Category Archives: Leaders

Former DGP passes away

April 9, 2016Leadersadmin

Former Director General of Police Bipin Gopalakrishna, who was suffering from a prolonged illness, passed away here on Thursday.

Bipin Gopalakrishna was an IPS officer from the 1982 batch and served as the managing director of BMTC after which he was posted as the commissioner of police in Mysuru city.

He also served as the Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) in Bengaluru after which he was posted as the chief of Internal Security Division (ISD).

He went on to become the Additional Director General of Police Law and Order.

His last stint was as the Director General in the Criminal Investigation Department before he retired from the services.

The officer breathed his last around 4 am on Thursday, family sources said and added that the last rites will be conducted on Friday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / April 08th, 2016

Striking the golden mean

March 21, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Prof. T.V. Venkatachala Sastry is an authority on ancient Kannada and Sanskrit classical texts. Speaking about the waning interest in this area of study, he tells DEEPA GANESH that we must be open to multiple interpretations of the text

It would well be a high pedestal if the acclaimed grammarian, lexicographer, Sanskrit and Halegannada scholar T.V. Venkatachala Sastry (TVV) sat on his achievements. But, on that cloudy morning in Mysore, the 83-year-old scholar was waiting at his gate. “You had to come all the way here, excuse me, I could not make it more convenient for you,” he said, with genuine concern. With over hundred books to his authorship, TVV is an authority on prosody, pre-modern classical texts, aesthetics, languages, literary criticism and more. He served the University of Mysore for several decades, and was later the director of Kuvempu Kannada Adhyayana Samsthe — the outcome of his erudition and vision has been huge. He has been guru to several generations of Indian students, and also to foreign scholars like Prof. Laurie Honke (who famously said to TVV: ‘You are Panini to me’), Prof. Showman, Prof. Karl Johanssen, and Prof. Stefan Anacker. Also teacher to the renowned Indologist, Prof. Sheldon Pollock, who attributes the idea of his book, “The Language of the Gods in the World of Men” to “the greatest living scholar in the field of old Kannada, T.V. Venkatachala Sastry”.

We settle down in his modest study, packed with books from all sides. On his bed by the window, are books that people have sent him, manuscripts, reading material etc. Lean that he is, TVV tucks in comfortably. The phone rings. It is a student who needs help with historical data. Yet again the phone rings, and this time in Telugu he tells the caller: “Of what use are these controversies? Chaduvukopora… Go to your studies, and I will also continues with mine.” In his home library of over 15,000 books, TVV knows exactly the location of each book. With undiminished energy after a conversation that ran into several hours, he explains his collection. “You must come again, I will keep some books for you,” he says with a rare generosity. The doors of his house constantly kept open for students, scholars, researchers and friends, TVV is so eager to give and share that 21st century ideas like “creative commons” seem outdated. For him, it is a way of life. Issues like intellectual property rights are hardly a matter of concern. Hence, if you discuss the global publishing industry, its politics and economics, you find that it lies outside his worldview. All that matters to him is the pursuit of knowledge.

Excerpts from the interview.

One often hears that soon there will be no one studying the classical texts in India, and the western world will be custodians of Indian classical studies. How do you react to this?

It is hard to give a yes or no answer. I don’t think that is expected of me either. Steadily, as someone who has been associated with the University, one see the dearth of students for Indian classical studies. About five decades ago, almost every Indian University had a department of Indian classical studies. We are hardly left with any now. With the advent of modern technology, it has become difficult even for departments of philosophy, science and literature to survive. Sanskrit and Halegannada became unpopular with students rather early.

We have had a continued relationship with Western scholars. They came from Germany, France, Finland, America… and worked extensively in India. For instance, Sir Monier Williams who studied, documented and taught Asian languages, wrote “An Elementary Grammar of the Sanskrit Language” (1846), compiled a Sanskrit-English dictionary (1899), A.B. Kieth wrote “The Sanskrit Drama” (1923), Weber’s “The Religion of India” (1916), F. Edgerton’s “Studies in the Veda” (1915), E.V. Arnold’s “Vedic metre in its historical development” (1905), Max Mueler’s “Sacred Books of the East” (1879-1910) and several others are early works by Westerners in the field of classical studies. There was rich literature available here and scholars have always been interested in studying it. Even back then, a lot was said about how they came with religious interest. It may be true, but it is not entirely true. They were genuinely attracted to languages, history and culture and worked assiduously. Karnataka has 25,000 to 30,000 inscriptions. Epigraphica Indica, the first volume of which was edited by James Burgess (1888) is the most competent. The later versions are just photographs of these inscriptions with no analysis whatsoever.

Their rigour was similar to that of our good old Pandits, who lived and breathed the subjects of their interest. The old school western scholars were also similar; however, you still find that this is a tradition continuing in their part of the world. Look how the outlook of our universities has changed so completely! They want to give you what is easy and what brings in many. The bulk of our literary, cultural-historical practises, has gone on reducing. Even if there is one single student, it is the responsibility of the University to keep the department functioning. You should be able to convince people to take it. However, ironically, now Universities ask, “What is the use of such a study?” Once you start asking questions of “usefulness” linked to material benefits, pursuit of knowledge simply moves to the background.

Do you think the Nehruvian imagination of State is also responsible for this?

Well… perhaps. It was a language of development, of course different from how we speak of it today. Also, these factions of Right and Left, have done more harm than good to classical studies. We must remember that the path of the King is flanked by a right and a left, but neither is complete in itself. Everyone wants to read their ideologies into these texts. Society is not just what constitutes our imagination. In this tussle for upholding one view, we have lost pride in what belongs to us. An anti-Sanskrit campaign started when ideologies began to take over.

Having said this, I think classical studies will survive. It will be sad that it may soon disappear from our formal educational processes, but it will live on, like it has all these years. I from my end, have started conducting workshops all over Karnataka for various interest groups.

Do you think the study of Halegannada and Sanskrit would help contemporary thinking, including the study of literature?

