The incessant rains battering the city and the surrounding areas since a fortnight has brought much needed relief to the farmers and has also eased the tension between Karnataka and our neighbouring State Tamil Nadu.
But there is a small minority who seem to have been hurt the most. They are the roadside street vendors selling wares like carpets, dolls, porcelain vases, flowers and the like. With no shelter over their heads, they have to keep the items always covered with plastic sheets lest they get spoiled. Business is out of the question as nobody would like to stop their vehicles by the roadside in the drizzling rain and make purchase.
A few lucky guys among them, have found a easy way out. When it rains they immediately pack-up all the items on display and get into their vehicles which they transport materials.
But not so with every street vendor. Some of them have migrated from other States and are staying here in makeshift tents and plastic sheet covered huts. It is they who are the worst affected. Though they form a miniscule percentage of the population which at best can be overlooked and walked away, there silent suffering still needs a few words of kindness and solace.
Speaking to Express Nasim, carpet seller from UP said that `the business is very less and has affected livelihood severely. Hardly I can sale countable carpers per week. When it rains most of them not stop the vehicles, carpets also gets wet. To dry, it will be placed under sunlight,' he adds.
`During summer we can put the clothes directly on ground, but during rainy season, I carry cot to display clothes. When it rains, with the help of vegetables vendors, I cover the clothes with plastic covers. The business is very poor and I display clothes in two different areas. Most of the days I have packed-up all the materials and have gone home,' says Ravi Kumar, with misery in voice.
`If compare to cloth sellers, vegetables vendors are most luckiest, as there is no need of covering all the vegetables. But for cloth, doll sellers there is no choice. They have to remain on toe always,' says senior citizen Mahadev.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Special decorations during Ashadha here
Usually in Ashadas doing special decorations for Goddess is common in every temple. But some temples creates curious among devotees because its bewitched decorations.
One such temple in city is Sri Mahalakshmi Kollapuradamma Temple, which marks a gaiety look on every Ashada Friday. This temple situated in heart of the city at Thogari Beedhi in KR Mohalla, has a history of 120 years. The temple was constructed by Kunchitigara Community people and was renovated 21 years ago.
Interesting from past 10 years this temple pontiff Venkatesh Bhat has not repeated any decorations and evokes curious among devotees every year.
The first Friday he had decorated goddess using Kavade and was followed by decorations made of using 3,200 Nataraja pencil and sea shells on third week. On fourth week of Ashada (July 29) he has decorated Goddess using coins worth about Rs 60,000. He has brought about 3,400 shells of ten varieties from Kanyakumari for the decorations.
Speaking to Express Ppontiff Venkatesh Bhat said that During every Ashada Friday special decorations will be done for Goddess Kollapuradamma. In 1995 using flowers, I decorated goddess in lotus formation and named it 'Kamala Vahini'. Later, I started to decorate using fruits, shells, bangles, stationery, eatables, kodbale, corn, dry fruits, sugarcane, candles. Once I had decorated with denomination of currency of Rs 1.20 lakh,' he stated.
Speaking to Express Shanthamma said that `during every season we have a eager to know how goddess wears different avataars this year. The decorations will be kept for two-three days intact.
Hence, the temple is attracting hundreds of devotees every year for its various forms of avathars.
One such temple in city is Sri Mahalakshmi Kollapuradamma Temple, which marks a gaiety look on every Ashada Friday. This temple situated in heart of the city at Thogari Beedhi in KR Mohalla, has a history of 120 years. The temple was constructed by Kunchitigara Community people and was renovated 21 years ago.
Interesting from past 10 years this temple pontiff Venkatesh Bhat has not repeated any decorations and evokes curious among devotees every year.
The first Friday he had decorated goddess using Kavade and was followed by decorations made of using 3,200 Nataraja pencil and sea shells on third week. On fourth week of Ashada (July 29) he has decorated Goddess using coins worth about Rs 60,000. He has brought about 3,400 shells of ten varieties from Kanyakumari for the decorations.
Speaking to Express Ppontiff Venkatesh Bhat said that During every Ashada Friday special decorations will be done for Goddess Kollapuradamma. In 1995 using flowers, I decorated goddess in lotus formation and named it 'Kamala Vahini'. Later, I started to decorate using fruits, shells, bangles, stationery, eatables, kodbale, corn, dry fruits, sugarcane, candles. Once I had decorated with denomination of currency of Rs 1.20 lakh,' he stated.
Speaking to Express Shanthamma said that `during every season we have a eager to know how goddess wears different avataars this year. The decorations will be kept for two-three days intact.
Hence, the temple is attracting hundreds of devotees every year for its various forms of avathars.
Collecting empty matchboxes: Yet another striking hobby !
There is an amazing variety of things which collectors collect making it their passionate lifetime hobby. While collecting stamps, coins, currency notes, toys could be most popular, collecting train and bus tickets, soap covers and empty cigarette packs are also fancied by some others. But for Husseni collecting empty matchboxes became a passion.
He already has about 7,000 match-boxes in his collection. His series of collection include Ganesha, Horse, Birds, elephants, dogs, cows, famous film actors, cricket players, tourist places, tourist places, domestic objects, pet and wild animals like tiger, lion, snake, and much more.
35-year-old SF Husseni who hails from Shivanasamudra in Mandya District began collecting empty match boxes as a small boy and never stopped even after growing into adulthood. As a small child he often played Tikis, which developed into the habit of collecting empty match boxes. The main thing that drew him to collect empty match boxes was the colorful pictures printed on them.
With the Ganesha festival fast approaching the artist has turned his attention making greeting cards with his vast collection of empty matchboxes. For New Year celebrations too he plans to bring make out greeting cards made using this matchbox covers and gift them to his near and dear ones.
Speaking to Express Husseni said, `Since my childhood I started collecting matchbox covers to play Ticki. Whenever I won and got an extra cover, I played the game even more enthusiastically. This gradually turned it into a hobby. As I was living in Shivanasamudra, a popular tourist spot known as Bluff, a large number of tourists from various parts of the country frequented this place who carried with them different kinds of matchbox covers which I picked up, adding to my collection. For first time I saw the picture of television is on matchbox,' he adds.
'I have been collecting such empty matchbox covers from road-side footpaths or parking lots ever since I was studying in 3rd Standard, and some of them I exchanged with friends while playing Tickies. In my entire collection only one percent of them was bought,’ says Husseni proudly.
Husseni's achievement doesn't end at merely collecting empty matchbox covers, but creates wonders wielding paper, scissors and glue dexterously. He is one of a very few artists who has mastered Sanji work, cutting designs using paper, in addition to Origami, a Japanese form of folding paper and making creative designs. He has already made a name photographing the dancing colours on the surface a CD under various light conditions, using just an ordinary camera. He is always on the lookout to do something new and creative.
Husseni is a graduate in Bachelor of Fine Arts from Karnataka University, Dharwad. His works have been bought by various art collectors in India and abroad, while also bagging awards in art festivals.
Special pujas during every Ashada Friday at Shankar Mutt
On every Friday in the month of Ashada, Abinava Shankaralaya, popularly known as Shankar Mutt, attracts hundreds of devotees as Goddess Sharada one of the presiding deity is decorated with different types of Alankaras such as Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajalakshmi, Mayuravahini, Garudavahini, Gajavahini, Simhavahini, Durgi, Veena Sharada, Rajarajeshwari all being the reincarnations of Goddess Sharada.
Fruits, flowers, lotus, elephant motif made of bronze sheet, coins, rupees are used for decorating the Goddess depending on the appropriate Avataras. The mutt priests plan accordingly and choose any four Avataras every year. The Goddess sports a bridal look. This Friday Rajarajeshwari Avatar will be done.
The Shankar Mutt in the city has a glorious history behind it. The 33rd pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy (1829-1917) was instrumental in bringing to light the collective works of Adi Shankara.
Interestingly the place where the majestic Shankar Mutt is presently standing was the birth place of this pontiff Sri Kunigal Ramashastry, who was a great Palace scholar during the reign of then ruler of Mysore, Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
Devotees of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy decided to build a memorial at his birth place in Agrahara, Mysore. The marble statue of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy was consecrated in the year 1924 by Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy in the presence of thousands of devotees naming it as Abinava Shankaralaya.'
Fruits, flowers, lotus, elephant motif made of bronze sheet, coins, rupees are used for decorating the Goddess depending on the appropriate Avataras. The mutt priests plan accordingly and choose any four Avataras every year. The Goddess sports a bridal look. This Friday Rajarajeshwari Avatar will be done.
The Shankar Mutt in the city has a glorious history behind it. The 33rd pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy (1829-1917) was instrumental in bringing to light the collective works of Adi Shankara.
Interestingly the place where the majestic Shankar Mutt is presently standing was the birth place of this pontiff Sri Kunigal Ramashastry, who was a great Palace scholar during the reign of then ruler of Mysore, Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
Devotees of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy decided to build a memorial at his birth place in Agrahara, Mysore. The marble statue of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy was consecrated in the year 1924 by Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy in the presence of thousands of devotees naming it as Abinava Shankaralaya.'
Shankar Mutt has a glorious history
In every Ashada Fridays, the presiding deity Sri Sharadamba will be decorated as Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajalakshmi, being the reincarnation of Goddess Sharada.
The Shankar Mutt in the city has a glorious history behind it. The 33rd pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy (1829-1917) was instrumental in bringing to light the collective works of Adi Shankara. Being an ascetic and a profound scholar in Shankara’s philosophy, several great personalities of his time, not just Kings and rulers but even commoners, irrespective of caste and creed, had become his disciples.
Some of the prominent ones being the great freedom fighters Balagangadhar Tilak and Madan Mohan Malaviya, the adopted son of Jhansi Lakshmi Bhai, Bapu Saheb, Sri Brahma Chaitanya of Gondavali, Sri Seshachala of Agadi and several others.
Interestingly the place where the majestic Shankar Mutt is presently standing was the birth place of this pontiff Sri Kunigal Ramashastry, whose popularity extended not only in the entire South India but also upto West Bengal, was a great Palace scholar during the reign of then ruler of Mysore, Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. His third son, Shivaswamy, took Sanyas when he was merely nine years old under Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamy who later became known as Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy.
Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy traveled all over South India and went upto Pune spreading the message and philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya. It was he who started the tradition of celebrating Adi Shankaracharya’s Jayanti on Vaishaka Shuddha Panchami. He collected all the works of Shankara, got them researched by the great scholars of his time and published it in the year 1910 running into 20 volumes.
Kalati in Kerala, the birth place of Adi Shankaracharya was a neglected place till then. It was due to the untiring efforts of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy, the birth place was clearly identified and Sri Sharada, Sri Shankaracharya temples were constructed at that place.
Devotees of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy decided to build a memorial at his birth place in Agrahara, Mysore. Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy, the succeeding pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, with the financial assistance provided by the Mysore King, Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, acquired the house of Kunigal Ramashastry along with several houses and vacant lands.
The marble statue of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy was consecrated in the year 1924 by Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy in the presence of thousands of devotees naming it as “Abinava Shankaralaya.”
Speaking to Express Dharmadhikari H ramachandra said that during every Ashada Fridays, the presiding deity Sri Sharadamba will be decorated as Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajalakshmi, being the reincarnation of Goddess Sharada.
The Shankar Mutt in the city has a glorious history behind it. The 33rd pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy (1829-1917) was instrumental in bringing to light the collective works of Adi Shankara. Being an ascetic and a profound scholar in Shankara’s philosophy, several great personalities of his time, not just Kings and rulers but even commoners, irrespective of caste and creed, had become his disciples.
