Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

UK parliament to honour Kannada actor Darshan

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
In a letter to the actor, Veerendra Sharma, British MP, said, 'It's a great honour and privilege to host you at the House of Commons, on October 19. We've decided to felicitate you, for the hard efforts you've put in through your movies to promote Karnataka's art and culture.'
In a letter to the actor, Veerendra Sharma, British MP, said, ‘It’s a great honour and privilege to host you at the House of Commons, on October 19. We’ve decided to felicitate you, for the hard efforts you’ve put in through your movies to promote Karnataka’s art and culture.’

Popular Kannada actor Darshan Tugudeepa has been invited by the United Kingdom Parliament to receive an honour on October 19, for his contributions to Karnataka’s art and culture through his movies. Darshan is the first South Indian and fourth Indian actor to receive the honour.

The actor, who is busy shooting for his upcoming film ‘Kurukshetra’ in Hyderabad, will fly to London on Wednesday and will return on October 26. The event has been organised by the Karnataka Business Chamber, London.

In a letter to the actor, Veerendra Sharma, British MP, said, “It’s a great honour and privilege to host you at the House of Commons, on October 19. We’ve decided to felicitate you, for the hard efforts you’ve put in through your movies to promote Karnataka’s art and culture.”

Sharma was on a visit to Karnataka recently. He was greatly influenced by the state’s art and culture. During his visit, he came in contact with Manjunath Vishwakarma, who briefed him about Darshan and his contributions.

On September 16, 2016, Bollywood star Salman Khan received the Global Diversity Award at Britain’s House of Commons.

Darshan initially worked in trivial roles in a few films and television shows. He later made his debut in a lead role in in the film Majestic in 2001. He has since then starred in many commercial and art films.

It may be recalled that Darshan was accused of assaulting and threatening his wife, Vijayalaxmi, with a revolver in 2011. The actor had spent 14 days in judicial custody after his wife compalined about domestic violence. It was later settled out of court.

The actor has failed to give a hit in the last two years. Darshan’s much-awaited movies Ambaressha (2014), Jaggu Dada (2016) and Chakravarthy (2017) flopped at the box office. He bounced back with his latest flick ‘Tarak,’ which has received good response from the audience.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Entertainment / by Jagadish Angadi, Bengaluru / DH News Service / October 18th, 2017

Ancient Tibetan manuscripts may be shifted from Dharamsala to Ramanagara

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 TibetanBF20oct2017
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Highlights

  1. The Centre for Tibetan Studies will be located at the 3.8-acre Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education near Ramanagara
  2. The present location, where these ancient and priceless Buddhist manuscripts are kept, falls within the notorious sub-Himalayan zone 5
  3. ___________________________________

Concerned over the safety of nearly 80,000 ancient Buddhist manuscripts and artefacts, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), one of the most important libraries and institutions of Tibetan works in the world, will set up its first preservation centre near Bengaluru. The main LTWA is in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.

The Centre for Tibetan Studies will be located at the 3.8-acre Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education near Ramanagara on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.

“We’re worried about the safety and security of the invaluable manuscripts housed in LTWA, Dharamsala. The present location, where these ancient and priceless Buddhist manuscripts are kept, falls within the notorious sub-Himalayan zone 5 which is considered the highest risk belt for earthquake in the seismic hazard zoning map of India. In the long run, it may be dangerous to keep so many priceless manuscripts in one place,” LTWA director Geshe Lhakdor told TOI.

Further, he said, the climatic conditions at Dharamsala have proven extremely detrimental to the collection. “Due to high levels of humidity, Dharamsala receives very heavy rainfall which stretches for several months. We need a better environment to store and preserve these manuscripts. What better place than Bengaluru which has technological advantages too to preserve these ancient manuscripts ” he said.

Lhakdor said the drawing for the proposed centre near Bengaluru is ready. “The project requires huge funding. We are looking at philanthropists, who can give us funds for preserving these ancient manuscripts. These are priceless collections and we cannot afford to lose them at any cost,” he added.

