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The Kasaragodu spark

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
Work is my God: Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai worked tirelessly and did not lose hope till his end Photos: courtesy family album
Work is my God: Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai worked tirelessly and did not lose hope till his end Photos: courtesy family album

For six long decades Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai kept his movement alive – Kasargod had to become part of Karnataka. RAHMAT TARIKERE writes that the meaning of all the writings of this writer who passed away recently is to be found in his social activism

My meeting with Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai was an accident. There was a programme at the Kannada Sahitya Parishath in Bangalore. Kinhanna means little brother, but our Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai was a strapping six and a quarter feet, well-built man. Dressed in his trade mark white khadi kurta and dhoti, he was sitting all by himself in the last row. With the sweet memories of his poem I had learnt in school Neenanagiddare Naaninage, which unfolds as a dialogue between a horse and a donkey, I walked up to him and greeted him. Holding my hand he ushered me to the chair beside, pulled out a four page resume from his bag and gave it to me. In that resume the list of his non-literary activities outnumbered his literary activities. For instance, his participation in Quit India Movement, submission of a memorandum to the Unification committee urging that Kasargod should be absorbed into Karnataka, winning the Best Teacher national award, his administration for 15 years as the chairman of Badiyadka village panchayat, the two schools and community hospital he built, the Swadeshabhimani newspaper of which he was editor, president of Weaving and Weavers Khadi Co-operative society… so on and so forth. It felt unusual that the resume of a Kannada writer read like this. Everything in it said that Kaiyyara Kinhanna was more a political activist than a writer. Once I had finished reading it, Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai started speaking about Kasaragodu. Now, even the programme had begun. He was speaking softly, just for me, but his gravelly voice overpowered the speaker’s voice and was audible to everyone in the auditorium. Some of the audience members turned back impatiently and gave us dirty stares. I didn’t know how to stop this senior writer, nor was I in a state to listen to him – I was getting restless. By this time, the writer Boluvar Mohammad Kunhi walking straight up to us, in a brusqueness that is unique to Coastal people, said: “If you want to talk, please go outside.” I fled from there. That was my first and last meeting with Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai.

***

Between 1930-40, Coastal Karnataka was tense with three major movements. Foremost of them was to free the country from the clutches of the British. Second was to unify the regions that shared a common language but had been distributed among various presidencies, the Unification movement. Third was the communist movement that was fighting against the ruthless zamindars who had the support of the colonial rulers, and then there were other social movements like untouchability, caste system etc. For Karnad Sadashiv Rao the country’s freedom was most important. For someone like Kudmal Rangarao who had been ostracised by the Brahmin community, building a free hostel and school for the Dalits was of utmost importance. For B.V. Kakkilaya and Niranjana, labour movement was important. B.M. Shrikantaiah, Kuvempu, Alur Venkatarao and others felt that Unification was more important than Independence. Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai had twin obsessions – freedom and Unification. After Independence in 1947, his only mission was Unification. When Potti Sriramulu fasted for three weeks and gave up his life, the Nehru government, unwillingly constituted a committee for the linguistic reformation of States. The committee recommended that Kasargod, Dakshina Kannada and Bellary which were a part of Madras presidency, should henceforth become a part of the Mysore presidency. What eventually happened was however different – they included Kasaragod in Kerala. The Kannadigas of Kasargod were heartbroken. It was at this juncture that Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai began his movement for Kasargod’s absorption into Karnataka. This became a question of life and death for him. A full-time preoccupation, he discussed this with all and sundry, and in every place. But death has terminated his relentless struggle of a lifetime. His dream remains unfulfilled.

