Monthly Archives: January 2016

Reviving Bhakti movement to mark 1000th Birth Anniversary of Sri Ramanujacharya

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Enchanting Evening with ‘Bibi Nachiyar’

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Nearly a millennium has passed since Sri Ramanujacharya (ca. 1017-1137) travelled through India, spreading the Bhakti Movement. The year 2017 marks the 1000th birth anniversary of the great Social Reformer, Saint and Guru Sri Ramanujacharya. At a time when the society was gripped with the social evils of untouchability and class based discrimination, Ramanujacharya made history by propounding Equality of all people. The depressed classes (now called Harijans) of the Melukote were of great service to Ramanujacharya and he gave them the right of entry inside the temple which he constructed at Melukote and gave them the name “Tirukkulathaar,” meaning “Children of Lakshmi.” Throughout India he spread the Bhakti Marga. He was an exponent of “qualified non-dualism” known as Vishishta-Advaita. His life and works show a truly unique personality, combining charismatic energy, logical acumen, contemplative insight, catholicity and selfless dedication to God.

At that time the king Krimikanta Chola, in Tamil Nadu, started relentless persecution of Sri Vaishnavas. Though Ramanujacharya was not afraid of the king or of his own death, on his disciples’ insistent prayers, he left Tamil Nadu and travelled to Karnataka. He reached the foot-hills of the Western Ghats, about forty miles west of Mysore. The king of the place was Bitti Deva of the Hoysala dynasty. The Raja’s daughter was possessed of some devil and nobody was able to cure her. Ramanujacharya succeeded in exorcizing the devil and the princess was restored to her former health. The king was very much pleased with Ramanujacharya and readily became his disciple and became a Vaishnava.

“Bibi Nachiyar” was presented as a dance-drama by Sri Vaishnavi School of Dance on 10th January at the Jaganmohan Palace auditorium, Mysuru. The aesthetic sensibility through the entire presentation held our rapt attention. When the programme ended one could not but wonder how the time passed. Generally when a dance programme is presented with recorded music there are glitches and even with live music sometimes the programme does not flow smoothly. It was incredible that the whole dance-drama with recorded music flowed like a taila daara (flow of oil) without a break. Every aspect of this programme was superb. The choreography was so artistic with different patterns formed on the stage by the dancers without confusion; symmetries in the patterns, the use of the entire stage, the graceful movements, statuesque poses, correct postures, footwork and facial and body expression (abhinaya) of the dancers were superb.

The dance-drama opened with a scene from Vaikunta and devotees worshipping Narayana. In a sloka, the Mascha (fish), Koorma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Namahari and Vamana-Trivikrama avatara episodes were depicted in a crisp, clear and brief manner. Omitting Parasurama, Sri Rama and Balarama avatars, the dancers moved on to show Sri Krishna who becomes the centre of Bhakti Marga. Mithun Shyam appears on the stage as Ramanuja. His expression throughout all the episodes was so serene, and his dance perfect with grace and no excessive movements, portraying a spiritual guru perfectly. Following the instructions of the Lord he goes on to find the Narayana inside the anthill. The tribal people are enjoying themselves in a dance and Ramanuja tells them that they should break the anthill and take out the idol. The tribal people are terrified and ask how they can touch the idol. Ramanuja tells them all are equal before God. The idol is taken out and installed in the temple. The tribal people are allowed to enter the temple and worship the deity. In a vision, Ramanuja is told that the utsava moorthy is with the Sultan’s daughter in Delhi and he should bring it back and install it in Melukote.

The next scene opens with the Sultan’s daughter Mumtaj playing with the idol from childhood and loving the idol. Even after she has blossomed into a beautiful maiden she cannot live without the idol. The Sultan is worried about this and at this time Ramanuja arrives and requests the return of the idol. The Sultan challenges him to call the idol from where he is and Ramanuja calls out endearingly ‘Selva Pillaiye Vaarum.’ The idol, in child form, comes dancing to Sri Rama- nuja and sits on his lap. The Sultan is stunned and allows Ramanuja to take the idol. He returns to Melukote and installs the deity.

