Arts, Culture & Entertainment – Page 9

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: TRAVEL & TOURISM / ASTRONOMY / SKY GAZING: Talacauvery (Kodagu District) is India’s ‘2nd Dark Sky Reserve’ Qualifying as ‘Bortle 2 Sky’ & Bengaluru as ‘Bortle 9 Sky’. Also South India’s ‘Hanle’ top ‘Star Party’ Destination next scheduled for Jan 20 -24

The source of Cauvery is also among the most ideal locations to gaze at the sky.

Talacauvery in Kodagu district, which is the source of Cauvery river, has emerged as South India’s Hanle, as astronomers have been hosting “star parties” there for some time now. Hanle, located in Ladakh, and known for its pristine skies and minimal light pollution, is also India’s first Dark Sky Reserve.

A Dark Sky Reserve is a designation given to a place that has policies in place to ensure that a tract of land or region has minimal artificial light interference.

In south India, most dark sky locations are in the Western Ghats or some hill ranges nearby, and according to astronomers, Talacauvery is the most ideal location to gaze at the sky and have a star party.

Voluntary work

The Bangalore Astronomical Society (BAS), a group of volunteers working for the promotion of astronomy as a hobby as well as a science, is now hosting star parties at Talacauvery. IT professionals Sudhash Natarajan, Vishwanath S.K. and Keerthi Kiran have been volunteering to conduct the star parties for BAS.

“We at BAS usually arrange star parties on New Moon weekends (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) format as it is the ideal time to observe the celestial objects which we are looking for. We inform people who are interested in joining us for the star party eight to days in advance. Members of the sky party after arriving at the dark sky location set up their equipment like telescopes, binacolours etc and the observation goes on until 4.45 am,” said Sudhash Natarajan.

Mr. Natarajan said that the group which attends the star parties are of all walks of life and that they are a mix of experienced astronomers as well as students and newbies to astronomy. He added that star parties have also been conducted in Koratagere, Hoshalli, Kavalur, and Yercaud in the past.

Less light pollution

“However, Talacauvery is possibly the best dark night location in south India due to less light pollution. In astronomy, there is something called the Bortle scale which measures the night sky’s brightness of a location on a nine level numerical scale. The lesser the numerical scale it qualifies for a better dark sky location. For example, Hanle skies would qualify as Bortle one skies, Talacauvery as Bortle two, and Bengaluru as Bortle nine,” he added.

The star parties are usually conducted in the winter months between December to March as the skies are clearer during these months which is very important for stargazing.

Mr. Natarajan said a star party was conducted between December 23 and 27, 2022, and the next one would be between January 20 and 24.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: Confluence of Cultures Witnessed at ’13th Nirantharam National Music and Dance Festival’ Jan 01st-05, 2023

This ongoing festival will feature a variety of classical music concerts and dance performances.

It was a musical beginning to the year as the 13th Nirantharam National Music and Dance Festival kick-started on January 1 and will continue till January 5.

This five-day festival, happening at Seva Sadan, Malleswaram, will feature a variety of classical music concerts and dance performances.

The inaugural performance saw a colourful dance ballet, depicting the life and times of Nagarathnamma, a Carnatic singer, scholar, and courtesan. The show was conceptualised and directed by veteran director TS Nagabharana followed by Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi performances throughout the day.

P Ramaa, trustee of Sangeetha Sambhrama, which organised the festival says on January 2 there is a lineup of NRI artists. “It’s an internationally-known music drama and dance festival. Artists from the US and UK are participating. There is a strong lineup of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi performances,” says Ramaa. The festival has many performers who have been looking forward to being part of live shows. “Performers are eagerly waiting to perform live, as before it was largely online. Even regular attendees of the festival, are awaiting this,” says Ramaa.

Ramaa adds on January 4 there is a dance ballet of Sri Ramanuja Vaibhavam, and suggests not missing it. It will be presented in the presence of Yadugiri Yathiraja Narayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamy and Karnataka Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayan. Apart from that, there will be a presentation of Sambhrama Puraskar Awards 2023 to eminent artists like R A Ramamani, Sujatha Sreenivasan, Sai Venkatesh, Prasanna Kasthuri, Praveen D Rao, Padmaja Srinivas and V Murali Nadaswara.

“We are felicitating all the artists who were bestowed with the Sangeet Nataka Academy Award from the President of India in Delhi. Around 50 people are coming for the award function and some are being awarded posthumously,” concludes Ramaa.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE / METAVERSE: Kannada film ‘Made in Bengaluru’ released in Metaverse

Made in Bengaluru is written and directed by Pradeep Sastry. The cast includes Madhusudan Govind in the lead role, and Anant Nag, Saikumar and Prakash Belawadi in pivotal roles.

Interality, an engine for mixed reality (AR & VR) worlds, has announced the release of ‘Made in Bengaluru’, a Kannada film on metaverse.

