She is silently educating the illiterates in her village

Hear is a woman hailing from a village, striving hard to educate the illiterates residing there, and also to make them aware about the various aspects of environment.
KP Arunakumari is the lone woman who has been rendering this relentless service in Mandya District.

Hailing from Kargodu village, Mandya, she has undertaken several developmental works and has been relentlessly educating people belonging to backward communities, including SC/STs, residing at Hulivan, H Kodanahalli Farm and Bidarkatte villages.

Being Elected President of Kargodu Grama Sneha Yuvathi Sangha, she has conducted several awareness programmes on literacy, youth welfare, protecting environment and healthy living.

Surveying 32 villages falling under five Gram Panchayats, she identified around 2000 illiterate people, and brought them together and made them to read and write, all within a span of six months, under Government of India National Mission Committee 2008.

On the occasion of World Cultural Day, she organises various cultural programmes and competitions in the village. Under 'Akshara Krushi' programme she has imparted education for hundreds of SC/ST women while at the same time teaching them about maintaining health, self employment, planting saplings, awareness programme on Malaria, HIV/AIDS, leprosy and various other issues.

While creating awareness among villagers about the importance of environment and its protection, she also teaches them how to conserve flora and fauna found around. Her training also includes rain water harvesting. She also conducts workshops and seminars on these issues.

For her all-round service for the backward people involving cultural, sports and development activities, she has been bestowed with several awards. She was awarded, 'Swami Vivekananda State Youth Award' for the year 2008-09, which was presented to her on February 3 at Chitradurga by former Minister Goolihatti D Shekar. She is a recipient of Sakshar Bharath Award twice while the Mandya District Lok Shikshana Samithi has honoured her with 'Sakshratha Award'.

She has completed her BSC, BEd, COPA. Her Husband M Yogesh, a youth organizer is also a recipient of State Youth Award. Both husband and wife couple are involved in social service, are are striving to educate the illiterates amongst them.

Street vendors strive hard for livelihood

To provide free vehicular movement, recently, city's traffic police completely banned parking on Krishna Vilas Road at Thindi Beedhi, with the result the road-side vendors are losing business.

Though alternate parking has been provided in the vacant place in front of the Nallapattanna Police Station, many are not aware of this parking place and they just simply drive away.

They start parking their mobile canteens from 3 pm and sell hot instant foods, preparing freshly on the spot and continue their business till 11 pm. The vendors were once having a roaring business in this small stretch of road, are now striving hard for livelihood.

If people visiting this place park their two and four wheelers on one side of the road, opposite to the food selling push-carts. There is no chance for them to escape from the mouth of 'Tiger' (tow vehicles).

Expressing their helplessness to Express, Kumar who sells Chinese item said that 'earlier most of the people used to visit this place and have snacks. But now gradually the number has been decreased due to afraid of 'Tiger'.

'Officials have placed 'No parking' sign board. If any vehicles park their vehicles they will be fined and four wheelers will be locked using wheel clamp. Hence, most of the people scared of 'Tiger', have stopped visiting the place,' he says.

Another street vendor Rajeev, opines that a traffic police Inspector has been exclusively deputed to monitor the vehicles which parked on this road.

Food vendors are requesting to restore the vehicular parking once again assuring if the vehicles are parked orderly it would not cause any traffic jam to other vehicles. Will the concerned authorities take a favourable decision in this regard considering their plea.

DDPI office to be converted into Transmit Home

The office of the Deputy Director of Public Instruction(DDPI) situated at Bannimantap will be converted into 'Chinnara Thangudhama' (Transmit Home) by next week, where challenging children will be provided shelter.

To provide shelter for deprived children under Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan, the Dept. of Education has launched this pioneer project, 'Chinnara Thangudhama', a Transit Home along with Residential School. Already Rs 15,20,000 has been sanctioned by the government for this project and a MoU has been signed with NGO Don Boscoe.

The Department with the assistance of the NGO has already identified 1,074 children in the age group of 4 to 14 years of which 853 are boys and 221 girls from 47 different backgrounds like children of Beedi workers, beggars, book binders, bullock cart drivers, bus cleaners, butchers, carpenters, maid servants, agarbathi workers, garage shop workers, rag pickers, street children and those found working with parents, orphans and various other categories. In 1,074, about 784 children were working as sales boy and girls (241), coolie (151), street children 147, others 143, helper (85) and Mechanics (27).

Speaking to Express, Puushottam, Deputy Project Co-ordinator for Samanvaya Yojana, said that around 50 children will be housed at Transmit House while another 100 children will be housed at the Residential School.

"Every six months the children at transmit house will be moved out and admitted to nearby schools, seeking permission of their parents, if they are alive. The remaining children will be provided shelter and schooling facility at different schools with the help of NGOs", added Purushotham.

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Hardship to officers

The normal practice is officers and staff work in the same buidling. But the present situation in the DDPIs office is different.

The DDPI Office which is functioning at Bannimantap is functioning since January 18 at the Joint Director of Collegiate Education on JLB road (behind The New Indian Express Office).

As only the DDPI's offices has been shifted, the junior officers of the DDPI have to come all the way from Bannimatap to JLB Road, to get signature of the DDPI for relevant files or to discuss any official matters.

Speaking to Express DDPI BK Basavaraju said that he will discuss the matter with JDA and make arrangements to construct additional rooms in the same premises after obtaining due permission.