***

It is a matter of surprise that Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai kept this spark burning in him for six long decades. His commemorative volume, in fact, is called Kasaragodina Kidi. There is a story behind calling it a spark. When he realised that Kasargod did not become a part of Karnataka, in anger and sorrow he wrote a poem, Manege. He tried to ignite everyone else with the fire that had caught him. In every public forum this was what Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai spoke. Once, chief minister Gundu Rao was present at the function. “We, two and a half lakh Kannadigas, have been orphaned. Our language and culture is getting erased. The water that flows in Payaswini is our tears,” Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai had cried in public. Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai belonged to that generation which dedicated its entire life to a cause it believed. The question is however, why could he not realise his dream? To get absorbed into Karnataka, or to get separate statehood is perhaps a political dream, and it can bear fruit only when it becomes the dream of the community.

If the dream does not have economic and political dimensions, and is merely an emotional one, it is even more difficult to keep it alive. For the new generation of Kannadigas in Kasargod, Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai’s dream must have seemed unrealistic. When there are more important questions than Unification, the poor or the locals will not make this a significant issue of their lives. Also, Kerala tops the country for its administration, education and other vital issues; it may have therefore appeared to them that they do not want to be a part of Karnataka. There was no political outfit like MES in Belgaum to fight the case of Kasargod. Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai therefore became lonely in his struggle. That he could keep this Unification dream alive in him for six long decades became his achievement.

***

Born in Peradala in Kasargod (1915-2015), Kaiyyara was a school teacher. Writing was his hobby, though not a very powerful writer. The other important writers from this area are Govinda Pai, Parvatisubba, and K.V. Tirumalesh. His best writings are his poems for children. His other poems tended to be verbose and heavy with idealism — it lacked creative energy. One has to recognise this as the limitation of a Kannada school teacher. Gourish Kaikini is among the few teachers who could transcend this limitation. Even his autobiography that contains many intense and intimate experiences of his life is bland.

Yet, his writing has a historic importance. It becomes important because of its dynamic social and political consciousness. And this was shaped by Gandhianism. Gandhi’s visit to Mangalore filled youngsters with new ideals. By refusing to enter the Udupi temple that denied entry for the Dalits, Gandhi had stirred up the consciousness of the society. By then, Kudmal Rangarao had already been ostracised. Narayana Guru had launched his temple agitation against the upper class. People had laid down their lives in the communist movement in this part of Karnataka. Shivarama Karanth’s Chomana Dudi had been written. Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai’s social writing was an extension of this. He, however, was not critical of the society, but instead glorified the tolerance of Dalits who put up with these social evils.

***

Truly Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai’s contribution should not be sought in his writing. It has to be seen in his social activism. This trait could also be found in B.M. Idinabba. We can see it in H.N. Doreswamy too. In fact, the title of his autobiography Work is my God suggests this.

At a time when governments have absolved themselves of community responsibility, a corporatized education that is available only to those who have money, the hospital, and school Kaiyyara Kinhanna Rai built as panchayat chairman is important. Freedom fighter, social activist, journalist, poet Kaiyyara is no more. With him, we have lost the link to a generation that dedicated its life for a cause.

Translated by Deepa Ganesh

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review / by Rahmat Tarikere / Bengaluru – August 27th, 2015

Ambika and Afsana strike it rich

Sports
Mysuru's V. Ambika was dominant in the girls' under-16 shot put event. Photo: C.V.Subrahmanyam
Mysuru’s V. Ambika was dominant in the girls’ under-16 shot put event. Photo: C.V.Subrahmanyam

Mysore’s V. Ambika heaved the iron ball to a distance of  11.98 metres to win the gold medal in the under-16 girls’ shot put event in the three-day Shriram Properties National inter-district junior athletics meet (NIDJAM), at the Port Diamond Jubilee Stadium, here on Saturday.

Mumbai’s Poorna Rao Rane (11.94) and Chennai girl S.V. Visruti (11.08) settled for silver and bronze respectively.

In the four other finals held on the inaugural day, Tripura’s Afsana Aktar threw the javelin to a distance of 33.37m to take the top honours in the under-16 girls’ event.

Varanasi’s Versha Verma (32.18) and Cuttack’s Priyanka Toppa (30.95) took the silver and bronze medals respectively.

