Monthly Archives: October 2013

Pages from history : The magic spell of Dasara

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

by Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore

All roads lead to Mysore, the royal city, because it is the time of Navaratri also called Dasara and Mysore is glittering with electric lights. Infact ancient Dasara of Vijaynagara times was glittering with gold and gold but our Dasara has substituted electric bulbs in place of gold. Even this is a luxury and a symbol of pomp. Actually it is called Sharannavaratri or Navaratri during the autumn season as different from Vasantha Navaratri which is celebrated during spring. In the former, nature also plays a role with good climate and the season of flowers and hence flower show is also held during this period. Navaratri is basically the celebration in honour of the mother Goddess, called by different names according to the role assumed by her in destroying the wicked demons who were tormenting the good people. It has been so arranged by our ancient people that the pre-navaratri fortnight is called Pitrupaksha or the fortnight of the ancestors culminating in the Mahalaya Amavasya on which day even the poorest of the poor offer prayers to their ancestors. Thus the ancestors are worshipped first and then comes the Navaratri, the worship of the mother goddess.

According to mythologies, the goddess amalgamated the power and prowess from gods Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma and Agni so that she could destroy the powerful demons. These demons had obtained boons from the same gods that they should not be killed by ordinary methods and persons. Hence the goddess had to assume special forms by ingenious combinations which could not have been imagined by the demons while requesting the boons. Thus the arrangement was such that the validity of the boons was not disturbed and vanquishing of the wicked demons also took place. The work Devimahatme describes in details the various forms of supreme goddess like Mahishamardini (demon Mahishasura), Kali (Madu and Kaitabha), Chamundeshwari (Chanda and Munda), Raktadanti (Demon Danti), Durgi (demon Durga), Bhramani (demon Aruna) etc. Of all these goddesses, Mahishamardhini, Durgi and Chamundeshwari are more popular. In fact as it is well known, our city Mysore got the name from Goddess Mahishasuramardhini, the vanquisher of the demon Mahishasura. Its ancient name was Mahishapura or Mahishuru which got corrupted by the British as Mysore. In fact southern Karnataka was referred to as Mahishamandala and this name found mentioned during the period of Ashoka almost 2,200 years ago.

Another significant feature of Navaratri, is the exalted position given to Kannike or unmarried girls. They are supposed to be personifications of the Goddess of Navaratri. They are to be worshipped as Kumari, Trimati Kalyani, Rohini, Chandike, Shambhavi, Durgi, Subhadra and Kali. Each one of these forms was worshipped and presents given to them and it is believed that the great Goddess would be pleased by the worship of the unmarried girls.

It is of interest to note that the Goddess of Navaratri was worshipped by epic heroes also. It is said that Sri Rama worshipped the goddess before going to fight Ravana and achieved success. Mahabharata heroes also worshipped the goddess and took out their weapons of war which they had hidden under a Shami (banni) tree and started their victorious march. Our kings of historical dynasties were not slow to imitate Sri Rama and the Pandavas in this respect. Unfortunately the history of Navaratri festival celebrated by the pre-Vijayanagar dynasties is not known to us as it has not been recorded. But we are fortunate that many foreign travellers like Nikitin, Barbosa, Abdul Razzak, Domingo Paes, Nuniz etc. who had the good fortune of participating in the Dasara festival as special invitees of various Vijayanagara kings have described in glorious terms even the minutest details of Dasara held during the period.

The most luxurious Dasara of the Vijaynagara period was held during the reign of Krishnadevaraya, the most distinguished emperor of this dynasty. The foreign traveller Domingo Paes was an eye witness to the Dasara of Krishnadevaraya which was celebrated for nine days from Sept. 13 to 21, 1529 AD. Its luxury and pomp can be estimated by the presence of gold images of gods and goddess and the rich gold ornaments worn by royalty and common women who attended the celebration. The speciality was that celebrations took palace both in the day time as well as during nights. One the tenth day called Vijayadashami, Krishnaradevaraya held a review of the army of the State. It was an occasion for Krishnadevaraya to exhibit his military strength in public.

