Trip to Udupi, Anegudde, Kollur, Agumbe and Sringeri

Last December, I visited some of the pilgrimage centres in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chickmagalur districts with my family members. We left Mangalore on Dec 29th morning to reach Udupi. After a long time, I was visiting Udupi. So, the new gopuram built in front of the shrine, caught my attention. After visiting Udupi we headed towards one of the famous temples of Coastal Karnataka, Anegudde.

Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

From Udupi, to reach Aanegudde, you need to go via Kundapur through National Highway 17. This place also called Kumbhashi is abode of Lord Vinayaka. Idol of Lord Vinayaka covered in silver armour. Kumbhashi is one of the seven places for salvation in Coastal Karnataka. As the legend goes, once there prevailed a severe draught in this place. Then sage Agastya, came here to perform Yajnas to please rain god, Varuna. But the demon Kumbhasura used to disrupt the yajnas. At this time, Lord Vinayaka blesses Bheema, strongest of the Pandavas with a sword, by which he kills Kumbhasura. In Kannada, 'asi' means sword. So, the place where Kumbhasura was killed with the sword was known as Kumbhashi.

Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple

Apart from the shrine, people from Dakshina Kannada/Udupi are also well aware of monkeys living in Anegudde and the tricks they play. People have tagged the monkeys as 'Anegudde Ponkr Manga'(mischievous monkey from Aneguude). But to my surprise there no sign of any monkey in the place, when we visited.

Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple

After Anegudde our next destination was Kollur. Kollur is the abode of goddess Sri Mookambika. Kollur is a place of interest to both the devout and trek enthusiasts. River Sowparnika flowing in front of the temple with Kodachadri hill in the background, is sure to delight the nature lovers. To get the darshanam of Sri Mookambika, there are two queues maintained. One is the regular queue without any seva charges. Another one is the North Gate Dharshanam. You have to pay Rs.15 per head for this.For complete details about Kollur, you can visit this link. Here is the list of sevas you can perform in Kollur. After visiting Kollur, we were getting ready for a journey through the Western Ghats.

Kodachadri Hills

Our next plan was to reach Sringeri via Agumbe. Agumbe in the western ghats is famous for its sunset point. It records high rainfalls in the region. But it was too misty to view any light from the sun. It was 8 in the night when we reached Sringeri.

Sunset point at Agumbe

Sringeri Mutt provides pilgrims with rooms for stay at a nominal rate. Since we could easily find the Mutt's office as soon as we entered Sringeri, there was no difficulty in getting rooms for accomodation. Month of December is also a time when school children go on a educational tour. Sringeri too was visited by school children then. More on Sringeri and Chickmagalur in the next post.

Manasaare Audio Review

To read the Kannada version click here.

After Gaalipata, director Yogaraj Bhat is gearing up for the release of his latest venture Manasaare. Manasaare literally means straight from heart in Kannada. Here is a first look on the audio of the film released recently.

Trinity of Mungaaru Male - Jayanth Kaykini, Mano Murthy and Yogaraj Bhat is back in Manasaare. Manasaare audio contains 7 songs. Except for one shloka in Sanskrit, lyrics for the remaining 6 songs is written by Kaykini and Bhat. 4 of them are slow tracks continuing the tradition of Mungaaru Male and Gaalipata - where majority of songs were so. ello maLeyaagideyendu tangaaLiyu hELutide(cool breeze is saying it has rained somewhere) is a solo sung by Sonu Nigam. Jayanth Kaykini seems to have hangover of Mungaaru Male. But well, that does seem only in the first line. Beautiful lyrics combined with Sonu's voice is a treat to listen. Glad to see Sonu pronouncing his Kannada correctly here. Music in the beginning of the song is amazing. Yogaraj Bhat has penned kaNNa haniyondige kenne maataaDide(cheek has a talk with tears) which has some new lines in lyrics and it is well sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Kay Kay. naa naguva modalEne(before I laugh), again by Bhat is also sung by Shreya Ghoshal. This song is yet another instance of Shreya's sweet voice.

Picture Courtesy : Kannadaaudio.com

Manasaare's title track naanu manasaare maruLanaagE iruvenu innu munde(I will be crazy to my heart's liking from now on) is less of music and more of singing abilities of Vikas Vashistha and Lakshmi Nagaraj. This song with small duration of about 2 minutes and 40 seconds has the potential of becoming a hit just like Kavithe song of Gaalipata did. After the melodious tunes of the above mentioned tracks, onde ondu nOTa saaku(one look is enough), a fast track does not impress. ondu kanasu khaalee peelee kaNNa munde heege oDutirabEku(one dream however crazy must be running in front of the eyes like this) written Jayanth Kaykini was the first song I liked in Manasaare. Reason for the liking may be since it was the first song I heard from Manasaare. Kunal Ganjawala who has proved his mettle singing fast tracks in Kannada has lended the voice along with Ananya Bhagat and Earl Edgar. Finally, Vijaya Prakash of Jai Ho fame has recited the shloka - sahanavavatu sahanav bhunattu. I am curious to know in which part of the film, Yogaraj has used this song. Newspapers have announced the release of Manasaare in next few weeks. Lets wait for that. All in all, Manasaare is sure to steal the hearts of Kannada music lovers. To listen to Manasaare songs visit Kannadaaudio.com.

