Category: Heritage

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: 4-day ‘Maha Kumbha Mela’ formally Launched at Triveni Sangamma, K.R. Pet by Dr. Veerendra Heggade

Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr. Veerendra Heggade, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP, formally  launched  the four-day Maha Kumbha Mela at Triveni Sangama near Ambigarahalli-Sangapura-Pura cluster villages in Akkihebbal Hobli of K.R. Pet taluk yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Heggade said that water is the lifeline of everyone and as such it is essential for all to conserve it. Pointing out that we offer puja to weapons, equipment, articles and vehicles during Ayudha Puja, Dr. Heggade said that likewise water too should be worshipped as it is very much essential in our daily life and we cannot survive without it.

Noting that the Triveni Sangama here is the confluence of Cauvery-Hemavathi-Lakshmanatheertha rivers, he called upon the people to take a holy dip at the Sangama.

Minister for Silk and Youth Empowerment and Sports  and K.R. Pet MLA  K.C. Narayanagowda, who presided, said that the Maha Kumbha Mela is being held at Triveni Sangama in the presence of a number of Seers and Saints, after a gap of nine years. Underlining the significance  of ‘Punya Snana’ (holy dip) at the Sangama, he said that devotees seek the blessings of Lord Mahadeshwara at this holy shrine.

Adichunchanagiri Mutt Seer Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Mysuru Ramakrishna Ashram President Swami Muktidanandaji, Kaginele Mutt Seer Sri Shivanandapuri Swamiji, Bebi Mutt Seer Sri Trinetra Mahanta Shivayogi Swamiji, M.M.Hills Salur Mutt Seer Shanthamallikarjuna Swamiji and a host of other Seers graced the occasion.

Mandya District Minister K. Gopalaiah, Mandya Deputy Commissioner S. Aswathi, Additional Deputy Commissioner H.L. Nagaraju, ZP CEO Shantha Hulmani, SP N. Yatish, Pandavapura Sub-division Assistant Commissioner B.C. Shivanandamurthy, Tahsildar Roopa, Kumbha Mela Co-ordinator Sannaswamygowda, Mandya Urban Development Authority Chairman Srinivas and a host of other officials and leaders attended the event.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Both ‘Cubbon Park Walkers Association & Cubbon Park Walkers Forum’ Host the ‘ 2nd International Women Achievers Awards 2022’ at Ravindra Kala Kshethra

This week brought to this city its infamous dampness. Cloudy skies, busy roads and cold weather. However, unlike most days during the wet season, the weekend carried a certain warmth to Bengaluru’s air as the Cubbon Park Walkers Association and Cubbon Park Walkers Forum hosted the International Women Achievers Awards 2022 on Sunday at Ravindra Kala Kshethra.

The Young Star Award 2022 took place as well.

The mission behind this event was to empower, inspire and promote the works of women achievers and young talents, who have left a positive impact to the society and excelled in their fields of interest.

Some of the awardees from this year include Dr Pratima Murthy, director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Alyia Krumbiegel, famed landscaper and social worker, esteemed classical singer Archana Udupa, who also performed at the function, and beloved actor Bhavana Ramanna, among others.

Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Higher Education; IT & BT, Science & Technology, and Mysuru maharaja Yaddu veer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar were the chief guests of the event.

Starting in 2019, this is the second time this award show is being organised in South India. Besides our country, Australia and the United Kingdom have also taken part in the event.

“We started this to recognise women achievers and young talents, who have done substantially good work for our society’s wellbeing. There are so many examples of award shows where money is the key factor. People from the upper echelons of the social hierarchy just give money and take awards. That’s not good at all. Many deserving people don’t get recognised due to not being very affluent.

We wanted to create an award show that is purely for celebrating good work done by folks who gave their all for the rest of us,” says Dr Umesh Kumar, president of Cubbon Park Walkers Association and Cubbon Park Walkers Forum, who adds that the event, including the lunch, was free for all attendees.

The event, which was six months in the making, features multiple attractions, which include a Kuchupudi dance performance and a musical programme by film music director Srisuresh.

