camera. Photo courtesy: CLIC Abroad Foundation

CLIC Abroad is an initiative for American students to immerse themselves in India and take back an understanding of our similarities and differences.

The best way to learn about a country and its culture is to live in the community and follow their daily life, and even better, photograph them to take stories back to friends at home. Students from American high schools have had several such experiences in India, living in States as diverse as Assam to Karnataka, through CLIC Abroad or ‘Children Learning International Cultures’, an organisation founded by travel writer and photographer Bhaskar Krishnamurthy from Karnataka.

Bhaskar Krishnamurthy. Photo courtesy: CLIC Abroad Foundation
Bhaskar Krishnamurthy. Photo courtesy: CLIC Abroad Foundation

Bhaskar has lived through many photography experiences, including, he says, an ULFA militant kidnapping in 1999 before he moved to the U.S.A.! “Photography is often seen as an elitist thing. I didn’t want it to stay that way,” says Bhaskar, explaining how he involved the local communities of Augusta, Georgia, where he lives, in photography festivals. Based on the success of those projects, the engineer felt it was a great idea to do something like this in India. So in 2009, he, along with friends set up CLIC Abroad, with the idea that children from America and people from India mingle at photography workshops held within communities here and together build and narrate stories. Most visits last about 12 days.

“The first camp we had was in Bodoland; after initial hiccups, over 5,000 rural people participated in the rural photo exhibition. My focus is on education through visual representation and empowerment through participation,” he reiterates. A product of SIT Tumkur, Bhaskar studied mostly in various parts of rural Karnataka and then moved to Bengaluru.

“Till date we have brought down over 100 American children studying in classes nine to 12. Just last month was our latest venture where a group of students from the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College lived with elephant mahout communities in Karnataka in Dubare, Sakrebylu, and Aane Chowku (Nagarhole), talking, among other things about the gaps between conservation and the man-animal conflict,” says Bhaskar. CLIC Abroad currently has a tie up with about eight high schools and colleges in America.

“The idea is to understand the dynamics of the community, and figure out how best to participate or help,” adds Bhaskar, giving examples of how sometimes students donate something as simple as shoes and socks which children in remote India don’t have to wear to school. On the other hand, they helped light up an entire village that didn’t have electricity, using solar lamps. The students raise their own funds or save up to pay for their trip.

Shelby Evans, a 20-year-old communication student, says of her recent trip to Karnataka: “Rural, where I’m from, and ‘rural’ in India were very different. Farms were smaller, crops were unusual, and the farm equipment was handcrafted. However, while I found the landscape and the culture to be incredibly different, the people were kind and hospitable. The kindness here is not unlike the kindness of the Southern (American) hospitality, I find at home. It was comforting for me to see that kindness across the world.” Her classmate Austin Morris got to straddle two worlds – riding elephants, coming across King Cobras, and then visiting schools and interacting with children across age groups and seeing how they learn.

Thomas Grant, assistant professor of journalism at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, in an email response, says: “My students and I couldn’t begin to understand India until we had travelled there. In CLIC Abroad, what students get is a chance to touch and feel India in a way that no movie or book ever can. It allows young people from both nations to embrace their similarities and understand their differences in a personal way. I could never teach this. In Coorg, we came to understand India’s relationship with nature. In America, nature is often something to be dominated. If a wolf eats a sheep, the farmer is allowed to shoot it. But in Coorg, we saw wild elephants trampling through coffee estates, yet the farmer was not angry with the elephant. He wanted it to leave, but he wouldn’t harm it. We talked to two girls whose mother had been killed by an elephant, yet they wished no harm on the elephant.

They merely wished that that the elephant would be moved far away. This respect for nature was one of our most incredible takeaways from India. Indians have learned to live with nature, and Americans could learn much from that.”

For details look up www.clicabroad.org

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Society / by Bhumika  K / June 17th, 2015