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Vol.21 No. 1. January - 2020

bhavanblrhns50@gmail.com

GOOD GOVERNANCE IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT :JUSTICE B.N. SRIKRISHNA

WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS - 2020WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS - 2020WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS - 2020WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS - 2020WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS - 2020AND HAPPY MAKARA SANKRANTIAND HAPPY MAKARA SANKRANTIAND HAPPY MAKARA SANKRANTIAND HAPPY MAKARA SANKRANTIAND HAPPY MAKARA SANKRANTI

Lighting the lamp by Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Judge, Karnataka High Court on the

occasion of Shri Nani A. Palkhivala Centenary Lecture. Others in the picture from left...

Justice B.N. Srikrishna, former Judge, Supreme Court of India, Shri H.N. Suresh,

Director, BVB, Shri K.G. Raghavan, Vice Chairman BVB, Shri Peeyush Jain,

Hon. Treasurer, BVB.

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Nani A. Palkhivala was

a legend in the legal world inIndia, and an intellectual giant.Celebrating his centenary year,Bharatia Vidya Bhavan,Bengaluru Kendra, and KulapatiDr. K.M. Munshi Institute ofGood Governance, presentedthe Nani Palkhivala Centenarylecture at Khincha Hall, onDecember 8.

The lecture focusedbefittingly on Good Governanceand the Constitution. It wasdelivered by Justice Shri. B. N.Srikrishna, Retired Judge,Supreme Court of India.

Justice Shrikrishna wasChief Justice of Kerala HighCourt, and Judge of the SupremeCourt of India. He was also

Vice President of BharatiyaVidya Bhavan Worldwide.

Shri.K.G. Raghavan,Vice Chairman, BharatiyaVidya Bhavan, Bengaluru,welcoming the gathering, saidthat there could be no betterway of celebrating Palkhivala’scentenary. He said that Palkhivalawas a great lawyer, an eminentjurist, an insightful economist.

Shri Raghavan added thatBharatiya Vidya Bhavan itself,founded by an equally eminentjurist and constitution maker,Dr. K.M.Munshi, was basedon the principles of dharma.Palkhivala was for a long timethe Vice President of BharatiyaVidya Bhavan, and hence it wasapt for Bengaluru to have his firstcentenary lecture here.

Justice ShriB.N.

Srikrishna,RetiredJudge,

SupremeCourt of

India beinghonoured by

Shri.Peeyush

Jain,Hon.Treasurer,

BVB.

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Justice Srikrishnabegan his lecture by saying,“Good governance is not animported concept. Somehow,an impression has beenformed that good governanceis a concept that came fromthe World Bank.

When the World Bankwent about propagating theconcept of good governance.”But that is not so: theRamayana and Mahabharatacontain a number of examplesof good governance, he said,quoting examples tosubstantiate his point.

Likewise, Kalidasa the poet,spoke on the duty of kings inRaghuvamsha, and how theytook care of the welfare of thesubjects.

Coming back to the currenttimes, Justice Srikrishna threwlight on the concept of goodgovernance with reference tothe World Bank, saying the termgood governance gainedprominence because of its usageby the World Bank whilefinancing developing countries ininternational developmentprojects.

Governance is defined asthe manner in which power isexercised in the managementof a country’s economic andsocial resources for development.It is the “the process of decision-making and the process bywhich decisions are implemented.”

Elaborating further,Justice Srikrishna spokeof the characteristics of goodgovernance, namely that it istransparent, responsive,consensus oriented, equitableand inclusive, effective efficient,accountable, participatory andfollows the rule of law.

There is an inexorableconnection between goodgovernance and the Constitutionof a country, he added. Further,he remarked, “I would like theconstitution to a well-tunedmusical instrument and goodgovernance as the ability toperform well on the instrument.”

To illustrate the linkbetween the Constitution andgood governance, he highlightedthe importance of the preamble.Further, he spoke about thefundamental rights in Part III ofthe constitution, and the Directiveprinciples in Part IV, which arelinked to good governance.

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Coming to Palkhivala,Justice Srikrishna rememberedhow Palkhivala had congratulatedhim after he had completed theSrikrishna Commission lookinginto the Mumbai riots of 1992-93, hugged him, cried, and said,“You have done a monumentaltask.” He also remembered thatPalkhivala was such a geniusthat he was awarded for hisexposition of the Advaithadoctrine.