Manasaare film info : -
Star Cast : Diganth, Aindritha
Music : Mano Murthy
Lyrics : Jayanth Kaykini, Yogaraj Bhat
Play Back Singers : Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Kay Kay, Kunal Ganjawala, Ananya Bhagat, Vikas Vashistha, Lakshmi Nagaraj, Earl Edgar
Director : Yogaraj Bhat
Producer : Rockline Venkatesh
Audio : Aditya Music

Yegdagella Aithe - A Spiritual Book by Belagere Krishna Shastri

Read this article in Kannada here.

'Yegdagella Aithe' in Kannada means 'Everything is there in Yoga'. Kannada book 'Yegdagella Aithe' by Belagere Krishna Shastri is a memoir of Shree Mukundooru Swamiji. As the author says Swamiji used to use this phrase, 'Yegdagella Aithe' more often in his talks, hence the name of the book.Belagere Krishna Shastri is witness to several miracles performed by Shree Mukundooru Swamiji. While reading the book you may face questions like 'What?', 'Whether it is real/possible?' Your logical mind, which is used to scientific explainations may refuse to accept the events described here. But, we having not seen such supernatural events does not mean that they are fake. Also, those phenomena for which we cannot give any scientific explaination just means those are the areas, which need to be explored. Even the author himself did not believe initially what people were saying about the miracles Swamiji performed. But if you keep your logical thinking aside and read Krishna Shastri's experiences as your own you will be amazed. In addition, there are instances in the book about how Swamiji used to explain ordinary people about spirituality using the language they understand better.

In 1949, Krishna Shastri came to Devanooru village in Kadur taluk of Chikmagalur district to work as a teacher. There he met Swamiji and his interactions with Swamiji is the content of the book. Mukundooru Swamiji, who never wanted publicity, also remained modest of his miracles. He acted as if he had not performed those at all. In the book, there are sayings, idioms in particular dialect of Kannada which is common to malnad and surrounding regions of Karnataka. So, if you are not from these places, you may find it new/difficult. But even then, this book is a good read for an amazing spiritual experience.

[Belagere Krishna Shastri now runs Shree Sharada Mandira Educational Institution in Belagere, Challakere taluk, Chitradurga District and is involved in social work. In 2004, Karnataka Government honoured him with Rajyotsava Award in recognition of his work.]

Lakes of Mysore - Kukkarahalli and Kaaranji

Two famous lakes of Mysore are Kukkarahalli Lake and Karanji lake. Kukkarahalli lake located near Mysore University is spread across 62 hectares. Lake has a surrounding walkway which has stone benches for visitors. This is used by Mysoreans for morning walk, jogging. Here are some of the snaps of the lake.
Kaaranji or Karanji lake spread across 55 hectares has a giant fountain(Kaaranji in Kannada) at the center. Boating facility is also available here. But the biggest tourist attraction is the aviary located within the foreshore area of the lake. It is the biggest walk through aviary in India. Hornbills, peacocks, white-peacocks, turkeys and black swans are some of the birds found in this aviary. A walk through this aviary is a wonderful experience. Peocock spreading its tail feathers to reveal the 'eyes' is a treat to watch. You can also watch White peacocks climbing the trees around. Kaaranji lake surroundings buzzling with life is worth watch. Surely visit this lake, when you come to Mysore.

Freedom Park near Sheshadri Road, Bangalore

Freedom park near Sheshadri Road is one more addition to the list of parks in garden city of Bangalore. Here are some of the snaps I took when I visited the place.

Freedom Park Entrance, Sheshadri Road, Bangalore

Bangalore Central Jail which is now converted into Freedom park was built in 1866 by the British. It occupied a site of approximately 21 acres. The jail has housed many illustrious leaders who fought for the freedom of our nation and for restoration of democracy during the emergency regime post independence. The jail compound included a watch tower in the center, barracks and other buildings like the hospitals, workshops etc.

Bird's view of Freedom Park

Watch tower at Freedom Park, Bangalore

Open Air Theatre at Freedom Park

Sculpture Court, Freedom Park

Cells at Freedom Park

Dr.Rajkumar - An Analysis of the phenomenon

Mayachandra, a corporate film maker based in Bangalore, has done a documentary about Kannada matinee idol Dr.Rajkumar named Dr.Rajkumar - An Analysis of The Phenomenon. Mayachandra, a Masters degree holder in Communication from Emerson College, Boston, and her team took over 2 years to make the film with extensive research and collation of exclusive footage and memorabilia about Rajkumar. This film has been screened in Chicago, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram film festivals. DVD release function of the short film was jointly organized by May Flower media house and Information Department, Government of Karnataka at Badami house, Bangalore, last Sunday. Documentary was also screened after the DVD release.

Here are some highlights on the film on one of the biggest stars in Indian Cinema.

Kannada actor, Ramesh Aravind has lended his voice to the documentary in English.

Views on Dr.Raj from Amitabh Bachchan, Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan, playback singer P B Sreenivos, director Bhagavan, writers U R Ananthamurthy, K S Nisar Ahmed, Jayanth Kaikini, members of Dr.Rajkumar's family, doctors who treated Dr.Raj in his last days, Vivek Javali and Bhujanga Shetty and few ardent fans.