Priceless collection

Founded by the 14th Dalai Lama on June 11, 1970, the LTWA houses ancient manuscripts and artefacts relocated from Tibet in 1959. The manuscripts relate to Tibet’s history, politics, culture and art. The library has more than 80,000 manuscripts, books and documents, over 600 Thankhas, statues and other artefacts of Buddhist heritage, apart from thousands of photographs. “The main aim of the library is to preserve, promote and foster the culture and identity of Tibet. We want to share the collective knowledge and wisdom with the world,” Lakhdor said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bangalore News / by Seetha Lakshmi, TNN / October 20th, 2017

City college raises awareness about mental illness

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

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World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10 every year and in a bid to create awareness on mental illness, Jain University CMS — B School this year organized a session on the same. Keeping in mind the theme of the World Mental Health Day this year (Mental Health at Workplace), the management organized the session at the B-School for MBA students.

Speaking about the event, Uma Warrier, chief counsellor and professor, Jain University, said, “About 350 students including faculty members were present at the event. Since this year, the theme is mental health at workplace, we wanted to have this session for MBA students who are trained to be future managers. We believe that by having such a session, students will be able to adapt at their workplace faster and implement what they have been taught, in addition to understanding their coworkers better.”

The session, Uma says, will help teachers as well as they can identify those suffering from mental illness. “If we can create awareness and sensitize teachers, then they will share a better relationship with students who suffer from mental illness,” says Uma, adding that at the event, a ‘self-check’ handbook was also given for better understanding of the issue.

The event helped in addressing mental illness, which is otherwise considered a taboo in the country. “We still treat mental illness as a taboo. We need to eradicate this mindset and address mental illness with care. At the event, we were told how to identify people suffering from mental illness as well as how to improve one’s own mental health,” says Nabeel Nasar, first year MBA student, CMS Business School, Jain University.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bangalore News / by Sandra Marina Fernandes / October 17th, 2017

Rajalakshmi is India’s entry for Miss Wheelchair World 2017 pageant

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Dentist Rajalakshmi had to take the wheelchair after she met with an accident

In a world where people with disability have to often compromise their goals, 31-year-old Rajalakshmi S.J. from Bengaluru fought all odds and kept her priorities straight.

She is all set to represent India at Miss Wheelchair World 2017 pageant to be held in Poland.

A dentist by profession, Ms. Rajalakshmi had to take the wheelchair after she met with an accident 10 years ago, and let her life to mould in a different direction.

“It was a whole new body, it was a whole new world around me,” she recollects. Instead of losing herself, she pursued her interests in psychology and fashion and eventually she won 2014 Miss Wheelchair India.

She is also the chairperson of her organisation S.J. Foundation, which works for the causes of the disabled.

Now Ms. Rajalakshmi is all set for the pageant and has been preparing herself with proper diet, and workout and most importantly fuelling her confidence with the support of her loved ones.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Bengaluru (Karnataka) / September 27th, 2017

Renovated house of Karanth to be dedicated on his birth anniversary

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The renovated house of late Shivarama Karanth at Balavana in Puttur.
The renovated house of late Shivarama Karanth at Balavana in Puttur.

Mangaluru :

Jnanpith awardee Kota Shivaram Karanth’s original house in Puttur, which is renovated, will be inaugurated on the birth anniversary of the celebrated writer on October 10.

The renovation of Balavana in Puttur is almost over and finishing touches are being given.

The writer, who built the house in 1930, was living there till 1973. A team of conservation architects of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) led by Pankaj Modi  have taken up the restoration of the poet’s house.

All the old materials of the including stones, tiles, rafters, door frames and windows have been restored. Only the damaged things are replaced with the new ones to give the house an original look.

The state government has given Rs 29 lakh for the restoration of the house. Another Rs 1 crore was sanctioned in the 2015 budget for other development works to be taken up in a phased manner.