The Wadiyars of Mysore are the cultural successors of Vijayanagara and hence celebrated Dasara on the pattern of Vijayanagara. Raja Wadiyar (1578-1617) celebrated Dasara at Srirangapatna and codified the rules and regulations in this regard. He even ordered that Dasara should not be stopped even if there was a death in the royal family. During the days of Kanteerava Narasaraja Wadiyar, Dasara became more glorious. Dasara became a grand affair during the period of Krishnaraja Wadiyar III in Mysore.

During the period of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV Dasara became a great spectacle and attained fame even abroad and it became world famous. Then came Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar who continued the traditional Dasara in a glorious manner. The last Dasara of this type was held in the year 1969.

The Vijayadashami procession held on 10th day popularly known as Jambo Savari was the greatest attraction. Govinda Vaidya (1648) refers to it as Jambi Savari, meaning a procession to Banni tree. It is said that there was an elephant in London Zoo and it was called Jambo and hence British called it Jumbo Savari and in course of time it became Jumbo Savari.

This is all history and at present Dasara is celebrated as Naada Habba with the procession of the idol of Chamundeshwari.

The government is trying to make it more attractive by innovative additions. But is lacks religious fervour and traditional glory of the days of the Wadiyars. In spite of all these changes, Mysore Dasara is attracting people in large numbers. That is the magic of the word Dasara.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Dept. of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore / October 12th, 2013

Sufi music by Mukhtiyar Ali mesmerises audience at Amba Vilas Palace

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Sufi singer Mir Mukhtiyar Ali performing at the sprawling Palace premises. 2) Pandit Narasimhalu Vadavati of Raichur presenting clarinet recital at Amba Vilas Palace.
Sufi singer Mir Mukhtiyar Ali performing at the sprawling Palace premises. 2) Pandit Narasimhalu Vadavati of Raichur presenting clarinet recital at Amba Vilas Palace.

Mysore :

The Sufi music rendered by Pandit Mukhtiyar Ali from Rajasthan stole the show at the cultural programme organised by the Dasara Cultural Sub-Committee at Palace premises here yesterday.

The Sufi music and hindi songs rendered by Ali literally mesmerised the crowd to an ecstatic level that the full gathering stayed back for the whole programme even after one hour of the Palace illumination was switched off. The added attraction was Ali explaining the meaning of the songs during the programme.

Previous to that Pandit Narasimhalu Vadivati presented a delectable clarinet recital in Hindustani style.

Also included were a presentation of Veeragase dance by Basaveshwara Yuvaka Sangha of Shimoga and Bhangra dance by artistes from Punjab.

District in-Charge Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad, MLAs Vasu and M.K. Somashekar, AICC member Motamma and others were among the audience enjoying the programme.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / October 12th, 2013

Uusung heroes of Jumboo Savari

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Travel

Mysore :

Although lakhs of visitors flock the Royal Route of Jumboo Savari from the Palace to the Bannimantap grounds to have a glimpse of the 5,535 kg howdah elephant Arjuna majestically carrying the 750 kg golden howdah with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in it and seek the blessings of the presiding deity, the real heroes of the event go unnoticed.

Akram Pasha, an employee of the Forest Department, who is specialised in tying the howdah to the Ambari elephant, is on the job for the past 20 years. He along with 68-year-old Zakhaulla, a resident of Ghousianagar, is busy preparing the Gaddi on which the Ambari will be placed atop Arjuna besides tailoring flaps of clothes to be placed on either sides of the 14 Dasara elephants.

Pasha claims that he learnt the art of tying the Ambari to the elephant from Mahouts after joining the Forest Department and adds that with the help of his father he learnt the art of stitching decorative flaps used in decorating the elephants for the occasion.