Some of the prominent ones being the great freedom fighters Balagangadhar Tilak and Madan Mohan Malaviya, the adopted son of Jhansi Lakshmi Bhai, Bapu Saheb, Sri Brahma Chaitanya of Gondavali, Sri Seshachala of Agadi and several others.
Interestingly the place where the majestic Shankar Mutt is presently standing was the birth place of this pontiff Sri Kunigal Ramashastry, whose popularity extended not only in the entire South India but also upto West Bengal, was a great Palace scholar during the reign of then ruler of Mysore, Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. His third son, Shivaswamy, took Sanyas when he was merely nine years old under Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamy who later became known as Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy.
Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy traveled all over South India and went upto Pune spreading the message and philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya. It was he who started the tradition of celebrating Adi Shankaracharya’s Jayanti on Vaishaka Shuddha Panchami. He collected all the works of Shankara, got them researched by the great scholars of his time and published it in the year 1910 running into 20 volumes.
Kalati in Kerala, the birth place of Adi Shankaracharya was a neglected place till then. It was due to the untiring efforts of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy, the birth place was clearly identified and Sri Sharada, Sri Shankaracharya temples were constructed at that place.
Devotees of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy decided to build a memorial at his birth place in Agrahara, Mysore. Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy, the succeeding pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, with the financial assistance provided by the Mysore King, Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, acquired the house of Kunigal Ramashastry along with several houses and vacant lands.
The marble statue of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy was consecrated in the year 1924 by Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy in the presence of thousands of devotees naming it as “Abinava Shankaralaya.”
Speaking to Express Dharmadhikari H ramachandra said that during every Ashada Fridays, the presiding deity Sri Sharadamba will be decorated as Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajalakshmi, being the reincarnation of Goddess Sharada.
Feeling and emotions described through painting
Abstract paintings are considered as forgiving style of art paintings as the artistes feeling and emotions are express through this paintings. Here is one such creative artiste who felt to capture his pent up feelings and emotions after the death of his daughter.
Dr SC Patil who is working as a Dean in Hampi Kannada University is the artist, who has expressed his feelings, struggle, suffering, through canvas.
He has created master piece out of abstract paintings in which most of them are drawn keeping head as a mode. He has described very well the psychology state of the human being and the sad and sorrowful situations in his paintings.
Interestingly, Dr Patil when failed to succeed in 2nd year PUC exams, in the one-year leisure time has learnt paintings and has later became painter. He claims he is the only person in South India to obtain two PhD degrees on Folk Art. His PhD subjects has been published in form of books. He has exhibited his talent all over States and has bagged about 24 awards.
In every step one can find novelty, the forms according to his style and technique distributing them proportionately. He retains the original white colour of the canvas giving a little shade to it here and there impressing figures take their shapes corresponding with each other. The wonderful mixture of paints leads to fantastic effect and attracts connoisseurs.
I rarely create paintings on nature. Its a difficult task to carry both writing and painting together simultaneously along with teaching, guiding and participating in the academic activities. But do want to give up my painting, says Dr Patil.
`I have worked as a guide for 28 MPhil students and 25 PhD students. I to have obtained two PhD degrees on folk Art on the subjects `Karnataka Janapada Chitrakale' and `A critical Analysis of Art Education at School-level in drawing and painting'.
`I work on all medium of colours (Acrylic, Water, Oil). I love colours and enjoy working on it. Earlier I had worked on Tsunami tragedy, women Harassment, seasons, the places I visit and much more.
`I choose the subject on Women Harassment to paint, because I was very much disturbed by seeing the difficulties my sisters were facing in their husbands house,' says Patil with emotion and adds about 450 of his paintings have been sold so far.
Dr Patil is exhibiting his talent on abstract and modern painting at Suchitra Art Gallery, Kalamandira till July 24 and has named his creativity as 'Kaleidoscope'.
Dr SC Patil who is working as a Dean in Hampi Kannada University is the artist, who has expressed his feelings, struggle, suffering, through canvas.
He has created master piece out of abstract paintings in which most of them are drawn keeping head as a mode. He has described very well the psychology state of the human being and the sad and sorrowful situations in his paintings.
Interestingly, Dr Patil when failed to succeed in 2nd year PUC exams, in the one-year leisure time has learnt paintings and has later became painter. He claims he is the only person in South India to obtain two PhD degrees on Folk Art. His PhD subjects has been published in form of books. He has exhibited his talent all over States and has bagged about 24 awards.
In every step one can find novelty, the forms according to his style and technique distributing them proportionately. He retains the original white colour of the canvas giving a little shade to it here and there impressing figures take their shapes corresponding with each other. The wonderful mixture of paints leads to fantastic effect and attracts connoisseurs.
I rarely create paintings on nature. Its a difficult task to carry both writing and painting together simultaneously along with teaching, guiding and participating in the academic activities. But do want to give up my painting, says Dr Patil.
`I have worked as a guide for 28 MPhil students and 25 PhD students. I to have obtained two PhD degrees on folk Art on the subjects `Karnataka Janapada Chitrakale' and `A critical Analysis of Art Education at School-level in drawing and painting'.
`I work on all medium of colours (Acrylic, Water, Oil). I love colours and enjoy working on it. Earlier I had worked on Tsunami tragedy, women Harassment, seasons, the places I visit and much more.
`I choose the subject on Women Harassment to paint, because I was very much disturbed by seeing the difficulties my sisters were facing in their husbands house,' says Patil with emotion and adds about 450 of his paintings have been sold so far.
Dr Patil is exhibiting his talent on abstract and modern painting at Suchitra Art Gallery, Kalamandira till July 24 and has named his creativity as 'Kaleidoscope'.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Zoo animals to get round-the-clock water supply near enclosures
Mysore Zoo is taking up several modernisation measure like generating gobar gas by using animal waste, introduce of Audio-Guide and new species of reptiles. In the same way, if everything goes as planned, animals housed at Zoo can enjoy the atmosphere of a real sanctuary, as Zoo authorities are planning to provide individual running water channel near all the animal enclosures round-the-clock! Modalities are being worked to provide round-the-clock water supply by recycling the water and re-using it to maintain the continuous supply of water.
About two years ago, the concerned authorities at Zoo had sent a proposal to the Centre under JNNURM to implement rain water harvesting and the project was estimated to cost Rs 8.5 crore. But the proposal could not be taken up, when again the authorities sent another proposal in February 2011 scaling it down to Rs 3.3 crores. The new proposal is also still pending.
The earlier project proposal of Rs 8.5 crore was slated to be implemented in four phases, consisting of collecting the Seepage Water under Phase 1 costing Rs 1.68 crore; implementation of Rain Water Harvesting under Phase 2 costing Rs 1.01 crore; Treatment and Recycle of Water in Phase 3 costing Rs 1.26 crore and finally Physical Design for Habitat improvement in Phase 4 costing Rs 0.98 crore. A Macro Plan Implementation at Karanji Lake under Phase 5 costing Rs 3.41 crore and other miscellaneous expenditure of Rs 0.16 crore were also envisaged.
The project was planned to be introduced under two broad categories – one to design an efficient water management system and the other improve the physical layout of the Zoo. Apart from this some of the major plans that were intended to be taken up were: construction of three ponds to store water so that it percolated into the ground thereby increasing the ground water level, construction of drains, construction of water conduit pipe, collection of waste water at one common point, its treatment and recycling, creating natural water cascades inside the enclosures, strengthening of moats were the major aspects of this project.
Speaking to Express Zoo Engineer Muralidhar said, `due to paucity of funds in the JNNURM, the proposal of Rs 8.5 crore was later revised in which the proposed Karanji Lake Macro Plan implementation costing Rs 3.41 crore was dropped. And the remaining proposal now costing Rs. 3.3 crore has been sent again in February."
"Zoo spread over a sprawling area of 79 acres is a good place to implement rain water harvesting. Recently Zoo on a temporary basis has constructed two ponds, one near the Indian Elephant enlosure and another beside the crocodile enclosure. Water is stored in these two ponds mainly to increase the ground water table", he added.
'Zoo needs about 5.5 lakh litres of water daily and is dependent mainly on borewells. The artificial water ponds recently constructed helps in increasing the ground water table', observed Muralidhar.
Though it is a temporary measure, once the project gets the approval and the grants are released, then water storage and rain water harvesting will become a permanent feature thereby drastically binging down water consumption and saving the precious natural resource, he added.
About two years ago, the concerned authorities at Zoo had sent a proposal to the Centre under JNNURM to implement rain water harvesting and the project was estimated to cost Rs 8.5 crore. But the proposal could not be taken up, when again the authorities sent another proposal in February 2011 scaling it down to Rs 3.3 crores. The new proposal is also still pending.
The earlier project proposal of Rs 8.5 crore was slated to be implemented in four phases, consisting of collecting the Seepage Water under Phase 1 costing Rs 1.68 crore; implementation of Rain Water Harvesting under Phase 2 costing Rs 1.01 crore; Treatment and Recycle of Water in Phase 3 costing Rs 1.26 crore and finally Physical Design for Habitat improvement in Phase 4 costing Rs 0.98 crore. A Macro Plan Implementation at Karanji Lake under Phase 5 costing Rs 3.41 crore and other miscellaneous expenditure of Rs 0.16 crore were also envisaged.
The project was planned to be introduced under two broad categories – one to design an efficient water management system and the other improve the physical layout of the Zoo. Apart from this some of the major plans that were intended to be taken up were: construction of three ponds to store water so that it percolated into the ground thereby increasing the ground water level, construction of drains, construction of water conduit pipe, collection of waste water at one common point, its treatment and recycling, creating natural water cascades inside the enclosures, strengthening of moats were the major aspects of this project.
Speaking to Express Zoo Engineer Muralidhar said, `due to paucity of funds in the JNNURM, the proposal of Rs 8.5 crore was later revised in which the proposed Karanji Lake Macro Plan implementation costing Rs 3.41 crore was dropped. And the remaining proposal now costing Rs. 3.3 crore has been sent again in February."
"Zoo spread over a sprawling area of 79 acres is a good place to implement rain water harvesting. Recently Zoo on a temporary basis has constructed two ponds, one near the Indian Elephant enlosure and another beside the crocodile enclosure. Water is stored in these two ponds mainly to increase the ground water table", he added.
'Zoo needs about 5.5 lakh litres of water daily and is dependent mainly on borewells. The artificial water ponds recently constructed helps in increasing the ground water table', observed Muralidhar.
Though it is a temporary measure, once the project gets the approval and the grants are released, then water storage and rain water harvesting will become a permanent feature thereby drastically binging down water consumption and saving the precious natural resource, he added.
Surviving against all odds
Ravi an tailor, afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
facing life courageously and is conducting tailoring classes
Though life is a mystery, it still throws up lots of surprises, some good some bad. And when something goes wrong one should not worry, instead should face it courageously and try finding a solution for it. A living example for this is B Ravi, a tailor by profession.
Everything was fine with Ravi until 1993, when he was afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA), a debilitating autoimmune disease resulting in stiff joints accompanied with excruciating pain and finally the joints lose all their mobility and become deformed.
Even today, he struggle hard to walk, can't lift the weight, he lifts-up himself very slowly from the chair, try to walk independently, he cant even use walking stick has he has lost the mobility of hands too. Amidst all this odds, facing the problems courageously he is leading the life and is taking tailoring classes at his institution in Irwin Road.
He learnt tailoring from his grandfather in his spare time during his school days when he was still a kid. But he never expected that this avocation would become his life saving profession that one day would earn him his daily bread. When his father was suddenly struck with paralysis, he discontinued his SSLC studies and had to look after the family.
