Film on Bannerghatta National Park released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel

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A 20-minute short film titled ‘Bannerghatta Breathing for Bengaluru,’ throws light on man-animal conflict, the rich biodiversity of the forest patch spread across 270 square kilometres and challenges due to increasing urbanisation around the forest.

It shows the wildlife and biodiversity of the fragmented forest patch in full valour.

The lone wild tiger roaming in Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) has also been captured in the film.

It also covers the problems which the department has been facing because of shrinking land due increasing denotification and mining. The movie also dwells on the history on how the forest patch was notified, how the zoo was carved out of it and how land was added to the patch to strengthen elephant corridors.

The film has been commissioned by Sunil Panwar, Deputy Conservator of Forest, BNP and has been filmed by conservationists and film makers duo Ashok Hallur and Padma Ashok of Ideas for Change. The film was released on Friday by Governor Vajubhai Vala.

Butterfly Walk
The Karnataka Forest Department will organise a Butterfly Walk in Hennur Park on Sunday, October 9, for Bengalureans. The park spread across 34 acres has over 34 species of butterflies. During the walk, people will be shown different species, the host plants, the larvae and the nectar plants. Apart from Forest department officials, experts are also being roped in to create more awareness among people.

The Forest department has created three artificial ponds in the park and improved the biodiversity to increase the number of species to the park. The open storm water drain passing through the park, has little impact on the butterflies. This park along with parks in Jarakabandekaval and Doreswamypalya. The green environs of Doraisanipalya Jallary Reserve Forest off Bannerghatta Road is home varied species of butterfly.

BBP open on Vijayadashami
The Bannerghatta Biological Park will remain open on October 11, on the occasion of Vijayadashami. Tuesday is normally a holiday. The management this time has decided to keep it open, said an press release.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City / Bosky Khanna / Bengaluru – DHNS, October 08th, 2016

Bamboo Biryani a great hit at Dasara Aahara Mela

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel

Mysuru :

District-in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa inaugurated the 9- day Dasara Aahara Mela (Food Festival) at Scouts & Guides Grounds near the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mahadevappa said that the festival is not only to relish a variety of food items, but also to make people understand the importance of variety of healthy food items, hygiene and also to spread the significance of organic food items.

People from different parts of the State have put up stalls on the ground, serving special dishes of their respective regions.

The food items offered, include vegetarians and non-vegetarian, Bakery products like Pastry, Chocolates, Pizzas, Homemade coffee, Jowar roti and Chutney.

A range of food items made out of millets and organic food products are another attraction of the mela.

Tribal Delicacy: Tribals from various hamlets in the district and from across the State, have setup ‘Adivasi Aahara Mane’, where food cooked in Bamboo stems, is among the star attractions of the mane. Tea made of ‘Makali Beru’ (a root), variety of tubers grown in forests, dishes made of greens, a delicacy made of bamboo shoots and other tribal recipes are also available.

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A plate of Bamboo Biryani costs Rs. 150/-, while a bowl of ‘Bidirakki Payasa’ costs of Rs. 50/- a plate of ‘Kadugenasu,’ Jenu, Rs. 25/-, a cup of Makali Beru Tea Rs. 20/- Crab curry, & Ragi Ball meals Rs. 100/-, Ragi Ball & Uppesaru Rs. 50/- and a cup of Bidiru Kalle Rs. 20/-.

Karnataka State Lamps Co-operative Federation Chairman M. Krishnaiah said Bamboo Biryani, which was a hit during Dasara 2014, receiving a overwhelming response.

“We could serve Biryani only to 50 percent of the visitors in 2014. But this time, we are prepared to serve 100 plates of Biryani in an hour to meet the demand. A team of 15 people are busy preparing a variety of tribal food items”, he said and added that all tribal delicacies are prepared by experts fro m among the community.

The food mela also features exhibition of a whole range of equipments and articles used by tribals residing in different parts of the State.