Mohit of Rewari (16.64m) was away ahead of his rivals in under-14 shot put. Thane’s Abhijit Nair (15.93m) and Panipat’s Sourabh (15.76m) were the other podium finishers.

Ranga Reddy’s Manan Venkatesh, with his impressive second leap (6.11m), bagged the coveted yellow metal. Delhi’s Sumit Rohila and Ernakulam’s Aadhinath took home silver and bronze respectively.

AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu gave away the medals to the winners.

In the morning the event was inaugurated by a host of ministers and Athletic Federation of India officials including president Adille Sumariwala and Olympian Anju Bobby George.

The results:

Boys: Under-14 long jump: 1. Manan Venkatesh (RR) 6.11m, 2. Sumit Rohila (Delhi- NW) 6.01, 3. M.V. Aadinath (Ernakulam) 5.97.

Under-16 shot put: 1. Mohit (Rewari) 16.64m, 2, Abhijit Nair (Thane) 15.93, 3. Sourabh (Panipet) 15.76.

Girls: Under-14 long jump: 1. Rabina Khatun (Nadia) 4.80m, 2. Pratiksha Sanas (Aurangabad) 4.58, 3. E. Manisha (Thoothukudi) 4.50.

Under-16 shot put: 1. V. Ambika (Mysuru) 11.98m, 2. Poorna Rao Rane (Mumbai) 11.94, 3. S.V. Visruti (Chennai) 11.08.

Under-16 javelin: 1. Afsana Aktar (Sepahijala) 33.37m, 2. Versha Verma (Varanasi) 32.18, 3. Priyaka Toppa (Cuttack) 30.95.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by  J.R.Sridharan / Visakhapatnam – September 06th, 2015

She helps washed-up families start over

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Hubballi  :

Suma Jeevannavar isn’t your textbook entrepreneur. From being a restless but diffident homemaker worried about letting her BSc education go to waste to rescuing women in financial distress, the 54-year-old’s journey of self-discovery and social entrepreneurship is, nevertheless, inspirational. In just a few years since the launch of her startup – Elukoti Traders, manufacturer of low-cost detergent powder – Jeevannavar has taken under her wing 30 hard-up women and has been helping them rebuild their lives.

Jeevannavar was moved by the struggles of women from poor families who consulted her husband, a general physician with a modest practice of his own in the city. These served as lessons in self-reliance. She cobbled up an investment of Rs 50,000, bought a mixer and began manufacturing detergent powder at home in 2001. No sooner had she set foot in the world of entrepreneurship than she was stonewalled: She incurred heavy losses as few people were keen on buying an unbranded, homemade detergent powder. Jeevannavar, though, was relentless. She kept supplying her products to hotels and lodges in the city for two years.

Business was slow; yet she summoned the courage to branch out into the manufacture of detergent soaps.

Her husband’s patients were the ones who helped turn the tide. “They began buying the detergent soaps and liked them,” she explains. Marketing began by word of mouth. “Since we don’t spend on advertising, middlemen or expensive packaging, the price of the soap is low – Rs 2.50 per bar – against the cost of others in the market – Rs 5. But, we make no compromise on quality or quantity,” she clarifies.

For someone who started off with a staff of just two women, Jeevannavar has come a long way. Today, she sells soaps to over 100 households in a month in Hubballi-Dharwad, has 30 women employees on the rolls and the startup earns Rs 5 lakh a month.

The entrepreneur’s husband was her pillar of strength through the tough times. Government aid, too, improved the chances of her startup’s survival. “Prior to introducing Ganga Detergent Bar, I was trained by the Small Scale Industries Association. I also got a subsidy of Rs 40,000 from the industries and commerce department,” she says.

For Kasturavva, who has been working at the company for the last 10 years, Elukoti Traders is her second home. “Working here helped my family and I overcome our financial crisis,” she says.