Puttur assistant commissioner Raghunandan Murthy told TOI that Kannada and culture minister Umashree will dedicate the house. “We have plans to hold programmes for children as well as cultural and literary events at the house on a regular basis,” he added.

Puttur MLA Shakunthala Shetty said the second phase of the restoration work on other buildings the writer had built 80 years ago is being taken up through a committee set up in 2016. The MLA is also a member of the committee that comprises secretary of Kannada and culture department, scholar Vivek Rai, writer’s daughter Kshama Rau and son Ullas Karanth.

“Various literary and cultural programmes will be organized to mark the inauguration of the house on October 10,” she added.

District minister Ramanath Rai inagurate the function. Chikkaballapur MP M Veerappa Moily will dedicate the museum, where books, manuscripts and other belongings of Karantha will be kept, Shakunthala Shetty said.

Literary, Cultural programmes 

A workshop on Karanth’s literary work will be held after the inauguration of the house. Vivekananda College retired principal H Madhava Bhat will chair the workshop organized for students. Sadhana Sangeetha Shale, Kombettu and Saraswathi Sangeetha Vidyalaya, Nehru Nagara, will present a musical concert. Yakshagana Kalakendra, Udupi, will present ‘Chakravyooha’, a Yakshagana bayalata.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Bangalore News / by Times News Network / October 07th, 2017

Gauri Lankesh honoured with Anna Politkovskaya Award

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Gauri Lankesh
Gauri Lankesh

Journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, who was shot dead by unknown assailants on September 5, has been posthumously accorded with the prestigious Anna Politkovskaya Award, instituted by Reach All Women (RAW) in War.

RAW, in a statement, said that it was honoured to award the annual Anna Politkovskaya Award for women human rights defenders from war and conflict zones jointly to Gauri Lankesh posthumously, and to a brave Pakistani activist Gulalai Ismaial, who similarly is fighting against Islamic extremism. Ms. Ismail has faced the death threats for speaking out against the Taliban in north-west Pakistan.

Gauri is the 12th woman to receive this prestigious award. Nominations Committee members have observed that they were deeply moved by Gauri and Gulalai’s bravery and dedication to peace and human rights. The citation reads: Gauri Lankesh was a major figure in India, critic of right-wing Hindu extremism, campaigner for women’s rights, fiercely opposed to the caste system, campaigning for rights of Dalits and so on.

With mixed feelings, Kavitha Lankesh, Gauri’s sister, told media persons here on Thursday that the Anna Politkovskaya Award was a morale booster for people who want to write and continue to fight against injustice. It was an honour not only for the members of Gauri’s family, but also to “huge family” that loved Gauri for her commitment to the cause of secular ideals, justice, equality and women rights. “In fact, the award honours what Gauri stood for throughout her life… that ‘you cannot silence me’,” said a teary-eyed Ms. Kavitha.

The announcement of the award was an emotional one, as Gauri’s brother Indrajit Lankesh, mother Indira Lankesh and close friend M.S. Ashadevi struggled to find words to express their feelings on RAW honouring Gauri with this international award.

Gauri was awarded with Periyar Award posthumously by the Thinkers Forum on September 17 in Bengaluru.

Anna Politkovskaya, a Russian journalist was killed in 2006 in Moscow for her courage to speak out on behalf of the suffering of the civilians in the war in Chechnya. “It is not by coincidence that Gauri’s work, her personality and the way she was killed for her work reminded us so much of the way Anna lived and died for the truth,” said members of nominations committee.

To mark the anniversary of Anna Politkovskaya’s murder on October 7, 2006 and to honour Anna and the women like in the world, RAW in War annually presents the award to a female human rights defender from conflict zone.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – October 05th, 2017

This doctor-couple has healed the wounded in both war and peace

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Major General (retd) NK Manchanda with his late wife Anju, whose autobiography was recently completed
Major General (retd) NK Manchanda with his late wife Anju, whose autobiography was recently completed

It was February 1967, four years be fore India played a pivotal role in the Bangladesh liberation war and five years after it suffered miserably during the Chinese aggression. Delhi Cantonment was not as crowded as today and the air was still nippy when two lieutenants of the Indian Army, NK Manchanda and Anju, met at the army hospital. A year later, they tied the knot and 36 years later, they retired as major generals.

