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BENGALURU KENDRA OFFICE
2016
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,
Bengaluru Kendra Compiled by;H.S.RAJASHEKAR
[PROGRAMMES CONDUCTED BY THE
KENDRA DURING YEAR 2016]
Address: No.43, Race Course Road, BENGALURU 560001, KARNATAKA, INDIA
PHONE: +91 80 22267303, 22265746, 22267421, FAX: 22287373
E-MAIL: [email protected], [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.bhavankarnataka.com
1
NANJANGUD SRIKANTAIAH JANAKAMMA MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT
MUSIC PROGRAMME AT BHAVAN’S ESV HALL,
ON JAN 2, 2016
Sugama Sangeetha by Savitha and Rajeev Anand
PROGRAMME AT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF WORLD CULTURE, BASAVANAGUDI, BENGALURU ON JAN 8, 2016
3
Smt. Vani Ganapathy
DISABILITY IS NOT A DETERRENT FOR ARTIST
A thinking bird, a smiling flower, a calm and peaceful horse… These startling and rare
images which Anu Jain depicts in her paintings are her way of communicating with the
world around her.
Anu, 32, wonders why disabled persons are stigmatized, when no one is perfect in this
imperfect world. Born without legs and rudimentary elbows. Anu paints, photographs and
designs artwork. She is no amateur either, having cleared Chitra Bhaskar Part –II from
Prachin Kala Kendra, Chandigarh.
Anu may not have fingers, but plays the piano. An avid reader of Sudha Murty‘s books,
she recently painted Murty‘s portrait and presented it to her. A surprised Sudha wrote to
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan to organize an exhibition of paintings of a rare artist. The
exhibition sponsored by Infosys Foundation, opened on Saturday 16 and was on till
January 23.
Her family is her backbone. While elder sister Abha and younger brother Trilok help her
update her website, her parents Kiranprabha and Vinay Kumar Jain stand as her pillars.
Abha says Anu is a vibrant, self-motivated, resourceful person and the family is only
supporting her interests. ―One day, my mother gave me a brush and paint and asked me
to draw on white canvas. I gradually felt interested and explored. I was home trained. My
paintings are reflections of my thoughts.
4
Most of my paintings have flowers, birds, the sunset and sunrise. No flower is dull in my
work, they are bright and cheerful. Pink is the colour of hope, love and happiness and you
can see many pink flowers in my work. All that art requires is focus and patience‖ says.
Painting on discarded X-ray sheets are another interest. Her ‗Ganesha on X-Ray‘ caught
many eyes at the exhibition. Currently settled in Bengaluru, she conducted the Art
Workshop for the children of Bhavan-BBMP school at Srirampuram.
―Her interaction with students can make a tremendous impact both in their sense of art
and their attitude towards life‖ says H.N. Suresh, Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
What disappoints Anu is the lack of ramps and lifts in public spaces across India. ―We do
not have enough special school, disabled – friendly roads and footpaths. Treat us like
normal people‖ she says.
(Courtesy - Times of India)
Artist Anu Jain and H.N. Suresh, Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,
lighting the lamp at the inaugural of the exhibition
Peeyush Jain, Hon. Treasurer, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Dr. Vijaya, Veteran Journalist, honouring artist Anu.
5
Bhavan-Infosys Foundation
OUTREACH CULTURAL PROGRAMME AT MES COLLEGE, MALLESHWARAM ON
JAN 23, 2016.
Carnatic Harmonium Recital : Harmonium : Vidwan. C. Ramadas, Violin : Vidwan Venkatesh Jois, Mridanga : Vidwan. C. Chaluvaraj, Ghata : Vidwan M. Gurumurthy, Tambura : Sujatha Ramachandra
8
BVB IN ASSOCIATION WITH ICCR PRESENTED KATHAK BY DANCE COUPLE HARI AND CHETANA,
ALONG WITH THEIR TROUP AT BVB ON FEB 13, 2016.
Dancers of Noopur Performing Arts Centre,
the performing outfit of the couple‘s dance school, at the recital
Feb. 20 : Neela Ramgopal is one of those rare artistes who have succeeded both as a
performing musician and a teacher. She continues to straddle both streams, being one of
the accomplished Carnatic vocalists Karnataka can proudly flaunt. Aspiring musicians yearn
to become her wards, and among Carnatic vocalists, she is a top notch singer.
―Neelambari‖ is a group of four performing Carnatic vocalists—Usha Kesari, Geetha
Murthy, Bhargavi Manjunath and Rema Ramaiah— all B High and A grade artistes of AIR.
As wards of Neela, they have made their mark individually as well. They are regular
performers at classical music events, focussing on thematic concerts, which is a welcome
change from routine concerts.
Such theme-based concerts initiate the audience into aspects of music hitherto unknown
to them such as compositions on certain deities, on composers themselves, etc., which can
prove to be one of the first steps in creating a better-educated audience vis a vis music,
which in turn can lift the standard of music by generating more informed and demanding
listeners. Neelambari needs to be appreciated for this, although to them, theme-based
concerts might mean more a challenge than being looked at as a service to the music field.
Dasara Compositions with Emphasis on ‗Dina Nithya Jeevana Thathva‘Artists : Neela Ramgopal, Geetha Murthy, Rema
Ramaiah, Usha Kesari, Bhargavi Manjunath.
9
Every classical dancer in Karnataka needs to be grateful to Guru H R Keshavamurthy,
because he was one of the earliest practitioners and proponents of classical dance in
the State. What Rukmini Devi Arundale did in Chennai, Keshavamurthy did in Karnataka,
not on that scale or focus, but he certainly was one of those responsible for accruing
respectability to classical dance, and many young girls from conservative Brahmin families
taking to dance at his Keshava Nritya Shala in conservative Malleshwaram.
What Keshavamurthy has given to the culture field in Karnataka has in fact gone
unsung and unrecognised, because he not only belonged to an era of humble beginning
and growth, but he was not a savvy marketer. Even today there is none to parallel him in
his depth of knowledge on varied subjects that go to make an artiste complete, such as
Samskritam, Kannada literature—modern and ancient, folk arts, forms and music, Carnatic
classical music, and Kathak and Bharatanatya.
Vasanthalakshmi Venkataram and B K Shyam Prasad are two of his children who are long-
standing dance teachers in Bengaluru, with Shyam Prakash even having established the
Keshava College of Dance and Music, which is affiliated to the University of Bangalore.
Shyam Prasad‘s and Vasanthalaskhmi‘s families are also into the arts field. The latest third
generation dancer to enter the fray is Lasya Priya, Keshavamurthy‘s youngest son,
Ravishankar‘s daughter.
Lasya Priya
10
1. Kathak by Poorna Acharya 2. Bharatanatya by Sukruti Ananth 3. Bharathanatya by Raghunandan
1.
Odissi by Vandana Bharatanatyam by Ritwika Bharatanatyam by Aparna Menon Ghosh
11
BVB-Karnataka Nrityakala Parishath present ―Natarajotsava 2016‖ at Khincha Hall, at 4
pm. An exclusive festival for male dancers in an otherwise women-dominated art form, this
year‘s festival, into its nineteenth edition, will cover Bharatanatya, Odissi and Kathak,
preceded by Nritya seva by senior teachers Mysore Nagaraj and Jayakamala Pandian.
Nritya Seva is a special segment of the programme got up about nine years ago to put
on stage senior teachers, and record it for the archives, by the Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya
Academy and the Parishath.
This is one platform where male dancers from outside Bengaluru are given an
opportunity to perform. This is really appreciable as male soloists from outside the metro
find it difficult to make their presence felt in known or popular fora.
Nataraja
12
LANDMARK CENTURY AT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF WORD CULTURE
A culture NGO with phenomenal reach, infrastructure, networking and public
goodwill is Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), anywhere in the country. Its activities continue
to lend hope that ancient Indian wisdom and traditions will not disappear against the
onslaught of western cultural and lifestyle influences.