On this occasion JusticeB. V. Nagarathna then deliveredher Presidential address.Highlights of her speechare as under:

Lauding JusticeSrikrishna’s erudition, JusticeNagarathna remarked thathe was always approachedfor solving knotty problems,whether relating to theMumbai riots of 1992,or chairing the committeeconstituted for establishmentof a separate Telangana State.

Calling Shri. NaniA. Palkhivala a doyen of theIndian Bar and in many waysthe savior of our Constitution,she said the legal fraternity mustremember him for his uniquecontribution to Constitutional

Law. For, his incisive legalarguments impelled theformulation of the “doctrine ofbasic structure” in the famousKesavananda Bharati case.

The Hon’ble SupremeCourt elevated Constitutionaljurisprudence to a new heightby propounding the BasicStructure Doctrine, and atonce, giving a frameworkwithin which the Parliamentamends the Constitutionand not deviate from thebasic structure under theConstitution. When the thenGovernment attempted toseek a review of the judgment,Shri. Palkhivala wrote to thePrime Minister Mrs. IndiraGandhi on 09.11.1975beseeching her to consider theconsequence of having thejudgment over-ruled.

Sri. Palkhivala had beenthe Vice President of BharatiyaVidya Bhavan; and she had hadthe good fortune of interactingwith him in the late 1990’s whenhe had visited Bengaluru Kendra.

About “good governance,”she firmly believed that theConstitution was the fountainhead of good governance.First, the Preamble; Second,

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Constitutional morality andConstitutionalism; Third,fundamental rights; Fourth,Indian Judiciary were itsbeacons.

Thus, good governanceshould be aimed at achievingjustice: social, economic andpolitical; liberty: of thought,expression, belief, faith andworship; equality: of statusand opportunity; and topromote among them all,fraternity: assuring the dignityof the individual and the unityand integrity of the nation.

The World Bank’sinterpretation of goodgovernance evolved over timeinto four key components ofgood governance, namelyaccountability, transparency,predictability and participation.

Thus, the thread whichconnects these is rule of law,a legal frame-work.

For the legal fraternity,good governance spells threethings: securing justice byempowering the weaker sectionsthrough affirmative action; bysetting right faulty administrativedecisions and ensuring thatcitizens who approach the law

courts with their grievance areaddressed or extended all legalassistance to secure justice.

For a citizen, the three mostimportant were Democracy,Liberty and Rule of Law.

The Judiciary, led bythe Supreme Court played asignificant role in ensuringgood governance through publicinterest litigation which touchedupon human rights, environment,gender justice, education, rightsof minorities, police reforms,electoral reforms and such otherspecial areas including socialsecurity and upholding the rightsand dignity of individual.

According to JusticeB.V. Nagarathna, one of themost significant aspects ofgood governance is ensuringthat the ordinary citizen is notfrustrated following non-redressal of his grievances.

Further, she touched uponthe safety of women saying nearlyhalf of the Indian population werewomen. If they were not safeand secure, then, there was noreal governance under theConstitution.

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The bronze bust of

Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurti,who established BharatiyaVidya Bhavan at London andwas its Director, was unveiledat Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Bengaluru Kendra, onDecember 6, 2019.

The event was a tributeto the indefatigable spirit ofDr. Mathoor, who workedtirelessly for the cause of Indianculture and spirituality.

Born in Mathoor,Shivamogga, Dr. Mathoor

TRIBUTES TO DR. MATHOOR KRISHNAMURTI

overcame obstacles throughschool and later, due to hispoverty, to become a Vedicand Sanskrit scholar. Afterserving the London Kendraof Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,he returned to Bengaluru andwas involved in the activitiesof the Bengaluru Kendra.

Shri H.N. Suresh welcomedPathi Sridhar, Founder of theShantha Sridhar CharitableTrust, saying“Pathi Sridhar wasinstrumental in holding this event.Having the bronze bust is hisendeavour.”

Lighting the lamp by Veda Brahma Sbri. Ashwattha Narayana Avadhani on theoccasion of unveiling the bronze bust of Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurti . From left

Shri. H.N. Suresh, Director, BVB, M.P. Bhanuprakash, former MLC,Shri. Pathi Sridhara, founder of Pathi Sridhara Shantha Charitable trust and

Smt Shantha Sridhara joins.

