Category: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: Mysuru Sculptor Arun Yogiraj’s Ram Lalla to be Installed in Ayodhya Temple

One of the most sought-after sculptors in the country, Yogiraj sculpted the 30-foot statue of Subhash Chandra Bose installed at Amar Jawan Jyoti behind India Gate in New Delhi.

Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj’s Ram Lalla idol has been chosen for installation at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple during the auspicious ‘Prana Prathistapana Muhurtham’ on January 22.

Of the three idols shortlisted, the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust on Monday selected Yogiraj’s Ram Lalla through voting, according to his family members here.

Yogiraj used a unique Krishna shila (stone) from Bujjegoudanapura village in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district to sculpt the idol along with his team.

Yogiraj hails from a family of sculptors in Mysuru.

One of the most sought-after sculptors in the country, Yogiraj sculpted the 30-foot statue of Subhash Chandra Bose installed at Amar Jawan Jyoti behind India Gate in New Delhi. He is also known for his works such as the 12-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath, the 21-foot statue of Lord Hanuman at Chunchanakatte in Mysuru district, the 15-foot statue of Dr BR Ambedkar and the statue of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in Mysuru.

Yogiraj’s wife Vijetha, who expressed her happiness for the selection of her husband’s Ram Lalla, told The New Indian Express that he has been working tirelessly for the past six months. “He did not even meet me or other members of our family during this period. We feel very happy that his work has been selected,” she said.

Many prominent leaders from Mysuru and politicians have congratulated Yogiraj on his achievement. Sharing his happiness on ‘X’, Yediyurappa said, “The idol of Lord Rama sculpted by Arun Yogiraj of Mysuru has been selected for installation in the magnificent Sri Rama Mandir of Ayodhya, which has doubled the pride and happiness of the entire Rama devotees of the state. Heartfelt congratulations to ‘Shilpi @yogiraj_arun’.”

Yediyurappa’s son and BJP state president BY Vijayendra too hailed Yogiraj for making the state and Mysuru proud. “It is the pride of Mysuru, the pride of Karnataka that the idol of Ram Lalla carved by Arun Yogiraj will be enshrined in Ayodhya on January 22,” Vijayendra said. MP PC Mohan and former minister B Sreeramulu also congratulated Yogiraj on social media. 

More than selection, people should appreciate it: Yogiraj

Sculptor Arun Yogiraj said he has not yet received any official communication about the selection of his idol to be installed in Ayodhya.

However, senior BJP leaders’ posts on ‘X’ made him believe that his work has been selected.“I am happy that I was among the three sculptors from the country selected to carve the idol of Ram Lalla,” Yogiraj said.

The challenge was not easy for him. “The idol should be of a child, who is divine too because it is the statue of the incarnation of God. People who look at the statue should feel the divinity,” Yogiraj said.

“Keeping the divinity aspect along with the child-like face in mind, I started my work about seven months ago. Now, I am extremely happy. More than selection, people should appreciate it. Only then, I will be happy,” he said. (With agency inputs)

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: KARNATAKA: WORLD KANNADA CONFERENCE: 17th World Kannada Cultural Conference to be held in Dammam on Jan 18-19, 2024

Non-resident Kannadigas committee, Saudi Arabia and Hridayavahini Karnataka Mangaluru will be holding 17th two-day long Vishwa Kannada Samskrithi Sammelana at the Safwa auditorium, Dammam on January 18-19, 2024.

There will be poetics session, comedy session, media session and nonresident Kannadigas session during the programme. Bharatanatya, Janapada dances, dance skits, Yakshagana, Dollu dances and Daf arts will be displayed during the event.

An exhibition of goods will be held outside the auditorium on those days. There are more than 40,000 Kannadigas in Saudi Arabia. There will be publicity of the programme so that a large number of Kannadigas may attend the event. Kannadigas in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Qatar, Sharjah and Dubai will be invited for the event.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah will be invited to inaugurate the event. Vidhan Sabha speaker U T Khader, minister of the department of Kannada and culture Shivaraj Tangadagi, minister of agriculture Cheluvarayaswamy, minister of health and Dakshina Kannada district in charge minister Dinesh Gundurao, minister of higher education, Madhu Bangarappa, minister of civic administration and Haj, Rahim Khan, deputy chairman of the NRI Forum of Karnataka Dr Arati Krishna, Kannada Development Authority former president Prof S G Siddaramaiah have been invited.

