Bonsai enthusiast pick trees to grow at Bonsai expo

'Beyond the Spirit of Bonsai – 2016', an International Bonsai Convention and Exhibition turned a perfect platform for several bonsai enthusiasts who wanted to raise bonsai plants.

The people in good number were found rushing towards the stalls erected at Avadhoota Datta Peetham to purchase the Bonsai plants and much sought were Shammi, Carmona, Prenna, ficaus, micromoria, lipsticle ficus.

Wide variety of exquisite collection of bonsai plants (miniaturised plants) have been demonstrated in the venue. Apart from choosing different kinds of beautiful art Bonsai plants, they were inquiring with the sellers about their maintenance, how to raise trees in containers; techniques, and Bonsai plants which are easy to grow and for maintenance were inquired.

Botany student Chandini who had come from Hassan said: 'I love to raise Bonsai. This is the first time am coming across such event. The display and sale of Bonsai plants, bonsai materials and demonstrations on how to grow bonsai are very informative.'

“Growing and caring bonsai will not only give relaxation, but its a beautiful art work. I spend less money on jewelleries, whereas more on purchasing wide variety of Bonsai trees. I have more than 200 exquisite collection of bonsai plants at home, and love to spend time with these plants,” says Bhagayalakshmi who has come all her way from Hyderabad to take part in the on-going 'Beyond the Spirit of Bonsai – 2016', an International Bonsai Convention and Exhibition.

'Bonsai gardening is not so popular locally. People who are visiting the expo are found over enthusiastic and expressing wish to raise bonsai plants. Already those growing trees are also purchasing good number of different species of bonsai plants,' said Seth Moosem who has come from Mumbai.

Seller Savitha Gole from Pune said: 'Bonsai plants enhance the beauty of home. The prices for the trees depends on its age. Ornamental, herbal plants, planet plants (navagraharas) have good demand.'

A tamarind tree bearing fruits, orange tree, mango tree, Trident Maple, Bonsai herbal plants, Field Maple, Hedge Maple, Red Maple, Desert rose, Bougainvillea, Lebanon Cedar, Trident Maple Bonsai, Cypress, Hinoki Cypress, Dogwood, Cotoneaster, Cupressus, Weeping Fig, Chinese Banyan Fig and several other rows of species of plants were drawing attention of visitors.

The premises of Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram has turned a selfie spot. Bonsai lovers from across country, and overseas have taken part in the event were found clicking selfie in their smart phones with backdrop of Bonsai tress at the expo. The expo timings is 9.30 am to 1 pm; 2 pm to 7 pm.

Prior to this, Sasya Bandhu Awards were conferred on Jiro Fukuda from Japan, Lindsay Bebb from Australia, Chen Tsang Shing from Taiwan, Walter Liew from USA, Boh Twang Keng from Singapore and Madhu Sudhan from Hyderabad.

Highlights

* Bonsai world has come alive at Ganapathi Ashram. People from across country and overseas have took part in the International Bonsai Convention and Exhibition.

* Nurseries specialised in selling Bonsai trees have come from Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Pune, Vadodara, and several other states.

* The prices of Bonsai saplings starting from Rs 200 to upto Rs 60,000 are on sale.

* Visit between 9.30 am to 1 pm; 2 pm to 7 pm to watch the exquisite collection of bonsai plants.
* The event has been jointly organised by Avadhoota Dattta Peetham and Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association, Mumbai.

* Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji interest in Bonsai led to establishment of the sprawling Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden in the Ashram premises. The uniqueness of the garden is showcasing Bonsai plants according to various spiritual themes, such as plants for planets (navagrahas), and plants for Pancha Tattvas (Pancha Bhutas). 

Soon vegetables, fruit waste to be sent to Pinjarapole

 The fruits and vegetables waste generated in Mysuru will be soon handed over to Pinjarapole Society, located at foothills of Chamundi Hill. An average 25 to 30 tonnes of waste is generated every day from D Devaraj Urs, MG Road Vegetable Market, Vani Vilas, Mandi Mohalla, and RMC.

Thus, MCC authorities have planned to handover the vegetables, fruit waste to Pinjarapole society, which is taking care of more than 4000 cows, including cattle, buffalos. This will not only reduce the quantity of waste being dumped to landfills, whereas will be a great help for society.

With city generating 402 tonnes of waste every day, more than 350 tonnes is wet waste. Earlier villagers from surrounding villages used to visit market and collect banana stems, leaves, fruits, vegetables, for livestocks, while flower and other waste were converted to manure and used for agriculture activities. Since last two decades they stopped collection of waste. Later, for few months the waste was handed over to Pinjarapole and later it was dumped to landfills.

A week ago, MCC has conducted meeting with the society members to handover the vegetables and fruit waste. MCC Commissioner Jagadeesh said that by next week the vegetables waste will be sent to Pinjarapole so that vegetable and fruit waste can be addressed to higher extent.

Sources in the Pinjarapole said that 'in 2009 for couple of months waste were handed over to the Pinjarapole, but was later stopped. Now, soon an agreement will be entered to collect the vegetable waste. The waste generated during festival season will be more and it will be helpful to feed livestock. Following drought it was quite challenging to arrange fodder for cattle and the move of MCC will be helpful to some extent to feed livestocks. 

Compost Units at hostels soon

MCC is also planning to set up a compost units at hostels, market, institutions, apartments, hotels which generate bulk wet waste, so that the wet waste will be compost at source.

