Actor L.V. Sharada passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

SharadaKF29mar2019

She was known for her iconic role in ‘Phaniyamma’

L.V. Sharada, 78, veteran actor of parallel cinema in Kannada, passed away on Thursday. She was suffering from cancer and breathed her last at Shankara Hospital in the city at 7.30 a.m., according to family sources.

Ms. Sharada is survived by her sister and brother. The final rites were held at the Banashankari crematorium in the evening.

She was best known for her titular role in the 1983 Phaniyamma, directed by Prema Karanth. The film, a sensitive portrayal of a young widow, was based on an eponymous novel by M.K. Indira published in 1977, which went on to win many awards.

Ms. Sharada’s debut film was Vamsha Vriksha, which won the national award. She shared screen space in the film with Girish Karnad, Vishnuvardhan, and Chandrashekar. The film, released in 1972, was directed by B.V. Karanth and Girish Karnad.

Through her characters in Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu, Vatsakta Patha, Kankana, Maithri, Hemavathi, Madhvacharya, Adi Shankaracharya, and Nakkala Rajakumari, she etched an indelible impression on the minds of the audience. She acted with Rajinikanth in Ondu Premada Kathe. Ms. Sharada had also directed a few documentary films.

Her passion for acting did not wane even when she was ailing.

Paying tributes, film-maker P. Sheshadri recounted how he had thought of Ms. Sharada for his Mookajjiya Kanasugalu. He spoke and took her photo and asked whether she could become his “Mookajji”. Citing her illness, Ms. Sharada told him that had he shot the film in Bengaluru, she would have accepted the offer.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – March 22nd, 2019

Art knows no gender boundaries, say Bengaluru women artists

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The fifth edition of I Rise, an ongoing art show, showcases the works of 15 women artists that convey messages on the importance of education and empowerment of women to humans being irrelevant.

Art aficionados at the ongoing art exhibition featuring works of 15 artists
Art aficionados at the ongoing art exhibition featuring works of 15 artists

Bengaluru  :

With an amalgamation of various media and styles, the fifth edition of I Rise, an ongoing art show, showcases the works of 15 women artists. From works that convey messages on the importance of education and empowerment of women, to humans being irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, the exhibition gives art-lovers some food for thought. City Express gives you a sneak peek into their works.

‘Art teaches you not fear making mistakes’
Chandana Kankaria has presented six works from the series she’s been working on for the last two years. She creates different textures and strokes using acrylics, different palette knives and brushes to create some bold strokes, dark shades and figuratives. “I have created these tiny figures to get viewers to reflect on how tiny we are in front of nature,” she said, adding one cannot conceal the mistakes one makes when he uses watercolours. “And as an artist, we shouldn’t fear making mistakes,” she said.

‘Girls would be happier to carry load of books’
Emphasising the importance of education for women, Runa Biswas said, “Three of my works portray how opportunities can help women grow.” In her untitled paintings done with watercolours with gold watercolour wash and free flow ink on archival papers, Biswas portrays a girl child carrying bricks with the name of subjects against the backdrop of bricks used for construction. It shows how girls would be happier to carry the load of their books than bricks,” she said.

‘Art does not discriminate’
Sujata Harish looks for life in inanimate objects and how everyone is connected to nature and cosmic energy in her work. Her works include etching of lotus, a symbol of purity trying to portray a cosmic connection; a mother as an animal figure portraying the bond she shares with her child; and Shivshakti with power to give birth and destroy the world. “Art provides freedom to do what you want but women just need support, which we lack,” she said.

Integrated qualities of womanhood 
Devipriya loves to explore different medium – wood, bronze and fibre cast – to express herself. “This work on fibre cast conveys the modern woman with her integrated qualities of womanhood and her individual streaks of feminism. The red in the background symbolises passion, kindness, concern, strength and love. The lines within her show her intricacies today in an urban set up. They try to convey her thought process and emotions,” she said.

Art as a utility
Jyoti Gupta surrounds herself with vibrant colours, eclectic crafting materials and inspirational thoughts. For this show, she has exhibited art in the form of a box resembling a book made with wood and paper with portraits of women on its cover. The inside includes paintings with quotes from artists. There are covers of women such as Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. The idea behind creating such pieces with mixed media is to explore art as a utility.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Akhila Damodaran / Express News Service / March 27th, 2019

Bengalurean hopes to pedal his way to Guinness World Records

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

26-year-old Ashis Kumar, is set to hit the road with an aim to break the Guinness World Record in the category of ‘Longest Journey by bicycle in a single country (Individual)’.

So far, Ashis Kumar has cycled over 7,200km on a bicycle in India
So far, Ashis Kumar has cycled over 7,200km on a bicycle in India

Bengaluru  :

Come June and Bengaluru-based cyclist Ashis Kumar is set to hit the road. The 26-year-old is working with a single-minded focus to break the Guinness World Record, currently held by Australian cyclist Benjamin Woods in the category of ‘Longest Journey by bicycle in a single country (Individual)’.

While the Australian cyclist created a record of 18,922 km in February 2018, Kumar plans to pedal over 30,000 km across the country during a two-year span to clinch the title. But he is turning to the public to raise a sum of `5 lakh (which will cover accommodation and food expenses), which will help him in his attempt to create a world record. On his journey, he will also be spreading awareness on #Rally4Rivers and MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination).

Inspired by a cyclist from Hyderabad, Nagaraj, whom he met two years ago, Kumar said, “I was motivated to cycle after hearing his travel stories and experiences.

I saved some money that I earned from my part-time job with an adventure company, as well as from organising treks for the corporate, from which I bought a basic model of MTB and started cycling,” said Kumar, who has cycled over 7,200 km on a bicycle in India so far, and even clocked 3,450 km between October 10 and November 23, 2018.

Despite a long ride coming up, Kumar says he hasn’t ridden his bike since November 2018. “For me, it’s more about mental stability than physical strength. In fact, when I used to speak to travellers, motorcyclists and cyclists, who told me that physical strength isn’t all that important, I did not agree. But when I started long rides, I realised they were right,” said Kumar, who is seeking a response from public on his email address a.ashiskumar22@gmail.com.

While he doesn’t fear wild animals as much, he worries that he might be robbed or stabbed by someone, despite not having faced any untoward incident till date. “I carry my laptops and cameras, and worry that I might get robbed or stabbed. But I don’t feel so scared when I pass by wildlife,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Akhila Damodaran / Express News Service / March 27th, 2019