Centenarian folk artiste to inaugrate Dasara Cultural Fest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

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Mysore :

Renowned folk artiste and centenarian Enagi Balappa is likely to inaugurate the cultural programmes of Dasara-2013, at the Palace premises on Oct. 5 while well-known musician Pandit Jasraj is likely to present a musical concert at the Palace.

This was disclosed by Dasara Cultural Sub-Committee Chairman K.R. Mohan Kumar, at a press conference held at the Palace premises this afternoon, while adding that no programme has so far been finalised.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 18th, 2013

Lounge Review | Rasa India, Bangalore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel

At Rasa India, the Quick Lunch is your best option

Rasa India, Bangalore. Photo:
Rasa India, Bangalore. Photo:

Rasa, the chain of restaurants in London, is now in Bangalore as Rasa India. Chef and food writer Das Sreedharan is excited about his new experiment that launched quietly on CMH Road, Indiranagar, less than a month ago. “I have so many plans, but it will all have to roll out slowly,” says Sreedharan, who opened his first restaurant, Rasa, in London in 1994. The author of four cookbooks who has featured on No Reservations with  Anthony Bourdain , sources all his vegetables from organic farmers around Bangalore.

The good stuff

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Although the present menu (vegetarian only) suggests a bias towards Kerala food (Sreedharan lived in Kerala until he was 19), the cuisine is Indian, says the chef, pointing out that the menu will change every eight weeks. Our meal began with a basket ofpoppadams, murukku and banana chips and an assortment of pickles, all made in Sreedharan’s kitchen. We got puli inji, a tamarind chutney with ginger, coriander and garlic chutney. These change as per season and availability of vegetables. Sreedharan plans to jar these and sell them at the restaurant starting next month. We ordered a Quick Lunch and Yam Sear with red rice from the a la carte menu. Quick lunch includes a salad, two vegetables curries (we got avial and olan), rasam, rice andpayasam. My dining companion, who hails from Kerala, gave the Quick Lunch a thumbs-up for authenticity. What was missing was a banana leaf, but if you remove that association from your mind, the meal is well presented. The Yam Sear was low on spice, which suited us well. The must-order from the menu is the tea. Sreedharan grew up helping his father run a tea stall in Kerala, which he brings to the Rasa menu. The tea is brewed in Kerala style with a layer of froth on top.

The restaurant will obtain a licence to serve wine soon.
The not-so-good
We were piqued at the presence of Aubergine Tikkis on the menu and wondered how they fit in amid all that Kerala food. They turned out to be brinjal bhajiyas. The co-diner found a stone in his red rice. If you drop by during lunch, go with the set lunch. While we did order partially from the a la carte menu, not everything was available.
Talk plastic
The Quick Lunch costs Rs.250 while the Super Set lunch is Rs.300. A meal for two, if you choose to order a la carte, comes to Rs.1,000.
Rasa India, CMH road, Indiranagar, Bangalore, will host Onam meals from 14-16 September. For reservations, call 8041518237.
source: http://www.livemint.com / Live Mint & Wall Street Journal / Home> Lounge Review / by Pavitra Jayaraman / Saturday – September 14th, 2013

Mysore Peta enjoys undiminishing honour

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

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Keeping exalted company with ‘Mysore Pak’, ‘Villeydele’, ‘Mallige’ and Sandal enjoying intimate connect with Mysore city, among many more articles that appeal to persons endowed with refined tastes is ‘Mysore Peta’. The attractive headgear which was virtually the gold standard for identifying officials of the government in important posts and honours conferred to achievers in various pursuits during the era of kings and their Dewans is in demand even in the present era.

Mysore Peta generates a feeling of respect in the minds of everyone. The headgear made of high quality silk and laced with golden thread as well as colourful exterior was known to heighten not only honour but also status in society of the VIPs visiting the Palace on different occasions.

