Karnataka First

City Dance Professor Karnataka Kalashree Dr. K. Kumar being honoured with ‘Nritya Acharya’ National Award at the ‘Shantiniketan Dance Festival-2024’ organised at Shantiniketan, founded by Rabindranath Tagore in West Bengal.

Damar Dance Institute and Sahelis Ichhedan Foundation. Prof. T. Shankara Narayan, retired Professor and Head, Sangit Bhavan; Prof. Budh Devdas, Principal of Sangit Bhavan; Prof. Mohan Kumaran, Head of Sangit Bhavan; Dr. Sumit Basu, Assistant Professor, Manipuri Dance Department, Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan; Deepak Mukherjee, Senior Programme Executive, EZCC, Kolkata; Amit Adhikari, Administrative Officer, EZCC, Kolkata and Udaykumar Das, Samskar Bharati, North Bengal, were present.

Following the award presentation, Dr. Kumar, along with his daughters, K.M. Lekha and K.M. Nidhi (popular as ‘Kalemane Sisters’), presented an exceptional Bharatanatyam programme. More than 300 dancers from across the country attended the event.

PhotoNews

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

The event is billed as the largest of its kind in Asia.

Karnataka, which has unveiled a Global Capability Centre (GCC) policy, will set up Global Innovation Districts in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi as a continued part of the GCC policy, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on November 19.

“The Bengaluru innovation district will aid in establishing GCC. It will be part of knowledge, health and innovation cities being planned. Being in close proximity to Kempegowda International Airport, the Bengaluru centre will help foster innovation and research,” the Chief Minister said after inauguration of the three-day 27th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024: Technology Unbound – Uniting Global Innovation, Creating Impact for the World.

The event is billed as the largest of its kind in Asia.

“The GCC will get its manpower from a large pool of engineering talent and AI professionals, which Karnataka boasts of in large number,” he added.

The Chief Minister also announced an Electronic Manufacturing Cluster at Kochanahalli to strengthen Karnataka’s position in global semiconductor industry.

He said that a balanced regional development is taking place in the State with Fintech in Mangaluru, EVs and drone development in Dharwad, and a PCB cluster in Mysuru. While focusing on Bengaluru, the strength of the other regions is being harnessed. Between 2022 and 2023, Karnataka has seen an increase in start-ups by 18.2%. With 3,036 start-ups, Karnataka ranks first in the country and accounts for 8.7% of total startups in India, he added.

Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar pointed out that Karnataka is ranked first in NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index while the State is India’s largest chip designer and a key hub for machine tool manufacturing and chip design, with over 85 fabless chip design houses. “The State supplies 52% of India’s biotech workforce. Karnataka is also a global leader in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality sectors, and by 2025, we will train 25,000 students, with nearly 70% of the workforce being creative professionals.”

Infra push

Stating that the rapid growth of Bengaluru has brought with it many issues, he said, “We need to fix them before the city bursts at its seams. I will guarantee you that I will spare no effort in fixing Bengaluru. In a short span of time, we have launched many mega projects to improve ease of living and ease of business in Bengaluru. Tunnel project and Bengaluru Business Corridor (known as PRR earlier). The PRR project was gathering dust for more than a decade. We have kickstarted the project, and the work will start in six months. This project will solve traffic congestion in the city to a large extent. It will significantly help businesses on Outer Ring Road.”

Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology Priyank Kharge, and Member of Parliament and Commissioner for Start-ups and the Digital Economy, The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Germany, were among those present.

Sriharsha Majety, CEO & Co-Founder of Swiggy, was recognised for building one of Karnataka’s earliest and most inspiring startups. Texas Instruments India was honoured for its remarkable entry, and its 40th year of presence in Bengaluru.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

In a pioneering initiative, a group of teachers has established a ‘Raithara Shale’ or ‘Farmers’ School’ in Alakere village of Mandya taluk. This initiative aims to prevent youth from migrating to cities and to attract educated individuals towards agriculture. The primary objective is to empower those engaged in farming and those eager to take it up as a profession or hobby.