The classical way of learning is of no use to the “productive” outlook, to get jobs in this world. Let me tell you a story. A friend of mine, a solid pandit, was trained in the traditional way. Because he had not gone through formal schooling, he ended up as a middle school teacher. He took it as a challenge and did SSLC to MA from the Banaras University and became a lecturer. Isn’t this sad? The government must nurture this kind of scholarship.

The best of students go to other streams, and what we are left with is a disinterested bunch. My friend, a professor of philosophy, told me that he lectured on the philosophy of death for two hours, and at the end of it, students went out of the classroom laughing and whistling!

In your own personal interactions with several western scholars, were there moments when you felt “this far and no further”? Did you feel the “insider” was essentially different from the “outsider”? The outsider had an omniscient view, but a tad reductionist?

Hangal Virupaksha Shastrigalu, in the course of a conversation, had apparently mentioned to DVG that Westerners had done a lot of work. And DVG had remarked in a loaded statement: “Houdappa, they have. But with their mind.” (TVV laughs)

That’s exactly what they are saying about Sheldon Pollock too…

Is this great tradition of knowledge any single man’s property? It is for all. You have a problem with Pollock’s views? Let’s have an academic debate. Truth doesn’t change with somebody’s reading of it. I don’t understand this anxiety of representation!

Sheldon Pollock maybe alien to Indian culture and society. But the fact that he has spent four or more decades of his life studying all this, his readings will certainly not be grossly off the mark. Think of this – he could have chosen to study American literature which is closer to his culture. Why did he make this choice? He has been studying Sanskrit since he was 18. The respect he has, his passion, the depth and engagement, it is special. If you have to read old Kannada texts, you have to Shabdamani Darpana, which is no easy nut to crack. Pollock reads it. He comes back with doubts, and then when you give him an answer, he will tell you: “But this is what D.L. Narashimhachar has said…” Always thorough in his research.

Now listen to this. Kuvempu used to tell us in class that for us goddess Lakshmi comes with a whole emotional world of meanings, and therefore she means to us more than what she signifies. But for a Westerner, at best, she will be goddess of wealth. We recognise that difference. By virtue of being insider what is possible for you may not be exactly possible for them. But their research is also first hand. I personally feel that it is a great service that they have brought global attention to our ancient texts.

Having said this, let’s not even take away the merit of a discussion or of differences. Once, G.S. Shivarudrappa and I had a difference in a seminar about interpreting a verse from the Bhagavadgita. Should that take away our respect for each other? B.M. Shrikantaiah had once remarked that Halegannada poetry is kagga, old-fashioned and of little significance. Does that mean he had no respect for it? There are several instances to prove that he valued it immensely. I don’t understand this raising cudgel for everything.

I’m sure there have been discussions and disagreements between scholars in the past. Also inter-cultural. Can you recall some of those exchanges?

There have been famous exchanges, ones that have been documented. V. Sitaramaiah and R.V. Jagirdar (Sriranga), K. Krishnamurthy and Raganantha Sharma, Masti and Kuvempu, There are several others, academic and honest. That was the spirit of those times. The kind of teachers we had, and the writers of those times…. remarkable people who nurtured youngsters.

At the Shivagange Sahitya Sammelana for which Ram. Shri. Mugali was president, Masti had come. I had written a couple of essays for his journal Jeevana, so I went and introduced myself. He drew me into an embrace and said: “Chinnadanta baravanige. Golden writing…” There was nothing great in my writing, but it was their way of encouraging. Such generosity. Masti was so great a man that he apologized to Tirumalamba saying his observations on her writing were faulty. There was an intellectual atmosphere. Today, politics is dangerously ruling our cultural world.

Sediyapu Krishna Bhatta was an outstanding chandassu (metre) expert and a vedic scholar. S.D. Velankar had read all the Prakrit and Sanskrit texts. He had read so much more than Sediyapu. When he presented his views, Sediyapu didn’t take offence. Isn’t that a growth in pursuit of knowledge?

Let me tell you of A. Venkatasubbiah. He was a wonderful scholar. He was a master of vedic studies and Panchatantra. He had a doctorate from a German University in 1910. He wrote a 650-page book on the Veda. During the period even Western scholars were majorly into research. Venkatasubbaiah who had read all their works went on record to say – “Their estimate of several things are wrong because of cultural gap. I will revise the work of these German and French scholars.” In reply, one of them wrote, “Venkatasubbaiah is a great scholar but is not aware of recent research.” Isn’t this an ongoing process in the pursuit of knowledge?

I remember once Pollock asked me a question related to the works of Rice and Kittel. He had disagreements with their findings. He could have easily said, “What does this Venkatachala Sastry know? Kittel is the greatest afterall!” But that is anti-academic culture.

We have lost the tradition of Pandits. It has been replaced by professors. What is your reading of this situation?

The Pandits were unshakeable scholars. They had complete hold over the texts. They could extempore quote hundreds of poems, they could tell you the source of the words, their meaning, grammar… etc. University trained professors are aware of the modern tools of criticism, but their scholarship is limited. Also, the passion and commitment of the pandits cannot match that of professors. It is indeed a loss. In fact, DVG and Ti.Nam. Shrikantaiah have discussed this issue.

What is the difference between Indian and Western students?

It is very different, yet what I say are not generalisations. I have had fine students in the past who have become reputed scholars. Now, our students are not interested in the foundation. They are always trying to see how they can fit their ideologies into it. I always tell them to enjoy reading poetry for the sheer experience of finer feelings. Once that is done, you can start analysing and exploring other things. They are not prepared to enter the gateway of classical literature. They have lost patience, interest, engagement and the tools.

The West is interested in research, and wants to find new dimensions. They don’t get satisfied easily and work with perseverance and patience. Also, there is an academic system that is interested in the work of these scholars. They ask them questions, and engage with their work. There is a world that is watching them with interest. Here, even if I put out a great work, I am not sure if another scholar working in the same area as I do, will even read it. That makes a huge difference to your outlook.

You must understand one more thing, you get huge honours easily now. Social justice is fore-grounded and talent takes a backseat. Neralige sanmana madovaaga, akruti beke (when they felicitate shadows do you really need the real persona?)? Nevertheless, passion and interest needs no justification.