Kadaiah and members of his lineage are prominent among the traditional producers of Mysore Peta dating back to the era of Mysore’s rulers. Mysore Peta production in ‘Kadaiah’s New Textile Mart’ (Kadaiah Hosa Javali Angadi) on Sayyaji Rao Road dates back to 1886. The headgear was produced using raw materials brought from Benares (now ‘Varanasi’). The enterprise is being continued by Kadaiah’s fifth generation. Their products have adorned Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar and Jayachamaraja Wadiyar and Dewans over the decades past. The decorative headgear is conspicuous by its presence in all auspicious events of Mysore Palace and also weddings as well as jaatras. Honouring scholars and littérateurs with Mysore Peta is common nowadays.

Yuvaraja’s headgear used to be produced using special quality silk brought from Varanasi and gold lace, apart from expensive beads and peacock feathers. Shawls, silk sarees with exclusive design and exquisite veils to gently cover the faces of princesses in the Palace also were produced by the Kadaiah team.

Although the headgear has acquired intimate connect with Mysore, traditionally its raw materials have been coming from Varanasi. The Peta is produced around a mould wrapped in canvas. The subsequent art work resulting in the final product, some with frills, is totally hand-crafted by skilled workers.

More than 15 differently designed petas are produced by the enterprise hosted by Mysore namely Bidadi Peta, Yuvaraja Peta, Shivaji Peta, Kodagu Peta, Visvesvaraya Peta, Durbar Peta, Tricolour Peta and headgears adorning characters on stage enacting epics. These different types of petas command a price tag in the range of Rs. 200 to Rs. 2,000. According to the shop owner, 200 petas are sold in a year and available at Kadaiah Hosa Javali Angadi. The enterprise won first prize in the public poll conducted by 93.5 Red FM Radio for its Mysore Peta.

Demand never down

Sales of Mysore Peta is witnessing good times. Demand for the crown continues to be like in the past. It is being supplied to honour achievers, for weddings and other events in Mysore Palace. The attractive headgear is produced by a team of five skilled workers without using any equipment. We are producing it in more than 15 designs.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by H. S. Thejas / Nagesh, Shopowner / September 17th, 2013

City’s Shreesha invents self-sustained wheelchair

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

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 Mysore :

Wins II place at Natl-level Amateur Scientist contest

by S.N.Venkatnag Sobers

At a time when most students aspire to become software engineers or doctors, here is a student who wants to get into Research and Development (R&D) in the field of basic science.

Shreesha, a Ist year PU student of Vijaya Vittala Pre-University College has set an example for the other students through his new invention, a ‘Self Sustainable Wheelchair’, which is a boon for the differently-abled and elderly citizens.

Most of the self-sustained wheelchairs available in the market are limited to only basic movements; but Shreesha’s wheelchair is different. He has added more features into the wheelchair. No wonder he won the second place at ‘The Amateur Scientist – 2013,’ a National level science competition organised by PESIT, Bangalore recently.

The wheelchair is powered by battery and runs on motors. People using it need not depend on others’ physical assistance and can easily move around by themselves.

Features

1. Rain Sensitive convertible roof-top: The top cover of the wheelchair covers automatically in case of a rainfall.

2. Darkness-sensing front headlights: In case of a power cut during night hours, the headlights of the wheelchair switches on automatically to help the user move around with ease.

3. Temperature-sensitive fans: There are two fans fixed on either sides of the wheelchair that turn on automatically when the temperature increases.

4. Self-deploying fire extinguisher: In case of fire, the fire sensor installed in the wheelchair sends a signal to the controller and automatically starts sprinkling water on the wheelchair to extinguish fire.

5. Solar Charger: Solar panels are fixed at the backside of the wheelchair to assist in charging the battery.

6. The system is completely portable and can be fixed into any other ordinary wheelchair to make it completely self-sustained.

Shreesha has invented a sensor-equipped footwear to be worn by the caretaker who when unable to push the wheelchair in case they are carrying bags in their arms, the wheel chair will move according to the feet movement of the caretaker. Which means, the wheelchair will move as the caretaker moves.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Shreesha said that the wheelchair was invented keeping in mind the need for the differently-abled and the elderly citizens. “I want to help the needy using technology to make their lives comfortable. The inventions which I make should be economically viable so that it reaches every person who is in need of it,” added Shreesha.

When asked about his inspiration, Shreesha said that more than inspiration, it was the encouragement of his parents. His father S.R. Ramaswamy, a retired science teacher, always motivated Shreesha in all his endeavours, while his mother S.Srimathi gave him moral support.