The concluding programme will be held during the evening on January 19. A delegation of more than 100 members from Karnataka and India and office bearers of various Kannada organizations across the country will take part in the conference.

The president of the conference president will be selected during the first week of January 2024. Those who intend to suggest the names can send them to hrudayavahini@rediffmail.com.

Kudroli Ganesh will perform magic show, Gopi will perform Mimicry, Mahadeva Sattigeri will give away a comedy speech, Go Na Swamy, Pushpa Aradhya, Anil Basagi and Shivu will sing songs, Ranga Samskriti Bengaluru will perform comedy skit, Patla Foundation Bahrain and Saudi Arabia unit will perform Yakshagana. There will be Daf display by Byari artistes from Mangaluru, Bharata Natya by Pushkara Performing Arts Bengaluru, Dollu dance by Sagar and Mandya Janapada artistes and variety programmes by artistes from Saudi Arabia. Patla foundation Bahrain and Saudi Arabia unit artists will perform Yakshagana play.

Non-resident Kannadigas welcome committee Saudi Arabia honorary president Zakariya Bajpe, Vishwa Kannada Samskrithi Sammelana committee founder president K P Manjunath Sagar, nonresident Kannadigas welcome committee president Sathish Bajal and Praveen Peter Aranha were present.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL/ KARNATAKA: GREEN-ENVIRONMENT / SPORTS : Bengaluru’s Ultra-Marathoner Aakash Nambiar runs 104Km barefoot in Dubai to raise ‘Awareness for Climate Change’

Aakash Nambiar’s initiative was inspired by the momentum generated by COP28, the climate change conference held earlier in December.

Aakash Nambiar, a 34-year-old ultra-marathoner from Bengaluru, took to the streets of Dubai barefoot, covering a staggering 104Km in just over 17 hours and 20 minutes. Known as ‘Barefoot Mallu’ on Instagram, Nambiar’s feat was not just a test of physical stamina but also a call to action against climate change.

Starting his journey at the break of dawn from Love Lake in Al Qudra, Nambiar traversed some of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks, including the Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Kite Beach, Jumeirah Beach, La Mer Beach, Etihad Museum, and the Museum of the Future. His final destination was the towering Burj Khalifa, which he reached by midnight. Throughout this extraordinary marathon, Nambiar ran without shoes, braving the hot Middle Eastern terrain, save for the last few stretches at night.

Nambiar’s initiative was inspired by the momentum generated by COP28, the climate change conference held earlier in December. Through his run, he aimed to engage with community members, discussing the collective effort needed to combat climate change. His message was clear: “WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME” to act on this global issue.

“A 100KM inside Dubai, the city of skyscrapers!! The run started after the sun rise from Love, Lake to finish at the tallest building in the world Burj Khalifa covering Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Kite Beach, Jumeirah Beach, La Mer beach, Etihad museum and Museum of future with a total of ~ 104KMs,” Nambiar wrote.

As reported by Khaleej Times, Nambiar expressed that running through the streets and meeting people made him feel alive and provided a powerful platform to spread his message on environmental conservation.

source/content: indiatoday.in (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: INDIA / KARNATAKA: GUINNESS RECORD: Kundapur’s Students of Hattiangadi Siddivinayaka School Register Guinness Record in Mosaic Painting

Students of Hattiangadi Siddivinayaka School on the threshold of celebrating their silver jubilee have achieved Guinness record by creating the mosaic picture of H Ramachandra Bhat, founder of the residential school and spiritual leader.

As many as 1,228 people participated to complete the task at 3 pm on December 3 and got a new record registered in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The principal, administrative official, teachers, staff and well-wishers joined in the school premises on December 1 to create the 7.75 feet long and 5.625 feet wide picture with an area of 42.78 square feet using 1,228 rotating rubix cubes. The Rotating Rubik’s Cube creation in the participation of 308 people by U K’s Rubik brand limited was holding the record so far.

