The Sepulture of the Kannada scholar Basappa Shastry lies in ruins
It is a matter of pride that the princely State of Mysore during the reign of Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar Bahadur had adopted a state anthem, 'Nadageethe', that is even today offered as a prayer in some temples. But many may not be aware that this famous hymn beginning with the lines, "Kaayow Sri Gowri Karunalaharee...." praising Goddess Gowri was composed by a great palace scholar and litterateur named Vidwan Basappa Shastry (1843-1891).
So impressed was the King that he himself composed the music taking the help of Band Master Bartlus and court musician, the famous Veena exponent, Sheshanna. This Nadageethe would one day become an integral part of the daily prayers for the Kannadigas, so much so, that even school children sang it daily in the morning before the beginning of their classes.
Earlier on every occasion when the King visited a public function the song was sung to the accompaniment of musical instruments just as the King entered the venue and once again when he left. In those days one stanza of the song was being sung at every public function.Only after singing this, two lines of the British national anthem was sung.
Basappa Shastry, a great scholar in both Kannada and Sanskrit, was bestowed with the title 'Abhinava Kalidasa'. When he was 18 years old he composed 'Krishnarajabhyudaya' in praise of the then ruler of Mysore Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar and later became a tutor for Chamaraja Wadiyar. He later became the court scholar and Chief Priest (Rajapurohit) of Mysore Palace. In all he wrote 28 scholarly works of which 11 were translated and the remaining 17 were independent works of his own ( 5 in Kannada and 12 in Sanskrit).
But it is extremely unfortunate that his entombment place is today lying in a dilapidated condition, with weeds growing all over the place in main road of Mysore-Bangalore Road, next to LIC office in Bannimantap.
The cement pillars blocks have been fallen, with his name painted 'Sri Abhinava Kalidasa Basavappa Shastrigala Smaraka Bhavana' on one of the cement slabs is all that remains as a mute testimony of this once great scholar.
His grave has become a meeting place for gamblers and dunkards who frequent it everyday. The place needs to be cleaned, covered with green lawn along with a stone tablet inscribed with the famous devotional hymn that was once sung as a State Anthem. The civic authorities should clean this place and make it a beautiful monument as a remembrance for our future generations and save our heritage.
Speaking to Express Resident of Bannimantap Hema said that `corporations is planning to protect historical monuments but has failed to protest the great scholar memory. At least the officials should come and clean this place once in 15 days.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Fusion of Tanjore and Traditional Mysore painting by Anand
“I am not merely passionate about painting but for me it is a means to attain perfection and I enjoy the spiritual dimension in it," says Anand, a dexterous artist who creates wonders in both Mysore traditional and Tanjore style of paintings by using water and oil paintings.
39-year-old artist MS Anand started his career as a commercial painter, he later, switched over to the traditional Mysore style painting as he noticed the art was gradually vanishing with very few practicing it. He has mastered it's technique and style so perfectly that he has even begun to experiment with it expressing his new ideas but always remaining within the boundaries of tradition. He uses 22K gold foil for his paintings.
After completing Bachelor in Fine Arts at CAVA, he has did diploma in Tanjore style of painting at Chettinadu and thereafter he learnt Mysore traditional painting at Chennai Ashram. Having made up his mind to popularize traditional Mysore style painting, he has completely dedicated himself on it for the past 16 years. His paintings have already won seven Dasara awards and several State awards.
According to Anand, painting in the Mysore style is still done today abiding by the rules and customs being followed since decades, like for example, most artists don't dare to paint eye lashes in their paintings for fear of violating the tradition. But Anand stands apart from the rest, creating his own style, by painting smiling faces with eye lashes in all his paintings.
He has a number of students from abroad coming from England, USA, Yugoslavia, Scotland, Australia, Japan and Thailand learning the miniature style of Mysore and Tanjore paintings at his residence located on Kshetraiah Road in KR Mohalla. So far Anand has taught more than 600 students and feels happy to pass on his knowledge to others.
After learning the art in a span of just 40 days, most of his foreign students have purchased two to three paintings to carry it back to their country, says Anand who has sold around 1200 paintings so far. The size of the painting starts from 12x15cm to a maximum of 24x30cm.
Most of his paintings are of Gods and Goddesses like Ganesha, Shiva, Radha Krishna, Venkateshwara, Durga, among which is also a portrait of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. His master piece works are Vamana Avatar and Virata Vishwaroopa.
He is also good in photography. So far he has auctioned about 300 paintings and has donated the proceeds to NGO. Apart this, he holds free training camps and dreams of making life-size paintings. Anand is assisted by his wife Devi in the embossing works.
"Mysore traditional paintings are in great demand in places like Mumbai and Tanjore. But unfortunately the art is vanishing in Mysore. Government should recruit teachers to teach the dying art,' says Anand.
39-year-old artist MS Anand started his career as a commercial painter, he later, switched over to the traditional Mysore style painting as he noticed the art was gradually vanishing with very few practicing it. He has mastered it's technique and style so perfectly that he has even begun to experiment with it expressing his new ideas but always remaining within the boundaries of tradition. He uses 22K gold foil for his paintings.
After completing Bachelor in Fine Arts at CAVA, he has did diploma in Tanjore style of painting at Chettinadu and thereafter he learnt Mysore traditional painting at Chennai Ashram. Having made up his mind to popularize traditional Mysore style painting, he has completely dedicated himself on it for the past 16 years. His paintings have already won seven Dasara awards and several State awards.
According to Anand, painting in the Mysore style is still done today abiding by the rules and customs being followed since decades, like for example, most artists don't dare to paint eye lashes in their paintings for fear of violating the tradition. But Anand stands apart from the rest, creating his own style, by painting smiling faces with eye lashes in all his paintings.
He has a number of students from abroad coming from England, USA, Yugoslavia, Scotland, Australia, Japan and Thailand learning the miniature style of Mysore and Tanjore paintings at his residence located on Kshetraiah Road in KR Mohalla. So far Anand has taught more than 600 students and feels happy to pass on his knowledge to others.
After learning the art in a span of just 40 days, most of his foreign students have purchased two to three paintings to carry it back to their country, says Anand who has sold around 1200 paintings so far. The size of the painting starts from 12x15cm to a maximum of 24x30cm.
Most of his paintings are of Gods and Goddesses like Ganesha, Shiva, Radha Krishna, Venkateshwara, Durga, among which is also a portrait of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. His master piece works are Vamana Avatar and Virata Vishwaroopa.
He is also good in photography. So far he has auctioned about 300 paintings and has donated the proceeds to NGO. Apart this, he holds free training camps and dreams of making life-size paintings. Anand is assisted by his wife Devi in the embossing works.
"Mysore traditional paintings are in great demand in places like Mumbai and Tanjore. But unfortunately the art is vanishing in Mysore. Government should recruit teachers to teach the dying art,' says Anand.
This 10-year-old wants to create awareness on ecological agriculture
Here is a child prodigy who has made the best of circumstances and opportunities available around her at the early age and as made a mark.
Masanagari Mayuri, a ten year old village dalit kid residing at the Deccan Development Society in Hyderabad has made two documentaries, Dhanwarlo O' Avva (A grandma in Dhanwar) and Naa Chenu, Naa Cheduvu (My Farm, My School), when she was just eight years old !
Her first film Dhanwarlo O' Avva has already received wide applause from several people across the country. It was premiered at Vibgyor International Film Festival held at Thrissur in 2009 while her second film, Naa Chenu, Naa Cheduvu was selected for the opening film at International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT).
Armed with a notebook, hanging a still camera to her neck and a video camera in her hand, she is in city to attend the one-day meet on 'Mysore Heritage City – GMO Free city' organised by SAGE on August 27 at 5.30 pm at SP Bhat Auditorium.
Born into a Dalit family, her parents Narsimlu and Punyamma are landless farm labourers in Mayuri of Pastapur village in Medak District of Andhra Pradesh. She is studying 6th standard at the Government Primary school in her village.
When Express questioned her as to what attracted her to make a documentary, she said that it was interest in agricultural that motivated her to make a documentary and click pictures.
Speaking about her documentary of 80-year-old woman she said, "In 2009, during my winter holidays, I visited the farm house of one Ratnavva in Dhanwar village with my camera. Watching her grow various types of vegetables and crops in her farm, as she never bought anything from the market, the thought of making a film about her occurred to me." and added thoughtfully after a pause, "How nice it would be if all of us were like her."
`While working for my next documentary, `Naa Chenu, Naa Cheduvu', I regularly visited the farm every week, observing and recording everything, from the time it was sowed to till the time it was harvested. There were many things I didn't understand as the crops grew in the fields, but I took the help of my grandparents and began to learn about the crops.'
Naa Chenu, Naa Cheduvu is a good example of how ordinary common knowledge can be explained in a simple way, especially for kids of the present Internet generation also called Generation, without depending on the elders, novel ways of educating rural children, making their own farmlands into practical workshops supplementing with what they read in the text books.
Explaining how she learnt to operate a video camera at such an young age, she said, `I learnt how to handle a digital camera when I was four years old. I began shooting pictures of people and things around me. I wrote photo essays for fun in the beginning, but later as the quality of photographs improved, I began taking it seriously.'
`As my aunt Chinna Narsamma is a pioneer filmmaker, while my uncle Yesu is a video editor they taught me all the necessary things. I spent most of my childhood playing in the editing room of the Community Media Trust started by my aunt and her friends, all of which helped me in my endeavor,' she said and added, "First I learnt how to operate small video camera and during weekends, I learnt how to make short two minute video clips."
