Urban resurgence

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

CD review

Bangalore was once a proud home to a thriving jazz culture, thanks to the wonderful Anglo-Indian and Parsee communities that contributed immensely to the city’s artistic landscape.

Over the decades, as their numbers dwindled, a lot of that sub-culture gradually began vanishing from public spaces. Some shut for good and others faded out of popular memory. A few precious families remain and continue to keep the jazz sub-culture alive in fragments. ‘UNK – The Radha Thomas Ensemble – I Only Have Eyes for you’ has been created by a band of musicians who have experienced the fine flavours of the past and seem to make a genuine attempt to deliver a part of it to the coming generations of jazz enthusiasts. UNK, you realise, is a distortion for the word aankh, meaning the eye. The cover of the CD has a cornea in the middle of a peacock feather, just in case you miss it.

In the eight tracks on this CD, what comes across are a few things worth noticing. The first is the voice of Radha Thomas, whose voice modulation is excellent inspite of her trying desperately hard to sound dusky. A bit of monotony sets in after the first couple of tracks. If such a forced effort could be avoided, Radha could certainly be one of the finest jazz voices in Bangalore. For someone like Radha, who has had the good fortune of taking professional training in a genre as complicated as Dhrupad, this shouldn’t be much.

Her voice modulation, that can be heard in little phrases and delicate interludes, makes for pleasurable listening. The next is the brilliant idea of collaborating with various artistes to bring in this collection. Radha’s voice isn’t present in half the tracks on the CD and she generously makes space for others to improvise on their own music. The main five-minute track after which this album takes its name, I only have eyes for you by Harry warren and Al Dubin, could have been infused with a bit more life. A pleasant element is the piano performed in the third track Connections and fifth track Refuge by Aman Mahajan. He is certainly someone to look out for on the Indian music scene in the coming years.

Watermelon Man, the classic by Harbie Hancock, comes across as another pleasant surprise with wonderful improvisation done with the layering technique. A soothing chorus comes in as you are ready to tap your feet to this track. Matt Littlewood’s saxophone and Ramjee Chandran’s guitar could have been extended a bit more than what is there.

This CD makes for a sweet gift this festive season, from the heart of real Bangalore’s jazz scene.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements> Sunday Herald Arts & Culture> by Veejay Sai / November 04th, 2012

Our ingenious spin DOCKtors

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Faisal poses with a bicycle at a docking station at the MG Road Metro

The three young minds behind Bengaluru’s first completely automated bicycle sharing platform have been kept on their toes over the last few days.

Understandably too, as registrations have been on full-swing ever since the ATCAG (Automated Tracking and Control of Green Assets) metro docking stations opened to the public on Tuesday. Srinivas Ramesh, Syed Haseeb Arfath and Srinidhi Sridhar-the cofounders of Kerberon Automations, talk to us about this project, which has finally taken off in a big way, even as they insist that cycling is making some serious inroads into the lifestyles of young, urban Bengaluru.

“We now have docking stations in MG Road, Trinity and Ulsoor. In the next one week, we’ll also launch the ones in Indiranagar, Baiyapanahalli and SV Road, with a capacity of 100 cycles,“ starts off Srinivas. The idea for the venture itself was Arfath’s final year college project. “At that time, there was a lot of illegal parking collection going on and I wanted to introduce an automated system that would scan vehicles and allocate parking space accordingly.

When I showed this to my professor, he liked the idea but asked me to replace cars with cycles. Once, I was done with college, I took it forward.”

Talking about how cycling is set to become an integral part of urban Bengaluru’s life, Srinivas says, “Over the past year, the bicycle sharing system has been used by people right from the age of 18 to 63 years, by tourists, head chefs, CEOs, IT professionals. The cycleto-work trend is catching on -it’s seen as cool. Our aim is to promote non-motorised transport. Bengaluru is such a beautiful city with amazing weather.