PHRII to identify women afflicted with HIV / AIDS

Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII) a non-profit charitable Trust involved in community service for the past six years, is providing free and quality healthcare services for women and adolescent girls in reproductive health care, cancer screening, family planning, and HIV prevention in Mysore district.

Presently the organisation is involved in community based project called 'Saving Children Improving Life' (SCIL), and is conducting a survey in 10 Panchayats to identify women with HIV / AIDS.

In ten panchyat about 85 rural villages, five panchayat towards HD Kote side and remaining 5 Panchayat towards T Narsipura side in Mysore district. Till today, the organization has covered four panchayat and have seen 329 pregnant women from these panchayat.

Earlier, the organisation has completed surveying 144 rural villages in Mysore District and has identified 12 women afflicted with HIV. Speaking to Express, PHRII Administrator Poornima Jaykirshna said 'the motto of PHRII is to identify women afflicted with HIV and take steps to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child.'

'On the first day we identify the place and setup a camp; on the second day we create awareness among women about HIV/AIDS and on the third day the medical check-up will be held. After identifying women who are tested positive, they will be refereed to other organisations like Samartha, DAPCO for providing free medical treatment,' she added.

Apart this, providing Health education, nutritional support, prevention and treatment of anemia, highlighting importance of breast feeding, preventing infections during child birth and various other counseling will be provided to women, says Poornima.

Training for Physicians

PHRII in collaboration with Prevention International No Cervical Cancer (PINCC), NGO based in California, is providing training to Physicians and Registered Nurses on how to screen people for cervical cancer using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), a low cast technique widely used for detecting early stages of cervical cancer.

Apart from this, doctors are trained to treat abnormal wounds using cryo-therapy and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), in which abnormal tissues are cut using a thin wire loop carrying an electric current.

Till January 2012, PHRII and PINCC have trained eight Indian physicians and nurses and have screened more than 900 women, among them 20 were treated with cryo-therapy and 10 with LEEP procedure and 20 were referred to cervical cancer treatment, said Poornima.

About PHRII

PHRII is equipped with a complete in-house laboratory with microbiological and PCR equipments for the diagnosis of STI/HIV along with two mobile diagnostic clinics. The institute established in 2007, is situated at Yadavagiri.

PHRII in collaboration with communities and the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) takes up implementation of projects and rural health programmes. PHRII has more than 25 full-time employees including physicians, nurses, laboratory personnel, health counselors and community outreach workers.

Solar Home Lighting system for remote villages in district

This might be strange but true. 65 years after India got Independence, people living in some of the remote villages of the district are now hoping their houses to be lit up by the electricity. Thanks to the initiative of Cauvery Kalpatharu Grameena Bank (CKGB) a regional Rural Bank which is providing solar lights facility identifying such villages.

Last year the bank provided solar lights to Bommalapura, Sonahalli Haadi, Dattehalla, Machur, Golur and Thimmahoshally villages situated in HD Kote.

According to CKGB Mysore and Chamarajanagar Regional Manager Siddaramegowda the above
villages were deprived of electricity though some of this villages were erected with electric poles.
'The households in HD kote used to use candles, kerosene lamps since 40 years. Even though poles have been placed on both sides of the streets, there is no power supply. When solar lights were distributed for them, there was no end for their cherish for seeing the light first time.'

He says, 'many villages are left in lurch and are not exposed to outer world. The solar lights are not only provided to the villages which don’t have power supply. The lights are also provided to the villages which face acute power cut problems. '

'This year the bank is taking initiative to extend service for 32 villages and has completed the credit linked, solarised and insured at the eight villages. Remaining 24 villages works will be completed by March.'

Siddaramegowda said that in all the villages they have farmed Self Help Groups (SHG) adjoining the like minded people (15-20 people) to manage the issues of villages in unity. Apart this, people who could not get loan as they do not have any security to provide will be formed as group called 'Joint Liability Groups (JLG)' and provided with loans.

The bank has achieved a deposit level of Rs 2270 crores, advances level of Rs 1898 crores till December 2011. The bank is catering the financial needs of its customers through its regional Officers at Mysore, Hassan, Tumkur and Bangalore with a net work of completely computerized 215 branches under core banking solution.

The villages which will be completed by March are: CH Palya (Varuna), TP Hundi (Chandravadi), Laxmanapura (Kasuvinahally), Matadakatte (Matakere), Karehundi (Hampapura), Kothegala (Kyathanahally), Hosaheggodibeedu (Saraguru), KG Habbanekuppe (Hanagodu), Yedakuriya (Sathegala), LPS Camp (Cowdaly), Buduguppe (Hanur), Hoyee Playa (Yelandru), Shivakahallyl (Gowdally), Nijalinganapura (Arakalvadi), Kurubarahundi (Chamarajanagar), Lokkur (Hangala), Hullepura (Bommalapura), Chikkakalkini (Chidaravally), Kabbalgerehundi (Nagarle), Hethige (Hediyala), Saraswathipura (Anantharasanthe), Sannagowdanahally (Aspathrekaval), Yalachanahally (KS Gaddige), Basavattige (Hemmaragala).

Sale of LED lamps has picked up in the city

As the power tariff is being increasing day to day, to reduce energy and and conserve rapidly depleting fossil fuels, Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulb are today slowly making way into all places including streetlights, industrial lights, parking lights, garden lights apart from residential lights.

In spite of this the sale of LED lamps has gradually picked up in the city and the reason may be the availability of cheap Chinese made lamps which are quite popular though they do not come with any guarantee or quality assurance.

