Category Archives: Historical Links, Pre-Independence

The old world charm

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

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When a 140-year-old quaint and beautiful house near Lalbagh was passed down to City-based designer Latha Puttanna’s husband, she didn’t give up the opportunity to create a retail space for her brand Shrishti.

Having been in the industry for the past 23 years, she decided to forego her previous business model of exhibitions and orders and worked with two interior designers to spruce up the heritage home.

“Siddapura used to be a village and S Kempanna, who built this house, was the Patel (head). He was from my husband’s paternal lineage and it’s now been passed down to the fifth generation. It’s sad not to utilise old homes like this, so I decided to start an in-house manufacturing and design unit here.

But seeing the rising demand for retailing, I opened it as my flagship Bangalore store last year. I’ve tried to keep it modern but with a vintage touch,” shares Latha, elaborating that though the old tiles, well and courtyard have been retained, objects like antique mirrors and cupboards have been added to enhance the look.

Asked how the place makes her feel, Latha replies, “I’m very sentimental as a person and the old-world charm of this house complements the clothes I design, which largely work with the revival of dying techniques like ajrak, kalamkari and ikat. And it isn’t only me — when visitors come down the street and find the store, they are instantly charmed by it.”

Shrishti includes a range of exquisite saris, blouses, kurtis, churidars, salwars and Indo-Western wear in various cuts, styles and colours.

It is located at 102, 2nd Cross, Lalbagh, Siddapura.

For details, call 26567349.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Metrolife / DHNS – Bangalore, April 19th, 2014

Epigraphy throws light on culture, history and heritage : VC

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
Epigraphist R. Sheshashastri (2nd from right) is seen releasing the ‘Epigraphia Carnatica - Volume 25’ at KIKS premises in Manasagangotri. Others seen are KIKS Director N.M. Talwar and Mysore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa.
Epigraphist R. Sheshashastri (2nd from right) is seen releasing the ‘Epigraphia Carnatica – Volume 25’ at KIKS premises in Manasagangotri. Others seen are KIKS Director N.M. Talwar and Mysore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa.

Mysore, (KCU&MK) :

“Epigraphy throws light on history, culture and heritage of the State,” opined Mysore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa.

He was presiding over a programme organised by Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS) of Mysore University at its premises in Manasagangotri here yesterday to mark the release of ‘Epigraphia Carnatica – Volume 25.’

Prof. Rangappa said that epigraphy would be a beacon for the next generation. He lauded the effort of KIKS in coming out with the invaluable book and said that the government had provided a fund of Rs. 40 lakh for the making of the Epigraphia.

He added that out of 25 volumes of Epigraphia Carnatica, 15 volumes have been released and the University would provide assistance to publish the remaining 10 volumes.

Releasing the book, Epigraphist R. Sheshashastri opined that the number of epigraphists was dwindling day by day and Mysore Varsity has done a commendable job in that context to uphold the importance of the subject.

Editor of the book Dr. H.S. Gopala Rao, KIKS Director N.M. Talwar, litterateur Aravind Malagathi and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of  Mysore / Home> General News / April 17th, 2014

