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Melody shaped in wax

July 11, 2017Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

Perfect blend: Wax statues of musicians at the Melody World Wax Museum in Mysuru. DH Photo

What makes the Melody World Wax Museum in Mysuru stand out from other wax museums is its display of various musical instruments and wax statues of musicians playing instruments. There are around 100 life-size wax statues and over 470 musical instruments displayed here.

This is a one-of-its kind wax museum that was established by Shreeji Bhaskaran, a Bengaluru-based IT professional, in October 2010 as a tribute to all musicians from across the world. This museum focuses on the preservation of art and culture of India, especially in the field of music.

Making of the statues

All the musical instruments that are displayed here are purchased from across the country and world. “While India is moving towards a virtual digital platform, most of the art and culture heritage of India is disappearing. The collection of this museum is unique and represents most states of India,” says Shreeji. Nearly all the musical instruments of Karnataka are displayed in this museum.

The wax statues and instruments in the museum are a source of attraction for many. However, the making of these wax models takes a long time. The process of making wax statues involves several steps including computerised digital imaging techniques, conventional and traditional methodologies of moulding and sculpting, etc. In fact, around 50 kg of wax is used to make each statue and it takes 13 months to complete.

After the statues are developed, they are given an authentic look with the use of various accessories.

Clothes are specially stitched to fit the statues and their styles. Colours are mixed in with wax when it is in the molten state. However, cosmetic colouring is used only in the final stages of the statue’s creation. The eyes and teeth used in the statues are artificial while the hair may be synthetic or natural, depending upon the statue’s requirement to get a real-life look. All the statues exhibited are of life size and are dressed in traditional clothing.

Probably, this museum houses the largest collection of musical instruments in Karnataka. These have been displayed in 19 galleries. There are also wax models of various bands from across the country and abroad in genres such as Indian Classical, Hip Hop, Jazz and Bhangra. While many of the wax statues showcased at this museum have musical relevance, there are a few which also have social importance.

Major attractions

Highlights of this museum include a colossal statue of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and a life-size statue of Maharaja Srikantadatta Wadiyar. Another attraction at the museum is that you can play some of the musical instruments displayed in a special section.

The museum has become a popular haunt for people who want to get to know the rich musical diversity that India offers. In fact, the museum gets as many as 400 visitors on weekdays, while it gets around 600 visitors on weekends.

Melody World Wax Museum is open on all days between 9.30 am and 7.00 pm. To know more about the museum, visit www.melodyworld.in.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by Monica S A / July 11th, 2017

Mysore Lancers’ tryst with Haifa

July 5, 2017Amazing Feats, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

The Mysore Lancers march at Haifa, a port city in Israel, on Sept 23, 1918. | Photo Credit: from the collection of Mr. Raja

They fought hard to liberate it in 1918

A long forgotten slice of martial history related to Mysuru will be revisited when Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to fallen Indian soldiers at the Haifa cemetery in Israel.

The Mysore Imperial Service played a big role in the liberation of Haifa on September 23, 1918, from Ottoman Turks and Germans, by allied forces. This is seen as one of the fiercest battles in the west Asian theatre of World War I in which India, as a British colony, fought German and the Ottoman troops.

The Mysore Lancers were in the 15th Imperial Service as the forces sent by the princely states of Mysore, Jodhpur and Hyderabad. Historian M. Shama Rao in “Modern Mysore” published in 1936 says troops of native States, who were seen as fit only for ceremonial parades, proved their mettle.

General Sir Edmund Allenby’s despatches of October 31, 1918, on the occupation of Damascus and Aleppo, found in the book, make a special reference to the Mysore Lancers during the capture of Haifa.

A special recruitment drive was conducted in the princely State and 5,000 men drafted for the war. The then Mysuru Maharaja Nalwudi Krishnaraja Wadiyar sent his troops to defend the empire and even gave nearly ₹50 lakh to the India War Fund.

Raja Chandra R., son-in-law of the last Maharaja, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar told The Hindu that the ruler Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV sent a spirited message to the men on the front.

The book “Mysore’s Part in the War: 1914-1918” cites Sir Allenby and says over 1,350 prisoners and 17 guns were taken in the operation between the spur of Mount Carmel and the marshy banks of river Kishon, about two miles from Haifa road. Mr. Raja Chandra said a memorial at Bengaluru to the participants lies forgotten.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Sharath S Srivatsa / Mysuru-Bengaluru, July 04th, 2017

Funding for 100 start-ups

July 4, 2017Business & Economyadmin

As many as 100 start-ups will get ₹400 crore funding under the Karnataka Government’s “Elevate”, a programme to fast-track the most innovative start-ups.

Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Techonlogy, Bio-Technology and Tourism, said the selected start-ups will be eligible to get guidance, consultancy, patent filing facilitation, legal assistance and funding.