LED lights are slowly gaining acceptance in big shopping malls, apartment, office complexes, hotels, clubs and other places of mass energy consumption and there is a good demand for LED lamps. Officials of the Mysore Palace Board have also considered the option of using LED lamps to illuminate Mysore Palace.

When contacted with couple of KT Street electronic shops, they to said there is a demand for LED bulbs and most of the people purchase China made LED lamps which costs are very less.

In KT Street bulbs from Rs eight are available and most of the residents prefer it. According to the like of people the outdoor, indoor lights designs of various models are available in the shops. Apart this, the vendors who are selling rechargeable LED bulbs for Rs 100 to Rs 120, are also expecting good business in the summer, as city faces frequent power cut.

Neela Ramaswamy, Director, REI Electronics, a privately company in Mysore manufacturing LED lamps said that from past two years they have more demand for LED bulbs and they to have come up with latest designs of models.

'Compare to popular Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), the LED bulbs are highly energy efficient and are quite expensive. But in the long run they turn out to be cheaper and the investors get its return on investment within a year through its vastly reduced electricity bills of about 80 per cent,' she added.

He symbolizes nature thru hoop dancing

Here is a 15-year-old lad who has mastered his skills in rare hoop dancing, which is familiar as storytelling dance. The hoop dance is not familiar in India compare to western countries, but for Tarun Campion its not so. He dances fabulously using the colorful hoops to intricate shapes of nature.

Tarun Campion who is interested in juggling and other gymnastic activities, is specialized in hoop dancing. Without any masters, he has mastered his skill in hoop dancing and has showed his talent in school and public functions.

His typical performance is for about 4 minutes, in which he incorporates about 25 hoops. His most popular acts are multiple body hooping and hoop juggling. While dancing, out of the moving hoops he symbolizes butterfly, peacock and many other significance of nature.

Using plastic rings he does this hoop dance, and the rings spun round the body in synchronized patterns and formations to the tune of music and accordingly he performs the formations of animals and birds. He has imported rings from foreign countries by booking them on-line.

Inspired after watching circus, he began to practice hoop dancing since his tender age. He says, 'Hoop dance is a difficult and dying art in today’s world. There is no recognition for hoop dance in India, but in Brazil, Latin America and Russia the hoop dance is very popular. This art should be promoted to large number of people.'

'Basically, hoop dancing is a gymnastic activity and a solo dance. In India the only places people can see hoop dancing is in circus, where the artist perform using four to eight rings,' adds Tarun.

Tarun, 1st PUC student of Vidyaashram PU College is equally good in trekking. So far he has performed in seven adventure trekking activities - National trekking expedition in Goa, National trekking expedition kodaikanal to munnar, twice to Thadiyandamol, Coorg and Kodachadri.

Tarun resident of Gokulam, is a son of William James Campion and Sandhya Parvathi. He desires to become wildlife geologist in future. He is leaving India on January 19, to continue his 12th and 13th PCMB in New Zealand. After his return he is planning to begin research on Tiger.

This septuagenarian lady creates wonders out of sea shells and conch

Here is a septuagenarian lady who creates wonders out of sea shells and conches. 74-year-old Y Jayamma is the artist, who breathes life into the shells and has created about 68 creations using different kinds of sea shells and conches of various sizes and hues.

Just a week ago she completed creating God Narasimha which is 39 inch tall and will be formally inaugurated next month. Presently she is working on creating a replica of famous singer Yesudas for which she wants to invite him to Mysore and donate him a replica of Goddess Kollur Mookambika which he worships. The replica is ready. Apart from this she is working on Lord Ranganath Swamy of Srirangapatna and Goddess Kalikadevi of Sirsangi Kalika temple near Hubli.

She has already completed creating images of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam with a missile and national emblem in the background, images of Chamundeshwari, Hanumantha, Lakshmi, Mookambika, episodes from epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavatha, demons and several others. She has created buttons, teeth, tongue, all out of shells and has pasted it using adhesives like M Seal and Quick Fix.

Having worked as a teacher, after her retirement she has invested lakhs of rupees of her pension amount for this creations. She has used various colour shells appropriately for creating colour combinations. Curiously, till date she has never counted the number of shells she has used in her artworks.

She purchase shells from Rameshwar, Kanyakumari, Mangalore by visiting the places personally. From past few year she is ailing from ailments and is taking help of her relatives and friends. Residing on Irwin Road she has named her house Jaya Sea Shell Art Centre and museum.

Without being coached under any teacher she learnt this art on her own and today she creates works with heights ranging from 1 feet to 70 feet. Hailing from an artist's family, she is the grand-daughter of noted sculptors late T Yalakkachar and uncle Padmashri SN Swamy.

Speaking to Express, she said, 'When I visited one of my relatives house in my childhood, they had kept on display miniature artifacts made out of shells. This inspired me to learn this art. As I couldn't find any of teacher who taught this art, I learnt it by myself. It's a very difficult art and needs lot of creative work and patience.

She has planned to donate all her art works to Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade, as there is not a single art gallery in the city to take care of any artists exquisite works. She says, 'There is a need of Art Gallery in city.'

Unfortunately, she has not received any awards from Government recognizing her unique talent. She says the admiration and appreciation inspiration from the people itself award for her.

Senior Artist L Shivalingappa said that 'as government has not taken any initiative to built a art gallery and preserve the rare things, its good if Jayamma donates her creative works and safeguard it, apart from spoiling. Its need of the hour government should wake up and take appropriate measures to conserve the rare works of about thirty artists in city,' he adds.

