Bellur Krishnamachar Sundaraja Iyengar may never have become a famed global yoga guru, had he been attentive in his English class. Iyengar, who failed his English exam in class 10, didn’t go on to college; he took up yoga.
On Wednesday, the tiny village of Bellur in Kolar district of Karnataka, with a population of around 1,000, paid homage to the man who was born here 96 years ago. As news of BKS Iyengar’s death spread in the morning, the village folk assembled in front of the grama panchayat building in tribute.
The Brahmin boy from this dusty village had to move to Bangalore at the age of six for a formal education, as the nearest school was 20km away. This had always rankled Iyengar, who would tell his scores of disciples that all children should have a proper education.
VS Nagesh, principal of Ramamani Sundaraja Iyengar Composite Junior College, told TOI that had BKS passed his SSC examination, he would have gone on to college and maybe opted for a government job. “In that case, yoga would not have reached the rest of the world,” said Nagesh.
BKS had always dreamt of developing Bellur as a global yoga centre, and was working out the modalities, helped by his elder daughter and lone son, who have also taken up yoga.
A frequent visitor to Bellur, he was here last April for the 150th ceremony of his late father and took part in the Anna Santharpane. He spent a couple of weeks at the village, said Govindarajalu, administrator of the trust running his institutions. Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda met Iyengar here in May and learnt a few yoga lessons from the master.
His youngest daughter, BJS Savitha Raghu, who lives in Bangalore, said it was her father’s dream to provide a good education and healthcare facilities to children. This led to a primary school in Bellur, started in 1967 in memory of his parents. A high school was started in 2005 for his wife Ramamani, and today, the Bellur Krishnamachar Seshamma Smaraka Nidhi Trust runs the Ramamani Sundaraja Iyengar College.
The Trust has also set up a charitable hospital, taken up renovation of temples and other developmental activities.
BKS leaves behind six children and thousands of disciples across the globe. Family insiders say the deaths of two of his sons-in-law in the span of a year may have affected his health.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / August 21st, 2014
The aircraft lands on a narrow piece of land that leads straight to a valley. And that valley was where an ill-fated aircraft had crashed a few years ago. That is all I could think of during my descent into Mangalore. I held onto to the sides of the chair and hoped that I would live. It was a smooth landing and for once I was grateful for that sharp brake. Once out of the airport, I caught a cab and headed out to the hotel.
But I wasn’t ready for what was coming next. On steep roads, swirling down the hill was like going down a softie curl. And then my first glimpse of the glimmering city. It looked beautiful.. laid out in front of me like a carpet of twinkling lights. I passed by a group of people – a large family with adults and children. I wondered what they were doing so far from the city at 9.30 pm, and then I saw a plane in the distance. It made sense. With heads lifted and upturned faces, they watched the flight come closer and got their fix of the day.
And that got me thinking about Mangalore. In my first 30 minutes here, I had moved from extreme fear to delight to warm-fuzziness. It had a small-town quality that made me wish for more.
Historically Mangalore is grand, Tipu Sultan had been here. It has had an important place in history. But what had happened to it now? Was it just another mid-sized city, now? I didn’t associate it with the grandeur of a big city or a city that had dynasties fighting for it. I associated Mangalore with crime and communal tensions, and that was all I knew about it. But surely Mangalore is much more than that.
The next morning, with just four hours before I made my way to Kasargode, the actual destination of the holiday, plans had to be remade. Maps were scrutinised and the reception lady thoroughly grilled. The plan was finalised- the day would include Sultan Battery, the College Chapel, the Mangaladevi temple and a stop at Ideal Cafe since everyone was raving about it.
The driver of my car was not from Mangalore. He had no clue where Sultan Battery was. He tried asking local people who didn’t seem to be very clear either, but were aggravated that I did not know how to pronounce the word ‘battery.’
Then Google Maps came to the rescue. On the way, Mangalore refused to let me get surly by tempting me with vistas of green spaces and simple but beautiful houses.