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He also welcomedDr. M.N. Nandakumar, thecurrent Director of the LondonKendra on this occasion.

Pathi Sridhar went backin time saying he had knownMathoor for 20 years. Mathoorstruggled during his days as astudent. He was influenced byGandhiji, and became theDirector of the London Kendrain 1975. He translated manyTamil books into Kannada.Mathoor himself has writtenmany books in English andKannada. Some of them areGandhi Upanishad, VeerSavarkar, Sandhya Upasane, etc.He won many awards: India’sSeva Rathna award, Karnataka

Rajya award, Fellow of theRoyal Asiatic Society, and thePadmashri. Till the end, hededicated his life to India’sculture. Though he is no more,he is still guiding us. It is mygood fortune to have had thebust made.”

A CD on Veda mantrascreated with the monetarysupport from Shantha SridharCharitable Trust was releasedby Shri. M.B. Bhanuprakash,former MLC on this occasion.

Shri. Bhanuprakash,Mathoor’s close friend, hadcome from Shivamogga for theevent. “Mathoor Krishnamurthyis no more, but he continues toexist in our minds, emotions and

Shri. Pathi Sridhara, and Smt Shantha Sridhara being honoured bydignitaris on the dais

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breath, I believe,” he said,adding, “Mathoor had nogodfather, yet he rose fromthe dust to become who he was.People were attracted to himbecause of his nature, and keptin touch with him, whether it wasBalamurali Krishna, or RajivGandhi or Prince Charles.

It was truly befitting thatthe programme concluded withGamaka Vachana by GamakaGandharva Vidwan Shri.Hosahalli Keshavamurthy, whochose parts of the KumaravyasaBharata, and would have beenappreciated by Shri. Mathoorhad he been alive.

VidwanHosahalli

Keshavamurthybeing

honoured bythe

dignitaries onthe dais

A CD on ‘Veda Mantras’ created by the monetary support byShantha Sridhara Charitable Trust was launched

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It was a trip down memory

lane as Doordarshan Chandanaand Kalanamana collaboratedwith Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Bengaluru Kendra, and aslegendary Kannada singer,Nadoja B.K.Sumitra, sang thefamous song, “Madhuramadhuravee manjulagaana.” Withthat, she sent the 114th and 115th

episodes of DD Chandana’spopular programme, “Madhuramadhuravee manjulagaana,”to a flying start. More goldenmelodies followed, enthralling theaudience throughout.

The event was held onNovember 28 at the Khinchaauditorium at Bharatiya VidyaBhavan, Bengaluru. The eventincluded two sessions: Bharatasamskruti in the morning; and‘Chandavalliya thota’ in theevening.

Bharatha stood for Bhava,Raaga and Taala, as explainedby Dr. Nirmala Yeligar, AsstProgramme Director, fromDoordarshan. The evening sessionwas a tribute to T. R.Subba Rao,whose birth centenary it is thisyear and uses songs of filmsbased on the novels he wrote.

‘MADHURA MADHURAVEEMANJULA GAANA’

Legendary Kannada singer Nadoja B.K. Sumithra lighting the lamp to mark theinauguration of 114th and 115th episode of ‘Madhura Madhuravi Manjulagana’

while other dignitaries on the dais joins.

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B. K. Sumitra, one of thechief guests, called Doordarshanher “thavaru mane” or “mother’shouse,” She had sung “MadhuraMadhuravee Manjulagana” fromthe film ‘Sathi Sukanya’ 50 yearsbefore.

S R B Hussain, ProgrammeDirector, Doordarshan, spokeon the occasion saying,“Madhura Madhuravee is aprogramme which gives aplatform to those talented insinging. DD has also been goingto different parts of Karnataka todo so. Film music represents ourculture and our language.”

Dr. Babu Krishnamurthy,senior journalist and director,

spoke of how a programme likethis created unity, and speciallymentioned writer Kuvempu,whose writings created a senseof oneness.

Speaking on the occasion,H. N.Suresh, Director, BharatiyaVidya Bhavan, Bengaluru, laudedthe fact that Doordarshan hadmaintained quality in itsprogrammes because it did notchase TRPs like other TVchannels.

Chief Guest A.R. Mitra,writer, speaker and poet, madespecial mention of those workingbehind the scenes in suchprogrammes, likening their workto mothers who work so hard,looking after their children.