A sure fire pointer to this is the 100th successful conduct of the BVB-Infosys Foundation
(IF) programme on April 15 at The Indian Institute of World Culture (IIWC) venue in
Bengaluru, marking a century of shows of the varied traditional arts of Karnataka,
especially dying arts.
Besides music sabhas, several private organizations promote classical music and dance
year round in the City. This is apart from some of the major annual festivals devoted to
these arts. What ails other traditional performing arts is patronage, finance, and viability, a
lacuna more than rectified by the BVB-IF project.
It provided an opportunity for over 500 artistes to go on stage since inception in April
2010; brought to fore some rare arts form; created an interested and appreciative
audience, and acted as a clap board for young artistes from all over Karnataka, especially
from rural areas, many of whom had their first glimpse of a metro such as Bengaluru,
when they came to perform for Infosys Foundation.
Six years ago, when the association of the two organizations was concretized for this
project, it was a coming together for a cause—promoting young talent, especially from the
economically weaker sections, and those from rural areas. The ideal has been more than
met, the 100th programme of devotional music on not marking a culmination of the
venture but ushering in a renewed beginning of much more to come.
If Sudha Murty thought it best to propagate Indian culture through the Bhavan there
was a sound reason behind. Way back, in 1997, she set up an annual endowment
programme in her personal capacity in memory of her grandfather, Hanumanth Rao
Kadim Diwan, a teacher by profession, and a true Indian at heart...... his love for the
country‘s culture and philosophy was what prompted Murty to set up a programme in his
name. This association got further cemented in 2010 through the BVB-IF project.
Says H N Suresh, BVB Director, Bengaluru Kendra, ‗This project has been an ideal
channel for the less seen and less heard arts and artistes. In that sense it is the unique
project which is truly altruistic in nature‖.
Pointing out that every programme has been above average in quality, he says the
project will have a cascading effect with its nurture and revival of near-extinct art forms.
‗The public in South Bengaluru have responded well; the key is to provide interesting
programmes‘, he says.
13
Hirakata, Tamaki vacant, puppetry, magic shows, yakshagana, vachanas, fusion music,
daasapadas, light music, devotional songs, DVG‘s famous ―Mankuthimmana Kagga‖ in
music form, instrumental music such as violin, flute, veena, jaltarang, mukhaveena and
saxophone, percussion, book launches, environmental awareness projects, and lecture-
demonstrations are just a few of the forms and themes covered under the programme.
One of the most gratifying aspects of this project has been the recognizing of talent of
the differently-abled, whose performance in this forum was an inspiration to the organizers
and the public, more than being an opportunity for them to perform.
One has to mention two persons responsible for the continuation and success of the
programmes—K C Pemmaiah, Manager, Programmes & Projects, and Prema Thotadhri,
Associate Secretary, BVB. It is a reality today that cultural events even in residential areas
do not attract much of an audience, many shows running to near-empty auditoria.
Hamstrung with this difficulty, the duo also had to deal with presenting not popular art
and artistes, but less popular or near extinct forms, and yet woo viewers—a horrendous
task in itself.
But the credentials of the quality of the performances and the innate attraction of the
art forms presented were established soon after the project got off, ensuring a steady
audience. Buoyed by this response, the BVB-IF project is poised to get bigger and better.
Dr. Sudha Murty Chairperson, Infosys Foundation felicitating Justice M. Rama Jois
who was the chief-guest at the 100th annual programme at IIWC
14
Artists who performed pose with Dr. Sudha Murty ,
Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois and Sri H.N. Suresh
Devotional music to mark 100 shows
Bombeyata
15
Noted Puppeteer K V Ramesh presenting
a colourful puppet to Dr. Sudha Murty
ESPOUSING PEACE
It was a coming together of Samskritam scholars, spiritual gurus, academicians, and
artistes at the Rotary Centennial Peace Symposium in Bengaluru, which looked at coming
to an understanding of the word peace itself, and how it can be established at the micro
level, and consequently in society, so that antagonism, war, strife and conflicts no
longer rule the world.
The two-day symposium got up by Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar and BVB,
Bengaluru Kendra, from April 22, saw the participation of familiar yet respected names
such as Shatavadhani Dr R Ganesh, Rajagopala Sharma Ganapaati, Prof. M N
Chandrashekar, Swami Shanthimayananda of Ramakrishna Math, Bengaluru, Ananda
Bhanteji, General Secretary, Maha Bodhi Society, and Dr Chiranjeev Singh, former
ambassador to UNESCO among others.
―Peace is Possible‖ was the underlying message of the seminar, which began with
chanting of peace mantras drawn from Samskritam texts by Rajagopala Sharma, with
eloquent commentary by Shatavadhani Ganesh. A specially choreographed dance on
the theme of peace, titled ―Rasothkarsha‖ by Abhinava Dance Company lent strength to
the concept in terms of interpreting it through a visual art medium.
Yoga and meditation are integral to inner peace, from which stems tranquillity at the
macro level. Dr S N Omkar gave a lecture-demonstration on ―Yoga and meditation‖ on
April 23, which was followed by a panel discussion on the theme of peace. Noted scholar
Dr Hampa Nagarajaiah, Rev Fr Dr Eugene Lobo, PRO, Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishop‘s
Council, and Dr Syed Ejazuddin Ashrafi, former MLC, lead the discussion.
16
Curtains were drawn on the two-day event with music recitals by several artistes,
revolving around the conference theme. ―Shama-Saama‖, under the direction of Carnatic
vocalist T S Sathyavathi, saw Maruthi Prasad S R, Anjana P Rao and Shilpa Shashidhar
(vocal), Sangita Srinidhi (veena), Smitha H M (violin) and Adamya R (mridanga) take to
stage. Violin by Aneesh Vidyashankar and a Bharatanatya recital by Subhashini Vasanth
rounded off the programme.
Doves, symbols of peace being released by Rotarian‘s to mark the conference
Lighting the lamp from left : Rtn. M.K. Panduranga Setty, Past Rotary International Director, Rtn. Peeyush Jain, President,
Rotary Banagalore Indiranagar, Rtn. Sushil Gupta, Trustee, The Rotary Foundation, Rtn. Flt. Lt. K.P. Nagesh, District
Governor – RI Dist 3190, Rtn. Suresh Hari, Chairman, Rotary Centennial Peace Symposium
18
MAY 4 : INDIA , HUMAN RIGHTS CRADLE
India, except when she was ruled by non-Indians, has always practiced human rights,
a philosophy that is deep rooted in her values and traditions since ancient times.
―Vasudaiva Kutumbakam‖, is unique to Indian ethos, said Justice R C Lahoti, former Chief
Justice of India.
He was speaking after releasing the book of another legal luminary, Dr. Rama Jois,
titled ―Human Rights Bharatiya Values‖ published by Bhavan.
It is painful to see that India, the mother of several great religions of the world, should
come to be painted as an ―intolerant‖ nation. This is because of political opportunism, and
the denigration of the great ideals of India. It would be belittling the concept of Hinduism
if it were to be construed as ‗religion‘ in its narrow and conservative sense, he said.
―The expanse of the word Dharma as understood in Samskritam, is much deeper than
what is conveyed by the English word ‗religion‘. The English language does not possibly
have a word which can fully encompass within its fold the meaning of the word Dharma!‖
Justice Lahoti lauded the variety and range of subjects on which Dr. Jois has written.
He complimented BVB for publishing the book ―which is of great relevance to
contemporary society‖. The book is a renovated scripture which conveys the essence of
ancient scriptures in modern terminology to suit the youth, he pointed out.
The book launch was held at the Bengaluru Kendra May last. D H Shankara Murthy,
Chairman, Karnataka Legislative Council, presided. Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, Chief
Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, and Sanjay Sahay, ADGP, spoke. K G Raghavan,
Hon. Secretary, BVB, introduced the book to the audience.
Justice R.C. Lahoti, former Chief Justice of India lighting the lamp while other dignitaries on the dias joins
19
Justice R.C. Lahoti, former Chief Justice of India being felicitated by from left Sri. N. Ramanuja, Chairman, BVB, Sri. H.N.
