Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

A Parichay with Avenue Rd’s heritage

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

Bengaluru:

Avenue Road may be known as the city’s wholesale trading and business hub but it’s more than that. Not all would know that the thoroughfare is probably as old as Bengaluru. Come Sunday, a group of 25 enthusiasts will take a stroll down the iconic road to discover its history.

Organized by the Bengaluru chapter of Intach, the Parichay walk aims to familiarize citizens with historical monuments and heritage sites along the road, that have survived the depredations of time. Rice Memorial Church, Rangaswamy temple, Maramma temple and the old post office are some of the structures that dot the road, which has been the city’s lifeline since its birth over 500 years ago.

The monuments are lost in the hustle and bustle of the area. “Parichay will highlight the importance of the heritage sites, when were they built and by whom, and how they should be preserved for posterity as well as for tourists,” C Aravind, chapter coordinator, told TOI.

The organizers have conducted 60-65 such walks in areas like Gavipuram, Fraser Town and Shivajinagar. “We want to make locals proud of their area and take an active interest in protecting it,” said Aravind.

Endorsing Aravind’s view, SK Aruni, deputy director, Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR), said Avenue Road is perhaps as old as the city itself. “The aim of the walk is to explain how the city originated and trace its history through Avenue Road. Though citizens today may pass by a number of monuments, they are hardly aware of their importance,” he said.

What: Avenue Road Parichay. When: Sunday. Where: From State Bank of Mysore, K G Road, to Tipu Palace in Chamarajpet covering the Fort. The walk will begin early morning and may take around 3 hours to cover the distance of nearly 2 km.

One road, many names

SK Aruni, who will lead the guided tour giving the participants a peek into the monuments’ history, said Avenue Road is a modern name for the thoroughfare. “I think it was called Chandra Beedi or Surya Beedi or even Dodda Beedi, because of its vastness. It must have been renamed Avenue Road later as it was lined with massive trees on either side,” said Aruni. The road was also called Raja Beedi as it served as a main entrance to the city and important personalities came to Bengaluru via the road, he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bengaluru / by GS Kumar / February 12th, 2015

A Museum That is a Repository of the Past

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

Bengaluru :

Is it enough to preserve the past or do we also need to maintain its particularities with informed respect?

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Architect and restoration expert H C Thimmaiah, who is part of The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in Bengaluru says, “It is heartening that we are at least talking about Bengaluru’s heritage but we must be careful with how we maintain it. The Government Museum is a beautiful building. The brick red colour of such classical buildings must not be tampered with. The museum has very specific features right from the details on its pillars to its windows that have been maintained well but all old structures require an understanding of historical and architectural context. And sensitivity towards just how they must be painted, how the flooring, ceilings, the facade must be treated.”

Restore with sensitivity

As the debate about the need to retain and maintain heritage structures in Bengaluru warms up, we are told by a source that The Bowring Institute was considering a facelift sometime back. Thankfully, the plan to replace the original flooring with marble was met with some resistance within the circle of influential members who asked for Attangudi tiles or something more contextual considering it is hard today to reproduce the classic mosaic from the past.

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Thimmaiah, who built a house in Kodagu with upcycled elements taken from destroyed old homes, is passionate about authenticity and recalls, “A few years ago when Bangalore Club was being repainted, a paint manufacturer scratched the walls to take a sample of the signature greyish blue paint and recreated it for a fresh coat. He later told me that the paint colour would be called Bangalore Club Blue from now on.”

Prominent buildings like the Bangalore Club and the Government Museum may be better off but the architect wishes that INTACH was more active in the city for the sake of other structures. After the death of convener H R Pratibha, INTACH has been keeping a low profile. He says, “Today, bodies like INTACH and The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) must come together to guard even the lesser known aspects of our heritage and not just the showpieces. In Bengaluru, you won’t find even a single space like Mumbai’s Dadabhai Naoroji Road.”

Are private spaces not our heritage?