“In the maiden year of this event, in 2019, more than 21 countries participated. We had about 800 attendees then, but this year our footfall has increased to more than twofold with almost 2000 people attending the award function. We plan on doing this every year as the Bengaluru crowd has been very supportive of our initiative,” concludes Dr Kumar.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: KARNATAKA: AGRICULTURE, FOOD: COFFEE : October 01st – International Coffee Day to be Celebrated at Belur

Karnataka Growers Federation, an umbrella organisation of coffee growers in the Malnad region, will celebrate International Coffee Day at Belur on October 1.  This time the event will be part of the Sharannavarathri Dasara programme being held at Belur since September 26.

In a press release on Thursday, KGF president H.T. Mohan Kumar and general secretary K.B. Krishnappa said the KGF and other coffee planters associations will jointly hold the programme at Government Junior College grounds in the town at 10 a.m. Excise Minister K. Gopalaiah, who is also Minister in charge of Hassan district, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje, BJP national general secretary C.T. Ravi and others will take part in the programme.

India has a prominent place among coffee-growing countries.

Every year, coffee production contributes ₹8,000 crore of foreign exchange to the government. The KGF will take up a programme to promote coffee consumption in the country, the press release said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES, AYURVEDA: 2-day National Conference on ‘Ayurveda Dhara’ Inaugurated

A two-day national conference on ‘Ayurveda Dhara’, inaugurated on Friday at The University of Transdisciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU) in Bengaluru, stressed on the need to revitalise traditional health knowledge and its relevance.

The TDU university Vice Chancellor Darshan Kumar said the aim of the conference is to strive for achieving ‘Ayurveda Vision 2047 ‘.

Calling it a complex domain, Kumar said that India can become a leader if there is successful integration of various sciences along with the traditional knowledge of Ayurveda.  Prof Ganti Suryanarayana Murthy, National Coordinator, Ministry of Education, called for promoting Indian knowledge system from the primary school level to higher education.

Pramoda Devi, member of the erstwhile Mysore royal family and Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush were present.

The conference is jointly organised by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture and TDU.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HISTORY / ARTS & CULTURE: History Created In Mysuru As Droupadi Murmu Becomes First President of India To Open ‘Dasara 2022’ the 10-Day Festivities

“Mysuru Dasara is a proud symbol of India’s cultural heritage”

History was created in Mysuru atop Chamundi Hill this morning as President of India Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Dasara-2022 by showering flower petals on the decked-up idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed on a silver chariot. She became the first President to declare open the grand 10-day festivities.

In the past, the Presidents and Vice-Presidents have inaugurated the Jumboo Savari. Today’s Mysuru visit created another history as it was Droupadi Murmu’s first State visit after assuming the Office of India’s First Citizen. Her flight directly landed at the Mysore Airport from New Delhi. Though the VVIP visit was for over two hours only, it became significant considering the firsts achieved by it.

Stringent protocol

The inauguration time was specified between 9.45 am and 10.05 am in the Vruschika Lagna. However, the inauguration took place three minutes later due to the stringent protocols to be followed and also the tight security accorded to the country’s First Citizen by the President’s Body Guards (PBG). Before the inauguration, the President visited the sanctum sanctorum of the Chamundeshwari Temple and offered her prayers.

As per the protocol, the President arrived on the stage last, after all the other dignitaries were seated. Before the President’s arrival, an officer-in-charge of security walked onto the stage and sought information from the event managers about the number of people on the dais. He examined the silver chariot where the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was placed and even examined the lamp that will be lit by the President as part of the inauguration.

Ascending the stage, the President directly walked to her chair and greeted the audience with folded hands as a  bodyguard stood behind her with full alertness.

The National Anthem (by the Police Band) and the Naadageethe were played. Later, the President walked toward the silver chariot and performed the inauguration rituals.

Mahishasuramardini Alankara

The Goddess was decorated in the form of Mahishasuramardini and a green saree was draped on her. A mangalasutra and gold jewellery were put on the Goddess.

Accompanying the President were Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, Kannada and Culture Minister V. Sunil Kumar and District Minister S.T. Somashekar.

As the President lit the ceremonial lamp, the mantras were chanted by Chief Priest of the Temple Dr. Shashishekar Dixit. The Chief Priest later offered flower petals to the guests to shower on the Goddess. After the inauguration, the President obliged to a team of photographers and posed for a photograph with the guests.