He took up tailoring and began practicing it with keen interest, so much so that he even began tutoring to about 250 students. But in 1993 after he was diagnosed to be suffering from RA, the pain in the joints began to get so worse that he could not step out of his house. One year later when he went to see the Institute where he taught tailoring, supported by his family members, he was in for a great shock at the mismanagement.
He immediately decided to manage the Institute on his own and with great inner will and strength he started taking the classes again and for the next 8 years he coached the students personally for which around 30 students had enrolled.
So far he has trained thousands of students including some disabled persons. One son BR Akshay is studying Medicine and the other BR Shankar, who underwent an open heart surgery when he was 25 days old, is now studying 8th standard.
"I lost hope of taking up tailoring again, when I was suffering from severe joint pains. I thought I reached the end of my life as I was completely dependent on others. But my children, students and family members stood by me during the hour of the crisis. Now I enjoy my work and continue imparting training to others till my last breath', says Ravi.
`Even today I suffer from severe joint pains while walking, but I have learnt to tolerate it, as life has to go on and I want to continue to look after my family members. In the beginning I started cutting clothes holding light weight scissors which took several hours to cut. But as days passed, I gradually increased the weight of the scissors and now I am able to hold big scissors but not for long," he said of how he coping up with his RA.
`Even I tried to stitch the clothes using motor for machine, but I failed to stitch it perfectly and now I only cut the clothes. I travel by auto daily and manage to step till shop. Sitting in place, I teach the students how to cut the materials and stitch it,' he added.
`I have tried all sorts for medicare from past eight years, some doctors state that there is no such medicine is still invented to cure this disease. Now, I am undergoing Ayurvedic treatment and managing the things,' he added.
Speaking to Express an private clinic orthopedician said that `patients suffering from RA usually depend on someone and find difficult to do their work. But Ravi has a very good will power,' he added.
facing life courageously and is conducting tailoring classes
Though life is a mystery, it still throws up lots of surprises, some good some bad. And when something goes wrong one should not worry, instead should face it courageously and try finding a solution for it. A living example for this is B Ravi, a tailor by profession.
Everything was fine with Ravi until 1993, when he was afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA), a debilitating autoimmune disease resulting in stiff joints accompanied with excruciating pain and finally the joints lose all their mobility and become deformed.
Even today, he struggle hard to walk, can't lift the weight, he lifts-up himself very slowly from the chair, try to walk independently, he cant even use walking stick has he has lost the mobility of hands too. Amidst all this odds, facing the problems courageously he is leading the life and is taking tailoring classes at his institution in Irwin Road.
He learnt tailoring from his grandfather in his spare time during his school days when he was still a kid. But he never expected that this avocation would become his life saving profession that one day would earn him his daily bread. When his father was suddenly struck with paralysis, he discontinued his SSLC studies and had to look after the family.
He took up tailoring and began practicing it with keen interest, so much so that he even began tutoring to about 250 students. But in 1993 after he was diagnosed to be suffering from RA, the pain in the joints began to get so worse that he could not step out of his house. One year later when he went to see the Institute where he taught tailoring, supported by his family members, he was in for a great shock at the mismanagement.
He immediately decided to manage the Institute on his own and with great inner will and strength he started taking the classes again and for the next 8 years he coached the students personally for which around 30 students had enrolled.
So far he has trained thousands of students including some disabled persons. One son BR Akshay is studying Medicine and the other BR Shankar, who underwent an open heart surgery when he was 25 days old, is now studying 8th standard.
"I lost hope of taking up tailoring again, when I was suffering from severe joint pains. I thought I reached the end of my life as I was completely dependent on others. But my children, students and family members stood by me during the hour of the crisis. Now I enjoy my work and continue imparting training to others till my last breath', says Ravi.
`Even today I suffer from severe joint pains while walking, but I have learnt to tolerate it, as life has to go on and I want to continue to look after my family members. In the beginning I started cutting clothes holding light weight scissors which took several hours to cut. But as days passed, I gradually increased the weight of the scissors and now I am able to hold big scissors but not for long," he said of how he coping up with his RA.
`Even I tried to stitch the clothes using motor for machine, but I failed to stitch it perfectly and now I only cut the clothes. I travel by auto daily and manage to step till shop. Sitting in place, I teach the students how to cut the materials and stitch it,' he added.
`I have tried all sorts for medicare from past eight years, some doctors state that there is no such medicine is still invented to cure this disease. Now, I am undergoing Ayurvedic treatment and managing the things,' he added.
Speaking to Express an private clinic orthopedician said that `patients suffering from RA usually depend on someone and find difficult to do their work. But Ravi has a very good will power,' he added.
Ganesha making on brisk
With the festival fast approaching, residents of Kumbargeri were seen busily making idols different sizes and painting them. Kumbargeri has a century old history of making ganesha idols. The livelihood of most of the families residing here depend on making idols. In their small, sloping tiled houses they manage to do everything. They follow certain customs even today, like having a bath before they start working on the idols and stopping the entire work if somebody demises in the house.
There was a time when Kumbargeri was famous for making of Ganesh idols with about 170 houses, but at present there are only about 36 houses and the number is declining year after year.
Following the trend, artisans are bringing in new designs and making the idols colourful. But overall there is a decline in the sale of these idols. This year the sales have been severely affected as more number of street-side artisans have also started making Ganesha idols.
`We work day and night making Ganesha without using moulds, but people want idols which are attractive and that come in bright colours and of different shapes,' says Rekha resident of Kumbargeri.
Venkat Lakshmi said that `one day this art might also come to an end. As making idols has come from our ancestors period we do want to opt for any other field and we have a special attachment towards this. But we do want our children to continue this work.'
There was a time when Kumbargeri was famous for making of Ganesh idols with about 170 houses, but at present there are only about 36 houses and the number is declining year after year.
Following the trend, artisans are bringing in new designs and making the idols colourful. But overall there is a decline in the sale of these idols. This year the sales have been severely affected as more number of street-side artisans have also started making Ganesha idols.
`We work day and night making Ganesha without using moulds, but people want idols which are attractive and that come in bright colours and of different shapes,' says Rekha resident of Kumbargeri.
Venkat Lakshmi said that `one day this art might also come to an end. As making idols has come from our ancestors period we do want to opt for any other field and we have a special attachment towards this. But we do want our children to continue this work.'
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Traditional Ganesha idols makers also urge govt to ban ganesha made of PoP
In Mysore city, makers of Ganesha idols are requesting the authorities to impose a ban on the sale of idols brought from other States. The reason is to prevent environmental pollution. They are also requesting to ban idols made out of PoP all over India. Moreover, the demand for the traditional idols has come down thus severely affecting the sales and in turn their livelihood.
Environmentalists have been all along urging civic bodies to ensure that the festival is celebrated in a eco-friendly manner by banning making of Ganesha idols painted with bright multi-colour paints that are toxic and not water soluble.
When Express spoke with a couple of families residing at Kumbargeri, making traditional Mysore style Ganesha idols since decades said their ancestors made idols with only clay, which they now painting them with oil paints. Only around 20 per cent of people purchase clay Ganesha idols while the majority prefer brightly-painted colourful idols as they want the God to look in a grand manner.
Once the Ganesha idols submerged in the water disintegrates the same clay is re-used to make new idols. But If more people purchase PoP idols, it wont dissolve in water causing only pollution, they added.
They also claim that oil paints and natural paints easily peels off once it gets submerged in water but not the idols made using moulds and PoP, brought from neighbouring State of Maharashtra, especially Mumbai.
The idols made out of PoP should be seized by the authorities and a strict vigilance should be enforced around city. Artisans of Mysore have their own tradition of making idols and protecting the tradition is need of the hour, says Mohan who purchase only clay idol to protect environment.
`Only very few customers who are aware of the dangers of PoP, buy our traditional idols. But their number is very small, rued Ningamma, who has been making these idols from past 40 years.
Only very few customers who are aware of the dangers of PoP, buy traditional idols. But their number is very small. The idols made out of PoP should be seized by the authorities and a strict vigilance should be enforced around city. Artisans of Mysore have their own tradition of making idols and protecting the tradition is need of the hour, added Rekha.
Ganesha idols made of PoP should be banned all over country
It's time for our Karnataka government to take measures and follow the footsteps of Mumbai Court that recently ruled the city's craftsmen who have been making Ganesha idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and painted with bright flourescent chemical paints which are environmental hazards.
Various hazardous chemicals, including the highly toxic Mercury and Lead, are found in the paints used for colouring these Ganesh idols, which pollute the water bodies in which they are immersed. Idols made of clay and painted with natural colours easily dissolve in water unlike the PoP which remain forever.
The Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court imposed a complete ban on the use of PoP for making Ganesh idols, where the idol is worshipped more fervently than anywhere else in the country.
When Express elicited views of the environmentalists, they questioned `Why not the Karnataka government impose a ban on use of PoP for making Ganesha idols like the HC ruling of the Maharashtra Government.
'To check environmental pollution, strict action should be initiated by the respective State Pollution Control Boards (PCB) all over the country. Though this is an issue that assumes significance only during the festival time and forgotten soon after the festival is over, the damage it causes is immense and irreversible', lamented environmental activist Aravind.
`This is an evil glaringly visible to the eye. Environment Minister should enforce the rule and protect environment. `Pillari' (cow dung placed as idol and worshipped) should be once again encouraged,’ says Kukkarahalli Lake Protection Committee Convenor Jayaram.
`Why our Government has turned a blind's eye on this is puzzling. Corporation officials should enforce ban on PoP idols. Mysore should become a model to other States by implementing this rule', opined noted consumer activists M Lakshmana.
'Inspite of arrangements being made to immerse idols in water tankers specially arranged and brought to various localities, the toxic content once released to the environment can never be cleansed again,' observed another concerned citizen Sharath.
`Instead of using paint for idols let them use vegetable colours, multan-mitti which are natural and can be recycled, said, Banu Prakash,member of Environment Protection Committee.
Speaking to Express Pollution Control Board Chairman AS Sadashivaiah said that `we have not planned about banning of PoP idols completely. Its a difficult task too. But instruction have been given to all the District Deputy Commissioner's to put extraordinary efforts and make sure of using clay idols. Artisans have suggested to lead-free paint Mysore Lac Paints. We also prevent to maximum extent idols coming our from other state,' he addded.
Various hazardous chemicals, including the highly toxic Mercury and Lead, are found in the paints used for colouring these Ganesh idols, which pollute the water bodies in which they are immersed. Idols made of clay and painted with natural colours easily dissolve in water unlike the PoP which remain forever.
The Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court imposed a complete ban on the use of PoP for making Ganesh idols, where the idol is worshipped more fervently than anywhere else in the country.
When Express elicited views of the environmentalists, they questioned `Why not the Karnataka government impose a ban on use of PoP for making Ganesha idols like the HC ruling of the Maharashtra Government.
'To check environmental pollution, strict action should be initiated by the respective State Pollution Control Boards (PCB) all over the country. Though this is an issue that assumes significance only during the festival time and forgotten soon after the festival is over, the damage it causes is immense and irreversible', lamented environmental activist Aravind.
`This is an evil glaringly visible to the eye. Environment Minister should enforce the rule and protect environment. `Pillari' (cow dung placed as idol and worshipped) should be once again encouraged,’ says Kukkarahalli Lake Protection Committee Convenor Jayaram.
`Why our Government has turned a blind's eye on this is puzzling. Corporation officials should enforce ban on PoP idols. Mysore should become a model to other States by implementing this rule', opined noted consumer activists M Lakshmana.