Sultan Battery is situated on a bend along a river as it snakes through to the sea. It seemed to have a very strategic position, overlooking both sides of the river. Built by Tipu Sultan, this was a watch-tower to see if anyone was crossing the river and coming over with dark intentions.
Built with black basalt rocks, with viewing holes lining the entire wall, the structure seemed almost too simple in today’s complex understanding of war and defence. But then you put on the perspective of more than 200 years ago, and it seems that the location was indeed perfect for the purpose.
With every dynasty’s uprise, there is growth and also destruction of legacies. Legend has it that the rocks used to build this watchtower could have come from places of worship though no one knows for sure.
There were a few ships next to the river and we decided to go and take a look. It was a ship-building yard. It took them three months of hard work to make just one ship and then she took off, to prove herself worthy of the toil.
I watched the imposing Vajralaxmi enter the water for the first time in awe. Though there were some other ships too that looked gorgeous. Funnily these ships looked battle weary even though they were all brand new. These were meant to serve as fishing trawlers and were not built to be gleaming and swanky.
I left Sultan Battery and made my way to the College Chapel. Again, no one knew where it was, and even Google seemed flummoxed this time.
It took me around 20 minutes to find a person who could give me directions. Important note to self: don’t call a chapel just a ‘chapel’, when it’s called ‘College Chapel’.
I got to go on a lovely personal tour courtesy the person-in-charge. The entire place is painted beautifully, and when I say entire… I mean every inch! What looks like marble at first glance is not, it’s art. What seems like a painting on a curtain and hanging on the wall, is also a painting. The illusions go on and on.
It was time for lunch and stomachs were grumbling all around. And so the next destination was Ideal Cafe! The food was okay, nothing exceptional but it was definitely the coolest restaurant in Mangalore and everyone with some time to spare seemed to be there.
The filter coffee that everyone praised was not that great. It had a rough, burnt taste with some of the coffee residue at the base. They say that’s how Turkish coffee tastes, so there might be some who like it.
But if you are someone with a sweet tooth, skip a meal to just have ice-cream at Ideal Café. It was simply fabulous.
The last stop in Mangalore was the Mangaladevi temple. This is the temple that Mangalore is named after, so it had to be seen. A large temple, it was quiet and peaceful all the more as it was shut for the afternoon. We weren’t allowed inside as the Gods were sleeping and so we were asked not to disturb them.
Mangalore was quaint. A neat and clean city that still seems enveloped in the past and happily so, given the rapidly changing face of every city in the country. I wouldn’t say it surprised me, but it didn’t disappoint. It was small, roads were relatively peaceful and the streets were still lined with houses exuding old-world charm.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Mangalore / by Bhavani Blogs / August 21st, 2014
Open your eyes to alternative, energy-efficient technologies
It could be anyone who could be part of this training. From farmers of Anekal wishing to build their own home, to a mason from Uttarakhand or an IT professional trying to understand the effectiveness of using mud.
Starting on Thursday, Gramavidya will conduct a three-day training programme on ‘Alternative and energy-efficient building technologies’ at the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Koushalya Shaale, Kengeri.
“A cross-section of those interested gather from across the country for the sessions — consisting of lectures, audiovisual presentations, hands-on training and interactive open-house discussions,” says M.R. Yogananda, who has a doctorate in Civil Engineering from IISc., who spearheads the training. Gramavidya, a non-profit society, promoted by a group of professionals and academicians, disseminates building technologies for sustainable livelihoods. The experts are pioneers in construction methods, who have popularised cost-effective technology throughout the country in renowned constructions like the Auroville.
“We need to disseminate as much information as possible. After all, even professionals who pass out of engineering colleges seem to be uninformed about constructions that are quake-resistant. Energy-intensive beam and column structures are not everything. Interactive sessions can re-invent forgotten vernacular approaches,” says Mr. Yogananda, who is also the consulting engineer of Mrinmayee, offering research and lab-testing facilities for stabilised mud-blocks.
