Mysore, Jan. 16

Bahuroopi Day -3

“Girish Karnad’s contribution to modern Kan-nada literature is immense and his texts captivates the readers,” said My-sore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. V.G. Talwar here this morning.

He was speaking after inaugurating the day-long seminar on “Girish Karnad’s thoughts” at JSS Women’s College, Saraswathipuram, organised as part of Bahuroopi National Theatre festival, which entered the third day today.

“Girish Karnad’s plays in Kannada have been translated into many European languages including German, Spanish, and Polish. His Hayavadana play earned widespread acclamation in Germany while his other famed play Nagamandala was received well in Australia. Apart from scripting plays, he has also acted and directed movies in Kannada and Hindi,” he pointed out and added that he had done yeoman service to the theatre while serving as Director at Pune Film Institute and also at National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi.

M. G. Sadanandaiah, Deputy Director, JSS Mahavidyapeetha’s Publication Division, who was the chief guest, said “Karnad was such a great playwright that he created reality through illusions. He was very clear in this thoughts with no ambiguity. One amongst his many specialities was to depict two faces in a single role and this can be seen in his Anjumallige play. His plays leave the audience much to think about.”

Rangayana Director Dr. B.V. Rajaram, in his keynote address, said Karnad was exposed to travelling theatre groups in his school days. Stressing the need for modern day youth to study Karnad’s works, he said his plays were refreshing, providing mental relief. Karnad’s excellence can be seen in his play Yayati in which one of the dialogue reads as ‘one can walk even in darkness. But no one can walk in the path that has no dreams,’ he pointed out and added that Karnad deserved all the awards that he has been conferred in his long career spanning 3 decades.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / January 16th, 2012

Kannada and Culture Commissioner Manu Baligar inaugurating the music programme marking the birth anniversary of late Mallikarjun Mansur at Kalamandira on Saturday. Suttur Seer Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji, MLC Thontadarya, Priyadarshni Kulkarni, Singer Neela Kodali and others are seen.

Mysore, Jan. 16

“Late Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur was a scholar par excellence for his contribution to music with his inimitable style of infusing emotion to music,” opined Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji.

He was gracing the occasion at a music programme organised jointly by Samvahana Trust, New Edge Foundation, Pune and Department of Kannada and Culture to commemorate the birth anniversary of late Mallikarjun Mansur at Kalamandira here on Saturday.

“Mansur stole the hearts of Mysoreans by rendering the invocation at the World Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in city. He gave music a new form with passion and emotion thus carving a niche for himself in the field of Hindustani music,” the Seer said.

Inaugurating the programme, Kannada and Culture Commissioner Manu Baligar pointed out that Mansur also took Dasa Sahitya to a pinnacle to become a role model for others.

Mansur’s daughter and singer Neela Kodali, MLC Thontadarya, Samvahana Trust President D.N. Lokappa, Secretary D. Nagendrappa and others were present.

R.K. Padmanabha presented a Karnatic vocal recital, Pt. Biswajit Roy Choudhary, a Sarod programme and Priyadarshini Kulkarni, a hindustani vocal recital.

However, the audience strength was quite poor probably owing to weekend and a holiday to follow.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com/ General News / January 16th, 2012

‘Bengaluru Habba’

The Bengaluru Habba has never failed to disappoint the art and culture lovers of the City. Generally, a good mix of dance, music and drama, the habba offers something new every year. This time, the new edition to the habba was a fashion show held by Prasad Bidapa at the spacious Prince of Wales Lawn, The Taj Westend.

Despite the chilly weather, none of the guests were complaining as they enjoyed the show to the fullest. Prasad was the warm host for the evening and was all praises for

Bengaluru Habba and the people behind it.  The first round of the fashion show paid a tribute to the well-known Bangladeshi designer — Bibi Russell.