Claiming that he had prepared Gaddis for Dasara elephants like Biligiriranga, Rajendra and later Drona, Pasha adds that lot of gunny and grass are required to prepare the Gaddi.

To prevent any inconvenience from citizens, Mahouts and Kavadis of the 14 Dasara elephants and those preparing these costumes are provided security by 24 Police personnel at 14 specially erected sheds.

The district administration had spent more than Rs.12 lakh for purchase of necessary decorative items to be used for decorating these elephants for the grand finale of the Dasara festivities.

However, this year, it is said that approximately Rs. 15 to 16 lakh is required for purchase of decorative items to be used on these elephants on the Jumboo Savari day itself and the State Bank of Mysore which is celebrating its centenary year has come forward to donate Rs.15 lakh for this purpose, said Palace Board Deputy Director T.S. Subramanya.

Whether those taking part in decorating the Dasara elephants get their due recognition or not, the Jumboo Savari leaves an indelible mark in the hearts of those who witness the spectacle.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / October 11th, 2013

8 young directors to interpret Karnad’s plays

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Bangalore :

Eight plays of Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad will be seen in a new light. Eight young theatre directors from across India will interpret and analyze the plays at Samprathi — a theatre festival to be hosted by Ranga Shankara from October 18 to 27.

The directors are Samkutty Pattomkari (Thiruvananthapuram), Sam George (Thiruvananthapuram), Abanti Chakraborty (Kolkata), Koumarane Valvane (Puducherry), V Balakrishnan (Chennai), Mohit Takalkar (Pune), Aditee Biswas (New Delhi) and Ashish D’abero (Karnataka), They’ll be staged in English, says Surendra Nath, artistic director, Ranga Shankara.

Abanti, who is directing her favourite play, Nagamandala, says: “It has multiple layers and it’ll be interesting to deal with such complexities on stage. And, I have all the freedom to interpret it in my own theatrical language. The play, with deals with the issue of gender, is relevant even today.”

According to Balakrishnan, Karnad’s writings have an influence which is not time-bound. “His woman characters are strongly presented. Their conflicts are powerful and stir the soul,” says Balakrishnan, who is directing The Fire and the Rain (Agni Mathu Male).

For Ashish, Karnad’s Yayati explores a range of interesting themes and ideas, relevant even in this day and age. “Through our production of the play, titled Desperately Seeking Sanjeevani (Yayati), we have decided to explore the idea of immortality and what it means in today’s context. The modern-day quest for immortality is alive and kicking, fuelled by a multi-billion-dollar advertising and marketing plan. Based on the discovery of the ageing gene, Sanjeevani could be just around the corner. Well, almost,” he quips.

Aditee feels Karnad’s plays revisit Indian history and bring to life complex characters, issues and situations, reflecting societal changes. “He paints a vivid picture of present-day India. He is one of the few Indian playwrights, whose works build bridges between the ancient, mythic and the contemporary, and connect India’s historical and social past with its present”, she says.

Treat to watch

The festival celebrates over five decades of Girish Karnad’s playwriting genius. We have invited the best of young directors from across the country to interpret the master’s work. The event will feature eight plays, a seminar, a talk by Karnad himself and a film with him as an actor. What more can Bangaloreans ask for?

Arundhati Nag, artistic advisor, Ranga Shankara

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Directors / by G S Kumar, TNN / October 04th, 2013

Dharwad teen to speak at UN meet

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All, World Opinion

It is not every day that you come across a 16-year-old child rights activist. And it would be even more uncommon that you will see one who took up such a cause when she was in Class 4. But Manjula, a first-year PUC student from a remote village in Dharwad, knows where her priorities and passion lie.

This child rights activist will be among the select few representing India at the 66th United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) that will be held in Geneva on October 10.

Manjula was in the city on Thursday to be felicitated by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR). “When I was in Class 4, I started working with KIDS (an NGO) where I learned a lot about our rights. I am really happy because I got a chance to represent the children of my country at the convention,” said Manjula about her journey as an activist.