In the mid-1980’s Mr. Yogananda’s house in Jayanagar, built with stabilised mud blocks, became a curious model for people to “wait and test it out in all seasons” as the fear of going in for mud construction was mocked at. No sooner, the house was projected as India’s example of mud revival at the Festival of France in HUDCO’s national seminar. “My house is nearly 30-years-old now, and can go on for generations with its earthy sheen,” says Mr. Yogananda.
For details, 26582970 / 94489 26442 / gramavidya@gmail.com
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Ranjani Govind / Bangalore – August 21st, 2014
Jaganmohan Palace is one of the Palaces located in Mysore city. The Palace was constructed by Krishnaraja Wadiyar III in 1861 and was the home for the Royal family after the Mysore Palace was burnt down in a fire accident. It has now been converted into an art gallery and a function hall. The Palace is one of the seven Palaces of the Royal City of Mysore and one of the most beautiful contributions of the Wadiyars to the City.
The huge pavilion in front of the Palace was used for holding meetings of the Representative Assembly and the Convocations of the University of Mysore. The installation of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV took place in this pavilion in 1902 and was attended by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy and Governor General of India. The Art Gallery houses the prestigious collection of paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, a great artist of Thiruvananthapuram, who had carried out an assignment for Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV in 1904.
In 1915, the Palace was converted into an art gallery, which was later renamed in 1955 in the name of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, as the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar converted the Palace into a trust and opened it for public viewing.
The Palace is built in traditional Hindu style and has three stories. In 1900, an external facade with a hall behind it was added to the Palace. This facade has three entrances and the entablature has religious motifs and miniature temples crafted on it. The walls of the interiors are painted with murals. These mural paintings which follow the traditional style of the Mysore School of painting depict the Dasara scene and the canvas depicting the sequence of the Jumbo Savari stretches across three walls. This mural is the earliest known picture of the Mysore Dasara and has been painted using vegetable dyes. A family tree of the Wadiyars tracing the lineage of the royal family is also painted on a wall. Two wooden displaying Dashavatara, the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu is also present in the Palace.
The art gallery contains one of the largest collection of artefacts in South India. Most of these artefacts are paintings, prominent among which are those by Raja Ravi Varma, some of which demonstrate scenes from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. The collection of paintings in the gallery exceed 2000 in number and these belong to different Indian styles of painting like Mysore, Mughal and Shantiniketan. 16 paintings of Raja Ravi Varma were donated to the gallery by Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar. Another important painting present here is the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ which was painted by the artist Haldenkar and is placed in a dark room where it is the only exhibit. This is to give an illusion that the glow of the lamp is illuminating the face of the woman. Some other painters whose works are exhibited here include Nikolai Roerich, Svetoslav Roerich and Rabindranath Tagore. Other exhibits here include weapons of war, musical instruments, sculptures, brass-ware, antiques coins and currencies. Some other uni
que artefacts exhibited here is a French Clock which has a mechanism in which a parade by miniature soldiers is displayed every hour; beating drums mark the seconds and a bugle marks the minute. Paintings made on a grain of rice which can be viewed only through a magnifier are also displayed here.
Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery has collection of several Indian artists and Western artists as well. While, the paintings of Raja Ravi Verma is a delight to art connoisseurs there are also few paintings from western artistes which comes a huge surprise for the visitors.
‘Crucifixion’ by P.P. Rubens and miniature paintings by L.Gunov introduces visitors to the western paintings. The art gallery also houses many Mysore Style Paintings that are visual treat to watch.
A new hall was built in 2003 because there was insufficient space available to exhibit all the paintings. The original paintings of Raja Ravi Varma which are over 100 years old were restored by the Regional Conservation Laboratory (RCL). Syrendri, Victory of Meganath and Malabar Lady were some of the paintings of Ravi Varma that were restored. Even the murals on the walls had been damaged because of water seepage and these were also restored by RCL. The auditorium of Jaganmohan Mohan Palace is also used by organisations for the conducting cultural programmes.