Corporation officials say they have achieved 100 per cent in door to door collection of waste. Whereas, only 40 per cent achievement in segregation of waste at source. Thus, in days to come more emphasis will be given to segregation of waste at source and treating waste at source. Residents will be educated about segregation of waste by next month. If any households fail to segregate they will be imposed penalty, and meantime people will be motivated to compost waste at source.

MCC Commissioner Jagadeesh said that Mysuru City Corporation has been awarded cleanest city twice, and still there is a huge scope for improvement and programmes will be implemented in phase manners. A big challenge is to educate people about segregation of waste, he added.

Highlights

* To over come the shortage of Auto tipper, and compartment vehicles, soon 120 vehicles will be launched for collection of segregated waste.

* A meet has been held with hotel owners to have a compost unit. In first phase compost Units to be set up at hostels, market.

* To clean market in night time.  

People tattooing their bodies to cover wounds is on rise

Usually we think creating decorative tattoo designs on bodies is for a style. But in recent times a new trend of getting tattooed is on rise to hide any sorts of wounds or mask the marks and thereby making the skin appear normal.

People with either burns, cut marks, injury marks, stitch mark on their skin or with discolorations due to various reasons, white patches caused due to skin diseases like leukoderma and vitiligo, even those suffering from psoriasis have started getting tattooed to appear good.

This apart, the break ups couple who want to remove names also approach tattoo parlours to cover the names with some designs. Almost colour which matches their skin tone are used to cover the wounds which bring happiness among people, specially women who are more conscious about their looks and beauty.

40-year-old Manasa who was feeling embarrassed to go out with the white spots on skin over a decade said: ' I used to always wear full sleeves dressed, blouses due to bright white patches on hands. The way people were looking towards me was disturbing lot. Just six months back, I decided to create a tattoo design on hands. Now, people come near and ask to show me the design created on hands. Now, am also free of inferiority complexes.'

Another government employee speaking in anonymity said: “I was afflicted with leukoderma, due to which there was loss of pigmentation resulting in occurrence of white patches on the neck, hands. I decided to get tattoo near neck and parts of hands. Due to this, the visibility of the white patches has come down by 70 per cent. This is a clever method to overcome social stigma to hide the marks and also make them appear beautiful.”

19-year-old Lakshmi a college student while experimenting to cook a dish got her thumb severely burnt. To cover up the burns mark she decided to get it tattooed with an artistic design so that the burn doesn't show up. Another student Sunil, who feel down from bike and got stitch over face has also covered with tattoo.

Tattoo Artist Nanjundaswamy who has been tattooing for the past eight years said: “Using body tattoos as a decorative art has been in vogue since a very long time. Since two years the demand for getting tattooed to hide wounds is on rise. Those having ugly appearance of burn marks and cuts get tattooed to make the skin look beautiful. The indelible inks inserted into the inner skin layers will change the pigment and helps to reduce the visibility of the wounds.”

Another tattoo artist Kumar Shankar, said: 'People tattooing their bodies in increasing in the last two years. It has become a trend among youngsters and women in their mid 30's are showing interest to get tattooed on their back and hands. Added to this, even those suffer from wounds approach in large number. College students opt tattoos of their birth constellation, love symbols and floral designs while some even get their faces tattooed with the pictures of their near and dear ones. At present small, medium size tattoos are much sought. We hope in next five years people will get tattooed bigger one.'

What dermatologists say

While, most of the people suffering from wounds, vitiligo are refereed by dermatologists for tattooing. While, there are couple of people take risk and decide to get tattooed to over come the social stigma.

KR Hospital Skin Department HOD Dr BL Nanjundaswamy said that one should get tattooed from professionals and necessary hygiene, safety standards and clean has to be maintained. The non disposable equipments used should be sterlized properly and mild colours should be used. One should not get tattooed over chest, shoulder. Some people experience skin infection, and also can lead to keloids after tattooing. Using needles more precautions has to be taken as there might be chances of people getting HIV infected.

Another Dermatologist Dr Ravi said that youngsters are getting tattooed in large down the years and its very much important to get a safe tattoo without taking any health risk. 

Single screen theaters to introduce e-ticketing system by January

Here comes the good news for cine goers. Henceforth there is no need to walk to theaters well before the show timings and physically buy the tickets. Starting January one can book the movie tickets of their choice in any single screen theater in the city for any show, using online e-ticketing system. This feature was hitherto present in Multiplexes located in Malls.

The advantage of the e-ticketing is that people can book tickets online leisurely and collect the tickets at the counter on any working day. The e-ticketing feature will start functioning from January first week between 10 am to 8 pm. The additional booking charges will be levied for those collect tickets visiting respective theaters. In case if the tickets are purchased online through cashless transactions, online booking service charge of Rs 10 will be deducted per ticket.

Presently there are 18 theaters in city. Though a couple of theaters are providing online booking through the web portal 'Book My Show' from last four months, it will be streamlined by January, and every theater in the city will be brought under e-ticketing system. This apart, for the convenience of night shift workers and late night movie goers plans are on card to screen shows after 9 pm during weekends.

A website, www.shmoti.com dedicated for this will soon be launched. By visiting the website online, people can know which movie is being screened in which theater and also the show timings, in addition too booking the tickets. Also details of upcoming new movies can also be known along with watching their trailers. Theater owners of Mysuru, Hubbali, Hassan, Hospet, Shivmogga, Tumkur, Gadag, Davangere, Bijapura, Bellary have come together to launch this website which will update their screenings online.