Mangala Patrot, a resident of Anand Nagar who, too, is an employee, says her salary has become a steady source of income for her family. “My husband used to be a bootlegger, and was often arrested. After alcoholism took a toll on his health, we started selling these soaps. Now, I earn Rs 300 a day.”

Rayappa Mishrikoti, a senior citizen in Ravi Nagar who, too, goes door-to-door to sell the soaps, says Jeevannavar’s startup has given him a new lease of life.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Huibballi / TNN / September 06th, 2015

Workshop on Agnihotra Therapy in city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education
Dr. Dhwani Sharma, National Secretary of BJP, is seen inaugurating the workshop on ‘Agnihotra Therapy’ at Rajendra Kalamandira on Ramanuja Road in city yesterday as others look on. Picture right shows a section of the participants.
Dr. Dhwani Sharma, National Secretary of BJP, is seen inaugurating the workshop on ‘Agnihotra Therapy’ at Rajendra Kalamandira on Ramanuja Road in city yesterday as others look on. Picture right shows a section of the participants.

Mysuru :

A day-long workshop on ‘Agnihotra Therapy,’ organised by the city-based Anantha Bharatha Charitable Trust (ABCT), in association with GSS Foundation and Asha Kirana, began at Rajendra Kalamandirs on Ramanuja Road in city yesterday.

Dr. Dhwani Sharma, National Secretary of BJP, inaugurated the event.

ABCT Founder and former Minister, S.A. Ramdas, speaking on the occasion, said that the workshop has been organised in order to spread the significance of Agnihotra Therapy, which is a process of purifying the atmosphere through a specially prepared fire and added that the Therapy helps to increase immunity among HIV positive children.

Stating that there were 27 lakh HIV-affected people in the country, with 1.5 lakh among them being children, Ramdas said that out of the 18,786 affected children living in Karnataka, 8,626 have lost their parents.

Ramdas said that he started ABCT a year ago with a mission for ‘Virus-free India’ after his mother asked him to do something for these children.

Pointing out that the Therapy was widely used in ancient India for preventing all kinds of diseases, the former Minister said that the benefits of the Therapy have been explored by scientists and experts. The objective behind the workshop is to reach the needy, he added.

Muthappa Rai, Founder-President of Jaya Karnataka organisation, who spoke after releasing ‘Agnihotra Kit,’ said that he was inspired by Ramdas on Agnihotra Therapy. Stating that he practised the Therapy in his home following Ramdas’s advice, Rai highlighted the health benefits he got by practising the Agnihotra Therapy.

Actress Nabha Natesh released Agnihotra CD on the occasion. Agnihotra scientists Balendu Prakash, Arun Anand and Germany’s Kareen Heschelle were felicitated on the occasion.

Maharaja Sanskrit College Principal and Vijayanagar Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple Founder, Prof. Bhashyam Swamiji, graced the occasion. MP Pratap Simha presided.

Praja TV Director Gururanjan Shetty, Karnataka Pradesh Hotel Owners’ Association President M. Rajendra, GSS Foundation Trustee Sri Hari, Vijaya vittala Educational Institutions Hon. Secretary R. Vasudev Bhat, Industrialist Sundar Menon and others were present. Hundreds of HIV+ve children, auto drivers, pourakarmikas and others took part. Today, demo on Agnihotra Farming was held at Mahajana College.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Saturday – September 06th, 2015

Bengaluru team conquers English Channel in 14 hours

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Bengaluru :

Until six years ago, Rajan Srinivasan, the 47-year-old vice-president of British Telecom, didn’t know how to swim. On Wednesday evening, as he stood at the White Cliffs of Dover, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t without reason. Srinivasan was part of a team from Bengaluru that crossed the English Channel.