Mayuri aspiring to become an agriculture journalist want to create awareness on ecological agriculture and interested in photography. In the meanwhile she is also learning vocal and Hindustani music.
Masanagari Mayuri, a ten year old village dalit kid residing at the Deccan Development Society in Hyderabad has made two documentaries, Dhanwarlo O' Avva (A grandma in Dhanwar) and Naa Chenu, Naa Cheduvu (My Farm, My School), when she was just eight years old !
Her first film Dhanwarlo O' Avva has already received wide applause from several people across the country. It was premiered at Vibgyor International Film Festival held at Thrissur in 2009 while her second film, Naa Chenu, Naa Cheduvu was selected for the opening film at International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT).
Armed with a notebook, hanging a still camera to her neck and a video camera in her hand, she is in city to attend the one-day meet on 'Mysore Heritage City – GMO Free city' organised by SAGE on August 27 at 5.30 pm at SP Bhat Auditorium.
Born into a Dalit family, her parents Narsimlu and Punyamma are landless farm labourers in Mayuri of Pastapur village in Medak District of Andhra Pradesh. She is studying 6th standard at the Government Primary school in her village.
When Express questioned her as to what attracted her to make a documentary, she said that it was interest in agricultural that motivated her to make a documentary and click pictures.
Speaking about her documentary of 80-year-old woman she said, "In 2009, during my winter holidays, I visited the farm house of one Ratnavva in Dhanwar village with my camera. Watching her grow various types of vegetables and crops in her farm, as she never bought anything from the market, the thought of making a film about her occurred to me." and added thoughtfully after a pause, "How nice it would be if all of us were like her."
`While working for my next documentary, `Naa Chenu, Naa Cheduvu', I regularly visited the farm every week, observing and recording everything, from the time it was sowed to till the time it was harvested. There were many things I didn't understand as the crops grew in the fields, but I took the help of my grandparents and began to learn about the crops.'
Naa Chenu, Naa Cheduvu is a good example of how ordinary common knowledge can be explained in a simple way, especially for kids of the present Internet generation also called Generation, without depending on the elders, novel ways of educating rural children, making their own farmlands into practical workshops supplementing with what they read in the text books.
Explaining how she learnt to operate a video camera at such an young age, she said, `I learnt how to handle a digital camera when I was four years old. I began shooting pictures of people and things around me. I wrote photo essays for fun in the beginning, but later as the quality of photographs improved, I began taking it seriously.'
`As my aunt Chinna Narsamma is a pioneer filmmaker, while my uncle Yesu is a video editor they taught me all the necessary things. I spent most of my childhood playing in the editing room of the Community Media Trust started by my aunt and her friends, all of which helped me in my endeavor,' she said and added, "First I learnt how to operate small video camera and during weekends, I learnt how to make short two minute video clips."
Mayuri aspiring to become an agriculture journalist want to create awareness on ecological agriculture and interested in photography. In the meanwhile she is also learning vocal and Hindustani music.
Raja Marga still a distance dream to Mysoreans
Work has come to halt on the city's ambitious project
With Mysore Dasara fast approaching and the city sporting a heritage tag, the number of tourists visiting the city to witness the Nada Habba has been steadily on the rise year after year. But is the city geared up for hosting this annual event. All repair works that are being undertaken are going on in a snail's pace and neither the City Corporation nor the District Administration seem to be worried.
It was during last year's Dasara that the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) had prepared an ambitious project to develop the stretch of four kilometer road between Hardinge Circle and Bannimantap to be converted into a 'Raja Marga' (Royal Path) and took up the road widening work in Bannimantap, but with another Dasara fast approaching the work on the road is far from completion. They have not even bothered to clear the heap of debris lying on the side of the road for over an year.
`To make Raja Marga, road widening work began last year. But the officials have neither completed the road nor have cleared the debris. During night the commuters have to step very carefully. Specially if they are accompanied with children its more dangerous,' says Lakshmi an employee.
No 'Raja Marga' for this Dasara: Raikar
Though work on the Raja Marga between Hardinge and Chamaraja Circles has been going on for the past several months, the work has not been completed for this year Dasara.
District in-charge Minister SA Ramdas had announced completion of Raja marga connection Chamraja circle and Hoarding circle before dasara nothing concrete has taken shape to keep up the assurance . There are no proper parking facilities for the tourists coming in their own vehicles or hired buses as the proposed parking lots at several places in the city are still on the drawing board.
When Express contacted City Commissioner Commissioner KS Raikar, he said that during Dasara portion of Raja Marga will be kept open for commuters. He further added that the present design for the stone barricade is expensive and the Corporation is trying to find other companies to get done the work.
`To make Raja Marge before Dasara, all traffic was diverted resulting in lot of hardship for the commuters. If the work has not complete means that all the time and money spent on working on this road in addition to the fuel lost while commuters had to take circuitous routes to reach their destinations has all gone waste,' says Auto Drivers Venkatesh and Mahadevappa.
'Knowing their responsibilities the concerned authorities should work for the development of city, but the civic authorities are only worried about getting awards. Not a single road in the city is in good condition. The authorities have failed to maintain good road at least in Dasara Procession route, said Senior Citizen Govindappa.
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Bicycle track before Dasara
In a bid to keep heart of the city free of pollution and reduce the traffic density, plans have been from JNNURM Task Force to introduce Cycle Track in the Heritage Zone before this Dasara. The Cycle Track will pass through the 30 heritage buildings including the Amba Vilas Palace.
Urban Development Department Secretary Shivakumar said that Bicycle Path in city will be a pilot project and the paths have been divided into three classes like Bike Path, Bike Lane and Bike Route.
Bike Path will be Completely separate from traffic, while in Bike Lane a separate lane will be set aside and in Bike Route purportedly city streets will be connected from one place to another.
With Mysore Dasara fast approaching and the city sporting a heritage tag, the number of tourists visiting the city to witness the Nada Habba has been steadily on the rise year after year. But is the city geared up for hosting this annual event. All repair works that are being undertaken are going on in a snail's pace and neither the City Corporation nor the District Administration seem to be worried.
It was during last year's Dasara that the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) had prepared an ambitious project to develop the stretch of four kilometer road between Hardinge Circle and Bannimantap to be converted into a 'Raja Marga' (Royal Path) and took up the road widening work in Bannimantap, but with another Dasara fast approaching the work on the road is far from completion. They have not even bothered to clear the heap of debris lying on the side of the road for over an year.
`To make Raja Marga, road widening work began last year. But the officials have neither completed the road nor have cleared the debris. During night the commuters have to step very carefully. Specially if they are accompanied with children its more dangerous,' says Lakshmi an employee.
No 'Raja Marga' for this Dasara: Raikar
Though work on the Raja Marga between Hardinge and Chamaraja Circles has been going on for the past several months, the work has not been completed for this year Dasara.
District in-charge Minister SA Ramdas had announced completion of Raja marga connection Chamraja circle and Hoarding circle before dasara nothing concrete has taken shape to keep up the assurance . There are no proper parking facilities for the tourists coming in their own vehicles or hired buses as the proposed parking lots at several places in the city are still on the drawing board.
When Express contacted City Commissioner Commissioner KS Raikar, he said that during Dasara portion of Raja Marga will be kept open for commuters. He further added that the present design for the stone barricade is expensive and the Corporation is trying to find other companies to get done the work.
`To make Raja Marge before Dasara, all traffic was diverted resulting in lot of hardship for the commuters. If the work has not complete means that all the time and money spent on working on this road in addition to the fuel lost while commuters had to take circuitous routes to reach their destinations has all gone waste,' says Auto Drivers Venkatesh and Mahadevappa.
'Knowing their responsibilities the concerned authorities should work for the development of city, but the civic authorities are only worried about getting awards. Not a single road in the city is in good condition. The authorities have failed to maintain good road at least in Dasara Procession route, said Senior Citizen Govindappa.
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Bicycle track before Dasara
In a bid to keep heart of the city free of pollution and reduce the traffic density, plans have been from JNNURM Task Force to introduce Cycle Track in the Heritage Zone before this Dasara. The Cycle Track will pass through the 30 heritage buildings including the Amba Vilas Palace.
Urban Development Department Secretary Shivakumar said that Bicycle Path in city will be a pilot project and the paths have been divided into three classes like Bike Path, Bike Lane and Bike Route.
Bike Path will be Completely separate from traffic, while in Bike Lane a separate lane will be set aside and in Bike Route purportedly city streets will be connected from one place to another.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Uttanahalli Temple needs basic facilities
Sri Tripurasundari Amma Temple famously known as Uttanahalli Temple, which is situated about 7 km from Mysore city amidst greenery, which attracts hundreds of devotees needs basic facilities.
The Goddess Tripurasundari said to be as sister of Goddess Chamundeshwari. Some people offer animals for sacred and prepare food and discard the waste materials here itself.
If one visits this temple, can have a look how the temple is surrounded with garbage. When the wind blows the discarded leaves spreads throughout surrounding places, polluting the whole area. When it rains the garbage gets decomposed and emits bad foul.
There is a small water tank constructed in temple premises and most of the people use that water for cooking, washing, cleaning and eat the prasadam in the temple premises itself.
There is no proper dustbin throughout the temple premises and the garbage has been pelted with discarded eating leaves throughout the temple premises. When wind blows the dry leaves mix with wind and spreads across the small village where a section of people living.
Speaking to Express, Devotee Venkatesh said that `city is growing and numbers of people visiting this place is also increasing. This is the mean time, the authorities should come forward make arrangements to clean this surrounding places at least once in a week.