The equipments on display include rope used for honey extraction, Net used for catching wild cocks, fish, birds etc.,

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / October 02nd, 2016

‘Rajya Sangeetha Vidwan ‘ award presented

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, who inaugurated the Dasara cultural programmes at Mysore Palace premises in city yesterday, is seen presenting 'Rajya Sangeetha Vidwan Award-2016' to Pandit Somnath Mardur on the occasion.
District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, who inaugurated the Dasara cultural programmes at Mysore Palace premises in city yesterday, is seen presenting ‘Rajya Sangeetha Vidwan Award-2016’ to Pandit Somnath Mardur on the occasion.

Mysuru :

PWD and District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa launched cultural programmes organised as part of Dasara festival at the glittering platform erected in front of the Palace yesterday.

The Minister also presented the prestigious ‘Rajya Sangeetha Vidwan Award-2016’ to Pandit Somnath Mardur.

Later speaking, Dr. Mahadevappa said poet Channaveera Kanavi, who inaugurated Dasara festivities and Pandit Somnath Mardur, both hailed from Dharwad, which is widely known for freedom movement, cultural and literary activities, just like Mysuru.

Recalling the contribution of the erstwhile Mysuru rulers in the promotion of music and cultural activities, the Minister said that this rich tradition can be seen in Dasara cultural programmes.

Pointing out that Pandit Somnath Mardur is an unassuming musician who has many achievements to his credit, the Minister said he felt happy to present the prestigious award to him.

Noting that many musicians have triumphed amidst great difficulties faced by them, the Minister said that Karnataka was in the forefront in promoting music and arts.

Speaking after receiving the award, Pandit Somnath Mardur said he felt too happy about receiving the award at Mysuru, the cultural capital of the State.

Stating that he would dedicate the award to Pandit Puttaraj Gawai and all his other Gurus, Mardur sought the blessing of everyone for continuing his musical journey.

Following the inauguration, Pooja Rajesh and team from Bengaluru presented a dance- drama titled ‘Jeeva Jala.’ Later, singer Chaitra and team presented a musical performance, which delighted the audience.

MLA M.K. Somashekar presided. DC D. Randeep, ADC T. Venkatesh, Kannada & Cuture Dept. Principal Secretary S.R. Umashankar, Director K.A. Dayananda and Jt. Director Balawant Rao Patil were present.

Dasara cultural programmes were also being held at Jaganmohan Palace, Town hall, Chikka Gadiyara, Kalamandira and Ganabharathi, with art connoisseur attending in large numbers.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com  / Star of Mysore / Home> General News > October 02nd, 2016

These artisans inject life into stone

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Are you an art connoisseur? Want to see how a rock/boulder turns into a magnificent piece of art, them head to Kalamandira, the venue of sculptors’ camp, where a group of sculptors are busy giving a shape to the boulders.

A score of sculptors from various parts of the state are creating attractive pieces of contemporary and traditional art works at the camp jointly organised by Lalithakala Academy, Shilpakala Academy and Dasara Fine Arts and Crafts sub-committee, as part of Mysuru Dasara.

Traditional art works, including ‘Kambodhbava Narasimha’, Hoysala-style ‘Shiva’, Naga-style ‘Kalikadevi and ‘Veerabhadra’ in Kalyana Chalukya style and contemporary art works like ‘an artiste in a rabbit mask’, ‘face of a man and woman with a music instrument’ among others catch the attention of the visitors.

As many as 15 sculptors from Mysuru, Mandya, Dakshina Kannada, Bagalkot, Raichur and other places are busy carving attractive art works for the past one week, and the camp will end on October 6.

The event is organised to popularise sculpture, traditional art forms, and to showcase the efforts of the sculptors, who carve these articles. The visitors can see how the sculptors give attractive shape to a rock.

Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Commissioner Dr M Mahesh, also deputy special officer of Dasara Fine Arts and Crafts sub-committee said, the works will be kept on display on the premises of Kalamandira and at other government offices. The committee has provided the stones and wood to the artistes to create different forms of art, the commissioner said.