Housewife Chaya said: 'To watch First Show we had to start early at 3.30 pm, stand in queue and buy tickets. There were instances when tickets were sold out much earlier for newly released movies and we had return disappointed. I hope the hassles of standing in long queues to get tickets will end and we get to enjoy the same benefits as those visiting Malls did, because many can't afford the high cost of tickets, parking charges and other expenditure in multiplexes.'

Student Divya, resident of Nanjangud said: 'Many times standing in long queues, with the possibility of tickets getting sold out at the last minute. Some times only one ticket per head is issued to avoid tickets being sold in black. For people going out with families especially with women, children and senior citizens, buying tickets was a difficult task. The on-line initiative will be convenient for the cine goers.'

Theaters Association President MR Raja Ram said that by January first week e-tickets will be introduced and are implementing several measures for the convenience of the movie going audience. Stating there were 24 theaters a decade ago, attracting sizeable number of audience and down the years six theaters have shut down, he said majority of people watching movies in single screen theaters hail from either middle class or poor background.

Yield of fish affected due to drought:

Fisheries Federation imports fish from neighbouring state Andhra Pradesh

The Karnataka State Co-operative Fisheries Federation Limited to meet the demand of fish consumers is buying river fishes from neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh, as ponds, lakes, river sources have gone dry in district.

The federation was hitherto procuring fishes from the river waters of KRS, Kabini, Hemavathi, Kapila, lakes, ponds in villages was sufficient to manage. But this year with monsoon failure the river sources and majority of the lakes in all seven taluks have gone dry, and are not able to procure fish in sufficient quantities to meet the demand of fish lovers.

The daily demand for fish is six tonnes in urban areas and around 1.2 tonnes in rural areas. But presently the federation is getting only around 2 tonnes of fish locally while the remaining is being bought from neighbouring state. Every week around 60 tonnes of fish is being imported from Andhra Pradesh which has led to a slight increase in prices of fishes. Catla fish which was earlier being sold at Rs 110 - 120 kg is now being sold at Rs 145. There are 122 outlets in State, of which 46 kiosks located in Mysore district.

KSCFF chairman S Madegowda said most people prefer river fishes and reared in ponds, lakes than the sea fish. Fishes like Catla, Common carp, roe are much sought after because of their culinary taste and are also affordable. From Andhra Pradesh we are importing Catla, mrigal carp, and Common carp to meet the demand.

KSCFF chairman S Madegowda said: 'Due to poor yield of fish we are finding hard to meet the increasing demand of fish consumers. From last three months we are not getting 20 per cent of the catch and thus to overcome the shortage we have started importing fishes. The farmers have stopped rearing fishes in ponds which has also contributed to severe drop in supply. The fallout of this the members of Fisheries cooperative society have become jobless and are facing financial problems,' he adds.

Shekhar, who sales fish at a kiosks in Kuvempunagar said: 'There are several instances consumers are sent back with shortage in supply. Most sought fish is catla and we are not able to meet the demand.'

Sources in fisheries department said: 'Most farmers in Andhra Pradesh are rearing Pungus and are reaping profits. As local farmers were motivated to cultivate Catla fish in large quantity, whereas following drought most of them have give up rearing and breeding fishes.

Delicious fish products by January

The department will very soon launch fish delicacies such as fish cutlet, fish samosa, fish burger, fish lollipop, fish ball starting from January. Selected women entrepreneurs will be sent to undergo one week training at The Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Cochin, where experts will be training women on preparing fish byproducts.

About 25 members belonging to Fisheries Department society and also some from self help groups have been selected. They will be taught to prepare fish foods while simultaneously they will train others. All the machinery and equipments required to make the byproducts have been set up at the federation located in Vidyaranya Puram. 

A tea sellers son directs a movie

Doing a bar job, Prashanth dreamt of directing movie 


He was eight. Working in a bar he dreams to become a film director. Facing all the challenges and difficulties in life from the childhood, this 24-year-old K Prashanth at last has fulfilled his dream by directing a movie. He has come out with his new venture “Amavase” with tagline ‘Love Vs Friendship’ and the movie to hit the screens in the month of January.



Hailing from a poor family, Prashanth being a son of tea seller Krishnamurthy, who sales tea sorrunding to suburban bustand and KR Circle, and mother Ramamani a tailor, his path towards directing a movie was not a easy go. After school hours from the age of eight, he has worked for nearly a decade in a bar as a cleaner washing glasses and utensils to eke for livelihood. But his desire to direct a movie did not washed away.



In the initial days he started practicing writing scripts based on the conversations of customers who used to visit the bar. When he was 17-year-old he decided to quit the bar job and discontinued his ITI Training education with passionate towards making movies. With financial crunch he could not take film courses. But,  he worked for couple of years as cameraman for films and dedicated himself to learn basic of film production, direction and has learnt in a very short time. 



Later he faced other sorts of problems to find a producer. He has knocked the doors of several producers for making of movie ‘Amavase’, and has faced embarrassments for more than two years. Luckily, a doctor Chandrashekhar, accompanied with his friend Jagadish showed interest to produce the movie, and invested Rs 1.20 crores for making the movie ‘Amavase’. This is how Prashanth’s first movie has come to reality and all set to release in January.



Speaking to Express, Prashanth said: “ Nowadays its the content in the movies what driving people towards theater and not stardom. Targeting all section of people have directed the move and am sure people will enjoy the movie and I hope good response. My desire is to direct a movie for Hat-trick hero Shivarajkumar.’



Going down the memory lane, he said: 'Its my childhood dream to direct a movie. Have seen severl ups and downs in my lilfe. From tender age I started practicing script writing. There is a sense of satisfaction with successful completion of the movie 'Amavase'.