Villager Rukmaniam said `after having food as its open place most of the people through eatables and leaves there itself inviting domestic animals. There are incidents where domestic animals have been given treatment for eating these garbage.
`As the temple is situated below Chamundi Hill and out of city skirts, we can experience a cool and good breeze here. Most of them visit this place to have good breeze it self. But now-a-days when the wind blows we experience dust rising. Officials should place dustbins here and clean the premises at least once in a week,' said another devotee Prakash hailing from Mandya.
Reduce slipper charges
`Apart from cleaning, on rush days additional buses should be ply here specially on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. For slippers the tender persons are collecting Rs 2 per pair which is not fair. If we visit ten number from family we have to pay Rs 20 which is quite expensive.
The Goddess Tripurasundari said to be as sister of Goddess Chamundeshwari. Some people offer animals for sacred and prepare food and discard the waste materials here itself.
If one visits this temple, can have a look how the temple is surrounded with garbage. When the wind blows the discarded leaves spreads throughout surrounding places, polluting the whole area. When it rains the garbage gets decomposed and emits bad foul.
There is a small water tank constructed in temple premises and most of the people use that water for cooking, washing, cleaning and eat the prasadam in the temple premises itself.
There is no proper dustbin throughout the temple premises and the garbage has been pelted with discarded eating leaves throughout the temple premises. When wind blows the dry leaves mix with wind and spreads across the small village where a section of people living.
Speaking to Express, Devotee Venkatesh said that `city is growing and numbers of people visiting this place is also increasing. This is the mean time, the authorities should come forward make arrangements to clean this surrounding places at least once in a week.
Villager Rukmaniam said `after having food as its open place most of the people through eatables and leaves there itself inviting domestic animals. There are incidents where domestic animals have been given treatment for eating these garbage.
`As the temple is situated below Chamundi Hill and out of city skirts, we can experience a cool and good breeze here. Most of them visit this place to have good breeze it self. But now-a-days when the wind blows we experience dust rising. Officials should place dustbins here and clean the premises at least once in a week,' said another devotee Prakash hailing from Mandya.
Reduce slipper charges
`Apart from cleaning, on rush days additional buses should be ply here specially on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. For slippers the tender persons are collecting Rs 2 per pair which is not fair. If we visit ten number from family we have to pay Rs 20 which is quite expensive.
WeMove Theatre’s Namma Metro
WeMove a theatre troupe formed in early 2010 comprises mainly youth in their twenties. They have so far staged eight plays and ‘Namma Metro' will be the ninth. One of their previous play was ‘Malgudi Daze', based on an adaptation of R K Narayan's Malgudi Days.
Their latest play ‘Namma Metro' is about life in Bangalore, a city that has changed rapidly due to globalization and urbanization, but still retains bits of old charm. The play revolves around the lives of 4 people who symbolize a cross-section of society living in Bangalore – an old man with communist leanings, a twenty-something techie who is a sculptor, a bank clerk who believes in astrology and a peanut seller who dreams of winning a lottery.
The play opens in a unique style, presenting the characters as ordinary people amongst us we see daily in our lives. A chance meeting of the four on a bench under the shade of a tree, eventually leads to sharing their personal lives detailing their struggles for survival.
Suresh, employed as a bank clerk, works hard to meet his wife's materialistic demands, is unable to come to terms with his daughter's aspirations of becoming a model. The young software techie who aspires to become a sculptor is forced to forego her dreams by an over bearing mother whose sole aim is to get her married off to a guy settled abroad. The peanut seller who recently lost his wife and child in a flyover collapse is fighting to get compensation money from the corrupt government official. The old man talk about his descent in his faith in the Left thanks to a mysterious young man.
The title, 'Namma Metro'chosen for the play works on different levels. It is indeed the story of our metro city, Bangalore. But the play on the words, and its link to the Namma Metro project, becomes obvious at the end of the play. The play ends engaging the audience to think of their own lives as they watch the drama of the ordinary people unfold on stage, agreeing rather implicitly the changing lifestyle of Bangaloreans.
The narrator comments that the characters in the play, though all of them were living in Bangalore, were so engrossed with their lives that they never went a step ahead and thought about how the city they were living in affected their lives. Much like the city's Metro work, the characters' too lived a ‘life in progress'.
Though the characterization appears to be very “typical”, they are certainly endearing, and the audience connects to them very well. Sometimes the characters surprise the audience with their knowledge of what is deemed as ‘not their domain’. On probing deeper, the stereotypes fade away.
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The play is a mix of comedy and drama. With perfect co-ordination and flawless dialogue delivery, all roles endear the audience.The dialogues contain plenty of puns and alliterations in Kannada, adding to the amusement of the audience.
The soulful title song, Bengalooru Badalagu Chooru, is composed by Abhishek Narain with lyrics written by SriHarsha Grama and Abhijit Mahesh. The song is played between scenes to ensure that the play progresses at a fast pace and is closer to reality. The set designed by Hanu Ramsanjeev, makes use of the space intelligently. The centre stage is the meeting point for the characters, while the periphery is used by each character to narrate their stories. The play was written and directed by Abhishek Iyengar.
On Stage: Sri Harsha Grama, Rangaraj Bhatracharya, Nagashree D M, Hanu Ramsanjeev, Madhuvanthi G, Anup Shenoy, Srikanth Bhatracharya, Ranjan Sidappa and Divyashree.
Creating masterpieces with discarded stones
For most of us stones lying by the road side appears like an eyesore and an unwanted distraction, but for this 31-year-old artist it appears like resourceful objects for his artwork. Making use of these odd shaped stones lying by
the roadside, he creates wonderful pieces of art.
AR Manjunath is the artiste who creates sculptures out of stones collected from footpaths and road side curbs. He has created a unique collection of around 35 sculptures, all chiselled and carved and out of pieces of granite, discarded on the roadside. To give final touches for the hard stones, he has even buffed them.
Manjunath who has done MFA in Sculpture (2009) and BFA in Painting (2004), both from the Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA) Mysore, has exhibited his artworks several times at Chitrakala Parishat, Bangalore, sculpture camp at Gatta Art Village, Raichur and also at National Sculpture camp 2010 held at Kannada University, Hampi.
He has bagged this year's Karnataka Shilpakala Academy State Award, which was presented to him on May 31 at Ravindra Kalakshetra. Hailing from Bilikere, Manjunath while commuting daily to Mysore for his studies began collecting various types of stones, especially granite stones that were chipped off while making stone slabs for construction works. Working on the collection, he began creating his artworks.
Speaking to Express, he said that ` I was then doing my BFA in Painting. One day on my way to college I noticed people working on bypass road near Belikere. Red coloured stones with splashes of white and black caught my attention. Till then I was working in the world of two dimensional paintings.
The thought of doing MFA in Sculpture occurred to me then when I started collecting these stones.
`Later I worked on three-dimensional artworks in sculpting and started creating object by shaping hard materials and forming visually interesting objects from stone,' says Manjunath.
`The stones available in plenty by the road side is very hard and takes long time to work on it. Finally to give smooth texture to these stones, I have done some machinery work on them,' he adds.
'As the stones available in the market are quite expensive, I never go in search of stone blocks for my artworks, instead, I make use of only those which are available in nature in plenty. I practiced carving stones lying by the
roadside or those left discarded in front of buildings under construction.'
`There are several stones of varying hues and shapes occurring naturally and I have made use of such multi-colour, especially two colour stones, for most of my artworks,' says Manjunath with proud.
While inviting more number of students to come forward and enroll for such sculpture courses, he adds, `Most youngsters of today don't like sculpting, because creating a single sculpture requires patience, hard work and lot of time.'
Sculptures is an important form of art and attract large number of public attention. One should have talent to give shape for discarded stones and use the two-colour stones properly while carving.
In future he plans to continue his sculpting and carving and eventually to open a full-fledged art studio to train artists in making sculptures. Presently he has set up a studio in Vijayanagar.
Manjunath who is equally good in creating paintings, conducts Art classes for children during summer vacation and teaches them about clay modeling, painting, sculpting and drawing.
Jewellery designing has become a much sought after career
Buying in gold jewellery is a much delightful event for Indians. With the prices of gold skyrocketing it has turned out into a good investment option too. Jewellery designing has become a much sought after career as there is a good demand for the jewelery artisans.
Here is a golden opportunity, specially for the physically challenged, who can be trained in jewellery designing. JSS Polytechnic for the Differently Abled JSSPDA has been setup exclusively to provide skilled training to handicapped people who can meet the demand of the ever-growing jewellery industry.
Started in 2001, JSSPDA has now become an integral part of jewellery industry with a large number of students enrolled for the course and trained by well experienced staff. Recently, the Institution was awarded with `The Best Gems and Jewellery Education Institute in Karnataka at the South India Jewellery Show.'
A 3 year Diploma course in Jewellery and Accessory designing was started with the support of World Gold Council, an international non profit organization involved in jewellery production technology and promotional activities with the intention to meet the demands of the industry.
The minimum qualification for enrollment is SSLC. The course is open to all those with creative skills and an interest in designing. The students will be exposed to all the latest technologies in the field, which would be quite helpful to them once they enter the industry.
Computer Science, Electronics & Communication, Architecture, Commercial Practice are the other courses that are being offered apart from the Jewellery Design and Technology for orthopaedically handicapped as well as hearing impaired students.
Techniques such as alloying, stone setting, investment casting, jewellery finishing, gold refining and assaying, gemmology, scrap recovery, workshop management and jewellery marketing are included in the curriculum.
The course helps students to learn the trade, while professionals already in the business can upgrade their skills, keeping in pace with the latest technical developments in the industry.