And people are opening up to the idea of cycling. These days, at any given traffic signal, you’re bound to find at least one fully-kitted cyclist with a laptop bag, on his way to work. Bengaluru used to lack proper cycling infrastructure, but the BBMP recently launched a 42-kilometre cycling lane in Jayanagar.“ Srinidhi, adds, “Queries have been pouring in and we’re seeing people across segments, but mainly office-goers.”

So, do these young businessmen cycle to work themselves? Srinivas smiles, “I do about 30 km on a daily basis, and over the weekends, I try to cover over 100 km,“ while Srinidhi shrugs, “I cycle whenever possible. Since I take care of the technology, I often have a lot of heavy stuff to lug around. But when it’s office and back, I use a cycle.”

This young venture is a product of friendship. “Srinidhi and I had been studying together since LKG and are neighbours,“ says Arfath, “When I started Kerberon, he was contemplating going to the US, but I convinced him to stay back and join me. We weren’t very close before, but now, I spend most of my time with him.“ And what do they do to relax after a hard day’s work? He replies, “There is not much time to relax. But, Srinivas does regular trips to Nandi Hills and has introduced it to us too.”

As for their plans for the future, Arfath reveals, “Three months back, we launched an electric scooter version in a biotech park in Hyderabad. We want to introduce other non-motorised, clean modes of transport. So, the next step will be looking at electric cars.“ Srinivas concludes, “Kerberon will soon be in all the metros. We’re in talks already and everyone seems to be open to the idea.”

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Bengaluru / by Anusha Vincent, DC / November 01st, 2012

Pankaj Advani: Eighth World title and more to come

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports

Bangalore:

Pankaj Advani’s eighth World title, the seventh in billiards, has been a long time coming, but his repeat win over one of the legends of modern era, Mike Russell, in Sunday’s final at Leeds, cemented the 27-year-old Bangalorean’s place among all-time greats.

His last World title was in 2009, also at Leeds and the opponent he beat in the final was also Russell. However, Advani drew blank the following three years with the exception of the gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games and the Asian billiards titles (2010, 2012).

It was a difficult period when Advani went through a roller-coaster ride that threw up a whole range of questions, from technical flaws in his game to powers of concentration to pressure due to public expectations.

Advani’s mentor and long time coach Arvind Savur believed that his ward’s losses had more to do with a drop in confidence level rather than flaws creeping into his game.

Thus, Sunday’s win over one of his idols would have come as a great relief for Advani for more reasons than one as he had opted to skip a professional snooker event in China whose dates overlapped with those of the World billiards tournament.

“I am so pleased to have won my eighth World title. I took a gamble while choosing to play the World Championships here in Leeds and not the International Championship on the professional snooker tour and I am glad that paid off.

“I took a tough decision earlier this year to play both Billiards and Snooker at the highest level, and I am glad that I have been able to maintain top form in both.

“This victory, like every other shall be treasured yet has its own special meaning given the unique challenges I have faced this year. This win is a testament that if you follow your heart, nothing’s impossible,” said Advani in a statement.

Proficiency in both snooker, in which he won the IBSF World championship crown in 2003, and billiards, has set Advani apart from the rest of the pack. This summer, he turned professional in snooker and almost immediately made a mark by defeating the likes of former World No.1 Steve Davis and John Higgins besides a bunch of higher ranked players.

Yet, Advani’s love for billiards has always been very pronounced and it reflected in his decision to travel to Leeds rather than China this month.

Now that he has won as many as eight World titles at such a young age, sky is the limit for Advani and he has the makings of a legend, though the billiards connoisseurs are waiting for a 1,000-plus break that would cement his berth in the pantheon of the three-ball game.

Savur, himself a legend, opined that his ward definitely should be included in the list of all-time greats, if only for his achievements, but notching a four-figure break was subject to many factors.

“First, I am extremely happy and proud that he won his eighth World title and that too by defeating a player like Russell. Pankaj definitely is among all-time greats because he has achieved so much at such a young age.

“As regards the 1,000-plus breaks, he is capable of it, but whether he gets the opportunity remains to be seen since it is all too rare these days that matches are played over four hours or even five as was the case in Leeds.

“You need to get into the zone to make such mammoth breaks that also demand intense concentration. In Pankaj’s case, he has all the attributes and definitely there is a lot of scope for improvement.