Architect and urban planner Dyan Belliappa is happy that the city is looking with fresh appreciation at buildings like the Government Museum and says, “The interest in Bengaluru’s public buildings post the Balabrooie Guest House debate is welcome but the city also has a built heritage of private structures some of which were a lot older than the Guest House and have been demolished with nobody even coming to know about them. While we will probably continue to revere a Vidhan Soudha, there are private structures in the Ulsoor area, around Majestic which are going with not one voice raised in protest.”

To the right of the new Airport Road, he shares, there was a fantastic old structure built with stone masonry. He says, “That kind of stone masonry will be hard to find or duplicate and yet it was destroyed. In Begur, there is a temple linked to a lake. The temple may outlast change but will the lake be treated as part of our heritage too? Even the Malleswaram Market is a heritage sprawl but will BBMP treat it as such? One building or two or just a few are not our heritage. Our lakes were our heritage too but they were just treated as water bodies and so many are gone, as are our trees.”

He adds, “Mumbai has a structured approach towards the preservation of   spaces. Some private buildings cannot be touched. Others can be modified but with sensitivity. The fact that an independent body like the Bangalore Urban Art Commission was dissolved in 2001 says a lot. Today the BMMP reflects what we value in our city but our heritage was our way of life. How does one codify that or our memories? How does one resist the haste to acquire and sell land and knock off structures because they get in the way of ‘urban development’? Our priorities are misplaced and we need to rethink the meaning of heritage.”

Contextualise the past

Organic architect professor A R Jaisim has the last word, “The Bengaluru Museum is a beautiful building. Attara Kacheri has been beautifully preserved too. Our city’s present must make space for its past because if the past is erased, we  will have no memories. Heritage must be contexualised and included in the present because without it, we have no stories to pass on to the next generation.”

Trivia

The Government Museum on Kasturba Road is a reminder of Bengaluru’s colonial heritage. In 1851, after the Madras Government Museum was established, Bengaluru got its own museum in 1865 and is today, the second oldest in South India. E G Balfour, a medical officer of the Madras Army, came to Bengaluru in the 1860s and with his support, the Chief Commissioner of Mysore State, L B Bowring established the Government Museum or the Mysore Government Museum on August 18, 1865. The museum was originally housed at the Cantonment’s jail building but then a site in Cubbon Park was selected. Col R S Sankey, the Chief Engineer of Mysore planned and built the museum in 1878.

Fun facts: The museum was once known as ‘Thamashe Bungalow’. On Mondays, women in purdah visited the museum and men were not allowed.

Collections: The museum has two exhibition floors which are divided into 18 galleries covering sculpture, natural history, geology, art, music and numismatics. It has a collection of archaeological, geological artefacts and artefacts belonging to the Neolithic period.

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm (except on Wednesday when it is closed)

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Reema Moudgil / November 03rd, 2014

Philately exhibition in Udupi

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

An exhibition on stamps, coins and postcards titled Sanghran – 2015 would be held at the Nutana Ravindra Mantapa on MGM College campus here on February 2.

A release said Ammunje Nagendra Nayak and Vishweesh K., both philatelists, would display their collection of more than 1,000 postcards posted from different countries on various themes.

Award-winning stamp exhibits and coins would also be displayed. The exhibition is being held in association with Philatelic Club of MGM College. It would be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Udupi – February 02nd, 2015

Yaduveer Raj Urs adopted as heir of Mysuru Royal Family

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
A view at Kalyana Mantapa in Mysuru Palace, where Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs was adopted on Monday. Photo: M.A. Sriram. / The Hindu
A view at Kalyana Mantapa in Mysuru Palace, where Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs was adopted on Monday. Photo: M.A. Sriram. / The Hindu

Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs has been rechristened to Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar

Twenty two-year-old Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs was, on Monday, formally adopted as the heir to Wadiyar dynasty, the erstwhile rulers of Mysuru.

Yaduveer, grandson of Princess Gayathri Devi, is the eldest daughter of the last Maharaja of Mysuru Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, is pursing his BA at Boston in United States.