As Prof Nisar Ahmed says Rajkumar won the hearts of millions of Kannadigas with songs like Naaniruvude Nimagaagi and Huttidare Kannada Naadalli Huttabeku.

Dr.Bhujanga Shetty points out that after Rajkumar donating his eyes, there was steep raise in eye donations in Karnataka.

Tiptur Ramaswamy explains how dedicatedly Rajkumar used to rehearse for his roles in theatre dramas early in his career.

When he went to watch his first film 'Bedara Kannappa' in a movie hall in Mysore, Rajkumar wore a turban so that nobody could identify him.

U R Ananthamurthy tells how humble Raj was even though he had attained superstar status - When Karnataka Government wanted to fecilitate him with the first Karnataka Ratna award, he obliged only after his wish of Government first conferring the award on Kuvempu, first Jnaanapeetha awardee in Kannada was fulfilled. He says Rajkumar was clearly aware of the existence of literary world in Karnataka and was very humble about his achievements.

Above all, Dr.Rajkumar was a great human being, who ruled over the hearts of people of Karnataka for over 50 years and continue to inspire generations.

You can visit the website of this film here, where you will find making of the documentary, reviews and promos.

Here are some video clippings from the documentary.

Hamsageethe - Tale of an Indian Classical Singer

TaRaSu or T R Subbarao is a big name in Kannada literature. His novels have been a big hit among Kannada readers and some of them have been made into films like - Aakasmika, Chandavalliya Thota, Gaali Maathu, Naagara Haavu, Benkiya Bale, Masanada Hoovu and Hamsa Geethe in Kannada. I recently read his novel Hamsa Geethe and was moved. Hamsa Geethe was made into Hindi Film, Basant Bahar as early as in 1956. It was made into a Kannada movie, Hamsa Geethe in 1975, by well known director G V Iyer with Anant Nag playing the lead role. Hamsa Geethe is the story of fictional character, Venkata Subbayya, depicted as a singer in the court of rulers of Chitradurga, the Nayakas.

Novel is in first person narration of the author himself, going in search of information pertaining to Bhairavi Venkata Subbayya. Initially, you will feel what was the need to bring present day scenarios into this historical fictional story. But then once you finish off reading the book, you will realize why it was done so. The novel is primarily about the life of Venkata Subbayya and there are references about the concepts of Classical music. But, even if you are not a fan of Carnatic/Hindusthani music, once you complete reading the work, you may want to listen to the Bhairavi Raaga.Plot : TaRaSu's friend Raghavendra Rao gets a photocopy of some old legal document, which says about the gifting of plot of land near Toreyooru(in Chitradurga district) to Venkata Subbayya by Tippu Sulthan. When Venkata Subbayya refuses to sing before Tippu and instead cuts off his tongue, Tippu is moved. As a mark of his respect towards the great singer, Tippu gifts the land to him. Curious to know more about the life of Venkata Subbayya, TaRasu starts off his journey to find details about the singer, contacting various people in and around Chitradurga like chief priest of Ekanaatheshwari Temple, drama artist Chinnappa etc.

Venkata Subbayya's childhood, his music competition with his own guru, Thirumalayya, his firm decision to not to sing in the court of Nayakas after a heart-rending incident, his search of guru once Thirumalayya departs, his hard work to become a great singer is well depicted and TaRaSu takes the readers to a different aesthetic level. In the end, episode of Tippu-Venkata Subbayya's face-off is touchy. Though the incidents in Venkata's life are not in chronological order in the novel, this does not alter the flow.

Advaitha philosophy(or non-duality) consolidated by Adi Shankaraachaarya is also briefly discussed in the novel. Paulo Coelho in his famous work, The Alchemist talks about similar school of thought. Also, there is a mention that before the times of Tyagaraja, Shyama Shastri and Muttu Swamy Dixit there was no differentiation of streams in Indian Classical music like Carnatic and Hindusthaani. Even now, TaRaSu asserts that though the names of the raagas are different in these streams, they are basically the same.

I had seen the Kannada movie Hamsa Geethe before reading the novel. Even then, I liked the novel more than the film. Also, having been to Chitradurga fort added a familiar feeling whenever the author described about the places in Chitradurga and I was thrilled.

If you get a chance to read this novel by TaRaSu, jump on it. I have no doubt in my mind to say that it is one of the best novels to have been written in Kannada.

You can now read the Kananda novel, Hamsageethe online here.

For Kannada version of this article, click here.

Thanks
Raveesh

Launch of My Blog in Kannada

Till now, I have been blogging here at www.raveeshkumar.com both in English and Kannada. Today, I am happy to share with you that I am starting a dedicated blog in Kannada with the same name 'Ee Prapancha'. From now on, you can read my Kannada articles here at http://eeprapancha.blogspot.com/. Today, I have posted a report about the program conducted by Mayflower Media house on Poornachandra Tejaswi, an eminent Kannada writer.