Majority of them are freshener in the movie, and hail from Mysore. The hero of the movie is Rajiv, while heroin Dharani. There are five songs in the movie and the duration is 1:45 hours, adds Prashanth whose hobby is reading books and doing mimicry.



He has named the movie 'Amavase' as he started writing script and ended on 'Amavase' day, and producer gave green signal for production on 'Amavase' day.



 

Plastic waste pave roads in cleanest city Mysuru

The cleanest city in country is going Bengaluru way to reduce plastic pollution

For the first of its kind in history, plastic mix road has been laid in Mysuru. Thanks for the initiatives of Mysuru City Corporation which decided to go Bengaluru way and bring down the plastic waste menace in city.

As a pilot project, ten stretches in Railway Colony in Hebbal has been selected to construct roads using bitumen technology, that is mixing waste plastic granules in hot bituminous mixes to asphalt roads.

Its learnt that the roads asphalted using plastic granules will be of much better quality, and its expected that the life of the road will be 2-3 times more. The waste plastic will be cut down to less than 5 mm size and will be mixed with hot bituminous before being laid down on the road. Already six roads have been asphalted and studying the durability of roads the authorities will further asphalt roads.

There are even plans to set up a plastic recycling unit in Mysuru. The Bengaluru based private company will be visiting Mysuru soon in the regard. The technology has been brought in by K K Plastic Waste Management Ltd, an Bengaluru based company, which has innovate technologies to handle the plastic waste by reusing it for asphalting of roads and also have laid several roads in Bengaluru.

About 420 tonnes of waste is generated in Mysuru every day, of which its estimated around 20 tonnes is plastic waste. Only half of the waste is recycled and the remaining dumped in land fills. The move to benefit immensely to address plastic waste menace in city.

Corporation Commissioner Jagadish said: 'Mysuru being awarded already as cleanest city in country, this sorts of measures will go a long way in keeping the city clean and protecting environment. By reusing plastic the amount of plastic going to landfills can be avoided to higher extent. After studying the results in Bengaluru we decided to built plastic mixed roads. If everything goes as per the plan, a unit will be set up in Mysuru.'
MCC Superintendent Suresh Babu said: 'As per the studies its proved that the usage of plastics in bituminous mixes the quality of roads will be last longer. Quite a good quantity of plastic waste is generated in the city and the move will help to address the plastic waste to higher extent.'

'Though the Corporation has banned the usage of plastic, it has not been possible to completely stop the use of plastic. Plastic waste are non biodegradable and pose a serious threat to the environment. Along with creating awareness, this sorts of finding alternatives we can protect environment,' says environment officer speaking in anonymity. 

‘Tabala’ shape building to come up at Kikkeri in memory of Dr KSN

A unique building in a special shape is coming up at Kikkeri in Mandya district in memory of great poet laureate Dr KS Narasimhaswamy. The building is being constructed to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary, thereby to show a gratitude to the personified artiste.

The interesting feature of this Sugamma Sangeetha Academy is that it will be constructed in the shape of the percussion instrument ‘Tabala’ and is estimated to cost around Rs 3 crore. Another interesting feature is that displays of famous poet laureates of Kannada such as Bendre, Putina, Kuvempu, Bhavageethe singers C Ashwath and Mysuru Anathaswamy, Sugama Sangeetha singer P Kaling Rao in the front entrance. Whenever a visitor stands near a particular photo gallery an audio clipping will be played describing the details great personalities. The works will commence from January. 

The building comprises two storeys, of which the ground floor will be an auditorium having a seating capacity of 500, while the hall in the first floor will be provided to train students learning music. Four guest rooms will also be constructed to accommodate artistes who visit the Bhavan to conduct programmes. Plans are there to to invite renowned artistes to impart training for students under the title ‘KSN Sugama Sangeetha school’. Already an arch reading ‘Welcome to Mysuru Mallige KSN Kikkeri Village’ has been created to erect at the entrance of the village.

On line of popular unique buildings in art field that is the Sydney Opera House, a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, Australia and violin shaped architecture of Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Bangalore, the building in ‘Tabala’ shape will be constructed dedicated for Sugama Sangeetha, says Karnataka Sugama Sangeetha Parishat Chairman Dr Krishnamurthy has taken the initiative of constructing the building.

“There are many rural talents who are deprived of opportunity. The bhavan will be used to impart training. Over the past one year, programmes are held every weekend  to generate interest in the public about music. It’s a dream of C Ashwath to construct the Bhavan, and I am making all efforts to make it a reality while taking the help of known persons and local politicians. The Bhavan will be completed by next year,” he adds.

‘KSN is a gigantic personality and we are happy the Bhavan is coming in Kikkeri, the birth place of KSN (January 26, 1915). We are eagerly waiting for the completion day. A great poet will be introduced to future generation with the construction of Bhavan’, says village head Puttappa Naik.

The land for the building has been donated by family member of Krishnamurthy to fulfill his desire of building a memorial, while his parents BS Narayan Bhat and Rukmini have supported lot in this venture.
 

After cleanest city, the next target is to restore water bodies

With Mysore getting the cleanest city tag for two consecutive years, the next traget is to give the city with the largest number of natural lakes. The District Administration has started implementing measures on a war footing for the conservation of lake and restore water levels in the lakes in and around the city. 