She empower women using art has a medium

Here is a woman who is serving society using art has a medium. The main objective of this 49-year-old Women Nishhat Afza is to create platform for downtrodden women and to improve their economic and social standards.

Being a resident of NR Mohalla, she is giving training for poor people and physically challenged children at free of cost. Interestingly, without the help of financial aid or loans from any government or private bodies she has set up 'Ayman Educational and Social Trust (a vocational training center for creative art and design) in 1989, to impart training in art courses like traditional art, painting, fashion designing, pottery and ceramic works.

After the completion of training, she has employed most of the women in her Center 'Curiosity' for manufacturing various handmade handicrafts which are marketed at various gift shops across city.

So far, she has imparted training for about 1,500 women and for about 10,000 children in various organisations like Odanadi, RUDSET, NGO's, Samajas, Ladies Associations, and much more. She also conducts summer camps in various art works, personality development, moral science, calligraphy, drawing and painting. She even teachers children how to use waste materials and create artifacts out of it.

Being a mulch-talented women, she creates numerous number of handmade artifacts. She creates artificial bonsai trees, pottery, ceramic works on pottery, dry flower arrangements, traditional tanjore and modern art paintings, tye and dye boutique art works, candle making, vegetable arrangements, magnetic fridge holders and much more and has used the same for the upliftment of women.

She has bagged about 30 awards for her service, which include State and National awards. She will be receiving Bharat Vikas Ratan Award next month in Delhi. Apart this she has been honoured with Karnataka Bhushan Award and has won four times Dasara awards for exhibiting her creatives work during world famous exhibition. She has the honour of judging various competitions and has participated in various national and international conferences.

Hailing from middle class family, she is serving society from her childhood. She says, during her school days she has taken part in various service programmes conducted by Rotaract Clubs and it has motivated her lot for social services.

She says service to mankind is service to nation and god. Expressing happiness for her journey with Ayman group from past 23 years, she says, 'When I started art classes, women from all walks of life used to come for classes and share their problems. I felt women suffering mainly as they are economically weaker and thought of making them to built self confidence. Later, started imparting free education for women, children and physically handicapped to built confidence in them to leave independently. I want to continue my service for women and children for ever.'

'In the money generated through selling gift items, only some extent is used for personal and remaining amount is used to educate poor children and various other service activities,' she says.

Swami Vivekananda Memorial in city remains nightmare for citizens

Preparations for celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, falling on January 12, are going on in a brisk pace in several cities with great fervour. Unfortunately officials in the Mysore City Corporation seems to have forgotten the place in the heart of the city where Swami Vivekananda stayed, when he visited Mysore 120 years ago.

Swami Vivekananda visited Niranjana Mutt on Narayana Shastry Road in 1892 on a invitation of the then King of Mysore, Chamarajendra Wadiyar, before proceeding to Chicago. The place which has to be converted into a memorial is now wearing a deserted look.

Though works on constructing a building for the memorial has began several years, it is still incomplete, making the building to remain in a dilapidated condition. The place is being used for parking vehicles. Though assurances are being made every year that the ongoing restoration works at the Niranjan Mutt would be completed soon, no improvement is being seen while the hopes of devotees of this great Saint in the city remains unfulfilled.

When contacted MCC Commissioner KS Raikar, he said that by this month end the rejuvenation work will be completed and the cost of the project is Rs 34 lakh and the work is being held by MCC.

If everything would have good at present there would be two floor memorial. Plans were made to restore the building by constructing two floors and use the first floor for holding cultural events while the second floor meant exclusively for meditation and yoga in addition to housing a world class library, to teach youth the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. Rs 5 crore was also allocated in the budget for rejuvenation, but unfortunately the grants were not released due to land dispute in the year 2008-09, says Kannada and Culture Department Deputy Director Annegowda.

Social worker and Brahmana Mahasabha Mysore President K Raghuram said that State Government took out up the project and formed a committee, so far not a single meeting has been held. Being one of the member of the committee, he said that Since 2000 the renovation work is going phase by phase and the work has been came to halt several times stating lack of fund.

Speaking to Express, famous historian PV Nanjaraje Urs opined that those who speak about heritage don’t know how to maintain a heritage building and lamented at the apathy of the officials for keeping the project incomplete for such a long time.

Down the Memory Lane of Swami Vivekananda

Reminiscing the days of Swami Vivekananda visit to Niranjana Mutt in Mysore, Historian PV Nanjaraje Urs and Brahmana Mahasabha Mysore President K Raghuram shared some of the interesting facts during his visit in 1892. Here are the experts:

Before going to Chicago, Swami Vivekananda had visited Mysore as the royal guest of Chamarajendra Wadiyar, father of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. As there was no provisions for Sanyasis to stay in Palace, Swami Vivekananda had stayed for 11 days with the disciples of the Niranjan Mutt teaching them Yogasana and Bhajanas.

In the Mutt's cellar he used to undertook 'Yoga Nidre' accompanied with the then head of the Mutt Nanjunda Bhagawan, whose memorial is just opposite to the Mutt's entrance.

During his stay at the Mutt he had daily visited the Sadvidya High School nearby, and used to deliver lectures in Sanskrit for students and followers. His preachings were translated to Kannada by Thathaiah and Amble Annaiah Pandit, who were the then committee members of the mutts.
The school authorities have renovated the place and have named it as Swami Vivekananda Auditorium and conduct cultural programmes, preachings in this auditorium.