Thanks
Raveesh

ಗುಲಾಬಿ ಟಾಕೀಸ್ ಮತ್ತು ಗಿರೀಶ್ ಕಾಸರವಳ್ಳಿ

ಅವಿರತ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾನದವರು ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 1, 2009 ರ೦ದು ಗಿರೀಶ್ ಕಾಸರವಳ್ಳಿಯವರ ಗುಲಾಬಿ ಟಾಕೀಸ್ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ಮಲ್ಲೇಶ್ವರ೦ನ ’ಶ್ರೀಗ೦ಧ’ ಪ್ರಿವ್ಯೂ ಥೀಯಟರ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸಿದ್ದರು. ಚಿತ್ರದ ಬಗೆಗಿನ ನನ್ನ ಅನಿಸಿಕೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ೦ಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಕು೦ದಗನ್ನಡ(ಕು೦ದಾಪುರ ಕನ್ನಡ)ದಲ್ಲೇ ಸ೦ಭಾಷಣೆಯಿದೆ. ಕು೦ದಾಪುರ, ಬೈ೦ದೂರು ಬಳಿ ಚಿತ್ರಿತವಾದ ಈ ಚಿತ್ರ, ಗುಲಾಬಿಯು(ಉಮಾಶ್ರೀ) ಚಕ್ಲಿ ಮೀನಿಗಾಗಿ(ಸಿಗಡಿ ಮೀನು) ಮಾರುಕಟ್ಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಡುಕುವುದರಿ೦ದ ಪ್ರಾರ೦ಭವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಗುಲಾಬಿಗೆ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಹುಚ್ಚು. ಆದ್ದರಿ೦ದ ಮೊದಲು ಸಿಗಡಿ ಮೀನಿಗೆ ಬೆಲೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಯಿತೆ೦ದು ಮೀನು ಕೊಳ್ಳದಿದ್ದರೂ ನ೦ತರ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಕ್ರಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಮು೦ದಾಗುತ್ತಾಳೆ. ಕಾರಣ:ಹೊಸ ಸಿನಿಮಾದ ಸ೦ಜೆಯ ಆಟ (ಶೋ) ತಪ್ಪಿ ಹೋಗುತ್ತದೆ೦ದು. ಸೂಲಗಿತ್ತಿಯಾದ ಗುಲಾಬಿ ತಾನು ವಾಸಿಸುವ ಕುದ್ರು(ದ್ವೀಪ)ವಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಬೇಕಾದವಳು. ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡುವಾಗ ಯಾವುದಕ್ಕೂ ಗಮನ ಕೊಡದ ಗುಲಾಬಿಯನ್ನು ಹೆರಿಗೆ ಮಾಡಿಸಲು ಊರಿನ ಸಿರಿವ೦ತರೊಬ್ಬರಿಗೆ, ಅವಳನ್ನು ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಹಾಲ್ ನಿ೦ದ ಬಲವ೦ತವಾಗಿ ಎತ್ತಿಕೊ೦ಡು ತರಲು ಹರಸಾಹಸವೇ ಮಾಡಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಗುಲಾಬಿಯ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರತಿಯಾಗಿ ಸಿರಿವ೦ತ ಹೆ೦ಗಸು ಗುಲಾಬಿಗೆ ಬಣ್ಣದ ಟಿ.ವಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಡಿಶ್ ಅನ್ನು ನೀಡುತ್ತಾಳೆ.

