India's Dan Brown and Mysteries of Vijayanagara Empire

Are you curious about the mysteries of wealthy and prosperous Vijayanagara Empire? Well, then you ought to read this novel. Karisiriyana is a work of fiction in Kannada. But not all the details in this book are fictitious. Vijayanagara Empire is regarded as one of the most powerful and wealthy kingdoms in Indian history. But then it is not clear where all the wealth in the form of precious stones, jewels which were said to be sold on the streets of Hampi, the illustrious capital city of Vijayanagara kingdom disappeared after the fall of the mighty empire. This book makes an effort to unravel the mystery.

How did Tirupati temple became the richest temple in the world? (Though this have to be corrected now as Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram set to overtake after it's riches were discovered in 2011. But the novel was written in 2009). Author K N Ganeshaiah crafts the story around various hidden clues to find out the lost treasure of forgotten empire.

Karisiriyana Cover Page

One exciting aspect of Ganeshaiah's novel is that he gives you references from historical texts as footnotes. Also, included are the relevant photographs from historical places. So, the reader is kept guessing as he fails to make distinction between fact and fiction, and that is what gives the reader a wonderful reading experience. In the process, one learns easy way to learn about Indian history rather than getting bogged down by boring historical text books.

The novel begins with references to two historical letters. Folklorist Nanjamma is found dead in her home at Nangli, which is on the way to Chittoor from Mulabagilu in National Highway number 4. ASI(Archaeological Survey of India) plans to build a garden in Hampi comprising of flora from Vijayanagara era. When they are digging the area for the soil testing, botanist Dr.Vasudev discovers diamonds there. Pooja is researching on secret financial tie-up between Vijayanagara kings and Tirupati temple. When she is in Tirumala hills as part of her research, CBI arrests her. In remote corner of Kashmir, Indian army takes Bhavana into custody who was studying life and ways of an exotic community. NRI Lakshmikanth Patel gets elected to the committee which monitors the preservation of World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO after fierce lobbying. Though you may think the above details are not related to each other, you eventually find how all these get interlinked in the novel. You will be amazed to find answers to the following questions too from Indian history - Where all the treasure disappeared after the fall of Vijayanagar Empire? Is there any cosmic geometric connection in planning the city of Hampi? How did Vijayanagar Kingdom become so prosperous? Why were silver/gold coins were called as varahas in Kannada/Telugu during that time? If Telugu is not the mother tongue of Sri Krishnadevaraya then what is it?

It would not be a surprise in the coming days, if K N Ganeshaiah earns the title - India's Dan Brown because of his research oriented historical novels. I am already reading his another historical novel - Chitadanta which has references from the times of Alexander, Emperor Ashoka and Theravada Buddhism.

Buy Karisiriyana Here:

Bharat Stores and FDI in retail

More than two decades into liberalization era, we are yet to fully fathom the subtle impacts it has made in our lives and those around us. Ironically, the changes have become so obvious that we fail to recognize them let alone get into the details. Latest addition to these developments is FDI in retail.

Bharat Stores tries to project the plight of small retail vendors in the present scenario. If change of our tastes and our growing fascination with mall culture have indirectly affected the traditional consumer vendor relationship, introduction of food coupons have forced us to walk up to the mall even if takes time to pick items ourselves and stand in long queues for billing. Scenes like these readily connects to you but it does not go beyond that. May be we have accepted that as a progressive change. That is why you feel somewhere the film misses the core point how lopsided development affects people in different social strata.

Picture Courtesy : rediff.com

But there are bright points too like portrayal of how traditional business marketing falls short of massive media campaigns of multinational conglomerates. I feel that one could have also included how consumers would be exploited later by these biggies once all the small vendors are removed and consumers are forced to buy what is dictated. One also feels that not being able to adapt to change is what lead to traditional vendors like protagonist Govinda Shetty's fall. Also, I also felt director could have included how the western model of development cannot be directly applied to India; it needs customization. Presenting a sorry picture of the situation would go down as one of those emotional dramas which is true here too. Overall, the film looks more like a one-sided documentary on cons of FDI in retail. But there are scary aspects of FDI presented here like how the retail giants are getting the fields leased out for them and dictating what crops to grow and how they should be grown too. I came to know similar stories about farmers leasing out their farms around Bangalore.