If everything goes as per the plan in a span of year, nearly 15 lakes in and around city will get a new lease of life. Deputy Commissioner Randeep is roping in industries for the development of the lakes under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 

There are 26 major lakes in city, and efforts are being made to make sure various industries take initative to rejuvenate the lakes, which include desiling, development, and making the rain water easily flow towards lakes. A few lakes have already been adopted by big corporate houses under the CSR initiative, such as the Bommanahalli Lake in Hebbal by RBI for Rs 29 lakh; Hebbal Lake by Infosys Foundation for Rs 32 crore.

The famous Dalvoy Kere located on Mysuru-Nanjangud Road will also get a new look. A company from Canada has come forward to develop this lake. They will bring in latest technology to clean up the lake and the entire work might be done under Public Private Partnership.  

This apart, just a week ago, three lakes at Chamundi hills that is Devi Kere, Thavare Kere and Hirekere has been adopted by Automoptive Excels. With the restoration of lakes atop Chamundi Hills its learnt that that hundreds of rare species of birds would visit to drink water and roost. Thanks for the initatives of Confederation of Indian Industries which is motivating the industries to develop the lakes under CSR initiative.

Those industries which were evading the CSR cannot do so any more. A formal letter is being drafted by District Administration to be circulated to all industries soon, where it clearly states that as per law 2 per cent of their net profits should be set aside for corporate social responsibility, and as per the Company Acts, 80 per cent of the CSR fund should be used to meet the local needs.  

Speaking to Express, Deputy Commissioner D Randeep said: ‘Mysuru is reknown as Green Mysuru and this can continue only with conservation of water bodies. We have plans to rejuvenate 15 lakes by next year, and industries are being roped in to take up development works under CSR.’

Dr N Muthukumar, Chairman, CII Mysuru said: ‘Mysuru will be made first water positive in the country by 2020. We are sure various industries take initative to adopt 26 lakes and develop them. CII is trying to bring all Industries to adopt the lakes and there is very good response from Industrial sector. District Administration will put pressure on rain water harvesting in every houses and commerical establishment in future. Lakes will be taken by industries and there will be huge benefit. With all this, we certainly achieve the target.’

Naturalist Harsha who has discovered 42 water bodies surrounding the perimeter of Chamundi hills, stressed the importance of rejuvenating lakes, adding: ‘The excess rain water flows down and gets mixed with UGD water. By taking conservation measures several small ponds surrounding the foothills can be rejuvenated and by this ground water table can be recharged. A lake near the APMC yard is used for dumping waste. The waste can be used produce bio gas and lake can be conserved.’

‘With bore wells already going dry due to excessive drawing of ground water  and without proper replenishment due to less rainfalls, it anticipated that the same fate may await the cities lakes, which may completely vanish one day. So restoring water levels in the lakes in and around the city has to be given importance,’ he adds.

 

Century-old Ethno-music instruments displayed under one roof at IGRMS

Are you curious to see how the ethno-music instruments used by our ancestors look like. Then don't miss an opportunity to visit Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sngrahalaya located at Wellington House, which has put on display more than 105 different kinds of musical instruments, collected from various parts of the country, creating awe and curiosity not only among music connoisseurs but also general public.


Displayed under the theme 'Vaadhya' an exhibition on ethno-music in India, it showcases varieties of Indian instruments used by different communities. The interesting aspect that the musical instruments on display have been collected by the staff of IGRMS over the past three to four decades, touring all across country. They are made of leather, wood, metal and even animal bones and horns.

Each gallery is presented with thematic through its classification, typology and usage. The ethnographic collection have been acquired from all parts of India which include tribal and folk communities.

In all, the Expo is an attempt made to supply the vivid indigenous knowledge system in making of the instruments and belief of the people.


The musical instruments have been categorised as tribal, non tribal, folk, classical and traditional. Some Instruments are shaped as animal heads, monkeys, human, birds, fish, which is drawing curious crowds. Another interesting part of the exhibition is the display of photographaps of the families who donated these instruments, accompanied with a brief description about musical instrument on display.


The collection includes wind instrument, string instrument, conical drums, Changu (single member drums), Nagada, Chorchori, horizontal / vertical drums, Indian classical instruments, ideophonic, mandan (double membrane musical drum), Damuru, Khanjari, Machung among several others.


Percussions such as varieties of bells, plates, pots, rods, rings, and clappers, harps, rattles, which are played by striking, rubbing, shaking, clashing, have been displayed. They are mostly solid in nature, and the ideophonic percussions are rarely tuned once they are created. This apart, varieties of drums such as dhol, nagara, damaru (hour-glass type); Daffli (Circular type), Ghat (pitcher type) are very fascinating. The variations of instrument are purely based on the availability of raw materials and taste of music of the creator.

'This is an attempt to bring the art and craft of India to a single platform to develop a better understanding among the visit about rich of the ethnographic musical instruments of India', said J Vijaymohan, officer in-charge, IGRMS.


V Ashok Vardhan, Museum Associate, IGRMS said that there are more than 1 lakh collections at IGMRS Head Quarters in Bhopal, at and there are plans to host different exhibitions categorising them as north India Collection, North Eastern. Very soon an exclusive lamps collection of Bhopal will be put on display, he added.

Good response

The museum which was inaugurated a couple of days ago is receiving good response. Apart from localities, quite a good number of tourists, including foreigners are visiting the museum to have a look of the instruments. Mathieu and Caristine from Canada said that; “We had heard about India's rich heritage and culture. By visiting the gallery, we came to know about the entertainment sources of various communities across country. The description are very helpful for tourists to know about the instrument and communities. Our time in the gallery was well spent.”

“We came to know about different varieties of musical instruments. By having a look at these instruments we can study about culture, tradition, entertainment of the particular community,” says Vanaja another visitor to museum. The exhibition which concludes on November 2017, is open for public from 10 am to 5 pm.