Manjula was clear about the purpose of her trip. She said that she would prepare a report on issues assigned to her and declared that she would not hesitate to highlight the problems of India’s children.

Though she was given particular areas to talk about, Manjula has decided to look at local problems. “I need to concentrate on civil rights and freedom, family environment and alternative care and special protection measures. These are issues from the report we prepared at the national-level meeting held at Mumbai,” said Manjula.

When asked about her opinion on issues faced by Indian children, she said the government should address rising incidents of sexual harassment cases reported against minors. The Centre must ensure effective implementation of the National Policy for Children and there should be proper representation for children in the Constitution, she felt.

“Being a girl, I have seen many cases of improper alternate care for children. There is a rise in the number of orphaned children, but there is no proper care for them,” she added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Bangalore / October 04th, 2013

Mothers-to-be to get free pickup and drop in Karnataka

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Resources of Free Materials

Bangalore :

In a first of its kind initiative in the state, here’s some good news for moms-to-be. Karnataka is gearing up to introduce the free pick-up-and-drop facility for pregnant women to reduce high infant and maternal mortality rates in the state. The scheme will be open to women who avail of services in government hospitals.

(Karnataka govt will provide…)
(Karnataka govt will provide…)

Though the Centre had launched this scheme a year ago on a cost-sharing basis with states under the National Rural Health Mission, the BJP government here failed to implement it for lack of funds and political reasons.

The Congress government, with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha  elections, has decided to pursue this scheme on priority. “We have sought tenders for buying equipment, vehicles, among other things. Hopefully the scheme will be implemented in two months,” said M Madan Gopal, principal secretary of health and family welfare department.

Senior health officer M Raju said the scheme will help women from villages who find it difficult to reach hospitals on time due to factors like unavailability of vehicles and cash crunch.

WHAT’S THE SCHEME

As per the scheme, the health department will station its vehicles at strategic points. Based on a woman’s expected date of delivery, she will be taken to the nearest primary health centre or delivery point. She will be provided with food, medical and recreational facilities. Once she recuperates after delivery, the vehicle will drop her back home. The entire service, including the stay and food, is free of cost.

HOW IT WORKS

“All information about pregnant women, including their contact numbers, will be registered during their anti-natal period. The vehicle will be sent to their residence a day or two prior to the delivery date, depending on the woman’s condition. An SMS reminder will be sent to the family members before the day of pick-up, to help them prepare for the hospital stay,” Madan Gopal said.

The department will introduce the vehicles keeping in mind the area (terrain) and population.

MOBILITY MATTERS

On an average, at least 5 of 1,000 infant deaths (infant mortality rate) occur due to non-availability of transport to reach primary health centres. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is also around 180 per lakh. Karnataka hopes the pick-up-and-drop facility will improve institutional delivery of babies from 55% in 2010, to more than 90%.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who recently reviewed the government’s health schemes, directed the health and family welfare department to make Karnataka’s IMR the lowest in the country within five years. The state currently ranks 10th on the national IMR index.

Times View

This is another social welfare scheme that seems high in intention but low in practicability. That it had been put in the cold storage for want of funds only underlines this. First, the government should ensure there are enough primary healthcare centres, especially in rural areas. Second, it should ensure these are manned and well-equipped. In a country where women deliver babies outside government hospitals due to lack of beds, it seems a little daunting and implausible that women will be accorded the time and space the scheme envisages.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Primary Health Centre / by Manu Aiyappa, TNN / October 09th, 2013

Down the memory lane: Remembering eyesight legend

Amazing Feats, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology
(Left): 1) Sri Suttur Swamiji, Dr. M.C. Modi, Ln. Nanjundaswamy and myself at the camp in Suttur. (Right- 2) Dr. Modi offering garland to Indira Gandhi during her visit to Mysore while he was conducting an eye camp.
(Left): 1) Sri Suttur Swamiji, Dr. M.C. Modi, Ln. Nanjundaswamy and myself at the camp in Suttur. (Right- 2) Dr. Modi offering garland to Indira Gandhi during her visit to Mysore while he was conducting an eye camp.

by K. Vijaya Kumar, Former Jt. Director of Information & Publicity

October. 10 is World Sight Day, an annual day of awareness to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment.