U.V. Swaminath Iyer, the Tamil scholar, writing about Malur Ranaganathachar who taught Sanskrit at the Presidency College says, “his head was constantly buried in some book or the other”. M.S. Puttanna writes about Triyambak Shastri: “He was always reading or writing. In case he felt drowsy in the afternoon, he would sleep over his book, wake up and start reading.” Ralapalli, our teacher, was an outstanding scholar. He would say, “I am slightly doubtful of this. I have asked D.L. Narasimhachar to help me with this.” Chidananda Murthy, at his age, calls me frequently to discuss something or the other. Learning is not easy. It is upasane. I feel thrilled when I read of such things. It is hard to find such people now. They all believed in the power of the text. Tell me, will Bhagavadgite get burnt if you burn it…?

You are quintessentially a traditional scholar who is not anxious about other readings of our texts…

Let me clarify this. I am a traditional scholar who has immense faith in the kind of learning that was imparted to me. We have a tradition and I believe in its values and respect it. I am also aware of its weaknesses. In a sense, I am also a moderner and in many ways I subscribe to some aspects of modernity. For instance, the liberal outlook that came with it. I stand in this new world, and would like to envision the ever expanding meanings of the old world order. I will not impose my beliefs on it. I adhere to the text, and am interested in its interpretation. No political ideology or country stamp will take me away from my commitment to the text. I will stand by what I find correct. If Pollock or whoever makes a mistake I will tell them my views. Since I respect scholarship, I respect Pollock’s dedication and good work too.

I want to quote Kavirajamarga. In a verse, Nrupatunga raises this question: “What is kasavara (gold)?” If you can accept another’s thoughts, another’s religion with antahkarana (feeling), that is gold. Else, he says, kasa (dirt) and kasavara (gold) are the same.

Corrections & Clarifications:

This report has been edited for factual errors.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review / by Deepa Ganesh / Bengaluru – March 17th, 2016

Kamakshi Hospital Chairman Arun Shenoy passes away

March 12, 2016Business & Economy, Leadersadmin

Mysuru :

M. Arun Shenoy (52), Chairman of Bantwal Sulochana Madhava Shenoy (BSMS) Trust, which runs Kamakshi Hospital in Kuvempunagar and Director of DMS Technologies, Mysuru, passed away in the wee hours of today at M.S. Ramaiah Hospital in Bengaluru after a brief illness.

Arun Shenoy, son of late M. Ananda Rao, partner of Mangalore Ganesh Beedies, was a resident of Jayalakshmipuram.

He leaves behind his wife Shamma, two sons — Arjun and Arinjay — mother Nagarathna, elder brother M. Ashok Shenoy, sisters — Anjana, Anupama and Archana — and a host of relatives and friends.

Last rites were performed at the foot of Chamundi Hill today at 4 pm.

Condoled: The Management and staff of Kamakshi Hospital held a meeting in the hospital premises this morning to condole the untimely demise of Arun Shenoy.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 12th, 2016

Chennabhairadevi, The Pepper Queen of India Who Ruled for 54 Years

March 7, 2016Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Uncategorized, World Opinionadmin

Front view of Chaturmukha Basadi; (right) Gerusoppa is very close to Jog Falls

Bengaluru :

Stories of kings and queens always attract the young and the old alike. Indian history is abundant with interesting tales of brave queens. In India, where women strive to emulate Sita, and are often docile and meekly submit without resisting , there were valiant women taking up arms against enemies and often succeeded in their attempts. One such brave ruler was Rani Chennabhairadevi, the queen of Gerusoppa, who ruled for 54 years — the longest reign by any Indian woman ruler.

Gerusoppa, situated on the banks of the river Sharavathi in Uttara Kannada, was under the control of the Vijayanagara kings. In the decentralised Vijayanagara empire, various regions were ruled by royal families known as Mahamandaleshwaras. By the early 1550s, Chennabhairadevi, who belonged to the Saluva dynasty, became the queen. As per the inscriptions, her kingdom extended from south of Goa to Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Malabar. This region is known not only for harbours like Bhatkala, Honnavar, Mirjan, Ankola and Baindur but also for pepper.

Honnavar and Bhatkala served as internal and international, flourishing trading centres. Arabian horses and weapons were imported from the West. Pepper, betel nut and nutmeg were exported to European and Arab countries. Chennabhairadevi found herself at confrontation with the neighbouring rival kingdoms as well as the Portuguese. The attempts of the Keladi kings and Bilgi chieftains to pull the queen down proved futile.

The queen had to resist the Portuguese who tried to grab the ports and take over the trade. She was at war with the Portuguese in 1559 and again in 1570. She crushed the Portuguese army with her intelligent battle strategy. One of the Portuguese chronicles states that during the war of 1570, the Portuguese attacked Honnavar and burnt it to the ground. After the decline of Vijayanagar, Chennabhairadevi dealt with the Portuguese diplomatically, who nicknamed her ‘Raina de Pimenta’ — the Pepper Queen.

A letter sheds more light on the importance of pepper trade with the Portuguese. Affonso Mexia, the Portuguese Captain of Cochin, writes to the King of Portugal: “Between Baticala and Goa there are certain places called Onor, Mergen and Ancola, from which I hear 5,000 crusados worth of pepper are annually shipped… These places are under the dominion of Queen of Guarcopa… This pepper is larger than that in Cochin, but is lighter and not so hot. It appears to me that we ought to secure…”

Queen Chennabhairadvi was a Jain. The Chaturmukha Basadi of Gerusoppa is attributed to her. She gave grants to Shaiva and Vaishnava temples too. Saraswath Brahmin businessmen and skilled Konkani craftsmen took shelter in her kingdom to escape Portuguese persecution. Jain scholars Akalanka and Bhattakalaka were under the Queen’s patronage. She is credited with building the Mirjan Fort and is believed to have lived there for several years.