Rishinath from Guinness organization who was stationed as adjudicator for the last four days verified and confirmed the achievement, announced the record and handed over the certificate to H Sharankumar, principal of the school. Siddi educational institute’s Ramadevi R Bhat, vice president H Balachandra Bhat, management official Veena Rashmi, Guinness record guide Prathwish K, management board’s Dr N P Narayana Shetty and vice principal Rama Devadiga were present.

As many as 50 students of the school had created on November 30 the picture of national Hockey player major Dhyanchand in an area of 19.198 square meters using 6,000 cubes on one side and dual sided rotating Rubik’s cube mosaic picture of international badminton player P V Sindhu on the other side and broken the record of Zengis Aitzanov who had created the picture with an area of 15.878 square meters using 5,100 cubes.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HORTICULTURE / GARDEN: CM Opens Mysuru City’s First Botanical Garden – The 15-acre Lingambudhi Lake Botanical Garden

Chief Minister Siddharamaiah inaugurated the Mysuru city’s first Lingambudhi Lake Botanical Garden at Srirampura II Stage, Ramakrishnanagar, this morning.

The garden, spread over 15-acre area, is developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 crore and has over 300 plant varieties, including medicinal plants.

The Chief Minister and dignitaries, who went around the garden on a battery-operated vehicle, also released the pamphlets on Geographical Indicator (GI) products of Mysuru like Nanjangud Rasabale, Mysore Veelyedele (Betel leaves), Mysore Mallige (Jasmine) and several other farm produces.

Horticulture Minister S.S. Mallikarjun, Mysuru District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Animal Husbandry K. Venkatesh, MLAs K. Harishgowda and D. Ravishankar and others were present.  A topiary at the Botanical Garden.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CRAFTS / FASHION: Namratha Manjunath Wins ‘Miss Mysuru 2023’ Crown and First Runner-Up Bhavana Narayan

Inner Wheel Club of Mysuru Aisiri with Nandini Nagaraj Pageant Initiative and RK Universe Coorg had hosted ‘Miss Mysuru 2023’ event recently at The Viceroy Comforts in Mysuru.

‘Miss Mysuru 2023’ winner Namratha Manjunath , a medical student, first runner-up Bhavana Narayan and second runner-up Harshitha, are seen with the jury members Dr. Hemamalini Lakshman (Mrs. India Universe 2018), Prathiba, K. Kavya and Sowhardini.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CRAFTS / HANDLOOM: Meet 97-year-old Freedom Fighter Turned Handloom Hero of Kodekal Village Sangappa Mante

From padayatra to trekking, freedom fighter Sangappa Mante from Kodekal village is trying everything to revive the industry.

At the ripe age of 97, Sangappa Mante is on a mission: to save the handloom industry. For more than two decades, the warhorse from Kodekal village of Hunasagi taluk (Yadgir district) has been fighting to protect traditional handloom weaving. He took up a padayatra twice in the past decade, and three years ago, trekked 300km from Kodekal to Kottur in Davanagere district.

Mante, whose family continues traditional handloom weaving, has joined hands with Charaka Movement founder Prasunna, well-known theatre artist-director and activist. Mante has always been a restless soul, having fought for the liberation of erstwhile Hyderabad state from the then Nizam, who had declined to merge with an independent India on August 15, 1947. 

Hyderabad state, comprising 17 districts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, along with Bidar, Kalaburagi and Raichur districts, were part of the erstwhile kingdom and continued to be part of the Nizam’s kingdom after 1947.

In the heady days following Independence, Sardar Veerupakshappa Gowda of Rajankollur village near Kodekal, was a leading figure in the fight against the Nizam’s army (razakars) to liberate erstwhile Hyderabad state. Gowda was soon killed.

Sangappa Mante, Gowda’s close associate, adopted the Gandhian style of resistance against the Nizam, walking around Kodekal village in khadi attire and carrying the national flag to raise awareness on the happenings in the country. His aim was to ignite a sense of patriotism among the villagers. 