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All
(Top Left ) Original copy of Indian Constitution on display at Sarada Vilas (Top Right ) Regional Commissioner M.V. Jayanthi is seen offering floral tributes to the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at Town Hall premises in city this morning as Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha, Police Commissioner Dr. M.A. Saleem and others look on. Picture right shows former VC Dr. P. Venkataramaiah offering respects to Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait at Sarada Vilas Centenary Hall. An original copy of the Indian Constitution is seen placed next to the portrait. Also seen are chief guest M. Ramakrishnappa, Assistant Security Officer, RPF, B.S. Parthasarathy, Sarada Vilas Educational Institutions President and S. Ravishankar, Hon. Secretary. (Bottom ) Mysore-Kodagu LS constituency BJP candidate Pratap Simha, accompanied by former Minister S.A. Ramdas, Corporator Snake Shyam and others, is seen offering floral tributes to the statue of Dr. Ambedkar in Town Hall premises this morning. Picture right shows Congress candidate A.H. Vishwanath, along with MLA M.K. Somashekar and others, paying tributes to the statue.
(Top Left ) Original copy of Indian Constitution on display at Sarada Vilas
(Top Right ) Regional Commissioner M.V. Jayanthi is seen offering floral tributes to the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at Town Hall premises in city this morning as Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha, Police Commissioner Dr. M.A. Saleem and others look on. Picture right shows former VC Dr. P. Venkataramaiah offering respects to Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait at Sarada Vilas Centenary Hall. An original copy of the Indian Constitution is seen placed next to the portrait. Also seen are chief guest M. Ramakrishnappa, Assistant Security Officer, RPF, B.S. Parthasarathy, Sarada Vilas Educational Institutions President and S. Ravishankar, Hon. Secretary. (Bottom )
Mysore-Kodagu LS constituency BJP candidate Pratap Simha, accompanied by former Minister S.A. Ramdas, Corporator Snake Shyam and others, is seen offering floral tributes to the statue of Dr. Ambedkar in Town Hall premises this morning. Picture right shows Congress candidate A.H. Vishwanath, along with MLA M.K. Somashekar and others, paying tributes to the statue.

Mysore :

Marking the 123rd birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, various programmes were held in city today.

On behalf of the District Administration, Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha garlanded the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at Town Hall premises.

MP A. H. Vishwanath, MLA M.K. Somashekar, BJP LS candidate Pratap Simha, Mayor N.M. Rajeshwari, ZP CEO P.A. Gopal, SP Abhinav Khare, Police Commissioner Dr. M.A. Saleem, DCP Rajanna, MCC Commissioner P.G. Ramesh and officers of various departments were present.

At Sarada Vilas

Marking the occasion, a programme was organised at Sarada Vilas Centenary Hall in Krishnamurthypuram here.

A portrait of Dr. Ambedkar was placed on the dais for which floral tributes were paid by the dignitaries. An original copy of the ‘Constitution of India’ was also seen placed next to Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait.

Addressing the gathering, former Vice-Chancellor of Kuvempu University, Dr. P. Venkataramaiah said that the life and sayings of Ambedkar should be emulated to pay respect to the great leader. He reiterated that Ambedkar was never the leader of any particular community but a national leader. He suggested that meaningful and constructive programmes should be organised at all Ambedkar Bhavans and Centres.

M. Ramakrishnappa, Assistant Security Officer, Railway Protection Force, was the chief guest. Sarada Vilas Institutions President B.S. Parthasarathy presided. Honorary Secretary S. Ravishankar and others were present.

Original version of Constitution

Marking the 150th anniversary celebrations of Sarada Vilas Institutions and to commemorate Dr. Ambedkar’s 123rd birth anniversary, an original version of ‘Constitution of India’ complied by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was displayed for public view.

The book was said to have been given by the then Prime Minister Jawaharalal Nehru to the College on July 2, 1954.

Sarada Vilas Institutions President B.S. Parthasarathy speaking to Star of Mysore, said that the book was being exhibited for the first time and the original version has been well protected through years. He said that the book has 255 chapters and signatures of 285 Parliamentarians along with those of Nehru and Ambedkar. He added that the original version was compiled in lithography with golden polished alphabet letters for chapter titles.

Procession marks Ambedkar Jayanti

Over 200 residents of Ashokpuram took out procession from Ambedkar Park in Ashokpuram to Town Hall. A tableau on Ambedkar accompanied by folk troupes was also part of the procession.

Employees of All India P&T SC/ST Employees Welfare Association had a organised a programme at the Central Post Office in Nehru Circle which inaugurated by Kalegowda Nagawara, Visiting Professor, Ambedkar Study Centre, Mysore University.