Suresh Director, BVB, Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois, former Governor of Bihar and Jharkhand
BHAVAN-INFOSYS FOUNDATION PROGRAMME
AT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF WORLD CULTURE, BASAVANAGUDI, BENGALURU ON MAY 20, 2016
Dasara Padagalu & Vachanas by Vocal : Dr K S Vaishali
Tabla : Vid.Vikas Naregal Harmonium : Vid.Madhusudha Bhat
20
FASCINATING EPIC JOURNEY
World epics, their rich and varied content and literary artistry notwithstanding, attract
few readers if any. Yet the conference on Mahavakvyas got up by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
(BVB), Bengaluru Kendra, June last, threw up such animated participation as to rekindle
interest in them, demanding a compulsive visitation.
Epics, by definition, are voluminous, immediately debarring them from the interest area
of youngsters. Any kind of reading today, is, after all, passé! What distinctly came across in
the four-day event was the vastness of the literary world vis a vis epics, ―Mahakavyas‖— the
Indian nomenclature for epics— being more relevant to present times, rooted as they are
in the cultural ethos of the land.
If creative writing of recognized artistic value is a cornerstone of categorizing a literary
work as a Mahakavya, Indian epics traverse from the mysteries of time till date, capturing
every aspect of life, the essential difference being that Mahakavyas represent,
quintessentially, the culture, traditions and life philosophy of India, whereas the western
―heroic‖ epics are straitjacketed.
Inaugurating the seminar on June 17, Prof. Maha Mahopadyaya Reva Prasad Dwivedi
said a work of art has little use unless it aids in introspection and self-realization. Lauding
the seminar as a great opportunity to get to know world and Indian epics, Prof. Dwivedi‘s
points to ponder were that the message of the Vedas was central to Mahakavyas, sans
which they needed to be shunned; Alankara is the essence of poetry and not mere literary
embellishment.
Delivering the keynote address, Justice B. N. Srikrishna, former Judge of the Supreme
Court, and Vice-President, BVB international, while appreciating the great service being
done by BVB for the ‗renaissance of Indian culture‘, dwelt at length on the Pancha
Mahakavyas—considered the five gems of Sanskrit literature—covering Kalidasa, Bharavi
and Sreeharsha, to clearly arrive at what constitutes Mahakavyas.
In a scholarly talk that was yet succinct in communication, culled from his study and
understanding of the epics, Justice Srikrishna derived the definitions of Mahakavyas from
classical Sanskrit poets such as Vishwanatha and Dandi, their messages being more
contextual to current times than ever before; their implementation imperative for a
‗sublime life‘.
Chief Guest Dr. T. V. Venkatachala Shastry pointed out the dichotomy between
eulogizing of ancient Indian literature as a national heritage and the apathy towards them
in the neglect of their learning. Incorporating classics into the education system alone
could ensure their becoming the lifeblood of society once again, he felt.
Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President, ISKCON, in his presidential address spoke of the
Akshaya Patra programme—synonymous with the service activities of ISKCON— which
today feeds over 11 crore children in 10 states, even in the remotest of areas, the
cascading effect of the mid-day meal scheme being better enrolment in schools, dramatic
21
dip in dropout rates, and addressing the problem of malnutrition in a country where 3,000
children die every day due to lack of nourishing food.
Curtains were drawn on the event with Sri Veerappa Moily, MP, in his valedictory
speech quoting from Ramayana and Mahabharata to reiterate that their ethical core is the
lifeline of Indian society. He drew from his own five-volume epic, ―Ramayana
Mahanveshanam‖, to reinterpret the ―Rama Rajya‖ of yore to present times, within a
―secular framework‖.
Chief Guest Sri Manu Baligar, President, Kannada Sahitya Parishath, felt Mahakavyas
could be popularized by organizing workshops for youngsters, appealing to BVB to take
up the task.
Cultural programmes, centring on Mahakavyas, rounded off the academic sessions on
all days.
Conference highlights:
—Book launch—Message of Mahapuranas—a compilation of the 2014 national conference
—Recitation and singing of excerpts from Mahakavyas
—Eight sessions with seven speakers each
—50 scholars from across India including Kashmir
—Epics from 10 Indian languages
—Epics from two foreign languages—Latin and Greek
— Topics ranged from Ramayana and Mahabharata to classical Sanskrit works, Kambha
Ramayana, What Mahakavyas Mean To Me, Pancha Mahakavya‘s in Telugu, Folk Epic
Traditions in Hindi, Telugu, Epic Traditions in Persian, Urdu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Kashmir,
Tulu, Kodava, Homer‘s Illiad and Odyssey (Greek), Aenid of Virgil (Latin), and Divine
Comedy of Dante (Italian).
—Book exhibition of BVB publications.
Felicitations to eminent epic poets Prof. Reva Prasad Dwivedi of Varanasi and
Dr. T.V. Venkatachala Shastry of Mysuru (sitting extreme right and left)
22
Scholars chanting Vedic hymns
Launch of book, ‗Message of Mahapuranas‘
Rendering prayers from Mahakavyas under the direction of Smt. Gangamma Keshavamurthy ( second from right).
Also seen is Sri. M.A. Jayarama Rao, renowned gamaki.
23
Prof. Reva Prasad Dwivedi of Varanasi and Dr. T.V. Venkatachala Shastry of Mysuru being felicitated by
Sri. Madhu Pandit Dasa, President, ISKCON, Bengaluru, and Justice Sri. B.N. Srikrishna, former Judge,
Supreme Court & Vice President, BVB, while other dignitaries on the dais join in.
Sri. M. Veerappa Moily being felicitated by Sri. K.G. Raghavan (left)
Sri. Ramakanth Rath of Bhubaneshwar being felicitated by
24
Sri. Pathi Sridhara and Sri. Chiranjeev Singh
Dr. Manu Baligar, President, Kannada Sahitya Parishat, being felicitated
by Sri.N. Ramanuja, Chairman, BVB, Bengaluru
INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY AT BVB COMPLETE YOGA CAPSULE
His wiry frame and agile movements belie his age, despite the mop of gray. He exudes
energy and enthusiasm in the name of yoga. Kumara Reddy B H, a former State level
basketball coach, who represented Bangalore University in the same game, is a yoga
expert and teacher who lives and breathes this ancient spiritual discipline, making him one
of the sincere and knowledgeable yoga teachers in Bengaluru.
There is no fancy name for the yoga he teaches, imbibed essentially from B K S Iyengar,
and the study of practically every book on yoga including Iyengar‘s ―Light on Yoga‖.
―Health issues made me turn to yoga, and I started teaching it from 1998‖ says Kumara,
who has designed his own module incorporating the essential suryanamaskara,
pranayama, asanas and meditation into it.
On International Yoga Day—June 21 he will give a yoga demonstration along with his
many students of Bhavan‘s Yoga School at the Bengaluru Kendra. With the twin
experiences of being a sportsman and a yoga expert, Kumara points out ―yoga is good
enough to keep one fit, agile and healthy, physically and mentally. A supple body is the
added bonus‖. When queried about other forms of exercise, he says gyms give muscle
mass; it is an artificial form of exercise; walking is good for the heart; only yoga gives mind-
body alignment and leads to inner peace‖.
A cross-section of enthusiasts, from 18 to 70 years of age, flock his classes, and benefit
from his yoga training which is age and health specific—an expertise that comes only with
earnestness and experience. Kumara has no name for his school—he is his own brand
25
name. Come rain or shine, he is up at 4.30 am. His criss-crosses the City throughout the
day, teaching yoga at the individual level.
Lauding International Yoga Day as having created better awareness and attracted
more adherents, Kumara says yoga is a way towards spirituality. ―To me, every day is yoga
day‖. He is one teacher who does the asanas with his students, demonstrating the correct
way of going about it, which is crucial. Done wrongly, yoga can be detrimental to health
and agility. For enquiries on yoga classes, contact 9448043186.