He was rechristened Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar at the hour-long adoption ceremony, which began at 1.15 p.m. Yaduveer arrived at the specially erected ‘mantapa’ in the Kalyana Mantapa of the Palace accompanied by his parents Tripura Sundari Devi and Swarup Anand Gopal Raj Urs.

Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs and his family at Mysuru Palace during the adoption ceremony on Monday. Photo: M.A. Sriram. / The Hindu
Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs and his family at Mysuru Palace during the adoption ceremony on Monday. Photo: M.A. Sriram. / The Hindu

Yaduveer was wearing a resplendent golden-coloured sherwani and sporting a red coloured turban and a necklace in line with the royal traditions.

A team of priests supervised by Brahmathantra Swatantra Paraka Mutt Swamiji overlooked the adoption rituals conducted by Indrakshi Devi, sister of late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar and monitored by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar.

Ms. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar with the heir of Mysuru royal family, Yaduveer Raj Urs, during the adoption ceremony. Photo: M.A. Sriram. / The Hindu
Ms. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar with the heir of Mysuru royal family, Yaduveer Raj Urs, during the adoption ceremony. Photo: M.A. Sriram. / The Hindu

The adoption ceremony, which was a private affair, was conducted in the presence of the royal family’s friends and relatives.

Apart from Home Minister, K.J. George and Housing Minister, M.H. Ambareesh, a host of senior officials of the district administration including Deputy Commissioner, C. Shikha and City Police Commissioner, M.A. Saleem attended the adoption ceremony.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Shankar Bennur / Mysuru – February 23rd, 2015

Most distinguished Brothers of Mysuru

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Down The Memory Lane

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by K. Vijaya Kumar, Former Jt. Director of Information & Publicity

Elder one had left behind ‘Malgudi’; Now, younger one leaves behind ‘Common Man’

I recollect here what R.K. Narayan (RKN) and R.K. Laxman (RKL) have left behind for Karnataka through a Travelogue of the State titled ‘The Emerald Route’ — text by RKN and sketches by RKL — commissioned to produce by the State through my Department of Information and Publicity, which was first published in 1977.

As I was a little close to R.K. Narayan during my long tenure in Mysuru, I took the then Director of the Information Department Chiranjiv Singh to the author. It was Singh’s idea to include sketches by R.K. Laxman who agreed for it and both the brothers travelled across Karnataka to have first-hand experience of the people and places.

Look at the love of brothers towards Mysuru: RKN says, ‘I feel thankful to Heavens for placing me there.’ RKL tells, ‘It is my Mysuru where I was born, brought up and educated.’

Later, I think, I had an occasion to meet R.K. Laxman with T.S. Satyan, who was a close associate of him, at RKN’s residence in Yadavagiri. It was an evening where both the brothers were enjoying sitting outside in the garden and we joined them.

How can I forget that evening in the company of the three eminent personalities. The star attraction was Laxman as he was a continuous conversationalist. Chiranjiv Singh has described him as — ‘He was like a bottle of champagne, bubbling all the time’ (In his tribute).

Getting his autograph for the book: Again it was in 2006, I happened to meet Laxman with T.S. Satyan very briefly at Hotel Metropole. It was a morning and he was just coming out of his room in the wheelchair pushed by his wife Kamala. I just could not see him in that condition (as my memory went back about 20 years ago remembering the time spent with him).

Still he smiled when he saw Satyan for whom he was waiting to go to Chamundi Hill. When I was introduced, he tried to recollect our meeting. I had carried with me my personal copy of ‘The Emerald Route’ and requested to autograph it which he obliged. Satyan quietly asked him to draw a sketch for one of his cartoons collection book which he was carrying (as desired by his wife Rathna). He drew a sketch of Ganapathy within a minute or two. I could see his skilful fingers working even sitting from his wheelchair.