Another advantage of the course is that it gives a practical classes to students to make ornaments like necklace, bangle, earring, ring and tilak - in silver in the final semester of their course.
The institution is further helping to continue and complete their higher education by providing basic facilities like lodging, boarding, books etc free of cost or sometimes at a nominal fee irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
Prominent jewellers in the industry like Gitanjali, Reliance, Suraj Diamonds and Jewellery, Tanishq, Ganjam Nagappa and Sons, Chemmanur Jewellers, Vouge Institute of Fashion, VIS Park, CKC and Sons, Peakok, Swarnamandir, Senham Jewels are among the regular recruiters for skilled artisans from JSSPDA.
Speaking to Express Principal Nanjundaswamy said that `this is the first polytechnic of its kind in the country to offer a three year duration diploma course in jewellery designing and technology specially for the handicapped, which has a huge demand for students pursuing jewellery design course in the private sector.
SS Shivakumar, Head of the Department said that `About 80 per cent of students enrolling the course being hearing impaired. Students are thought Computer Graphics, CAD, Digital Photography, 3 Dimensional designs, free hand and technical drawings.'
This project helps private firms identify the best students informed Shivakumar and says proudly that a student of the institute, who designed one of the best designs, is now earning good salary and have been settled in Dubai.
----------
Jewellery designing has become a much sought after career
Purchasing glittering gold jewellery is a much delighted event for Indians. With the prices of gold skyrocketing it has turned out into a good investment option too. Jewellery designing has become a much sought after career as there is a good demand for the jewelery artisans.
Here is a golden opportunity, specially for the physically challenged, who can be trained in jewellery designing. JSS Polytechnic for the Differently Abled, JSSPDA has been setup exclusively to provide skilled training to handicapped people who can meet the demand of the ever-growing jewellery industry.
Started in 2001, JSSPDA has now become an integral part of jewellery industry and till date about 124 students have been trained here. About 90 of them have been already employed by reputed jeweler companies in Bangalore, Dubai, Coimbatore and Hyderabad.
Students hailing from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh apart from Bangalore and Mysore are undergoing training here. Computer Science, Electronics & Communication, Architecture, Commercial Practice are the other courses that are being offered apart from Jewellery Design and Technology for students who are either orthopaedically handicapped or hearing impaired.
Techniques such as alloying, stone setting, casting, jewellery finishing, gold refining and assaying are taught in addition to gemmology, scrap-gold recovery, workshop management and jewellery marketing as part of the curriculum.
Prominent industies like Gitanjali, Reliance, Suraj Diamonds, Tanishq, Ganjam Nagappa and Sons, Chemmanur Jewellers, Vouge Institute of Fashion, VIS Park, CKC and Sons, Peakok, Swarnamandir, Senham Jewels are among the regular recruiters for skilled artisans from JSSPDA.
SS Shivakumar, Head of the Department said `About 80 per cent of students enrolling for the course are hearing impaired. Students are taught using Computer Graphics, CAD, Digital Photography, 3 Dimensional designs, free hand and technical drawings.'
This helps private firms identify talented students informed Shivakumar and revealed that a student of the institute, who designed one of the best designs, is now earning good salary after getting employed in Dubai.
Speaking to Express Harish who is working for a Diamond unit in Bangalore, said that `the course is very useful and the advantage is that it gives practical training to students to make ornaments like necklace, bangle, earring, ring and tilak - in silver in the final semester of the course. Apart from this teachers also impart special training explaining technical terms to hearing impaired students with the help of sign language .'
Gone are the days when physically challenged were seen working only in STD booths. Now the days have changed. Jewellery profession doesn’t need much physical effort but only creativity which ideally suits the differently abled. Moreover students who undergo training are comparatively more creative; they fair far better than the normal ones,’ says goldsmith Kumar.
`We get orders only from regular customers as we don’t know computer designing. I think in future there will be no traditional goldsmiths as only trained artisans will be recruited. If our children want to continue the profession in this challenging world I advised to update , says Vinod Shetty another veteran artisan.
To meet the customer demands, new designs is the need of the hour and we cant compromise in business. If people ask for latest designs and keeping our business promotion in mind we have to recruit knowledgeable persons, says Jewellery Mart Owner Nagaraj.
Here is a golden opportunity, specially for the physically challenged, who can be trained in jewellery designing. JSS Polytechnic for the Differently Abled JSSPDA has been setup exclusively to provide skilled training to handicapped people who can meet the demand of the ever-growing jewellery industry.
Started in 2001, JSSPDA has now become an integral part of jewellery industry with a large number of students enrolled for the course and trained by well experienced staff. Recently, the Institution was awarded with `The Best Gems and Jewellery Education Institute in Karnataka at the South India Jewellery Show.'
A 3 year Diploma course in Jewellery and Accessory designing was started with the support of World Gold Council, an international non profit organization involved in jewellery production technology and promotional activities with the intention to meet the demands of the industry.
The minimum qualification for enrollment is SSLC. The course is open to all those with creative skills and an interest in designing. The students will be exposed to all the latest technologies in the field, which would be quite helpful to them once they enter the industry.
Computer Science, Electronics & Communication, Architecture, Commercial Practice are the other courses that are being offered apart from the Jewellery Design and Technology for orthopaedically handicapped as well as hearing impaired students.
Techniques such as alloying, stone setting, investment casting, jewellery finishing, gold refining and assaying, gemmology, scrap recovery, workshop management and jewellery marketing are included in the curriculum.
The course helps students to learn the trade, while professionals already in the business can upgrade their skills, keeping in pace with the latest technical developments in the industry.
Another advantage of the course is that it gives a practical classes to students to make ornaments like necklace, bangle, earring, ring and tilak - in silver in the final semester of their course.
The institution is further helping to continue and complete their higher education by providing basic facilities like lodging, boarding, books etc free of cost or sometimes at a nominal fee irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
Prominent jewellers in the industry like Gitanjali, Reliance, Suraj Diamonds and Jewellery, Tanishq, Ganjam Nagappa and Sons, Chemmanur Jewellers, Vouge Institute of Fashion, VIS Park, CKC and Sons, Peakok, Swarnamandir, Senham Jewels are among the regular recruiters for skilled artisans from JSSPDA.
Speaking to Express Principal Nanjundaswamy said that `this is the first polytechnic of its kind in the country to offer a three year duration diploma course in jewellery designing and technology specially for the handicapped, which has a huge demand for students pursuing jewellery design course in the private sector.
SS Shivakumar, Head of the Department said that `About 80 per cent of students enrolling the course being hearing impaired. Students are thought Computer Graphics, CAD, Digital Photography, 3 Dimensional designs, free hand and technical drawings.'
This project helps private firms identify the best students informed Shivakumar and says proudly that a student of the institute, who designed one of the best designs, is now earning good salary and have been settled in Dubai.
----------
Jewellery designing has become a much sought after career
Purchasing glittering gold jewellery is a much delighted event for Indians. With the prices of gold skyrocketing it has turned out into a good investment option too. Jewellery designing has become a much sought after career as there is a good demand for the jewelery artisans.
Here is a golden opportunity, specially for the physically challenged, who can be trained in jewellery designing. JSS Polytechnic for the Differently Abled, JSSPDA has been setup exclusively to provide skilled training to handicapped people who can meet the demand of the ever-growing jewellery industry.
Started in 2001, JSSPDA has now become an integral part of jewellery industry and till date about 124 students have been trained here. About 90 of them have been already employed by reputed jeweler companies in Bangalore, Dubai, Coimbatore and Hyderabad.
Students hailing from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh apart from Bangalore and Mysore are undergoing training here. Computer Science, Electronics & Communication, Architecture, Commercial Practice are the other courses that are being offered apart from Jewellery Design and Technology for students who are either orthopaedically handicapped or hearing impaired.
Techniques such as alloying, stone setting, casting, jewellery finishing, gold refining and assaying are taught in addition to gemmology, scrap-gold recovery, workshop management and jewellery marketing as part of the curriculum.
Prominent industies like Gitanjali, Reliance, Suraj Diamonds, Tanishq, Ganjam Nagappa and Sons, Chemmanur Jewellers, Vouge Institute of Fashion, VIS Park, CKC and Sons, Peakok, Swarnamandir, Senham Jewels are among the regular recruiters for skilled artisans from JSSPDA.
SS Shivakumar, Head of the Department said `About 80 per cent of students enrolling for the course are hearing impaired. Students are taught using Computer Graphics, CAD, Digital Photography, 3 Dimensional designs, free hand and technical drawings.'
This helps private firms identify talented students informed Shivakumar and revealed that a student of the institute, who designed one of the best designs, is now earning good salary after getting employed in Dubai.
Speaking to Express Harish who is working for a Diamond unit in Bangalore, said that `the course is very useful and the advantage is that it gives practical training to students to make ornaments like necklace, bangle, earring, ring and tilak - in silver in the final semester of the course. Apart from this teachers also impart special training explaining technical terms to hearing impaired students with the help of sign language .'
Gone are the days when physically challenged were seen working only in STD booths. Now the days have changed. Jewellery profession doesn’t need much physical effort but only creativity which ideally suits the differently abled. Moreover students who undergo training are comparatively more creative; they fair far better than the normal ones,’ says goldsmith Kumar.
`We get orders only from regular customers as we don’t know computer designing. I think in future there will be no traditional goldsmiths as only trained artisans will be recruited. If our children want to continue the profession in this challenging world I advised to update , says Vinod Shetty another veteran artisan.