Akarna Danurasana
27
Bhavan-Infosys Foundation Outreach Cultural Programme at Seva Sadan,
Malleshwaram, June 25 and 26.
Bharatanatya Recital
Poojitha Cadambi Arupa Lahiry Abhaya Lakshmi
Shreema Upadhya Rashmi Agarwal Namrata Krishnamurthy
28
July - 2016
JULY 9 : BOOK GIFT TO KANNADIGAS
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan worldwide President, Sri. Sunderlal G. Mehta‘s book, Rich
Tradition Richer Heritage will be translated into Kannada shortly, while exploring the
possibility of rendering the work in other South Indian languages.
The decision was taken at the launch of Sri Mehta‘s book in Bengaluru July last,
on a suggestion made by Prof. M. H. Krishnaiah, former president, Karnataka Sahitya
Academy.
Speaking about the book, Prof. Krishnaiah mooted the idea of making it a part of
school curricula as it had nuggets of wisdom that could lay the foundation for character
building and creating an ethical society.
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Advisor, Department of Space, and former chairman, ISRO,
who released the book said the work should not be limited to a Kannada translation, as
every citizen should know the value of the heritage of India; Bhavan should take a lead in
this regard. The younger generation should learn to ―read‖ and Bhavan should become a
forum for literary activities, he said.
Recalling his school days when students were asked to write a piece taken from
Bhavan‘s Journal daily, Dr. Radhakrishnan said the exclusivity of the language (Samskritam)
was perhaps a hindrance for the spread of ancient Indian knowledge.
Citing the various streams of learning such as Ayurveda, as espoused by Charaka and
Shushrusha, Artha Shastra of Chanakya, Brihat Samhita of Varaha Mihira on science,
Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni on performing arts, and Sangita Ratnakara of
Saarangadeva on music, he said all of them had relevance today, needing an exhaustive
revival.
A fitting closure to the compact, intellectually-oriented function was the recitation of
Vishnu Sahasranama by Sandipani Gurukula, befitting the occasion.
29
H.N. Suresh, Prof. M.H. Krishnaiah, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, N. Ramanuja and K.G. Raghavan at the book launch Rich Tradition Richer Heritage, on July 9.
30
Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama by Sandipani Gurukula
BHAVAN-INFOSYS FOUNDATION PROGRAMME AT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF WORLD CULTURE, BASAVANAGUDI, BENGALURU
ON JULY 15, 2016
Thatva Padagalu : vocal : K M Ramaiah, ekadaari tala : D. Narayanamma,
32
Aug 18 : A Rakhi Bonding For Life
Raksha Bandhan for children at the BVB-BBMP Public School in Sriramapuram went
much beyond symbolism, with the students understanding and celebrating the festival as
a ―mutually protective and symbiotic relationship with all living beings‖.
What was most pertinent, timely, and meaningful was the tying of green rakhi to trees
and plants by the children, pointing to the environmental awareness among the young
minds, and making the festival as not just one of bonhomie, but as a pledge for respecting,
nurturing, and preserving nature.
The day could thus be considered as a relevant and important lesson in the school
curriculum albeit in fun and informal fashion.
Justice N. Kumar, former judge of the Karnataka High Court, who was Chief Guest,
underlined similar sentiments, pointing out that the Constitution of India itself had ratified
the celebration of Raksha Bandhan, through its tenets of equality and respect to all.
―There is a historical importance and reference to this festival, in the filial affection of
Lord Krishna to Draupadi. Raksha Bandhan is about universal brotherhood, making it an
important national festival‖, he said.
Sri Daulat Rao, National Secretary (South), Bharatiya Vikas Parishat (BVP), presided. Sri
Doraiswamy, Vice-Chancellor, Pesit University, and Sri Mumtaz Ali Khan, former minister,
were the Guests of Honour.
The programme was jointly organised by BVB and Bharat Vikas Parishath.
33
Girls tying the rakhi
Children tying the green rakhi to plants.
PROF U S KRISHNA RAO AND SMT. CHANDRABHAGA DEVI ENDOWMENT:
BHARATANATYA - AUG. 21, BVB
35
SEPTEMBER - 2016
ANCHORED IN CHANGING TIMES
Youngesters learning at the Gandhi Institute of Computer Education & IT
Isn’t it heartening for a conscientious citizen to know that a culture organization has trained
thousands of underprivileged youth and senior citizens to become computer literate, free of cost?
Well, this reflects the visionary attitude of the hallowed institution. Does it not point to its
rootedness in Indian culture too, in its conduct of Bhagavad Gita classes, complete with a
curriculum, written and oral examination?
rootedness in Indian culture too, in its
conduct of Bhagavad Gita classes, complete
with a curriculum, written and oral
examination?
Computers and Indian scriptures are on two
ends of the learning spectrum, in terms of
time and substance, which the Bharatiya
Vidya Bhavan has straddled with success.
It is this victory which will be exemplified this month when the convocations of the Gandhi
36
Institute of Computer Education and IT, and Sandipani Gurukula, which conducts the Gita classes,
are held at the Bhavan premises of the Bengaluru Kendra.
The criterion for eligibility for the computer course is simple: the prospective student should
belong to the 18-35 age group, or be above 60, and come from a low income background. Access to
the course is easy, but training them in computers, where English is of essence, is no easy task for
the instructors.
THE FREE COMPUTER CLASSES ATTRACT THE YOUNG AND THE ELDERLY
Senior citizens benefitting from the free computer course
Yet, the course begun at the Bengaluru Kendra only in 2013, has trained about a thousand persons
in computer basics such as office assistant and account assistant courses. Some 350 senior citizens
have benefited from the three-month course, lending them confidence, penning up the digital world
to them in a big way, and helping them to communicate with their grandchildren, as admitted by
them.
Some 60,000 persons have completed the course successfully, in the seven Bhavan kendras run by
Mr. Praveen Kumar S, whose dream of eking out on his own turned out to be satisfying too. From
the first computer training centre he set up at the Chennai Bhavan in 1997, to the seven other
centres he runs in South India, his has been a story of translating one of Bhavan’s ideals into a
practical module.
Systematic teaching courses without compromising on quality and hands-on experience have
made the Bhavan’s computer classes truly beneficial as a starting point in becoming computer
literate. The convocation for the Sixth batch of the Institute, supported by Rotary Indiranagar,
37
Suprajit Foundation, and M P Birla Institute of Management, will be held at the KRG Hall, on Sept.
3, at 11am.
Sri K. C. Ramamurthy, MP, will deliver the convocation address.
Bhagavad Gita Course Convocation
It is often said that our heritage shows in our parenting methods. Electronics engineer Rohini
Chakravarthy gave up a satisfying teaching job to take care of her little daughter. Her recitation of
the scriptures, and teaching slokas to her child sowed the seeds of spreading this knowledge to a
wider audience.
Parama Pujya Sri Sri Sri Jayendra Puri
Mahaswamiji, Padasevaka
Peethadhipathi of Sri Kailash Ashrama
Mahasamsthana, Rajarajeshwarinagar.
What took shape was Sandipani Gurukula, which traces its roots to Rohini’s father, Prof. S
Srinivasan, a Samskritam scholar and Kannada academician, who was secretary of the Kannada
Sahitya Parishath.
Kannada literature, from the ancient to the modern, and Samskritam was the enviable staple diet of
Rohini as a child. Literary and cultural activities were not given secondary position, enjoying equal
status as her pursuit of academic qualification. A similar upbringing marked the childhood of her
daughter, Rohini’s fervour to share Indian tradition and learning with others resulting in forming
Sandipani Gurukula in 2000.
38
Bhagavad Gita classes at Bhavan
Today, she takes classes in Bhagavad Gita in several schools in Bengaluru and at the IISc.
EACH DIPLOMA HOLDER IS PROFICIENT IN THE RECITATION AND
DISCOURSE OF THE GITA
She conducts regular quiz contests. Her wards range from ages 8 to 80, her classes are free, it is a
multi-religious group, and she has groomed a professional outfit to recite the Gita when invited by
organizations.