The Swimlife Seagulls, an eight-member team led by coach M Satish Kumar, crossed the 63km distance (they took the longer route because of high tide) in 14 hours and six minutes. What sets the team apart from other swimmers is the diversity. Homemaker Suman Singhi was the lone woman in the team, entrepreneur Tejas M Sati was the youngest at 34 and 67-year-old Mohan Sawkar, a lawyer practising at the Karnataka High Court, was the oldest.

It was Srikaanth Viswanathan, an engineer, who mooted the idea in July last year. And the team began its training soon.

Preparations took them to Kodi Beach in Kundapur and Calangute in Goa. In March this year, they did a trial swim, crossing the 40-km stretch from Khanderi to Gateway of India, Mumbai. The team, which landed in Dover on August 28, initially planned to cross the Channel on September 11, but when the window to accomplish their mission came up on Wednesday, they took up the challenge after three days of practice. They began their arduous journey at 2 am.

“It’s a great feeling to have crossed the Channel,” Satish told TOI from Dover. “It’s special because most of the members initially started swimming for health reasons and to overcome their fears. But through the past year, our goal was crossing the English Channel. We had to overcome many challenges, sea sickness being the biggest. We were not used to the temperature, 14 degrees Celsius. Each of us feels we have accomplished something.”

While the actual distance is 32km, the Seagulls had to cover 63km because of high tide. Each person swam for an hour at a stretch before the next one took over. “It is an over-the-moon feeling,” said an elated Suman. “I began to swim to battle high blood sugar and cholesterol. I never thought I would conquer the Channel and my ailments.”

Still in celebratory mode, the team is game for the challenge one more time.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / by Manuja Veerappa, TNN / September 04th, 2015

Karkala to host workshop on analytical instruments

Education, Science & Technology

Sri Bhuvanendra College will be organising a UGC-sponsored national-level workshop on ‘Operation and maintenance of analytical instruments’ at Karkala in Udupi district from September 7 to 11.

In a press release issued here on Thursday, P. Venkataramana Gowda, college principal, said that the workshop would be held with the technical support from Western Regional Instrumentation Centre (WRIC), University of Mumbai.

The objective of the workshop was to train the teachers and technicians of Chemistry and Life Sciences departments of degree colleges about the operation, maintenance and repair of electric/electronic laboratory equipment, including refractometer, conductivity meter, potentiometer, colorimeter, centrifuge, laminar air flow, autoclave, microscopes, electric oven, incubator, heating mantle, and magnetic stirrer.

Practical training on glass blowing will also arranged to teach the technique of joining/repairing broken glasswares.

The participants were advised to bring the faulty equipment and broken glasswares from their laboratories so that they can learn to repair it during the workshop.

The training programme will be inaugurated by B.L. Jadhav, Director of WRIC.

Each college can depute two faculty members and one lab technician for the three-day training from the Chemistry Department and for the two-day training from the Life Sciences Departments. For details, call: K. Narayana Poojary on 9480231161 or email: knpoojary_61@yahoo.com

Teachers from Chemistry and Life Sciences departments of degree colleges to be trained on maintenance of laboratory equipment

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Ganesh Prabhu / Udupi – September 04th, 2015

Rotary fetes First Blind Lady PH.D holder of Mysuru

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features
Rtn. R. Guru, Chairman, Ranga Rao & Sons, is seen felicitating Dr. S. Kavyashree, a visual impaired Ph.D awardee, at a programme organised by Rotary Mysore Mid-Town at Rotary Centre on JLB Road in city last evening. Others seen are (from left) Rotary Mid-Town President Rtn. K. Umesh, Kavyashree’s parents Meenakshi and B. Siddaramu and Rotary Mid-Town Hon. Secretary Rtn. N. Narendra Babu.
Rtn. R. Guru, Chairman, Ranga Rao & Sons, is seen felicitating Dr. S. Kavyashree, a visual impaired Ph.D awardee, at a programme organised by Rotary Mysore Mid-Town at Rotary Centre on JLB Road in city last evening. Others seen are (from left) Rotary Mid-Town President Rtn. K. Umesh, Kavyashree’s parents Meenakshi and B. Siddaramu and Rotary Mid-Town Hon. Secretary Rtn. N. Narendra Babu.