ಗುಲಾಬಿಯ ಗ೦ಡ ಮೂಸಾ(moosa) ಎರಡನೇ ಮದುವೆಯಾಗಿ ಗುಲಾಬಿಯನ್ನು ಕಡೆಗಣಿಸಿರುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಬಣ್ಣದ ಟಿ.ವಿ ಯ ಆಗಮನದ ನ೦ತರ ಗುಲಾಬಿಯ ಮನೆಗೆ ಜನರ ದ೦ಡೇ ದ೦ಡು. ಮೊದಮೊದಲು ಅನ್ಯ ಧರ್ಮೀಯಳು ಎ೦ದು ಮನೆಯೊಳಗೆ ಕಾಲಿಡಲು ಹಿ೦ಜರಿದರೂ ನ೦ತರ ಗುಲಾಬಿಯ ಮನೆ ’ಗುಲಾಬಿ ಟಾಕೀಸ್’ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಮೂಸಾ ಕೂಡಾ ಗುಲಾಬಿಯ ಈಗಿನ ಸಿರಿವ೦ತಿಕೆಗೆ ಮರುಳಾಗಿ ತನ್ನ ಮೊದಲನೇ ಹೆ೦ಡತಿಯ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಇರಲು ಪ್ರಾರ೦ಭಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ನೇತ್ರು (ಎಮ್.ಡಿ ಪಲ್ಲವಿ) ಗುಲಾಬಿಯ ನೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಗೆಳತಿ. ದೂರದ ದುಬೈನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಗ೦ಡ, ಸಾಲದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ಅತ್ತೆಯ ಕಿರಿಕಿರಿ ಇವೆಲ್ಲವನ್ನು ಸಹಿಸಿಕೊ೦ಡು ಬದುಕುತ್ತಿರುವ ನೇತ್ರುವಿಗೆ ತನ್ನ ನೋವುಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಗುಲಾಬಿಯ ಸ್ನೇಹ ಪೂರಕವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಮೂಸಾ, ದುಬೈಯ ಸುಲೈಮಾನ್ ಸಾಹುಕಾರನ ಹಡಗಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮೇಲ್ವಿಚಾರಕ. ಯಾ೦ತ್ರೀಕೃತ ಮೀನುಗಾರಿಕೆ ನಡೆಸುವ ಸುಲೈಮಾನ್ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಹಿ೦ದಿನಿ೦ದಲೂ ತಮ್ಮ ಊರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮೀನುಗಾರಿಕೆ ನಡೆಸಿಕೊ೦ಡು ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯರಲ್ಲಿ ಅಸಮಧಾನವಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದು ಕೆಲ ವೇಳೆ ಸಣ್ಣ ಜಗಳಗಳಿಗೆ ಆಸ್ಪದ ನೀಡುತ್ತದೆ. ಇ೦ಥಾ ಘರ್ಷಣೆಗಳ ಬೆನ್ನಲ್ಲೇ ಬರುವ ಕಾರ್ಗಿಲ್ ಯುದ್ಧ ಜನರ ಭಾವನೆಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಪರಿಣಾಮ ಬೀರುತ್ತದೆ ಎ೦ಬುದನ್ನು ಕಾಸರವಳ್ಳಿ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ನಿರೂಪಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಜೊತೆ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ನೇತ್ರು ಕಣ್ಮರೆಯಾಗುವುದು, ಮೂಸಾ ನು ನಾಪತ್ತೆಯಾಗುವುದು ಹಲವಾರು ಅನುಮಾನಗಳಿಗೆ ಎಡೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಕೊಡುತ್ತವೆ. ಚಿತ್ರದ ಕೊನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಗುಲಾಬಿಯನ್ನು ಬಲವ೦ತವಾಗಿ ಅವಳ ಮನೆಯಿ೦ದ ಎತ್ತಿಕೊ೦ಡು ದ್ವೀಪದಿ೦ದ ಹೊರಹಾಕುವುದು, ಚಿತ್ರ ಶುರುವಾದಾಗ ಅವಳನ್ನು ಹೆರಿಗೆ ಮಾಡಿಸಲು ಚಿತ್ರ ಮ೦ದಿರದಿ೦ದ ಎತ್ತಿಕೊ೦ಡು ಬರುವುದು ಪರಸ್ಪರ ವಿಪರ್ಯಾಸವಾಗಿ ಕ೦ಡು ಬರುತ್ತದೆ. 1999ರಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಕಾರವು ಯಾ೦ತ್ರೀಕೃತ ಮೀನುಗಾರಿಕೆಗೆ ಪರವಾನಿಗೆ ನೀಡಿ, ಜನರ ಗಮನವನ್ನು ಬೇರೆಡೆ ಸೆಳೆಯಲು ಬಣ್ಣದ ಟಿವಿಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿ ಮನೆಗೆ ಕೊಡಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸುವುದನ್ನು ಚಿತ್ರದ ಕೊನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಚಿತ್ರವು ಮಾನವನ ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮ ಸ೦ವೇದನೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಹಿಡಿದ ಕನ್ನಡಿಯ೦ತಿದೆ.

ಚಿತ್ರ ಕೃಪೆ : nowrunning.com

ಚಿತ್ರದ ನ೦ತರ ಗಿರೀಶ್ ಕಾಸರವಳ್ಳಿ ಯವರೊ೦ದಿಗಿನ ಸ೦ವಾದ ಚಿತ್ರ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅ೦ಶ. ಗಿರೀಶ್ ಜೊತೆಗಿನ ಮಾತುಕತೆಯ ಸ೦ಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತ ವಿವರ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ.

ಚಿತ್ರ ಯಾವ ಸ೦ದೇಶ ನೀಡುತ್ತದೆ ಎನ್ನುವ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗೆ ಸ೦ದೇಶ ಅನ್ನುವುದು ಬಹಳ ಅಪಯಕಾರಿ ಶಬ್ದ, ಅದರ ಬದಲು ಚಿತ್ರ ವಿಡ೦ಬನೆಯನ್ನು ಸೂಚಿಸುತ್ತೆ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ. ತನ್ನ ನೆರೆಹೊರೆಯವರೊಡನೆ ಜಗಳವಾಡಿ ಗೆದ್ದೆ ಎ೦ದು ಬೀಗುವ ಮ೦ದಿ ಸರಕಾರದ ನಿಲುವುಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅರಿವನ್ನು ಹೊ೦ದಿರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ, ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಸರಕಾರವನ್ನು ಎದುರು ಹಾಕಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಅಷ್ಟು ಸುಲಭವಾದ ಮಾತೂ ಅಲ್ಲ ಎ೦ಬುದು ಗಿರೀಶ್ ಚಿ೦ತನೆ.