About Wellington House


Wellington House is an important historical monument and a heritage building in Mysuru, constructed 200 years ago. It is one of the earliest structures built for the British officers in Mysuru. It was the head quarters of the early Commissioners of the erstwhile Mysore State.

After the Tippu Sultan's fall, Colonel Arthur Wellesly, who later became the Duke of Wellington lived here from 1799 to 1801 AD. Hence, the building is known as Wellington House. In this two storied building, first floor is an Art Gallery housing the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Paintings. While, the ground floor houses the IGRMS and SRC which started functioning from 2001 onwards under the Ministry of culture, GOI. Its a national museum works for collection, exhibition and promotion of tangible and intangible cultures of India.

About musical instrument 

Horizontally played drums / Horizontal Drums:
Known by various regional names, horizontally played double membrane drums occupy a unique space in the domain of Indian culture. They exist in different forms, shapes and sizes; and play significant role in the traditional functions and rituals of the communities. With the basic use of dug-out logs, hollow earthen body and animal hide a wide range of horizontal drums with ethnic and community representations provide better understanding of the people of India.

Vertical Drums:
Double membrane, conical, semi-conical drums of various shapes and sizes are often played by vertical orientation. Holding position of these drums makes them unique as they are hanged from neck to reach up to the belly and played using sticks according to the drum type Clay, wood, dry gourd and animal hide are the major constituent elements of these instruments.

String Instrument:
It is believed that string instruments are originated from the hunting bow. The twangling of bow-string could have suggested its use as tonal adjunct to rhythm. String instruments are of many types and forms but are categorized into two categories – one played with bows and other without bow. A wide range of string instruments and their regional varieties are presented in this exhibition.

Ideophonic:
Instruments under this category are mostly solid in nature and do not require any tuning once they are constructed. Metal Gongs, Temple bells, Cymbals, Clappers, Musical bowl etc, are some of the glaring examples.

Hour Glass Drums:
Known as Damaru, drum of this kind speaks about the Vedic origin. In Hinduism, the Damaru is known as the instrument of Lord Shiva where as in the Tibetan Buddhism, it is used as instrument in Tantric practices. Even today, the Damaru finds its use among the street charmers for taming monkey. Some communities also use the enlarged versions of Damaru and they are known by different names.
Conical Drums:
Conical drums are one of the primary drums which are ancient in origin. Vedic literature mentions it as ‘Bhoomi – Dundubi; an earthen pit covered with animal hide and nailed with wooden pegs, where the tail of animal is used as percussion. Commonly known as ‘Nagada or Nagra; these drums were used at one point of time for communicating important messages over considerable distances. It also finds a prominent place in the rituals, marriage, dances and festive occasions.

Wind Instruments:
There is no definite answer on when and how the wind instruments originated. An insight into the academic explanation suggest the possibility that, wind passing through holes bored by insects in bamboo produced whistling sound, suggesting the raise of a primitive wind instrument. From the early reed instruments to the more progressive bone, wooden, metallic trumpets and later to a wide range of advanced finger-hole instruments with harmonic possibilities, one can access the facets of art aesthetic, culture and chaotic expression of human life.

Penao:
Pena is an indigenous musical instrument used by the Meitei community of Manipur. The earliest record of Pena is traced with mythological origin when ‘Leinung Tharuk Asheiba; the court singer, first introduced this instrument to the Nongda Lairen Pakhangba who is regarded as the first ruling deity of Manipur. Later, the famous minstrel players and successors of the royal guild develop it with proper lyrical notes under the royal patronage. The present exhibit ‘Penao’ is the modern version of traditional “Pena” which was introduced by a musical bond the rhythms of Manipur on 21st January 2007.

Changu:
Changu is an important single membrane drum used by the Juang tribe of Odisha in their dormitory called Majang. Making of Changu is always associated with the experienced hands of the elderly Juang males as it requires great skill. The long and flat piece of wood is immersed in water to into a circular shape. The goat’s hide is then fitted to the circular frame. The extra skin   folded along the flat circumference of the drum is fitted with wooden pegs. These wooden pegs hold the membrane tight laterally and it gives the drum a unique shape which is very peculiar to this tribe.

Indian Classical Instruments:
The origin of Indian Classical Instrument is deeply rooted in Vedic ritual chants. Today, there are two sub-genres of Indian Classical Instrument, one Hindustani classical instrument of North India and the other being, used in Carnatic music the classical tradition of South India. The tradition of Indian Classical instrument was born out of a cultural synthesis of several music traditions including various native folk traditions prevalent in the Sub-continent region. Instruments such as Veena, Santoor, Jaltarang, Rabab, Dilruba, Sarangi, Shehnai, Tabla, Pakhawaj, Sarod and Tambura / Tanpura are among the famous classical musical instruments.








SENTHAK – SENKHA
A decorative metal craft of Manipur

The metal craft of Manipur flourished with royal patronage during 17th century in Manipur. The present exhibition Senthak - Senkha is a decorated tray with fine details of floral rim and crown like lid signifying the prowess and glory of the Manipuri king. The crown like lid symbolises sky and the tray like body is regarded to be the divine representation of Earth. In Manipur, a particular lineage of the Meitei society is specialized in this unique craft. They are confined in the Heirangoithory and Aneibam Leikai of Imphal. Since the beginning of this craft in Manipur.