'Inspite of arrangements being made to immerse idols in water tankers specially arranged and brought to various localities, the toxic content once released to the environment can never be cleansed again,' observed another concerned citizen Sharath.
`Instead of using paint for idols let them use vegetable colours, multan-mitti which are natural and can be recycled, said, Banu Prakash,member of Environment Protection Committee.
Speaking to Express Pollution Control Board Chairman AS Sadashivaiah said that `we have not planned about banning of PoP idols completely. Its a difficult task too. But instruction have been given to all the District Deputy Commissioner's to put extraordinary efforts and make sure of using clay idols. Artisans have suggested to lead-free paint Mysore Lac Paints. We also prevent to maximum extent idols coming our from other state,' he addded.
God is work
God is a form of energy which cannot be seen, but only felt
What are your spiritual beliefs?
God itself is a belief. I see God in every work I do and always feel His presence. I am very religious, which doesn't mean than I perform any homas or special pujas or chant mantras. I just offer prayers and I find God while helping someone.
What is your understanding of God?
All that exists on earth is God's creation. When we close our eyes we see darkness and the person who enlightens us in darkness is God. We give different forms to God and offer pooja. He is a supreme power and a positive energy, which is not seen but can only be felt which is quite powerful.
What are your spiritual practices?
Evey day, without fail I pray and offer pooja to the deity. I won't step out of house without applying 'Kumkum' and 'Vibuthi' on my forehead. It has become a practice since my childhood to visit temples as I get peace, relaxation and solace, especially when I climb the temples atop hills.
Do you visit pilgrimage centres
I always keep visiting pilgrimage centres. Recently I visited Mudukthore, Pollachi Temple and Tirupati. I prefer visiting Tirupathi as I get some sort of great feeling when I visit there.
- Naveen Krishna is an actor and has played role of hero in many films.
3,500 persons undergo Plastic Surgery every year in Mysore
Plastic surgery is a super specialty, which aims for the best of function and appearance. It is a quest for improvement and surprisingly, every year in Mysore about 3,500 persons are undergoing Plastic Surgery and mainly of them are trauma victims and employees who are working for industrialist are most vulnerable for this surgery.
Last year about 3200 surgeries were done in Mysore. There are 2100 plastic surgeons in India and only seven in Mysore. Doctors opine every year the numbers of persons who are undergoing surgery is increasing.
Dr Herle of BM Hospital; Dr HV Satish and Dr Ravi of Vikram Jeev; Dr BN Jayaram of Mission Hospital; Dr Narayan Hegde of Apollo BGS Hospitals; Dr Mohan of KR Hospital and Dr Vijay of JSS Hospital are the seven doctors in Mysore.
Due to advanced technologies, tissues in our body can be shifted from place to place using Microvascular surgery technique and its a added advantage for people.
Most of them think plastic surgeons use 'plastic' during surgery but its not so. Body’s tissues are used and some times ‘implants’ which are made of different materials.
The word plastic denotes the ability of the plastic surgeon to mould tissues and surgeons use many of the normal surgery instruments for this surgery. Loss of tissue may occur following trauma or cancer.
Speaking to Express, Dr H V Satish of Vikram Jeev, said that `many of them think plastic surgery is a surgery of rich people but its a surgery of common people and this surgery was familiar during the period of world war.'
`Compare to other surgeries, plastic surgeons operate from head to toe and the challenge is to suit the need – restore shape, restore movement etc,' he adds.
When a person come across accidents if he brings the broken parts in plastic bag preserved with ice within six hours it will be helpful for the patients, adds doctor.
When questioned weather thighs skin is used for surgery, Dr Satish said that `Plastic surgeons have never ‘changed faces’ by putting skin from the thighs. The skin on the thigh is dark, grows hair and Skin graft to the face is a only choice.'
`Plastic surgeons also stitch the skin. But we use fine suture materials that will not leave any mark and we also sometimes use gum or tapes. But the natural movements gifted by God is difficult to replace,' he adds.
Plastic surgery is not always expensive. Some surgeries take 8-10 hours to perform. The experience, skill, duration and the special materials contribute to the cost and there is no age limit for this surgery.
Its Sub specialties are:
Reconstructive surgery: dealing with replacement of lost tissue.
Pediatric plastic surgery: deals with birth anomalies, the commonest being cleft of the lip and palate.
Cosmetic surgery: deals with a voluntary need for a change in external appearance in a healthy patient.
Burns : the main problem in burns is a loss of skin and its replacement is the solution.
Microvascular surgery: Involves small blood vessels of 1-2 mm and small nerves. These are repaired using a Microscope.
Last year about 3200 surgeries were done in Mysore. There are 2100 plastic surgeons in India and only seven in Mysore. Doctors opine every year the numbers of persons who are undergoing surgery is increasing.
Dr Herle of BM Hospital; Dr HV Satish and Dr Ravi of Vikram Jeev; Dr BN Jayaram of Mission Hospital; Dr Narayan Hegde of Apollo BGS Hospitals; Dr Mohan of KR Hospital and Dr Vijay of JSS Hospital are the seven doctors in Mysore.
Due to advanced technologies, tissues in our body can be shifted from place to place using Microvascular surgery technique and its a added advantage for people.
Most of them think plastic surgeons use 'plastic' during surgery but its not so. Body’s tissues are used and some times ‘implants’ which are made of different materials.
The word plastic denotes the ability of the plastic surgeon to mould tissues and surgeons use many of the normal surgery instruments for this surgery. Loss of tissue may occur following trauma or cancer.
Speaking to Express, Dr H V Satish of Vikram Jeev, said that `many of them think plastic surgery is a surgery of rich people but its a surgery of common people and this surgery was familiar during the period of world war.'
`Compare to other surgeries, plastic surgeons operate from head to toe and the challenge is to suit the need – restore shape, restore movement etc,' he adds.
When a person come across accidents if he brings the broken parts in plastic bag preserved with ice within six hours it will be helpful for the patients, adds doctor.
When questioned weather thighs skin is used for surgery, Dr Satish said that `Plastic surgeons have never ‘changed faces’ by putting skin from the thighs. The skin on the thigh is dark, grows hair and Skin graft to the face is a only choice.'
`Plastic surgeons also stitch the skin. But we use fine suture materials that will not leave any mark and we also sometimes use gum or tapes. But the natural movements gifted by God is difficult to replace,' he adds.
Plastic surgery is not always expensive. Some surgeries take 8-10 hours to perform. The experience, skill, duration and the special materials contribute to the cost and there is no age limit for this surgery.
Its Sub specialties are:
Reconstructive surgery: dealing with replacement of lost tissue.
Pediatric plastic surgery: deals with birth anomalies, the commonest being cleft of the lip and palate.
Cosmetic surgery: deals with a voluntary need for a change in external appearance in a healthy patient.
Burns : the main problem in burns is a loss of skin and its replacement is the solution.
Microvascular surgery: Involves small blood vessels of 1-2 mm and small nerves. These are repaired using a Microscope.
Heritage City tag brings no relief to city's roads
In the West they say water on the roads disappears within a few minutes after a heavy downpour, whereas here in India the road itself disappears and Mysore of course is no exception. Whenever heavy rains lash the city it turns several roads into small rivulets with the road disappearing underneath and people have to wade their way through murky waters with caution, fearing they may step into a pothole or even a open manhole.
With roads inundated under water, the potholes that are very often, patched up using tar and jelly stones give way in several places turning them into small puddles and become invisible with water flowing above. It becomes nightmarish, especially for riders of two-wheelers, whose vehicles often get stuck in these pot holes.
Many a times the water flowing on the road is at such a high level that it even enters the the silencer pipe of the two wheelers, blocking the engine. Added to all this is another misery, the overflowing water from open drainage pipes and sewers. The Under Ground Drainage (UGD) network in several areas is so badly maintained that it is always clogged causing water to overflow whenever there is a heavy downpour with even small children getting washed away as happened a couple of times in the recent past.
While the Corporators are very enthusiastic to make Mysore a role model for other States, they have failed to realize that without proper drainage and better roads, it would just remain dream on paper. The Corporators should become proactive and put a check on the sub-standard quality of road repair works and make sure that the sanctioned grants are properly utilized.
The City Corporation seems to be more concerned to please the tourists on a short visit to the city constructing Raja Margas, rather than should take up road repair works on a warfooting to help the permanent dwellers of the city.
The Corporation seems to think that merely filling the potholes fixes the road and it becomes motorable again. As a result such shoddy patch works can be seen on almost all the city roads without having a need for any separate speed breakers. Sometimes these patch works protrude so much on the road that one has to drive with his leg always on the brake so as not to be thrown off the vehicle.
While the Corporation has already received a grant of Rs 100 crore exclusively for road repairs and also when works under JNNURM like road widening and laying water pipeline connections are going on at a brisk pace, what is preventing the Corporation to relay all the roads in the city properly and provide a permanent solution. Even in the past the Corporation had availed loans from the Asian Development Bank to lay roads and had even repaid the money. But the situation has not improved.
It is a pathetic sight near Gandhi Square, where the proposed heritage road is coming up, and at KR Circle, the heart of the city, where the rain water always flows knee high, long after the rain had stopped. Localities like Yadavagiri, Kuvempunagar, Saraswathipuram, Vidyaranyapuram, Ramunaja Road, are always water logged and areas lying in shallow places like Agrahara, Vani Vilas Market, the road in front of the Fire Brigade and several slums located in low lying areas are the worst affected.
Speaking to Express Vinod a resident of Agrahar said that `the officials have failed to use the grants properly. Instead of providing good roads and proper UGD system the authorities are behind to get prizes and to obtain heritage tag. All public spirited organizations should join together and hold protests urging officials to provide commuter-friendly road.'
`Good roads are the basic component of a good governance. But here the authorities concerned have failed to provide adequate basic amenities to the citizens. The authorities who are involved in road construction and maintenance should work seriously and make city roads pothole-free,' says Mamatha, a resident of Yadavagiri.
With roads inundated under water, the potholes that are very often, patched up using tar and jelly stones give way in several places turning them into small puddles and become invisible with water flowing above. It becomes nightmarish, especially for riders of two-wheelers, whose vehicles often get stuck in these pot holes.
Many a times the water flowing on the road is at such a high level that it even enters the the silencer pipe of the two wheelers, blocking the engine. Added to all this is another misery, the overflowing water from open drainage pipes and sewers. The Under Ground Drainage (UGD) network in several areas is so badly maintained that it is always clogged causing water to overflow whenever there is a heavy downpour with even small children getting washed away as happened a couple of times in the recent past.
While the Corporators are very enthusiastic to make Mysore a role model for other States, they have failed to realize that without proper drainage and better roads, it would just remain dream on paper. The Corporators should become proactive and put a check on the sub-standard quality of road repair works and make sure that the sanctioned grants are properly utilized.
The City Corporation seems to be more concerned to please the tourists on a short visit to the city constructing Raja Margas, rather than should take up road repair works on a warfooting to help the permanent dwellers of the city.
The Corporation seems to think that merely filling the potholes fixes the road and it becomes motorable again. As a result such shoddy patch works can be seen on almost all the city roads without having a need for any separate speed breakers. Sometimes these patch works protrude so much on the road that one has to drive with his leg always on the brake so as not to be thrown off the vehicle.
While the Corporation has already received a grant of Rs 100 crore exclusively for road repairs and also when works under JNNURM like road widening and laying water pipeline connections are going on at a brisk pace, what is preventing the Corporation to relay all the roads in the city properly and provide a permanent solution. Even in the past the Corporation had availed loans from the Asian Development Bank to lay roads and had even repaid the money. But the situation has not improved.