“No player is perfect. Pankaj has admitted that there are a few technical improvements or adjustments he can make. But then, you need time to try out and given his busy schedule, he has not been able to work on those aspects.

“However, I will say that he is bound to get better with age and I am sure, he will be achieving a lot more in the future,” said Savur.

Fact File

Born: July 24, 1985, Pune

Major Achievements (International):

2012 – Won World Professional Billiards title (time format).

2010 – Won Gold medal (billiards singles) at 16th Asian Games; Silver at IBSF World billiards (point format), bronze at IBSF World billiards (time format); Gold at Asian Billiards.

2009 – Won World billiards (Leeds, UK) and Asian Championship.

2008 – Won World billiards (point and time formats), Asian billiards and Australian Open billiards.

2007 – Won IBSF World billiards (time format)

2006 – Won Gold medal (billiards singles) at Doha Asian Games.

2005 – Won IBSF World billiards (time and point formats) and Asian billiards

2003 – Won IBSF World snooker championship

National Awards: Padma Shri (2009), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2005-06), Arjuna Award (2004).

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / Home> News / by IANS / October 30th, 2012

‘Wheels-2012’ enthralls auto buffs in city

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

The automobile enthusiasts had an opportunity to view the vintage cars, Jawa bikes, mopeds, Yezdi bikes, sports cars, and superbikes, at auto expo— ‘Wheels – 2012’ organised by Flames, a students’ association of mechanical engineering students of Sahyadri College of Engineering.

A rally was organised as a part of the auto expo. The rally was flagged off at Mahaveera Circle and concluded at the college campus, in Adyar.

MYK-5970 Ambassador car manufactured in 1951 in America, from Manjusha museum at Dharmasthala welcomed the visitors at the expo.

Dilip Kumar had exhibited a bicycle with gear facility. The bicycle was made in Britain way back in 1951.

‘Suvega’ of 1976,  Lambretta-48 of 1956, Yezdi from Czechoslovakia, Jawa bikes were centre of attraction among the youth. Jawa bikes were household names in India when it was introduced in the Indian market. It had become part of Indian lifestyle. In fact, Jawa had set up its unit in India in 1962 and was renamed as Jawa Yezdi, said a student.

Different models of Jawa bikes were also on display.  Other two-wheelers which were on display are ‘Ninja,’ ‘GSX,’ ‘Hayabusa,’ ‘R1’ bikes, which made the youth to ride the bikes at least once in their lifetime. Vintage cars too were  the star of attraction.

Morris Minor 1000, Ford jeep, Contessa car of Hindustan Motors, old Fiat car  along with modern cars like  Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Audi were on display. Customised cars and bikes and accessories, which enhance performances of cars and bikes like exhaust free headers and silencers, air-filters and other accessories, were also kept for display in the auto expo.

Organising committee head of the event Rakshith Shetty said this event has been organised to educate people about how automobile industry has changed over the years technology-wise.

The expo was inaugurated by Sanjay Rao of Mandovi Motors. He spoke on the importance of wearing safety belt. College Principal U Bhushi was present.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Mangalore, DH News Service / October 20th, 2012

From here & there

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Science & Technology

Mandya & the Canadian link

Canadian-born Lesli C Coleman, regarded as one of the ‘makers of modern Mandya’, worked in Mandya district of princely Mysore province from 1908 for more than 40 years. Coleman is said to have worked tirelessly, helping farmers get better yields from their crops through pest control and better farming techniques.

Coleman is known to have designed several innovative agricultural implements many of which are found to have been used by farmers even today.

But that’s not all. Lesli Coleman has mainly been remembered by the people of Mandya for his initiative and efforts in setting up the sugar factory (with a 600-tonne cane crushing capacity) which was started in Mandya in 1933. A major milestone for the region.

In Chikmagalur district

He also worked in Chikmagalur district, where a research centre named Coffee Experimental Station (present-day Central Coffee Research Institute) was founded under his guidance, in 1925.

Coleman, who was basically an agricultural scientist, carried out extensive research in the field of agricultural science.