Registration for “Elevate” commenced from July 4 and will be open till July 18 for all participants across the State. Experts in verticals would be asked to identify innovative start-ups for funding, he said.

The state is also collaborating with leading industry bodies, including the Deshpande Foundation, for promoting start-up culture in tier-II cities.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – July 04th, 2017

karnataka round-up

July 3, 2017Records, All, Sportsadmin

Rakshit, Kushi emerge champions

Rakshit Barigidad and V. Kushi emerged the men’s and women’s champions respectively as the Malleswaram Association State-ranking table tennis tournament concluded here on Sunday. Rakshit defeated Shreyas Kulkarni 14-12, 9-11, 11-1, 14-12, 11-7, while Kushi, who had won the junior title a couple of days ago, held off Koumudi Patankar 11-13, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-5.

The results (all finals): Men: Rakshit Barigidad bt Shreyas Kulkarni 14-12, 9-11, 11-1, 14-12, 11-7; Boys: Sub-junior: K.J. Aakash bt Neil Gollarkeri 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10; Cadet: Rohit Shankar bt Hrishikesh Shettlur 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 8-11, 11-4.

Women: V. Kushi bt Koumudi Patankar 11-13, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-5; Girls: Sub-junior: M. Anargya bt G. Yashaswini 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7; Cadet: M. Deshna bt Sahana Murthy 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 .

Solomon scores winner

A strike from Solomon helped Navrathna FC snatch a 1-0 win over Bangalore Youngsters in the BDFA ‘C’ division football league here on Sunday.

The results: Vel Socials 0 drew with Bentex FC 0; Navrathna FC 1 (Solomon 49) bt Bangalore Youngsters 0 .

Rail Wheel Factory posts win

Rail Wheel Factory rallied from a goal down to defeat Customs and Central Excise 3-1 in the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Memorial hockey tournament here on Sunday.

The results: SAI ‘A’ 3 (Stalin 19, Raheel 23, Veeranna 57) bt ASC 1 (Anand Nag 48); RWF 3 (M.G. Poonacha 21, Umesh 60, Deepak 64) bt Customs and Central Excise 1 (Nilesh 17) .

Dinesh wins title

IM Dinesh Sharma of Uttar Pradesh won his final round against K. Senthil Maran (TN) in the top board and clinched the title with eight points from nine rounds in the Open category, on the concluding day of the Late Prof. S.K. Ananda Thirtha Memorial all India FIDE-rating rapid chess tournament.

Final Placings: Open Section: 1. IM Dinesh Sharma (UP, 8 points), 2. FM Karthik Venkataraman (AP, 7.5 & 55 tie-break score), 3. Ram S. Krishnan (TN, 7.5 & 54.5), 4. FM Joydeep Dutta (WB, 7.5 & 54), 5. P. Saravana Krishnan (TN, 7.5 & 53.5).

Rating below 1800: 1. AIM Trisha Kanyamarala (TS, 7), 2. Yashas Kara Jois (Kar, 6.5), 3. V.P.S. Darshan (6.5).

Rating below 1600: 1. S K. Kanishk (TN, 6.5), 2. L. Seshadri (Kar, 6), 3. R. Thirumurugan (TN, 6).

Rating below 1400: 1. Vijay Ravi (Kar, 6.5), 2. Vishnu Sundar (Kar, 6), 3. S. Selva Kumar (TN, 6).

Rating below 1250: 1. Abhay B. Bhandarkar (Kar, 6), 2. M.N. Eshanvi (Kar, 6), 3. H.N. Preetham (Kar, 5.5).

Best female (above 30 years): Prasanna Swamy (Ker, 6).

Best veteran (above 55 years): K. Upendra .

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / Bengaluru – July 03rd, 2017

Scholar Krishnachar dead

July 2, 2017Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leadersadmin

Sanskrit and English scholar D.S. Krishnachar, 96, a big name in printing of religious books in Sanskrit, English, Hindi and Kannada through the Prabha Printing House in Basavanagudi here, died of cardiac arrest on Sunday. He is survived by wife, two sons and three daughters.

His son D.K. Upendra said Mr. Krishnachar, who studied in Fort High School, Chamarajpet, and Central College, was a friend and classmate of freedom fighter H. Narasimhaiah, and was closely associated with scholars N. Ranganatha Sharma and K.T. Pandurangi. “My father used to start the day with The Hindu. It is amazing to note that he has read from page 1 till the end for over 70 years. Having been a resident of Bengaluru all along, he also interacted with the editorial team about changes in the paper. He was interested in current affairs and discussed relevant topics with all of us. In fact, he passed on the habit of reading newspapers to us,” Mr. Upendra said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Bengaluru – July 02nd, 2017