It is a pathetic sight near Gandhi Square, where the proposed heritage road is coming up, and at KR Circle, the heart of the city, where the rain water always flows knee high, long after the rain had stopped. Localities like Yadavagiri, Kuvempunagar, Saraswathipuram, Vidyaranyapuram, Ramunaja Road, are always water logged and areas lying in shallow places like Agrahara, Vani Vilas Market, the road in front of the Fire Brigade and several slums located in low lying areas are the worst affected.
Speaking to Express Vinod a resident of Agrahar said that `the officials have failed to use the grants properly. Instead of providing good roads and proper UGD system the authorities are behind to get prizes and to obtain heritage tag. All public spirited organizations should join together and hold protests urging officials to provide commuter-friendly road.'
`Good roads are the basic component of a good governance. But here the authorities concerned have failed to provide adequate basic amenities to the citizens. The authorities who are involved in road construction and maintenance should work seriously and make city roads pothole-free,' says Mamatha, a resident of Yadavagiri.
This road requires urgent repair
This 1.5 km stretch in Gokulam is neglected by civic bodies. Corporator says I am helpless due to lack of funds.
If one wants to experience how a camel ride is like should drive on this road once. The entire stretch of the road is filled with pot holes with very little space for commuters, as a strong stench emanates from the drainage adjoining the road, filled with debris overflowing from the nearby cemetery.
This is not the scene from a slum area, but what is presently seen on Contour Road in Gokulam 3rd stage, where most of the people residing there are Below Poverty Line. The entire stretch of this 1.5 km road is completely neglected by civic authorities who seems to have forgotten the very existence of this road.
The road is in such a bad shape that one can count more than 21 pot holes. Even the electric poles are laid in a zig zag manner, which are never switched on for several days at a stretch and appear like ornamental pieces.
Another most agonizing thing for the residents on this road is the drainage that always over flows with the left-overs from the nearby Gokulam Cemetery. People performing the last rites of the departed, throw the left overs, like the bamboo poles used to carry the corpse, pots, bed etc. into drainage blocking the free flow of rain water. The debris begins to rot emanating an unbearable obnoxious smell. There are instances where even the ashes of the body burnt on the pyre mixes with drain. Apart from this Jayalakshmipuram UGD pipeline is also connected for this drainage.
Speaking to Express resident Chandru said that `For the past four years, we have approached the ward Corporator several times to solve this problem. But no action has initiated so far. When it rains venturing on this road is an adventure.'
`The roads needs urgent repairs and the concerned officials should intervene and help us. While the surrounding areas have been tarred and are provided with all facilities. It is really surprising! why the officials have turned a blind eye for this particular stretch. In spite of several round of complaints to CHESCOM officials to switch on street lights in the evenings,' the officials merely visit once in 3- months and vanish,' bemoans Devamma another resident.
Speaking to Express Corporator Girish Prasad said that `This 1.5 stretch needs about 50 lakh rupees of asphalting work and I am helpless in this matter due to lack of funds.
The main contractor of JNNURM is in Hyderabad and the local contractor work here. From past one year the funds have not been sanctioned from JNNURM and most of the works have been halted, he added.
Clarifying about the good condition of surrounding areas he said that `every year I get Rs 75 lakh from Corporation for the development works and in that I have managed to maintain good roads. If I spend Rs 50 lakh for this single stretch, the other development works will be affected in the year, he added.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Toda Embroidery - A rare form of embroidery work
Toda is the tribal embroidery from the Southern State of Tamil Nadu which has passed on from generations. The Toda Community people inhabit the Nilgiris Tamil Nadu and are widely believed be the descendants of Greek who once came to India. They prefer to call themselves Tora, and speak Toda, a language belonging to the family of Dravidian languages.
Toda women have mastered embroidering 'Poothkulli', (Shawl) in the traditional Greek fashion by both men and women of the tribe. But there is a slight difference in the way men and women wear it.
Toda embroidery is a very unique and intricate form of embroidery unlike any others. The embroidery work is done on the reverse side of the cloth to produce a rich, embossed effect on the other side. Though both sides can be used for wearing, Todas use the rough under side of the fabric as the right side.
Wide bands in red and black colours are woven at the end of the nine yard long 'Poothkulli'. The base material, usually white in colour, is hand woven in single width and the embroidery is done by counting the threads.
Elements of nature such as the sun, moon, stars, flowers, snakes etc. are depicted on these embroidery.Buffalo horn is widely used motif. Conceding to peoples requests such embroidery works are also done on table top mats, bags, pouches and other articles.
`The art-work is practiced exclusively by the women folk of the tribe. Girls learn this art from their mothers at a very young age. We create cross-stitch designs by way of practice without tracing the pattern or referring any books. Heavily embroidered attires are worn during ceremonies and festivities, ' says Bhuva Devi from Tamil Nadu who is in Mysore for the first time, imparting training at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahlaya (IGRMS) under the 'Do and Learn' series hosted at the Wellington House.
`The embroidery is done on a long, continuous length cloth. The beauty of the embroidery depends on the count of threads of the fabric and embroider. The embroidery is done on a white background, using red and black threads to provide a stunning visual effect. The cloth used for this the Toda cloth which is available in Tamil Nadu while wool is used for embroidery work,' adds Bhuvana Devi.
Speaking to Express 62-year-old Mangala who has come to learn this art said, `There is a lot of uniqueness in this embroidery and is quite interesting. This is the first time we are working in this type of embroidery and it involves plenty of delicate work.'
`Make train timings commuter-friendly', say public
When it comes to travelling, Railways always has upper hand over Roadways. Apart from ease and comfort of travelling, the cost of travelling the same distance by road is prohibitively expensive sometimes the fare being three to four times expensive than by train. So undoubtedly most prefer to travel by trains if given the choice.
With the intention of further increasing the passenger traffic, recently South Western Railway introduced three additional trains plying between Mysore - Bangalore and Yeshvantpur - Chennai .
Presently there are 19 pair of trains between Mysore-Bangalore-Mysore which includes two bi-weekly, one weekly and one six-days-a-week trains. A weekly express train to Howrah via Bangalore is also being introduced shortly. Of the 19 pairs of trains to Bangalore, five are ordinary passenger trains and all the remaining are either Fast or Super Fast trains.
In spite of all the good intentions of the Railways, what is distressing is that most of the train schedules of departure and arrivals does not help the daily commuters who are predominantly office-goers. It is very strange to note that the timings are badly assigned that office-goers reach Bangalore at odd hours either too late are quite early thereby wasting valuable productive time. Similarly the return timings for commuters travelling back to Mysore from Bangalore is also not properly scheduled.
The first train to Bangalore from Mysore leaves at 4.30 am in the morning followed by trains at 5.50 am, 6.45 am, 8.20 am,10.15am, 11.00am and at 12.10pm. While in the afternoon there are 12 trains leaving Mysore at 13.30, 14.15, 14.30, 15.45, 16.15, 17.00, 18.00, 18.30,19.00, 20.10,20.30 and 23.45.
On the other hand trains from Bangalore leaving to Mysore departs at 15.00, 16.25, 18.15, 19.00 and 20.35.
Almost the entire traffic of commuters travelling on these trains daily from Mysore to Bangalore are office goers who are employed in Bangalore but residing in Mysore. As most offices and industries open between 9am and 10.30 am, in order to reach their work places in time they have to be at the Bangalore Railway Station at least one hour earlier, if they have to again catch a bus and reach their office in the busy Bangalore traffic.
The train which departs Mysore at 4.30 pm reaches Bangalore at 7.40 am, while the 5.50 am train reaches Bangalore by 9.10 am and the 6.45 am train reaches by 9.40 am.
But there are 12 trains in the afternoon leaving Mysore to Bangalore and after 15.00 hours there is a train almost every one-and-half hour. For those planning to get back to Mysore after finishing their work in Bangalore at these times are greatly inconvenienced as there are no matching return trains from Bangalore.
To catch the 4.30 am train which departs from Mysore, there are no proper bus facilities in the morning and those who don't own vehicles have to pay hefty amount for the autos.
When Express sought the opinion of the daily commuters every one of them agreed that the service motto is good, but the timings are least commuter friendly. The unanimous demand was to delay the departure the 4.30 am train to 5 am and start the 5.50 am train early by 5.30 am. They further wanted to introduce one more train in morning to so that it reached Bangalore around 8.30 am which would be of great help to the commuters.
`The foremost thing to be done by the concerned Railway authorities is to first conduct a survey, collecting the opinion of the office-goers who frequent these trains daily and accordingly fix the train time-table, instead of doing it on a adhoc or heuristic basis,' says commuters.
Speaking to Express Dr Asha who travels daily by the 4.30 am train said that `the newly introduced trains are in no of any help to us. There are more number of trains reaching Mysore from Bangalore in morning which is of no use while in the evening it is opposite as the frequency of trains to Bangalore from Mysore is needlessly high serving no purpose.'
'More number of trains should ply in the morning times to Bangalore while in the evening it should be matched by return trains to Mysore. But presently what is happening is quite reverse and the commuters are put into hardships due to this improper railway timings,' she adds.
Another commuter Ajai who is working for a company in Chennapatna opines that `due to irregular train timings is causing great difficulties for us. If the railways can re-think on this and appropriately modify the train timings it will be very helpful. In the evenings we have to wait for 2 hours to catch a train and we feel bus is comfortable than train but, as we have parked our vehicles at the Railway Station we are forced to go by train.'
`I am studying in a college in Bangalore and my class starts at 9.30 am. Again from Bangalore to reach my college I need one hour. So if I catch 5.50 am train I will be late for my class while the 4.30 am train is too early. If the 5.50 train is departed at 5.30 am it will be very helpful,' said Sowmya.
Speaking to Express Railway Divisional Manager Anup Dayanand Sadhu said that `
-------------------
eom/mys/rathna
With the intention of further increasing the passenger traffic, recently South Western Railway introduced three additional trains plying between Mysore - Bangalore and Yeshvantpur - Chennai .
Presently there are 19 pair of trains between Mysore-Bangalore-Mysore which includes two bi-weekly, one weekly and one six-days-a-week trains. A weekly express train to Howrah via Bangalore is also being introduced shortly. Of the 19 pairs of trains to Bangalore, five are ordinary passenger trains and all the remaining are either Fast or Super Fast trains.
In spite of all the good intentions of the Railways, what is distressing is that most of the train schedules of departure and arrivals does not help the daily commuters who are predominantly office-goers. It is very strange to note that the timings are badly assigned that office-goers reach Bangalore at odd hours either too late are quite early thereby wasting valuable productive time. Similarly the return timings for commuters travelling back to Mysore from Bangalore is also not properly scheduled.
The first train to Bangalore from Mysore leaves at 4.30 am in the morning followed by trains at 5.50 am, 6.45 am, 8.20 am,10.15am, 11.00am and at 12.10pm. While in the afternoon there are 12 trains leaving Mysore at 13.30, 14.15, 14.30, 15.45, 16.15, 17.00, 18.00, 18.30,19.00, 20.10,20.30 and 23.45.
On the other hand trains from Bangalore leaving to Mysore departs at 15.00, 16.25, 18.15, 19.00 and 20.35.
Almost the entire traffic of commuters travelling on these trains daily from Mysore to Bangalore are office goers who are employed in Bangalore but residing in Mysore. As most offices and industries open between 9am and 10.30 am, in order to reach their work places in time they have to be at the Bangalore Railway Station at least one hour earlier, if they have to again catch a bus and reach their office in the busy Bangalore traffic.
