Shankaraa Foundation organised a grand event to showcase the talent and culture of Karnataka at its  premises on Kanakapura Road recently.

This programme was the culmination of the summer workshop, held in association with the Dwaraknath Reddy Institutes for Knowledge Foundation and Association for Voluntary Action and Services.

Shankaraa Foundation worked with 60 gifted children from the slums of the State. This event consisted of different performances by the children that varied from classical to folk forms, and was an exciting conglomeration of dance, music and theatre. It showcased the enthusiastic and undying spirits of these children.

The programme consisted of students performing traditional folk forms, which included pooja kunitha, pattada kunitha, maramma, dollu kunitha and tamte.

A theatrical presentation mixed with dance, ‘The Giving Tree’, choreographed by Rasshme Hegde Gopi, was also staged at the event. This simple, yet moving parable by Shel Silverstein, was adapted in a different style, by mixing dance and music.
The simple message was about nature suffering because of human greed. ‘The Giving Tree’ comprised of children doing various art forms like yakshagana, bharatanatyam and more.

Rasshme Hegde Gopi says, “The concept behind ‘The Giving Tree’ is that children understand the connection with nature, and appreciate nature which nourishes us and shelters us. We also aim to help them understand the need to respect and nurture nature back in return.”

The evening’s performance was followed by an odissi recital by Meera Das and group.
They performed different pieces that left the crowd impressed. Starting with Jagganatha Mangalam, an invocation to Lord Jaganath, the performance moved on to desh pallavi in raga desh; sakhe, a piece about Radha’s conversation with her friend about wanting to meet Krishna again and Dashavatar, a group composition depicting the various avatars of Lord Vishnu.

The performance concluded with Shanti Mantram, a piece about salvation.
Sangeeta Sarita, a Hindustani music recital by Sangeeta Katti and her group followed next, where she performed a lot of classical ragas in film music.

Suvarna, a participant at the workshop, said, “Earlier, folk and classical forms and their names were just words to them. But now, we are able to identify the difference between different forms. Also, it was a learning experience to be able to teach younger children, what we had learnt.”

Ragini another participant, added, “The theatre performance made me realise how selfish we are, and how we should care for nature.”

Arjun S, another participant said, “I had heard of dollu kunitha before, but getting a chance to learn and perform it was a great experience. There was the initial worry about hands hurting but with practice I got used to it.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Metrolife / DHNS / May 03rd, 2013

He’s only 30, but he has a penchant for cycles double his age. Sharath S Namburi’s house is a treasure trove of all things ancient and historical.

When Sharath S Namburi came across the skeletal frame of a cycle he didn’t let it pass; it’s not in his nature to go past a bicycle without giving it a second look. When he saw the date of the make on the chassis he realised that he’d hit pay dirt. It was a bicycle used by the British Army in World War II; a cycle that was ridden during Hitler’s regime in 1939; a cycle that had an enviable ‘riding history’. It took Namburi 6 months to restore this 10 kg beauty. This BSA bike now occupies prime position in Namburi’s home in Malleswaram. Some people collect coins or stamps, but Namburi, an entrepreneur, collects cycles. He says about his unique habit: “People have all sorts of collections like coins, stamps and stickers, but collecting cycles was rare and I decided to go for it.“ He owns four vintage cycles, apart from five other vintage cars and bikes. Two of the cycles belong to the 40s and another one has a tax card that reads 1968-69, Bangalore City Corporation. Back then cycle owners had to pay road taxto the government. Recounting the story of how he got hold of the BSA cycle belonging to the Hitler era, Namburi says, he got “the baby” from a 65-year-old cycle dealer, Azeez on Mysore Road for Rs 9000 in early 2012 and spent Rs 40,000 restoring it. All the parts of this restored cycle are original; some are imported from London. The oil lamp (1901) and the double bell are from Joseph Lucas company. The seat is an original dark brown and leather. The newspaper holder on the right side rod of the wheel is of horse brand. There is a cycle pump attached to the rod that sits in a vertical fashion between the legs. The seat is Brooks make. The dust cap is made out of brass. The cycle tires are 25-years old and white-wall tires. A striking feature of the cycle that you cannot miss is the tool kit attached to a rod in the front. The reflector is different as the back of it is made out of tin as opposed to the plastic ones we get today. Mohammed Ismail, a mechanic, did all the painting and gave the finishing touches to this 1939 bike. And yes, Namburi rides this bike to work in Rajajinagar at least twice a week; he does it with such elan that it would’ve made it’s first owner proud. He says when he is on his bike it is hard for people not to notice him. “It’s the older generation that notices me the most. They are astonished to see someone young on a cycle so ancient.” But this 30-year-old has always had a penchant for all things vintage. He owns 480 watches, the oldest being a Swiss make from 1895 and is worth Rs 15-20,000 today; 144 cameras and the oldest is an Eastman Kodak from 1901, apart from oil lamps, a 1962 air gun and more. Collecting things has been his passion since the time he was a school boy. He would collect world cup chewing gum cards, trump cards, matchboxes and more. “I still have all of that,” he says. But the ‘collector-bug’ in him was born when his grandfather gave him an HMT watch when he was in class 7. Namburi feels that as a collector it is important to be at the right place at the right time if you want to get your hands on the right vintage. Namburi lives by the adage, ‘Junk is old and old is collectible’ to the extent that he even has posters around his house proclaiming this truth. Perhaps to remind his wife so that she doesn’t throw anything during spring cleaning. “There’s something about holding old stuff…it can’t be replaced. You can use old stuff and it will never die out on you,” he says. “I won’t sell anything.” To pursue his hobby of collecting vintage cycles, watches and other interesting paraphernalia, Namburi feels that he requires only patience, time, money and luck. “If you see something somewhere and like it, you should grab it. It won’t be there the next time,” he says. Currently, Namburi is restoring two baby cycles for his one-and-a-half year old son,Tejal S Namburi, who he says will continue his legacy; it’s an Indian make that was used in photo studios as a prop in the sixties. And yes, it was a limited edition cycle.