The Jaganmohan Palace is being maintained by Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery Trust which has been working continuously to maintaining the building as well as the artefacts. —VNS
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 16th, 2014
The Murty siblings have something in common, beyond sharing a famous surname. Rohan Murty and sister Akshata Murty are emerging as ideapreneurs, focusing on business and socially-driven innovation.
Rohan, son of Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy and a junior fellow at Society of Fellows at Harvard University, has extended his sabbatical from Harvard and is looking at some “exciting ideas” in India. Akshata is funding social innovation through Stanford University.
“I am staying put for a few months since Harvard has agree d to hold my position open until January. I have time to decide what I’ll do next. I have a few exciting ideas I’m working on by myself,” he said. Akshata and Rohan own 1.41% and 1.38% in Infosys that translates into Rs 2,920 crore and Rs 2,864 crore respectively.
Murty took leave from Harvard to work as his father’s executive assistant when the Infosys board requested Murthy to return from retirement and lead the company for a second time last year. In the past, Rohan has written several academic papers, including one about an algorithm called Satya that he and two colleagues developed. It allows spectrum owners to sell or sub-lease unused or under-utilized spectrum in a seamless way, ensuring there’s no interference to the owner’s own operation.
Some sources said he’s actively involved in Murthy’s family office Catamaran Ventures which has offices in the US and the UK. More recently, e-commerce behemoth Amazon and Catamaran Ventures floated a joint venture to help small and medium businesses join the online bandwagon. Catamaran holds a majority 51% stake in the venture, Taurus Business and Trade Services.
Catamaran Ventures, a Rs 600 crore fund launched in 2010, has invested in companies like Hector Beverages, Ace Creative Learning, Healthsprings and NRB Bearings in India. More recently, Catamaran Ventures UK bought a stake in UK-based Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging that offers commercial magnetic resonance imaging systems to diagnose equine lameness.
Akshata and her husband Rishi Sunak, who are directors in Catamaran Ventures UK, are supporting social ventures.
Murty and Sunak, who did their MBA from Stanford, have made a substantial gift to support the Center for Social Innovation at the Stanford Graduate School of Business that offers social innovation fellowships to help individuals launch social ventures. Their contribution will fund the centre’s Social Innovation Fellowship programme.
“I come from a family of entrepreneurs – my mother on the social side through the foundation and my father on the corporate side. I was raised with a view that entrepreneurship can change people’s lives,” Akshata was quoted as saying in an article on the Stanford Graduate School of Business website. She’s on the board of trustees of Claremont McKenna College in California and also the founder and CEO of Akshata Designs that produces con temporary women’s clothing.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India /Home> by Shilpa Phadnis, TNN / August 17th, 2014
Kamalamma Sharada Prasad (92), freedom fighter and wife of veteran journalist and Information Adviser to Mrs. Indira Gandhi and two other Prime Ministers, late H.Y. Sharada Prasad, passed away at a private hospital in New Delhi on Aug. 11 at 6.30 am.
A resident of Paschima Vihar in Delhi, she leaves behind two sons — Ravi Prasad, a Freelance Journalist (Defence) and Sanjeeva Prasad, Professor at IIT, Delhi.
According to H.Y. Mohan Ram, younger brother of Sharada Prasad who too resides in Delhi, many VIPs including Rahul Gandhi (AICC Vice-President), Kapila Vatsyayan (scholar of classical dance) and Sanjya Baru (political commentator) paid their last respects to Kamalamma.
Cremation took place the same day at 3 pm at the crematorium on Lodhi Road, Delhi.
Hailing from Mysore, Kamalamma had participated and was arrested in the Quit India movement of 1942. She was an official interpreter at the Mahatma Gandhi murder trial in 1948.
Kamalamma moved to Delhi in 1957, after marrying her college mate Sharada Prasad.