ನಿಮ್ಮ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಡುಗಳು, ವಾಣಿಜ್ಯ ಅ೦ಶಗಳು ಯಾಕಿಲ್ಲ ಎ೦ಬುದಕ್ಕೆ ಆ ಅ೦ಶಗಳನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ಚಿತ್ರ ಒಳಗೊ೦ಡರೆ ಅದು ಕಾಸರವಳ್ಳಿ ಚಿತ್ರ ವಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ನೀವು ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಈಗ ಹೇಗೆ ಅಭಿಮಾನದಿ೦ದ ಗುರುತಿಸುತ್ತೀರೋ ಹಾಗೆ ಗುರುತಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಹಾಡುಗಳು ಭಾವನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಇವು ಹೀಗೆಯೇ ಇರಬೇಕು ಎ೦ದು ಘ೦ಟಾಘೋಶವಾಗಿ ಸಾರುತ್ತವೆ. ಚಿತ್ರವು ನೈಜ ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯಾಗಿ ನೋಡುಗರನ್ನು ಚಿ೦ತನೆಗೆ ಪ್ರೇರೇಪಿಸಬೇಕೇ ಹೊರತು ನಾ ಹೇಳುವುದೇ ಸರಿ ಎ೦ಬ ಸ೦ದೇಶ ನೀಡಬಾರದು ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ.

ನಿಮ್ಮ ಚಿತ್ರ ಹೇಗೆ ನೈಜವಾಗಿ ಮೂಡಿ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ ಎ೦ಬುದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ವಾಣಿಜ್ಯ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಯಕ ಅಥವಾ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳು ಕೇವಲ ಸ೦ಭಾಷಣೆ ನೀಡಲು ಮಾತ್ರ ಸೀಮಿತವಾಗಿರುತ್ತವೆ. ಆದರೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳು ಏನಾದರೊ೦ದು ಕೆಲಸದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರತವಾಗಿರುತ್ತವೆ. ಈ ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಗುಲಾಬಿ ಸ೦ಭಾಷಿಸುವಾಗ ಬಟ್ಟೆ ಒಗೆಯುವುದು, ಅಡಿಗೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು ಮು೦ತಾದ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾಳೆ ಮತ್ತು ಈ ಅ೦ಶವನ್ನು ಹಳೆಯ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನೀವು ಗಮನಿಸಬಹುದು ಎ೦ದು ತಮ್ಮ ಗುಟ್ಟನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಡುತ್ತಾರೆ.

ವೈದೇಹಿಯವರ ಗುಲಾಬಿ ಟಾಕೀಸ್ ಎ೦ಬ ಕಥೆ ಆಧಾರಿತ ಚಿತ್ರವಾದರೂ ಮೂಲ ಕಥೆಗೂ ಚಿತ್ರಕ್ಕೂ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸವಿದೆ. ಇದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯಿಕ ವಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಹಳಷ್ಟು ಚರ್ಚೆ ನಡೆಯಿತ೦ತೆ - ಒಬ್ಬ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ಮೂಲ ಕಥೆಗೆ ಇಷ್ಟೊ೦ದು ಮಾರ್ಪಾಡು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬಹುದೇ? ಎ೦ದು.

ನಿಮ್ಮ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಲಾವಿದರನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ ಎ೦ಬುದಕ್ಕೆ ಉತ್ತರಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿ ನಾನು ನೋಡುವುದು ಕಲಾವಿದರು ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರಾ ಮು೦ದಿದೆಯೆ೦ಬ ಅರಿವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ನೈಜವಾಗಿ ಅಭಿನಯಿಸಿತ್ತಾರೆಯೇ ಎ೦ದು. ಗುಲಾಬಿ ಟಾಕೀಸ್ ಗೆ ಅವಿಭಜಿತ ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಯಾಮರಾ ಹಿಡಿದುಕೊ೦ಡು ಸುತ್ತಾಡಿ ಕಲಾವಿದರಿಗೆ ತಮಗೆ ಏನು ತೋಚಿದೆಯೋ ಅದನ್ನು ನಟಿಸಿ ಎ೦ದು ಹೇಳಿ, ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಿಸಿ ನ೦ತರ ಪಾತ್ರಧಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಗುಲಾಬಿ ಟಾಕೀಸ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಉಮಾಶ್ರೀ ಹೊರತು ಪಡಿಸಿದರೆ ಮಿಕ್ಕೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರ ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರಿಗೆ ಹೊಸಬರು ಎ೦ದು ನುಡಿದರು.

ತಮ್ಮ ಈ ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ನೀವು ಕ೦ಡ ತಪ್ಪುಗಳೇನು ಎ೦ಬುದಕ್ಕೆ ಈ ಸಲ ರಾತ್ರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುವ ದೃಶ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸಲು ಡೇ ಫಾರ್ ನೈಟ್ ಎ೦ಬ ಪರಿಕಲ್ಪನೆಯನ್ನು ಬಳಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.(ದೃಶ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಹಗಲಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಿಸಿ ಫಿಲ್ಮ್ ಗೆ ನೀಲಿ ಬಣ್ಣ ಬಳಸಿ ರಾತ್ರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ದೃಶ್ಯಗಳೇನೋ ಎ೦ಬ ಭಾವನೆ ತರಿಸುವುದು ಡೇ ಫಾರ್ ನೈಟ್ ಎ೦ಬ ಪರಿಕಲ್ಪನೆ) ಆದರೆ ಅದು ಅಷ್ಟು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಮೂಡಿ ಬ೦ದಿಲ್ಲ ಎ೦ದರು.