To meet the customer demands, new designs is the need of the hour and we cant compromise in business. If people ask for latest designs and keeping our business promotion in mind we have to recruit knowledgeable persons, says Jewellery Mart Owner Nagaraj.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Rains have severely affected the livelihood of this Street side vendors
The incessant rains battering the city and the surrounding areas since a fortnight has brought much needed relief to the farmers and has also eased the tension between Karnataka and our neighbouring State Tamil Nadu.
But there is a small minority who seem to have been hurt the most. They are the roadside street vendors selling wares like carpets, dolls, porcelain vases, flowers and the like. With no shelter over their heads, they have to keep the items always covered with plastic sheets lest they get spoiled. Business is out of the question as nobody would like to stop their vehicles by the roadside in the drizzling rain and make purchase.
A few lucky guys among them, have found a easy way out. When it rains they immediately pack-up all the items on display and get into their vehicles which they transport materials.
But not so with every street vendor. Some of them have migrated from other States and are staying here in makeshift tents and plastic sheet covered huts. It is they who are the worst affected. Though they form a miniscule percentage of the population which at best can be overlooked and walked away, there silent suffering still needs a few words of kindness and solace.
Speaking to Express Nasim, carpet seller from UP said that `the business is very less and has affected livelihood severely. Hardly I can sale countable carpers per week. When it rains most of them not stop the vehicles, carpets also gets wet. To dry, it will be placed under sunlight,' he adds.
`During summer we can put the clothes directly on ground, but during rainy season, I carry cot to display clothes. When it rains, with the help of vegetables vendors, I cover the clothes with plastic covers. The business is very poor and I display clothes in two different areas. Most of the days I have packed-up all the materials and have gone home,' says Ravi Kumar, with misery in voice.
`If compare to cloth sellers, vegetables vendors are most luckiest, as there is no need of covering all the vegetables. But for cloth, doll sellers there is no choice. They have to remain on toe always,' says senior citizen Mahadev.
But there is a small minority who seem to have been hurt the most. They are the roadside street vendors selling wares like carpets, dolls, porcelain vases, flowers and the like. With no shelter over their heads, they have to keep the items always covered with plastic sheets lest they get spoiled. Business is out of the question as nobody would like to stop their vehicles by the roadside in the drizzling rain and make purchase.
A few lucky guys among them, have found a easy way out. When it rains they immediately pack-up all the items on display and get into their vehicles which they transport materials.
But not so with every street vendor. Some of them have migrated from other States and are staying here in makeshift tents and plastic sheet covered huts. It is they who are the worst affected. Though they form a miniscule percentage of the population which at best can be overlooked and walked away, there silent suffering still needs a few words of kindness and solace.
Speaking to Express Nasim, carpet seller from UP said that `the business is very less and has affected livelihood severely. Hardly I can sale countable carpers per week. When it rains most of them not stop the vehicles, carpets also gets wet. To dry, it will be placed under sunlight,' he adds.
`During summer we can put the clothes directly on ground, but during rainy season, I carry cot to display clothes. When it rains, with the help of vegetables vendors, I cover the clothes with plastic covers. The business is very poor and I display clothes in two different areas. Most of the days I have packed-up all the materials and have gone home,' says Ravi Kumar, with misery in voice.
`If compare to cloth sellers, vegetables vendors are most luckiest, as there is no need of covering all the vegetables. But for cloth, doll sellers there is no choice. They have to remain on toe always,' says senior citizen Mahadev.
Special decorations during Ashadha here
Usually in Ashadas doing special decorations for Goddess is common in every temple. But some temples creates curious among devotees because its bewitched decorations.
One such temple in city is Sri Mahalakshmi Kollapuradamma Temple, which marks a gaiety look on every Ashada Friday. This temple situated in heart of the city at Thogari Beedhi in KR Mohalla, has a history of 120 years. The temple was constructed by Kunchitigara Community people and was renovated 21 years ago.
Interesting from past 10 years this temple pontiff Venkatesh Bhat has not repeated any decorations and evokes curious among devotees every year.
The first Friday he had decorated goddess using Kavade and was followed by decorations made of using 3,200 Nataraja pencil and sea shells on third week. On fourth week of Ashada (July 29) he has decorated Goddess using coins worth about Rs 60,000. He has brought about 3,400 shells of ten varieties from Kanyakumari for the decorations.
Speaking to Express Ppontiff Venkatesh Bhat said that During every Ashada Friday special decorations will be done for Goddess Kollapuradamma. In 1995 using flowers, I decorated goddess in lotus formation and named it 'Kamala Vahini'. Later, I started to decorate using fruits, shells, bangles, stationery, eatables, kodbale, corn, dry fruits, sugarcane, candles. Once I had decorated with denomination of currency of Rs 1.20 lakh,' he stated.
Speaking to Express Shanthamma said that `during every season we have a eager to know how goddess wears different avataars this year. The decorations will be kept for two-three days intact.
Hence, the temple is attracting hundreds of devotees every year for its various forms of avathars.
One such temple in city is Sri Mahalakshmi Kollapuradamma Temple, which marks a gaiety look on every Ashada Friday. This temple situated in heart of the city at Thogari Beedhi in KR Mohalla, has a history of 120 years. The temple was constructed by Kunchitigara Community people and was renovated 21 years ago.
Interesting from past 10 years this temple pontiff Venkatesh Bhat has not repeated any decorations and evokes curious among devotees every year.
The first Friday he had decorated goddess using Kavade and was followed by decorations made of using 3,200 Nataraja pencil and sea shells on third week. On fourth week of Ashada (July 29) he has decorated Goddess using coins worth about Rs 60,000. He has brought about 3,400 shells of ten varieties from Kanyakumari for the decorations.
Speaking to Express Ppontiff Venkatesh Bhat said that During every Ashada Friday special decorations will be done for Goddess Kollapuradamma. In 1995 using flowers, I decorated goddess in lotus formation and named it 'Kamala Vahini'. Later, I started to decorate using fruits, shells, bangles, stationery, eatables, kodbale, corn, dry fruits, sugarcane, candles. Once I had decorated with denomination of currency of Rs 1.20 lakh,' he stated.
Speaking to Express Shanthamma said that `during every season we have a eager to know how goddess wears different avataars this year. The decorations will be kept for two-three days intact.
Hence, the temple is attracting hundreds of devotees every year for its various forms of avathars.
Collecting empty matchboxes: Yet another striking hobby !
There is an amazing variety of things which collectors collect making it their passionate lifetime hobby. While collecting stamps, coins, currency notes, toys could be most popular, collecting train and bus tickets, soap covers and empty cigarette packs are also fancied by some others. But for Husseni collecting empty matchboxes became a passion.
He already has about 7,000 match-boxes in his collection. His series of collection include Ganesha, Horse, Birds, elephants, dogs, cows, famous film actors, cricket players, tourist places, tourist places, domestic objects, pet and wild animals like tiger, lion, snake, and much more.
35-year-old SF Husseni who hails from Shivanasamudra in Mandya District began collecting empty match boxes as a small boy and never stopped even after growing into adulthood. As a small child he often played Tikis, which developed into the habit of collecting empty match boxes. The main thing that drew him to collect empty match boxes was the colorful pictures printed on them.
With the Ganesha festival fast approaching the artist has turned his attention making greeting cards with his vast collection of empty matchboxes. For New Year celebrations too he plans to bring make out greeting cards made using this matchbox covers and gift them to his near and dear ones.
Speaking to Express Husseni said, `Since my childhood I started collecting matchbox covers to play Ticki. Whenever I won and got an extra cover, I played the game even more enthusiastically. This gradually turned it into a hobby. As I was living in Shivanasamudra, a popular tourist spot known as Bluff, a large number of tourists from various parts of the country frequented this place who carried with them different kinds of matchbox covers which I picked up, adding to my collection. For first time I saw the picture of television is on matchbox,' he adds.
'I have been collecting such empty matchbox covers from road-side footpaths or parking lots ever since I was studying in 3rd Standard, and some of them I exchanged with friends while playing Tickies. In my entire collection only one percent of them was bought,’ says Husseni proudly.
Husseni's achievement doesn't end at merely collecting empty matchbox covers, but creates wonders wielding paper, scissors and glue dexterously. He is one of a very few artists who has mastered Sanji work, cutting designs using paper, in addition to Origami, a Japanese form of folding paper and making creative designs. He has already made a name photographing the dancing colours on the surface a CD under various light conditions, using just an ordinary camera. He is always on the lookout to do something new and creative.
Husseni is a graduate in Bachelor of Fine Arts from Karnataka University, Dharwad. His works have been bought by various art collectors in India and abroad, while also bagging awards in art festivals.
Special pujas during every Ashada Friday at Shankar Mutt
On every Friday in the month of Ashada, Abinava Shankaralaya, popularly known as Shankar Mutt, attracts hundreds of devotees as Goddess Sharada one of the presiding deity is decorated with different types of Alankaras such as Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajalakshmi, Mayuravahini, Garudavahini, Gajavahini, Simhavahini, Durgi, Veena Sharada, Rajarajeshwari all being the reincarnations of Goddess Sharada.
Fruits, flowers, lotus, elephant motif made of bronze sheet, coins, rupees are used for decorating the Goddess depending on the appropriate Avataras. The mutt priests plan accordingly and choose any four Avataras every year. The Goddess sports a bridal look. This Friday Rajarajeshwari Avatar will be done.
The Shankar Mutt in the city has a glorious history behind it. The 33rd pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy (1829-1917) was instrumental in bringing to light the collective works of Adi Shankara.