Having undergone cataract surgery for my right eye just a couple of weeks ago at the Sushrutha Eye Hospital in city by Dr. C.A.P. Prabhu, who runs it with his wife Dr. Pallavi Prabhu and as I turn 77 (on Oct. 14, Vijayadashami Day), it occurred to me to remember this day and offer my gratitude to all those ‘eye-care’ fraternity engaged in protecting our vision. The reason to mention the date is that after several years, Vijayadashami this year has occurred on Oct. 14 as per the Hindu calendar.

‘Cataract King’ Dr. Modi

When we speak of cataract surgery, the immediate name that occurs to our mind is that of Dr. M.C. Modi. A legend of his time, he had dedicated his full 90 years of life to provide vision to lakhs of people all over by conducting cataract surgeries and was rightly known as ‘Cataract King’.

Look at this description on himself — “Like a circus company I have toured all over India since 1943 to provide free eye relief service. In the process, I have examined over 10 million patients and performed a record nearly six lakh eye operations.” It is a fact, even when he was travelling by train, he would examine the eyes of the passengers moving from one bogie to another. While his wife accompanied him on a rail journey once, he was so engrossed in eye examination that he completely forgot about her and got off from the train at a wrong station leaving his wife in the train itself !

Gandhiji’s influence

The ‘human dynamo’ in Dr. Modi was triggered by Mahatma Gandhi (whose 145th Jayanthi was observed just last week) whose speech he had listened in 1942 at Beelagi near his own native place in Koppala district. Helen Keller had described him as a “light piercing in darkness in selfless service” at a felicitation in New York.

He was also decorated with Padma Bhushana award. “One man’s war,” a documentary on him, had been produced by our Information Department, directed by M.S. Satyu.

Eye camps in Mysore and Ln. M.S. Nanjundaswamy

I recall here Modi’s several mass eye camps held in Mysore in seventies and eighties when I was serving in Mysore. The person behind organising most of these camps was late Lion M.S. Nanjundaswamy.

An active member of Lions Club, who also became the Lions District Governor, having a motto ‘Gift of Eye-Sight to five persons every day,’ he had organised four major free eye camps in 1977-78 when Dr. Modi examined 34,320 eye patients and 1,342 eye operations were performed. Nanjundaswamy had become close to me because of the publicity support I was extending for this noble cause with charity undertaken by him and his wife Smt. Jagadishwari.

Their son Lion M.N. Jai Prakash, following the footprints of his parents, continued conducting free eye camps and serving as a Lion member becoming Governor twice.

A surprise visitor

I was greatly surprised one morning when Nanjundaswamy walked into my residence with Dr. Modi, who was such a modest person. My mother’s joy was beyond words. Even before she greeted him he made her to sit and started examining her eyes with his ready torch in his coat saying they are ‘perfect’.

After introducing me to the Doctor, both of them asked me to join them for the inauguration of eye camp by Suttur Seer. When I went there, they made me sit on the dais as a chief guest. A salute to them on the World Sight Day.

e-mail: kumarkv59@gmail.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / October 09th, 2013

Moily travels by Metro, takes the lead on conservation

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Science & Technology
M Veerappa Moily
M Veerappa Moily

Leading from front, minister walked one-kilo metre stretch from his home in Tughlak Lane to Race Course metro station

Clad in his trademark white khadi, Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily  on Wednesday did what 2.3 million Delhiites do every day—travel by a crowded Metro train to reach office. The self-imposed austerity measure was part of a fuel conservation drive to save $5 billion on the crude oil import bill.