ಪ್ರಸಕ್ತ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ವರದಿಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಈಚೆಗೆ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುವ ವರದಿಗಳು ನಮ್ಮ ಮು೦ದೆಯೇ ನಡೆದವೇನೋ ಎ೦ಬ ಭಾವನೆ ತರಿಸುತ್ತವೆ. ವರದಿಗಳು ಆಯಾ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆ, ವಾಹಿನಿ ಗಳ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ನಿಲುವುಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ವರದಿಯಾಗಿರುತ್ತವೆ ಎ೦ಬುದನ್ನು ನಾವು ಗಮನಿಸಬೇಕು. ಎಲ್ಲೋ ನಡೆದ ಘಟನೆಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆಗೆ ಇಳಿಯುವ ಜನ ಆ ಘಟನೆಯ ಪೂರ್ವಾಪರಗಳನ್ನು ಯೋಚಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ, ನಾವೇಕೆ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟಿಸಬೇಕು ಎ೦ದು ತಮ್ಮನ್ನು ತಾವು ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸಲೂ ಹೋಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ 70ರ ಅಥವಾ 80ರ ದಶಕದ ಘಟನೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಾವು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ಚಿತ್ರಣ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊ೦ದಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಈಗಿನ ಘಟನೆಗಳನ್ನು ನಾವು ಹಾಗೆ ವಿಶ್ಲೇಷಿಸಲು ಆಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಏಕೆ೦ದರೆ ನಾವು ಅವುಗಳ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿರುತ್ತೇವೆ ಎ೦ದು ತಮ್ಮ ಯೋಚನಾ ಲಹರಿಯನ್ನು ಹರಿಯಬಿಟ್ಟರು.

ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾನುವಾರ ಸ೦ಜೆ ನಡೆದ ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ, ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದವರ ಮೆದುಳಿಗೆ ಮೇವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿತೆನ್ನಲು ಅಡ್ಡಿಯಿಲ್ಲ.

- ರವೀಶ

ಕನ್ನಡ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಪ್ರಾಧಿಕಾರದ ವತಿಯಿ೦ದ ವಿಶೇಷ ರಿಯಾಯಿತಿ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಮಾರಾಟ ಮೇಳ

ಕನ್ನಡ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಪ್ರಾಧಿಕಾರವು ಬೆ೦ಗಳೂರಿನ ರವೀ೦ದ್ರ ಕಲಾಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಮಾರಾಟ ಮೇಳವೊ೦ದನ್ನು ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಿದೆ. ಈ ಮೇಳವು ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 7 ರಿ೦ದ 10 ರ ತನಕ ನಡೆಯಲಿದೆ. ಕನಿಷ್ಟ 50 ಪ್ರಕಟಣೆ/ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಿದ ಪ್ರಕಾಶಕರು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಮಳಿಗೆಗಳನ್ನು ತೆರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಶೇ.25 ರಿ೦ದ 60ರ ತನಕ ರಿಯಾಯಿತಿ ಲಭ್ಯವಿದೆ. ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಪ್ರಿಯರಿಗೆ ಇದೊ೦ದು ಸದವಕಾಶ. ಅಚ್ಚುಕಟ್ಟಾಗಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿರುವ ಮಳಿಗೆಗಳು, ಧೂಳು ರಹಿತ ವಾತಾವರಣ, ಬೆ೦ಗಳೂರು ಬಿಸಿಲಿಗೆ ನೆರಳು ಇರುವುದರಿ೦ದ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಪ್ರಿಯರಿಗೆ ಮಳಿಗೆಗಳ ಸುತ್ತಾಟವು ತ್ರಾಸದಾಯಕವೆನಿಸದು.

ಕನ್ನಡ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಪ್ರಾಧಿಕಾರದ ವತಿಯಿ೦ದ ವಿಶೇಷ ರಿಯಾಯಿತಿ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಮಾರಾಟ ಮೇಳ
ಸ್ಥಳ : ರವೀ೦ದ್ರ ಕಲಾಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಆವರಣ, ಜೆ.ಸಿ. ರಸ್ತೆ, ಬೆ೦ಗಳೂರು
ದಿನಾ೦ಕ : ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 7 ರಿ೦ದ 10, 2009
ವೇಳೆ : ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ 10:30 ರಿ೦ದ ರಾತ್ರಿ 8

Chitradurga Trip : Vani Vilas Sagar, Jogimatti and Murugarajendra Matha

Vani Vilas Sagar or Maari Kanive near Hiriyur is the first dam to be built in Karnataka in 1907. This dam which is 40 kms away from Chitradurga is built across River Vedavathi(a tributary of River Tungabhadra) is an engineering marvel in pre-independence era. If you are traveling from Bangalore towards Chitradurga, you have to take a deviation near Hiriyur to reach the place. Recently built garden near the dam, Panchavati, where you can find medicinal herbs is an ideal picnic spot.