The Keladi and Bilgi chiefs adopted ‘Unity is Strength’ formula. Matrimonial alliances brought these two families together. The combined forces of Keladi and Bilgi attacked Gerusoppa, finally defeating the Queen. Gerusoppa came under the control of Keladi. The ageing queen was taken prisoner to Keladi and she breathed her last in prison. If the strategy of unity was adopted against the foreign intruders, India’s history could have been different.

Queen Chennabhairadevi projects herself as a powerful woman, when other women stayed indoors under submission. She was the contemporary of the Queen Elizabeth I of England and succeeded in ruling for the longest period against all odds.

They serve Mysore well…: Professionals and Businessmen of Yesteryears : A Tribute

February 22, 2016Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

by R.Chandra Prakash

An individual is mortal, but a city has a life of continuity. A city is enriched or ravaged by the type of residents it has had. Mysore has earned several epithets such as heritage city, educational centre and even a cultural city. In giving Mysore these shades of importance, apart from the Royal family of the city, many professionals, business houses and businessmen have contributed their mite. It is an attempt here to recall some of them and pay them a tribute for their role in making Mysore a unique and distinct city in the State and the country as such.

At the outset it should be mentioned that this is not a researched record. It is based on the observation of the author during his growing up years between the forties and early sixties in the then beautiful Mysore. Therefore, there is every chance that many names of people with similar importance or even greater importance might not find place here.

Businessmen and Builders: Let me start with C. Perumal Chetty & Sons, with the famous acronym of CPC. They were one among the few who ran a fleet of bus services in Mysore District. As per Mysore Gazetteer, there were 25 Jutkas in Mysore District in 1917-18, but “in Mysore it was CPC Motor transport which started town services.” That was a period when Mysore was a very compact town and Jutkas were in vogue. Obviously running a town service at that time should have been only a labour of love and could not have been for profit at all.

CPC Polytechnic, the building they donated for the cause of education in Mysore, further stands testimony to that. The Maharaja of the time had bestowed on CPC the honour of Dharmarathnakara, which meant a great philanthropist. The building besides Prabha Talkies at Gandhi Square was called CPC Building. Its architecture with very high walls and tall brown windows were similar to that of Wesley Press and Victoria School. The building where at present Hotel Sandesh is run was CPC’s residence. When a young son of the family, known for his racy living style and motor bikes, was killed in a motor-cycle accident at the turning of Belagola village, the entire Mysore city stood in lines late at night to pay homage. CPCs were a very charitable family indeed.

Yelakappa Chari was connected with the Palace buildings. He went on to build a Choultry on Irwin Road, Yelakappa Chari Choultry, which even today stands testimony to his royal days. He subsequently built and owned Chamundeshwari Talkies on Sayyaji Rao road, and pro- bably even the Gayatri Talkies on Chamaraja Double road.

How can one forget the name of Boraiah and Basavaiah [B.B&Sons] of Mysore? They were big builders who are said to have taken part in the construction of Sharavati Hydel Project and Vidhana Soudha. Their residence was in the building which later on became the house of famous fruit merchant Kareem and later on Sujata Hotel at the opposite corner of Idgah Maidan. These three builders carried on their businesses with ethics and charity. They were known for adherence to quality standards.

Dharmarathnakara Banumaiah was yet another of the businessmen, who not only made good in the business but also helped the cause of developing Mysore. D. Banumaiah’s Educational Institutions stand testimony to this. Like CPC, Banumaiah was also bestowed with the title of Dharmarathnakara by the then Maharaja.

Doctors and Dentists: Among the Doctors one cannot forget the roly-poly and Peta-wearing ever jovial Dr. Annajappa. He had his shop just beside the Devaraja Market’s northern gate on Dhanvantri road. There was also an entrance to his consultancy from the vestibule of Market gate. He was a huge person with very wide belly. But he was always immaculately dressed in three-piece suits, a tie and galleys to support his huge pants. A shining Mysore Peta with a golden tapestry was always there. He gave house calls only in his car. Obviously, he might have come from a rich family and patients from a rich family were his frequent visitors. His jovial mannerisms automatically reduced the pains and diseases of his patients. I never seem to have seen him grim, angry or serious.

On the other side of this gate was another doctor, entirely opposite in demeanour, Dr. Venkatadasappa. A Gandhian, always attired in Khadi coat, shirt and pants; very humble and soft in his manners. He spoke very few words, but he had high degree of commitment in attending to patients. Dr. Venkatadasappa moved around on a very old bicycle, with his worn-out brown doctor’s kit on cycle carrier at the back. He prepared his medicine in the shop itself, so he was also a Chemist and Druggist. His charges were either waived or pittance.

Dr. Srinivasa Murthy had his clinic on Sayyajji Rao road, where the present Dr. C.D. Srinivas Murthy practices. Dr. Murthy was a very refined person and a modern; well-dressed always with a suit and tie. He too was considerate to his poor patients. Long after his demise, his son became a medical practitioner in this very shop.

Then there was Dr. Dattu Rao, whose shop was a part of present Bata Shop on Sayyaji Rao road. Mysore Medical Hall on this road was also popular. Bang opposite this was Dr. Mariswamy, very popular among the villagers around the city. Very soft and patient in nature made him into a perfect doctor and human being. In the later years, Dr.Gopal Rajan went on to become a doyen of a surgeon in KR Hospital followed by physicians Dr. K.G Das and Dr. N.A. Jadhav.

Among the dentists we had Dr.Eapen, who practiced beside Abid’s Shop opposite Town Hall. And, of course, the Sheriff Brothers Dr. Kamal Sheriff and Dr.Siddiqui Shariff. Their clinic was on Harsha Road; a white bungalow between Opera Talkies and KEB office. It seems their father was dentist to the Maharaja of Mysore and this building was gifted to him by the Maharaja. These doctors and dentists provided yeomen service to Mysoreans at a time when Mysore was mostly confined to present city centre.

Hotels: In keeping with the British influence on Mysore, there were four hotels to cater to requirements of Europeans. Garden Hotel was located in a very large area in the very place where presently Sangam Talkies is located. It had a large compound and garden with a fountain in the middle. Then there was Carlton Hotel behind the Wellington Lodge. Hotel Ritz was located beside Ranjit Talkies. The Metropole Hotel in the city and in the KR Sagar were Maharaja’s Guest Houses for the British visitors.

