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From boiled beans to Bangalore
By Raj Vir Mittal
Set amidst beautiful gardens, broad avenues and burgeoning activity
in the south-western part of India lies Bangalore - the fifth largest
metropolis of the country. Called the Silicon valley of India for
its growing software industry, it is in fact the gateway to the
land of silk, sandalwood and spices. Despite its multifaceted character,
the coffee plantations, silk and sandalwood and other commercial
activities, Bangalore also has the distinction of being a popular
convalescence paradise due to its salubrious climate all year round.
According to historical accounts, the city of Bangalore was founded
by a local chieftain, Kempe Gowda, in 1537 A.D. while on a hunting
expedition. During this expedition, Kempe Gowda lost his way before
he could return to Hampi - capital of the Vijayanagar empire in
those days. He accidentally discovered a fine plateau in the midst
of the jungle with meadows, flowers and sandalwood trees. Luckily
for him, the only inhabitant in the forest provided shelter to him
and also offered some boiled beans locally known as Bendba Kaluru
which later gave the name to the city.
The hunter was so impressed with the place that he proposed to the
king to develop a city there as an annexe to his empire. Consequently,
a new city was developed by Gowda himself, which he named after
the only meal with which he had survived in the forest - Bendba
Kaluru. Later this became Bangaluru and then modern day Bangalore.
The legend goes that Gowda, with a plough, drew two lines - one
vertical and the other horizontal - to commence the work of building
the new city. After designing the two principal avenues on the char
bagh or square pattern, he erected the temples and then installed
the statue of Vinayaka for good luck and the famous Nandi Temple
which even today is the centre of worship.
The city of Bangalore is the only city in India that can boast of
the finest of nurseries with a tremendous variety of flowers and
broad tree-lined avenues. Above all Bangalore has the distinction
of being the fastest growing metropolis not only in India but in
the world.
Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka, is more popularly
known by its ancient name Mysore. With Maharashtra and Goa on the
north, Andhra Pradesh on the east and Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the
South, the mass of Karnataka measuring 191,791 square kilometres
slopes down into the Arabian sea. The state has a sea coast of approximately
260 kms. Blessed with beautiful serene hills in the northwest and
the sea on the southern side, Karnataka has a written history of
over 2000 years and has always been the hub of activity, both in
ancient times and now. Known as Kuntala Das in ancient times it
is said that it was the home of very enterprising people who traded
with the Egyptians, the Sumerians and the Phoenicians.
Besides, the architecture at Badami (500-753 A.D.), not very far
from the city of Bangalore, can even be seen today. The traditions
of the Indian Classical Karnatak (Carnatic) music can be traced
back to Hampi - the centre of activity of the Vijayanagar empire
(1336-1646 A.D.), which had reached its pinnacle during the rule
of Krishnadevaraya, who built temples in fine and elaborate Hindu
style of architecture. Somnathpur, Sravanbelagola, Belur and Halebid
are some of the other important sites to be seen in Karnataka. The
monuments at Hampi and Pattadkal also have the distinction of being
World Heritage sites.
Bangalore, in fact, is one of the few cities of India where one
can see a theatrical performance or a music concert practically
every day. The city has so much to offer to a traveller that one
would always yearn to have more time in the city. The beautiful
gardens, lively pubs, elegant and plush shopping plazas make the
city of Bangalore almost irresistible.
Wedged between the rocky hills of Indragiri and Chandragiri lies
Sravanabelagola, which is the centre of Jainism. Here, atop Indragiri
stands the Jain Tirthankara - Gomateshwara. The 17- metre high colossal
monolithic statue of Gomateshwara is perhaps the tallest stone figure
of a Jain saint in the world. More than a thousand years old, the
mammoth statue witnesses one of the most colourful festivals every
twelve years celebrated by the Jains to venerate the Tirathankara.
The next round of festivities, called the Mahamastakabhisheka, is
due to be held in 2005 and would be a sight to be seen to be believed.
Mysore, also known as the city of palaces, is famous for its beautiful
gardens, particularly the Vrindavan gardens and the Chamundi hills.
The Mysore Palace, open to the public, is worth a visit for its
grandeur. The festivities of Dussera, celebrated in the old traditional
regal style, are worth watching every year at the end of autumn
in Mysore. The temples of Somnathpur and Srirangapatnam are not
far and renowned for their history and beautiful temple architecture.
Bangalore is, in fact, the gateway from where one could choose any
destination in Kerala or in Tamil Nadu. Starting with a temple tour
from Bangalore to Chennai and through to Madurai one could even
choose to go deep down into the south which is the centre of spices
and the hub of the Spice Route of India. If one would choose to
add leisure and fun to this cultural holiday one would have the
option of spending time on the beautiful sunny beaches of Kovalam
or Murrari or indulging in a herbal massage for rejuvenation with
proper therapy for many diseases.