Senior Superintendent of Posts D. Shivaiah, Senior Post Master S. Mahadevaiah and Assistant Superintendent of Posts O. Virupakshappa were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / April 14th, 2014

Vintage cars, new cars and bikes steal the show at Automotive Technology Fair (ATF) 2014

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

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Mysore :

Vintage cars, bikes, scooters and vehicles of the new generation stole the show at Automotive Technology Fair (ATF) – 2014, with the theme ‘Green Automotive Technology,’ organised by NIE-Eicher Centre for Automobile Technology (NECAT), Collegiate Club of NIE and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Golden Jubilee Sports Complex of the National Institute of Engineering (NIE) on Manandavadi Road here yesterday.

Automobile enthusiasts irrespective of age and gender thronged the venue to look at the vehicles of the past and present.

Dr. T.N. Shridhar, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Director, NIE-Eicher Centre for Automobile Technology and Co-ordinator of ATF- 2014, speaking to Star of Mysore, said that ATF has been one of the biggest Auto Expos in the State with the previous editions having seen a footfall of about 15, 000 visitors.

He said that it all started when the first Bike Expo was organised in the year 2006 and added that the city needed an Auto Expo of its own to cater the hunger of automobile enthusiasts of the city.

He said that in the year 2007, a Car and Bike Expo was held and the same was repeated in the year 2009. Garnering high success from these events, Automotive Technology Fair took birth which was the first of its kind in the year 2010, he said and added that the vision finally materialised and was carried forward with ATF- 2011.

Dr. Shridhar said that this is the third expo of the ATF in the last four years at NIE.

Speaking about the expo, he said that this year’s expo was being held with the theme ‘Green Automotive Technology’ and as part of ATF, more than 150 Super Bikes and Vintage Bikes along with 35 vintage cars, sports cars and classic cars from in and around the city was showcased at the expo.

Dr. Shridhar said that apart from showcasing the vehicles both old and new at the expo, a Knowledge Pavilion has also been set up where students will give presentations on various trending green technologies.

The expo also housed ‘Do it Yourself’ stalls where the visitors were educated on how to keep their vehicles in good condition and service it themselves.

Gavin Jude Wilson, a Jawa bike enthusiast who has displayed three bikes CZ Jawa, Jawa 250 and Yezdi 350 Twin, said that it is good to have such a kind of expo in city as nothing pertaining to automobiles happens here.

He said that the organising was good and the expo created awareness on what is available in automobile industry. The students of the college explained about the technical aspects of the vehicles and how they work, he said and added that the expo showed us what we were then and what we are now in terms of automobile technology.

Some of the bikes that were displayed were Rajdoot 350, Jawa, Yezdi, BSA 120, a Second World War bike, Enfield 200, Vespa, Lambretta, Super Bikes such as Suzuki Boulevard which was previously owned by actor Salman Khan, Aprilia RSV4, Hyosung GT250R, Kawasaki ZZR, Harley Davidson, customized bike from Vardenchi and BMW 1000RR among others.

City lad Santosh too had displayed his miniature vehicle ‘Mooshik’ and his concept electric two wheeler. He later gave a lecture on ‘Electric Bike Technology’ during the technical session.

Some of the cars that were displayed at the Auto Fair were Porsche, Honda, Volvo, Range Rover, 1973 model US manufactured Jeep Kaiser CJS, 1984 model Premier Padmini, 1961 model Fiat, owned by R. Venkata Raman, an alumni of NIE, 1978 2300 CC Mercedes Benz, owned by Praveen, 1993 model Mercedes Benz 300D, owned by Muthanna among others.

Apart from the vehicles which were displayed, technical sessions on ‘Recent Developments in Radial Tyre Technology’ by T.N. Ramesh, Chief Manager- Technical, JK Tyre, Mysore, ‘Technological Trends in India for Upcoming Emission Norms’ by Ashish Milas Moholkar, Design and Development Engineer, Eicher Motors Ltd. Madhya Pradesh, ‘Innovating in the field of sustainable transportation of goods and people’ by Srinivas Bidare, CEO, Intent Design Pvt. Ltd., Mysore and other topics were held.