When asked about his future plans, Shreesha said that he wanted to study basic science for now and later specialise in Mechatronics which would help him become more inventive. ‘Mechatronics’ is a design process that includes combination of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, control engineering and computer engineering.

Elaborating on the wheelchair, he said that for now he was using a 12V battery for its operation and added that it could be further enhanced to make it more efficient. Shreesha also said he would add a blood pressure monitor and make the wheelchair completely computer programmed for better efficiency.

Other Inventions

This is not all. Shreesha has also invented ‘Rain Sensitive Clothing Line’. What does it do? As Shreesha himself explains, “when you put your clothes to dry on this clothes line, it rings an alarm when it senses rain and automatically pulls the clothes towards one corner of the line which is covered.”

For now, Shreesha is very proud of his new invention and says “the wheelchair is affordable compared to those currently available in the market. I have spent around Rs. 8000 (excluding the wheelchair’s cost) to make it self-sustained.”

Speaking on Shreesha’s achievement, R. Vasudev Bhat, Secretary, Vijaya Vittala Education Trust, said he was proud of Shreesha and added the management would continue to help such students in their endeavours. Vijaya Vittala Pre-University College Principal H. Satyaprasad mentioned that Shreesha was an example of a student using his knowledge, understanding, application and skills in a scientific way to come out with such innovative products.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by S.N. Venkatnag Sobers / September 17th, 2013

Brahma of India

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visveswaraya’s birthday today (September 16th)

Bharat Rathna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya 1860-1962
Bharat Rathna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya 1860-1962

Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara form the Hindu trinity with each assigned a specific job. Creation, preservation and destruction. Brahma will create. He is the creator of this world, architect of this universe and Vishnu is the preserver of that creation while Maheshwara, Shiva, is the destroyer of what is created so that Brahma will get new contract to create the universe again…

We see this happening since 1947 rather religiously and constitutionally. Nehru was the first Brahma after independence. Indeed he did create an India that would make it industrialised and march towards modernisation. Two major steel factories Bokaro and Rourkela; Bhakra-Nangal dam which he called the ‘modern temple,’ Scientific and Technological Research Centre so on and so forth. However, after the first few years of his 17-year-long rule as Prime Minister down-slide began, administration turned effete, corruption raised its ugly head and finally, culminated in the humiliating defeat in the 1962 China war. Soon after, he died.

Next one to rule us for almost as long a period, 16 years, as Nehru did was his daughter Indira Gandhi. She was more a Maheshwara and less of a Brahma. Bank nationalisation, abolition of the privy purse, yes. However, she was the prime cause for weakening our till then sound and strong constitutional institutions that were in place, in order to perpetuate her rule. She made the Supreme Court and even the Parliament captive in 1975 when she declared the internal emergency and passed draconian laws. Virtual dictatorship.

Time passed. Six years of NDA rule was colourless, spineless. Remember exchanging a terrorist to release passengers of a hijacked plane… in a foreign country… our Foreign Minister personally going…? However, NDA had good excuse for its pusillanimous performance: NDA is not BJP; hence following coalition dharma was a great hindrance and hugely restrictive to function freely.

People answered appropriately when time came. UPA under the leadership of Congress came to rule with Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister. Now it is about to complete 10 years. But where are we? Are we seeing Dr. Manmohan Singh as the creator of a new, resurgent India? He has wasted his time gathering votes for the 2014 Parliamentary election doling out rice, sugar and edibles and such other concessions to poor voters who are in majority instead of building a new dynamic India creating new industries, infrastructure and schemes that would generate employment, and as a natural, general rule increase per capita income.

The 2014 election-oriented laws and schemes like doling out rice at Re. 1 a kg, cash subsidy etc., by the UPA are counter-development-economic incentives. This will make the beneficiaries lazy, absent themselves from work, spouse to separate and as in Charles Dickens novel to ask ‘Some more Sir.’

Such are the leaders we got after independence. No wonder we still belong to the third world, to the category of developing country, as the developed countries call us.