Interestingly the place where the majestic Shankar Mutt is presently standing was the birth place of this pontiff Sri Kunigal Ramashastry, who was a great Palace scholar during the reign of then ruler of Mysore, Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
Devotees of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy decided to build a memorial at his birth place in Agrahara, Mysore. The marble statue of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy was consecrated in the year 1924 by Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy in the presence of thousands of devotees naming it as Abinava Shankaralaya.'
Fruits, flowers, lotus, elephant motif made of bronze sheet, coins, rupees are used for decorating the Goddess depending on the appropriate Avataras. The mutt priests plan accordingly and choose any four Avataras every year. The Goddess sports a bridal look. This Friday Rajarajeshwari Avatar will be done.
The Shankar Mutt in the city has a glorious history behind it. The 33rd pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy (1829-1917) was instrumental in bringing to light the collective works of Adi Shankara.
Interestingly the place where the majestic Shankar Mutt is presently standing was the birth place of this pontiff Sri Kunigal Ramashastry, who was a great Palace scholar during the reign of then ruler of Mysore, Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
Devotees of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy decided to build a memorial at his birth place in Agrahara, Mysore. The marble statue of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy was consecrated in the year 1924 by Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy in the presence of thousands of devotees naming it as Abinava Shankaralaya.'
Shankar Mutt has a glorious history
In every Ashada Fridays, the presiding deity Sri Sharadamba will be decorated as Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajalakshmi, being the reincarnation of Goddess Sharada.
The Shankar Mutt in the city has a glorious history behind it. The 33rd pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy (1829-1917) was instrumental in bringing to light the collective works of Adi Shankara. Being an ascetic and a profound scholar in Shankara’s philosophy, several great personalities of his time, not just Kings and rulers but even commoners, irrespective of caste and creed, had become his disciples.
Some of the prominent ones being the great freedom fighters Balagangadhar Tilak and Madan Mohan Malaviya, the adopted son of Jhansi Lakshmi Bhai, Bapu Saheb, Sri Brahma Chaitanya of Gondavali, Sri Seshachala of Agadi and several others.
Interestingly the place where the majestic Shankar Mutt is presently standing was the birth place of this pontiff Sri Kunigal Ramashastry, whose popularity extended not only in the entire South India but also upto West Bengal, was a great Palace scholar during the reign of then ruler of Mysore, Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. His third son, Shivaswamy, took Sanyas when he was merely nine years old under Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamy who later became known as Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy.
Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy traveled all over South India and went upto Pune spreading the message and philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya. It was he who started the tradition of celebrating Adi Shankaracharya’s Jayanti on Vaishaka Shuddha Panchami. He collected all the works of Shankara, got them researched by the great scholars of his time and published it in the year 1910 running into 20 volumes.
Kalati in Kerala, the birth place of Adi Shankaracharya was a neglected place till then. It was due to the untiring efforts of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy, the birth place was clearly identified and Sri Sharada, Sri Shankaracharya temples were constructed at that place.
Devotees of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy decided to build a memorial at his birth place in Agrahara, Mysore. Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy, the succeeding pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, with the financial assistance provided by the Mysore King, Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, acquired the house of Kunigal Ramashastry along with several houses and vacant lands.
The marble statue of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy was consecrated in the year 1924 by Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy in the presence of thousands of devotees naming it as “Abinava Shankaralaya.”
Speaking to Express Dharmadhikari H ramachandra said that during every Ashada Fridays, the presiding deity Sri Sharadamba will be decorated as Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajalakshmi, being the reincarnation of Goddess Sharada.
The Shankar Mutt in the city has a glorious history behind it. The 33rd pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy (1829-1917) was instrumental in bringing to light the collective works of Adi Shankara. Being an ascetic and a profound scholar in Shankara’s philosophy, several great personalities of his time, not just Kings and rulers but even commoners, irrespective of caste and creed, had become his disciples.
Some of the prominent ones being the great freedom fighters Balagangadhar Tilak and Madan Mohan Malaviya, the adopted son of Jhansi Lakshmi Bhai, Bapu Saheb, Sri Brahma Chaitanya of Gondavali, Sri Seshachala of Agadi and several others.
Interestingly the place where the majestic Shankar Mutt is presently standing was the birth place of this pontiff Sri Kunigal Ramashastry, whose popularity extended not only in the entire South India but also upto West Bengal, was a great Palace scholar during the reign of then ruler of Mysore, Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. His third son, Shivaswamy, took Sanyas when he was merely nine years old under Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamy who later became known as Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy.
Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy traveled all over South India and went upto Pune spreading the message and philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya. It was he who started the tradition of celebrating Adi Shankaracharya’s Jayanti on Vaishaka Shuddha Panchami. He collected all the works of Shankara, got them researched by the great scholars of his time and published it in the year 1910 running into 20 volumes.
Kalati in Kerala, the birth place of Adi Shankaracharya was a neglected place till then. It was due to the untiring efforts of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy, the birth place was clearly identified and Sri Sharada, Sri Shankaracharya temples were constructed at that place.
Devotees of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy decided to build a memorial at his birth place in Agrahara, Mysore. Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy, the succeeding pontiff of Sringeri Mutt, with the financial assistance provided by the Mysore King, Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, acquired the house of Kunigal Ramashastry along with several houses and vacant lands.
The marble statue of Nrisimha Bharathi Swamy was consecrated in the year 1924 by Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi Swamy in the presence of thousands of devotees naming it as “Abinava Shankaralaya.”
Speaking to Express Dharmadhikari H ramachandra said that during every Ashada Fridays, the presiding deity Sri Sharadamba will be decorated as Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Gajalakshmi, being the reincarnation of Goddess Sharada.
Feeling and emotions described through painting
Abstract paintings are considered as forgiving style of art paintings as the artistes feeling and emotions are express through this paintings. Here is one such creative artiste who felt to capture his pent up feelings and emotions after the death of his daughter.
Dr SC Patil who is working as a Dean in Hampi Kannada University is the artist, who has expressed his feelings, struggle, suffering, through canvas.
He has created master piece out of abstract paintings in which most of them are drawn keeping head as a mode. He has described very well the psychology state of the human being and the sad and sorrowful situations in his paintings.
Interestingly, Dr Patil when failed to succeed in 2nd year PUC exams, in the one-year leisure time has learnt paintings and has later became painter. He claims he is the only person in South India to obtain two PhD degrees on Folk Art. His PhD subjects has been published in form of books. He has exhibited his talent all over States and has bagged about 24 awards.
In every step one can find novelty, the forms according to his style and technique distributing them proportionately. He retains the original white colour of the canvas giving a little shade to it here and there impressing figures take their shapes corresponding with each other. The wonderful mixture of paints leads to fantastic effect and attracts connoisseurs.
I rarely create paintings on nature. Its a difficult task to carry both writing and painting together simultaneously along with teaching, guiding and participating in the academic activities. But do want to give up my painting, says Dr Patil.
`I have worked as a guide for 28 MPhil students and 25 PhD students. I to have obtained two PhD degrees on folk Art on the subjects `Karnataka Janapada Chitrakale' and `A critical Analysis of Art Education at School-level in drawing and painting'.
`I work on all medium of colours (Acrylic, Water, Oil). I love colours and enjoy working on it. Earlier I had worked on Tsunami tragedy, women Harassment, seasons, the places I visit and much more.
`I choose the subject on Women Harassment to paint, because I was very much disturbed by seeing the difficulties my sisters were facing in their husbands house,' says Patil with emotion and adds about 450 of his paintings have been sold so far.
Dr Patil is exhibiting his talent on abstract and modern painting at Suchitra Art Gallery, Kalamandira till July 24 and has named his creativity as 'Kaleidoscope'.
Dr SC Patil who is working as a Dean in Hampi Kannada University is the artist, who has expressed his feelings, struggle, suffering, through canvas.
He has created master piece out of abstract paintings in which most of them are drawn keeping head as a mode. He has described very well the psychology state of the human being and the sad and sorrowful situations in his paintings.
Interestingly, Dr Patil when failed to succeed in 2nd year PUC exams, in the one-year leisure time has learnt paintings and has later became painter. He claims he is the only person in South India to obtain two PhD degrees on Folk Art. His PhD subjects has been published in form of books. He has exhibited his talent all over States and has bagged about 24 awards.
In every step one can find novelty, the forms according to his style and technique distributing them proportionately. He retains the original white colour of the canvas giving a little shade to it here and there impressing figures take their shapes corresponding with each other. The wonderful mixture of paints leads to fantastic effect and attracts connoisseurs.
I rarely create paintings on nature. Its a difficult task to carry both writing and painting together simultaneously along with teaching, guiding and participating in the academic activities. But do want to give up my painting, says Dr Patil.
`I have worked as a guide for 28 MPhil students and 25 PhD students. I to have obtained two PhD degrees on folk Art on the subjects `Karnataka Janapada Chitrakale' and `A critical Analysis of Art Education at School-level in drawing and painting'.
`I work on all medium of colours (Acrylic, Water, Oil). I love colours and enjoy working on it. Earlier I had worked on Tsunami tragedy, women Harassment, seasons, the places I visit and much more.
`I choose the subject on Women Harassment to paint, because I was very much disturbed by seeing the difficulties my sisters were facing in their husbands house,' says Patil with emotion and adds about 450 of his paintings have been sold so far.
Dr Patil is exhibiting his talent on abstract and modern painting at Suchitra Art Gallery, Kalamandira till July 24 and has named his creativity as 'Kaleidoscope'.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Zoo animals to get round-the-clock water supply near enclosures
Mysore Zoo is taking up several modernisation measure like generating gobar gas by using animal waste, introduce of Audio-Guide and new species of reptiles. In the same way, if everything goes as planned, animals housed at Zoo can enjoy the atmosphere of a real sanctuary, as Zoo authorities are planning to provide individual running water channel near all the animal enclosures round-the-clock! Modalities are being worked to provide round-the-clock water supply by recycling the water and re-using it to maintain the continuous supply of water.