The ATF- 2014 which was inaugurated yesterday by U.K. Shenoy, Vice-President (Works), JK Tyre and Industries Ltd., Mysore, will conclude today at 8 pm.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / April 13th, 2014

Bowring Institute will flashback to 1890s glory days look

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

Restoration cost will run into multiple lakhs, but the building’s heritage architecture will be brought back to original state

From the files: The club over a century ago
From the files: The club over a century ago

It will have the look of a brand new building built in 1890: Victorian style architecture, a superstructure with brick walls lined with lime mortar, pitched roofing in the main hall with Mangalore tiles, other roofs of Madras style. Every detail of the original will be authentically replicated and one of Bangalore’s heritage structures – the 124-year-old Bowring Institute – will be restored to its former glory by the state archeology, museums and heritage department.

The building is currently sending nothing short of an SOS. “There are deep cracks to the walls and the roofs, both pitched and flat, built 126 years ago, are leaking during the rainy weather and inundating the terraces. There is no proper rain water disposal system. The rain has created ugly fungal patches on the ceilings and caused the peeling of plaster,” rued H S Srikanth, secretary, Bowring Institute, in a plea for help to the state archeology department, in February.

”It is therefore recommended that structural strengthening of the protected monument is carried out at the earliest to not only prevent further damage but also to enhance its longevity of life,” he has added, in the proposal.

For once, the government has responded quickly. The process of restoration was formally kicked of on Wednesday, with the commissioner, C G Besturmath inspecting the protected monument with the department officials. “They had submitted a proposal to restore the Bowring Institute, which is a protected monument. The inspection is carried out. It is visible that structure needs restoration. We have decided to give a go ahead to the restoration process without affecting its original form,” Besturmath told Bangalore Mirror.

“We aim to complete the roof work before monsoons (in June-July). The rest of the work will be carried out in phases later with team of professionals to restore the structure,” Stuart Clarke the treasurer of Bowring Institute said.

The wooden flooring, superstructure, doors, and windows will be restored using both technology and traditional craftsmen, besides a team of conservation architects, engineers, and artists under supervision of the state archaeology department. The department has just completed a state-of-the-art restoration of the Dewan Poornaiah bungalow at Yellandur in Chamarajanagar district.

The restoration at Bowring will mainly be in three phases – restoring the roof to prevent water seepage during rains which is a major threat to the whole structure, strengthening and restoring pillars, walls and the ground level work. Before work begins in the nearly 11 acre campus, soil tests will be done and the foundation strength checked. The superstructure of brick walls constructed with lime mortar, which has developed cracks, will be tested and fixed. The pitched roofing in the main hall, reading room and Black Dog bar, consisting of steel trusses, beams, steel purlins and Mangalore red tiles, and other roofs of Madras terrace type, will be redone. The flat roof, peeling and leaking, will also be restored. Old floors will be relaid in the same design and style as it was.

The doors and windows will be restored using the same wood, colour and design as they were in 1890s.”It is proposed to retain the old foundation, displace the structures built during the past 50 years close to the monument and retain the club activities, and importantly bring back the look it had a century ago,” Anup Bajaj, the president of Bowring Institute said.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Chetan R, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / April 10th, 2014

The city’s other face

About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

There’s more to Bangalore than just Vidhana Soudha, High Court, Cubbon Park and Lalbagh. Other equally historical heritage structures, particularly in the spiritual domain dot Bangalore, but are unfortunately not on the Bangalore tourism circuit, for foreign nationals and Northern India.

No information on these structures goes out widely to visitors in any form. There is no branding and marketing, no attempt to build informative stories around them, nothing to show that officials are interested in excavating the deeper history and cultural spread of Bangalore.