Made in Bengaluru is written and directed by Pradeep Sastry. The cast includes Madhusudan Govind in the lead role, and Anant Nag, Saikumar and Prakash Belawadi in pivotal roles. The story follows the journey of three dreamy-eyed middle class boys who venture into setting up their start-up.

Movie enthusiasts can meet the cast on the metaverse take selfies with a drone camera. They can also participate in a movie quiz, win tickets to the exclusive film premiere on December 29 in Bengaluru.

“We’re thrilled to power the launch of the film Made in Bengaluru in Metaverse.

Metaverse has massive opportunities for the cinema and entertainment industry as the future of content distribution,” said Farheen Ahmad, CEO, interality.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPORTS: Modi mentions Karnataka Palm Leather startup ‘Bhoomi Agri Ventures’ in ‘Mann Ki Baat’

The PM said the couple is sending many unique products made from betelnut fiber to the international market.

A Shivamogga-based couple’s out-of-the-box idea on the use of betelnut fibre has earned the praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Suresh and his wife Maithili, who are residents of Vinoba Nagar, are exporting their palm leather products internationally.

Modi praised the couple in his Mann Ki Baat episode on Sunday and said the countrymen should use such indigenous products and gift them to others as well. Suresh and Maithili, through their startup Bhoomi Agri Ventures, are making and exporting areca palm products. Their palm leather project was instigated as a cheap plant-based replacement for animal leather, plastic and rubber.

The PM said the couple is sending many unique products made from betelnut fibre to the international market. “These people are making decorative things ranging from trays, plates and handbags from betelnut fibre. Chappals made of this fibre are also being liked a lot today. Today, their products are being sold in London and other markets in Europe.

This is the very quality of our natural resources and traditional skills, which is being liked by everyone. With the traditional knowledge of India, the world is looking at ways of a sustainable future. We ourselves also need to be more and more aware of this. We should use such indigenous and local products and gift them to others as well. This will also strengthen our identity, the local economy, and, in large numbers, brighten the future of the people,” he said.

Expressing happiness over Modi mentioning them in this radio programme, Suresh told TNIE that their project was possible thanks to the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR).

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE / SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARDs: Writer Moodnakudu Chinnaswamy and Journalist Padmaraj Dandavati get Sahitya Akademi Award 2022 in Kannada Category

Writer Moodnakudu Chinnaswamy and journalist Padmaraj Dandavati have won the Sahitya Akademi award in the Kannada category for the year 2022. The awards were announced by the Central Sahitya Akademi on Thursday.

While Chinnaswamy won the award for his work ‘Bahutvada Bharata Mattu Bouddha Tatvikate’, Dandavati bagged the award in the translation category for ‘Seetha Ramayanada Sachitra Maru kathana.’ Dandavati has translated Devadatta Pattanaik’s ‘Seetha’ from English to Kannada.

While the main book award carries cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation, the translation award carries a prize amount of Rs 50,000 and a citation. The awards will be presented at a function in New Delhi in March 2023.

The selection of awards was carried out under the supervision of Dr Sarjoo Katkar, convenor of Kannada advisory board of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. Dr C Naganna, Chandrasekhar Vastrad and Padmaraj Dandavati were the judges for the main book award, while Dr Jagadish Koppa, Dr Mohan Kuntar and Dr Kamalakar Bhat were the judges for the translation award. Central Sahitya Akademi President Dr Chandrashekhar Kambar has congratulated the award winners.

The awards will be presented at a function in New Delhi in March 2023.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE / MAGIC: Magician Kudroli Ganesh was Presented with the US-based ‘Int’l Society of Magic’s -‘ Merlin Award’ at the Int’l Magic Extravaganza 2022, Bangkok, Thailand

Mangaluru magician Kudroli Ganesh received the Merlin award during the International Magic Extravaganza 2022 held at Bangkok in Thailand recently.

The award, which was instituted by the International Society of Magic from the U.S., was presented to him by U.S.-based magician Tony Hassini. He was considered for the award for his magic show ‘Tulunadu Tudar Chendu’. He presented the traditional cups and balls trick of the world in a creative form, using the Tulu Paadana (sung narratives of Tulu).

The Thailand International Academy of Magic, the organisers of the event, praised the presentation and adjudged it as the “most original act” and presented the award, Mr. Ganesh said in a communique.

The event was held for five days.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: DEFENCE SERVICES: Military Display Teams put up a Scintillating Performance at the 11th ASC Reunion & 262nd Corps Day celebration, Bengaluru

This was a part of the 11th ASC Reunion and the 262nd Corps Day which is being celebrated at the ASC Centre and College, Bengaluru, on December 8 and 9.

A military display of Army equestrian sports, paramotor flying, free fall from paratroopers, and flying demonstration by the Indian Air Force’s Sarang team was organised here on Wednesday.