He and his friends would shelter activists of liberation movement and place hurdles on the road to prevent the razakars from entering Kodekal village.

The Nizam government arrested Mante in 1948 and put him in Kalaburagi Central Jail for three months for waging war against it. He was released a few months before liberation of erstwhile Hyderabad state, on September 17, 1948.

Ever since, Mante has held khadi dear, and is continuing the fight to revive the dying handloom industry. Yadgir district administration said that Mante is the only surviving activist of erstwhile Hyderabad state liberation movement from Yadgir district.

“The government should do everything possible to protect traditional industries. Instead of giving free grains, money etc, the government should double or treble the wages of artistes, provide materials at subsidised rates, and provide a good market. The government should take steps to popularise products of traditional industries. It will not only save the traditional industry, but also increase employment opportunities and keep youngsters in good health,” he said.

Family bond with handlooms

Sangappa Mante was born on June 25, 1926, in a weaver’s family at Ikkalaki village of Aland taluk in Kalaburagi district. His family later shifted to Kodekal in Yadgir. He started working on handlooms at the age of 16, when his family had only two handloom units.

“There was a lot of demand for khadi and handloom back then, and we used to get sufficient cotton,” said Mante, who went on to increase the number of handloom units from two to 20, from 1942 to 1946.

Until 1960, his family had 22 units. There were 300 families in Kodekal which were involved in weaving, Mante recalls.

After 1960, the number of handloom production units started declining, and now his family has only two units, which are operated by Mante’s three sons. There are hardly 7-8 families who are still involved in traditional weaving, says Mante.

Mante, who is state unit president of the Federation of All-India Handloom Associations, had been invited by the President to participate in a reception for freedom fighters and activists at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 9, 2015.

‘Working on loom better than yoga’
Asked whether he was did yoga or exercise to maintain his health at the age of 97, Sangappa Mante said working on a handloom is a better exercise. We have to use our hands, legs, eyes and mind in coordination, which is a great exercise, he felt.

Roll of honour
Mante received the state-level Deshi Rastriya Kaimagga Prashasti (National Handloom Award) for 2012-13 on December 21, 2014, and Nekara Ratna Award instituted by Karnataka Rajya Nekara Samudayagala Okuta (Federation of Karnataka State Weaving community) on August 7, 2022

A few weeks ago, Yadgir Deputy Commissioner Sushila visited Mante’s house and felicitated him on behalf of the district administration. Sangappa has received an invitation from Kalyana Karnataka Amrit Mahotsava Samiti to receive an award on September 17 in Kalaburagi for his contribution to the liberation movement.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: HERITAGE: Three Hoysala Temples of Karnataka Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites

All three temples are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and the nominations were entered as ‘The Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas’.

The Hoysala temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapur in Karnataka were declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites on September 18 in a move that will bring global recognition with prospects of increase in international tourism to these places.

The Chennakeshava temple at Belur and Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebidu — both in Hassan district have been on the UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014. The Keshava temple at Somanathapur in Mysuru district was appended to the other two monuments under the tentative list and all the three were officially nominated by the Centre as India’s entry for 2022-23 in February in 2022.

An expert from the International Commission on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) concluded the site visits covering all three temples in September last year and the monuments were officially inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

All three temples are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the nominations were entered as ‘The Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas’.

The Hoysala temples are known for evolving a distinct style that is ornate with temple architecture following a stellate plan built on a raised platform. The material used in temple construction is choloritic schist which is also known as soapstone that are soft and amiable to carving.

While the construction of the Chennakeshava temple at Belur in commenced during the period of king Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE and took 103 years to complete, the Hoysaleshwara temple was commissioned in 1121 CE while the Keshava temple at Somanathapur in Mysuru district was commissioned by Somanatha Dandanayaka during the regime of Narasimha III in 1268 CE.

A. Devaraju, Commissioner, Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage said the inscription of the 3 sites as World Heritage Sites will give global recognition for the three monuments which are known for sculptures and carvings and further boost tourism.