Mysoreans were pampered with northern culinary delights to build up entirely new food habits by entrepreneurs from North India. Among them was Krishna Bhavan Hotel, which was located where at present Canara Bank building is located in K.R Circle, opposite Dufferin Clock Tower. At one time, owner of Krishna Bhavan, Munshi Lal, owned several hotels, including Gayathri Bhavan Hotel on Dhanvantri Road, Chamundi Hotel in Shivarampet and some hotels in the then Madras State. Then, Bombay Anand Bhavan (1921), Bombay Indra Bhavan (1936), Indra Bhavan Boarding and Lodging on Dhanvantri Road, Anand Bhavan on KRS Road, Dasaprakash Hotel, Welcome Hotel, Raju Hotel in Agrahara served palates of Mysoreans to their delight. These eateries went on to shape up the living styles of people, apart from expanding the economy of Mysore. It was only later on that Madhu Nivas, Vyasa Bhavan and some others came on to the scene.

However, Gayland cannot be missed among new generation of hotels. Located at the beginning of Harsha Road, just before Opera Talkies, Gayland was a rage among young and student types during early sixties. It’s dark inside with minimal lighting, a Juke Box at a corner and uniformed serving staff were all new things for hotel-going population of Mysore. This was a period of revolution in cinema — great music and great songs. Those people who loved to hear their favourite songs thronged Gayland. People put money into the slot of the Juke Box, selected song/s of their choice and just enjoyed them with their coffee and eats. Some simply sat through sipping coffee/tea to hear songs chosen by other customers.

Indian Coffee House, beside Prabha Talkies, is yet another place where young and intellectual types visited and spent time over cups of coffee, omelets and toasts. And, a lot of discussion on politics and cinema. Coffee House shaped up the life of many teachers, professors and politicians. Those were the slow moving days in Mysore.

Shops and Stores: Among shops and stores which sold groceries and other household requirements, one cannot forget Krishna Bhavan Stores, Indra Bhavan Stores, Nandi Stores of Nandibasappa, Bombay Anand Bhavan Stores, Srinivasa Stores. Govind Raj Shetty’s Pansari shop was a small country-tiled outlet opposite Dufferin Clock Tower but with wealth of materials — from Puja materials to Ayurvedic herbs, oils and grasses. Lucky for Mysoreans that this traditional shop is continued to the day by his next two generations. The shop is now located on D. Devaraja Urs Road.

Abdul Ravoof Pansari in Mandi Mohalla was always buzzing with business as he sold imported items from the dry fruits, kesar to badam oil. Rama Shetty of Laxmivilas went on to become famous for his sari shop, his brother Shankar Shetty for Jewellery shop; Sharma from Punjab for Sharma Sports shop, Kareem for fruit shop, Shivanna for his Nanjangud Banana (so much so he was called Balehannu Shivanna) both in Devaraja Market; Lalbhai for tiles and taps; and, Salar Masood for Hardware. These business houses served Mysore well.

Stationers & Book Depots: Since Mysore was also an educational centre, there were several stationery and book stores. Among them one cannot forget R. Krishnaswamy and Son on Sayyaji Rao Road. A statuette of a very old man with a casual cloth turban and wrinkled body was kept on the top of the shop. So also a very long model of Waterman Pen was hung onto the roof. These two made permanent impressions of the visitors of the shop. J.Nanumal and Sons; Kodandaramaiah and Sons, Gowrishankar Book Depot, Ramachandra Book Depot opposite Dufferin Clock Tower, were the usual book depots for the parents and students to go and get their stationeries and text books.

Renuka Pen Corner on Old Bank Road, very near Prabha Talkies, was a specialised shop in ink pens and later on jotter pens. Pilot brand pens and jotters were displayed in special packages and costs high. Among the ink pens Black Bird, Schaeffer and Parker were highly priced. The owner took the pains to explain the quality of each one of them, demonstrate the uniqueness of fillers, nibs and caps. Before the arrival of jotters, ink pens and ink-pots were popular. Quinck was popular brand to be felled later on by Chelpark and Iris ink. One would ask for Royal Blue ink or Black ink. Rarely Red ink was also bought. Renuka Pen Corner was a must visit for serious types of students for whom a right pen was a right way to right learning.

Cinema Theatres: Krishna Cinema Theatre, located on first floor of Kaveripattnam building in Gandhi Square was active during forties and early fifties. I remember to have been taken to this theatre somewhere during late forties. But it closed down thereafter. Olympia Talkies and Prabha Talkies were the main theatres screening mostly Hindi movies. Ranjit Talkies is where I seem to have seen Anaari and Mother India at Woodlands. I remember that Kalinga Rao’s melodious voice vibrated at Woodlands as soon as lights went out to announce the beginning of the screening of preliminaries. Opera mostly screened Kannada movies or some times Tamil movies. So also Lakshmi Talkies.

However, it was Gayathri Talkies and now defunct Ganesha Talkies which were class by them, because they screened only English movies. A must visit places for college-going students and, of course, the discerning class of the city. Anglo Indian ladies used to issue tickets for the balcony class at Gayathri Talkies. There was a box class in these two cinema houses which were the preferred places for “couples” for obvious reasons! The audience on the top row of the balcony preened backward and forwards for extra pleasure in these theatres. I remember to have seen screening of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in Gayathri Talkies sometime in fifties. Going to Gayathri and Ganesha theatres were our afternoon escapades from some boring classes at the college. I remember seeing 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and many Alfred Hitchcock’s movies like Psycho, Birds, North by North West.