Contrast these so-called leaders and nation builders with some others; but the most well-known and famous among them is Sir M. Vivesvaraya whose 152nd birthday is today rightly observed as Engineers’ Day. Though it may be a bit of exaggeration to say he was the builder of India when British were ruling us, his contribution was substantial in many areas of development, wherever he served — Bombay, Hyderabad and Karnataka. As for Karnataka, he was really the Brahma, the creator. Son of Karnataka (then Mysore Kingdom), no son of this soil has done so much for its development as he has done in just six years when he was the Dewan from 1912 to 1918. That he was fortunate, so also the people of Mysore, in having Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV as the ruler, a Raja Rishi and philosopher-king. He gave full support to Sir Vivesvaraya’s many visionary projects. Of the many, I must mention at least a few major one’s — KRS Dam, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Bhadravati Iron and Steel Mill, Government Soap Factory, Sandal Wood Oi

l and Soap Factory, State Bank of Mysore, Mysore University, Hydro-Electric Project at Shivanasamudra, Mysore Sugar Factory, Hindu Modern Hotel and Metropole Hotel in our city, Century Club, Bangalore, Engineering College and more. The list seems endless. One man and what a service to the country. A real Brahma.

But sadly we have now only Maheshwaras coming in the way of Vishnu who is prevented from even maintaining what Brahma Sir M. Vivesvarayahad created for us. Look at the maintenance of KRS dam and garden; Bhadravati Steel Mill, HAL and a host of other institutions and industries. Mysore Sandal Wood Oil Factory is closed or almost closed but a huge sandal oil factory is flourishing in Kerala border. Raw material is from Karnataka! Sir M. Vivesvaraya must be turning in his grave!

Such a great man, it is said, had a very disturbing, unhappy family life. The cliche often used while honouring great achievers is that ‘behind every great man there is a woman’, inspiring him. Fate cheated him with his first wife Savithramma, who died early after marriage. Second wife died at delivery. At the persistent request of his mother he married again but this too led to his despair. Thus the aphorism that behind every successful man there is a woman was belied in Vivesvaraya’s case, so also in many other cases.

Some examples. Abraham Lincon. He had a quarrelsome, nagging wife. Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, father of Independent India’s Defence Forces, rose to that height even as his wife separated when he was a Brigadier. And he never married again. And to go to ancient times, Socrates, the world’s greatest philosopher. He had a nagging, quarrelling and cantankerous wife so much so once while he was having his dialogue with the youngsters of Athens in the garden Arcadia, his wife, enraged, came with a bucket full of water and poured it over his head. Socrates did not lose his cool but simply humoured himself muttering: “I thought it was only thunder, it also rained.”

I think it is Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, the great Kannada novelist and littérateur, who also served at the Palace, while giving a pen sketch of the great builder statesman, had mentioned some of Vivesvaraya’s idiosyncrasies. Sir MV was very meticulous in his sartorial outfit and in his speech highly measured. Carried himself with great dignity at all times even while eating food. For example, while eating banana he would gently peal it to a small length, break it with his fingers and plunk that portion to his mouth. He would not bite it like most do.

How I wish we had builders like Sir M. Vivesvaraya and rulers like Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. Now let us pray to Shiva and request him to keep quite for just next five years. Who knows Narendra Modi may play the role of Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. But where would Modi find his Visvesvaraya? Let us pray.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra……. Abracadabra   kbg@starofmysore.com / September 16th, 2013

Bags medals in National Karate championship

Sports

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Mysore :

Mohammed Bilal Siddiqui, a student of Mysore District Zen Shito-Ryu-Karate School who participated in the National Shito-Ryu Karate Championship held at NIE on Mandavadi road recently bagged a gold medal in Kata Men – 21 years category and a bronze medal Kumite- Men-21 yrs, below 55 Kgs. category.

He is the son of Arshad Hussain Siddique and Fathima Razia couple and is trained by Sensei Azeez Khan.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / September 16th, 2013

Varsity plans to conserve every drop of rainwater

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment

Comprehensive watershed system to be adopted on UAS-B campus

The University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore has taken up an ambitious project to convert its entire 1,300-acre campus into a comprehensive watershed system using scientific method so that not a drop of rainwater goes waste.

Under the proposed comprehensive watershed system, said to be the first of its kind in the country’s agricultural sciences universities, the UAS-B will build eight new ponds. At present there are six major and six minor watershed ponds.