source: http://www.banglaoremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror.com / Home> Bangalore> Home> Sunday Read> Story / Special / by Khushali Madhwani /  Sunday – May 05th, 2013

People generally pray before a deity in most temples but in a 13th century temple that is situated on a hillock called Maradi Gudda (adjacent to Ranganathapura in Sira taluk of Tumkur district), there is a unique custom where people offer their prayers to an ancient huge Dhanush (bow) installed in the temple. Maradi Gudda is a green hill in the middle of the plains and has a beautiful temple that can be seen for miles around and you can drive all the way to the top. It is 135 km from Bangalore and in recent years, it has become popular because of the availability of rare medicinal plants and shrubs in and around the hills.

This temple dedicated to lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Ranganathaswamy, has its own share of myths and legends, and is called the Maradi Ranganathaswamy temple. The most important and perhaps the most sought out in the temple is the huge bow made of Panchaloha generally comprising alloys of  gold , silver, copper, iron and lead.

Legend of the Dhanush: Legend has it that the huge bow and arrow was found at the base of the hill. Several villagers tried to lift it and failed. Their combined effort also did not yield any result. A small boy appeared mysteriously and effortlessly lifted the bow and the arrow. He walked all the way up to the temple on the top of the hill and deposited it near the sanctum sanctorum alongside the idols of Lord Ganesh and Lord Anjaneya.

The road to the hill is through rolling fields and greenery. You will get to the Kamadahalli Ranganathapura village first and then move towards the hillock Maradi Gudda, also called as Pancha Kalasha Gudda. It is easy to spot the hill as it is visible for miles around.

You will see the 40-feet Gopuram of the temple even before you approach it. At the base of the hill is a small lake called Purusharama Kere. You will find a small beautiful Kalyani nearby and the water is used for worshipping the deity.

According to Krishnappa, the priest, the temple is said to be built in the 13th century by Huildore village head Halegowda as per available historical records. “The paintings and the sculpture are recent additions,” he added.

Maradi  Ranganathaswamy temple stands on a three-feet-high jagali (pedestal). Built in the Dravidian style, the temple has a spacious mukhamantapa with intricate carvings of gods and goddesses.

The deity of Ranganathaswamy in a reclining posture is made of black stone and holds the pride of place in the Garbha Gudi. Former Committee Member of the temple, Anantha Raju said, “There is also a saligrama stone kept in a silver bowl which is revered.” The big bow can be seen inside the Sukhanasi housing the idols of Ganesha and Anjaneya near the temple’s sanctum.

The outer walls of the temple have some fine sculpture and colourful mural paintings depicting stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

When I entered the temple, it was virtually empty and the atmosphere was delightfully serene. Anantha Raju explained, “We get visitors in huge numbers all throughout the day. Youngsters come for trekking and occasionally groups of trekkers camp here. Maradi Ranganathaswamy is the family deity for thousands of people and they come to pray here regularly from everywhere in the country and abroad.”

Dr Chandrappa, a visitor from Cambridge, United Kingdom said he comes here every year, 15 days after Ugadi, for the Kalyanotsava. “Thousands come to witness the marriage ceremony of Lord Ranganathaswamy and Goddess Lakshmi and take part in the annual fair,” he said.

The view from the top of the hill with the lush green landscape is simply amazing. The hill slopes were blanketed by brown and dried grass. Thippeswamy, a local, said, “In the rainy season, the river below fills up and the hills are covered by a layer of lush green grass. All kinds of birds, rabbits, and deer stroll around leisurely. Many youngsters camp here in the hills. Food and accommodation is provided by the temple authorities and our only request to tourists is to refrain from littering on the sacred hills”. By the evening, the sun set a golden glow on the hillock and made way for a spectacular visual. One thing became certain from this visit to this not so popular hill station; Maradi Gudda is the place for anyone looking for some peace and quiet.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Dr. Mamatha B. R, / May 02nd, 2013