Though Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda was to preside over the event, he had to be seated in the front row due to protocol restrictions. Even Mayor Shivakumar, Mysuru’s First Citizen, did not get a chance to be with the President on stage.

The President’s Office had fixed the number of people on the stage at 13 and the number was reduced to seven later. As such, many dignitaries had to be seated off the stage.

Red carpet was rolled from the President’s cavalcade parking venue to the Temple premises and the President walked in a brisk pace with her bodyguards running ahead of her. The Hill Temple was closed for public and it was opened only after the President and other guests left the Hill.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: Mysuru Zoo Rated 2nd Best in Central Zoo Authority (CZA) Evaluation

The century-old Mysuru zoo has been rated ‘very good’ by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), which conducted the Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Zoos in India 2022. The country’s medium and large zoos were comprehensively evaluated during the first-ever exercise by the CZA.

Though Mysuru zoo has been adjudged ‘very good’ among large zoos during the assessment by the experts, it, however, stands second as Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai has secured a score of 83 marks and was graded ‘very good’ by the CZA. The Mysuru zoo has got 80 marks but yet graded ‘very good’ in the evaluation considering its best management practices and standards.

Expressing happiness over the rating, Executive Director Ajit Kulkarni said the evaluation was done for the first time by the CZA and an expert team had visited the zoo to appraise the zoo and its practices. “Whatever suggestions have been made for the zoo’s improvement will be implemented. The action to be taken, as endorsed by the CZA, will be looked into,” he said.

Among the medium zoos, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, is rated the best, according to the evaluation report.

The CZA, in its report, said the mission, vision, objectives and strategies mostly identified at the Mysuru zoo but need to be systematically formulated and documented as per the National Zoo Policy. The zoo has been told to make efforts to pair all single animals.

Also, the conservation breeding program MEs for Gaur, Nilgiri Langur, Lion-tailed Macaque, Dhole, Indian Grey Wolf etc., can be managed with improved scientific rigour and with the development of detailed plans for conservation breeding including genetic profiling, individual marking of names for identification, community engagement plan, plan for soft release, and survey of release sites, the CZA said, in its evaluation of the Mysuru zoo.  

The Mysuru zoo management must pursue the development of an interpretation centre, according to the report.

Citing about the best practices at the Mysuru zoo in its evaluation, the CZA said the zoo is one of the self-sustainable zoos. In the past two decades, the zoo administration has introduced many interventions, innovations and programs — from waste management policy, to a flexible animal adoption programme. After segregation of the waste, the biodegradable waste is used for making biogas, vermicompost, and manure in the campus itself. Biogas is used in zoo kitchens. The zoo has tie-ups with various NGOs for the recycling of plastic waste. The zoo harvests 79 crore litres of rainwater through directed infrastructure changes. The surrounding areas of the zoo and the farmers have also been benefited by the system as no borewells go out of water during summer. The zoo also provides RO drinking water for free to the visitors. Seventy percent of water that gets wasted from the RO units are reused On the zoo premises.

The CZA said the MEE assessment is an inclusive exercise – the assessment is based on information and documentation produced by the zoo and the detailed site visit.

The actionable points derived from the assessment, along with pillars of change indicated in the vision plan for Indian zoos (2021-2031), can become the catalyst for the transformation, build innovation and leadership and help zoos deliver experiences that inspire visitors to take conservation action and affirm deeper community connect, the CZA concluded in its assessment, a report of which has been sourced by The Hindu.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE / CINEMA: The 4th Bengaluru Bengali Kannada Film Festival (BBKFF) returns to the city after two years- September 02-04, 2022 

Various award winning films and documentaries in both languages will be screened at the festival 

Film buffs in the city will get a chance to watch some classic Bengali and Kannada movies this weekend, as the Satyajit Ray Film Society Bengaluru (SRFSB) brings the Bengaluru Bengali Kannada Film Festival (BBKFF) back to the city after a gap of two years.

The fourth edition of the festival, which will be held at Inox, Lido Mall, from September 2 to 4, will also showcase award-winning documentaries by various directors in the two languages.  