From healing injured soldiers and prisoners of war to treating accident victims post retirement, they’ve served the country with their stethoscopes.Major General Anju was the first woman officer to become deputy director of medical services (now renamed MG Met) Central Command and even won a Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). Major General NK Manchanda, who lives in Bengaluru, spoke to TOI fresh on the heels of completing Anju’s autobiography, `Bold’, which was started by her but finished by Manchanda, his daughter Sonia and son-in-law Girish Raj after Anju passed away. Excerpts from the interview:

You started your careers together. Tell us about the 37 years in service.

While our spectacular career lasted more than 37 years, it was not without challenges. Of all the years we served the country , we spent only about 50% of them together. It was difficult when we had to go to different places. At one point of time, we were separated for five years -she was posted in Rajouri (Jammu & Kashmir), while I was in Hyderabad. But our careers were fulfilling, both in terms of the service we offered and the top positions we reached, which was also very rewarding

Both of you saw two important wars -1971and Kargil in 1999. Can you recollect your experience?

During Kargil, both of us were in Delhi. I was with the army headquarters and she was posted at the Army R&R Hospital, which got all the casualties. During the 1971 war, we were both very young. I had gone through Tripura to Bangladesh as a regimental medical officer, while she was posted in Delhi. But she was the doctor who accompanied Pakistani prisoners of war on a flight and brought back our own. We worked together, rose together and retired together -March 2004 and May 2004 (Anju).


Your service didn’t end with the army. Tell us more…

For one year after retirement, we did nothing. We didn’t want to be separated again. But at the behest of former defence minister George Fernandes, we were requested to serve at Mallya and Vydehi hospitals. I joined Mallya.While I worked only for a year, she continued to work until she passed away. She even did a lot of other things apart from helping the hospital. She was a dedicated doctor, and one of a kind.

Tell us about ‘Bold’ and how the idea of writing an autobiography came to Anju’s mind.

It was her idea, and she had started writing it after we completed service. But she was a doctor first, which meant that her job after retirement became her priority and the book remained incomplete. She said she would finish it only after she quits her job, but she passed away before that.And we couldn’t let such a story, which we hope will inspire many more young women officers in the army, remain untold. ‘Bold’ is not just a mirror of Anju’s illustrious record of selflessness, but also a portrait of the life of honour in the Indian Army.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City News> Bangalore News / TNN / September 27th, 2017

Over 100 Years of Hospitality : Gubbi Thotadappa, the legendary Philanthropist, continues to host tourists, students

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An inn set up by Gubbi Thotadappa, the legendary philanthropist, continues to host tourists and students

If any one expects a favour free of charge, ‘Is it a Gubbi Thotadappa Choultry? would be the instant colloquial reaction. Gubbi Thotadappa choultry, close to Bangalore City Railway station and Kempegowda Bus Terminal, is perhaps the oldest non-governmental organisation in the city.

Bangalore has several free hostels belonging to particular communities, but running a dhramashala — a free choultry (inn) for the visitors or tourists, and continues to do the same even after a century is a remarkable feat.

This noble act is the brainchild of Gubbi Thotadappa, who was born in 1838 into a Lingayat-Veerashaiva family at Gubbi in Tumakuru dist. Later, his family moved to Bangalore and he started his business in Mamulpet in the city. In his house, he started offering shelter to students who were coming to Bangalore for studies. Similarly, he opened doors to traders coming from faraway places. When this number increased, he decided to use all his property to the benefit of such traders and students. He bought land from Railways in 1897 and built a choultry which had 10 rooms for students to stay. On February 11, 1903, Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV officially opened dharmashala for visitors coming to city and free hostel to students belonging to Lingayat-Veerashaiva Community.