Speaking to SOM, their family friend Ratna Satyan, wife of noted photo-jounrnalist late T.S. Satyan and a resident of Saraswathipuram in city, said that T.S. Satyan and Sharada Prasad were close associates for over six decades since their college days at Maharaja’s College in Mysore where Kamalamma met her life partner and also while in Delhi. Whenever Sharada Prasad was in Mysore he used to call on the Satyans.
Late Satyan’s daughter Kalpana and son-in-law Gowtham Murthy, who reside in Delhi, too attended the funeral of Kamalamma.
Sharada Prasad’s younger sister Neeraja Achuta Rao, a vocalist, resides at Jayanagar in Mysore.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 13th, 2014
N. Rajanna (86), Retired LIC Officer and Kannada Novelist, passed away at his residence in Siddarthanagar here on Aug. 11.
He is survived by his wife S.R. Lalithamma, Retd. Head Mistress, two sons — R. Ashok Anand, Civil Engineer and Dr. R. Ashwini Anand, Interventional Cardiologist, Kentucky, USA — daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.
Born in 1928 at Dodda Ballapur, N. Rajanna lived in Mysore for the past 80 years and served LIC of India as a Development Officer for more than 3 decades besides scripting 11 Kannada novels, the most famous being ‘Vajradungura’ and ‘Daasi.’ While the former was translated into English as ‘The Diamond Ring’ by his Kannadiga fans in USA, the latter was translated to Hindi. He wrote his first novel ‘Ranga Mantapa’ when he was only 18 years.
Condoled: The LIC Pensioners Association, Mysore, has condoled Rajanna’s death.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 13th, 2014
Though Mysore is known to be a seat of Vainikas, Violinists are making sound ! The cultural centre has a number of aspirants of Violin, who mostly are disciples of Vidwan H.K. Narasimhamurthy. Thus, the M.S.G. baani is spreading!
M.S. Bhaskar, son of H.K.N., is a violinist par excellence. Sindhu Suchetan and H.N. Smitha are the Violin duos, who are trained by H.K.N. They are also his wife Vidu. Rajalakshmi’s nieces. The talented sisters are equally good in vocal music too. They have received a number of accolades for singing as well as playing violin. They are in unison while playing, which was displayed recently (29.7.2014)in a concert sponsored by the Surabhi Ganakala Mandira Charitable Trust in city. The serene atmosphere at the Bidaram Krishnappa’s Prasanna Seeta Rama Mandira added to their enchanting bowing.
Vidwan G.S. Ramanujam (Mridanga) and Vidwan V.S. Ramesh (Ghata) enhanced the musical experience with their layavadya support. Sindhu and Smitha compliment each other with their synchronising strings. Be it a Kruthi or manodharma, their inclination, style and vibration are strikingly identical.There was a perfect balance between the compositions and the manodharma all through the concert. The very first phrase in their alapana would confirm the raga. The flawless bowing and the ‘gayaki style’ in their playing pleased all the music-lovers.
‘Neranammithi’, the opening Varna (Kaanada) in two speedsset the mood for the evening. A short sketch of Nata led to ‘Sarasiruhasanapriye’, a composition of Puliyuru Doreswami Ayyar. A moderate and crisp kalpanaswaras at ‘Saraswathi’ was attractive. They took up Natakuranji for a detailed delineation. One after the other, they breathed life to every phrase. Each sangathi carried the raga bhava that was pleasing to the ears. ‘Naachai Vidavakura’, a Keerthana by Mysore Vasudevacharya followed in perfect uniformity. A neraval at “Devadeva Sri Vasudeva mahadeva vinutha” was nothing but an extension of the raga. The competitive kalpanaswaras too adorned the kruthi.
Shyama Shastri’s composition ‘Kamakshi’ in Varali too carried the essence of the raga. Tyagaraja’s composition ‘Tana meedane’ (Bhooshavali) was presented with kalpanaswaras. The main raga of the day was Mukhari. Sindhu Suchetan, who began the alapana from the lower octave, got in to the mood of the raga even before entering the middle register. Smitha continued it in the higher octave from the tarashadja and expanded the raga. The delicate gamakas embellished the sancharas along with a stress on the dhaivatha in the arohana. They accentuated the jeeva swaras to bring the rasanubhava. This raga is known to evoke Karuna rasa or sorrow mood. Tyagaraja’s ‘Ksheenamai’ portrayed this perfectly.