Shobhaa De, the popular writer, who was a family friend of Laxman, has written in her column that the last official cartoon he drew was in Dec. 2014 to commemorate 100 days of MOM in Martian Orbit. The drawing shows the Common Man marching forward holding the tricolor; with the blood-red planet at his feet, like a gigantic football waiting to be kicked.

He had suffered two strokes by then, still his agile mind was working, she says and ends her column with this tribute to the genius:

“An uncommon genius has bowed out after a glorious innings. Perhaps he’s busy caricaturing God? Let’s hope God has a better sense of humour than some of Laxman’s subjects on earth. And let’s also hope his host in Heaven stocks premium Scotch.” (He was fond of Scotch).

e-mail: kumarkv59@gmail.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Monday – February 16th, 2015

Remembering the legendary Cartoonist R.K. Laxman

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders
The caricature of R.K. Laxman, sketched by Star of Mysore cartoonist M.V. Nagendra Babu for this column in 1995, was autographed by the legendary cartoonist when Babu showed the same to Laxman during the National Cartoon Workshop held in Nagpur in 1996. Note Babu’s caricature has all the three important elements R.K. Laxman was famous for — The Times of India where he worked, the common man and the crow.
The caricature of R.K. Laxman, sketched by Star of Mysore cartoonist M.V. Nagendra Babu for this column in 1995, was autographed by the legendary cartoonist when Babu showed the same to Laxman during the National Cartoon Workshop held in Nagpur in 1996. Note Babu’s caricature has all the three important elements R.K. Laxman was famous for — The Times of India where he worked, the common man and the crow.

The legendary Mysuru-based cartoonist R.K. Laxman passed away at age 94 on Jan. 26, 2015, the day when the Nation celebrated its 66th Republic Day with US President Barack Obama as the VVIP chief guest at the Rajpath. Here I reproduce the Abracadabra titled “Hey, that’s Laxman the cartoonist!” published in Star of Mysore dated June 26, 1995, as a tribute to the ‘Common Man.’ Now read on:

Hey, that’s Laxman the Cartoonist !

If it is a Sunday and you suffer from cold, what is the best thing to do? Of course, reading all the Sunday newspapers through the moist eyes, smothering the nose with a handkerchief, sniffing at Vicks or whatever and sipping hot coffee. After that? Well, watching TV is the best thing. It is also more relaxing — less strain on the eyes compared to reading a newspaper in small print. So, after finishing the papers, I did a very best thing yesterday watching TV while nursing a terrible cold.

Thanks to STAR TV. I could watch BBC as well. However, these days, I find our Doordarshan (DD) is not lagging far too behind the STAR TV or Zee TV in providing quality programmes. One such programme I saw on DD was on the famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman. I was glued to the TV watching Laxman speak in a measured, clear tone and language (English, of course) with his buck-teeth not that prominent to be obtrusive. A kind of serenity could be seen pervading Laxman’s personality as he spoke.

I have a special reason to be delighted about Laxman because he started his career from Bombay’s Free Press Journal just as I did much later during late 60s. It was a well-produced programme and the credit indeed should go to the subject of the programme — R.K. Laxman — rather than its producer or director.

It was interesting to learn from Laxman how appointments were made during those early days and how he encountered Bal Thackeray, the Shiv Sena Supremo, at the Free Press Journal. The Editor of this nationalist paper Sadanand without a second thought appointed Laxman and simply asked him to join duty immediately as by then Laxman’s works had been seen by many editors including Sadanand. When Laxman went to occupy his chair, he found another person sitting next to him with a “definite profile,” who asked: Who are you? Laxman told him who he was and in turn asked, Who are you? The reply was: Bal Thackeray, cartoonist.

Later they both went to the canteen for tea and became friends. However, after leaving the Free Press Journal and becoming the Shiv Sena Supremo, Bal Thackeray “went out of my range,” said Laxman and added “but all the same we continued to be friends and hope he still is.”

Another interesting information Laxman gave was about the famous British political cartoonist Sir David Low, who created Colonel Blimp (just as Laxman created his Common Man) whom he had always admired. In fact, the discerning newspaper readers had found the influence of David Low in Laxman’s cartoons. No wonder, Laxman was a great fan of David Low and hoped to meet him one day.