In her multi-pronged approach towards preserving tradition and taking one step towards spirituality,
Rohini has included Bhagavatam, Soundarya Lahari, Lalitha Sahasranama, Vishnu Sahasranama,
and Durgasaptashati classes, where the stress is as much on explaining the slokas with meaning as
the recitation.
She now has a staff of 36 trained teachers who have volunteered to teach Bhagavad Gita. Each one
of her teachers holds a university post-graduation in different streams, who despite being
academically well qualified, have chosen to spread the message of the Gita, more as a passion than
a profession.
ROHINI HAS DEVOTED HER LIFE TO SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF THE
GITA
Roped in by the Bengaluru Kendra four years ago to conduct Bhagavad Gita classes, Rohini worked
out a three-year professional diploma course which has oral and written segments, and a paper on
how to implement the Gita in daily life. Three chapters of the Gita are dealt with in great depth
taught in each of the six semesters running to six months each.
Bhavan and Sandipani will proudly present the first batch of the diploma holders at convocation on
Sept. 18, at the Bhavan premises, when 52 successful candidates will become trained ambassadors
of spreading the message of Bhagavad Gita
39
Parama Pujya Sri Sri Sri Jayendra Puri Mahaswamiji, Padasevaka Peethadhipathi of Sri Kailash
Ashrama Mahasamsthana, Rajarajeshwarinagar. - Jyothi Raghuram
Gujarat
It was a classical dance recital in Ahmedabad Krishnabhakti Thi Kavya Ras Sudhi, on July 10, when
two dozen artistes chose compositions on deities such as Ganesha, Krishna and Durga, and drew
from Surdas and Tulsidas, besides from modern Gujarati poetry.
Classical vocal recital at Ahmedabad
Krishna Bhakthi Kavya Ras Sudhi
A classical vocal concert was held on July 19, on the occasion of Guru Purnima, by nine awards of
Pandit Vikas Parikh, in the Mewati Gharana, which was a rare portrayal in itself.
The classical vocal music programme featured two large teams exclusively of men and women
which made for a wholesome concert, whose musical effect was rich.
40
Another segment of classical music, Ahmedabad
Thiruvananthapuram
Padayani, a folk art associated with festivities of some temples of southern Kerala was performed
by Kadammanitta Gothra Kalari on the 16th. The dancers sported masks or kolams of different
colours and designs made of areca nut fronds. The costuming added a sense of magic.
Padayaani
Rajasthan
41
Kathputli, a puppet show by Prakash Bhatt
and troupe with live music was held at Jaipur
on the 6th. The artistes interacted with
students after the show.
Puppet show at Jaipur
The colorfully clad puppets Kalbelia dancers, Jaipur
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
The inaugural of the outreach programme was held at the Bhavan’s auditorium in Hyderabad on
July 16. Sri B Venkatesham, Secretary to Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture, was chief
Guest. Sri I.Y.R. Krishna Rao, former chief secretary, Andhra Pradesh, presided.
Perini Thandavam, Hyderabad
A RAKHI BONDING FOR LIFE
Raksha Bandhan for children at the BVB-BBMP Public School in Sriramapuram went much
beyond symbolism, with the students understanding and celebrating the festival as a “mutually
protective and symbiotic relationship with all living beings “.
42
What was most pertinent, timely, and meaningful was the tying of green rakhi to trees and plants
by the children, pointing to the environmental awareness among the young minds, and making the
festival as not just one of bonhomie, but as a pledge for respecting, nurturing, and preserving nature.
Girls tying the rakhi Children tying the green rakhi to plants
The day could thus be considered as a relevant and important lesson in the school curriculum albeit
in fun and informal fashion.
Justice N. Kumar, former judge of the Karnataka High Court, who was Chief Guest, underlined
similar sentiments, pointing out that the Constitution of India itself had ratified the celebration of
Raksha Bandhan, through its tenets of equality and respect to all.
“There is a historical importance and reference to this festival, in the filial affection of Lord Krishna
to Draupadi. Raksha Bandhan is about universal brotherhood, making it an important national
festival”, he said.
Sri Daulat Rao, National Secretary (South), Bharatiya Vikas Parishat (BVP), presided. Sri
Doraiswamy, Vice-Chancellor, Pesit University, and Sri Mumtaz Ali Khan, former minister, were
the Guests of Honour.
The programme was jointly organised by BVB and Bharat Vikas Parishath. •
43
LEARNING, EAST TO WEST
Bhavan’s Bengaluru Kendra has plunged into a range of activities these past few years, fanning out
even beyond the borders of Karnataka, to set its cultural footprint as far as the Northeast. Yet the
Kendra has kept going with its well-entrenched focus areas with equal interest, classical music and
dance classes being one among them.
Journalism and Samskritam classes, once synonymous with the Kendra itself, will be re-introduced
from this month, re-emphasizing the dynamics of Bhavan’s thrust areas.
Traversing from East to West in its belief of spreading the fragrance of India globally while
welcoming the best from the West, western music classes will be introduced this month, bringing a
much-needed exposure to this genre of classical music to youngsters who are learning Indian
classical music at Bhavan. Opening up a learning opportunity to those interested in its western
counterpart will be major fallout of these new classes.
44
Violin, keyboard, guitar and flute will be taught for the three-year diploma course in western music,
the comprehensive syllabus laying equal emphasis on theory.
The certificate course in Samskritam will be conducted by Vyoma Linguistic Labs Foundation,
classes for which will be held at the Bhavan premises.
With the commencement of the post-graduate diploma course in journalism, straddling both
Kannada and English, media studies will make a re-entry into Bhavan.
The course, with journalist Sri N. S. Sridhara
Murthy as coordinator, will cover six areas of
study, hands on training forming an important
part of the curriculum.
For details, contact :[email protected],
www.bhavankarnataka.com, or 22267303,
22267421 Jyothi Raghuram
GITA: BEYOND SECTARIANISM
Bhagavad Gita is not confined to any caste or religion, but is a practical guide to face the
vicissitudes of life and emerge unscathed, Sri Jayendraswamiji of Kailash Ashram said.
Delivering the convocation address at the BVB-Sandipani Gurukula Bhagavad Gita diploma
certificate distribution function at the Bhavan on Sept. 18, the Swamiji said the Gita was the only
work in world literature which looked at human life in all its dimensions, offering solace and
solution that was at once universal and tailored to individual needs.
Swamiji handing over the certificates
45
“Mahakavyas”, roughly translated as classics in the western context, remains a vibrant body of
work even today, with a sizeable readership, understanding, and popularity in India, whereas
western classics have been forgotten and cast aside.
This speaks of the utility value, timeless and universal appeal of ancient Indian epics, enhanced by
the literary, spiritual, scientific, metaphysical, and psychological content and sense in them, he said.
The Bhagavad Gita course is conducted by Rohini Chakravarthy, the Gurukula Founder, in
association with BVB. *
Kalia kela at Bhubaneshwar Oshakathi dance at Bhubaneshwar
Pala dance at Bhubaneshwar Puppet show at Bhubaneshwar
46
Udrar Padhatiya Sangeet at Bhubaneshwar Baindla katha at Hyderabad
Cheriyal Paining at Hyderabad Dappu dance & Gusadi dance at Hyderabad
Dappu dance & Gusadi dance at
Hyderabad Golla Suddulu at Hyderabad
Folk singing at Jaipur Baatposhi Gissagoi at Jaipur
Music at Kolkata Balya dance at Pune
47
Vrindavani Venu at Pune
IN MEMORY OF MS
The inaugural of the birth centenary celebrations of M. S. Subbulakshmi was celebrated by Bhavan
along with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) with a musical tribute by Dr.
Deepti Navaratna, Executive Director, IGNCA, on Sept. 16.
The event assumed special significance with
the Chief Guest, Sri H. N. Ananth Kumar,
Minister for Chemicals, Fertilizers and
Parliamentary Affairs announcing a
donation of Rs. five crores by the Union
Ministry of Culture for the auditorium
coming up in memory of MS at the IGNCA
premises.