UAS-B Director of Research M.A. Shankar said different catchment areas have been identified within the campus based on the nature of terrains, contour divides and water flow pattern. The project is said to become a watershed model for others especially the institutions with campuses, he says.

The project, which is being taken up at a cost of Rs. 40 lakh, would be completed in about six months from now, he said. The university has taken the services of retired soil conservators of the State Agriculture Department to implement the scheme.

UAS-B Vice-Chancellor K. Narayana Gowda, who conceptualised the project, says the intention is to put in place a highly efficient system of watershed where every drop of rainwater is put to use.

“We decided to develop the entire university campus into a watershed system after our terrible experience during summer this year when there was severe water shortage. With the increasing number of big and luxury apartments mushrooming around the university campus, the groundwater level has depleted in the campus as these apartments account for a large number of borewells which go as deep as 1,500 feet. Such was the water shortage that we took Cauvery water connection. That made us think seriously about the comprehensive watershed model,” Prof. Gowda said.

Head of UAS-B’s Horticulture Department B.N. Sathyanarayana, who monitored the task of reviving this huge watershed tank, says that the tank got filled up now after nearly two decades.

“Water is becoming increasingly precious. Unless we try to preserve it and recharge the groundwater through the above methods, we will have to face a tough time,” he says.

The works related to the revival of the above watershed system was inaugurated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Director-General S. Ayyappan before the commencement of the monsoon.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by B.S. Satish Kumar / Bangalore – September 15th, 2013

Mysore Police Band

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

MysorePoliceBand22Sept2013

Lakhs of tourists throng the ‘City of Palaces’ to be a part of the world famous Dasara festivities. Among the star attractions is the Mysore Police Band which has been adding flavour to Naada Habba for the past several decades. This weekend’s Star Supplement introduces the Mysore Police Band for those who are newly acquainted with Dasara

An Integral Part of the City’s Culture: 140 years of of Rich Heritage

by  S. Kenneth Shishir

The famous Police Band of Mysore, once an integral part of the Maharaja’s court, has been giving top performances, particularly during the famous Dasara festivities.

Band culture is an integral part of the culture of Mysore. Dating back to 1868, Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar along with his Dewans formed ‘The Palace Bands’ namely the English Band (playing Western music) and the ‘Karnatak Orchestra’ (playing Karnatak classical music) to cater to the official needs of having ceremonials.

Later, the groups were divided into Karnatak music group and English Band. Then they were rechristened as: ‘Karnataka Government Band’ (English Band) and ‘Karnataka Government Orchestra’ (Karnatak troupe).

This 140 year old heritage is a rich legacy connected to the Mysore Palace. Being great patrons and versatile musicians themselves, Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar followed by Krishna Raja Wadiyar and Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar encouraged the band and orchestra in a great way. The successive rulers were broad minded enough to integrate this art into the social and cultural fabric of the former Mysore State.

The band was formed under the great patronage of Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar Bahadur- IV and was known as the Palace Band. These Palace Bands (Indian Orchestra and English Band) were integrated to the Police Department in the year 1951 and were invited to Delhi in the same year for the Republic Day Parade.

The Wadiyars are known for their province- a bastion of music, learning and art. Many members of the Royal Family were themselves well-versed in Karnatak and Western music. As such, they felt the need to establish a regimental Band based on the pattern of the English. During the days of the Maharajas, it was presumably a 150 strong orchestra at par with any symphony orchestra in the world. Many directors and scholars of music such as the renowned Frenchman D’fries, Otto Schmidt of Germany, Dr. Alfred Mistowski from Poland and others were hired to train the local musicians.

The Palace Band underwent a subtle transformation of sorts when it was amalgamated into the Police Band during the 1950s. In 1958, they were brought under the offices of the Mounted Police Company of Karnataka.

The English band has a varied range of musical instruments most of which were procured by the Wadiyars. An array of musical instruments, such as Clarinets, Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpets, French horn, Circle Bass, Tuba, Euphonium, Trombone, Drums, etc.

The Band also boasts of a collection of other instruments such as Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double-Bass, Grecian Harp, Bass-Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Percussive instruments, etc.