However, as luck would have it, to his great surprise one day when he went to his office, he found a couple sitting in his chamber and Laxman recognising Low (probably from his pictures) spontaneously said: Mr. Low? And the person beamed a smile and said: Yes. You are Laxman. Later, Laxman hired a taxi and took them to Malabar Hills to impress upon the foreigner the beauty of Bombay as seen from the heights of Malabar Hills — the sweep of the Chaupati and the Queen’s necklace, Marine Drive. Laxman also told Low that the latter should not think India was a land of elephants and snake charmers but before Low could react, lo and behold, there he was — a snake charmer ready to entertain the foreigner. Laxman said it was an embarrassing as well as a mysterious moment for him.

One more interesting information that throws light on Laxman’s own philosophy of life and also the courage of his conviction is the manner he left the Free Press Journal. It appears, the Editor Sadanand, who never interfered in Laxman’s work in the past, one day called him and said that he should not make fun of Communists any more in his cartoons. This fiat from the editor surprised Laxman no end and disturbed him also.

Apparently, he could not work with such fetters. Submitting his resignation to the editor on the spot, he walked out of the Free Press Journal hiring a horse-drawn carriage (as there was a taxi strike on that day) straight to ‘The Times of India,’ the old lady of Bori Bunder. Fortunately, it was not a case of walking out of one prison to another or from the palace to the prison. It was a case of walking out of a prison to a palace. The rest is history.

— PUCK

NOTE: Puck was my pen name those days which I gave up on finding the printer’s devil replacing the letter P with F. After all, original is the real thing.—KBG

e-mail: kbg@starofmysore.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra…Abracadabra / Monday – February 16th, 2015

Chota packet , Bada power …

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

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Meet city’s young singing talent Shreekar

He has made significant achievements in singing. He has participated in hundreds of State and District-level cultural competitions and won many prizes in Karnatak music (vocal), sugama sangeetha, Daasara padagalu, film hits (solo), classical music (vocal), devaranama, jathiswara, bhavageethe (solo), vachana gaayana, folk songs, patriotic songs, janapadageethe, keerthanas, bhajans, vachanas and Bhagavadgita chanting…and what have you?

He also has the talent in him to repeat any song heard by him once just like the original one. Meet B.R. Shreekar, a 5th standard student of DAV Public School in Vishweshwara Nagar, who has performed in ETV Kannada Channel’s ‘Canara Bank Yede Thumbi Haduvenu’ programme hosted by noted playback singer S.P. Balasubramanyam (SPB) in 2011. This child participated in three episodes and went up-to semi finals receiving appreciation from SPB for his talent.

The ten-year-old was conferred ‘Balashree Award-2013’ by Mysuru Sahitya Matthu Samskruthika Pratishtana, Kuvempunagar, for excellence in classical and light music.

He was conferred State-level Children’s Pratibha Puraskara by the Department of Women and Child Development, Bengaluru on Nov. 14, 2013 (Children’s Day) for exceptional achievements in academics.

He was presented Children’s Exceptional Achievements Award for the year 2013-14 along with a cash prize of Rs.10,000 by the Department of Women and Child Development, Mysuru, for excellence in cultural field.

He was conferred with ‘Adarsha Baala Prathibha Rathna’ award by Adarsha Seva Sangha, Mysuru on Jan. 26, 2014 for excellence in singing.

Shreekar, who took part in the ‘Mysuru Kogile-2014’ singing competition, organised by Bharathiya Samskruthika Vikasa Vedike, Mysuru in association with Yashaswini Groups, Mysuru at Jaganmohan Palace, won the second place where he was honoured with a cash prize of Rs.10,000.

Apart from excelling in the cultural field, Shreekar has made achievements in academics too.