As he had no children, he donated all his property and founded a trust called Rao Bahadur Gubbi Thotadappa Charity in 1910, and appointed K P Puttanna Chetty as its first president. Since then subsequent office-bearers are carrying out the work as per the wishes of the founder. During Dasara celebration in 1905, he was awarded the title Dharmapravrta, a royal recognition given by the Maharaja of Mysore. In 1910, he was honoured with a title Rao Bahaddur by the British Government. On 21 February, 1910, he died at the age of 72.

The choultry he built was very helpful then for traders arriving in the city to buy or sell things. Minister for Horticulture Shyamanur Shivashankarappa still remembers the days when he would come here by night train from Davanagere and the choultry was very helpful for people like him to take shelter here for a day or two. Even today, the lodging facility offers accommodation at a nominal rate and it is open to all irrespective of region or religion, caste or creed, position or property. It was 25 paise per day. Over a period of time it was raised to Rs 10 and now it Rs 35. The money collected is spent on maintenance of the choultry. At any given time of the day, at least 50 to 60 visitors stay here. It is much-sought-after shelter to countless number of visitors coming even from other places as its name is spread far and wide. Similarly, the free hostel has been a boon to economically poor students .

The trust awards scholarships for academic achievers of the community every year. They maintain hostels at 16 different towns in the state. The hostel facility is given for both boys and girls of the students of Lingayat-Veerashaiva community. Revered Dr Shivakumara Mahaswamiji of Siddhaganga Math Tumkuru was a student in this hostel during 1927 to 1930. S Nijalingappa , one of the chief ministers of Karnataka, was an inmate between 1921 and 1924. Likewise, education minister Sri DH Chandrashekaraiah, accountant general Sri DH Veeraiah, Karnataka state police chief H Veerabhadraiah, and many more such illustrious personalities were benefited by this hostel. While unveiling the statue of Gubbi Thotadappa in 2005, Nijalingappa said: “If this noble person had not started the hostel, economically poor students like me would have spent rest of my life working as labourers in cultivating fields”

In Mamulpet, the old residential building of Gubbi Thotadappa was removed and a shopping complex has been constructed.

During centenary year, the trust built Bell Hotel as a source of income to spend on all its charitable projects. There is also an aesthetically built conventional hall in this building. Every year on the death anniversary day of the founder, in Mythic Society, on Nrupathunga Road, the trust arranges an endowment lecture from eminent scholars on various subjects.

Hostel inmates are given training in personality development by experts. The original Dharmashala building still retains its original form. The century-old building represents the tradition of hospitality for which our city is known.

Whereas the centenary building built with modern architectural style represents modern Bengaluru. There are many lodges in the vicinity of railway station and bus stand. They may have tall buildings, but Gubbi Thotadappa Choultry stands tall as a symbol of humanity.

(The author is a historian)

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Suresh Moona / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / September 26th, 2017

900-Yr-Old inscription found in Mangaluru Temple

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Historians say the discovery refers to Alupa ruler Kulashekara and his liegeman

Rajarajeshwari Temple at Potali
Rajarajeshwari Temple at Potali

A 900-year-old inscription was discovered at Polali Rajarajeshwari temple located on the outskirts of Mangaluru.

It was found during the ongoing renovation works of the temple. Moodabidri-based historian Dr Pundikai Ganapayya Bhat, who examined the inscription, said: “It is a 900-year-old Kannada inscription that was found on the left of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It was used as a pedestal for the Nityabhisheka (daily worship) of the idol. It has a mention about Alupa ruler Kulashekara and his liegeman Biliveya Nambi.”

The inscription, 38 inches tall and 24 inch wide, has 20 lines of writing. Sculptures of two lions and a man along with a lady sitting between these lions are seen on the lower part of the inscription. A few scriptures in between have been damaged. It dates back to 1117 AD. Ganapayya said that the 14th line mentions Pandya Pattiga Deva which could be the title of the ruler — Kulashekara.