The lyrics in charana – “Yadijesinajagannathudushiramuna” was selected for neraval and swaras. They played a Kannada Devaranam‘ Govinada ninna namave chanda’ and ended the concert with a Tillana by Lalgudi Jayaraman in Sindhu bhairavi. The Taniavartha included many interesting combination of beats. These young violinists, though from Mysore, are settled in Bangalore for a better prospectus. Their hard work and endurance will certainly take them a long way.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / August 11th, 2014
Mysore Librarians and Information Scientists Association (MyLISA) is celebrating the Librarians’ Day in a unique way. As a reach out activity of this year, the members of MyLISA visit schools and other institutions on August 12 and give a motivational lecture on ‘Reading Habits’ and ‘Library use’ to the children.
St. Joseph School, Jayalakshmipuram, Taralabalu Math School, T.K. Layout, Harividyalaya High School, Bogadi, Gangothri School, Manasagangtri, Sarada Vilas College, Krishnamurthy Puram, City Central Library, Sayyaji Rao Road, Good Shepard High School, JP Nagar, Sadhvidya High School, Ramavilas Road, Ideal Jawa Rotary School, JLB Road and other institutions are covered in the programme.
A manual on ‘Guide to setting up an open library in schools’ prepared exclusively for the day by Usha Mukunda, Bangalore, will also be circulated among these schools on August 12.
For more information, contact MyLISA Secretary and DOS Library & Information Science Associate Professor Dr. N.S. Harinarayana on Mob: 9741533380 or e-mail: ns.harinarayana@gmail.com
Librarians’ Day: It is Padmashree Dr. S.R.Ranganathan who brought professional status to librarianship in India. Born in Siyalli in in 1892, Ranganathan got educated in Mathematics and started his career as a lecturer in mathematics. In a dramatic turn of event in his career, he became university librarian at University of Madras in 1924. This was a blessing in disguise for Indian libraries. Unconvinced by the State of affairs in libraries in India, he got himself trained from University College, London. After coming back from there, he brought unparallel improvements in all facets of libraries. ‘Five laws of library science,’ ‘Prolegomena to library classification’ and ‘Colon classification’ are classics in library science education. His birth day August 12 is celebrated as “Librarians’
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 11th, 2014
As part of ‘Anantha Yatre’ to commemorate the International Day of World Indigenous People, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) has organised a four-day cultural programme presented by Adivasis from various parts of the country which commenced at the Platinum Jubilee Hall at JK Grounds here yesterday.
Tribal artistes from 11 States had converged to exhibit their talents in a true cultural exchange programme.
The programme began with ‘Pooja Kunita’ presented by Krishnegowda and troupe from Pandavapura with excellent synchronisation to the beating of percussion instruments.
Naga tribe from Nagaland presented ‘War Dance’ with the warriors celebrating the victory which was eye-catching.
Tribals from Telangana presented a traditional ‘Gousadi’ dance in special costumes.
Young adivasis from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh presented ‘Thogal Jagoy’ and ‘Siyomi’ dances respectively which captivated the audience.
It was a unique programme where the audience had the opportunity to enjoy a cultural extravaganza from across the country.
The cultural programmes by the tribal and folk artistes of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and North Eastern States will be held everyday from 6 pm onwards at MMCAA auditorium in J.K. Grounds till Aug. 13.
Also, the workshop- cum-Demonstration on Tribal/Folk paintings of India that commenced on Aug. 9 at IGRMS, Southern Regional Centre (SRC), Wellington House on Irwin Road in city, will be held everyday between 10 am and 5.30 pm till Aug. 13.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 11th, 2014