Led by lecturer Satyamurthy from Mandya, the seven-member team includes teachers from farming families. They decided to open the school after witnessing the rising farmer suicides during last year’s drought and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team’s main goal is to make farming profitable and to promote self-reliance among farmers in all aspects, thereby curbing the trend of youth migrating to cities in search of jobs and preventing farmers from selling their land.

The team has visited over 200 villages to listen to farmers’ issues and is working with agricultural experts and progressive farmers to provide assistance. In addition to educating farmers, the team is eager to conduct training camps, field visits, and sessions by experts at the ‘Farmers’ School.’ The foundation stone for the school was recently laid by the Kempegowda Okkaliga Welfare Group. The school will showcase success stories of farmers from various countries, including Israel. Within two months, a seminar hall and several classrooms will be ready in Alakere. Plans are in place to establish several such schools across the state, as informed by Satyamurthy.

Speaking about the initiative, Satyamurthy said that farmers are welcome to seek guidance at the school. “We will provide mentorship to youth, including tech-savvy individuals eager to engage in agriculture,” he stated.

Lecturer Pradeep Kumar mentioned that the group has distributed seeds to 500 small and marginal farmers and is encouraging them to save the seeds for the future. This effort aims to reduce dependence on multinational companies for seeds. With many farmers migrating to nearby towns and cities in search of jobs, numerous homes in Alakere and Keelara villages have been locked. “We hope they will return and restart farming,” he added.

The initiative also includes plans to provide farmers with agricultural equipment, such as paddy harvesting machines, for minimal rental fees. The school has prepared a list of progressive farmers to encourage organic and natural farming and to reduce dependence on fertilizers and pesticides.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

In just five months, over 10,000 people have used the search engine, according to experts working with Nagesh.

Writer KN Nagesh, under Chiranthana Media Solutions, developed KNN-AgriQuery, an unique search engine, to provide comprehensive answers to agriculture-related queries, from crop management and pest control to micronutrient supplementation.

KNN-AgriQuery helps one understand agriculture jargon like food miles. “Food miles are the distance that food travels from the place of production to the consumer. It is an important concept in sustainable agriculture and environmental impact assessment.

Food miles can be calculated for individual products or for a whole supply chain. The concept focuses on reducing the carbon footprint associated with food production and transportation,” is the reply from the search engine.

Further, it guides one to the links to other sources and books.

Powered by Imagica, the search engine has a vast repository of agricultural knowledge, meticulously curated from reliable sources, according to Nagesh. By harnessing the capabilities of advanced algorithms, this engine can process complex queries and deliver accurate, informative, and actionable insights, he said.

It will have updates on latest research works and best industry practices, ensuring that users always have access to the latest information. By analysing user-specific data, the AI engine can offer tailored recommendations.

The engine has been designed to mimic the expertise of seasoned agricultural scientists, providing users the guidance they need to make informed decisions, he said.

Students and academics can use the engine in their studies, explore new research avenues, and develop innovative solutions to agricultural challenges. While farmers can utilise the engine to optimize their crop management practices, reduce input costs, and increase yields, policymakers can rely on it to inform evidence-based decision-making and develop effective agricultural policies.

In just five months, over 10,000 people have used the search engine, according to experts working with Nagesh.

“It was developed to help farmers, students, researchers, universities and officials with specific information and scientific know-how on crop management. I thought of developing this AI engine, my friends, who are software engineers and technocrats, helped me realise it,” Nagesh said.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The Amazon Future Engineer Makerspace aims to empower students with hands-on learning in robotics, AI, and 3D printing.

Amazon has announced the launch of its first Amazon Future Engineer Makerspace in Bengaluru, aimed to empower more than 4,000 students with technological skills by 2025.  

Partnering with The Innovation Story, this initiative aims to provide underserved students in classes 5 to 12 with immersive, hands-on learning experiences and equip them with innovative technological skills. The programmes would be provided for free.  

Different programmes are available for students of all levels. There are short 3–4-hour programmes for beginners to learn basic robotics and coding, and longer 6-hour programmes that will dive deeper into advanced robotics, programming, prototyping, and design over the course of two days.