Mysuru :

Rotary Mysore Mid-Town felicitated first blind lady Ph.D holder of Mysuru, Dr. S. Kavyashree, at a programme organised at Rotary Centre, opposite MUDA on JLB Road here last evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kavyashree said that this unforgettable moment cannot be explained in words. Noting that the society has been kind to her, she said that there are problems in everyone’s life and we need to go ahead getting over them. There was nothing special about her and maybe, she had to strive a little hander, she said while explaining the challenges and problems she faced as a blind student.

Stating that we should never ever forget our teachers, Dr. Kavyashree said she was always grateful to her parents, teachers, friends and all others who whole-heartedly supported her in her endeavours.

Noting that every disability is generally considered as a curse, she said that she, however, considered her visually impairedness as vagaries of nature.

Recalling her schooling days at Ranga Rao Memorial School for the Blind at Metagalli, she said that she always treated the School as her own home and the teachers always remained at her heart. She also expressed her gratitude to the School Founder R. Guru of Ranga Rao & Sons.

Stating that she has attended an interview for Post Doctoral research at Delhi, Dr. Kavyashree said she was very much hopeful of getting into it as she topped the selection list.

Rtn. R. Guru, Chairman, Ranga Rao & Sons, was the chief guest on the occasion. Rotary Midtown President K. Umesh, Hon. Secretary N. Narendra Babu, Dr. Kavyashree’s parents B. Siddaramu and Meenakshi and others were present.

Profile of Dr. Kavyashree: Born blind to Siddaramu, a retired Commercial Tax Inspector and Meenakshi, a homemaker, Dr. Kavyashree did her initial schooling at Ranga Rao Memorial School for the Blind, Metagalli, PUC at Sri Vivekananda Composite Junior College in Jayalakshmipuram, BA at Viswakavi Kuvempu FGC and MA from Mysore University in Kannada medium.

Later for her Ph.D, she mastered English and submitted thesis on ‘Dynamics of Administration in Karnataka with Special Reference to Kengal Hanumanthaiah’s Regime.’

She has also presented papers on ‘Social work ethics and human values’ in Anantapur, AP and on ‘Politico-Administative Relations’ at Sri Venkateswara University,Tirupati.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 03rd, 2015

At 110, man gets back his vision

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

Bengaluru :

At the ripe age of 110, Muniyappa is brimming with life. Unlike his peers, he’s not dependent on others. However, a couple of months ago, he began to complain of impaired vision.

Muniyappa and his 90-year old wife Nanjamma underwent cataract surgeries on the same day.
Muniyappa and his 90-year old wife Nanjamma underwent cataract surgeries on the same day.

Reason: Cataract, a common eye ailment among the elderly . But thanks to a surgery he underwent recently , the supercentenarian has regained his eyesight.

Old age may mean befriending a walking stick and getting used to blurred vision. However, many have got their sight back in their 90s, because of advancement in medical science.

Muniyappa, who underwent the cataract surgery at St John’s Hospital, is not alone. At Sankara Eye Hospital, over 24 patients aged above 90 have been operated upon since 2013. Most recently, a 91-year-old male patient underwent a surgery to correct a retinal disorder on August 13. Doctors say complications are more when it comes to geriatric patients.

About a year ago, Muniyappa underwent an angioplasty . All was well till cataract clouded his lens and led to blurred vision. Doctors suggested an operation.”With age, the risk increases. He was on blood thinners, so performing the surgery was even tougher, said Dr Mary Varghese, head, vitreo-retinal surgery and associate professor, St John’s Medical College.

An experienced surgeon, she recalled the tense moments she had in the operation theatre. “Since he’d suffered from cardiac ailments in the past, we couldn’t stop him from taking blood thinners. They prevent blood from clotting, which can lead to bleeding during surgery . I was very careful while operating on him. After it was over, I heaved a sigh of relief,” she said.