Let’s take the Jumma Masjid on Commercial Street. According to Yasir Mohammed, businessman in the area, the Street’s Jumma Masjid is perhaps the oldest in the City. “The mosque is situated between two temples. It is a fine example of secularism.

Immediate locals may know of it, but I am unsure if people from distant areas of Bangalore do, let alone foreign citizens. The mosque needs to be listed in the tourist brochures of the department of tourism, and information needs to be circulated among private travel and tourist companies and be made a major heritage stop in the City.

It would do good if Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) were to take up its revival.” The Masjid, built between 1740 and 1840, has an Arabic touch to it.

The 17th century Kaadu Malleshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is yet another landmark in the City. Again, while locals throng the temple, visitors from abroad haven’t been adequately informed about its historical value and the circumstances under which it was built.

According to Poornima S, homemaker from Malleswaram, the temple sees very huge crowds on two occasions. “The mahashivarathri and Karthika month are auspicious occasions. People from all over the State come to the temple. On regular days too, people from outside visit the temple. But, I have not seen too many foreign nationals nor people from northern India. I am unsure whether they have been informed about the temple.”

The Dodda Ganapathi temple and Dodda Basavanna temple on Bull Temple Road need more attention to figure in the must-see tourist circuit of the City. M Venkatesh, Secretary of the Basavanagudi Traders’ Association, says the two temples are of historical value.

“The tourist operators bring tourists to the Dodda Ganapathi temple, but do not always take them up the steps to see Dodda Basavanna temple nearby. The operators have to be told to ensure visits to both shrines. We must do something to enhance their popularity among people from North and tourists from abroad. It is very popular among locals.

But to give it a lift, we should have better branding and aesthetic presentation of the two temples. Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple, Gavipuram, is fairly well known in the tourist circles. Whenever foreigners come, the temple is included in the itinerary. All these three temples and many others in the area can form a very good temple tourism circuit in Basavanagudi.”

Devotees come in the middle of January every year on Sankranti Day to this cave temple. This is a special day when sunrays fall on the Shivalinga for one hour as it passes between the horns of the Nandi. The Sun illuminates Shivalinga two times a year – from January 13 to 16 late afternoons and from November 26 to December 2.

Someshwara temple in Ulsoor sees a similar phenomenon. Shiva S, a long-time trader near the temple, says there is heavy rush during Sankranti and Shivaratri.

“I have occasionally seen a few foreigners coming to the temple, but there is no heavy rush. Some persons who take extra interest and are curious about not so well known structures, make it to the temple. But the general stream of tourists needs to go up.” There are stories of how a king who was sleeping near the temple got a dream of Lord Shiva and went on to build the temple.

Then there are a few other temples that can be brought into the tourist fold – Karanji Anjaneya in Basavanagudi, Pralayakalada Veerabhadra, Kalabhairava in Gavipura Guttahalli, Dharmaraya temple, Ranganathaswamy temple, Balepete, Kote Venkataramana temple (1690) adjoining Tipu Sultan’s Palace, Kashi Vishveshwara temple (1840) in Balepete and Gali Anjaneya temple on Mysore Road, said to have been established in 1425 by Vyasaraja.

Apart from Hindu shrines, other interesting shrines to visit in Bangalore are the Parsi temple, Tawakkal Mastan Dargah, St Mary’s Basilica and the Mahavira Digambara Jain Temple.

Bangalore’s multi-religious and cosmopolitan character is best reflected in its many temples, mosques, churches, Gurdwaras like the one at Ulsoor which was built in 1946, Buddhist Viharas, or the Queen’s Road Parsi fire temple. Clearly, there’s lot to show people from all over India and the world that Bangalore has serious archaeological and spiritual spaces to explore.

Bangalore has been branded and marketed as a technology destination for over 25 years.

There is a need to rebrand the City also as a cultural-heritage space. Many cities in the world flash a technology-culture facade. Why can’t Bangalore?