It has a mention of Alvakheda 6000, which means that the region was ruled by the Alupas. Three Veeragallus were also found. Dr B Rajashekarappa, a researcher from Chitradurga, has helped in understanding the inscription. The Alupas are a royal dynasty that ruled Tulunadu from 4th to 15th century. Kulashekaradeva was one of the prominent rulers of Alupa dynasty.

The Inscription which was found at the temple
The Inscription which was found at the temple

A brief history of Alupas

The Alupa of Tuluva race was a royal dynasty which ruled their native land, Tulunadu, which is now in coastal Karnataka. They independently ruled their kingdom, known as Alvakheda, since the beginning of the common era. Later, with the dominance of Kadambas from Banavasi, they became feudatory to them. With the changing political scenario, soon they became the vassals of the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Rayas.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> News> State / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / September 20th, 2017

Monsoon Blues ? Art Doctors have the cure

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Bengalureans can take rain-affected artwork to the experts at CKP
Bengalureans can take rain-affected artwork to the experts at CKP

Experts at Intach-CKP help treat artwork affected by the high humidity in air

For automobile mechanics, plumbers and doctors, monsoon is a busy time. In the city, however, there is a set of other specialists too, who get busy during this time in particular – working away at rain damage control for pieces of art.

When there is moisture in the air, fungus crops up in old paintings, murals, heirloom clothes and antique furniture. Art experts at Intach- Chitrakala Parishath Art Conservation Centre (ICKPAC) in Bengaluru are busy this time of the year with conservation and restoration work.

The centre with a small team of around 10, housed in Chitrakala Parishath premises, has its hands full with rain treatment as a good chunk of Bengalureans are art connoisseurs and possess a variety of heritage and heirloom articles, most of which could have been handed down over generations.

The little-known centre had earlier handled prestigious restoration projects, including the Velankani Church, Vidhana Soudha paintings and art pieces at Puttaparthi Sai Baba ashram. “Bengaluru’s weather is such that a lot of moisture is in the air during monsoon. This allows growth of fungus in paintings, furniture, clothes and art objects, which need to be treated. Treating is not a permanent solution but we can call it remedial conservation or preventive conservation. We have a team that has specialised in art conservation and we take up such work. It is highly niche work. People come to us with their old paintings, clothes, wooden work, murals and different kinds of art pieces, which we treat for fungus,’’ Madhu Rani, director of Intach Chitrakala Parishath Art Conservation Centre, told Bangalore Mirror.

The centre has done work not just in the state, but it also takes up work commissioned by other parts of South India. Their earlier work of restoring 300-year-old murals in Thiagarajaswamy temple, Tiruvarur, was a landmark project. These paintings go back to the Nayaka period and are on the ceiling of the thousand-pillared hall in Thiagarajaswami Temple premises. Conservation of mural paintings in Nalaknadu Palace, Kodaganadu, restoration of Mother Mary altar at Velankani church, are also noteworthy. The centre is carrying out restoration of the collections in Puttaparthi Sai Baba ashram — old European paintings gifted by Maharajas of Jamnagar.

“We are documenting all wall painting sites in Karnataka at palaces, temples or old houses. We have the inventory of such sites and are documenting the status of the paintings,’’ Rani said.

OPEN FOR ALL

On Saturday morning, a Parichay will be organised to introduce people to ICKPAC’s works — conservation of paintings, documents, temple murals and oil paintings. This will be led by Madhu Rani and her team. Rani will talk about how you can preserve your great-grandmother’s photograph, or that treasured letter written by your grandfather. Or may be a book that has been handed down generations. The Parichay will be held at Chitrakala Parishath and will be for about two hours. Those interested can mail intach.blr@gmail.com and the event comes with a nominal fee.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangaloremirror.com / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Kushala Satyanarayana / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / September 20th, 2017