“The building, a tribute by Karnataka for the
great musician and humanitarian, must be
completed this year and be thrown open by
the time the centenary year of MS
culminates”, he said.
“Sadbhakti”, the musical tribute, featured
songs of MS in various Indian languages.
51
Vanamaali :
Bharatanatya
feature by
Kalakshetra
Foundation
PROF U S KRISHNA RAO AND SMT. CHANDRABHAGA DEVI
ENDOWMENT: BHARATANATYA - AUG. 21, BVB
52
MBA COURSE INAUGURAL
The 18th Batch of the MBA course of M.P. Birla Institute of Management, at BVB, was inaugurated on Sept. 7. Dr. G.S.D. Babu,
Director, M.P. Birla Foundation of Fundamental Research, inaugurated the programme. Sri. N. Ramanuja, Chairman,
Bengaluru Kendra, presided, in presence of Institute Director Dr. N.S. Vishwanath
BHAVAN - HK KEJRIWAL FOUNDATION :
VEDIC RECITATION: SEPT 14, AT BVB
54
BHAVAN-INFOSYS FOUNDATION OUTREACH CULTURAL
PROGRAMME AT SEVA SADANA, AUG 20.
Flute recital by Sri. Raj Kamal and Party
BHAVAN-INFOSYS FOUNDATION PROGRAMME
AT IIWC, AUG 26
Sugama Sangeetha by Ashish G Nayak, Sreemanth Kumar Neelur (Tabla) and Suresh Nayak (harmonium)
55
PROGRAMMS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
2016
KALABHARATHI TURNS 15
Kalabharathi Students performing on the eve of Kalabharathi 15
Classical performing arts have to be taught individually for the aspirant to be able to grasp even the
basics, is a belief that compels many parents to send their children to expensive, preferably well-
known teachers; institutional teaching impedes growing into a teacher or performer, is another
opinion.
Kalabharathi of the Bengaluru Kendra celebrates 15 years of teaching of visual and performing
arts to those from ages 7 to 70, putting up its wards on stage this month.
Intensive training to those seriously interested in making a career out of arts, is imperative.
However, the Bhavan has been filling a huge culture gap through its arts classes, the purpose being
a multi-pronged cultural spread; the benefits of this endeavor cannot be discounted.
56
Where else can one find a range of traditional performing arts classes such as Hindustani and
Carnatic vocal, Sugama Sangeetha, classical dance, Mridangams, Tabla, flute, Veena, and
even keyboard and drawing and painting classes, under one roof, with a reasonable fee
structure?
If one is to review the art classes at Bhavan in toto, one has to say that Kalabharathi has evolved
into an art learning centre with a host of learning opportunities.
Staggered timings of the classes allow aspirants to learn more than one art form at the same venue,
learning in groups creates a lively atmosphere while nurturing a competitive spirit, a sense of
camaraderie helps in developing inter-personal skills, keeps youngsters pleasantly occupied during
weekends-- overall grooming a new set of appreciators of classical arts.
A major thrust of learning at the Bhavan is exposure to performances, the innumerable cultural
shows at its premises doubling as a ready and familiar venue for the students.
Reviving fading arts has rendered the Bhavan platform a nurturer of rare arts, opening up precious
forms to the students too.
Held under the Mathoor Krishnamurti Memorial Endowment, the annual cultural event of
Kalabharathi this year will be held every weekend at the Bhavan from Nov. 6, when the paintings
of the art students will be on display.
The five-year diploma courses are split into annual certificate courses, with 70 aspirants receiving
their certificates this year at the convocation that will be part of the Kalabharathi anniversary.
KALABHARATI : CASH PRIZE AWARDEES
Rakshit Srujan
Carnatic Vocal
(I Year)
Shubhangi S.
Veena
(I Year)
Gurukiran Hegde
Hindustani Vocal
(II Year)
Shreyaa Shastry Raja Vignesh N.S. Gopalakrishna
57
Bharatanatya
(II Year) Tabla
(I Year) Ananthanarayan
Mridanga (III Year)
R. Mayura Krishna
Mridanga
(III Year)
Stella David
Keyboard
(I Year)
Kshama Sridevi M.V.
Drawing & Painting
(V Year)
SMT SUSHEELAMMA NANJUNDAIAH,
SRI NANJUNDAIAH, AND SRI. DILIP
SHETHKALABHARATHI TOPPERS – 2016
Panchami P.
Carnatic Vocal
(I Year)
Subhaga P. Nitindala
Carnatic Vocal
(III Year)
Umashankari C.
Keyboard
(II Year)
Lalitha S.
Keyboard
(II Year)
Honnappa N. Nayak
Keyboard
(II Year)
KALABHARATHI : TOPPERS - 2016
T.G. Sai Sharada
Bharatanatya
(I Year)
R. Ruthika
Bharatanatya
(II Year)
Janhavi V
Bharatanatya
(III Year)
Akshay Satish
Mridanga
(III Year)
Triyan Mukherji
Drawing &
Painting (I Year)
Pavitra K.
Drawing &
Painting (II Year)
Bhavani Iyengar M.K.
Drawing &
Painting (III Year)
Sheetal S. Kooduvalli
Drawing &
Painting (IV Year)
Abhay Mohan
Drawing &
Painting (V Year)
Sathvik M.G.
Hindustani Vocal
(I Year)
58
Simran M. Chadia
Hindustani Vocal
(II Year)
Sarat Chandra Bardhar
Hindustani Vocal
(III Year)
H.S. Krishna
Tabla
(I Year)
M.R.Vivekananda
Tabla
(II Year
S. Chandana
Veena
(I Year)
Kalavathi P.
Veena
(II Year)
Rajyotsava – 2016
This year’s Rajyotsava celeberation features a whole spectrum of performing art shows ranging
from folk forms and yakshagana to sugama sangeetha and classical dance. Got up in association
with Rotary International District 3190, the highlight of the cultural programme, Sambhrama, is a
feast of classical dance styles—Dances of India— which incorporates all six classical forms,
besides sand art, and earthy rhythm instruments.
Directed by Smt. B. Bhanumathi, well-established teacher known for her
successful experimentations in Bharathanatyam, and conceptualized by Dr.
R.V. Raghavendra of Ananya, a highly regarded classical arts institution,
Sri Raghavendra Hegde, sand artist will add variety to the show at Chowdiah
Memorial Hall, at 4 pm
Smt. B Bhanumathi
Sri M
Come November 6, a large chunk of public not only from Bengaluru but from different parts of
Karnataka converge at Bhavan to listen to the talks of Sri M, spiritual guide and vedic scholar,
drawing hope and sustenance from his lucid address drawn from Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatam and
other epics.
The two-day talk preceding Nov 6 has been drawing packed audiences over the past few years, Sri
M’s credibility and authenticity of being a Guru in the truly Indian tradition of leading a transparent
and simple life, taking a quantum leap subsequent to his recent Walk of Hope padayatra for
communal harmony, when he traversed the entire country on foot, covering 7,500 km in 474 days.
59
Sri M
The talks every year culminate in the birthday celebrations of this “modern day mystic”, the
difference being that there is no lavish celebration, but only receiving of the blessings of Sri M.
At this year’s three-day lecture programme at the Bhavan premises, beginning on Nov. 4, Sri M will
dwell on the “Yoga of Action—Bhagavad Gita chapter 3”, focussing on Karma Yoga. The talks
begin at 6.30 pm.
Veena Solo
Smt. Manjula Surendra is a veena artiste with an academic background worth boasting about. She
has a post-graduation and an MPhil. in music, and is pursuing her PhD at Bangalore University.
Her other accomplishments in music include having passed the vidwat examination with distinction,
and being an A grade artiste of AIR and Doordarshan. Currently being groomed by Vidwan D.
Balakrishna, she has learnt from C. Krishnamurthy and Gyanambal for many years.