Dr. B.K. Sumitra, singing ‘Madhura Madhuravi Manjulagana’from the film ‘Sathi Sukanya’ which was released 50 years before.

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The evening session includedsongs such as O NannaBandhavare, Ommeninnannu,Havina Dwesha, KarpooradaGombenaanu, Kangaluthumbiraluand Kannadathee Namodathee.Tarasu’s daughter, PoornimaSundar, was also present, as alsodirectors S. K. Bhagwan andS. V. Rajendra Singh Babu.

The highlight of the event wasthe introduction of the songs byN.S. Sreedhara Murthy, he gave

interesting facts about the songs.For example, that the horsethat was used in the songApara Keerthi from the film,Vijayanagarada Veeraputra,had acted in 158 films, and hadacted with Prem Nazeer, MGR,and Sivaji Ganesan; that themusic director of the song,Sudarshan, mixed mohana ragaand pahadi raga for Doni Saagali,mundehogali and opened newvistas for Kannada Bhavageethe;that the song was filmed inKodaikanal, the first for films;Ku Ra Si, whose birth centenaryit is this year, wanted S. D.Burman to be the music directorof the song, Jayate Jayate jayate.Burman could not, but he wrotethe basic notes for it.

Finally, it was Jaideep whoworked with Burman whodirected the song. It was sung byManna De, whose birth centenaryalso it is this year.

Shri. A. R. Mitra, writer, and poet,speaking on the occasion

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KALABHARATHI CONVOCATION - 2019

There was a sense of

excitement in the air as theyoung students of Kalabharatiat Bharatiya Vidya Bhavanassembled with their parentsfor the 18th KalabharatiConvocation at the KhinchaAuditorium on December 14,2019. They would receive theircertificates for having completedthe courses in dance, music andarts at the Bhavan. They hadaccomplished that by attendingthese courses every Saturday andSunday, and passing the exam.Some of them would even takepart in the music concerts whichthey would showcase at theevent.

The event began with aprayer by Kalabharati studentsof Carnatic music, who sangexceptionally well, under thevery able direction of their guru,H. V. Gayathri.

The Lighting of the Lampwas followed by the welcomespeech by Shri. H. N.Suresh,Director of Bharatiya VidyaBhavan, Bengaluru Kendra.He said that Vidwan D.Balakrishna, the Chief Guestof the evening was the son ofPadmabhushan Vidwan VeenaDoreswamy Iyengar, and is theforemost among the namesthat come to the mind whenone talks of musicians in India.

Shri. D. Balakrishna, Eminent Veena artist beinghonoured by the dignitaries on the dais.

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KALABHARATHI : CULTURAL PROGRAMME - DEC 14.

“We request him to blessour students and distribute thecertificates of completion of thediploma courses that theBharatiya Vidya Bhavan offersin music, dance and the arts.”He added that plans were on tohave a Bhavan’s academy of artsin the near future.

The Chief Guest of the dayVidwan D. Balakrishna wastrained in the veena by his fatherand even accompanied him onhis gamaka veena concerts.He served the Reserve Bankof India and is an A grade artisteat All India Radio andDoordarshan.

The Chief Guest, VidwanD. Balakrishna, was thenfelicitated. Speaking on theoccasion and addressing thestudents, he said, “The first thingthat comes to mind when one

hears the words Bharatiya VidyaBhavan is the Bhavan’s journal.We used to get it at home andread it. It shaped the values ofour lives. The articles were veryinspiring. It was brought out byShri. K.M. Munshi, lawyer,educationist and Gandhian.”

He added that he was veryhappy to know that the studentswere being trained in arts whethermusic or dance or drawing andpainting. He congratulated all thestudents, saying that the minimumthat the arts give any learneris a sense of well-being andhappiness.

It is good for the growthand health of the mind. Now thatthe students had completed theircourses, they could pursue themas hobbies or as teachers andpass on their legacies. They nowpossessed the ability to analyse

Kalabharati diploma holders along with dignitaries

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KALABHARATHI : CULTURAL PROGRAMME - DEC 14.

any concert. They should playmusic that would make audiencesspeechless.

He then honoured all theteachers who taught the coursesat Kalabharati, and distributedthe Srimathi Susheelamma andShri. Nanjundayya scholarshipsto the students who secured thehighest ranks in the variouscourses. He also distributed thediploma certificates to those whocompleted their courses.