His major contributions have been research and teaching of entomology of agricultural pests and plant pathology.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by S V Upendra Charya / October 30th, 2012

V Harikrishna bags three honours at Big Kannada Music awards 2012

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Mumbai:

Music Director V Harikrishna bagged a total of three awards at the Big Kannada Music awards, held recently at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium in Bangalore.

V Harikrishna won two jury awards in the categories Big Music Director (Jogayya) and Big Musical Hit Movie (Paramathma) accompanied by a popular award in the Big Josh Song category for 123 Vishnuvardhana (Vishnuvardhana).

Lyricist Jayanth Kaikini picked up two honours including the jury award for Paravashanaadenu (Paramathma) and a popular award for Big Feeling Song for Neeralli Sanna (Hudugaru). Other winners included artistes like Avinash Chebbi, Mamta Sharma, Indu Nagaraj, Yogaraj Bhat and Alex Paul.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon four music stars- playback singer PB Srinivas, devotional  vocalist Vidyabhushana, light music singer Ratnamala Prakash and instrumentalist Kadri Gopalnath. The station also gave away a special award titled Kannadigara All Time Big Golden Song to ‘Huttidare Kannadanadalli Hutta Beku’ from the movie Aakasmika.

Conducted by Big FM, the  awards acknowledge, applaud and recognize the talent of the Kannada music fraternity. The awards were adjudged by an eminent jury panel comprising of stalwarts from the Kannada music industry like Rajan (music director), V Manohar (music director) and Manjula Gururaj (playback singer).

The occasion was graced by big names from the world of music like Manjula Gururaj, Ratnamala Prakash, Padmashree Kadri Gopalnath, B Jayashree, Harikrishna  and Ricky Kej amongst others.

RJs Rashmi, Shruthi, Mayur, Rohit hosted special acts while an unplugged medley of classic songs was performed by Akanksha Badami, Anuradha Bhat and Deepak Doddera accompanied by RJ Mayur and Somashekhar Joyce.

The full list of award winners:

http://www.radioandmusic.com/radioandmusiclinx/y2k12/oct/The-ful-%20list-of-award-winners.pdf

source: http://www.radioandmusic.com / Home / by RnM Team / October 29th, 2012

 

Meet city’s young wizard of Mythology

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Child wizard Aditya Venkatesh.

Aditya with his parents Jyothi and Venkatesh.

He is just 10-year-old but his memory power is phenomenal. Meet Aditya Venkatesh, a student of Mansarovar Pushkarini Vidyashram in Vijayanagar 2nd Stage, who has mastered the Hindu mythology and also learnt about Roman and Egyptian mythology.

Any kid of his age would be fascinated about the video games, Chota Bheem, Dorae-mon and Tom and Jerry, but this kid is more fascinated about mythology. Not that Aditya doesn’t watch cartoons or play video games, he is as normal as the other kids. He loves playing tennis and is also a fitness freak.

Speaking to the SOM, Aditya said that his passion for mythology developed at the age of two when his grandmother used to read out mythological stories from a Tamil magazine and also his parents who read out stories from Amarchithra Katha collections.

According to Aditya, the interest on mythology grew when he was placed 194 in the National Science Olympiad held at Bangalore during 2010. He was awarded CDs containing mythological details which triggered him to develop passion towards his favourite subject. “I want to learn more about God and foreign mythology. This apart, I want to study the custom and tradition followed in foreign countries,” he adds.

The first book on mythology which Aditya read on his own was Ramayana. Since then he has never stopped. He has completed a series of Amarchithra Katha and other books on Hindu Mythology. He has also read books on Roman and Greek mythology and currently Aditya is studying about Egyptian mythology. “I have completed reading The Helen of Troy from Greek mythology, Rise of Colosseum from Roman mythology and Sun God’s Secret Name from Egyptian mythology,” said Aditya.

He does not just read the books and let it go. But he studies them in depth and remembers all the stories and characters. Aditya can tell stories about the characters in mythology which nobody has come across. The way in which he tells the story is fascinating and mesmerising. Aditya, who is currently reading books on Egyptian mythology, has plans to study Chinese mythology next.