Wonderful years in Wonderful environment: One has to concede that everyone is influenced by his or her growing years and may remember all those moments mostly in positive sense. However, even if I am accused of a myopic vision or fixated view of life, I will hold my opinion that the years in Mysore I grew up in and the individuals and institutions that made up the environment were best. Best for the very reason that Mysore was a well-managed city, with beautiful environment and was inhabited by people with high values and virtues. And above all the slow moving time-frame not only enhanced the value of all these but also made life worth living. Hence, this small tribute to the people and places of that period.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / February 22nd, 2016

The Omen : Wadiyar’s Rajendra Vilas Palace

February 11, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Traveladmin

Mystery of a temple-tower and a Palace-dome!

Nothing seems to go well for the much loved and regarded Wadiyar dynasty of erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore these days. Rather since independence of our country in 1947. The problem for the then last Maharaja Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar [1940-1950] began when, under wrong advice by his much-hailed Dewan Sir Arcot Ramaswamy Mudaliyar [1946-1947], His Highness refused to sign the all-important Accession Treaty with the Union Government and lost its goodwill for ever. The dilly-dallying did not last long though.

Since then, the events in the Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace), the Bengaluru Palace and the Palace in Ooty (Udhagamandalam) Fern Hill Palace and other minor Palaces in city and may be, elsewhere are under the shadow of ill-omen. Nothing seemed to go well for the Royalty — from domestic affairs to the ownership and management of its multi-crore rupees worth of properties spread all over the State and who knows abroad.

The Wadiyar dynasty, which never drew the battle-sword from its sheath or fired a shot from the gun or cannon eversince Hyder Ali usurped the throne in 1761 till this day, lived a leisurely, languid life under the suzerainty and protective wings of the British Raj. However, after the death of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, whom Mahatma Gandhi rightly called the Raja Rishi, the philosopher King of the kind described by the Greek philosophers, the dynasty seemed to lose its hallow of earlier glory.

The political events in the country moved so fast, the Wadiyars were unable to anticipate the consequences. The worse happened after the death of Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the father of the scion of the royal family Sri Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar leaving behind the burden of many unsettled property issues among his children and the Government. His son Sri Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar himself died without issues on Dec. 10, 2013 and the Maharani Pramoda Devi Wadiyar had to resort to the Hindu tradition of adopting Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs, a grand nephew of her husband and rechristen him as ‘Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar.’ But, the Maharani and her adopted son Yaduveer are now to carry on a different kind of battle — in the law courts. And to think that so many valuable properties are lying around like imaginary assets without generating any income or income commensurate with its value is indeed sad.

What could be the cause for this ashanthi, for these problems haunting the Royal family? Is it similar to the legendary curse of Alamelamma to the Wadiyars that is thought to be the cause for the dynasty not having a son to inherit the throne by a direct descendent of the ruling King? We do not know. But here is a probable cause for the present troubles of the dynasty after the death of Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV as told to me by a reader of this paper.

The root cause is traced to the Palace atop Chamundi Hill, known as Rajendra Vilas Palace, now lying in a state of total neglect — euphemistically called under repair and renovation.

But before I come to that, a brief history of the Palace atop the hill itself. It all started when one englishman by name Sir Arthur Cole constructed his bungalow here in 1822. The kingdom was under the suzerainty of British East India Company following the fall of Tipu Sultan in 1799 and Sir Arthur Cole must have been in the service of the company. Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India [1833-1835], had stayed here in 1834 for a few days, according to history.

Later when the British left, under the royal ownership, it was used as a Summer Palace, a hill station residence at an altitude of 1000 feet above mean sea level. It is said, Mahraja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV was taught English and Philosophy here in this ‘Summer Palace.’

It was re-built as a Palace in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style found in Rajasthan by Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and completed in 1938-39. The Palace was further developed with a high dome during the period of Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar. However, the Maharaja was cautioned by the Chief Priest of the Palace and the Chamundeshwari temple not to raise the dome to a height which will be higher than that of the vimana gopura atop the tower of the Chamundeshwari temple closeby, hardly 1000 meters away. The warning was ignored.

The Palace was leased to a hotel for some years where ‘sinful’ activities were taking place. And later it was closed. Sri Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar ran it as a hotel for a while but failed and then the Palace fell into disuse and royal neglect. The Palace, located on 15 acres of land, was valued at Rs. 6 crore during the year 2000.

Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar wanted to remodel the Palace with special interiors and re-start the hotel after his vision: “The Rajendra Vilas Hotel will have the stamp of a five-star luxury and heritage Palace hotel. Ancient scenes of Khedda operation, Dasara processions and Jumboo Savari will be depicted on murals by artists,” Wadiyar used to say to journalists who talked to him on seeing the construction work being carried out. Sadly he did not live to see his dream-hotel operational. But, what about the prognosis of the Palace Priest?

Would the property problem of the Wadiyars find a final resolution if the dome of the Palace is reduced in size or removed to comply with the Chief Priest’s warning? Or would it help the Wadiyars if the Palace itself is given up as belonging to the presiding deity Chamundeshwari on the lines how properties of some temples are considered belong to the deity as owner?

God only knows. But I would be happy if Wadiyars are allowed to live in peace by the government and the law of the land under a democratic governance. After all, the Wadiyar Kings were good Kings, benevolent Kings, encouraged art, literature, sculpture and worked to make Mysore a great cultural capital of Karnataka.

e-mail: kbg@starofmysore.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra….Abracadabra / by K.B. Ganapathy / February 11th, 2016

2 billion meals for schoolkids, this IITian shows the way

February 10, 2016Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Bengaluru :

Its 12 noon at the government school in DJ Halli, northeast Bengaluru. Hundreds of little faces are fixed on the van that has carried their lunch. For 15 years, every afternoon, the Bengaluru headquartered Akshaya Patra Foundation (APF) has been bringing smiles on faces of 1.4 million children.

And in a few weeks, it will serve its two billionth meal.

APF, founded by IITian Madhu Pandit Dasa who was conferred the Padma Shri last month, is the world’s largest school lunch programme.

“I still remember the day when I took the first meal to a government school. The children loved it. I did not believe that we would go with the food the next day. But for 15 years now, we have been able to sustain,” Dasa said. From ensuring that no child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger, the scheme has won many accolades for its transparency, hygiene and tech savvy delivery of cooked meals.