He won prizes in Wordsworth International Spelling Bee Contest at the School, District and State-levels in 2011; He passed the National Scholarship Examination conducted by Divine Publishers, Cochin thrice with distinction in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 while he was studying in 1st, 2nd and 3rd standard respectively; He secured top ranks in National Science Olympiad and International Mathematics Olympiad conducted by Science Olympiad Foundation, Gurgaon.

Shreekar passed the Karnatak Music Junior Grade Vocal Examination, conducted by Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board, in October, 2014 with 94%.

He is being trained in music under Karnatak Vocalist Vidwan P.C. Vijesh of Guru Subbanna Keshava Music School.

Considering, Shreekar’s outstanding achievements in academics, DAV School awarded a proficiency certificate to him.

Shreekar is the proud son of B.S. Ramamurthy, Senior Manager, Finance & Accounts, Ripple Fragrances Pvt. Ltd., VV Mohalla and H.S. Vageeshwari, a home-maker, who reside in Krishnamurthypuram in city. His elder brother B.R. Shankar is pursuing 1st year Engineering at Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering & Technology.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – February 16th, 2015

 

Visually impaired strike a chord, win hearts

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Chennai :

These aspiring singers required no accomplices, not a single musical instrument. Their sole voices would do the job for them once they were handheld and aided to climb the stage. For, they were all visually impaired.

More than 100 students from- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh endeavoured to hit all the high and low notes at the South Indian Singing Festival 2015 organised by the NGO, Nethrodaya. And it was 20- year- old Bhagyamma a student from Bangalore who was adjudged the best among them for her rendition of a Carnatic based Kannada cinema song and won Rs 50,000 in cash. The second and third winners were both from Chennai. “I don’t know what raaga I sang in, I’m not trained in music, but I have the gift of singing which I don’t want to waste,” says Bhagyamma, a BA History student from Bharat Education Society, Bangalore who has been visually impaired since she was born.

But the man who was placed after her in the third position is Gokula Krishna who has been training in Carnatic music since he was 6. This final year B Com student from Loyola College sang a medley of the popular Rajinikanth song raagangal pathinaru and the recent aanandha yaazhai. Krishna, 20 is also part of Loyola’s light music team. “Parents forced me into learning classical music but I began liking it,” laughs Krishna who now says he wants to make it as a professional singer. Krishna has a condition of low vision but like Bhagyamma he says they are not stumbled by difficulties. “No one deliberately isolates you, if you can mingle with a normal crows, it’s just fine. Fortunately my peers who have vision are friendly and cooperative,” Krishna says.

Six playback singers from Tamil cinema were the panellists who marked them on par with any other singing competition. Social Welfare minister B Valarmathi gave away the prizes. “The purpose was to provide entertainment and competitions for the visually impaired and to make an impact that they are on par with sighted singers,” says Nethrodaya founder C Govindakrishnan known as Gopi to Chennaiites. “The fighting spirit among is prevalent but they have no platform to showcase their talents. This is why we increased the price money to encourage the student community. It is a hope that now other clubs and organisations too will host competitions and fests for them.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Divya Chandrababu, TNN / February 22nd, 2015

Ready for a Blast from the Past? Royal Collectible Goes Under the Hammer Today

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Bengaluru :

A letter penned by Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV of the Mysore royal family, bearing the royal coat of arms in gold glitter, will be the cynosure of all eyes in the city on Saturday as it goes on auction.

The auction is being organised by Marudhar Arts, a licensed auctioneer, as part of the ongoing National Numismatic Exhibition. The “extremely rare” collectible is pegged at a base price of `25,000. It was sent by the ‘Philosopher King’ to Maharaja Sir Bhanwar Pal Deo Bahadur of Karauli (Rajasthan) on October 14, 1917.

The letter is a response to King Bahadur’s letter, which had lauded Wadiyar for conducting the Dasara festival in an excellent manner. Wadiyar’s letter runs thus: “My dear Maharaja Saheb, I thank Your Highness most sincerely for your congratulations to me on my Dasara festival and I hope, as you do, that it may prove an augury of the complete victory of the British Arms. With all good wishes for the health of Your Highness and your family. Your Highness’s sincere friend, Krishnaraja Wadiyar.”