For the most advanced students, there are multi-month programmes to help them become experts. The Makerspace will have special areas where students can build and test their robots. 

“This state-of-the-art facility will provide thousands of young minds with the tools, knowledge, and mentorship they need to become future innovators. By offering hands-on learning experiences in robotics, AI, and 3D printing, we’re empowering the next generation of tech leaders and inspiring a lifelong passion for STEM. This is just the beginning of our commitment to fostering digital equity and creating opportunities for all,” said Akshay Kashyap, India Lead, Amazon Future Engineer Program. 

Students can pre-book online sessions, accommodating groups of up to 40 participants. The Makerspace is equipped with tools such as 3D printers, lathes, power tools, electronics equipment, and kits for international competitions. Expert mentors and Amazon volunteers would provide guidance, helping students develop skills such as coding, problem-solving, and design thinking.

Meenal Majumder, founder at The Innovation Story,said,“We aim to equip young minds with the skills to excel in tech and AI careers.” 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Music composer Ricky Kej aims for his fourth Grammy win, having previously won all three nominations.

Music composer Ricky Kej, who has been nominated for his fourth Grammy award, says he hopes that it turns into a win and becomes “four of four”.

“I’m fortunate that I’ve been nominated three times in the past and all three times I’ve won. So, it is three of three. I’m hoping it becomes four of four,” Kej told PTI in an interview.

Kej has been nominated in the New Age Album category for “Break of Dawn”.

“This album has been on my mind since 2015. I was exposed to the philosophical quote that ‘the impurities of the environment is a direct reflection of the impurities of the mind’. This was actually said by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a speech in this event known as ‘Samvad’. It was a Hindu Buddhist conference which happened in 2015,” the Bengaluru-based artist said.

Renowned sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar is also nominated in the same category for her album ‘Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn’.

Other nominees are “Warriors of Light” by Radhika Vekaria and “Triveni” by entrepreneur and musician Chandrika Tandon, created in collaboration with flautist Wouter Kellerman and cellist Eru Matsumoto.

Shankar also earned an additional nomination for her featured role on Jacob Collier’s song “A Rock Somewhere”, which also includes vocalist Varijashree Venugopal, who bagged her first nomination.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The Mangalore Literature and Heritage Festival will take place from November 16 to 24, organised by the Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) and Early Learning Centre (ELC).

The festival, in collaboration with local artists, conservationists, and heritage organizations, aims to highlight Mangalore’s cultural heritage, sustainability efforts, and artistic traditions.

The week-long festival will feature a variety of activities, including hands-on workshops, immersive art experiences, and thought-provoking presentations. The events are designed to deepen participants’ connection with Mangaluru’s unique cultural and natural landscape, offering an enriching journey of creativity and discovery.

Key events:

Nov 16 – Azulejo Tile Painting & Mandala Art Workshops

The festival kicks off with two parallel workshops. In the Azulejo Tile Painting session, participants will explore the history, techniques, and cultural significance of this traditional Portuguese art form. Simultaneously, the Mandala Art workshop will guide participants in creating intricate, symmetrical designs focused on balance and flow.

Nov 17 – Stucco Wall Art, Calligraphy Workshop & Heritage Walk

A series of events will be held throughout the day. The Heritage Walk in Car Street will give participants a chance to explore Mangalore’s vibrant history and culture. In the morning, the Stucco Wall Art workshop will introduce participants to techniques inspired by the Museum of Old Goa’s motifs. Later, a Calligraphy workshop will focus on refining lettering skills using traditional tools and techniques.

Nov 21 – Urban Sketching Event

On November 21, Mangaluru’s cityscape will serve as the canvas for an open urban sketching event. Participants are invited to capture the essence of the city using pens, pencils, or colors.

Nov 23 – Art Competitions, Heritage Walks & Panel Discussions

On November 23, the historic old DC office will be transformed into a vibrant hub of culture and creativity. Events include an art contest and photo exhibitions focused on sustainability and heritage.