Aditya’s parents, Jyothi and Venkatesh have been of great support to him in pursuing his passion. Venkatesh, who is a software professional, gets him books related to mythology along with his normal school books. “I give a lot of credit to Aditya who has brought a change in my life. It is because of him I have been following rituals and traditions. He has told me the reasons why one has to follow the traditions which I was not aware. This apart, his interest in mythology has really fascinated me,” said the proud Venkatesh.

Venkatesh also plans to take Aditya to Cambodia, who wants to visit the Lord Vishnu temple located in Angkor. Not only this, Aditya wishes to visit Rome and Greece to learn about the ancient traditions and customs. Venkatesh said that he has reserved around 200 sq. ft. to set up a library at his new house which is being constructed at Vijayanagar.

Apart from his passion towards mythology, Aditya also plays tennis and aims to participate in marathons. He has also been a brilliant student in his school. Calling him a child prodigy would be too simplistic. The only apt word to refer him would be “Child Wizard of Mythology.”

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> Feature Articles / by S.N. Venkatnag Sobers /  October 27th, 2012

Curtains come down on Flower Show

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

Caption: Landscape In-charge of BEML Keerthinarayan and his team of gardeners receiving the overall trophy from Shashikala Nagaraj, Director of District Horticulture Society, at the valedictory of Dasara Flower Show in city on Thursday. Dean of Horticulture College Dr. Venkatesh and Dy. Director of Horticulture M.N. Nagaraj are also seen.

Mysore, Oct. 27

The 10-day flower show organised by the Dept. of Horticulture as part of Dasara festivities at Curzon Park adjacent to Kote Anjeneya Swamy Temple came to a close on Thursday.

The valedictory function was marked by distribution of prizes to winners of flower arrangement competitions in various categories. BEML won the first prize in 24 categories and bagged the attractive ‘Moodagooru Subbanna, Puttaveeramma Overall Rolling Shield.’

Prizes and certificates were also issued to institutions and individuals including industries, educational institutions, lodging houses, private houses, hotels, government, semi-government and private persons who won prizes in various competitions in which as many as 573 participants took part.

Sarada Vilas Educational Society and SDM Institute for Management Development bagged the award for gardening while Co-operative Horticulture Director, Ooty and Mysore, secured the award for arranging flower plants.

Dixit bagged most of the awards in various competitions held for children as K.Rathna, a resident of T.K.Layout, got the award for arranging pots while J.G. Basavaraju and H.N. Vasanth of Ramakrishna Nagar bagged the award for maintenance of big and small private gardens respectively.

Best Industrial Award was given to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation as Shyamala Prasanna won the award for maintenance of Best Private Garden.

Mahadev, gardener of BEML, said women can grow vegetables in pots and these organic vegetables would be sufficient for a household for three months.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / October 27th, 2012

Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and sons in an unusual musical lineup in Bangalore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

Music fans in Bangalore had a rare concert treat this past Dussera festival weekend with an unbelievable lineup: sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his two accomplished sons Amaan and Ayaan, accompanied by *two* acclaimed table players: Tanmoy Bose and Satyajit Talwalkar!

‘Sarod Samrat’ Amjad Ali Khan was born into a musical family and has performed internationally since the 1960s. He was awarded India’s second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2001, as well as a fellowship in 2012 from India’s Sangeet Natak Akademi.

The Dalai Lama has reportedly remarked about him: “When Amjad Ali Khan performs, he carries with him a deep human spirit, a warm feeling and a sense of caring.” Khan believes music has no boundaries, and teaches around the world as well. Music transcends the two most dividing aspects of humanity — religion and language, and music is as much about feeling as theory, according to Khan, in previous press interviews about his classes in Stanford University.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan with his sons, Amaan and Ayaan

His sons Amaan and Ayaan are outstanding musicians in their own right, and perform classical music along with their father, as well as fusion and collaborations with other international artistes. The family has a Web site about sarod music.