Muniyappa’s son Krishnamma M told TOI he is able to see clearly . “He has been asked to wear protective glasses,” he said. Muniyappa’s wife Nanjamma, 90, too underwent the same surgery on the same day .

Of the patients operated upon at Sankara Eye Hospital, most suffered from age-related disorders; cataract being the majority (50%), said Dr Kaushik Murali, president, medical administration, qual ity and education. “Other conditions included age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), lid anomalies and tearing and glaucoma,” he said.

Dr Rohit Shetty, vice-chairman, Narayana Nethralaya, recalled operating on a 100-year-old woman in 2005. The team has to factor in aspects like age. “There are chances of dryness and a delayed healing.Complications like bleeding and haemorrhage may also happen,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / by Sunitha Rao, TNN / September 01st, 2015

Driver Mohana is now Dr. Mohana

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

MohanaBF01sept2015

Mysuru :

There are many who despite having access to best of the facilities fail to make use of the same in pursuing their education. But, there are also people who make use of the limited access to excel in education and achieve their goal. One such person is 37-year-old H.M. Mohana, a KSRTC driver-cum-conductor.

Mohana has been considered by the University of Mysore for the award of Ph.D in History for his thesis ‘Hoysala Raja Santhathiya Avanathi: Ondu Adhyayana (1000-1336 AD),’ submitted in Kannada under the guidance of Dr. N. Saraswathi, which has brought smiles on the faces of his family members, relatives and friends. Having completed his High School and PU education at his native Harohalli in Mandya district, Mohana shifted to Mysuru to pursue his graduation. However, he could clear the backlog and emerge as a graduate from Maharaja’s College only in 2009, three years after joining the KSRTC service in 2006.

He later completed his MA (History) from KSOU and enrolled for Ph.D in 2012. Mohana submitted his thesis on Dec. 17, 2014 and was confirmed by the University for being considered for the award of Ph.D on Aug. 20, 2015.

Speaking to SOM, Mohana said that the subject he chose for his Ph.D was on the Hoysala dynasty which had the courage to fight against Delhi Sultanate but was destroyed due to internal quarrel.

Mohana, who works at Vijayanagar bus depot in 8-hour shift, says that he spent most of his free hours at the Manasagangotri Library, Maharaja College Library, Prasaranga Library, collecting information for his thesis. He has thanked the senior officials at the KSRTC for supporting him in his endeavour to pursue Ph.D. He has also cleared his K-SET exams and is looking forward to appear for UGC-NET exam.

“I have applied for the Assistant Professor’s post called by the Karnataka Examination Authority for which the Authority is yet to conduct the exam. Taking no chances, I have been preparing for the same as the examinations can be held anytime,” he added. Mohana’s father late K.S. Mukunda was a ‘D’ group employee at Taluk Agriculture Produce Marketing Board in Pandavapura. Married to M.K. Pavithra on June 8, 2015, Mohana resides with mother H.L. Mahadevamma and wife at Vinayakanagar (Paduvarahalli) in city.

It may be recalled, in yet another commendable achievement, M. Lingaraja, Traffic Police Constable at Devaraja Traffic Police Station, too had received Ph.D in Economics for his thesis ‘Gandhiji’s concept of self-reliance and role of Self Help Groups in empowerment of women’ from the UoM early this year. (Refer SOM dated Jan.3, 2015).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 01st, 2015

Priceless heritage artworks to be restored

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
A painting at the Government Museum in Bengaluru which will be taken up for conservation. Photos: Sampath Kumar G.P. / The Hindu
A painting at the Government Museum in Bengaluru which will be taken up for conservation. Photos: Sampath Kumar G.P. / The Hindu

Work on 250 paintings from Venkatappa Art Gallery and Government Museum to be taken up first.