The last scene shows the Sultan’s daughter unable to bear the separation from her idol follows Ramanuja to Melukote and Sri Ramanuja allows her to enter the sanctum where she merges with her idol.

“Bibi Nachiyar” enchanted and elevated the audience to a higher plane through its dance and music suffused with Bhakti Bhava. It was an artistic triumph through the grace of Sri Ramanujacharya.

Bharatanatyam, Folk, Kathak and Mohini Attam have been blended without sacrificing the special beauty of each one. The costumes have been designed in a very attractive manner. Bharatanatyam and Kathak (in respective costumes) together, for the same music using ragas common both to Karnatak and Hindusthani systems, depicted the Sultan’s daughter playing and dancing with the idol, the Sultan’s court and the Sultan’s daughter following Ramanuja to Melukote.

Mohini Attam was selected with Mohini costume because Vishnu appeared as Mohini when the Asuras and Devas were fighting over who should get the Amrit. Since Krishna was enticing all beings, Mohini Attam was appropriate. The Raga Ananda Bhairavi selected for Ramanuja’s lyrics was the most suited. It portrayed Peace (Shanti), Dignity (Gambhira) and Confidence. The inspiration for this dance-drama was from Sri Melukote Jeeyar Swami. The script and lyrics were by Smt. Dwaraki Krishnaswami. She along with Balasubramanya Sharma composed the music and the singers were Balasubramanya Sharma and Samanvita. Every one of them and each one of the dancers gave their best for this production. Omkar Sound & Light System provided excellent support. I congratulate all of them on a scintillating and spiritually elevating presentation.

Sri Yathiraja Jeeyar Swamy of Melukote Yathiraja Mutt graced the programme and stayed till the end. He said he has begun going to every nook and corner in India taking Sri Ramanujacharya’s padukas for reviving the Bhakti Movement. Let us be blessed to be a part of it.

—Bhaagavata Paada Renu

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Wednesday – January 20th, 2016

Job-seeker who ended up as a job-creator

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features
Sanjay Biradar and his employees displaying the handicraft products at his unit in Vijayapura.— Photo: Rajendra Singh Hajeri
Sanjay Biradar and his employees displaying the handicraft products at his unit in Vijayapura.— Photo: Rajendra Singh Hajeri

After working for an NGO for six years, Sanjay Biradar quit his job of a marketing executive when his request for a pay hike was rejected. While searching for a job, in 2005 he decided to start his own handicraft unit by utilising his past experience of working for the NGO.

“There was a time when I was looking job for myself. Today I have given employment to around 200 women. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction of giving livelihood to others,” he said. This 45-year-old entrepreneur runs a handicraft unit called ‘Hands’, where he prepares jute-cotton based products.Mr. Biradar, who now manufactures over 20 designs of around 50 handicraft products, says that most of his products are exported to the U.S. and European countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Spain and Italy.

“In the beginning, I was selling my products to local shops and a Delhi-based agent exported them to the U.S. and Europe on a commission basis. In 2011, I got my own export licence from the Export Promotion Council of Handicrafts coming under Union Ministry of Textile. Since then, I am exporting materials directly to these countries,” Mr. Biradar said.He said that his women employees earn around Rs. 6,000 a month which is an additional income for them.He said that he also has sells this products through boutiques in Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi. With the annual turnover reaching Rs. 35 lakh, he said that he is willing to offer free guidance to unemployed youth who wish to start their own such unit.

“Instead of hunting for jobs, one could start such unit where he/she can provide employment to other also,” Mr. Biradar said.

For any guidance or more details on setting up of handicraft unit, Mr. Biradar could be contacted on 9886735877.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National /  by Firoz Rozindar / Vijayapura – January 17th, 2016

The world of warli

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Unique hobbies

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Poornima Kothandharaman was always an artist and crafter, but she had to suppress that creative side to make way for something more mainstream.

“Back then, about 20 to 25 years ago, you only crafted in school; it was considered a waste of time beyond that,” she says. However, with changing times and aspirations, she decided to give it another shot.

Now, she upcycles anything she can set her hands on and gives them a traditional touch with warli designs.

She also experiments with other forms of art, but on dry waste again. “I used to craft and paint in school but I gave it for 15 years. It was different back then, art was considered a distraction after a point. And we spent most of our time studying.”