The art contest will feature government school students, guided by a popular illustrator and author, who will help the children bring their vision of a heritage monument to life on paper. Additionally, mini heritage walks will explore the architectural beauty of the old DC office. The day will conclude with a musical performance.

Nov 24 – Heritage Walk at Bunder

The festival will close on November 24 with a Heritage Walk at Bunder, where participants can discover Mangalore’s rich history of trade, culture, and architecture.

Student engagement:

Throughout the festival, students from CFAL & ELC will engage with local heritage and art through various activities, including a heritage tour to Guttu Mane, visits to Mangaluru’s oldest tile factories, a lime and mud plastering workshop, and a Kaavi Art workshop with renowned artist Janardhan Rao Havanje.

More Information:

For more details or to register for the events, contact:

Phone: 7483414681

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elcindia/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/elc.india?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Website: https://elcindia.org/workshop/

The Mangalore Literature and Heritage Festival offers an exciting opportunity to explore the city’s rich cultural heritage, learn about sustainability, and engage with the arts. It is set to be a week of celebration, creativity, and community.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

In addition, company receives accolades for its innovative and impactful communication efforts.

BEML Limited has been honoured with awards in multiple categories at the 18th Global Communications Conclave and the 14th Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) Excellence awards, held in Mangaluru recently. 

The BEML team received accolades across key categories for its innovative and impactful communication efforts, including Multi-Channel Communications, Change Communication Campaign, Corporate Brochure, channel partner engagement, and the Chanakya Award for Excellence in Investor engagement. 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

For Venugopal, the Grammy nomination could be a door to further opportunities to bring her Indian roots to global audiences.

For Varijashree Venugopal, her recent Grammy nomination is a deeply personal achievement; it’s a recognition of her dedication to her craft and her unique approach to bridging Indian classical music with global sounds. “It was really exciting and reassuring,” she says about first hearing the news.

“This kind of acknowledgement is a big pat on the back for any independent artiste, especially when it’s a struggle just to be noticed, both here in India and around the world.” She continues, “It shows that my efforts to find my own voice and bring out my Indian musical roots are being noticed and appreciated. This is just the beginning – there’s so much more to explore.”

The nomination – her first – recognises the city-based flautist and vocalist’s unique contributions to A Rock Somewhere, the song by British singer-songwriter Jacob Collier, which also features sitarist Anoushka Shankar. Reflecting on how the collaboration came to be, Venugopal shares, “When he [Collier] was working on A Rock Somewhere, he wanted to weave Indian sounds into his global track.

Jacob is a rare talent, and I’ve always admired his work. He invited me to be part of the song, so I recorded my part from Bengaluru, sent it to him, and we collaborated remotely, discussing ideas as we went. It turned into a very special song, and I’ll always be glad I was part of that collaboration.”

Her role in the track is distinctive. “I provide vocals but it is entirely non-lyrical. I’ve been exploring this space over the past few years, where I use my voice more like an instrument, weaving a sonic, melodic storyline that brings together the emotional core of the song,” she explains. “So, while I am a vocalist, in this track, I’m more of a ‘vocal instrumentalist.’ I think this was exactly the unique element Jacob wanted, as it brings the essence of Indian singing to the song.”

She further highlights the song’s complex musical structure, which combines Indian classical melody with intricate harmonies. “There’s a lot happening in the song –undercurrents of intricate, almost mathematical structures and harmonies,” she says.

“In Indian classical music, harmony isn’t typically a focus because it’s so highly melodic. So, blending these worlds of harmony and Indian melody was something we discussed. Jacob shared some ideas with me, but there was also plenty of space for me to listen, find my own place in the track, and contribute in a way that kept the song’s intent intact.”

For Venugopal, the Grammy nomination could be a door to further opportunities to bring her Indian roots to global audiences. “I think that’s the whole purpose of recognition from musical communities and institutions,” she reflects.