Smt. Manjula Surendra
Founder trustee of Aarabhi Cultural Academy, Smt. Manjula
has participated in several music ensembles, besides being a
soloist. The Gayana Samaja best musician award for 1989, and
Nadajyothi Yuva Puraskara award, 2009, have been hers.
Smt. Manjula will be performing at the Indian Institute of
World Culture on Nov. 11, at 6 pm, under the BVB-IF outreach
series.
60
BHAVAN-INFOSYS FOUNDATION OUTREACH CULTURAL
PROGRAMME AT G.R. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, SEP 22
Sugama Sangeetha by Smt. Savitha Ganesh Prasad & party
CUTURAL OUTREACH PROGRAMME REPORTS :
BVB-INFOSYS FOUNDATION PROGRAMMES :
OCT, 2016
Trichy Kendra organised Natyanjali by students of
Srirangam Bharatanatyalaya on Oct 9, at Arulmigu
Akilandeswari temple.
The programme was part of the Kendra’s efforts at
promoting young talent.
The Kendra along with Infosys Foundation has held 37 such events
during 2015-16, bringing on stage 164 talented youngsters.
Dancers of Srirangam Bharatanatyalaya
61
CULTURAL REACH OUT- JULY, AUG, SEPT.
Sugama Sangeeth
by
Dr. Swati Vyas Kapadia & group, Gujarat,
on July 30.
Semi classical patriotic songs
by
young artistes Gujarat, on Aug 15.
62
Shivaradhana Indian classical group dance
by
Dharma Thakkar and party,
Gujarat, on Aug 28.
Shivaradhana
Indian classical
group dance
by
Sri. Dharma
Thakkar and party,
Gujarat,
on Aug 28.
Kootiyattam
- “Subhadhra Dhananjayam”
by
Sri Margi Madhu
of
„Nepathya‟ ,
Kerala
on Aug 12.
63
Thiruvathira Kali by Smt. Manjis Ajit and troupe, Kerala, on Aug 26.
Folk Drama : Lok Natya
Tamasha Shaili -
Agnipariksha, by
Sri. Dilip Kumar Bhatt
and troupe, Rajasthan, on
Sep 29.
64
Folk Dance Gotipua Nata
by
Odisha Dance Academy,
Bhubaneshwar,
on
Sep 5.
Folk Dance :
Chadheya Nata
Odisha by Nrutya Sangeet Kala
Parisada
on Sept 19.
Folk Dance
Gotipua Nata
by
Odisha Dance
Academy,
Bhubaneshwar,
on
Sep 5.
65
„Putra Kameshti Yaga‟ a doll show by Smt. Anu
Visweswaran at Bhavan as a part of
Dasara celebration from Oct 1, to Oct 10. Padmabhushana Dr. B. Saroja Devi lighting the lamp
to inaugurate the doll show on Oct 1.
Kathakeerthana
„Sriramanjaneya
Yuddha‟
by
Kum.
Tushara
L Acharya
on Oct 6.
Vachana : „Srirama Pattabhisheka‟
by
Sri. K.G. Raghavan, Hon. Secretary,
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, on Oct 7.
66
Bharathanatya by Dr. Vasundara
Doreswamy and troupe,
sponsored by ICCR on Oct 8.
INFOSYS FOUNDATION ANUPU FESTIVAL
DEC 9, 10 & 11
67
TRIBUTE TO BUDDHIST HERITAGE
Anupu, on the banks of the Krishna river near Nagarjunasagar dam, is an expansive archaeological
wonder of Buddhist learning and culture dating back to the 3rd century.
It is not just a tourist destination; it is a historic walk into an ancient seat of Mahayana Buddhism in
South India, its magnificent architecture a reflection of past glory brought to life.
Discovered during the construction of the dam, the ruins of the ancient Buddhist centre was
unearthed, literally throwing up a place of marvelous architectural interest, complete with a Vihara
(Buddhist university), Harati temple and a large amphitheater.
Anupu, the place where Acharya Nagarjuna preached Mahayana Buddhism, was painstakingly
reconstructed in detail by the Archaeological Survey of India, the 80 hectares of the site coming
alive as a historical and cultural world monument of Buddhism.
The intricacy of the structures lie in their divisions, the stupas having circular brick walls with
cladding of limestone slabs, the Simhala Vihara housing two halls, one enclosing an image of the
Buddha, and the monasteries having limestone columns set in brick and stone walls.
MEGA CULTURAL FEST – 2016
The amphitheater enjoys pride of place, its stepped columns opening up to a central playground.
Just before the amphitheater is the Harati temple sporting a statue of the mother Goddess in a sitting
posture.
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Limestone - Ayakpata showing the transportation of Siddhartha‟s headgear (crown)
to heaven by the gods, accompanied by musicions.
The stark and arid landscape of Anupu, scattered with greenery here and there, has its own unique
appeal.
The Anupu festival is a celebration of India’s rich Buddhist heritage, where the ancient monument
will reverberate with traditional performing arts events, seamlessly linking the glories of an ancient
time to the cultural legacies of a later age, while nurturing and preserving the same for times to
come.
Centred geographically, linguistically, and culturally in the Andhra region, the festival will
naturally focus on folk arts, theatre, and classical dance and music drawn from there, with special
emphasis on folk forms, their colour, vibrancy, and their very sustenance factored in.
Symbolically, the festival will be inaugurated by Buddhist monks who will pay floral tributes to the
image of Buddha.
The maiden performance will be the folk dances of Andhra, representing the essence of Telugu art
vis a vis an indigenous culture, followed by a nadaswaram recital, which dates back to generations
of players in the Telugu heartland.
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Instrumental music, Kuchipudi, folk dances, classical dance features exclusive to Andhra, and
devotional music embody the arts featured at the festival, a highlight of which is a cultural
programme by the employees of Infosys.
Their stage outing will showcase music, dances, and a fashion show, the specialty being that all of
them will be in the traditional format.
Even the fashion show will feature traditional costumes drawn from different states of India, where
the essence of Telugu will blend into the rich cultural milieu of India.
Over 350 artistes will pay obeisance to the Buddha through the festival, tailored as a tribute to
India’s cultural mosaic, integral to which are age-old monuments.
Indian culture, as evidenced in its scriptures, customs, traditions and arts is not only the soul of this
ancient land but is its hope and beacon light too, for re-creating a beautiful, peaceful world.
To keep alive India’s cultural heritage and diversity, Infosys Foundation has been supporting
activities connected to art, a recent effort being the reconstruction of ancient monuments and
bringing them alive through traditional performing and visual arts festivals.
The first such festival was held in March 2016, at Lakshmeshwara in Gadag District, when the
restored 2,000-year-old expansive temple complex of Someshwara reverberated with dance and
music, equally of the folk variety, attracting an audience of thousands, drawn from adjoining
villages.
The cultural matrix of India lies as much in its history, the huge monuments sprinkled all over the
country bearing testimony to ancient India’s scientific architectural intricacies and its rich tradition
of public festivities and arts.
To help re-create this past glory, Infosys Foundation plans to wed Indian traditional arts and
historical monuments by holding annual culture festivals at archeologically renovated sites.
The core value the Foundation will establish through these festivals, where the venue is central to
the performances, is the continuation of a cultural legacy.
Creating public awareness of a slice of India’s ancient history and wooing large audiences through
presenting myriad arts against a historical backdrop will be of essence here.
The mega Anupu culture festival, the second event on similar lines, is a celebration of the cultural
diversity of India in the lap of history.
- Jyothi Raghuram
Group Dance
The BVB-ICCR Horizon series presents Bharatanatya group dance by Veena C. S. and troupe at the
Bhavan premises, at 6pm. A dancer cum academic with several interests in allied fields such as
stage lighting, Veena has a host of national and international performances behind her, with
thematic dance productions and her Kala Sampada School of Bharatanatya encompassing her
holistic approach to the art.
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C.S. Veena
Yoga, Samskritam, Carnatic vocal and dance theory are part of the curriculum at Kala Sampada,
which institution has groomed dancers who have done particularly well in dance competitions and
examinations besides being giving solo recitals.