Passing thought : Overheard from the audience saying ironically that we were watching the film which is against mall culture in a mall. Also, fans were upset with the national award winning film releasing only in multiplexes. No comments about that!

How I met Steve Waugh?

April last year, I was returning from Tokyo and I had a connecting flight from Singapore. We were busy taking photographs at Changi Airport, when my friend spotted cricketing legend Steve Waugh. Thrilled, we wasted no time in reaching him. Without knowing what to speak, I asked him 'Where are you heading?' I felt apparently that did not go well with him as he questioned me back - where was I going, bit arrogantly in a typical Aussie attitude. I replied back that I was travelling to Bangalore. But how could I miss a chance of taking a picture with cricketing world's all time hero. So, without bothering about his response to my first question, I asked him whether he would allow me to take a photograph with him. He obliged saying 'Make it quick man, I have a flight a catch'. My friend took two shots of me with smiling Steve Waugh and I was on cloud nine. After he took the photograph, my friend laughed and said this will be for your Facebook profile. It was indeed true and no doubt it received maximum likes and comments so far in my album! This photo is like a treasure and I have it on showcase at my home.

Though Steve Waugh did not reveal where he was heading that day, it was IPL season last year and he was spotted in IPL matches couple of days later. I am pretty sure, he was travelling to India that day.

Me with Steve Waugh(former captain of Australian Cricket Team)

Around Tokyo : Tokyo Imperial Palace

Tokyo Imperial Palace is one of the prime tourist attractions in the capital city of Japan. But the public entry is restricted to East Garden. The guide who lead us to the garden carried a flag, so that we can spot her in case we lost our way. I thought that was impressive. Here are some shots of the place.

Pond in East Garden, Tokyo Imperial Palace

Variety of flora in East Garden

Japan style roof amidst greenery

Nature blended with modernity

Sculpture of Fish at the entrance of East Garden

Garden lamp in East Garden

Visit to Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha

One of the high points of last year's Odisha/Orissa trip was visiting Sun Temple at Konark. The name Konark reminds me of Odissi performance in front from Sun Temple in one of those national integration songs in DD in early 90's. 

Kamats at Konark

Kamats : Since we reached Konark early in the morning, we were looking for a decent restaurant for having breakfast.  To our surprise, we found Kamats there. Whether it is the same Kamats as in Bangalore I am not sure. But what caught my attention was the menu items on offer - Indian thali, South Indian thali, Bengali thali, Marwadi thali, Gujurati thali. I could guess any regional thali(meals) but what is a Indian thali in India?

Ornamental wheel of Sun Temple, Konark

The Wheel : Konark Sun temple is a imposing structure, not to forget the intricate carvings which are hallmarks of any ancient Indian temple. What is distinguishing here is the carvings of wheels of the chariot which is driven by Sun god. You can find this as a cultural symbol everywhere you go in Odisha.

Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha

History (from the ASI board) : The magnificent structure was built in 1250 AD by the Eastern Ganga king Narasimhadeva-I(1238-64 AD) to enshrine an image of Sun(Arka), the patron deity of the place. The entire complex was designed in the form of a huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely carved wheels. The sanctum symbolizes the majestic stride of the Sun-god and marks the culmination of the Orissan architectural style. The vimana of the deul has collapsed while that of jagamohana and the nata-mandap are better preserved. The walls of the temple contain superb carvings of  divine, semi-divine, human and animal figures amidst floral and geometric ornamentations. Sculptures of mighty simha-gajas welcome the visitors at the porches.

One big disappointment in Konark is that you cannot get inside the majestic temple, since it is filled with sand bags by the British to prevent the collapse of the structure!

Sculptue of mighty simha-gaja

Sculptures at Sun Temple, Konark

Malabar Coast Photos from 2012 Year End Trip

I had been to Kerala in December 2012. Here are some of the photos from the Malabar coast or shall I say our own west coast! :)

Talangere Railway Bridge seen from Chandragiri Fort, Kasaragod

View of Chandragiri river from Chandragiri Fort

Men and boats, Bekal Fort, Kasaragod

View of Bekal Fort Beach

Talangere, Kasaragod

Fishing Waters, Talangere, Kasaragod

Talangere, Kasaragod

Can you identify the bird?