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Intense City – Bangalore / by Prashanth  G N / DHNS – March 22nd, 2014

97-year-old First Voter Does a Class Act in Film on Ballot Power

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All
Shyam Saran Negi, independent India’s first voter, in the film.
Shyam Saran Negi, independent India’s first voter, in the film.

A Google initiative to inspire Indians to exercise their right to vote has gone viral. The two- minute-30-second motivational film, part of Google’s Pledge to Vote campaign, has in its lead role 97-year-old Shyam Saran Negi, independent India’s first voter.

Negi, popularly known as Masterji, lives in Kalpa village of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh, along with his son C P Negi, a farmer.  Directed by Bangalore-based leading advertisement film maker Manoj Pillai, the film was released on the public domain on Monday evening with the creative agency being Ogilvy, Mumbai.

Sandeep Menon, Director, Marketing, Google India, told Express via an email interaction on Wednesday that old age hasn’t diminished Negi’s belief in India’s democracy and the power of elections. “India’s first general elections were held in early 1952. But an exception was made for Kinnaur in anticipation of snowfall, and the elections were held there in October 1951. That’s when Negi got a chance to cast his first vote. Since then he has voted in every single elections, including each of the 15 Lok Sabha polls. He also continues to be an inspiration to his family, friends and community in Kalpa,” says Sandeep.

The film, shot in Kalpa in early March, had a 100-member crew closely working with the village folk and Negi, a retired government primay school teacher, in executing the project. “The time spent with our protagonist in this lovely mountain town helped in bringing alive not just his story, but even his commitment to the country,” says Sandeep. To a specific query as to what prompted Google to rope in Negi, he says: “These elections are about capturing the imagination of millions of both first-time as well as experienced voters. This film has been developed to inspire them to come out and vote during this election. The story of Negi is a testimony of Indian voters’ belief in the power of democracy.”

While sharing the challenges of shooting in Himachal Pradesh and also engaging elderly Negi to follow the storyline, Manoj felt that those living in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore might not associate with the emotions of Negi. “He lives for the nation and his family comes next. He has seen the birth pangs of India, the problems of Partition and the struggle we are undergoing dealing with many complex issues. Masterji is upset with the happenings across the country, yet he comes and votes every time with the hope that things would change,” says Manoj, who heads Thinkpot Productions. Even the Central Election Commission officials have visited Negi couple of years back to felicitate him.

Negi refused to wear the costume initially as demanded by the storyline, and wanted the crew to take money from him. “He agreed only when we explained about the budget that was set aside for his costumes. He told us that he voted without expecting any favour or help from the politicians. He always walked to the polling booth, which is two km from his home, and never accepted the transportation help offered by parties,” says Manoj. He said the crew had to shoot at temperatures as low as – 6 degrees Celsius. “The physical contribution of Negi to the film, in terms of moving around as per the script, is outstanding. There’s a child-like innocence in him and his eyes light up every time we speak about voting,” he adds.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Nation / by Anantha Krishnan M – Bangalore / March 27th, 2014

Lalbagh director’s colonial residence set for makeover

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

The dilapidated residence-cum-office of Director of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a heritage building constructed in 1850s, that also houses a library, is set for a makeover. 

Director of Horticulture D R Maheshwar said this is the first time the building is being renovated. Lalbagh Deputy Director Gunavantha K said the renovation would cost Rs 30 lakh.

The renovation work by PWD, which has been undertaken after consultation and guidance from Indian National Trust For Art & Cultural Heritage, will be completed in six months. The building area includes the garden spread across two acre of land.

Harish Padmanabha, grandson of Rao Bahadur H C Javaraya, first native Indian Director of Lalbagh during British rule said, it was built around 1854. It was a colonial bungalow with horse carriage way, verandah and tennis court in the back side. Famous people like John Cameron and Hermann Krumbeigel, former directors, resided there.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City / DHNS / Bangalore – March 20th, 2014

A story in pictures

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

BOOK Monuments of Gulbarga is a book that captures ancient art and architecture through photographs.