Some rare instruments like Horn Cello, Tubular-Bells, Deagan Organ pipes (Tubular Organ), Accordion, Glockenspiel and Xylophone are also the prized collection.

The band enviably has one of the richest music libraries. It houses printed music of the most exotic styles and genres of innumerable composers arranged for various instruments.

A number of Hindustani and Karnatak ragas that have been transcribed into western notation. The band in view of diversifying from playing only martial music has of recent included instruments like Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar and a Drum Kit.

In 1981, Dr.G.V.Rao, the then Director General of Police, was instrumental in combining the Police Bands of all district headquarters to give birth to the first massed band programme in front of the Mysore Palace during the Dasara festivities. With a strength, of some 500 men in spectacular uniforms of various colours, the mass band was the first of its kind in South India, second to the “Beating the Retreat” programme by the armed forces during the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi.

Here the English and Karnatak bands take lead and perform a variety of displays, tunes and drill formations.

‘Abide with Me’ composed by W.H. Monk the favourite hymn of Mahatma Gandhi is played by all the units along with trumpets from a distance, giving it an echoing effect. It is also played with Tubular Bells as a finale at the programme.

The Mysore bands, owing to their reputation and expertise have a training centre of martial music, wherein all District Police Bands come and get trained.

Pieces that the English band plays are compositions like Colonel Bogey, Queens Colours, Where the café lights are gleaming, My regiment, Gladiators farewell, Amparito Roca, Sol a Seville, In a Persian market, Hoch Hiedeksberg!, May Blossom, The Sound of Music, Saare -Jahan se achcha, Sher-e-Jawan, Bharath ke jawan, Vienna waltz, etc.

Alla Figaro, Sealed with a Kiss, El-bimbo, Lambada, Every breath you take, My Way, Congratulations, Beethoven’s fifth and Mozart’s Symphony No.40 are some of the more contemporary adaptations for the concert band done by band Masters Felix M. Joseph, Felician M. Joseph, J.M. Pereira and Arokyaswamy.

Ever since its inception, the Band has been winning awards of the highest order. It was awarded ‘Karnataka Kalashree Puraskar’ by Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy in 2001.

The bands perform during government functions, programmes at Mysore Palace, sports event sorganised by the Police Department, visit of VIPs and VVIPs and any other function, under the directive of the three IGPs in charge. English Band and Karnatak bands perform in city parks and also at KRS during certain occasions.

‘Band House’

In the early 20’s, a separate ‘Band House’ on Mirza Road was constructed to house the band and orchestra. Separate enclosures such as the Instruments’ room, music library and an exclusive concert hall apart from other rooms were part of this magnificent structure. This building is presently used as the office of the Commissioner of Police of Mysore city.

The English Band presently has about 50 musicians while the Karnatak band has about 35 in its fold. The induction of these musicians is based on their musical knowledge and qualifications from reputed universities of music.

Former Band Master Felix speaking to SOM, said that the Band is an integral part of the culture of Mysore from the days of the Maharajas, hence should be preserved for heritage sake and added that musicians from Mysore would love to preserve the rich heritage of Mysore city.

List of Band Masters and Asst. Band Masters till date

J. De’fries, M. Pereira, J.M. Pereira, J. Francis Xavier, Felician Joseph, Felix M. Joseph, Arokyaswamy, M.K.Rajendra and Sudharma.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Features Articles / by S. Kenneth Shishir /  September 15th, 2013

City’s Ashwinni Hemdev is India’s first ‘Int’l. Round Tabler’ of the Year

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

 

Ashwinni (third from left) is seen with National Presidents of Round Tables of other countries.
Ashwinni (third from left) is seen with National Presidents of Round Tables of other countries.

by  S.N. Venkatnag Sobers 

Mysore :

Seems Mysoreans are going places. Yesterday it was reported that Dr. Ashith Acharya was Indian first Forensic Dentist and now we have our city’s industrialist Ashwinni Kumar Hemdev, who has become the first Indian to be awarded the prestigious International Round Tabler of the Year award 2012-2013. This award has been bestowed upon Ashwinni for his public service through Round Table. It is indeed an honour considering that here are 40,000 Round Tablers from 67 countries! Ashwinni is the first Indian to get the prestigious award since the inception of Round Table India 50 years ago in 1962 by John Barton in then Madras.