During his stay Chamarajendra Wadiyar has recorded speech of Swami Vivekananda on a Gramaphone plate.

While Swami Vivekananda was leaving city, Thathaiah has collected money from the general public and had got stitched him two woolen coat for Swami Vivekananda, as he was going to Chicago. The expenses of his visit (travel and other expenses) has been bared by Chamarajendra Wadiyar.

Swami Vivkekananda has written a 8-10 page letter to Chamarajendra Wadiyar from America giving guidelines seeking to give importance for education and other developmental works. Both the letters and Gramaphone are at present in the private library in the Palace.

According to he book, 'Vedanta Kesari' which has been published by Ramakrishna Ashrama, Vivekananda stayed in Mysore from November 9 to 24 in 1892.' Apart this, one of the disciple and close friend of Swami Vivekananda was Alasinga Perumal, Lanashastri has mentioned about this in one of his book.

The entire stretch (present Marimallappa College, Lokayukta Office, Commercial Tax Department) were all belonged to mutt and was called as 'Hindu Orphan'. As days, went everything came under Government. Plans were also made to acquire the land of Mutt where Swami Vivekananda stayed, due to strong protest by the followers and historians to make the place memorial, Government took out up the project and formed a committee to protect the Mutt premises.

Prizes galore for this 17-year-old multifaceted artist Nisha

For this 17-year-old girl winning prize is a child play. D Nisha, 2nd PUC student of Chaitra PU College is a multifaceted girl and has about 300 prizes to her credit in craft, drawing, Rangoli, model making, sand sculpture, vegetable carving, cycle-poling, creating objects out of waste, so on.

The keen interest towards drawing and craft from her tender age has made her to win several prizes. She was the first from Mysore to represented Karnataka two times in the National-level cycle polo competition held at Orissa and Rajasthan and she has been also selected as Captain for Karnataka team for two times.

Her creative works have been recognized in National and International level too. Through Bangalore Chitrakala Academy, she has contested in drawing competitions at Switzerland (Air Sports and Nature Harmony), Finland (My Environment), Poland (Dog My Friend), Tokyo (Terrorism), Egypt (Children feelings and their thinking way), New Zealand (My Goal or Peace), Gulf (Peace and Unity), and has won many prizes.

She has participated in many national-levels competition and has stood first most of the time. She has won rolling cup for three times in Dasara Rangoli competitions and first prize for portraying 'Village Life' through drawing.

She has bagged gold medal in sand sculpture competition held at Amalapura, Andhra Pradesh, and has bagged Press Ligious Award in 2007 and has won 2nd prize in International-level craft competition.

She has been conferred with many titles like 'Balasri Kalamitra', Bala Kuncha Kala Brahma Award, Suvarna Karnataka State Award, Belauva Siri Award, Kalavikas Award, GP Rajarathnam Balasri Award, Rahul Gandhi Rashtriya Yuva Prathiba Puraskar, Kalakanmani, Kannada Sindhura and Yuvasri.

Speaking to Express, Nisha says 'when I was studying in third standard my father Dwaraknath promoted me and due to my mother Renuka support, it was possible for me to achieve. She desires to become fashion designer in future.

She steps for the epic of Kumaravasya Bharatham

She is the first from country to perform bharathanatya for the epic of Kumaravasya Bharatham


For 31-year-old Bhramari Shivaprakash dancing is her passion and she has dedicated her life for it. The uniqueness of her dancing is she has composed Bharathanatya for epic Karnata Bharatha Kathamanjari, one of the three major Mahabharatha written in medieval Kannada by Gadugina Veeranaranappa. The epic is also known as Kumaravyasa Nrithya Bharatha.

She has adopted some of the lines from the epic into the marga tradition of classical Bharathanatyam. The repertoire of Bharathanatya is called as Marga and it consists of items called pushpanjali, jatiswara, shabdam, padavarna, javali, padam, tillana etc. To the characterstics of each item the lines and instances are chosen from different chapters of Kumaravyasya Bharatam.

Usually epic Kumaravasya Bharatham is studied in the colleges and rendered through gamaka vachana. But she has explored the visual possibilities through Classical Bharathanatya items. She claims she is the first to perform Bharathanatya for the holy epic of Kumaravasya Bharatha.

Hailing from Mangalore, she was in city on Monday and presented Kumaravyasa Nritya Bharata dance feature at Jaganmohan Palace on Monday, during the silver jubilee celebrations of Vasundhara Performing Arts Centre.

Speaking to Express, Bhramari Shivaprakash said that 'I have taken three months for two-and-half hours of dance composition. I have edited the script and got its music composed by Ramesh Chadaga of Bangalore. 'I want to experiment and put up quality performances over the period of time to enjoy the literary beauty of Classic Kannada literature' she says.

Bhramari had dancing interest from her tender age of four, through the dance dramas and other theatrical works directed by her father Prof Udyavara Madhava Acharya staged under his Cultural ensemble SAMOOHA.

She has nourished her imagination with ample ideas in theater and choreography by participating in the dance dramas such as Bringada benneri banthu, Ananda mukunda, Harikunida, Kuvara bhasmasura, Bhagavadgitha nrithya vaibhava.
She has presented her Theatrical Choreographies like Stri Shakthi, Shvamedha, Kuvara bhasmasura, Shabari, SaundaryaLahari, Haricharithe and much more across country and abroad too.

From past 12 years Bhramari, is imparting quality dance education to the dedicated students under her own institution “Naadanrthya” in Mangalore. She has also served as dance instructor in Academy School of Music and fine arts, Challenge School of Music and Fine arts Udupi, Surati Inc new Jersey USA.