The train which departs Mysore at 4.30 pm reaches Bangalore at 7.40 am, while the 5.50 am train reaches Bangalore by 9.10 am and the 6.45 am train reaches by 9.40 am.
But there are 12 trains in the afternoon leaving Mysore to Bangalore and after 15.00 hours there is a train almost every one-and-half hour. For those planning to get back to Mysore after finishing their work in Bangalore at these times are greatly inconvenienced as there are no matching return trains from Bangalore.
To catch the 4.30 am train which departs from Mysore, there are no proper bus facilities in the morning and those who don't own vehicles have to pay hefty amount for the autos.
When Express sought the opinion of the daily commuters every one of them agreed that the service motto is good, but the timings are least commuter friendly. The unanimous demand was to delay the departure the 4.30 am train to 5 am and start the 5.50 am train early by 5.30 am. They further wanted to introduce one more train in morning to so that it reached Bangalore around 8.30 am which would be of great help to the commuters.
`The foremost thing to be done by the concerned Railway authorities is to first conduct a survey, collecting the opinion of the office-goers who frequent these trains daily and accordingly fix the train time-table, instead of doing it on a adhoc or heuristic basis,' says commuters.
Speaking to Express Dr Asha who travels daily by the 4.30 am train said that `the newly introduced trains are in no of any help to us. There are more number of trains reaching Mysore from Bangalore in morning which is of no use while in the evening it is opposite as the frequency of trains to Bangalore from Mysore is needlessly high serving no purpose.'
'More number of trains should ply in the morning times to Bangalore while in the evening it should be matched by return trains to Mysore. But presently what is happening is quite reverse and the commuters are put into hardships due to this improper railway timings,' she adds.
Another commuter Ajai who is working for a company in Chennapatna opines that `due to irregular train timings is causing great difficulties for us. If the railways can re-think on this and appropriately modify the train timings it will be very helpful. In the evenings we have to wait for 2 hours to catch a train and we feel bus is comfortable than train but, as we have parked our vehicles at the Railway Station we are forced to go by train.'
`I am studying in a college in Bangalore and my class starts at 9.30 am. Again from Bangalore to reach my college I need one hour. So if I catch 5.50 am train I will be late for my class while the 4.30 am train is too early. If the 5.50 train is departed at 5.30 am it will be very helpful,' said Sowmya.
Speaking to Express Railway Divisional Manager Anup Dayanand Sadhu said that `
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eom/mys/rathna
Teresian College: A decisive dream nurtured by group of sisters
Teresian College which is situated four kms away from the din and bustle of the royal city of Mysore, started in 1963, is a first grade Arts, Science and Commerce College for Women, affiliated with the Mysore University.
Amidst the tall elegant polyalthia trees swaying in cool breeze, the college is situated on the way to T Narasipura in a sprawling area of 25 acre.
The college is being managed by St Teresa's Education Society, which was founded by Carmelite Sisters of St Teresa (CSST). CSST is a religious congregation dedicated primarily to education and the congregation runs 76 schools and six colleges across the world.
St Teresa of Avila, the patron saint of Teresian was the source of motivation and inspiration for the CSST to start a women's college in Mysore.
The decisive dream was nurtured by a group of sisters with genuine concern for women's education and was headed by its foundress late Mother Euphrasia. She has toiled relentlessly with her dedicated collaborators to make the dream a reality in the birth of an institution – The Teresian College for Women in the year 1963.
The College offers PU, degree courses and also has ventured into the field of Post Graduate Studies in Bio-Tech in 2008 as a regular day course for both boys and girls. Apart from this to meet the challenges of the Corporate world, a gamut of management programmes like MBA, MCA through Twinning programmes has also been offered with the collaboration of Pondicherry University, DDE.
Speaking to Express Professor VK Jose said that `The college is named after reformer of the Carmelite Order, St Teresa of Avila, who had a unique personality, possessed qualities and devotion to the cause of downtrodden and less privileged. She is declared as a Doctor of the Church and no doubt St Teresa is an inspiring patroness of the youth in our college.
`The vision of our college is to envision life-oriented education and our mission is to promote value based education and to promote inter-cultural and inter-religious harmony and concern for the human family,' he added.
Amidst the tall elegant polyalthia trees swaying in cool breeze, the college is situated on the way to T Narasipura in a sprawling area of 25 acre.
The college is being managed by St Teresa's Education Society, which was founded by Carmelite Sisters of St Teresa (CSST). CSST is a religious congregation dedicated primarily to education and the congregation runs 76 schools and six colleges across the world.
St Teresa of Avila, the patron saint of Teresian was the source of motivation and inspiration for the CSST to start a women's college in Mysore.
The decisive dream was nurtured by a group of sisters with genuine concern for women's education and was headed by its foundress late Mother Euphrasia. She has toiled relentlessly with her dedicated collaborators to make the dream a reality in the birth of an institution – The Teresian College for Women in the year 1963.
The College offers PU, degree courses and also has ventured into the field of Post Graduate Studies in Bio-Tech in 2008 as a regular day course for both boys and girls. Apart from this to meet the challenges of the Corporate world, a gamut of management programmes like MBA, MCA through Twinning programmes has also been offered with the collaboration of Pondicherry University, DDE.
Speaking to Express Professor VK Jose said that `The college is named after reformer of the Carmelite Order, St Teresa of Avila, who had a unique personality, possessed qualities and devotion to the cause of downtrodden and less privileged. She is declared as a Doctor of the Church and no doubt St Teresa is an inspiring patroness of the youth in our college.
`The vision of our college is to envision life-oriented education and our mission is to promote value based education and to promote inter-cultural and inter-religious harmony and concern for the human family,' he added.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
`Ekanda Veena' carved without using hammer and chisel
Exquisite piece of art work:
Rose Wood `Ekanda Veena' carved without using hammer and chisel
Coming under the list of several traditional items which have their roots in Mysore is the Mysore Veena too. Associated with Goddess of leaning Saraswathi, listening to Veena, soothes the mind and calms the nerves.
Veena comprises a Resonator (Kumbha), the cross bar (Dandi), the dragon face (Vyala) and finally a small gourd like attachment (Kayi). The normal practice to make a Veena is to chisel it from seasoned jack wood as it is quite soft to work with. The main parts namely Kumbha, Dandi, Vyala and the Kayi are made separately and then joined together. This is the traditional and the most common way of making a Veena and are called ‘Khanda Veena’ (with parts). If the Kumbha and the Dandi are made by carving out of single piece of wood, then such a Veena is called ‘Akhanda Veena’.
These Veenas are rarely manufactured, only if specially ordered by an affluent client. The amount of wood required to carve such a Veena is naturally more and requires special skills. But Veenas with all the three parts, the Kumbha, Dandi and Vyali carved entirely out of a single piece of wood is a real rarity. This type is called 'Ekanda Veena'. This gives the best resonance, as there are no joints in the entire body of the Veena.
However, the Kai or the Gourd is manufactured separately and attached in all the above types of Veenas. So also the wooden plate to cover the entire unit.
Though Jack wood is the preferred choice, a Veena can be carved out of any other wood and is considered a real challenge, especially so if it happens to be Rose wood, as it is very hard to work with. Therefore it is not used even for making an Akhanda Veena, let alone an Ekanda Veena. But if somebody ventures to make an Ekanda Veena using only Rose wood, the news is sufficient to evoke curiosity and surprise.
MK Narasimhan, a retired Dam Safety Civil Engineer of Mysore, has taken up this daunting task of carving out the Ekanda Veena from a single log of Rose wood. Even the Kai or the gourd is also made out of hollowed rose wood. Narasimhan, who is 64 years old, has also served in the Irrigation Department at Mysore. He has completed his BSc and BE and using his education has base and started carving veena.
The Veena when completed measures a total of 54 inches from Kumbha to Vyali, while the diameter of the Kumbha at its width will be13 inches. The height of the Veena from the ground to the highest point is 12 inches. The bridge carries four main strings and three Tala strings. The main strings rests on 24 frets. The frets are made out of Silver rods. The gourd is decorated with 999 touch silver inlay work, while the entire Veena will be decorated with 72 silver flowers representing the 72 Mela Karta ragas. The neck of the gourd will be engraved with seven petals to represent seven Swaras, on which animals whose voice represent each Swara will also be engraved.
The strings of the Veena after passing on the frets, rides on a bridge located on the resonator. The vibrations from strings gets amplified in the resonator. The tala strings are also passed on the side with small hook-like projections. The bridge of Ekanda Veena looks like the Beejakshara of Ganapathi, 'Gam' written in Kannada alphabet.
Speaking to Express, Narasimhan said the musical instrument fascinated him so much, that made him resolve to carve a Veena all by himself. `It was my desire since my childhood to learn playing Veena, but I could not do so. But with persistent efforts I started collecting every bit of information on how to make a Veena which went on for 35 long years until my retirement, when I started working on it. I spend about 60 per cent of my pension amount to carve this Veena.’
`This is an Ekanda Veena, without any joints, made from a single log of rose wood. Carving the Veena is very difficult and it took me 4 years just to select the right piece of log. I do not use hammer or chisel as it reduces the strength of the wood. I use only sand paper to rub the wood and bring it the required shape.’ he said informing about his working method. He has completed making the dragon face for Vyali.
After making an in-depth study of the structural and behavioural properties of wood, especially Rose wood, he finally spotted a century old rosewood in the Thithimati forest area of Kodagu. Drawing a rough out-line of the Veena on the log of rose-wood, he got the extra wood chopped and brought it home and began his carving work.
Narasimhan claims that before taking up the work, he made a detailed study of the physical properties of the wood, metal and adhesive that he would be using in his Veena, as well applied several Engineering techniques to carve the shape, geometrical designs, aesthetics and inlay work while still adhering to the ancient scriptures.
Rose being very tough to work with, making a Veena by hand demands much care and skill. Working relentlessly for the past 4 years, Narasimhan devouts about 8 hours daily on his project. It may require another year to complete the Veena, and would probably be only one of its kind in the entire world.
He claims that his Ekanda Veena is the only Veena carved in Rose Wood and is the strongest Veena on the earth, yet the lightest one by weight. Normally a Veena weighs between 9.5 kg and 13 kg, but his weighs even less than that and especially made without hammer and chisel. He hopes to make a entry in the Guinness world creating several records.
Even the wooden box to house the Veena is unique
After any wood or carpentry work is completed, the normal practice is to burn the left-over wood pieces as firewood. But Narasimhan has found a new use for them.
When he started working on the Veena, he thought of making an appropriate wooden box to place such an exquisite piece of art work. He simultaneously took up making a traditional wooden box (like the one the ancient kings used to store their treasure) using the wood pieces that were discarded after the furniture work in his newly constructed house was completed.
Collecting all the scrap wood, he bought a plywood sheet and placed the scrap wood pieces on them fixing it with a adhesive. He polished it give it a finishing glow. The wood pieces of different hues placed in a zigzag design gives a special look to the box. Even the locks for the box is made by him using Brass. Shortly he is planning to invite Engineers and other musicians to inspect his Veena and elicit their opinion.
--------------------
eom/mys/rathna
Rose Wood `Ekanda Veena' carved without using hammer and chisel
Coming under the list of several traditional items which have their roots in Mysore is the Mysore Veena too. Associated with Goddess of leaning Saraswathi, listening to Veena, soothes the mind and calms the nerves.