Earlier, even before theprogramme began, he madeit a point to see all the beautifuldrawings done by the students ofthe drawing and painting course,under the direction of Mrs.InshaUmmehani and Shri. S. Karthik.

They had been exhibited on thewalls of the auditorium.

The event included a veenaconcert by the students of veenacourse under the tutelage ofVidhushi B. Mangala and aCarnatic vocal music concert bythe students of the vocal musiccourses who were directed byVidhushi H. V. Gayathri.

The second day’sprogramme began with aviolin recital under thedirection of Vidwan Tarun,a Hindustani vocal concertunder the direction of VidhushiRajeshwari Bhat and themridanga under the directionof Shri. Raghavendra.

Students of Veena class perform under the direction of Vidushi Smt. B. Mangala

Carnatic vocal by students of Vidushi H.V. Gayathri

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KALABHARATHI : CULTURAL PROGRAMME - DEC 15.

Hindustani vocal by students of Vidushi Smt. Rajeshwari Bhat

Students of Violin class perform under the direction of Vidwan Tarun

Mridanga by students of Vidwan T.A.S. Mani

Display of art work by the students under the direction of Smt. Insha Ummehani

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ACHYUTASHRI AWARD PRESENTEDAchyutashri

RashtriyaPuraskar wasconferred on

Smt. SubhadraParthasarathy,

renownedHarikathaVidwan by

Shri S.SureshKumar, Ministerfor Primary and

SecondaryEducation,Karnataka

while othersjoin.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

and Shadja Kala Kendra Trustheld the Nadoja Santa ShriBhadragiri Achyutdas MemorialKathakeertan Vaibhava – 2019,and the annual award function,Achyutashri Rashtriya Puraskaron 16th November, at the KRGHall, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Bengaluru Kendra.

On the occasion, the awardwas bestowed on ShrimathiSubhadra Parthasarathy,renowned Harikatha artistefrom Mysore.

A special felicitationwas also held to honourKeertanacharya LakshmandasVelankar, on his completing80 years.

The programme beganwith Hindustani classical musicperformances by the students ofShadja Kala Kendra.

In his welcome speech,Dr.Dattatreya L. Velankar,Managing Trustee, ShadjaKala Kendra Trust, said MahaMeru Bhadragiri Achyutdas,a towering example of theHarikatha tradition, was beingremembered on the occasion ofKathakeertan Vaibhava - 2019.

He also welcomed PujyaSwami Omkaranandaji who hadestablished Bhadrikashrama atTuruvukere and in California,propagating Hindu culture.He welcomed the Chief Guest,

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Shri. S. Suresh Kumar, Ministerfor Primary and SecondaryEducation, Karnataka,knownfor his support to art and culture,as well as 83-year-old ShrimathiSubhadra Parthasarathy, for hercontribution to the field on thisoccasion.

Shadja Kala Kendra wasstarted in 2011 by BhadragiriAchyutdas and Velankar’s guru,Pandit Vinayak Torvi, he said,for awareness, propagation andeducation of Hindustani classicalmusic and Harikatha tradition.

Shrimathi SubhadraParthasarathy, from Nanjangud,Mysore, started kathakeerthanprogrammes when she was 12.She trained in kathakeerthanunder the famous HaridasaVidwan Srinadipuram SrinivasaRangachar and Sri GamakiRamakrishna Shastri and becamea well known Haridasa herself.

Now 83, she has dedicated70 years of her life toKathakeertan. An expert inTiruppavai upanyas, she hasreceived awards such asSangeet Natak Academy’sKarnataka Kalashree, KeerthanaKalatilaka and BhagawathaShiromani.

Dr.Velankar mentioned thatthe kathakeertan kala was slowlyvanishing but the silver liningwas that there were some studentswho still came to be trained in thefield: “More than quantity, there isquality.”

The programme includeda book release event followedby the award ceremony.The book, titled “Narada BhaktiSutragalu – Dasa Santa SahityadaKannadiyalli,” written byKeertanacharya LakshmandasVelankar.

Karnataka Minister forPrimary and Secondary EducationSuresh Kumar said this attendedthe event for three reasons.

One, he had knownBhadragiri Achyutadas well,having visited Dasashrama whichwas in Rajajinagar, hisconstituency, and also havingstayed at his Kendra inNelamangala.