This girl has mastered skills in all aspects of art

Meet 22-year-old Gowri Priya, an Civil Engineer by profession who has dedicated her life for the art. She will be presenting Bharatanatya Rangapravesha on December 3 at 5.30 pm at Kalamandira. 

She has choreographed and performed two dance ballets ‘ Dashakant ‘ which is  a Ramayana presentation and ‘ Sthairya’ which focused on issues faced by women in this modern era. Both ballets were admired by people for choice of music, theme, costumes and choreography. Her love for dance propelled her to start her own team called ‘ Noopura’ consisting of 10 dancers specialising in Bharatnatyam and Semi Classical dance forms in her colleges days couple of years ago, which is still functioning. 

She started learning Bharatnatyam at age 8. After completing her junior grade in Bharatnatyam in Bangalore she learnt the finer nuances and intricacies in Mysuru. 

She is equally interested in Carnatic Classical Music. She is also an avid painter and has learnt various art forms such as Mysore Traditional art, Oil painting, watercolours and attended various workshops on a variety of subjects like one stroke painting, Kerala mural and ganjifa. She teaches art in her spare time to students. 

Kumari Gowri has strong cultural roots which she hopes to reinforce through her Arangetram, hoping to be a better individual on both the cultural and spiritual front.

She has even excelled in various fronts of her Engineering by winning several awards for technical excellence in National Level Events form BMS (Bangalore), SJCE, NIE and SIT (Tumkur). She has been honoured for her academic calibre by serveral organisations. 

Gowri Priya says: “Dance is my doorway to release all frustration and enjoy the small things in life. Dance has helped me to achieve creativity and composure in all other aspects of life. Guru Dr Chethana Radhakrishna’s advice to remain calm helped me to handle both my art and engineering hand in hand with joy and not stress. 

‘Every day my routine consisted of 2 hours of yoga or Bharatnatyam along with my academic study in the evenings. I practiced my traditional paintings over the weekends. 

My parents Sethuram and Uma Rajan are supportive with all my ventures and encouraged every aspect of my interest. My father has constructed a hall in our residence which is given to all artists free of cost called Thripura Paatashaala in Vijaynagar fourth stage,’ she adds. 

Child Trafficking Row has spread overseas

The Child Trafficking was existence in the cultural city Mysuru was going unreported from past six years. In a surprise the child trafficking racket in Mysuru has spread overseas. All this came to light only after the recent kidnap of nine month old child from a beggar in Nanjangud. Cops who started inquired the kidnapping case ended up busting a child trafficking racket in district.


The young children were used for illegal adoption. They are sold for neighbouring State Kerala, Bengaluru, Mengaluru, Sagar, Bhdaravathi, whereas far country like USA. Its also suspected a kid from Kerala has been given for illegal adoption to Kenya. The cops have traced a child traded to foreigner, residing in the United States and have sent a letter to her seeking cooperation to investigate the case, and bring back the child for further investigation. If she false to cooperate she might be treated as accused. The cops also to visit Kerala soon to re-inquire about a child traded to Kenya. 


Educated, aged couple, and well settled are among those who have adopted.
The children were sold from Rs 1 lakh upto Rs 4 lakh and more money was paid for good looking babies. Police have started checking all the birth / death / missing complaints of children born in hospitals and to tally all the figures to find any other people are involved in the child trafficking.

So far the Mysuru District Police have arrested 11 persons and 16 children have been rescued, including nine girls, who are in the age group of 25 days to six years. Out of 16 children rescued, four parents have been identified and their parentage is being confirmed through DNA test to handover the child to parents if they are interested. For those parents have not been found, the children will be reunited legally with the parents who had already adopted them. While, the rescued children have been housed at Bapuji Children’s Home in Mysuru, Janapada Seva Trust in Mandya and Bala Vikasana Samsthe.


Majority of the rescued children have taken birth in Nasim and Aravind Hospital, and have been given for illegal adoption. In one glaring incident, hospital authorities have declared the child was dead for biological parents, and have given for adoption to a childless couple. A person Madanlal who adopted a child in a illegal way first, later has turned Agent. A trader in Mysuru Ashok Gupta, who has also adopted a child in a illegal way is not ready to handover his 6-year-old child. Cops are trying to convince to their best. To a surprise one of the arrested Ravichandra in the trade has sold his own daughter, born to a lady who he had illicit affair.


The gang had a huge network and were selling the children in a very organised way. The team with the help of staff nurse used to find out those want to abort, and find parents in poverty. There are instances staff nurse used to convince and send back those had approached for abortion. Luring the desperate parents who are reeling under poverty they used to purchase the vulnerable children, and producing fake birth certificates and other related documents and were selling the children for the childless couples.


How cops busted the racket

Soon after the kidnap case was booked at Nanjangud Police Station, the team was formed under the supervision of SP Ravi Channanavar. With lot of efforts by cops the racket was busted. There are instances cops have worked sleepless for more than a week to bust this racket and have collected information about their modus operandi operated in the racket. There might be still lot more people involved in the crime and cops are engaged in further investigation.

The main accused in the case are: Drivers S Mahesh (29) of Vidyanagar and C Venkatesh (38) of Yaraganahalli, Mysuru; CJ Usha  (45) and CJ Francis (55) of Nasim Medical Center, Bannimantapa; Anusha (40) and Nurse Renuka (41) of Mandi Mohalla;
Mohan K M (26) of Periyapatna, Trader Madanlal (44) of Mysuru, Ravichndra (24) resident of Dattagalli and electrician, N Shankar (26) of Vidyanagar and B Ashok (25) of Papanna Layout. Aravind Hospital and Naseem hospitals are under scanner who have helped the gang.