(India Perspectives)
In
harmony with his twin harmonica
By Diana Mathews A two-foot long twin harmonica? Have
you ever seen such an instrument? This is a Hohner Rhythm harmonica,
more than 20 years old and the prized possession of Mahinda Ranasinghe.
"It is of sentimental value to me," says Mahinda with
pride. "It is not made now." Most musicians in Sri Lanka
today have not seen this instrument, not even at Radio Ceylon, he
adds.
An educationist and innovator, Mahinda is also a talented musician.
Asked to demonstrate how such an instrument could be played, he
delighted us with soft music from the '60s. "It is quite difficult
to play this particular instrument because it needs a lot of energy.
So I have to keep myself fit to play it," he smiled. He also
played the Chromonica 64 which is a harmonica with the lead, rhythm
as well as the bass. It contains all the chords on the piano and
could be played with any vocalist singing on any pitch.
A great lover of the harmonica, Mahinda has many old books and catalogues
about the instrument. He also has a collection of harmonicas of
different sizes and tones, some which are no longer in production.
"I received all these books, catalogues and instruments from
Hidramani's at Chatham Street but now it seems to be difficult even
to find a single catalogue on this product," he said.
The instruments come with various names such as Piccolo, Golden
Melody, Marine Band, Echo and Chromonica 64. Even 30 years ago,
the instruments were quite expensive. "Harmonicas were considered
to be luxury items. It is the same even now," he said. Describing
the various types of harmonicas, he feels the best were the instruments
from the Hohner company in Germany. There are products from other
countries such as China and Japan but they still cannot get the
tone of the Hohner products, he said.
"I started learning to play as a young boy of ten," Mahinda
recalled. Receiving a Piccolo harmonica from a relative, he was
able to master the instrument by himself. "It is very sad to
say that, unlike in our time, there are very few youngsters today
who value such music and such instruments. You could see a harmonica
in every boy's hand in the old days but now it is different. We
used to carry one wherever we went - to school, on a trip, a picnic
and even to the zoo," he added.
Mahinda has entertained listeners at beer parties and other special
occasions. "I have also been conducting classes for well known
schools and various bands," he said. "I enjoy every moment
I play the harmonica."
Creating with a fighting spirit
By Nilika de Silva
'Images in Solitude' an exhibition of paintings by Sub Inspector
Pradeep de Silva, is more than just another exhibition, it's a celebration
of a young man's courage and his will to live against all odds.
The proceeds from this exhibition will help fund Pradeep's trip
to Singapore where surgery is to be performed to enable him to walk
again.
SI Pradeep de Silva (32) was injured, while attempting to arrest
an accused while he was working as a Sub Inspector at the Kotahena
Crime Detection Bureau.
Inspite of having very minimal information to help him,-only the
vehicle number- he was successful in his assignment. But destiny
had a wicked hand in store for him and Pradeep was injured in friendly
fire.
The bullet that entered his body from the back exited after injuring
his spine, leaving him paralysed below the waist and unconscious.
"I remember that day very well, it was October 23, 1999,"
Pradeep said. "I was unconscious for 2 1/2 days," he added.
But this blast of misfortune only created in Pradeep the will to
survive. "I took up the challenge to live," he explained
simply. In a world where minor misfortunes are seen as blows, the
next three years of Pradeep's life tell a tale of courage, strong
enough and deep enough to make an epic.
"The doctors here said I couldn't be cured, I would spend the
rest of my life restricted to a wheel chair. Only my heart said
this could be done. My next challenge was to find out where the
medicine exists to cure my condition," he said. "On the
internet I discovered that a doctor in Singapore could cure me.
My next challenge was to find US $ 30,000 ( SL Rs 27 lakhs) which
would be required for this surgery. The Department gave me 2 lakhs,
and the President's Fund Rs. 5 lakhs.
"I started painting and by selling paintings I collected money.
My first painting I sold for Rs. 1,40,000. It's eight months since
I first took up a paint brush, now I have 35 paintings for this
exhibition," he said. "To achieve all this, and to chase
away my loneliness the only thing I had with me was my hand phone.
That is how I had all the freedom to think. Even discouraging people
gave me strength," he said.
"In my work at the CDB I loved doing inquiries and detections.
This also turned out like an inquiry. While lying in bed I raised
Rs.15 lakhs. Pradeep is grateful to the media and all those
who helped him, especially Senior DIG G. Randeniya, Waragoda Sarada,
and another couple who wished to remain anonymous. Benefactors may
contact Pradeep on 071286418.
Images in Solitude - an exhibition of paintings in aid of Sub Inspector
Pradeep de Silva will be held on May 4 at the Art Gallery, Colombo
7 from 10 a.m. onwards.
The Chief Guest will be Sir Arthur C. Clarke and the Guest of Honour
Senior DIG Gamini Randeniya.
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