The models walked the ramp in clothes with artistic designs in shades of white, black and saffron. The showstoppers of this round wore bright saffron outfits and stood out even in the dark of the night. The second show for the evening was a bridal round sponsored by Tamanna, the wedding wear store and Neelkanth Jewellers. Called ‘Bollywood Bling’, this had several rounds showcasing the saris, ghagras and salwars of Tamanna. Rich Indian shades of red, blue and pink took everyone by storm as the female models presented gorgeous wedding wear coupled with the gleaming ear and neckpieces by Neelkanth.

The men donned dazzling sherwanis in black, gold, cream and maroon. The showstopper of ‘Bollywood Bling’ was Ninja Singh, the Ford Supermodel Of The World — India, who showcased a lovely ghagra in peacock blue.

Prasad even called Padmini Ravi and Nandini Alva, the two ladies behind the habba and thanked them personally for their efforts. “We try to innovate events in such a manner every year that the City remains interested in them. For instance, this year we have a scriptwriting and poetry workshop for aspiring writers,” said Nandini Alva. While Padmini Ravi promised, “This year we may have organised things in a hurry. But next year, we promise there will be plenty of time for you all to enjoy each show.”

The art-lovers were not left out either as a number of beautiful paintings by various popular artists from across the country were put on display at The Art Corridor. Manisha, an artist from Assam now settled in Bangalore, had showcased two of her sculptures — two faces. “Each one of us has two eyes, one nose and a mouth but all of us look different. This concept interested me and I decided to make sculptures of the same,” she explained. “It took me a day to make this and it’s a pleasure to be associated with Bengaluru Habba,” she added.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements> Metrolife / DHNS / January 18th, 2012

Caption: A file photo of Dr. M.S. Nagaraja Rao with Dr. M.S. Krishnamurthy (former Chairman, Department of Archeology and Ancient History, University of Mysore) at the temple.

The members of Orissa Association Mysore (OAM) were shocked on the demise of Dr. M.S. Nagaraja Rao (former Director General of Archaeological Survey of India), who was deeply involved in all the affairs of the Association. He was the Chairman of the technical committee constituted for renovation of the 11th century temple of Sri Venkateswara and Bhoga Narasimha, situated on the banks of river Cauvery. It would not have been possible to undertake such a complicated task without Dr. Rao’s involvement.

Dr. Rao was fully involved with OAM and was constantly following up the progress of renovation work even during his hectic foreign tours. Although he was a great contemporary archaeologist, he never compromised with ancient and traditional values.

In one of the technical committee meetings, Dr. Rao decided that the floor of the temple should be laid with ordinary stone slabs or in case granites were used, the surface should be made rough to give the look of the 11th century temple. When it was pointed out that it would involve considerable extra cost to make the surface rough by flaming, he stuck to his decision and said there is no comprise.

He was a workaholic and never got tired. Once he telephoned from USA and said that he was departing from Chicago and would reach Bangalore the next day early morning and then would return to Mysore by road. And I was to meet him in his Dhvanyaloka office at around 11 am. To my utter surprise, when I reached Dhvanyaloka at 11, I found him deeply engrossed in lot of paper work but looking fresh and cheerful. He told me that he had come directly from Bangalore International Airport to the office to do some urgent work relating to his just concluded USA tour. The purpose of asking me to meet him was to get the latest feedback regarding the temple renovation work, which was an example to show his involvement with OAM.

Dr. Rao, who had a special liking for Odisha, used to recount his connection with Odisha. It seems, when he was the Director General of Archeological Survey of India, he was closely involved in the decision making for removal of lime plaster from the outer walls of the world famous temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri and to provide chemical coatings to these walls for its protection from saline atmosphere caused by Bay of Bengal. But for his decision, the beautiful stone carvings on the walls would not have been exposed and the temple looked grander.

The members of Orissa Association have lost a great well-wisher and his absence will be felt immensely.

We pray Lord Venkateswara and Bhoga Narasimha to keep his soul in peace.

— Dilip K. Misra, President, Orissa Association Mysore

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Articles / January 04th, 2012