But why did it take her 15 years to get back to her passion? “I went abroad and did my PhD in Physics. And I taught for over a decade in Singapore. Since I am back to Bengaluru now, and I have time to spare, I thought I’d give it a try (again),” she explains.

Calling art and craft “a stressbuster”, she adds that she prefers to keep it a hobby though she could make a career out of it.

“This is a way for me to break away from the monotonous routine of daily life. I can’t just sit at home and do nothing, I don’t like to be idle!” That’s why she began picking up old CDs and cardboard boxes and revamping them. “These pieces are used to redecorate my house or are given away as gifts.” Poornima even teaches and guides those interested.

Another change Poornima noted, along with people’s reaction to art, is, “Art supplies were hard to come by those days and that was a crutch. That has changed and it’s easy to find anything you want. It’s not even difficult to import material, if you want. And it’s nice to see so many people showing interest in art — there are so many ideas and patterns to learn from. People are opting to do things on their own, walk down unconventional paths.”

While she primarily works with acrylic and glass paints, she also uses rangoli and oil paints.

And she turns old boxes, vases, tin cans and glass bowls into something beautiful. Along with creating something stunning, her aim is to make a product as utilitarian as possible. The life of a product doesn’t end when we stop wanting it, she mentions.

Poornima spends at least half an hour crafting everyday. “Sometimes, when I’m really interested in something, I’ll spend around three to four hours on it,” she says. And apart from art classes when in school, she is self-taught.

On why she’s attracted to warli, she elaborates, “It’s a simple and straightforward way to tell a complex story. You can narrate a person’s daily life through these paintings. And they are easy for the viewer to understand as well. Whenever I see warli artwork, I pick up something from it, or I come up with my own designs.”

(Poornima can be contacted on poornima2k1@gmail.com)

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Ananya Revanna, DHNS / January 18th, 2016

‘Samarpana Sangeetha Shri ’ Award conferred on Senior Musician

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Art has the power to instil self confidence among children: Dr. M.R. Ravi

Senior musician Vidu. H.S. Mahalakshmi, who was conferred ‘Samarpana Sangeetha Shri’ award during Sangeethotsava and award presentation ceremony, organised under the aegis of Samarpana at Maharshi Public School in Visweshwaranagar recently, is seen with Additional Regional Commissioner Dr. M.R. Ravi and other dignitaries
Senior musician Vidu. H.S. Mahalakshmi, who was conferred ‘Samarpana Sangeetha Shri’ award during Sangeethotsava and award presentation ceremony, organised under the aegis of Samarpana at Maharshi Public School in Visweshwaranagar recently, is seen with Additional Regional Commissioner Dr. M.R. Ravi and other dignitaries

Mysuru :

Additional Regional Commissioner (ARC) Dr. M.R. Ravi has said that music, arts and literature have the power to instil self confidence, courage and conviction in children.

Speaking at 7th State-level singing contest, Sangeethotsava and award presentation ceremony, organised under the aegis of Samarpana – Srimathi Radhamma Memorial Trust at Maharshi Public School, Visweshwaranagar here recently, Dr. Ravi said that today’s education does not instil self confidence in children. But music, arts and literature have enough power in them to instil self confidence in children and as such, parents should not force their wards to study only engineering, medical and other professional courses, besides encouraging them to take active interest in arts, music and literature.

Senior musician Vidu. H.S. Mahalakshmi was conferred ‘Samarpana Sangeetha Shri’ award on the occasion.

Earlier, Vidyabharathi Trust Members presented a dance-drama ‘Janani Janmabhoomi.’ University of Mysore faculty C.A. Sridhar, Samarpana President N.V. Phaneesh, Sudha Phaneesh and others were present.

Winners of singing contests

Karnatak Classical Music: M. Manya of Surabhi Ganakala Mandira (1st prize), M.S. Keerthana – Vidyavardhaka (2nd), R. Thanishree – Kautilya (3rd), Nayana Nagaraj -Manasarowar Pushkarini (consolation), L.B. Tejaswi – Brihaspatacharya Vidyasamthe – special prize.