About two years ago, the concerned authorities at Zoo had sent a proposal to the Centre under JNNURM to implement rain water harvesting and the project was estimated to cost Rs 8.5 crore. But the proposal could not be taken up, when again the authorities sent another proposal in February 2011 scaling it down to Rs 3.3 crores. The new proposal is also still pending.
The earlier project proposal of Rs 8.5 crore was slated to be implemented in four phases, consisting of collecting the Seepage Water under Phase 1 costing Rs 1.68 crore; implementation of Rain Water Harvesting under Phase 2 costing Rs 1.01 crore; Treatment and Recycle of Water in Phase 3 costing Rs 1.26 crore and finally Physical Design for Habitat improvement in Phase 4 costing Rs 0.98 crore. A Macro Plan Implementation at Karanji Lake under Phase 5 costing Rs 3.41 crore and other miscellaneous expenditure of Rs 0.16 crore were also envisaged.
The project was planned to be introduced under two broad categories – one to design an efficient water management system and the other improve the physical layout of the Zoo. Apart from this some of the major plans that were intended to be taken up were: construction of three ponds to store water so that it percolated into the ground thereby increasing the ground water level, construction of drains, construction of water conduit pipe, collection of waste water at one common point, its treatment and recycling, creating natural water cascades inside the enclosures, strengthening of moats were the major aspects of this project.
Speaking to Express Zoo Engineer Muralidhar said, `due to paucity of funds in the JNNURM, the proposal of Rs 8.5 crore was later revised in which the proposed Karanji Lake Macro Plan implementation costing Rs 3.41 crore was dropped. And the remaining proposal now costing Rs. 3.3 crore has been sent again in February."
"Zoo spread over a sprawling area of 79 acres is a good place to implement rain water harvesting. Recently Zoo on a temporary basis has constructed two ponds, one near the Indian Elephant enlosure and another beside the crocodile enclosure. Water is stored in these two ponds mainly to increase the ground water table", he added.
'Zoo needs about 5.5 lakh litres of water daily and is dependent mainly on borewells. The artificial water ponds recently constructed helps in increasing the ground water table', observed Muralidhar.
Though it is a temporary measure, once the project gets the approval and the grants are released, then water storage and rain water harvesting will become a permanent feature thereby drastically binging down water consumption and saving the precious natural resource, he added.
About two years ago, the concerned authorities at Zoo had sent a proposal to the Centre under JNNURM to implement rain water harvesting and the project was estimated to cost Rs 8.5 crore. But the proposal could not be taken up, when again the authorities sent another proposal in February 2011 scaling it down to Rs 3.3 crores. The new proposal is also still pending.
The earlier project proposal of Rs 8.5 crore was slated to be implemented in four phases, consisting of collecting the Seepage Water under Phase 1 costing Rs 1.68 crore; implementation of Rain Water Harvesting under Phase 2 costing Rs 1.01 crore; Treatment and Recycle of Water in Phase 3 costing Rs 1.26 crore and finally Physical Design for Habitat improvement in Phase 4 costing Rs 0.98 crore. A Macro Plan Implementation at Karanji Lake under Phase 5 costing Rs 3.41 crore and other miscellaneous expenditure of Rs 0.16 crore were also envisaged.
The project was planned to be introduced under two broad categories – one to design an efficient water management system and the other improve the physical layout of the Zoo. Apart from this some of the major plans that were intended to be taken up were: construction of three ponds to store water so that it percolated into the ground thereby increasing the ground water level, construction of drains, construction of water conduit pipe, collection of waste water at one common point, its treatment and recycling, creating natural water cascades inside the enclosures, strengthening of moats were the major aspects of this project.
Speaking to Express Zoo Engineer Muralidhar said, `due to paucity of funds in the JNNURM, the proposal of Rs 8.5 crore was later revised in which the proposed Karanji Lake Macro Plan implementation costing Rs 3.41 crore was dropped. And the remaining proposal now costing Rs. 3.3 crore has been sent again in February."
"Zoo spread over a sprawling area of 79 acres is a good place to implement rain water harvesting. Recently Zoo on a temporary basis has constructed two ponds, one near the Indian Elephant enlosure and another beside the crocodile enclosure. Water is stored in these two ponds mainly to increase the ground water table", he added.
'Zoo needs about 5.5 lakh litres of water daily and is dependent mainly on borewells. The artificial water ponds recently constructed helps in increasing the ground water table', observed Muralidhar.
Though it is a temporary measure, once the project gets the approval and the grants are released, then water storage and rain water harvesting will become a permanent feature thereby drastically binging down water consumption and saving the precious natural resource, he added.
Surviving against all odds
Ravi an tailor, afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
facing life courageously and is conducting tailoring classes
Though life is a mystery, it still throws up lots of surprises, some good some bad. And when something goes wrong one should not worry, instead should face it courageously and try finding a solution for it. A living example for this is B Ravi, a tailor by profession.
Everything was fine with Ravi until 1993, when he was afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA), a debilitating autoimmune disease resulting in stiff joints accompanied with excruciating pain and finally the joints lose all their mobility and become deformed.
Even today, he struggle hard to walk, can't lift the weight, he lifts-up himself very slowly from the chair, try to walk independently, he cant even use walking stick has he has lost the mobility of hands too. Amidst all this odds, facing the problems courageously he is leading the life and is taking tailoring classes at his institution in Irwin Road.
He learnt tailoring from his grandfather in his spare time during his school days when he was still a kid. But he never expected that this avocation would become his life saving profession that one day would earn him his daily bread. When his father was suddenly struck with paralysis, he discontinued his SSLC studies and had to look after the family.
He took up tailoring and began practicing it with keen interest, so much so that he even began tutoring to about 250 students. But in 1993 after he was diagnosed to be suffering from RA, the pain in the joints began to get so worse that he could not step out of his house. One year later when he went to see the Institute where he taught tailoring, supported by his family members, he was in for a great shock at the mismanagement.
He immediately decided to manage the Institute on his own and with great inner will and strength he started taking the classes again and for the next 8 years he coached the students personally for which around 30 students had enrolled.
So far he has trained thousands of students including some disabled persons. One son BR Akshay is studying Medicine and the other BR Shankar, who underwent an open heart surgery when he was 25 days old, is now studying 8th standard.
"I lost hope of taking up tailoring again, when I was suffering from severe joint pains. I thought I reached the end of my life as I was completely dependent on others. But my children, students and family members stood by me during the hour of the crisis. Now I enjoy my work and continue imparting training to others till my last breath', says Ravi.
`Even today I suffer from severe joint pains while walking, but I have learnt to tolerate it, as life has to go on and I want to continue to look after my family members. In the beginning I started cutting clothes holding light weight scissors which took several hours to cut. But as days passed, I gradually increased the weight of the scissors and now I am able to hold big scissors but not for long," he said of how he coping up with his RA.
`Even I tried to stitch the clothes using motor for machine, but I failed to stitch it perfectly and now I only cut the clothes. I travel by auto daily and manage to step till shop. Sitting in place, I teach the students how to cut the materials and stitch it,' he added.
`I have tried all sorts for medicare from past eight years, some doctors state that there is no such medicine is still invented to cure this disease. Now, I am undergoing Ayurvedic treatment and managing the things,' he added.
Speaking to Express an private clinic orthopedician said that `patients suffering from RA usually depend on someone and find difficult to do their work. But Ravi has a very good will power,' he added.
facing life courageously and is conducting tailoring classes
Though life is a mystery, it still throws up lots of surprises, some good some bad. And when something goes wrong one should not worry, instead should face it courageously and try finding a solution for it. A living example for this is B Ravi, a tailor by profession.
Everything was fine with Ravi until 1993, when he was afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA), a debilitating autoimmune disease resulting in stiff joints accompanied with excruciating pain and finally the joints lose all their mobility and become deformed.
Even today, he struggle hard to walk, can't lift the weight, he lifts-up himself very slowly from the chair, try to walk independently, he cant even use walking stick has he has lost the mobility of hands too. Amidst all this odds, facing the problems courageously he is leading the life and is taking tailoring classes at his institution in Irwin Road.
He learnt tailoring from his grandfather in his spare time during his school days when he was still a kid. But he never expected that this avocation would become his life saving profession that one day would earn him his daily bread. When his father was suddenly struck with paralysis, he discontinued his SSLC studies and had to look after the family.
He took up tailoring and began practicing it with keen interest, so much so that he even began tutoring to about 250 students. But in 1993 after he was diagnosed to be suffering from RA, the pain in the joints began to get so worse that he could not step out of his house. One year later when he went to see the Institute where he taught tailoring, supported by his family members, he was in for a great shock at the mismanagement.
He immediately decided to manage the Institute on his own and with great inner will and strength he started taking the classes again and for the next 8 years he coached the students personally for which around 30 students had enrolled.
So far he has trained thousands of students including some disabled persons. One son BR Akshay is studying Medicine and the other BR Shankar, who underwent an open heart surgery when he was 25 days old, is now studying 8th standard.
"I lost hope of taking up tailoring again, when I was suffering from severe joint pains. I thought I reached the end of my life as I was completely dependent on others. But my children, students and family members stood by me during the hour of the crisis. Now I enjoy my work and continue imparting training to others till my last breath', says Ravi.