The second reason wasbecause he and Bharatiya VidyaBhavan ran a BBMP school inSrirampuram for slum children,which followed a CBSE syllabus,a unique and successful initiative.

The third was that theGuest of Honour was his friend

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Dr. Giridhar Kaje, who hadhelped him overcome spondylitis.

Responding to Dr.Dattatreya Velankar’s commentthat the kathakeertan traditionwas disappearing, Shri. SureshKumar said it was everyone’sresponsibility to retain, nurtureand help it grow.

The event also includeda Harikatha programme byVidwan Eshwardas fromYellapura, a direct disciple ofSantasri Bhadragiri Achyuthdaswith several programmes to hiscredit.

It was a Harikatha on‘Kanakadasa’, based on his lifeand teachings.

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Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,

Bangalore and Pali Institute,

Kalburgi, in collaboration withKarnataka Samskrit University,had organised a one-day nationalseminar on “Philosophicalmusings on Gautama Buddhaand Acharya Shankara” onNovember 20, 2019,Wednesday, at KhinchaAuditorium.

Great scholars namelyProf. M.L.N. Murthy, formervice-chancellor, RashtriyaSamskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupathi;

NATIONAL SEMINAR ON“PHILOSOPHICAL MUSINGS ON GAUTAMA

BUDDHA AND ACHARYA SHANKARA”

Dr. S.R. Leela, former professorand former MLC, Bengaluru;Dr. Shatavadhani R Ganesh,noted Samskrit scholar;Prof. V. Girish Chandra,Vice-Chancellor (Acting),Karnataka Samskrit University,Bengaluru; Prof. VeeranarayanaNK Pandurangi, Registrar(Acting), Karnataka SamskritUniversity, Bengaluru; Shri RahulKharge, President, Pali Institute,Kalburgi; and Shri. H.N. Suresh,Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Bengaluru; adorned the stage.

Prof. M.L.N. Murty, former vice-chancellor, Rashtriya Sanmskrit Vidyapeetha,Tirupathi, lighting the lamp to mark the inaugurate of one day National Seminor

while other dignitaries joins

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Prof. M.L.N. Murthy spokeon the importance of the study ofthe sayings of Gautama Buddhaand also Acharya Shankara,remarking that it was a mistakennotion that the Advaita ofShankara is a grab of Buddhism.

A thorough study of the twosystems is the need of the hour,he said. Dr. S.R. Leela remarkedthat Pali, the language in whichGautama Buddha spoke andpreached is mellifluous, evenused in some Samskrit plays.

It is highly suitable forinculcation. The study of Pali isvery important in many ways, sheremarked. Dr. Ganesh remarkedthat there is no contradiction tothe actual sayings of GautamaBuddha and Acharya Shankara.Both contributed towards thebetterment of society.

Only later developments inBuddhism gave rise to manysub-schools, he added.

Prof. Girish Chandraremarked that there weremany parallels and divergencesas well between the two systems.However, both greatly contributedto Indian philosophicaldevelopment. Prof VeeranarayanaPanduragi spoke on thephilosophical contribution ofAdvaita and Buddhism, remarkingthat a thorough academicstudy was necessary.

The seminar included threesessions comprising of threedifferent topics viz the absenceof soul, the empirical world andShunyavada. In the first session,Prof. J Srinivasa Murthy spokeon the concept of soul and howexactly it was conceived inBuddhism.

Prof. M.L.N. Murty, former vice-chancellor, Rashtriya Sanmskrit Vidyapeetha,addressing the gathering

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Dr. Ganesha Ishvara Bhat,spoke on the same concept fromthe perspective of Advaita andshowed parallels and divergenceson the same in the commentaryof Acharya Shankara on BrahmaSutras. Prof. V. Haridasa Bhat,Chairperson of the session,summarised the two views andspoke on how the divergencewas caused.

In the second session,Dr. Sharath Chandra Swamijispoke on the aspect of theempirical world as dealt within Buddhism, quotingmany Buddhist classics.Dr. Mahabaleshwara Bhatspoke on the theory ofempirical world according toAdvaita and showed acomparison of the same withBuddhism.

Chairperson Dr. A.V.Nagasampige summarisedthe session, remarking thatthe various darshanas were aprogressive development ofphilosophical thinking.