Patriotic Songs: Vilas Patel – BVB (1st), Suhas Bharadwaj – BVB (2nd), Gowri -Vidyabharati Trust (3rd), Samvedita Subhash – Kushalnagara Sadana Kala Kendra (consolation), Manasa Nadig – Vagdevi Music School and M.D. Ayush – Kushalnagar’s Swararanava Sagara Sangeethe Shale (special prize)

Folk Songs: Prakriti Bhargav – JSS Public School, J.P. Nagar (1st), K.R. Chandana – Mandya PES School (2nd), Thanushree – Kautilya (3rd), Hrithik C. Raj – ACME School (consolation), Samvedita Subhash – Kushalnagara Sadana Kala Kendra and Tanvita Shetty – Somwarpet OLV Convent (special prize).

Devaranama: Vilas Patel – BVB (1st), T.M. Vaishnavi – JSS Public School, J.P. Nagar (2nd), Ananya R. Bhat – Amritavidyalaya (3rd), Manasa Nadig – Vagdevi Music School (consolation), Bhavya Pai and S.D. Anagha (special prize).

Bhavageete: T.M. Vaishnavi – JSS Public School, J.P. Nagar (1st), Amulya R. Bhat – Amrita Vidyalayam (2nd), Vilas – BVB (3rd), Nayana Nagaraj – Manasarowar Pushkarini (consolation), Nived Kumar – Swararanava Sagara Sangeethe Shale and Impana of Mandya’s Cauvery Public School (special prize).

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) won the Rolling Trophy for best performances in all categories.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – January 18th, 2016

Mangalore University to bring alive lives of leaders through book exhibitions on them

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Mangaluru :

Lives of great Indian leaders will come alive to students and stakeholders in the form of books published on them, thanks to initiative taken by Mangalore University which entails organizing exhibition-cum-sale of books on their birth anniversaries and other important national days.

First of such many exhibitions to come formally got underway at University College on Wednesday with VC K Byrappa inaugurating book exhibition on Swami Vivekananda.

Brainchild of registrar T D Kemparaju, the idea of holding such events is to get Gen Next know about the lives of leaders such as Swami Vivekananda. Basically a librarian himself, Kemparaju’s love for books is but natural and he wants even the students and general public to benefit from the vast resources that university has in its library. Incidentally, a weeklong exhibition-cum-sale also is being held at Field Marshal K M Cariappa College in Madikeri from January 12.

In an informal interaction with select media on the sidelines of inauguration of the first of such exhibition at University College, Kemparaju said there any number of books written on the lives, works, speeches of leaders, but are largely confined to the bookshelves of libraries. In holding such exhibitions for a specific period during occasions such as National Youth Day observed to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, such books come to light for many.

The exhibition might draw a handful of students to begin with and the numbers could gradually increase, he said. However, most important thing is to make a beginning and get students to read the books, or at least initiate them in to the world of reading. Student in the normal course of their education will not read a book on Jawaharlal Nehru or Mahatma Gandhi or other leaders unless it is part of curriculum. These exhibitions will now create a forum for them, he said.

The original writings of leaders too could be kept at such exhibitions, he averred adding that the university will make such exhibition a regular feature at all days of national importance such as Independence Day, Republic Day. “The university library on its Mangalagangothri campus too will be very much the epi-centre of such an exercise in the future,” he said, adding the exhibition was not held on the campus this time since it is an off-academic period right now.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / Jaideep Shenoy / January 13th, 2016

Organic farming expert dead

Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature

D.D. Bharamagoudra, who practised and promoted organic farming in rain-fed areas, passed away in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The funeral took place at his native place in Gadag district on Thursday.

He was 77. A native of Yalavatti village in Shirahatti taluk of Gadag district, Bharamagoudra was a pioneer in initiating organic farming in rain-fed areas and also motivated many to follow him.

He was president of the Organic Farmers’ Association of India and a member of the Organic Farming Mission set up by the BJP government in the State. He was also honoured with ‘Karnataka Rajyotsava’ award and was known as a resource person on organic farming.