Veena comprises a Resonator (Kumbha), the cross bar (Dandi), the dragon face (Vyala) and finally a small gourd like attachment (Kayi). The normal practice to make a Veena is to chisel it from seasoned jack wood as it is quite soft to work with. The main parts namely Kumbha, Dandi, Vyala and the Kayi are made separately and then joined together. This is the traditional and the most common way of making a Veena and are called ‘Khanda Veena’ (with parts). If the Kumbha and the Dandi are made by carving out of single piece of wood, then such a Veena is called ‘Akhanda Veena’.
These Veenas are rarely manufactured, only if specially ordered by an affluent client. The amount of wood required to carve such a Veena is naturally more and requires special skills. But Veenas with all the three parts, the Kumbha, Dandi and Vyali carved entirely out of a single piece of wood is a real rarity. This type is called 'Ekanda Veena'. This gives the best resonance, as there are no joints in the entire body of the Veena.
However, the Kai or the Gourd is manufactured separately and attached in all the above types of Veenas. So also the wooden plate to cover the entire unit.
Though Jack wood is the preferred choice, a Veena can be carved out of any other wood and is considered a real challenge, especially so if it happens to be Rose wood, as it is very hard to work with. Therefore it is not used even for making an Akhanda Veena, let alone an Ekanda Veena. But if somebody ventures to make an Ekanda Veena using only Rose wood, the news is sufficient to evoke curiosity and surprise.
MK Narasimhan, a retired Dam Safety Civil Engineer of Mysore, has taken up this daunting task of carving out the Ekanda Veena from a single log of Rose wood. Even the Kai or the gourd is also made out of hollowed rose wood. Narasimhan, who is 64 years old, has also served in the Irrigation Department at Mysore. He has completed his BSc and BE and using his education has base and started carving veena.
The Veena when completed measures a total of 54 inches from Kumbha to Vyali, while the diameter of the Kumbha at its width will be13 inches. The height of the Veena from the ground to the highest point is 12 inches. The bridge carries four main strings and three Tala strings. The main strings rests on 24 frets. The frets are made out of Silver rods. The gourd is decorated with 999 touch silver inlay work, while the entire Veena will be decorated with 72 silver flowers representing the 72 Mela Karta ragas. The neck of the gourd will be engraved with seven petals to represent seven Swaras, on which animals whose voice represent each Swara will also be engraved.
The strings of the Veena after passing on the frets, rides on a bridge located on the resonator. The vibrations from strings gets amplified in the resonator. The tala strings are also passed on the side with small hook-like projections. The bridge of Ekanda Veena looks like the Beejakshara of Ganapathi, 'Gam' written in Kannada alphabet.
Speaking to Express, Narasimhan said the musical instrument fascinated him so much, that made him resolve to carve a Veena all by himself. `It was my desire since my childhood to learn playing Veena, but I could not do so. But with persistent efforts I started collecting every bit of information on how to make a Veena which went on for 35 long years until my retirement, when I started working on it. I spend about 60 per cent of my pension amount to carve this Veena.’
`This is an Ekanda Veena, without any joints, made from a single log of rose wood. Carving the Veena is very difficult and it took me 4 years just to select the right piece of log. I do not use hammer or chisel as it reduces the strength of the wood. I use only sand paper to rub the wood and bring it the required shape.’ he said informing about his working method. He has completed making the dragon face for Vyali.
After making an in-depth study of the structural and behavioural properties of wood, especially Rose wood, he finally spotted a century old rosewood in the Thithimati forest area of Kodagu. Drawing a rough out-line of the Veena on the log of rose-wood, he got the extra wood chopped and brought it home and began his carving work.
Narasimhan claims that before taking up the work, he made a detailed study of the physical properties of the wood, metal and adhesive that he would be using in his Veena, as well applied several Engineering techniques to carve the shape, geometrical designs, aesthetics and inlay work while still adhering to the ancient scriptures.
Rose being very tough to work with, making a Veena by hand demands much care and skill. Working relentlessly for the past 4 years, Narasimhan devouts about 8 hours daily on his project. It may require another year to complete the Veena, and would probably be only one of its kind in the entire world.
He claims that his Ekanda Veena is the only Veena carved in Rose Wood and is the strongest Veena on the earth, yet the lightest one by weight. Normally a Veena weighs between 9.5 kg and 13 kg, but his weighs even less than that and especially made without hammer and chisel. He hopes to make a entry in the Guinness world creating several records.
Even the wooden box to house the Veena is unique
After any wood or carpentry work is completed, the normal practice is to burn the left-over wood pieces as firewood. But Narasimhan has found a new use for them.
When he started working on the Veena, he thought of making an appropriate wooden box to place such an exquisite piece of art work. He simultaneously took up making a traditional wooden box (like the one the ancient kings used to store their treasure) using the wood pieces that were discarded after the furniture work in his newly constructed house was completed.
Collecting all the scrap wood, he bought a plywood sheet and placed the scrap wood pieces on them fixing it with a adhesive. He polished it give it a finishing glow. The wood pieces of different hues placed in a zigzag design gives a special look to the box. Even the locks for the box is made by him using Brass. Shortly he is planning to invite Engineers and other musicians to inspect his Veena and elicit their opinion.
--------------------
eom/mys/rathna
`Ekanda Veena' carved without using hammer and chisel
Exquisite piece of art work:
Rose Wood `Ekanda Veena' carved without using hammer and chisel
Coming under the list of several traditional items which have their roots in Mysore is the Mysore Veena too. Associated with Goddess of leaning Saraswathi, listening to Veena, soothes the mind and calms the nerves.
Veena comprises a Resonator (Kumbha), the cross bar (Dandi), the dragon face (Vyala) and finally a small gourd like attachment (Kayi). The normal practice to make a Veena is to chisel it from seasoned jack wood as it is quite soft to work with. The main parts namely Kumbha, Dandi, Vyala and the Kayi are made separately and then joined together. This is the traditional and the most common way of making a Veena and are called ‘Khanda Veena’ (with parts). If the Kumbha and the Dandi are made by carving out of single piece of wood, then such a Veena is called ‘Akhanda Veena’.
These Veenas are rarely manufactured, only if specially ordered by an affluent client. The amount of wood required to carve such a Veena is naturally more and requires special skills. But Veenas with all the three parts, the Kumbha, Dandi and Vyali carved entirely out of a single piece of wood is a real rarity. This type is called 'Ekanda Veena'. This gives the best resonance, as there are no joints in the entire body of the Veena.
However, the Kai or the Gourd is manufactured separately and attached in all the above types of Veenas. So also the wooden plate to cover the entire unit.
Though Jack wood is the preferred choice, a Veena can be carved out of any other wood and is considered a real challenge, especially so if it happens to be Rose wood, as it is very hard to work with. Therefore it is not used even for making an Akhanda Veena, let alone an Ekanda Veena. But if somebody ventures to make an Ekanda Veena using only Rose wood, the news is sufficient to evoke curiosity and surprise.
MK Narasimhan, a retired Dam Safety Civil Engineer of Mysore, has taken up this daunting task of carving out the Ekanda Veena from a single log of Rose wood. Even the Kai or the gourd is also made out of hollowed rose wood. Narasimhan, who is 64 years old, has also served in the Irrigation Department at Mysore. He has completed his BSc and BE and using his education has base and started carving veena.
The Veena when completed measures a total of 54 inches from Kumbha to Vyali, while the diameter of the Kumbha at its width will be13 inches. The height of the Veena from the ground to the highest point is 12 inches. The bridge carries four main strings and three Tala strings. The main strings rests on 24 frets. The frets are made out of Silver rods. The gourd is decorated with 999 touch silver inlay work, while the entire Veena will be decorated with 72 silver flowers representing the 72 Mela Karta ragas. The neck of the gourd will be engraved with seven petals to represent seven Swaras, on which animals whose voice represent each Swara will also be engraved.
The strings of the Veena after passing on the frets, rides on a bridge located on the resonator. The vibrations from strings gets amplified in the resonator. The tala strings are also passed on the side with small hook-like projections. The bridge of Ekanda Veena looks like the Beejakshara of Ganapathi, 'Gam' written in Kannada alphabet.
Speaking to Express, Narasimhan said the musical instrument fascinated him so much, that made him resolve to carve a Veena all by himself. `It was my desire since my childhood to learn playing Veena, but I could not do so. But with persistent efforts I started collecting every bit of information on how to make a Veena which went on for 35 long years until my retirement, when I started working on it. I spend about 60 per cent of my pension amount to carve this Veena.’
`This is an Ekanda Veena, without any joints, made from a single log of rose wood. Carving the Veena is very difficult and it took me 4 years just to select the right piece of log. I do not use hammer or chisel as it reduces the strength of the wood. I use only sand paper to rub the wood and bring it the required shape.’ he said informing about his working method. He has completed making the dragon face for Vyali.
After making an in-depth study of the structural and behavioural properties of wood, especially Rose wood, he finally spotted a century old rosewood in the Thithimati forest area of Kodagu. Drawing a rough out-line of the Veena on the log of rose-wood, he got the extra wood chopped and brought it home and began his carving work.
Narasimhan claims that before taking up the work, he made a detailed study of the physical properties of the wood, metal and adhesive that he would be using in his Veena, as well applied several Engineering techniques to carve the shape, geometrical designs, aesthetics and inlay work while still adhering to the ancient scriptures.
Rose being very tough to work with, making a Veena by hand demands much care and skill. Working relentlessly for the past 4 years, Narasimhan devouts about 8 hours daily on his project. It may require another year to complete the Veena, and would probably be only one of its kind in the entire world.
He claims that his Ekanda Veena is the only Veena carved in Rose Wood and is the strongest Veena on the earth, yet the lightest one by weight. Normally a Veena weighs between 9.5 kg and 13 kg, but his weighs even less than that and especially made without hammer and chisel. He hopes to make a entry in the Guinness world creating several records.
Even the wooden box to house the Veena is unique
After any wood or carpentry work is completed, the normal practice is to burn the left-over wood pieces as firewood. But Narasimhan has found a new use for them.
When he started working on the Veena, he thought of making an appropriate wooden box to place such an exquisite piece of art work. He simultaneously took up making a traditional wooden box (like the one the ancient kings used to store their treasure) using the wood pieces that were discarded after the furniture work in his newly constructed house was completed.
Collecting all the scrap wood, he bought a plywood sheet and placed the scrap wood pieces on them fixing it with a adhesive. He polished it give it a finishing glow. The wood pieces of different hues placed in a zigzag design gives a special look to the box. Even the locks for the box is made by him using Brass. Shortly he is planning to invite Engineers and other musicians to inspect his Veena and elicit their opinion.
--------------------
eom/mys/rathna
Rose Wood `Ekanda Veena' carved without using hammer and chisel
Coming under the list of several traditional items which have their roots in Mysore is the Mysore Veena too. Associated with Goddess of leaning Saraswathi, listening to Veena, soothes the mind and calms the nerves.
Veena comprises a Resonator (Kumbha), the cross bar (Dandi), the dragon face (Vyala) and finally a small gourd like attachment (Kayi). The normal practice to make a Veena is to chisel it from seasoned jack wood as it is quite soft to work with. The main parts namely Kumbha, Dandi, Vyala and the Kayi are made separately and then joined together. This is the traditional and the most common way of making a Veena and are called ‘Khanda Veena’ (with parts). If the Kumbha and the Dandi are made by carving out of single piece of wood, then such a Veena is called ‘Akhanda Veena’.
These Veenas are rarely manufactured, only if specially ordered by an affluent client. The amount of wood required to carve such a Veena is naturally more and requires special skills. But Veenas with all the three parts, the Kumbha, Dandi and Vyali carved entirely out of a single piece of wood is a real rarity. This type is called 'Ekanda Veena'. This gives the best resonance, as there are no joints in the entire body of the Veena.