The dossier for final submission was prepared by the Bengaluru chapter of INTACH for the Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage and Department of Tourism with support from the Archaeological Survey of India.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: 3 Achievers from Mangaluru enter into Worldwide Book of Records & India Book of Records

These three achievers have made Mangaluru proud to find mentioned in the Worldwide Book of Records and India Book of Records, and they revealed it during a press meet held at Mangaluru Press Club.

The three achievers are K Chandrashekar (Swimming), Ms Kavitha Ashok (Yoga) and Miss Madhulashree (Yoga Gandabherundasana).

Addressing the media personnel, Chandrashekar said, ” I did 28 front flip somersaults underwater with one breadth, creating a World Record. I work as a swimming coach at Mangaluru City Corporation Swimming Pool near Ladyhill, Mangaluru. The world record for the highest somersaults (36) was in the name of Lans Davis of California, USA. I was inspired by Guinness Book of Record holders Gopal Kharvi, Gangadhar Kadekar and Nagaraj Kharvi.

KAVITA ASHOK, who has taught yoga at Nazareth school, Bethany institutions and Apostolic Carmel institutions, completed her YIC training at Vyasa Vivekananda University in Bangalore. She has been the Hero of Champions at State Level Yoga in 2004, and in 2007 got the first place Worldwide Level competition. She deserves credit because so many of her students have taken part in yoga at the taluk, National, District, and State levels. By performing Sirsa Padmasana on March 23, 2023, in 29 minutes and 6 seconds, she has equalled Kerala’s Kiran Surendran’s record of 25 minutes and 8 seconds and entered the India Book of Records. She has received instruction and guidance from V.L. Rego, an international yoga guru. She has received constant support from staff K. Chandrashekhar Rai Soorikumeru and Manager Ramesh Bejai of MCC Swimming Club.

S. MADHULASHREE, the daughter of M. Saravanan and Tamil Selvi, studying in class VI of Ladyhill English Higher Primary School, Mangaluru has entered into the India Book of Records in Ganda Bherundasana with a timing of 15 min 36 seconds as confirmed on 21st March 2023. She has been trained by Kavitha Ashok, the Yoga Instructor oatLadyhill English Higher Primary School. Sr Jenifer Morasa AC-the Principal of Ladyhill English Higher Primary School complimented Ms Kavitha and Madhulashree for their achievements. Teacher Mrs Lavita Correa was also present during the press meet.

source/content: mangalorean.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CRAFTS / MUSIC: Indian Institute of Science’s (IISc) Classical Music Group ‘Geetanjali’ is 150 members strong and to perform ‘The Myriad Colours of Indian Music’

The classical music wing was started by Geeta in 2015. She is a Hindustani singer. Her husband is a faculty member at IISc. She holds music classes at her home, which is located on the IISc campus.

Research scholars and faculty members of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) will put up a 90-minute music show on their campus next week.

The show is called ‘The myriad colours of Indian music’ and will be held on the sidelines of ‘The International Conference on Fracture Mechanics of Concrete and Concrete Structures’. “A lot of foreign delegates come to IISc for conferences. We want to give them a glimpse of Indian music,” says Geeta Ananth, who has conceptualised the show.

The performance will be a mix of Hindustani and Carnatic music, Kannada bhavageethe, folk songs, bhajans, ghazals and other genres. A folk dance is also scheduled.

These research scholars and faculty members are part of Geetanjali, the classical music wing of the institutes’s Music Club.

The classical music wing was started by Geeta in 2015. She is a Hindustani singer. Her husband is a faculty member at IISc. She holds music classes at her home, which is located on the IISc campus.

Explaining why she started Geetanjali, she says, “There was no forum to promote classical music and showcase talent on the campus.”

The group has more than 150 members now and the music classes have become a stress-buster for students, she shares.

The group will perform alongside professional artistes like Raghavendra Nakod, Niranjan Hegde and Surya Upadhyaya.

 ‘The myriad colours of Indian music’ on September 11, 6.30 pm, at J N Tata Auditorium, C V Raman Road. Entry free.

source/content: deccan herald.com (headline edited)