Women’s Instrumental Trio
C.S. Veena Vani Manjunath Prema Vivek They proudly call themselves the Women’s Trio in Carnatic Music, specialising in instrumental
music concerts. Shubha Santosh (veena), Prema Vivek (violin) and Vani Manjunath (flute) have
been performing as a team for two years now and are gaining stage space as a three member
women’s troupe.
Currently training with Sri.H. S. Sudhindra, Shubha has several performances and awards to her
credit, while Prema, having learnt from Sri. H. V. Krishnamurthy and Smt. Neela Ramgopal, is
presently being guided by Smt. Kanyakumari of Chennai.
Besides routine performances, Vani has ventured into interesting outings. She has dabbled in fusion
music with the troupe Kohum, has composed music for plays and for Doordarshan, and has
organized classical orchestral music programmes.
The trio will perform at Indiranagar Sangeeth Sabha under the BVB-Infosys Foundation Outreach
Programme, at 6 pm.
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Bharatanatya by NRI dancer
The Pandanallur Mutthaiah Pillai Endowment
Programme will present a Bharatanatya recital by
NRI dancer Chinmayee Kamakotika
Venkatraman, a dancer with the unique distinction
of having both her dance and music debut
performances the same day!
Chinmayee’s outings include classical solo
recitals, group dances— many composed by her,
and bhangra, topped off with Rangila, a dance
feature where she was both choreographer and
one among the many dancers, and which was for a
philanthropic cause.
The recital is at Khincha Hall, 6 pm.
- JR STROKE OF COLOUR AT HAMPI
Chinmayee Kamakotika Venkatraman
A literally colourful outcome of Hampi Utsav
2016 was the painting of 40 canvases with
different subjects, of which Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan’s Bengaluru Kendra too boasted of two
well appreciated works.
It was an occasion for the Kendra to feel proud of;
its Director, Sri. H. N. Suresh, an award-winning
artist, was one among the 20 select artists picked
by the Department of Culture and Toursim,
Government of Karnataka, to participate in the art
camp at Hampi, as an adjunct to the festival.
Hema Koota near the Saraswathi temple,
amidst the famed ruins of Hampi, formed the
awe-inspiring backdrop for the three-day camp,
the un-prescribed theme allowing artists to draw
from the haunting beauty of the surroundings.
What got translated on to the canvas of Sri.
Suresh were two nimble figures, Virupaksha @
Hampi and Gandharva @ Hampi. The paintings
encapsulated the presiding deity of the
Vijayanagara empire, as a reality, and the
celestial beings— Gandharvas—as personifying
the beauty of Hampi, inspirationally, and as a
conception of beauty.
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Virupaksha @
Hampi Acrylic on canvas 3ft x 3ft
The painting pays
obeisance to the presiding
deity of Hampi, Lord
Virupaksha, accompanied
by the dhyana shloka,
“Aangikam
Bhuvanam...”, of the
Natya Shastra, in praise
of Nataraja, the Lord of
dance. The work was
commissioned for Hampi
Utsav, 2016, at Hampi
Gandharva @
Hampi acrylic on canvas
3ft x 3ft
The painting depicts
flying Gandharvas,
besides tracing
raga chakra –
the assignment of
definite times for
singing particular
ragas in a 24-hour time
cycle. Utsav, 2016,
at Hampi
The fluidity and exotic beauty of the forms, both in the Virupaksha and Gandharva paintings, was
what set apart the art works as classics.
CUTURAL OUTREACH PROGRAMME REPORTS :
BVB-INFOSYS FOUNDATION PROGRAMMES :
SEP, OCT, 2016.
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Sixty six cultural programmes were held in which 661 artistes performed to an audience of about
2000. The events included Gond Ghusadi and Jada Koppu Kolattam folk dances of Telangana, a
workshop on Nirmal painting tradition by the Hyderabad Kendra, Jagran Gondol and Kalagi Tura
folk dance and music of Maharashtra (Pune Kendra), and Lok Utsav and Baul Mela (Kolkata).
The Jaipur Kendra organized a folk dance recital cum workshop at Bikaner where artistes got an
opportunity to learn and perform traditional folk dances of Rajasthan.
ANDHRA PRADESH AND TELENGANA
Ghusadi is a traditional
dance of the Gond tribal
people performed at the
time of Deepavali, the
biggest festival of The
Raj Gonds of Adilbad
District.
As harvesting is over and
the season is cool, the
Gonds, dressed in
colourful costumes and
decorated with ornaments,
go to neighbouring
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Jada Koppu Kolattam is the name of
the alluring dance form practiced by
young people. The term Kolattam is
derived from kol, which means, a
stick, and attam, meaning play. The
circular movements are welltimed and
executed, the ropes hanging from
above getting plaited by the dancers in
the form of chanthadu.
Nirmal painting, the 400-year-old art
of making soft wood toys and
paintings, is an attractive handicraft
model, the finely carved figures and
dainty paintings attracting art lovers.
Students of four schools were trained
in drawing and painting of Nirmal art.
Telengana folk dance-Jada Koppu Kolatam by
Sri. Bhupati & group, Hyderabad, Oct 15.
Nirmal painting exhibition & workshop by of Smt. Ramadevi & group, Hyderabad, Oct. 20.
RAJASTHAN
Some traditional folk dances of Rajasthan are losing out to fusion dance, preventing pure traditional
dance arts from reaching people.
To promote Rajasthani folk dances, over 30 dancers were identified to participate in the workshop
Telengana folk dance - - Gond Ghusadi by Sri. Bhupati & group, Hyderabad, Oct 15. villages in groups,
singing and dancing.
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on pure traditional folk dances including Gangaur, Charu, Ghumar, Terahtali and Manjira.
KERALA
The rendering of folk songs to the accompaniment of instrumental music by Sri. Adarsh M. R. and
troupe, meant the presentation of a fading folk form by artistes from a rural background. The
artistes were drawn from the Vaimuzhi Folklore Study Centre, Pathanamthitta.
Pathanamthitta Sep 14.
MAHARASHTRA
Deepshikha
by
Smt.Anjali
Karhadkar
& troupe,
Pune, Oct 7.
Deepshikha, a musical play on the life of women saints of Maharashtra such as Muktai, Janabai,
Girija, Soyara, Nirmala, Vena and Meerabhai, was presented in the form of bhajans, bharud,
abhang, fataka, nandi & bhairavi.
The struggle these saints went through was well depicted in the play, and co-related to the problems
of women in today’s society.
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Natya Nandi Parva, popular songs of musical
dramas, also known as Nandi or opening songs
along with musical pointers (suchak pade),
rendered by Bal Gandharva in plays like
Saubhadhra, Swayamvur and Manapman were
presented, with the singers draped in traditional
costumes.
Kalagi Tura (Bhedik Lawani) by Shahir Bharat Bhagawat
Thorat and troupe, Pune, Sept 2.
Musical play-Natya Nandi Parva” by
Smt. Preethi Gokhale & troupe,
Pune, Oct 21.
Folk music – Jagran Gondal by Shahir Balasaheb
Kanhere, Pune, Sept 23.
WEST BENGAL / AGARTHALA
Lok Utsav and Baul Mela included folk music by 80 artistes, kathak and poetry recitation with
instrumental music
Lok Utsav & Baul Mela,
folk music, kathak, poetry
recitation with
instrumental music,
Birbhum,
Sept 12.
:
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KARNATAKA RAJYOTHSAVA
CULTURAL PROGRAMME ON NOV 1
Sri T.S. Nagabharana, noted film director, Dr. B. Jayashree, ex-member of
Rajya Sabha, Dr. Vijaya senior journalist, being felicitated. Also seen in the picture are
H.N. Suresh, Director, BVB, Rtn. H.R. Ananth, District Governor - Rotary District
3190, Rtn. Ambika K. Narayan, District Director - Club Service
Kuchipudi : Prateeksha Kashi and troupe