However, the Kai or the Gourd is manufactured separately and attached in all the above types of Veenas. So also the wooden plate to cover the entire unit.
Though Jack wood is the preferred choice, a Veena can be carved out of any other wood and is considered a real challenge, especially so if it happens to be Rose wood, as it is very hard to work with. Therefore it is not used even for making an Akhanda Veena, let alone an Ekanda Veena. But if somebody ventures to make an Ekanda Veena using only Rose wood, the news is sufficient to evoke curiosity and surprise.
MK Narasimhan, a retired Dam Safety Civil Engineer of Mysore, has taken up this daunting task of carving out the Ekanda Veena from a single log of Rose wood. Even the Kai or the gourd is also made out of hollowed rose wood. Narasimhan, who is 64 years old, has also served in the Irrigation Department at Mysore. He has completed his BSc and BE and using his education has base and started carving veena.
The Veena when completed measures a total of 54 inches from Kumbha to Vyali, while the diameter of the Kumbha at its width will be13 inches. The height of the Veena from the ground to the highest point is 12 inches. The bridge carries four main strings and three Tala strings. The main strings rests on 24 frets. The frets are made out of Silver rods. The gourd is decorated with 999 touch silver inlay work, while the entire Veena will be decorated with 72 silver flowers representing the 72 Mela Karta ragas. The neck of the gourd will be engraved with seven petals to represent seven Swaras, on which animals whose voice represent each Swara will also be engraved.
The strings of the Veena after passing on the frets, rides on a bridge located on the resonator. The vibrations from strings gets amplified in the resonator. The tala strings are also passed on the side with small hook-like projections. The bridge of Ekanda Veena looks like the Beejakshara of Ganapathi, 'Gam' written in Kannada alphabet.
Speaking to Express, Narasimhan said the musical instrument fascinated him so much, that made him resolve to carve a Veena all by himself. `It was my desire since my childhood to learn playing Veena, but I could not do so. But with persistent efforts I started collecting every bit of information on how to make a Veena which went on for 35 long years until my retirement, when I started working on it. I spend about 60 per cent of my pension amount to carve this Veena.’
`This is an Ekanda Veena, without any joints, made from a single log of rose wood. Carving the Veena is very difficult and it took me 4 years just to select the right piece of log. I do not use hammer or chisel as it reduces the strength of the wood. I use only sand paper to rub the wood and bring it the required shape.’ he said informing about his working method. He has completed making the dragon face for Vyali.
After making an in-depth study of the structural and behavioural properties of wood, especially Rose wood, he finally spotted a century old rosewood in the Thithimati forest area of Kodagu. Drawing a rough out-line of the Veena on the log of rose-wood, he got the extra wood chopped and brought it home and began his carving work.
Narasimhan claims that before taking up the work, he made a detailed study of the physical properties of the wood, metal and adhesive that he would be using in his Veena, as well applied several Engineering techniques to carve the shape, geometrical designs, aesthetics and inlay work while still adhering to the ancient scriptures.
Rose being very tough to work with, making a Veena by hand demands much care and skill. Working relentlessly for the past 4 years, Narasimhan devouts about 8 hours daily on his project. It may require another year to complete the Veena, and would probably be only one of its kind in the entire world.
He claims that his Ekanda Veena is the only Veena carved in Rose Wood and is the strongest Veena on the earth, yet the lightest one by weight. Normally a Veena weighs between 9.5 kg and 13 kg, but his weighs even less than that and especially made without hammer and chisel. He hopes to make a entry in the Guinness world creating several records.
Even the wooden box to house the Veena is unique
After any wood or carpentry work is completed, the normal practice is to burn the left-over wood pieces as firewood. But Narasimhan has found a new use for them.
When he started working on the Veena, he thought of making an appropriate wooden box to place such an exquisite piece of art work. He simultaneously took up making a traditional wooden box (like the one the ancient kings used to store their treasure) using the wood pieces that were discarded after the furniture work in his newly constructed house was completed.
Collecting all the scrap wood, he bought a plywood sheet and placed the scrap wood pieces on them fixing it with a adhesive. He polished it give it a finishing glow. The wood pieces of different hues placed in a zigzag design gives a special look to the box. Even the locks for the box is made by him using Brass. Shortly he is planning to invite Engineers and other musicians to inspect his Veena and elicit their opinion.
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eom/mys/rathna
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Community service by a college student
Desires to start Ashram for blind children
Most of today's youth spend their pocket money for their personal needs and their weekend free time for entertainment. But here is a young philanthropist named Sujay, a BBM student of Marimallappa's College, spending the savings accrued from his pocket money for the underprivileged members of the society while spending his leisure time in their company.
Accompanied with B Kendaraj, lecturer in SBRR Mahajana College, he formed 'Asthra Foundation'. On every Sunday, they visit one Ashram in the city and render service for inmates.
ASTHRA an acronym for Association for Social Transformation through Help Rehabilitation and Awareness, started in August 22, 2009 with just two members, has now grown into a 45 member team coming from various walks of life lending their helping hands. So far the team has visited about 98 various organizations.
Sujay maintains a database of 80 social welfare organizations in the city such as orphanage homes, old age homes, rehabilitation centers for physically and mentally challenged, home for the blind and others.
The main purpose of Asthra is to make the inmates at these places feel loved and inform them that today's society has not forsaken them. Members spend time with the inmates, share jokes and even encourage inmates to sing, dance or share whatever they feel, including their personal grievances and sorrows.
Speaking to Express, Sujay said `as the name implies, our main thrust, apart from serving the needy, is also to create awareness amongst students and youth, instilling in them the spirit of community service. Our organization is open to everyone who aspire to make this land a better place for the underprivileged who often find themselves alienated from society. Each member is encouraged to bring his friends and other members of his family to do service, so that the spirit of social service is instilled among all.'
`We carry biscuits, chocolates and toys while visiting orphanages, whereas for Old Age Home or an Ashram for the underprivileged we carry fruits and medicines. The responsibility of providing financial support for all our activities is borne by the members voluntarily. We have never attempted to 'collect donation' from non-member,' Sujay says.
`My desire is to start an Ashram meant exclusively for the aged and small children who are blind by birth. Instead of throwing away excess food or leftovers after a party or a function, just SMS me, I will inform you the location of a nearby orphanage so you can distribute that food,' he adds.
To know more about ASTHRA and their activities, email to sujay.asthra@gmail.com or contact Sujay at 99869 87112.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Cow menace prowl in city
The menace of stray cows roaming on some of the busiest streets of Mysore has become a public nuisance. The motorists have to be extremely cautious when a cow suddenly walks onto the middle of the road scaring the unsuspecting drivers to suddenly apply brakes to avoid hitting the animal. The most annoying part is when the public try to shoo away the cow, it always invariably turns its head and dashes right into the middle of the road making the driver to lose control over his vehicle.
The menace has really reached alarming proportions in some areas of the city like the busy Nanjumalige Circle and the Akki Chowka near KR Hospital Road where vegetable markets are located. Lured by the rotten and stale vegetables thrown
on the road, these cows roam on these roads unmindful of the traffic jam they create. In the Ittigegud locality near Indiranagar, cows can be seen tied right on the footpath forcing pedestrians to walk on the footpath. In fact this has
become a noted feature of this locality.
The owners of these cows who rear them for milk deliberately leave them on the roads and come back to pick them up only in the night. But the havoc they are causing is really nightmarish.
It is indeed true we worship cows and treat them as sacred, while the yeoman service they have been rendering to us since ages by ploughing our fertile lands, before the advent of today?s mechanized farming, always makes us to touch them with reverence and bow to them. But it is a different matter altogether if they are found loafing on the streets causing nuisance to both the public and pedestrians.
Though the City Corporation in the recent past did initiate some action by taking away stray cows to its premises or housing them in Pinjrapole on the outskirts of the city, a private welfare organization setup solely to house old and diseased cows, while imposing hefty penalty on the owners when they come to collect them, the drive seems to have stopped abruptly for no reason. It is indeed surprising to find a stay cow always present on the busy Sayyaji Rao Road near KR Hospital during peak hours when the traffic flow is maximum. The traffic police simply turn their head the
other way and the motorists have to break abruptly cursing the dumb animal.
Especially now when the City Corporation is quite busy in beautifying the city, doing all efforts to retain the heritage tag to attract tourists while also clearing the city of garbage and plastic carry bags, laying inter-locked tiles on footpaths, clearing encroachments on the foot-paths, it should also take up the issue of stray cow menace and curb the practice of the owners leaving their cows on the roads to graze.
The danger becomes even more serious especially in the night when the cows lie down right in the middle of the road and goes to the drivers headlight. Numerous accidents have occurred in the past where either the driver or the pillion rider have lost of their lives.
Speaking to Express Roopa a daily commuter near Nanjumalige Circle said that `the cow owners should take care of their cows. If they left to road this way, they will be also hurt if any vehicles hit them. Meantime it also takes extra time to cross this single stretch as more than one kilo meter here the cows reside on the roads.'
The Corporation officials say of making the city clean first they should provide basic facilities for human being by making free from cow, pig and dog menace which are in rise, Shoiab a shop-keeper in the market opined.
The menace has really reached alarming proportions in some areas of the city like the busy Nanjumalige Circle and the Akki Chowka near KR Hospital Road where vegetable markets are located. Lured by the rotten and stale vegetables thrown
on the road, these cows roam on these roads unmindful of the traffic jam they create. In the Ittigegud locality near Indiranagar, cows can be seen tied right on the footpath forcing pedestrians to walk on the footpath. In fact this has
become a noted feature of this locality.
The owners of these cows who rear them for milk deliberately leave them on the roads and come back to pick them up only in the night. But the havoc they are causing is really nightmarish.
It is indeed true we worship cows and treat them as sacred, while the yeoman service they have been rendering to us since ages by ploughing our fertile lands, before the advent of today?s mechanized farming, always makes us to touch them with reverence and bow to them. But it is a different matter altogether if they are found loafing on the streets causing nuisance to both the public and pedestrians.
Though the City Corporation in the recent past did initiate some action by taking away stray cows to its premises or housing them in Pinjrapole on the outskirts of the city, a private welfare organization setup solely to house old and diseased cows, while imposing hefty penalty on the owners when they come to collect them, the drive seems to have stopped abruptly for no reason. It is indeed surprising to find a stay cow always present on the busy Sayyaji Rao Road near KR Hospital during peak hours when the traffic flow is maximum. The traffic police simply turn their head the
other way and the motorists have to break abruptly cursing the dumb animal.
Especially now when the City Corporation is quite busy in beautifying the city, doing all efforts to retain the heritage tag to attract tourists while also clearing the city of garbage and plastic carry bags, laying inter-locked tiles on footpaths, clearing encroachments on the foot-paths, it should also take up the issue of stray cow menace and curb the practice of the owners leaving their cows on the roads to graze.
The danger becomes even more serious especially in the night when the cows lie down right in the middle of the road and goes to the drivers headlight. Numerous accidents have occurred in the past where either the driver or the pillion rider have lost of their lives.
Speaking to Express Roopa a daily commuter near Nanjumalige Circle said that `the cow owners should take care of their cows. If they left to road this way, they will be also hurt if any vehicles hit them. Meantime it also takes extra time to cross this single stretch as more than one kilo meter here the cows reside on the roads.'
The Corporation officials say of making the city clean first they should provide basic facilities for human being by making free from cow, pig and dog menace which are in rise, Shoiab a shop-keeper in the market opined.
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