`Even today I suffer from severe joint pains while walking, but I have learnt to tolerate it, as life has to go on and I want to continue to look after my family members. In the beginning I started cutting clothes holding light weight scissors which took several hours to cut. But as days passed, I gradually increased the weight of the scissors and now I am able to hold big scissors but not for long," he said of how he coping up with his RA.
`Even I tried to stitch the clothes using motor for machine, but I failed to stitch it perfectly and now I only cut the clothes. I travel by auto daily and manage to step till shop. Sitting in place, I teach the students how to cut the materials and stitch it,' he added.
`I have tried all sorts for medicare from past eight years, some doctors state that there is no such medicine is still invented to cure this disease. Now, I am undergoing Ayurvedic treatment and managing the things,' he added.
Speaking to Express an private clinic orthopedician said that `patients suffering from RA usually depend on someone and find difficult to do their work. But Ravi has a very good will power,' he added.
Ganesha making on brisk
With the festival fast approaching, residents of Kumbargeri were seen busily making idols different sizes and painting them. Kumbargeri has a century old history of making ganesha idols. The livelihood of most of the families residing here depend on making idols. In their small, sloping tiled houses they manage to do everything. They follow certain customs even today, like having a bath before they start working on the idols and stopping the entire work if somebody demises in the house.
There was a time when Kumbargeri was famous for making of Ganesh idols with about 170 houses, but at present there are only about 36 houses and the number is declining year after year.
Following the trend, artisans are bringing in new designs and making the idols colourful. But overall there is a decline in the sale of these idols. This year the sales have been severely affected as more number of street-side artisans have also started making Ganesha idols.
`We work day and night making Ganesha without using moulds, but people want idols which are attractive and that come in bright colours and of different shapes,' says Rekha resident of Kumbargeri.
Venkat Lakshmi said that `one day this art might also come to an end. As making idols has come from our ancestors period we do want to opt for any other field and we have a special attachment towards this. But we do want our children to continue this work.'
There was a time when Kumbargeri was famous for making of Ganesh idols with about 170 houses, but at present there are only about 36 houses and the number is declining year after year.
Following the trend, artisans are bringing in new designs and making the idols colourful. But overall there is a decline in the sale of these idols. This year the sales have been severely affected as more number of street-side artisans have also started making Ganesha idols.
`We work day and night making Ganesha without using moulds, but people want idols which are attractive and that come in bright colours and of different shapes,' says Rekha resident of Kumbargeri.
Venkat Lakshmi said that `one day this art might also come to an end. As making idols has come from our ancestors period we do want to opt for any other field and we have a special attachment towards this. But we do want our children to continue this work.'
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Traditional Ganesha idols makers also urge govt to ban ganesha made of PoP
In Mysore city, makers of Ganesha idols are requesting the authorities to impose a ban on the sale of idols brought from other States. The reason is to prevent environmental pollution. They are also requesting to ban idols made out of PoP all over India. Moreover, the demand for the traditional idols has come down thus severely affecting the sales and in turn their livelihood.
Environmentalists have been all along urging civic bodies to ensure that the festival is celebrated in a eco-friendly manner by banning making of Ganesha idols painted with bright multi-colour paints that are toxic and not water soluble.
When Express spoke with a couple of families residing at Kumbargeri, making traditional Mysore style Ganesha idols since decades said their ancestors made idols with only clay, which they now painting them with oil paints. Only around 20 per cent of people purchase clay Ganesha idols while the majority prefer brightly-painted colourful idols as they want the God to look in a grand manner.
Once the Ganesha idols submerged in the water disintegrates the same clay is re-used to make new idols. But If more people purchase PoP idols, it wont dissolve in water causing only pollution, they added.
They also claim that oil paints and natural paints easily peels off once it gets submerged in water but not the idols made using moulds and PoP, brought from neighbouring State of Maharashtra, especially Mumbai.
The idols made out of PoP should be seized by the authorities and a strict vigilance should be enforced around city. Artisans of Mysore have their own tradition of making idols and protecting the tradition is need of the hour, says Mohan who purchase only clay idol to protect environment.
`Only very few customers who are aware of the dangers of PoP, buy our traditional idols. But their number is very small, rued Ningamma, who has been making these idols from past 40 years.
Only very few customers who are aware of the dangers of PoP, buy traditional idols. But their number is very small. The idols made out of PoP should be seized by the authorities and a strict vigilance should be enforced around city. Artisans of Mysore have their own tradition of making idols and protecting the tradition is need of the hour, added Rekha.
Ganesha idols made of PoP should be banned all over country
It's time for our Karnataka government to take measures and follow the footsteps of Mumbai Court that recently ruled the city's craftsmen who have been making Ganesha idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and painted with bright flourescent chemical paints which are environmental hazards.
Various hazardous chemicals, including the highly toxic Mercury and Lead, are found in the paints used for colouring these Ganesh idols, which pollute the water bodies in which they are immersed. Idols made of clay and painted with natural colours easily dissolve in water unlike the PoP which remain forever.
The Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court imposed a complete ban on the use of PoP for making Ganesh idols, where the idol is worshipped more fervently than anywhere else in the country.
When Express elicited views of the environmentalists, they questioned `Why not the Karnataka government impose a ban on use of PoP for making Ganesha idols like the HC ruling of the Maharashtra Government.
'To check environmental pollution, strict action should be initiated by the respective State Pollution Control Boards (PCB) all over the country. Though this is an issue that assumes significance only during the festival time and forgotten soon after the festival is over, the damage it causes is immense and irreversible', lamented environmental activist Aravind.
`This is an evil glaringly visible to the eye. Environment Minister should enforce the rule and protect environment. `Pillari' (cow dung placed as idol and worshipped) should be once again encouraged,’ says Kukkarahalli Lake Protection Committee Convenor Jayaram.
`Why our Government has turned a blind's eye on this is puzzling. Corporation officials should enforce ban on PoP idols. Mysore should become a model to other States by implementing this rule', opined noted consumer activists M Lakshmana.
'Inspite of arrangements being made to immerse idols in water tankers specially arranged and brought to various localities, the toxic content once released to the environment can never be cleansed again,' observed another concerned citizen Sharath.
`Instead of using paint for idols let them use vegetable colours, multan-mitti which are natural and can be recycled, said, Banu Prakash,member of Environment Protection Committee.
Speaking to Express Pollution Control Board Chairman AS Sadashivaiah said that `we have not planned about banning of PoP idols completely. Its a difficult task too. But instruction have been given to all the District Deputy Commissioner's to put extraordinary efforts and make sure of using clay idols. Artisans have suggested to lead-free paint Mysore Lac Paints. We also prevent to maximum extent idols coming our from other state,' he addded.
Various hazardous chemicals, including the highly toxic Mercury and Lead, are found in the paints used for colouring these Ganesh idols, which pollute the water bodies in which they are immersed. Idols made of clay and painted with natural colours easily dissolve in water unlike the PoP which remain forever.
The Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court imposed a complete ban on the use of PoP for making Ganesh idols, where the idol is worshipped more fervently than anywhere else in the country.
When Express elicited views of the environmentalists, they questioned `Why not the Karnataka government impose a ban on use of PoP for making Ganesha idols like the HC ruling of the Maharashtra Government.
'To check environmental pollution, strict action should be initiated by the respective State Pollution Control Boards (PCB) all over the country. Though this is an issue that assumes significance only during the festival time and forgotten soon after the festival is over, the damage it causes is immense and irreversible', lamented environmental activist Aravind.
`This is an evil glaringly visible to the eye. Environment Minister should enforce the rule and protect environment. `Pillari' (cow dung placed as idol and worshipped) should be once again encouraged,’ says Kukkarahalli Lake Protection Committee Convenor Jayaram.
`Why our Government has turned a blind's eye on this is puzzling. Corporation officials should enforce ban on PoP idols. Mysore should become a model to other States by implementing this rule', opined noted consumer activists M Lakshmana.
'Inspite of arrangements being made to immerse idols in water tankers specially arranged and brought to various localities, the toxic content once released to the environment can never be cleansed again,' observed another concerned citizen Sharath.
`Instead of using paint for idols let them use vegetable colours, multan-mitti which are natural and can be recycled, said, Banu Prakash,member of Environment Protection Committee.
Speaking to Express Pollution Control Board Chairman AS Sadashivaiah said that `we have not planned about banning of PoP idols completely. Its a difficult task too. But instruction have been given to all the District Deputy Commissioner's to put extraordinary efforts and make sure of using clay idols. Artisans have suggested to lead-free paint Mysore Lac Paints. We also prevent to maximum extent idols coming our from other state,' he addded.
God is work
God is a form of energy which cannot be seen, but only felt
What are your spiritual beliefs?
God itself is a belief. I see God in every work I do and always feel His presence. I am very religious, which doesn't mean than I perform any homas or special pujas or chant mantras. I just offer prayers and I find God while helping someone.
What is your understanding of God?
All that exists on earth is God's creation. When we close our eyes we see darkness and the person who enlightens us in darkness is God. We give different forms to God and offer pooja. He is a supreme power and a positive energy, which is not seen but can only be felt which is quite powerful.
What are your spiritual practices?
Evey day, without fail I pray and offer pooja to the deity. I won't step out of house without applying 'Kumkum' and 'Vibuthi' on my forehead. It has become a practice since my childhood to visit temples as I get peace, relaxation and solace, especially when I climb the temples atop hills.
Do you visit pilgrimage centres
I always keep visiting pilgrimage centres. Recently I visited Mudukthore, Pollachi Temple and Tirupati. I prefer visiting Tirupathi as I get some sort of great feeling when I visit there.
- Naveen Krishna is an actor and has played role of hero in many films.
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