Vani Vilas Sagar Dam

Jogimatti, a hill station is 10 km away from Chitradurga town. It is a reserved forest area and prior permission from forest officials is required for entry into the forest. We had plans to catch sight of some birds in the forest area, as we had read in this website. This is home to endangered species of birds like Pycnonotus xantholaemus, Gyps bengalensis and also to some 110 other species of birds. But since we didn't know about the permission from forest officials, we had to take deviation towards zoo and park nearby. Enthusiasm soon died for one of my friends who had visited Mysore Zoo and Bannerghatta National Park. Anyway, peacocks, cheetahs, deers, tortoise are there to greet you. This place seemed to be a hit among locals as family crowd were enjoying the evening in the park.

Peacock in Jogimatti zoo

Murugarajendra Brihanmatha in Chitradurga town is one place where you can find lush greenery all around in a rocky town. Matha has a garden and zoo in its premises. Emu bird from Australia is an attraction here.

Murugarajendra Matha, Chitradurga

When in Chitradurga, you feel as if wind mills are ubiquitous here. You can see it everywhere. Wind energy available in plenty and lack of water resources would have necessitated the use of windmills for power generation. Chitradurga trip was a memorable one. Especially, Chitradurga fort which was amazing. Still, I felt that we have not explored the fort fully. My friend, Guru will surely agree with me.

Wind mills

Water gushing out of Vani Vilas Sagar Dam

Statue of Madakari Nayaka

Emu bird in Murugarajendra Matha's zoo

Cheetahs in Jogimatti zoo

Also read,
Chitradurga Trip : Chitradurga Fort and Chandravalli Caves

Chitradurga Trip : Chitradurga Fort Chandravalli Caves

Chitradurga, a historical town is 200 kms away from Bangalore. Around 5 hours, would be the journey duration to reach the place. With NH4 covering most of the route, it is a pleasant drive. When somebody mentions about Chitradurga, first thing that comes to mind is of Legend of Onake Obavva. In 18th century AD, Obavva using a pestle(onake) had fought the soldiers of Hyder Ali's army to protect Chitradurga fort.

Naagarahaavu or King Cobra

Chitradurga Fort inside the town, is the prime attraction and is declared a national monument by Archaeological Survey of India. The fort was the headquarters of the Nayakas, feudatory chieftains under Vijayanagara empire. Also called Elu Suttina Kote/Kallina Kote in Kannada, the fort built around a rocky hill, was believed to be impregnable with seven lines of concentric ramparts with one of them representing Indo-Saracenic architecture. 3 lines of ramparts are below the hill and 4 rows are on the slopes of the rocky hill. Inside the fort, there are 14 temples. Some of the temples have Shikharas in Chalukyan style.

Indo-Saracenic Entrance in the fort

Chitradurga or Chittaradurga name is apt for the place, since some of the rocks here form shapes of animals/things like that of frog, elephant, ship etc.(Chitra/Chittara in Kannada means picture). List of attractions inside the fort is long and the whole process of doing a proper round up of fort can easily take you around 5 hours. Here is a small list of what you can visit - Ekanatheshwari Temple, Hidimbeshwara Temple, Jodu Batheri & Jhanda Batheri (flag posts), mint & office of paleygaras, Muruga Matha, Gaali Gopuras, Thuppada Kola (pond of ghee),

Gaali Gopuras

palace complex, Onake Obbavva Kindi, Barns & ponds, Sampige Siddheshwara Temple, Gopalaswamy Temple, Bombe Mantapa, Akka Thangiyara Kola and so on. This apart, trek to reach hill top, climbing the rocks is a thrilling experience. If you are trekking in the morning hours, you have to watch out for the hot sun in Chitradurga! To know the importance of places inside fort and a bit of history, a guide can be useful. He charges around Rs.250 for servicing a group. When we were wandering inside the fort, we witnessed Jyothi Raj climbing the fort walls of the fort with ease. This guy also known as Kothi Raj, (Kothi in Kannada means monkey) shows off his skills on weekends.

Birds view from hill top

Chandravalli is another attraction in Chitradurga. 2 kms away from the town, this pre-historic site, which is semilunar in shape is located between 3 hills, Chitradurga, Cholagudda and Kirubanakallu. Excavations here have shown that this place was inhabited since Iron age. Surrounded by hills with a lake in the middle, makes it a beautiful location.

Chandravalli Lake

Nearby are the Chandravalli Caves, also called Ankali Math. These were once inhabited by the Saints of Ankali Math from Belgaum. These are underground caves where one gets around 80 feet down from ground level. Better to reach out to this place with a guide as you can easily get lost inside the caves, which has a different exit route. Completely dark at any time of the day, one has to carry a source of light like torch/candle while exploring the place.

One of the entrances in Chandravalli Caves

Caves though dark have outlets for ventilation and comprises of anything a math could have like a place of worship with Shiva linga, visitor room, rooms for Sadhus, carvings in the wall to keep belongings, carvings and paintings on the walls(with natural colours made of herbs). This is a must visit place if you are in Chitradurga. We spent some 3 hours exploring the place. More places to visit in Chitradurga in next post.

Rocky Hill, Chitradurga

Muruga Math

Pond inside Chitradurga Fort

Obavvana Kindi

Rock resembling a ship

Rock resembling a frog

Jyothi Raj climbing fort walls

Paintings in Chandravalli Caves

Inside Chandravalli Caves

Carvings in cave walls

Also read,
Chitradurga Trip : Vani Vilas Sagar, Jogimatti and Murugarajendra Matha