Deputy Commissioner D Randeep, also Dasara Special Officer, said, the Dasara committee will try to organise such events in a big way and also try to rope in national and international artisans in future. The DC said, the event definitely promotes sculpture and motivates artisans, apart from making the people understand the efforts of sculptors behind each beautiful work.

K J Deepak Kumar from Pandavapura in Mandya district, who was carving a modern art work ‘an artiste wearing rabbit mask’ said, his work mirrors the relationship between visual artistes and viewers.

“As my work will be placed on the premises of Kalamandira, I planned a relevant work which is suitable for the place,” said Deepak.

Another nationally accredited sculptor S Manjunatha Acharya said, art is inevitable to protect civilisation. But, in recent years, the scope for/of traditional arts is declining. He said, due to unavailability of materials including stones and lack of promotional activities, artisans are not getting an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Acharya, a sculptor, said, “In olden days, we used to spend only Rs 200 on a piece of high quality stone, but, now even if we pay Rs 8,000, they are hardly available.

‘Soap stone’ or ‘neela shile’ and ‘pacche shile’ are good for art works. They are available only at a few places — H D Kote in Mysuru district, Moodabidri in Dakshina Kannada district and in Bagalkot — in the state. With the use of modern technologies, now, it is possible to carve magnificent works out of marble, granite and other stones,” he added.
DH News Service

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Ranjith Kandya / DHNS – Mysuru, October 04th, 2016

City girl packs a punch, wins bronze at taekwondo event

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Divya Nangaru Prabhakar with her parents, N.V. Prabhakar and T.M. Kusumavathi
Divya Nangaru Prabhakar with her parents, N.V. Prabhakar and T.M. Kusumavathi

We only hope that the State government or any sports organisation comes forward to help us and the girl realise her dreams T.M. Kusumavathi , Divya’s mother

Divya Nangaru Prabhakar is a reserved teenager, but she packs a punch, literally.

The 15-year-old city girl sheds her inhibition when she’s performing taekwondo. With little financial support but plenty of grit and determination, she won India a bronze at the Junior International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) World Championship three weeks ago.

“My dream is to head to the Olympics next,” said Divya who competed in the 70-kg category. According to her coach Pradeep Janardhana, her “power kicks” give her an edge. “It took five years of rigorous practice for me to get used to punches, kicks, power blows and knocks with rapid spinning in Taekwondo. Bagging the bronze was exhilarating,” says Divya, a class 10 student of Nava Prajna Public School on Whitefield Airport Road.

“It was rewarding to be there on the podium representing India. I owe this to my coach, school and my parents,” she said.

But it’s been an uphill struggle for the family “My father, N.V. Prabhakar retired from the Army, while my mother, T.M. Kusumavathi is a staff nurse at Vani Vilas Hospital. With their income they have strived to see my dreams take shape,” she said.

Taekwondo demands protein-rich food and daily practice. “This is something we provide Divya. For her practice sessions she has to travel 25 kilometres to Amruthahalli from Marathahalli at 5 a.m. regularly,” said Kusumavathi.

“It cost us Rs.1.75 lakh to participate in the Taekwondo World Championships at Italy. We have to repay this loan. We only hope that the State government or any sports organisation comes forward to help us and the girl realise her dreams,” is Kusumavathi’s appeal.

Divya has also won medals at the State and national level. “I am getting used to the punches. Sometimes I hurt my lips and they bleed, but that’s what martial arts is all about.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – October 03rd, 2016

The Mahatma’s days in Namma Bengaluru

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Momentous moments

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Mahatma Gandhi visited Bengaluru for the first time on May 8, 1915, four months after he returned from South Africa.

A photograph of a young Gandhi and his wife Kasturba, taken during this visit is one of the many that are on display at a week-long exhibition that began at the Rangoli Art Center at Metro station on Mahatma Gandhi Road on Sunday.