The minister had asked all the staff of his ministry, as well as of 14 public sector oil companies under him, to mark every Wednesday as Bus Day, when only public transport should be used.

Leading from the front, the minister walked the one km stretch from his home in Tughlak Lane to Race Course Metro station, wading through a crowd of 100-odd journalists battling for a sound bite.

Calling the move patriotic, Moily termed his Metro trip a “symbolic gesture” in an effort to cut the country’s overall yearly oil import bill by $23 billion. “I hope other ministers and the common man would follow this. As we spent around $145 billion on import of crude oil, we have to conserve also in order to bring down the current account deficit. In my ministry only, we were able to save at least $800 today (Wednesday) when more than 200 staff took public transport by saving about 600 litres of petrol or diesel,” said Moily.

The minister travelled amid an excited crowd who were eager to capture a snap of him, while visual media journalists fought for his comments.

The minister generously rejected an offer of a seat from a young man. “It was a seat for senior citizens. I don’t want myself to be considered a senior citizen,” he later said.

However, it was a hard job for the Metro staff and his security personnel to manage the crowd. When asked whether he would take public transport the entire day, he said, “I’ve asked my driver to keep the car in the garage, so that it won’t create any temptation to me.”

There were light moments, too, when Moily could not trace his Metro card to swipe while he was trying to exit. Two joint secretaries, Neeraj Mittal and Aramane Giridhar, and one director cycled their way to office.

The campaign, part of the minister’s larger roadmap to reduce the country’s import bill, included steps such as public sector and joint venture refineries keeping imports to last year’s level, depending heavily on rupee payment for imports from Iran, getting on with an ethanol blending programme and allowing oil marketing companies to arrange external commercial borrowing to meet their working capital demand.

For the Rs 45-crore, six-week conservation campaign, the ministry has roped in cricketer Virat Kohli and badminton star Saina Nehwal as brand ambassadors.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Current Affairs> News> National / by BS  Reporter / New Delhi – October 10th, 2013

Mangalore: Junior National Powerlifting – Amitha Poojary bags gold

Education, Records, All, Sports

AmithaBF14oct2013

Mangalore :

Amitha Poojary Kudumbur  near here, won gold medal at the Junior National Powerlifting championship held last month. She had competed in the 52 kg category.

The Junior National Powerlifting Championship  this year was held at Amaravathi in Maharashtra from January 24 to January 29. Amitha, with her splendid performance, emerged as the strongest female participant in the event.

Amitha, daughter of Kudumbur Srinivas Bangera and Sharada is currently pursuing her studies at Gokarnatheshwar College in the city.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM) / Wednesday – February 13th, 2013

Dainese to open first Indian store in Bangalore later this month

Business & Economy, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Founded in 1972, Dainese the famous Italian company known for making quality motorcycling safety and protective gear will soon open their first store in India, in Bangalore. Called the D Store, the company has tied up with Tusker Group, owners of Bangalore Harley Davidson showroom who will have franchise for the upcoming store.

DaineseBF13oct2013

Dainese, based in Vicenza, Italy was founded in 1972 by President Lino Dainese. The brand is instrumental in introducing many firsts in the arena of motorcycle racing and introduced the first ever knee slider while the back protector was invented by Barry Sheene. It is also the first motorcycle gear manufacturer to introduce air equipped racing suite called D-Air. 

All these products and much more will be on display at the D Store in Bangalore, reports Overdrive . The group also plans on opening more such D Stores in other cities across Indian in the coming 3-4 years which will include cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Chennai and Coimbatore. India will also get a regional specific website soon where you can purchase Dainese gear online at www.dainesedstore.in soon.

The first D Store will be at 123A, first floor, Orion Mall, Brigade Gateway, Bangalore 560055.

source: http://www.rushlane.com /RushLane , Daily Auto News / HOme / by Nabanita Singha Roy / October 03rd, 2013