“They highlight when something new and interesting is happening, especially in a time where there’s so much content out there that it can be hard to know what to explore. Recognition like this is a nod, a signal to the world, that definitely amplifies opportunities for an artiste like me. It puts my work out there, helping people to notice what I’m doing. Without these platforms, it’s easy to remain unseen, doing your own work privately without much visibility.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

An electronics and communication engineer by profession, Mysuru’s own Nayana Vishva has made significant strides in the world of modelling, becoming one of the most sought-after models by top designers to showcase their creations.

Her impressive portfolio includes appearances at prestigious fashion events such as New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week and San Francisco Fashion Week, among others in the United States.

Daughter of Vishva Chaitanya and H.R. Bhavani, residents of Gokulam in Mysuru, Nayana currently resides in San Jose, California. From her base in San Jose, she travels extensively across the US for her modelling assignments. Her journey is bolstered by the unwavering support of her husband, Nimish Shah, who is also an engineer.

Star of Mysore caught up with this rising supermodel during her visit to Mysuru for an exclusive chat. Excerpts…

Star of Mysore (SOM): Being an Electronics and Communication engineer, how did you shift into modelling?

Nayana: To be honest, I have not shifted completely to modelling. I am working full-time as an engineer for a multi-national company that deals with semiconductors in San Jose. I take up modelling assignments on weekends. Since I have been doing modelling for the past four years, I have started pursuing it more seriously and professionally.

SOM: What made you think of getting into the modelling profession?

Nayana: It’s been a childhood dream to pursue modelling. However, I focused more on my academics like any other Indian kid, completed my studies and settled into my profession before deciding it was time to pursue my dream of becoming a model.

SOM: Growing up, did you follow anyone as your role model?

Nayana: No, I didn’t have a specific role model. But I used to watch models on television and other shows, admiring the confidence with which they walked the ramp. That’s what attracted me. Now, as a model myself, I need a point of reference, so I follow supermodel Bella Hadid.

SOM: For a model, every day brings a new challenge — whether it’s maintaining your body or walking the ramp. How do you manage it?

Nayana: Body maintenance is crucial. My routine includes two hours of fitness, which I balance with my professional life as an engineer. I also work with a trainer who helps me stay in shape. In addition, maintaining a good diet is key.

For me, it’s high in protein and fibre and low in carbohydrates. I eat less rice and focus more on vegetables, pulses and sprouts. Swimming is also a part of my fitness regime, and I plan to join a “Masters in Swimming” course once I return to the US.

SOM: Recently, you were featured in Vogue, a dream for any model. How did that happen?

Nayana: As I mentioned, I live in San Jose, but most of the modelling work takes place in New York and Los Angeles. I’ve been walking the ramp at New York Fashion Week for the past three years. One of the casting directors, who seemed impressed by my work, approached me, and I went through the audition process, including an interview. After clearing the auditions, I had the opportunity to shoot for Vogue in New York.

SOM: How has your family supported you in your endeavours?

Nayana: My parents have been supportive from the very beginning, but my husband’s role has been particularly significant. Sometimes, I get calls to participate in events in Los Angeles, which is six hours from San Jose, with little notice. Flights can be difficult to secure and driving such a long distance to attend an event the next day can be stressful. During those times, my husband steps in to help. He has driven me to Los Angeles to ensure I make it to these events on time.

SOM: What are your plans, given that you’ve also expressed an interest in entering the Kannada film industry?

Nayana: Yes, as a Kannadiga with a deep connection to Kannada culture and tradition, I would love to enter the Kannada Film Industry — but only if the opportunities come through reputable banners. As for my modelling career, I’m eager to take it a step further by collaborating with bigger brands.

I also aim to work with elite designers at New York Fashion Week, something I see coming soon. Just three weeks ago, I walked for designers Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, who design for celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Ranveer Singh. I’m also focusing on appearing at the London and Paris Fashion Weeks next year.

SOM: What does it take to become a supermodel and can we see you as one in future?

Nayana: I haven’t reached the level of a supermodel yet, but the zeal and perseverance to get there are essential. I never imagined reaching the level I am at today. Having already been featured in Vogue — a dream for many models — I see myself becoming a supermodel in the future.   —VNS

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)