Vemgal Somashekhara, a former teacher from Kolar who wrote a book on Gandhi’s visits to Bengaluru, ‘Bengalurinalli Mahatma Gandhi’, explained the significance of Gandhi’s first visit.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale had passed away in February that year and Gandhi had come to Bengaluru for a condolence service organised for his mentor, said Somashekhara.

“Gandhi looks very different in the picture compared to his later avatar. He is seen wearing a ‘topi’ and a kurta in the picture. By the time he comes here for the second time in 1920, we see a different Gandhi, clad in only a dhoti.”

The exhibition is based on pictures and texts from Somashekhara’s book.
Between 1915 and 1936, Gandhi would visit the city a total of five times. Pointing at an old picture of the Eidgah Khuddus Saheb on Miller’s Road, Somashekhara said, “In 1920 on his second visit, Gandhi visited the Eidgah Khuddus Saheb and stayed in the city only for half a day. However, this short visit saw a gathering of around 40,000 people in and around the Cantonment. Such a huge gathering was never seen before.”

Then, there is a picture of the Mahatma getting down from a train at Yeshwantpur and offering prayers at the platform. This is from his third and the longest visit to the city in 1927.

Another picture shows Gandhi on a visit to the Imperial Dairy College in Adugodi (now the National Dai­ry Research Centre) flanked by William Smith, the then director of the college and nationalist leader Madan Mohan Malviya.

“Gandhi stayed in Bengaluru for 87 days during this visit and visited various places. He stayed at the Nandi Hills for 42 days,” said Somashekhara.

It was in 1990 that Somashekhara took interest in chronicling Gandhi’s visit and stay at Nandi Hills. Later, he expanded his project to include Gandhi’s visit to Bengaluru and published his book in 2006.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City / DHNS – Bengaluru, October 03rd, 2016

Eminent psychiatrist Ashok Pai dies at 69

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Shivamogga :

Noted psychiatrist, chairman of the state’s mental health task force and award-winning film producer, Dr KA Ashok Pai, died of a massive heart attack in Scotland in the early hours of Friday. The 69-year-old was at an international conference with his wife Dr Rajani Pai.

According to his family, Pai, who landed in Scotland three days ago, had a heart problem on Thursday night and was rushed to hospital  where he passed away. His body is expected to reach Shivamogga on Saturday or early Sunday.

Pai was committed to promoting mental health among people and set up the Manasa Trust, which treated lakhs of patients suffering from mental diseases. He would produce films which highlighted the problems of mental health. His films Prathama Ushakirana and Kadina Benki and tele-serial Antarala  bagged awards.

Pai was a writer, brilliant orator, TV presenter on psychoanalysis, environmentalist/filmmaker Suresh Heblikar said. Pai felt psychiatry shouldn’t be restricted within the confines of a counselling chamber… he wanted to popularize it as a treatment available to all, he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India /News Home> City News> Bangalore / TNN / October 01st, 2016

Mysuru is N0. 1 ‘ Open Defection-Free City ’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Resources of Free Materials, Travel

Mysuru :

Adding to its Clean City fame, Mysuru has bagged the Number 1 position as the ‘Open Defecation-Free City’. It has been recognised as the first city with a million-plus population to achieve this distinction.

For two years in a row, Mysuru has topped the list of the cleanest cities in the country. It was named the cleanest in the country by a nationwide survey Swachh Survekshan 2016, which was carried out under the Swachh Bharat Mission that was launched on October 2, 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It may be mentioned here that about a couple of months back, representatives from the Quality Council of India visited Mysuru for an inspection and had submitted a report to the Union Urban Development Ministry that the city qualifies the parameters of an open defecation-free city.

The report also mentioned about the city’s cleanliness, waste disposal and drainage systems.

The MCC will be presented with the award by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sept. 30 in New Delhi which will be received by Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa, Deputy Mayor Vanitha Prasanna and MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha, according to MCC Health Officer Dr. Ramachandra.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 24th, 2016