Apart from being a pioneer in growing cotton and chillis under organic farming in rain-fed areas, he had also worked towards preserving native varieties of seeds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Hubballi – January 15th, 2016

Movie Director Geethapriya Dies

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Bengaluru :

Renowned Kannada movie director Geethapriya (84) passed away at K C General Hospital here on Sunday. He was admitted to the hospital as he was suffering from multiple health issues.

Born on June 15, 1932, he joined the film industry in 1954. Lakshman Rao Mohite, who became popular as Geethapriya in the film industry, was introduced by music director Vijay Bhaskar. He started out as a lyricist, who wrote two songs for ‘Sri Rama Puja’ in 1955.

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Geethapriya has directed nearly 40 movies including ‘Mannina Maga’, ‘Durgashtami’, ‘Naari Munidhare Maari’, ‘Besuge’, ‘Mouna Geethe’, ‘Putaani Agent’. He was felicitated with a national award for his directorial debut in ‘Mannina Maga’.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in his condolence message, said, “Though Geethap riya is no more, the songs written by him will remain close to our hearts.”

Information Minister Roshan Baig also condoled Geethapriya’s death.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / January 18th, 2016

Making dreams come true

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Capturing the moment Nilma Dileepan
Capturing the moment Nilma Dileepan

Entrepreneur Nilma Dileepan’s company strives to make your best occasions memorable

Ever scrolled down your timeline on Facebook only to gape at gorgeous pictures from a friend’s wedding or wondered how such fairy tale weddings, straight out of Pinterest, are actually orchestrated? Thanks to the growing number of incredibly talented event and wedding planners in the city, it isn’t impossible to recreate a scene from your favourite romantic film. And one such dream weaver is city-based entrepreneur, Nilma Dileepan.

Following her degree in Communication Studies, she worked for a production house for four years. “I didn’t see myself growing and being challenged back then so I decided to quit. With shoots there isn’t much creativity as agencies give us a brief as to the exact props they’d need. But with events there are so many things to play around with and the opportunity to be creative automatically presents itself,” Nilma recounts.

She set up ‘With Love, Nilma’, an event company, in August 2014, and in December 2014, she launched Yellow Umbrella Productions, a production house which caters to production needs such as locations, models, props, etc. of brands and advertising agencies, for commercials, digital films, and photo shoots.

Of her maiden venture, the bubbly young event stylist narrates: “’With Love, Nilma’ started when some of my friends were getting married and having babies. I helped them with the decor of their weddings and baby showers respectively. The guests loved what I’d done and people began to notice my work, appreciated my style and the way I put things together. I realised I enjoyed doing this- all the cutting, sticking, planning, scouting for props, and finally setting them all up in an empty space and prettying it up. I started a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/withlovenilma) and many more people began to take notice and thus began a bevy of phone calls and continuous events and celebrations.”

Currently, through her venture, Nilma creates minimalistic and eclectic decor for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorettes, and just about any celebration which one would like to celebrate with an intimate gathering.

With the wedding planning brigade only growing in our metropolis, it is important to create one’s own niche.

“Our clients always get back to us saying that they love our attention to detail, how every guest of theirs left in awe and said they hadn’t seen similar decor before and that it was tasteful and not over the top/ gaudy. This has been our greatest USP and we believe in doing every event ‘with love’, hence the name,” Nilma quips.

Of her entrepreneurial journey so far, she says, “It’s been easy only because I love doing this. But it’s been difficult because dealing with vendors who provide the raw materials, has been extremely challenging.

For example, they say they will provide a white canopy but instead give us a murky brown dirty canopy with pops of white. Hence, I have to be extra careful and double check every single item and ensure they come on time and deliver all that has been asked for.

Finding an office within a budget, getting the right people to work with and building a team of young individuals who are as excited about this as me, have also been challenges I’ve had to overcome.”

In the coming days, Nilma hopes to take on a lot more work that leaves her “brimming with happiness.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Neeti Sarkar / Bengaluru – January 12th, 2016

New genetic condition, likely genetic defect causing it discovered

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Manipal :

The clinicians and researchers at Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal University, Manipal and Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad in collaboration with scientists of University of Hamburg, Germany have discovered a new genetic condition and the likely genetic defect that causes it. The work was published in the online edition of the European Journal of Human Genetics.