Rangayana's weekend stage play completes 10 years

The weekend theatre programmes held every Sunday at Rangayana will be completing 10 years on January 26. With the
intention of providing a regular theatrical fest for art lovers, the practice of staging plays every weekends
(Saturday and Sunday) was started in January 26, 2002 by the then Rangayana Director Prasanna, the third Director to
hold office at Rangayana after BV Karanth and C Basavalingaiah.

In the beginning artistes from Rangayana staged plays every Saturday and Sunday at Boomigeetha. But since 2006 the
plays were staged only on Sundays.
Over the decade several plays have been staged, some of the outstanding among them being Kallarali Hoovagi, Kusuma
Bale, Maggadavaru, Alegalalli Rajahamsa, Kathale Belaku, Prathishodha, Gundegowdana Charitre, Gandhi Vs Gandhi,
Swathantra Suri, Checkmate, Tughlak, Sigal and several others.

Rangayana artistes are staging these plays for the past ten years. Saroja Hegade, Vinayak Bhat Hanasagi, Mime Ramesh,
Hulagappa Kattimani, Jagadish Manavarthe, Geetha Moontdka, Prashant Hiremutt, MC Krishnaprasad, S Ramanath, S Ramu,
Santoshkumar Kusnooru, BN Shashikala, Manjunath Belikere, Krishnakumar Narnakaje, Pramila Bengre, KR Nandini, Mahadev
and Noor Ahamedsheikh are the artistes who practice regularly before staging a play. To infuse life into play this
persons artists Srinivas Bhat (Chinni), HK Dwarknath, K Anjusingh are providing music, art director, samarakala
teachers are working respectively.

Speaking to TNIE, Rangayana Director Rajaram said 'most of the plays are being staged for the first time and re-known
Directors are invited to direct the artistes'. The artist will be any time ready to stage at least 12-15 plays.

"There are around 3,000 theater buffs in the city who are regular visitors for these weekend plays because of whom
there is a good response every week. Though seating arrangements inside the Bhoomigeetha auditorium is limited to only
250, it is usually not crowded as most of the plays are repeated 4-5 times to make it convenient for the visitors to
choose an appropriate week end," he added. The entry fee is a nominal Rs 30.

Rangayana former Director Prasanna said that, 'Mysore being tourists place, people from across country were visiting
city and to drew their attention towards theatre, the weekend plays were introduced. I am very happy its running
continuously and has made a record in our country completing for 10 years without any break.

'There are two types of repertory in our Karnataka one is Rangayana which is city based and other located in either
villages are small towns. The second category of repertory travel across and stage plays, he added.

About Rangayana

To promote theater activities and stage plays, Rangayana, an autonomous theater institution started in 1989 by State
Government was the brainchild of BV Karanth who became its first Director.

Rangayana consists of repertory company, Indian theater-training institute, Sriranga documentation and research centre
and Ranga Kishora. There are four stages at Rangayana named Vanaranga, Bhoomigeetha, Sriranga and Lankesh Art Gallery,
named after famous writer and journalist P Lankesh. There are 18 artists and three teachers selected from various
parts of State. It also provides vocational training for teachers, amateur theater artists and enthusiasts.

Balbhavan cries for attention

Balbhavan started in the year 1979 is in a dilapidated condition. With the ceiling falling off at places as also the plastering on the walls peeling off, it is urgently in need of repairs.It was opened when the late Devaraj Urs was the Chief Minister of the State, as a recreation centre for children.

While fungus is forming on the ceiling due to water seepage in some places even plants are beginning to take roots. Cracks can be seen almost eveywhere, especially at Bala Darshini Children Ranga Mandira is in a worst condition. Wood panels adorning the walls and even cupboards are falling off including the electrical switch boards.

As the Balbhavan does not receive any monetary aid either from the Government or the city Corporation for its maintenance and upkeeping, it has to depend entirely on the resources it mobilizes on its own. There are seven people working here which includes the driver of the toy train, who have been working on meager salaries earning less than Rs.2,500. While the income to the Balbhavan is not regular, except during weekends when most children visit to enjoy the ride on the toy-train.

Even though Mysore Zilla Panchayat CEO Sathyavathi is the President with the Kannada and Culture Department's Annegowda, MUDA Commissioner Betsurmath, MMC Commisioner KS Raikar, DDPI Nagendra and several other VIPs being the committee members, none seems to have any interest in maintaining the Balbhavan.

In-charge Officer Krishnamurthy said that though it comes under Women and Child Department, it is not been provided with any funds for its maintenance.

Deputy Director Vijay of the Women and Child Department said, "The current 30 year lease on the land where the Balbahavan is located, extending over 13 acres will be expiring shortly and steps will be taken to renew the same. Immediately after that, all repairs and other developmental works will be taken up."
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In addition to providing entertainment for children, Bal Bhavan creates awareness among them by imparting training in handicraft and arts, innovative science, literature, acting and many other fields. Children in the age group of 9 to 16 years are trained here who are later sent to compete in District and State level events. For the past three years it has continuously won the National Award in Science division.

Visitors-starved anthrapology museum is shut for visitors

The Southern Regional Centre of the Anthropological Survey of India, it appears has taken the issue of its museum not getting enough visitors rather casually. Instead of taking measures to draw people towards the museum that exhibits some of the rare human origins, genome and people of India, it has quietly shut its doors for the visitors.