Says APF CEO Shridhar Venkat: “Growth has not been a challenge but sustainably growing is a challenge. Every time we start a kitchen, children come with a hope that they will get a good meal every day. Ensuring food safety especially at the school level which is the last mile and on a daily basis is a challenge. The road ahead is to implement innovative ideas in operations, fundraising and sourcing. We also would like to freely share our learnings with any organigation or an individual who wants to work on alleviating hunger amongst children.”

APF trustee T V Mohandas Pai told TOI: “I think the reason for our success has been how different competencies which are mutually inclusive and collectively exclusive have come together to fight hunger among children.”

PM Narendra Modi has congratulated the foundation for the milestone. “I am happy to learn that the foundation will complete 15 years of serving midday meal to schoolchildren and will serve its second billionth meal soon. These milestones and efforts inspire many to serve children,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> India / by Seetha Lakshmi, TNN / February 10th, 2016

Down the memory lane : Late A. Ramanna of Vijaya Patrike , A Unique Personality ; My mentorship in his daily

February 7, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leadersadmin

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

He was indeed a unique personality in Mysore, known to people of all strata — be they vegetable vendors in Devaraja Market, traders in Santhepet, politicians, Chief Ministers, VIPs in all fields all over, Ramanna was fondly identified by them as their close friend. Nobody knows exactly why or how he migrated to Mysore from Mangalore at a very young age. He had little lame in one leg from child birth, but it never deterred him in his very active life.

I am told he started life here mingling with freedom fighters of thirties and showed his speaking talent in freedom movement by his early speeches in Subbarayanakere park. Thus he came in close contact with Gandhians H.C. Dasappa, Yashodharamma and other leaders of that time. Though he had no formal education, he ventured to start a small Kannada Daily ‘Vijaya’ on India’s Independence Aug.15, 1947.

He had contacts with our family as my grandfather was a freedom fighter. That is how I came under his influence in 1958-60 starting my career in his Daily as a graduate studying journalism for my degree. But it is a different story how he turned me to be more a Public Relations (PR) man than to be a journalist.

K.S. Bhagawan, known for his rational thinking and writing, who met me during his walk at Manasagangotri, accompanied by a security guard provided by Police, recalled his working in ‘Vijaya’ from 1963 to 1965 remembering A. Ramanna.

By then, Ramanna’s stature had grown so much he was sought by people for help, recommendation though he was not holding any office. But he was a member of Trade Union, member of Housing Board, Coffee Board etc. I had seen how even Ministers would visit him in his small ‘Vijaya’ office behind Dhanvantri Main Road. And they wanted the company of Ramanna during their visits to Mangalore. Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah was so close to him that he wanted Ramanna’s company during all his visits to Mysore.

It was Ramanna who made me to join the Information Department and I remember how he made my bachelor life comfortable in Mangalore when I was posted there in 1964 by visiting Mangalore and getting me accommodation in Bunts Hostel.

Though Ramanna was a bachelor, he had adopted a family from Mangalore and also established a house for them. He looked after their children growing — a son K.J. Kumar who became a film journalist and later edited ‘Vijaya’; daughter Pramila became a nominated member of Mysore City Corporation. I still remember how Ramanna celebrated her marriage at Nanjaraja Bahaddur Choultry inviting several thousands of people.

Ramanna had continuous contacts with Mangalore and Bunts community. So much so, he had even started a Bunts Hostel in Mysore in the name of A.B. Shetty, a stalwart figure of South Canara. He had also secured a site for the hostel building.

Pejawar Swamiji and Kengal at his 60th birthday: S. Krishna, a former Corporator (son of late A. Shivanna, Banana merchant, who was very close to Ramanna) informs me that his father had arranged Ramanna’s 60th birthday at Madhu Nivas in Gandhi Square, in co-operation with Ramadas Bhat of that Hotel which was attended by Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt and Kengal Hanumanthaiah.

Close contact with Adichunchanagiri Mutt: Eighty-eight-year-old S. Bhyrappa, a very senior advocate, recalls his close association with Ramanna describing him as a fearless person, sincere, straightforward, loyal, helpful and never had enmity with others. He particularly remembered Ramanna’s interest in the growth of Adichunchanagiri Mutt since its beginning and his service to the Mutt till his death.

His contribution with T.S. Subbanna for Sarvajanika Hostel: R. Vasudeva Murthy (RV), 89, President of Mahajana Education Society, going back to his memory as a student of Central College, Bangalore, describes how he came in contact with Ramanna who knew some office-bearers of All India Student Congress and himself (RV) was the Treasurer of that Congress. From then on, his contacts with him continued when he came down to Mysore after his education. It was at that time, Ramanna introduced his close associate T.S. Subbanna to Vasudeva Murthy. Subbanna, a bachelor and a Gandhian to the core, was selfless, humble and dedicated his life for welfare of poor students.

Since then, the young Vasudeva Murthy supported them in their noble cause of providing food and shelter to poor students through Sarvajanika Hostel in Vidyaranyapuram which Subbanna had started in 1937 in a small structure.

G.H. Nayak, a known literary critique, who was a resident of the Hostel in later years, described, “it is difficult to believe that a person like Subbanna lived in their midst.” He also recalls that U.R. Anantha Murthy was also a boarder of the Hostel among many others who had come up in their life.

With the tireless efforts of Subbanna and Ramanna with Vasudeva Murthy and a host of others, the present building Sarvajanika Vidyarthi Nilaya was inaugurated on 18.4.1954 by no lesser person than Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. The Foundation for the hostel building was laid by the then Mysore Government first Ministry Cabinet Minister H.C.Dasappa on 16.2.1951.

The photo above from Vasudeva Murthy’s album speaks of the dignitaries present on the occasion: To the left of Maharaja — H.M. Chennabasappa; young Vasudeva Murthy and A. Ramanna.

Behind Maharaja: Kengal Hanumanthaiah.

To the right of Maharaja: One Sakamma, who donated Rs. 25,000 for the hostel building.

Behind her: B.V. Banumaiah of Banumaiah Educational Institutions.