In the third session,Dr.Vinay P spoke on the conceptof Shunya in Buddhism andshowed how the concept evolvedin the Buddhist classics, quoting

and referring to many Buddhisttexts.

He remarked that the finalconcept of Shunya may be seenin the writings of Nagarjuna.Dr. Manjunatha Bhat spokeon the philosophy of Advaitaand showed how Advaita is notShunya Vada. He quoted frommany Advaita and Vishishtadvaitaworks as well. ChairpersonDr. Srirama Bhat summarisedthe views, saying that therewas no contradiction betweenBuddhism and Advaita.

The concluding ceremonyincluded speeches by eminentscholars in the field.

Dr. Ramachandra Bhat,Retired Vice Chancellor,Swami VivekanandaYoganusandana University,Bengaluru said the seminarwas extremely successful andcleared many misconceptions.

H.H. Ananda Bhanteji,Director, Mahabodhi Society,Bengaluru, spoke on Buddha’smessage to the world. Prof.Mallepuram G Venkatesh,Retired Vice Chancellor,Karnataka Samskrit University,remarked that this was a long-cherished dream, finally realisedon that day.

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The troupe, Abhivyakti

Kalathanda from Dharwad,staged dance performance atVasantha Vallabharaya Kalyani,open air theatre on November23, 2019. The event was part ofthe Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan andInfosys Foundation Outreachprogram. These are held on thefourth Saturday of every month atthis venue.

Abhivyakti Kalathanda wasstarted by Ranga Kala VidhushiSeeta Chappar who taught

BVB-INFOSYS FOUNDATIONCULTURAL OUTREACH PROGRAM:

Kannada to students who studiedin English medium schools. Shealso created awareness amongthem of Dasa Sahitya, using themedium of dance to do so.Following performances by thestudents at many cities, SeetaChappar gained recognition.

Her troupe has performedacross India. She has usedHaridasa sahitya, Vachana sahitya,and bhaavageethe in folk songstyle and directed them in danceform.

Bharatanatya performed by Abhivyakti Kalathanda from Dharwad

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What was unique aboutthe event was that she usedthe keertanas of Haridasa andHaridasis which involvedriddles and conversation anddebate and presented them indance format. Among thesewere keertanas by PurandaraDasa, Kanaka Dasa,Sripadaraja, Vijaya Dasa,IndreshVitthala Das,Prasanna Venkatesha Dasa,Haridasi HelavanakatteGiriyamma and HaridasiHarapanalli Bheemavva.

In all, there were 13keertanas staged as dances:

The first was GajananaStuthi by Prasanna VenkateshaDasa from Bagalkot.

The second was SharanuSharanu Sri Gajanana SharanuSharanu - by Vijaya Dasa – adescription of Parvati avatar.

Next was “Shiva Shiva ShivaEnniro” by Kanaka Dasa.

This was followed by“Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma”by Purandarasa. And then byyet another by Purandara Dasadepicting the Dashavatharamathrough two sakhis who dancedto “Narayana NarayanaNarayanayare Pele Sakhi.”

Then, Vyasaraja’s “ThumbituBeladingalu Ee Vanadolu,”picturised the separation ofgopikasfrom Krishna.

Ogaturoopaka was next,wherein Rukmini and Krishnaask each other riddles. Rukminianswers Krishna’s riddles withease; not so Krishna.Haridasisalso contributed to the Haridasatradition:this keertana by HaridasiHarapanalli Bheemavva, goesthus: “Kiwi iddu Keladu,Kanniddu Kaanadu.”

The next one was byHaridasi HelavanakatteGiriyamma, “Elli hodallenusukha,namagille paadaithe,” which wassung in the janapada or folk style.

PurandaraDasa’s keertana,“Aho Raatriyalli Indina DinadalliBandu Ninthawanaare?”was a conversation betweenSatyabhama and Krishna whenshe suspects that he has visitedRukmini before coming home.

Conversation betweenRukmini and Satyabhama,each of whom wanted to provethat Krishna loved her better,and how Krishna mollifies both.Created by Sripadaraja, the songgoes, “Kanjanetre shubhamanjula

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gaatre, kunjara gamane,niranjanangi, niranjanangi.”

A Keertana was “EddamThaddam Maathanaduvi,” byDharwad’s very own Dasa,Indiresh Vittala Das, who wrotethis song after he went for adarshana of the Lord at Tirupathi.