The Manav Bhavan which has to be open for public on all working days, except Saturday, Sunday and on holidays, between 10 am to 5 pm, has been kept locked. If anyone want to visit the gallery, they have to take permission a day or two prior from the officers.



With the purpose to make the visitors and researchers aware of the rich cultural traditions of Indian communities, the Zonal Anthropological Museum was established in 1965 at Mysore. The museum collections are mainly from the geographical areas of four southern states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and two Union Territories Lakshadweep and Pondicherry.




From the past five decades the ZAM has preserved large number of ethnographic artifacts representing a wide range of heterogeneous cultural and heritage of the people of South India and the museum comprises of two galleries. First gallery (in the first floor) depicts a theme of people in South India Habitat, economy and culture' and the ground floor exhibits a rare varied material culture of tribal groups.

Nearby residents say, one has to undergo many formalities to visit the museum and almost always the museums will be kept locked. If its not opened for general public what use in preserving rare artifacts.



When Express, checked visiting the museum it was the same. The security guards near the gate said that `without prior permission no one is allowed inside.' When questioned why so they said that the rules are like that only in the museum. When checked the visitors books it was shocking to see that per day there only two-three persons have visited the museum, in which most of them had entered the purpose of meeting officers and not visiting museums.

According to sources of Manav Bhavan, there is only limited staff and only one care taker for the two galleries. Hardly when school children visit school he will be there to open the doors of museum.

Speaking to Express, Manav Bhavan Deputy Director said that from since 15 days he is working in the Bhavan and he takes initiatives to open the gallery in all weekdays.

Know the Historical churches which comes under Mysore Diocese

The Mysore district which is well-known for many historical places, as to its credit many historical churches. Under Mysore Diocese of four districts of Mysore, Mandya, Coorg and Chamarajanagara there are dozens of historical churches.

Among all, St Anne’s Church situated at Virajpet, is one of the oldest church which has a history of 219-years. According to Father Arogya Swamy the church belongs to 18th century. The first church was constructed in 1792 and later the present church is built in 1869 in Gothic style with the help of British Government.

The specialty of this 150 feet tall church is the six feet Panchaloha cross, which has brought from Paris. The church was constructed by french missionary father Guillone, and King Veera Rajendra. The present Archeology Museum at Madikeri, was earlier an Anglican Church built by Ror A Fennel in side the fort with Gothic Style. This is said to be 400-year-old church.

Two century old churches

* The Immaculate Conception Church situated at Ganjam, Srirangapatna was constructed in 1800 AD by a French Missionary Abbe Bubois. The specialty of this church is its houses a 200-year-old statue of Mother Marry and has a Indian and Western combined structure.

* Our Lady of Assumption Church at Pandavapura, built during the period of Tippu Sultan in gothic Style. Earlier Pandavapura was called as Hirode. Father David say it might be constructed in1869.

* St Anthony's Shrine at Doornahalli has a history of two centuries. The miraculous shrine of St Anthony was found to farmer 200 years ago, when he was ploughing the land.

* St Johns The Baptist Church at Palhalli, Mandya District constructed at 1859, after the demolition of 17th century old church and Sacred Heart Church in Nagavalli Village, Chamarajanagar was constructed in 1906. Hardwick Church is another old church located in Mysore.

In Mysore District, St Philomeans Church and St Bartholomew’s Church were built when the British were ruling India. St Philomena's Church which is the longest church in the country has a history of 139 years and has housed a relic of St Philomena. The foundation for the new church was laid by Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and has been built in neo-gothic style.

St Barholomew's Church which has a history of 177 years old was built by European residents in 1835. The land was gifted by Mysore King Krishnaraja Wadiyar III, in 1830 and by 1848 it became an exclusive Anglican church. The stained glass window depicting St Bartholomew donated by Mysore Maharaja was unveiled by Lady Wellington in 1930, during the centenary celebrations of the church. Prince of Wales King George V has has offered prayers in this Church in 1906.

Another, popular church in Mysore is 148 years old Wesley Cathedral Church. The mission was first established in 1839, after Mysore King Krishnaraja Wadiyar III sold the Escort Officers Bungalow (Press Bungalow) to Wesleyans. Built in 1895, this cathedral is the head of all the Protestant churches across district. The church was named after an American Priest John Wesley.

The St Gregorios Orthodox Church in Nazarbad contains relic of St Gregorios of Parumala, who is the first saint of Malankara Orthodox Church, which is also known as the Indian Orthodox Church. In Orthodox churches they lit campfire by using Palm leaves during rituals and preserve the ashes. Another Interesting part is in Orthodox churches is they use log strip of red coloured and not a crucified Christ.

75-year-old Churches.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Martealli Church.
St Joseph Church in PG Pally
Martalin Church In Kollegal.

A new lease of life for destitute children at 'Chinnara Thangudhama'

Here comes a cheerful news for destitute children. Under Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan, Education Department is launching a pioneer project in Mysore district named 'Chinnara Thangudhama'.
The project aims to provide free food and shelter for deprived children in the age group of 6 to 14 years providing them free boarding and lodging facilities.

The center houses children who have run away from houses; destitute children caught for non-serious offenses; children rescued from child labourers and also those who are freed from child traffickers. It also undertakes free health check-up and provides free education for the children housed here. Apart this, even children addicted to drinking, smoking, drugs and other vices will also be brought here and sent to drug De-addiction programmes which will be conducted by the Centre.