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Domes, tombs, minars , forts, moats and off-course masjids . Are you thinking of Delhi? Why travel thousands of kilometres to experience the reminiscences of the sultanate? Prefer going to Gulbarga, a night’s journey from Bangalore. Instead, feel every bit of Gulbarga’s history by just turning the pages of a book. “Monuments of Gulbarga, Treasure House of Islamic Architecture”, a photo-book authored by Mr. Mohammed Ayazuddin Patel gives you this experience.

Gulbarga, now a district headquarters in northern Karnataka, was the capital city of Bahamani Sultanate for two centuries. It was at its zenith in the 15{+t}{+h}century and was home to hundreds of monuments. The Sultanate was founded by Bahaman Shah or Allauddin Hasan Gangu. He shifted the capital from Daulatabad in the present-day Maharashtra to Gulbarga and laid the foundation for a magnificent city. The other great kings of the dynasty were Mohammed Shah and Mujahid Shah.

Resembles Spain`s Mezquita

The book provides a pictorial account of the history of the Bahamani kingdom. Beginning with a nostalgic photo of a tomb of Allauddin Hasan Gangu Bahamani, the founder of the dynasty, the book vividly portrays the beautiful Gulbarga fort, its ramparts, fine arches and abutments. The Jama Masjid, built within the fort, resembles the Great Mosque of Cordova (Mezquita) in Spain with grand corridors and lofty entrance. Various pictures of Shahi Jama masjid in the book unfurl a tableau in front of the onlooker. This masjid located in Shahbazaar was constructed for the members of the royal family. ‘It has a unique architectural style of Mughals and the Persian style’, the book says.

The mausoleums of Mujahid Shah, Daud Shah, Ghiyat-al-din Shah, and Shams-al-din resemble that of Hasan Gangu. Unique is the Tomb of Feroz Shah, with intricate jalis and twin domes. The pictures of 800-year-old Holkonda fort capture the Islamic culture and the simplicity of Tughlaq style aptly. This fort houses an idgah and a Dargah of Hazarath Mohamad Mashaq Sahib, a Sufi saint believed to have come to Gulbarga at the request of Bahamani Sultans.

Gulbarga is famous for the tombs of Sufi saints and Pirs . Noted among them is Dargah of Khaja Bande Nawaz Gesudaraz, built by Mohammad Shah Bahamani. It has a Bijapuri arch built by Afzal Khan, army general of the Ailshahis. Other Sufi tombs being Dargah Khabullah Hussaini with beautiful paintings and calligraphy, Dargah Hazarath Kamal-e-Mujarrad and Dargah Hazarath Shaik Sirajuddin Junaidi.

Majestic, but dilapidated is the Ferozabad fort, built by Feroze Shah Bahamani. He was known for his flair for fine-arts and architecture. This fort, on the banks of Bheema river, encompasses a huge mosque, Tosha khana , and palacial buildings. In spite of its beauty and historical significance, this fort is ill-maintained. Arrays of dung cakes adorn the walls of the sepulchral edifices. Weed-infested mahals are on the verge of collapse due to vagaries of nature. Crumbling structures like Kanchini Mahal, once magnificent and awe-inspiring narrate a story of wanton negligence.

The Chor Gumbad with floral designs, Chand Bibi Gumbad or Kali Gumbad with exquisite Chajjas andJalis , Upli Gumbad – incomplete, yet beautiful, the utterly neglected tomb of Jaccha Bibi, the Siddi Ambar Gumbad with a rectangular porch, are only a few identified among tens of such monuments wailing for attention.

Water conservation

The photos of Hirapur form an interesting set. Hirapur, a suburb of Gulbarga has Ibrahim Adil Shahi Jama Masjid, built in black stone decorated with immaculate designs.