The 12th one, byPurandara Dasa, was aconversation between Rukminiand Bhavani where they speakdisparagingly of each other’shusbands: “Tharulerannekappumaiyava yaataracheluvane?” This song alsoencapsulates the Dashavatara.

The last keertana, also byPurandhara Dasa, “MuttinaSeragabido, Ranga” is aboutKrishna’s playfulness with thegopikas.

The members of thetroupe are all professionalsranging from charteredaccountants to MBAs tosoftware engineers, to collegelecturers and postgraduates inScience. That they still find thetime and enthusiasm fordance considering they pursuedemanding careers is testimonyto their dedication.

JOIN NOW :

LIMITED SEATSBharatiya V idya Bhavan (BVB) incollaboration with Bharathiya JyothishaSamsthan will commence academiccourse in Astrology from the firstSaturday of January 2020.The course, titled “Jyotishya Pravesha”,will be held for ten months in English,on every Saturday and Sunday.Interested may contact Officer onSpecial Duty, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavanover phone on 22201959 / 22267421or call 9980055864.

Bharatiya Vidya BhavanNew Batch of Astrology Course

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OBITUARY : PROF. L. S. SHESHAGIRI RAO

Iconic Kannadiga No More

With the passing away of an elderly literaryfigure, lot of culture is lost to the next generation.Despite the invaluable body of work left behindby L. S. Sheshagiri Rao, his presence will bemissed for long , as an epitome of the finest oftraits of a Kannadiga—simple, warm hearted,love and respect for other languages and cultures,yet with a justifiably proud Kannada identity.

Mention his name, and what comes to mind is his famous English-Kannada lexicon, a catalyst for popularizing Kannada. Over six decadesof exposure and activity in the field of Kannada literature rendered him avaluable treasure and ambassador of the best of Kannada and Karnataka.LSS was a worthy mascot of art and literature.

If the critical observation of the Kannada literary world right from theNavodaya period made him a repository of learning, contrastingly, his EnglishSahitya Charitre, was about the history of English literature. This waswhat made him interesting and unique. The book won him the KendraSahitya Academy award.

Indian society once revered school teachers, their families consideredas literate and cultured by virtue of their financially frugal but enlightenedupbringing. Rao’s father was a school headmaster, from whom he pickedup his love for reading. Yet he took to English, becoming an academicianof repute. Having legendary mentors such as B. M. Srikantaiah, A. N.Murthy Rao, and S. V. Ranganna perhaps made the difference. Kannadaremained his forte, making him a foremost academician and litterateur inbridging the English-Kannada divide. In this sense, LSS continues to remaina unifying figure, especially in current times when language fanaticisminvariably assumes destructive tendencies.

Comfortably straddling two literary worlds whose matrix and approachwere completely different, to become an award-winning writer and thinkerin both, is the lasting contribution of LSS for a more tolerant, inclusiveworld. Top awards were his. - Jyothi Raghuram

Fri 6.30 p.m. - KRG Hall03. Carnatic Music :( Instrumental Violin) byShri. Janardhan S., and party

PROGRAMME :JANUARY - 2020Sat 6.00 p.m. -25. BVB -Infosys FoundationCultural outreach programme :Carnatic Fusion Music :Thavil Raja & TroupeThavil : Shri K. RajaCarnatic Flute :Shri. Tejasvi RaghunathMridanga :Shri Aniruddha Srinivas BhatViolin : Shri Pranav ManjunathDrummer : Shri Karthik Mani

Morsing : Shri Karthik Vydhatri

Venue : Vasantha Vallabha Kalyani,Konanakunte, Vasanthapura,Bengaluru.

Thu 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall30. Gandhi Trust Celebrate -Gandhijis 150th birth anniversary

Fri 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall31. Bharatanatya recital :Ms. Manjushree C

Fri 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall10. Kathak recital :

Ms. Sonali Loomba

Fri 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall17. Bharatanatya recital :

Ms.Sakshi Srinivas

Sun 6.00 p.m. - Khincha Hall19. Gauri Shankar Endowment:Kathak dance recital :Students of GuruSmt. Anjana Guptha

Fri 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall24. Kannada Drama bySanchaya Amateur Group

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January - 2020

BOOK POST

SMT. GEETHA RAO