The government has already sanctioned an annual grant of Rs 15,20,000 for the maintenance of Thangudhama and has signed a MoU with a private NGO named Don Boscoe. The task is identifying the homeless and destitute children living within the limits of the Mysore City Corporation in places like Railway Station, Bus Stands, construction sites, market areas, places of worship like temples, mosques and churches, hotels, marriage halls, places of mining, theatres, slum areas, traffic junctions, small industries, workshops, garages and even those employed as domestic labourers.

The Thangudhama will be started in a rented building shortly and the initial amount released for the project is Rs 7 lakh, of which Rs 2,90,000 has already been paid to Don Bosco to trace the children. Don Boscoe is conducting survey in city since December 10 and the exact number of children identified will be available by December 25.

Under the Right to Education Act (RTE), in the total number of identified children, some of the the children will be sent to residential school and other to Chinnara Thangudhama. At present plans have been made to send about hundred children (boys and girls) who were already studying in 6th to 8th Standard to residential schools at Kannada Practicing School in Nazarbad and in the same some amount has also been transferred to the School SDMC Account.

In addition to Mysore, Chinnara Thangu Dhama has also been set up in other eight districts across the State, such as Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Tumkur, Davanagere and Bellary.

Speaking to Express Assistant Programme Co-ordinator for Samanvaya Yojana, Revanna Surendra, said, 'earlier dropout children were traced only through school records. Children who absented consecutively for three months from school were identified as drop-outs. Due to launch of the programme the destitute children will be traced and provided with food and shelter.

Woman bank to provide loans for Sthree Shakti members

Are you a woman entrepreneur planning to start a new venture, a small business, a home industry, but doesn't know where to ask for financial support. Here is some good news for you. The Mysore District Women Co-operative Bank, situated next to Sahakara Bhavana , has come out with several schemes exclusively for women seeking financial assistance to run their business or industry.

The Bank will provide loans to members of Sthree Shakti Organisations at nominal rate of interest to help them start their own business. In the beginning about 10 Sthree Shakti Organisations will be provided with the loan facility, which in the coming months will be extended to others. With 100 per cent loan recovery, the NPA (Non Performing Assets) of this bank is zero percent, for which even the RBI has expressed happiness for this feat.

The e-stamping facility which is currently available only in selected scheduled banks and co-operative societies, will be soon made available in this bank too. Bank President B Radha says, 'Most of the illiterate women who come from villages find it very difficult to get e-stamping done. Our bank staff will assist them to fill up the documents and avail the benefit of e-stamping instantly.'

The Bank is also providing Government sponsored Insurance scheme 'Yashaswini' available for farmers and their family members by collecting Rs 130 and a photo-copy RTC document. Says Radha, "Except for us, no other urban bank is providing this facility. Already 12 farmers have made insurance claims."

The Bank started in 1995 with a seed capital of Rs 25 lakh and with 3,000 members as share-holders, today does a turn over of Rs 18 crore. The bank follows RBI regulations and is governed by Karnataka Co-operative Act and Co-operative Departments.

This is the only Bank exclusively for women in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts with around 2,000 customers and 7,200 share-holders. About eight taluks like Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Nanjangud, Gundlupet, T Narasipura, Hunsur, KR Nagar and Kollegal taluks are covered by this bank.

President Radha said, 'Without insisting on too much documentation, we provide loans upto Rs 1 lakh for women. We primarily concentrate on illiterate women to help them provide better standards of living. In addition we provide home-loans, construction loans and small-business loans.'

MUDA has allotted 45000sqft land for the Bank in Adichunchanagiri Road, Kuvempunagar where the bank plans to open it's new branch shortly. For loans and other details contact 94483 42441 or 2445372.

She mimics 'sounds of nature'

Most mimicry artists imitate celebrities, but this woman mimicries mother nature. Forty seven year old Geetha Montadaka is the first woman in Karnataka to practice mimicry and to reproduce around 120 different sounds heard in nature.

The sounds she mimics are stunningly real, so much so that while imitating voices of peacock, dog and other animals for fun she was surprised when they actually responded back to her prank calls. Her imitation is so perfect that the animals get confused hearing her.

She can imitate with ease sounds of nature such as breeze, vehicle passing by, chirping of the birds , bullock carts trudging on a muddy road, bell-chimes, chants of suprabhatam, roaring of animals, barking of dogs, mewing of cats, claps of thunder, fluttering of leaves on trees and several others.

Hailing from a poor farmer family in Sulya, Dakshina Kannada, she started practicing this rare skill from a tender age in the forest nearby her house. In the beginning she began practicing to imitate birds and animals she saw. When she started getting back response from the birds it inspired her further to make it as an hobby.

In the meanwhile she got an offer from Rangayana and has been working there as an artist for the past 23 years, right from the time of its first Director BV Karanth. Being a stage artist she has appeared in several plays and has received over 500 awards that includes two State-level Awards. In order to completely involve herself in theater she had quit her Government job long back and is completely satisfied for making her career as an artist.

She has given performances all over India and also abroad including USA (1992), Germany and Austria (1995). She is very adept at narrating stories with sounds. She has also lend her mimicry talent to create awareness about AIDS among the public.

'What started as fun developed as a habit with lot of practice and became challenging as years went by. Most think mimicry is an art meant only for males. I wanted to show that even women can do it. I gave my first performance during my college days,' says Geeta. She hopes to popularlize the mimicry across country and make it popular among people.

She says Its a difficult for a women to sustain as a theater artist and thanked her husband Ganesh for his support. She said stage has thought has many things to her, specially to lead life.