“Cinema is a medium through which people can understand each other irrespective of where you come from. This festival is a cultural integration between Bengalis and Kannadigas. We want to promote the film culture in the city and provide a message that movies are not only about entertainment but go beyond it. We wanted to provide a platform for better cinema and to the upcoming debutante directors,” said Madhushree Sengupta, festival director from SRFSB. 

While the inaugural ceremony will be held on Friday, the films will be screened on Saturday and Sunday.

Movie enthusiasts can register for the festival on SRFSB’s website and avail delegation passes which are priced between ₹250 and ₹500.

The delegates will have to carry a government-issued ID card to the screenings and follow all COVID-19 protocols, the organisers said. 

Directors M.S. Sathyu, Girish Kasaravalli, and Goutam Ghose will be the chief guests for the inaugural ceremony. The inauguration will be followed by the screening of Mr. Ghose’s short film Somoyer Smritimala.  

The two-day screenings will include Satyajit Ray’s Sonar Kella, Jalsaghar, and Aparajito under the retro cinema category.

New-age movies such as Jhilli, Dostojee, and Manikbabur Megh, along with Kannada movies such as Mahishasura Mardini, Pedro, and Kasaravalli’s Illiralaare Allige Hogalaare will also be screened.

Cannes’ Golden Eye-winning documentary, All that Breathes, will also be an added attraction at the screening.

The screenings will be followed by panel discussions, which will include the directors and cast of the screened movie.

The delegates can interact with panellists such as Jaya Ahsan, Rituparna Sengupta, Paoli Dam, Goutam Ghose, Girish Kasaravalli, and Natesh Hegde, among many.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD: Bengaluru’s ‘Clay Seed Ganesha Campaign’ sets a new Guinness Record for ‘Most Number of People Sculpting with Modelling Clay simultaneously’

People from various age groups join hands to sculpt 3,308 idols

The clay seed Ganesha campaign, organised by Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava and Shree Vidyaranya Yuvaka Sangha, in association with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and Rotary Bangalore Parisara, claimed to have set a new Guinness World Record for ‘the most number of people sculpting with modelling clay simultaneously’ on Sunday at National College Grounds in Basavanagudi. Although the initial goal was set to create 10,000 Ganesha idols, only 3,308 idols could be created, making it to the records book.

“We are elated because we have broken our own record that we had created three years ago. We would like to do this more and more. We couldn’t reach our desired number, but I’m glad that we could set a new benchmark,” said Nandish Mariyappa, managing trustee of Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava.

The campaign saw over 3,000 people from various age groups and professions joining hands to sculpt their personal Ganesha idols. Idol-making materials such as clay, sculpting popsicle sticks, plant seeds, and water were provided at the venue. Many professional artist volunteers were also assisting participants. The live screening of the sculpting procedure by an artist was also organised. Seeds of plants such as tulsi, ashwagandha, sunflower and other flowering plants were provided for embedding within the idols. QR codes were also allocated to individual idols.

“We are so happy about the Guinness record. It’s a milestone for the KSPCB because we had planned to execute this systematically and create awareness about environmental pollution. We have all created our green Ganapa and seed Ganapa. This has been a success not only because of the record but also because of it being environment friendly,” said Shanth A. Thimmaiah, KSPCB Chairman. 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: Mysuru’s Vikas Chandra Imparts Theatre Skills to Tribal Kids, pushes them to join Mainstream

Theatre has evolved over time, perfecting the way it reflects the stories of society. It is a foremost artistic indulgence known to humankind since civilisation. In India, theatre is as vibrant as the country itself, and acts as a window to the ethos and culture of the land.

Taking a step further and bringing a synthesis between people, a 30-year-old man from Mysuru is introducing urban theatre to tribal haadis or hamlets, and inculcating the art form among the children there.

Vikas Chandra founded the theatre group, ‘Rangayaana’, in 2014 with the sole aim of imparting acting and theatre skills among tribal and rural folk. It was a chance awakening in Chandra, who as a highschooler, watched the shooting of a sequence of a Kannada film legend Vishnuvardhan-starrer, Vishnu Sene, near his house.

Fascinated, Chandra inquired with one of the junior artistes about getting a break in cinema. He was advised that by joining theatre training school ‘Kalamandira’, he stood a chance at the movies.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)