Ashwinni Kumar Hemdev, Managing Director, Darshan Flexibles Private Limited, has followed the footsteps of his father P.G. Hemdev, both in business and social service. The senior Hemdev was the founder member of Mysore Round Table-21, one of the oldest Round Table in the country. So as Ashwinni says “Round Table is in my blood I suppose so it comes naturally to me.” Considering the fellowship is a big part of Round Table it is no surprise that jovial Ashwinni Kumar Hemdev has won this honour.

Ashwinni also has the record of being the first President of Round Table of India from Mysore, “and that too during the Golden Jubilee year of Round Table India made it quiet an interesting time” says an ever smiling Ashwinni.

Speaking about Round Table, Ashwinni Kumar Hemdev said that it has been an excellent experience to be a part of an organisation which not only gives importance to fellowship which helps in personality development but also involves itself with a single minded mission — to educated the under privileged children in the country.

Being the President of Round Table India, Ashwinni Hemdev travelled extensively to various places throughout the country and abroad. In fact he says “It gave me an opportunity to see the world. Also, thanks to my wife Divya for holding fort when I was busy travelling.” When asked how his wife tolerated all his travelling Ashwinni says “Divya knew what to expect as she is a Circler, the ladies wing of Round Table and also she joined me in quite a few travels.”

Apart from his works during his more than a decade association with Mysore Round Table -21, Ashwinni was instrumental in taking Round Table to Singapore. He has also the credit of conducting Round Table International World Meeting in 2012, which was named a ‘Wah India’ in Hyderabad. It was the first time that a world meeting of the Tablers and Circlers was held in India.

Though Ashwinni loves Round Table, he says “Its time for me to retire” with a hint of sadness. The tenure of a Round Tabler ends when he turns 40 and Ashwinni has just a year left. “Yes, I am a little disheartened, but this is what keeps Round Table fresh and flush with new ideas and friendships,” says Ashwinni. He now jokes saying he will have more time to spend with his family while also looking forward to serve as an Honorary Tabler for a year or two.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / September 15th, 2013

Bangalore, you are still beautiful

About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Travel

Bangalore :

Early on Sunday evening, the sky was clear and a soft wind blew across Ulsoor, lined by the lake on one side and expensive real estate on the other. There was an edge to the traffic racing towards the city’s downtown area, dodging pedestrians and potholes.

A young girl of perhaps 18 was at the front of the traffic on Gangadhar Chetty Road, close to the Thiruvalluvar statue. A pothole that had matured into a crater with water from early morning showers flooding the area, lay ominously across the road.

The girl and her two-wheeler, followed closely by an autorickshaw, were stalled by the condition of the surface. The slightly-built teenager, who was trying to manoeuvre her bike through the slush, lost her balance and tumbled into the muck.

The auto driver and the passengers in his vehicle sat unmoving. Behind them, traffic started piling up. A young man on a bike suddenly raced through the crowd and tossed his vehicle to the side. He didn’t even pause to take off his helmet before pulling the girl out of the slush and depositing her on the footpath. He then returned to move her vehicle.

For a while, people just watched, stunned by the little drama playing out before them. I realized the girl might need medical attention and got out of my car, leaving it in the middle of the road. By then, a biggish crowd had gathered around.

It took me a couple of minutes to get back to my vehicle which was clearly blocking the traffic. But no one objected. No one honked. There was a considerable pile-up and people in the vehicles in the rear probably didn’t even know what was happening up in front, but nobody made a sound. Everyone waited patiently. At a time when rapes and crimes against women headline newspapers every day, it was an especially sweet moment. The rider who cared, the crowd that paused.

As Metallica’s James Hetfield’s told the city’s rapt audience not so long ago, “Bangalore, you’re beautiful.”

It might have been the time of day, that day of the week, when the mood relaxed. It might have been the most patient were in the pile-up. Or maybe, just maybe, the city is regaining some of its lost temperament. Fair-weathered, pot-holed Bangalore.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Auto Driver / by Prajwal Hegde, TNN / September 04th, 2013