Giving details of the discovery, team leader Dr Girish Katta, professor and head, department of Clinical Genetics Kasturba Hospital, Manipal said that the patients with this condition have joint dislocations at birth and have a generalized bone disease. “It was about six years ago that Dr Hitesh Shah and I came across two brothers with the disease. There are very few conditions with such severe dislocation of joints at birth. In addition, both had lax joints,” he said.

“Ever since seeing the two, we realized that brothers had some unknown disorder and so kept working to identify genetic basis,” he added. “Shared genes were first identified by chromosomal microarray and then we performed whole exome sequencing to identify shared genetic defect. German collaborators performed bioinformatic analysis. Proof of causation of disease by EXOC6B gene will require reporting of more patients with similar condition, he added.

Meanwhile, surgical team lead by Dr Hitesh Shah operated on the brothers and they are now mobile and even go to school. The team’s focus was to detect genetic cause of rare disorders. Dr Hitesh is specialized in correcting pediatric bone deformities. Other members of research team are – Dr Ashwin Dalal and Dr Kerstin Kutsche, both adjunct visiting professors of KMC, Manipal.

Vinod Bhat, VC, Manipal University said, “This is one of the very few new genes discovered by Indians. As of today, we have diseases identified for less than quarter of known genes”. Manipal University has a MoU with University of Hamburg on research collaboration for past two years, said Poornima Baliga, Dean KMC, Manipal. Indian Council of Medical Research funded the work. To facilitate research, KMC has established a Central Research Laboratory, she added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India /News Home> City> Mangalore / by Jaideep Shenoy, TNN / January 12th, 2016

Last link to a rare folk music form lives on alms

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
Anjanappa performing at an event.— photo: by Special Arrangement
Anjanappa performing at an event.— photo: by Special Arrangement

70-year-old Anjanappa from Gudibande taluk learnt to play Mukhaveni, an instrument that resembles a flute, from his father and grandfather

If you happen to see this 70-year-old musician at a public place seeking alms while playing an instrument that resembles a shehanai or a flute, do not dismiss him as just a beggar. Anjanappa is not only a gifted musician, but also one of the last links to Mukhaveni, a wind instrument.

The art of playing Mukhaveni is in his genes as Anjanappa, who hails from Gauguntehalli of Gudibande taluk in Chickballapur district, learnt it from his father and grandfather, who were professional musicians. He has mastered the art of playing Karanji, a piped instrument that involves taking in water from one nostril and leaving it through another, besides Panchavaadhya. Sometimes, he also enthrals the crows by playing all three instruments at once.

Besides Karnataka, Anjanappa has performed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. “I play the songs from the films of matinee idols of the respective States at concerts,” he says. Despite mastery over this instrument and huge popularity, Anjanappa lives in poverty.

“My music is not for sale. I will never fix a price for my music,” says Anjanappa, when asked why he should not quote a price for the music shows, which he performs at the request of various organisations.

“But, I accept whatever these organisations give me. While some pay a few hundreds, some have even paid Rs. 25,000. However, what they give is not my concern at all, because my main aim is to entertain the crowd with my music,” he says. He does not feel bad about getting alms from people after playing music. “It is a reward they give if they are satisfied. And this is how I lead my life,” says the humble musician.

The Kannada and Culture Department has sanctioned a monthly pension of Rs. 1,000 for him. But, that is not enough for this musician, who has a family of 10 members, who are farm labourers.

“I got a cash reward of Rs. 3 lakh. I used it to build a house for my family. I have built the walls. But I do not have money to put the roof over them,” says Anjanappa, whose dream is to complete his humble house.

However, more than completing the construction of the house, what bothers him is that nobody is willing to learn his music. “I taught these skills to one of my sons. But once when he was playing it outside a house in Mysuru, the owner got annoyed and scolded him by saying that he was wasting his life like his father. My son took it seriously and broke the instruments. Since then, he has not touched them,” says Anjanappa, who is eager to pass on the music tradition so that there will be somebody to carry forward his legacy.

Anjanappa (70) from Gudibande taluk learnt to play Mukhaveni, an instrument that resembles a flute, from his father and grandfather

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities / by B.S. Satish Kumar / Bengaluru – January 11th, 2016