See my earlier review of Amaan and Ayaan’s fusion album “Reincarnation”. I also had the good fortune to hear the brothers perform live at NCPA in Mumbai with oud expert Rahim AlHaj from Iraq earlier this year.

The two brothers opened the evening performance on a rainy day in Bangalore with a piece set in Raga Rageshri, in taals of 14 and then 16 beats. The introductory alap showcased beautiful melodies, and Amaan and Ayaan traded intricate lines before the tabla players joined in. Tanmoy Bose paired with Amaan and Satyajit Talwalkar with Ayaan, each participating in call-response which drew loud applause from the audience.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan then took the stage with the two tabla players, a rare combination. He showcased the richness of Indian classical music with a range of pieces: the Ganesh Kalyan melody, Raga Zila Kafi, tarana, Raga Miya ki Malhar, a composition of Rabindranath Tagore, and an Assamese song. The classic Amjad Ali Khan pose – head turned to the right with eyes closed and a half-smile on his lips – brought a smile to many in the audience familiar with his performances, and his mastery of the sarod made the instrument come to life as few can.

His two sons then joined him on stage, touching his feet as they sat down flanking him, with the two tabla players facing each other on the sides – making for a unique lineup of Indian classical musicians. Amjad Ali Khan acknowledged the fine tabla players and their musical influences: Pandit Shankar Ghosh and Suresh Talwalkar.

As the sarod players were filing their nails, Khan joked that this was not out of vanity but because the sarod stringboards are played with the fingernails — and not with fingertips as in other string instruments!

The final piece was set in Raga Kirwani, with Khan taking the lead and performing duets with each of his sons, followed by tabla duets. The tabla players then squared off with each other, taking solos and then jamming with each other in ever-shorter segments till they both thundered together in a rousing crescendo.

The evening came to an end seemingly all too soon, but the five musicians drew a standing ovation (one fan even tweeted that the performance was ‘sarodgasmic’!). What stood out that evening was not just the mastery of the musical geniuses but the energy, bliss and spirituality of the entire performance. We look forward to welcoming sarod’s ‘First Family’ again to Bangalore, and to future concerts produced by Sumeru Events!

source: http://www.worldmusiccentral.com / Home> Concert Reviews / by MadanMohan Rao / October 25th, 2012

Kundapur: Hadibettu Residents Construct Road on Their Own

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Kundpapur, Oct 23:

The long-cherished dream of 75 families of Uppinakudru was finally fulfilled when a newly-constructed road was inaugurated here on Monday October 22. What makes the occasion special is that the road has been built by the people themselves.

For the past 20 years, no road has been constructed in Hadibettu village. There was a ‘road’ where people could walk, but it was far from motorable. In rainy season the situation would worsen and even walking would be a harrowing task.

Poor roads are not uncommon, and neither are protests from people. Every now and then frustrated citizens march on streets demanding better roads, but here in Hadibettu, perhaps out of frustration or resourcefulness, the people themselves pooled in their money and built the road.

The initiative was taken by the locals which included president of Catholic Sabha Kundapur varodo Precilla Menezes, Flora Dias, Norbert D’Silva and team. They took the help of gram panchayat Tallur president Raghu Poojary who gave the no-objection certificate (NOC).

The people spent around Rs 1,60,000 on the work. Mani Sherigar helped with the mud. Looking at the zeal of the people, the gram panchayat assured some help toward road development in the future.

The newly-constructed the road was blessed by Fr Sunil Veigas, parish priest of Tallur Church. The road was inaugurated by president of gram panchayat Raghu Poojary Tallur.

Anant Mowadi, member of zilla panchayat said that road is a basic need of every citizen. He congratulated the people who took the initiative of constructing the road.

Member of gram panchayat Anand Billava, Girish Aithal, president of auto rickshaw drivers’ association Shekar Poojary, Stany Almeida, Urban Mendonsa, Tallur gram panchayat PDO Vivek and secretary Vasudev were present.

Precilla Menezes proposed the vote of thanks.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Home> News> Top Stories / by Silvester D’Souza / Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur / Tuesday, October 13th, 2012