The town has wells, embedded with finely crafted staircases, jharokas and of all, ingenious technology of water conservation to avoid excessive evaporation in soaring temperatures. The wells are still seen as an evidence of splendour, but grossly uncared for.

Strewn inside the fort and atop the bastions are numerous canons, cast in brass and other alloys, weighing several tons, flaunting an intimidating appearance. Famous among these canons is Baragazi Toop atop the Burj in the fort.

Gulbarga is dotted with tombs and mausoleums lost in history, beckoning the curious eyes with their regality. This book displays a tableau of medieval Islamic culture and gives a splendid account of the forgotten monuments. The author also gives an account of Hindu and Jain monuments and pilgrim centres. Patel dedicates quite a bit to the revered Sharanabasaveshwara Temple, Sannati Chandralamba Temple, Ganagapura Dattatreya Temple, and Mallinatha Basadi at Malkhed, but, there is no reference to the nearly 700 year-old-shrine of the Madhwa saint Jayateertha on the banks of river Kagina at Malkhed, a major pilgrim centre.

BookGulbarga31mar2014

Patel, a national award winner, also records Aiwan-e-shahi, Osmania Intermediate College, MSK Mills established in 1884 by the Nizams. He is President of National Graduate Art and Photographers Association.

TAMRAPARNI R. RAGHAVENDRA

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Features> Friday Review / by Tamparni S. Raghavendra / March 28th, 2014

‘India should issue stamp of WW II heroine Noor Inayat Khan’

Amazing Feats, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

London :

As Britain’s Royal Mail today issued a stamp of Indian-origin World War II heroine Noor Inayat Khan, campaigners called for India to bestow a similar honour on the famous spy in her centenary year.

The stamp – part of a series called ‘Remarkable Lives’ – honours Noor, a descendant of Tipu Sultan, along with nine others including actor Sir Alec Guinness and poet Dylan Thomas.

“It would be fitting if India too honoured Noor Inayat Khan in her centenary year with a stamp,” said Shrabani Basu, chair of the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust and author of “Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan”.

Shrabani Basu, chair of the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust and author of "Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan".
Shrabani Basu, chair of the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust and author of “Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan”.
“Though she was brought up in Paris, Noor identified strongly with her Indian roots,” said Basu who led the campaign to build a memorial for Noor in London which was unveiled by Britain’s Princess Anne in November 2012.
Her book is now being made into a film. “Noor believed firmly in Indian independence and frankly told her British officers that after the war was over, she would back India’s freedom struggle. Sadly she did not live to see India’s independence,” said Basu.
Noor was born in Moscow in 1914 to an Indian father, Hazrat Inayat Khan and an American mother, Ora Ray Baker.
Her father was a Sufi preacher and musician and left his home town of Baroda to take Sufism to the west.
He met Noor’s mother at the Ramakrishna Mission while on a lecture tour in California.Hazrat Inayat Khan was a descendant of Tipu Sultan, the famous 18th-century ruler of the kingdom of Mysore.
Noor was brought up in Paris and the family moved to London just before Paris fell to the Germans in 1940 during the Second World War.In London, Noor joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and was later recruited for the Special Operations Executive, a secret organisation started by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.She was the first woman radio operator to be flown undercover to Paris and worked from there for three months under the code name Madeleine.

However she was betrayed, arrested and finally executed in the infamous Dachau concentration camp in Nazi Germany.

Though she was tortured and interrogated, she revealed nothing, not even her real name. Her last word as she was shot was “Liberte!” (Freedom). She was only 30.Noor was posthumously awarded Britain’s highest honour, the George Cross while France awarded her the Croix de Guerre.In 2006, President Pranab Mukherjee, the then defence minister, visited Noor’s family house outside Paris and described her bravery and sacrifice as “inspirational”. source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> ET Home> News> Politics and Nation / by PTI / March 25th, 2014