It was done as a part of the 11th ASC Reunion and the 262nd Corps Day which is being celebrated at the ASC Centre and College, Bengaluru, on December 8 and 9.

“To showcase the capability of our armed forces and to offer a glimpse into the military might of the nation to the young aspiring minds and to motivate them to join the defence forces, a military display was organised,” said the Ministry of Defence.

The display was attended by personnel and families of armed forces, paramilitary forces, police, other defence establishments and schoolchildren.

During the display a paratrooper fell on a treetop, however, no injuries were reported.

Microlight flying expedition

As part of the 11th Army Service Corps Reunion and to commemorate the 75th year of independence, the Army Adventure Nodal Centre (Microlight) Gaya has undertaken a Microlight Flying Expedition from Gaya to Bengaluru under the aegis of Army Service Corps and Army Adventure Wing, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army).

The Indian Army Microlight Expedition was flagged off from Gaya (Bihar) on November 30.

The expedition involved a cross-country flight by a fleet of four microlight aircraft over an aerial distance of more than 5,000 km in about 17 days including airshow/ maintenance halt. The expedition route was over plains of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, hilly terrain and plains of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. The inclement weather and gusty winds make this an extremely challenging expedition, the ministry said.

The microlight aircraft will perform an airshow at the 11th Army Service Corps Reunion and 262nd Corps Day.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE / PHOTOGRAPHY: Daijiworld’s Dayanand Kukkaje Wins top Title at 3rd ‘Global Photography Contest 2022’

Renowned photojournalist Dayanand Kukkaje won the Top Appreciable Photographer’s title at season 3 of Global Photography Contest 2022.

The contest was organised by Innovize Arts and Culture, a global talent search firm.

Dayanand Kukkaje bagged a medal of appreciation.

The Season 3 of The Global Photography Contest 2022 was held among the photographers from India and NRIs from several other countries.

Earlier, Dayanand Kukkaje had bagged the Best Action Photography Award and Best Candid Photography award. His photographs have been exhibited in 12 photo exhibitions organised by him. He has visited more than six countries to showcase his photography skills.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: Filmy story: Digital board game ‘ODO’ for learning Karnataka culture through movies

Many of us might know that one person who knows multiple languages. And that comes from the love of cinema. Tapping that, Madan Kumar has developed an app called ODO, which is an online board game.

Kumar’s aim for the app is to make it easier for people to learn the language in a fun way. Some of the movies that are listed are Badava Rascal, Humble Politician Nograj, U-Turn to name a few.

Kumar loves movies and is a strong believer that nothing is difficult until and unless there is a right way of doing it.

“I can speak all the South Indian languages and am self-taught. My knowledge of languages is mostly from watching movies. I picked languages through dialogues. I know so many people who learn Tamil from Rajanikanth movies,” says Kumar with a laugh. While this is the second version of the game, the first version was about a simple word-making game.

The other reason Kumar is using movie references is to make people aware of Kannada movies.

“It is good to see so many Kannada movies getting recognition nationally. There are many other good movies in addition to KGF and Kantara. I want people to know more about it. And as Indians we love movies, I feel it’s easier for us to make something new through movies. Initially, we started with old movies, but now we have expanded their database to 800 movies. So every day, there are new scenes or dialogues from the movie,” he adds.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: With a few firsts, 11th edition Bangalore Literature Festival 2022(BLT) all set to kick off on Saturday, Dec 03-05th

The BLT and Atta Galatta, a city-based bookstore and hub for literary events, will also give out the Atta Galatta-Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize to honour the best of English fiction and non-fiction and Kannada writing.

The 11th edition of the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLT) is all set to kick off on Saturday, December 3, at Hotel Lalit Ashok.

The two-day festival will feature over 250 international, Indian, and city authors and speakers, four programme forums, and two children’s venues, said organisers.

They added stimulating conversations around a breadth of fiction and non-fiction topics, including history, biographies, translations, literature, religion, mythology, travel, art and music, feminism, food, cinema, publishing, technology, startups and more will also feature in the festival.

BLT will host several authors and speakers, including historian William Dalrymple, author and poet Jerry Pinto, poet and novelist Jeet Thayil, researcher and journalist Akshaya Mukul; author-politician Arun Shourie, author-playwright Cyrus Mistry, screenwriter-children’s writer Honey Irani, and author and constitutional lawyer J Sai Deepak among other guests.

Members from the film fraternity including Alankrita Shrivastava, Natesh Hegde, and Kamal KM, will be participating at ScreenLit—the pitching platform for screenwriters. Noted editors, journalists, and media personalities, including T J S George, Senthil Chengalvarayan, Bachi Karkaria, Kaveree Bamzai, Malini Goyal, R Kaushik, Stutee Ghosh, and Suresh Menon, will be among others at BLT.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)