Hundreds of heritage paintings, some more than 300 years old, at Bengaluru’s Venkatappa Art Gallery and the Government Museum will be restored to their former glory.

Officials have sought the advice of art consultants to consider the 17th and 18th century museum collections for conservation. Of the 750 paintings in the gallery and the museum, at least one-third, which were sourced nearly 60 years ago for the collections, have considerably faded, aged and even damaged.

“Around 250 paintings from the gallery and museum will be taken up for conservation to restore their glory and extend longevity. Professionals from INTACH Chitrakala Parishath Art Conservation Centre (ICKPAC) made an initial study and submitted a status report with details of conservation,” said C.G. Betsurmath, Commissioner, Department of State Archaeology, Museums and Heritage.

The works selected include drawings, paintings, ivory and plaster of Paris works of artist K. Venkatappa, who was court painter of the then Mysore royals, Mysore and Thanjavur art works, Deccani and Rajput paintings, Rajasthani miniatures of Malwa, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bundi and Mewar, Rajasthani paintings on cloth, the deft brushes of Bundelkhand, the distinctive Basohli paintings of Jammu and Kashmir, the pictorial art of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, original oil on canvas Malva painting, the Sikh paintings of Punjab, the South Asian Mughal works and Persian miniatures.

In 2014–15, Rs. 17 lakh was approved for protection of the paintings. “We are getting the amount sanctioned again for this financial year for going ahead with the ICKPAC’s remedy suggestions. The total cost is yet to be finalised as the work will be taken up in phases,” he said.

Though delayed, H.T. Talwar, Director, Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Department, said the conservation efforts would take off soon.

This will be the first time these old paintings will be refurbished. On the importance of the paintings, Mr. Talwar said, “Our gallery and museum boast nearly 15 celebrated painting styles that have adorned the royal palaces of India.”

Artworks to be restored include

‘Epic Ramayana’ done in Mysore style on a 7ft X 7ft canvas with 41 depictions of the Ramayana

Rare Krishna-Rukmini series playing Pagade (game of dice) in the darbar

Portraits of Krishnaraja Wadiyar and his son-in-law Lingaraja Urs.

QUOTES: 

C.G. Bethsurmath, Commissioner, Department of State Archaeology, Museums and Heritage: Nearly 250 paintings from the Venkatappa Art Gallery and the Government Museum are going to be taken up for conservation soon.

H.T. Talwar, Director, Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Department: These heritage-value paintings are precious, as they are priceless, only that they are placed without much fanfare at the museum and gallery.

Madhu Rani K.P., Director, ICKPAC: We have examined in situ 72 paintings and 17 prints at the museum, 32 art objects of Mysore and Thanjavur paintings at the gallery, including some of the best works of painter K. Venkatappa, and suggested conservation remedies that would take nearly 15 months.

Time and human negligence have taken a toll: ICKPAC

The INTACH Chitrakala Parishath Art Conservation Centre (ICKPAC), which has done the initial study on these artworks, says the paintings of historical significance have been ravaged by time and negligence.

“Presence of dust and dirt, high humidity (leading to water stains and fungal growth), improper storage, presence of insects, abrasion of the paintings due to mishandling etc., are a few factors for deterioration,” said Madhu Rani K.P., Director, ICKPAC.

The group had examined 72 paintings and 17 prints at the Government Museum as well as 32 art pieces at Venkatappa Art Gallery.

The ICKPAC will now individually determine the conservation effort required for each object. “Every art object will be approached differently, depending on the material and the techniques used. The paintings would require an estimated 12 to 15 months for treatment,” said Ms. Rani.

Cannons to be sent for conservation

The Government Museum recently added three cannons to its collection and they will soon be sent to the Regional Conservation Laboratory, Mysuru, for conservation. “Two were found near Tipu’s Palace during excavation for Namma Metro work. Another one was found during the work on a building of Bangalore Medical College and Research Centre a few months ago,” said H.T. Talwar, Director, Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Department.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – August 31st, 2015