Superintendent of Police Ravi D Channannavar said that to lead a lavish life and to earn in a easy way they engaged in the child trafficking. Addressing the media persons here on Thursday, among the arrested Ravichandra, Ashok and N Shankar are habitual offenders and were wanted in other cases sine 2013. They used to purchase expensive cars, host DJ parties at star hotels and used to do robbery at residential areas in night, and along with engaged in child trade. Ravichandra has sold his own child.

With arrest of the above three the cops have cracked 13 cases related to dacoity, robbery, extortion took place at Kuvempunagar, Vijayanagar, Saraswathipuram, Nazarbad, Udayagiri and Lashkar Police Station. The cops have seized Rs 1.5 lakh cash, and valuables worth Rs 57 lakh. That is, 1284 gms of gold worth 28 lakh; silver ornaments worth Rs 1 lakh; four cars worth Rs 12 lakh, televisions worth Rs 1.5 lakh, one bike and a laptop worth Rs 80,000, four mobile phones worth Rs 1 lakh, eight expensive watches of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh cash. The properties seized from the arrested were displayed and the valuables were handed over to the respective owners.

The team of Police headed by Additional SP Kala Krishnaswamy were awarded Rs 1 lakh cash prize and a certificate for busting the racket. Additional SPs Vikram Amte and Divya Sarah Thomas were present. 


Handover rescued children to foster parents: Advocate
 

Karnataka Commission for Protection of Child Rights should advice Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Mysuru to take steps to release the children from their ‘imprisonment’, who are rescued by district police unearthing a child trafficking racket in Mysuru, says PP Baburaj, Advocate and former Member of Child Welfare Committee. 

In his letter to the Commission, he has stated the rescued 16 children have housed in three orphanages of Mysuru and Mandya. The biological parents of these children have not come forward so far. The best way to protect the interest of the children is to release them to the custody of their respective care givers under foster care and thus legalise them with a monitoring package. If the biological parents never turn up, the adoption procedures can be taken up by the foster parents with the help of CWC in the due course of time, he adds.

‘The Child Welfare Committee, unfortunately is acting as Child Torture Committee. It has violated the spirit and all the General principles of Care and Protection enshrined in Chapter II of Juvenile Justice Act 2015. All the foster care givers were treated as hard core criminals and they were not given a fair hearing. CWC used accusatory and adversarial words with the parents and children in the process of making an order of detaining the children in orphanages’, he states.






Missing children list

Below 18 years

2015 - Male: 28 missing; 21 traced

Female: 17 missing; 16 traced

2016 - Male : 16 missing cases; 14 traced

Female: 10 missing cases - 4





Highlights

* To lead a lavish life and to earn in a easy way they engaged in the child trafficking
* The new borns and young children were used for illegal adoption
* Cops have traced a child traded to foreigner, residing in the United States
* The children were sold from Rs 1 lakh upto Rs 4 lakh and more money for good looking babies.
* Notorious criminal Ravichandra has sold his own daughter
* Rs 1 lakh cash prize and certificates distributed for cops who busted the racket
 

Farmers throng sewage farm to feed livestock

Unmindful of the chill weather, farmers can be found standing in long queue along with their bullock carts in front of sewage farm to purchase fodder from early morning. The demand for grass has surge from last one month following drought. An average everyday 150 to 200 farmers are approaching the sewage farm located near Vidyaranyapuram to purchase the grass for livestocks. 

More than 25,000 kg of fodder has been sold in last ten days. ‘Shunti’ and ‘Napier Grass’ are the two varieties of fodder grown in the farm. The grass grown in the 120 acres of land is sold for Rs 30 for 100 kgs.
Grass is harvested minimum eight times every year in the sewage farm. Usually those graze cows, sheep in urban areas used to purchase grass in large amount from sewage farm every year and there used to be sufficient stock. But this year the farm is running short of stock with huge demand from farming sector.

In the last two weeks more than 200 quintal of grass has been sold. The fodders are rich in proteins, and by feeding the fodder for dairy cows, it helps the animal to increase the milk production. Farmers from Sollepura, Koorgalli, Sallundi, Belavadi, Yaraganahalli, Kurubarahalli, Utanahalli, Kadakola, Gopalpura, and several other surrounding villages the farmers are heading towards the sewage farm to purchase the grass.

The Mysuru City Corporation has generated a revenue of Rs 6 lakh this year with sale of fodder, which is either around Rs 4.5 lakh during non-drought years.
Sewage Farm Maintenance in-charge Boregowda said: ‘There is huge demand for grass this year, but we are not able to meet the demand. The farmers are  transporting grass in bullock carts, autos, tractors.  We are able to manage till Monday with the existing stock, and farmers have to wait till next March to again purchase grass. In summer we can harvest grass for 25 days, whereas in winter grass cant be grown. By feeding this fodder farmer can obtain high milk yields,’ he added.

Chikkegowdana Hundi farmer Shivashankar said: ‘We are facing severe shortage of fodder to feed livestocks following drought. Since last one year we are unable to grow fodder in our agriculture lands. The collected 100 kg of fodder can be managed hardly for a week and again we have to arrange from other sources. It has become challenging to manage sufficient food for livestocks. Fodder banks are yet to be opened in our villages.’

Mayor Bhyrappa said that huge demand is witnessed for grass this year. With no water to grow fodder in the fields the demand has increased. We have harvested the grass completely, and farmers have to wait till February for next harvesting. Earlier the grass was grown in 360 acres of lands with distribution of land for various purpose we are presently growing only in 120 acres.