Wadiyar ruled the princely state of Mysore from 1894 till his death in 1940. His rule was billed as `Rama Rajya’ by Mahatma Gandhi and the state was described as the ‘Model State’ by the British.

When asked about the price the letter is expected to sell at, Archie Manu, co-director at Marudhar Arts, did not give an exact figure but expressed optimism that it would fetch a high  amount. He explained that the base price was fixed at `25,000 because it was the sum paid to the collector (name withheld) who had sold Marudhar Arts the letter. His father and co-director Rajendra Manu was more forthcoming. “We already have internet bidders showing interest (to pay) up to `40,000. I am confident of it (highest bid) crossing `1 lakh.”

The auction will be held between 5 pm and 8 pm on Saturday at The Bell Hotel and Convention Centre. The letter is likely to come up for bidding around 7.30 pm, Manu added. Three photos signed by Wadiyar too will be auctioned.

A novel aspect of this auction is the real-time audio and video bidding that will happen simultaneously on the website www.maruuction.com. “This is the first time in Asia this has been done in a numismatic auction,” Manu claimed.

Coin Fetches `6.25L

One gold and one silver coin (sold as one lot) belonging to the reign of Mubarak Shah, fetched the highest price of `6.25 lakh at the expo on Friday. It was among the 348 coins auctioned. It was bought by a North Indian bidder, said Manu. The same dye has been used on both coins and this is something very unique as usually, different dyes are used, Manu told Express. The base price quoted was `6 lakh.

The coins have a quotation from the Quran on the reverse. Another lot, of one gold and one silver coin from the Sultanate era, fetched `4.25 lakh.

“This pair is exceedingly rare and was being offered on auction for the first time ever,” said Archie Manu. The day’s auctioning was described as “good and satisfactory”.

On day two (Saturday), 579 coins will be up for bidding in two auctions.

three-day National Numismatic Exhibition Opens

The interest shown by the country’s youth in numismatics (study or collection of currency) is heartening, said Jan Lingen, regional secretary (Europe) of the Oriental Numismatic Society of London, on Friday.

Delivering the inaugural address at the three-day National Numismatic Exhibition at The Bell Hotel and Convention Centre, Lingen said every coin tells a story of its own. Lingen, who was born in the Netherlands, is known across the globe for his passion for Indian coins, and has written extensively on the subject.

Rezwan Razack, chairman of the Indian chapter of the International Bank Note Society, said the expo offers a platform for coin dealers and collectors from across the country. Overall, 76 numismatic dealers are taking part in the expo. Among the unique pieces on display are two lithographs on the city’s past, including the 1794 piece ‘The East View of Bangalore with Cypress Garden’.

Coins from the Mughal, the Hindu Medieval and the Sultanate eras, old tokens, medals and paper money are on display. The expo is open from 10 am to 6 pm and entry is free.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by S. Lalitha / February 21st, 2015

State Central Library, 100 years and counting

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

StateLibraryBF20feb2015

The State Central Library, one of the oldest and largest libraries in the country, is all set to celebrate its centenary this year.

The government plans to use this occasion to give a fillip to all State libraries. It also plans to construct a library on the lines of the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai.

After meeting 40 writers and academicians from across the State on Thursday, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar said the government plans to launch a movement to promote libraries and inculcate the habit of reading among children. “Various writers and academicians from every district took part in the meeting on Thursday to discuss the campaign that will begin in May or June,” Mr. Ratnakar said.

Some of the prominent personalities who attended the meeting were Kannada filmmaker Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, journalist Ravindra Reshme, and politician and writer B.T. Lalitha Naik.

Satish Kumar S. Hosamani, Director, Department of Public Libraries, said the department would send a proposal to the BBMP and BDA to construct a centenary library building.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Tanu Kulkarni / Bengaluru – February 20th, 2015