[G.H. Nayak recalls that T.S. Subbanna never wanted publicity nor his photo. Hence, there is no photo of his anywhere even with the Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar above.]

e-mail: kumarkv59@gmail.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday – February 07th, 2016

Older than Bengaluru, Stands a Grizzled Guard

January 28, 2016Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Bengaluru :

The Devannahalli fort, which stands 35 kms away from Bengaluru, is older than the city itself by 37 years.

The fort has been occupied by different dynasties over time. It was built in 1501 by Kempegowda’s ancestor, Malla Baire Gowda. But in 1747, in a battle led by Nanjarajaiah, the dalwai of Mysore, the clan lost it to the Wadiyar dynasty. Marathas later claimed it and lost it back to the Mysore state, in a siege led by Hyder Ali in 1746.

Arun Prasad, from Discover Bangalore Project, says that though Hyder captured the fort, it was his son Tipu Sultan who was responsible for modelling and building the Pulkad fort.

The town surrounding the fort was meant to be a a centre of learning and arts. “The Devannahalli town was supposed to be a place for learned artisans and intellectuals to inhabit,” says Prasad.

Devannahalli was a town typical of the time, with protected farmlands and fields. A lake, behind the fort and seen from the bastions, was meant to serve the needs of the inhabitants.

Today, the lake is dried up and is a sad sight to notice. Prasad blames it on poor urban planning. Earlier, a highway used to pass through the western part of the town. Now, a road has been built, which passes over the lake. A good portion of the lake was used up for it.

“The lake has always been rain-fed. But the new road cut the lake away from the adjoining canals and channels,” says Prasad. “The rain water could not flow in and the lake dried up. The vast area of 400-500 kms metres has only weeds and little water due to rains. You can also spot some tattered measurement devices, which was a failed attempt to study the level of water in the lake.”

Bastions

Built on a higher ground, the bastions were used to keep a watch out for the enemy. The fort is 30 to 35 feet high and bastions, along the fort, are placed at equal distance from each other. “The bastions have well protected chambers, used by soldiers. The gun points are holes in the wall which can still be seen today. They are built from lime and brick. The holes were used to keep guns during the war,” adds Prasad.

Tipu’s Birthplace

South-west of the fort, there is memorial with a board, which proclaims that Tipu was born here. A six-foot-tall enclosure marks the spot.

When Tipu was born in 1750, his father Hyder Ali was engrossed in a battle. His mother, Fatima Fakhr-Un-Nisa, was secretly ushered into a carriage to give birth at the fort, as it was considered a safe place. However, she ended up giving birth inside the vehicle, right outside the fort. The monument is built over this birth spot.

A pond was built under the administration of Purnaiah, the then Dewan of Mysore. It is a beautiful pond with the stones and excavations intact. “The water is used for rituals and festivals,” says Prasad. “People take baths here as well.”

Temples

Inside the Devannahalli fort, there is the Venugopalswamy temple. The temple, which was built in the Vijaynagara style, has several depictions from the Ramayana on the walls. “At the entrance, the two horsemen are believed to belong to the Western Ganga dynasty (which ruled 350 and 1000 AD),” said Prasad.

There are sculptures of seamstresses, as you enter, from the same era. The north and south walls have sculptures showing Rishyasringa being brought from a forest to Ayodhya accompanied by dancing girls. There is also a scene of Vishwamitra caught in a an archery battle with Rama. The south wall has ten incarnations of Lord Krishna and Rama’s father performing a sacrifice.

The fort gate and the fort walls are crumbling and there are scribblings on the walls. There is no security at the entrance and anyone can walk in. The commercial establishments all around have failed to preserve the authenticity of the past. “An ASI (Archeological Survey of India) office is located at the entrance, which is always closed and does not provide much information,” says Prasad. “The fort area needs to be protected by ASI and does not come under the corporation. The northern gate is crumbling as well.”

How it Began

Refugees on the run from Kancheepuram settled down near the Nandi Hills. Legend has it that Rana Baire Gowda, their leader, was told in a dream that he had to build a settlement in this region. This family goes by the name of Morasu Wokkalu. His son Malla Baire Gowda founded Devanahalli. Kempegowda also belongs to this family.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Seema Prasad / January 28th, 2016

Mangalore University to bring alive lives of leaders through book exhibitions on them

January 18, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leadersadmin

Mangaluru :

Lives of great Indian leaders will come alive to students and stakeholders in the form of books published on them, thanks to initiative taken by Mangalore University which entails organizing exhibition-cum-sale of books on their birth anniversaries and other important national days.

First of such many exhibitions to come formally got underway at University College on Wednesday with VC K Byrappa inaugurating book exhibition on Swami Vivekananda.

Brainchild of registrar T D Kemparaju, the idea of holding such events is to get Gen Next know about the lives of leaders such as Swami Vivekananda. Basically a librarian himself, Kemparaju’s love for books is but natural and he wants even the students and general public to benefit from the vast resources that university has in its library. Incidentally, a weeklong exhibition-cum-sale also is being held at Field Marshal K M Cariappa College in Madikeri from January 12.

In an informal interaction with select media on the sidelines of inauguration of the first of such exhibition at University College, Kemparaju said there any number of books written on the lives, works, speeches of leaders, but are largely confined to the bookshelves of libraries. In holding such exhibitions for a specific period during occasions such as National Youth Day observed to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, such books come to light for many.

The exhibition might draw a handful of students to begin with and the numbers could gradually increase, he said. However, most important thing is to make a beginning and get students to read the books, or at least initiate them in to the world of reading. Student in the normal course of their education will not read a book on Jawaharlal Nehru or Mahatma Gandhi or other leaders unless it is part of curriculum. These exhibitions will now create a forum for them, he said.

The original writings of leaders too could be kept at such exhibitions, he averred adding that the university will make such exhibition a regular feature at all days of national importance such as Independence Day, Republic Day. “The university library on its Mangalagangothri campus too will be very much the epi-centre of such an exercise in the future,” he said, adding the exhibition was not held on the campus this time since it is an off-academic period right now.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / Jaideep Shenoy / January 13th, 2016

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