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It is 5.30 am and my neighbour has started cleaning a large amount of metal dishes very loudly. I have been awake since about 3.30 when a pack of dogs started howling on the street and this, mingled with the chipmunks who are becoming decreasingly cute by the second, is bordering on pandemonium. As the minutes roll on, more instruments join this cacophonous orchestra. The stray dogs have united with the domestic dogs to try and mimic a pride of angry lions. A couple next door seem to be consummating their relationship very loudly, or singing whilst being strangled. I…

As India celebrates its 65th Republic Day today, here are some songs that invoke the spirit of patriotism in different languages. The song Ae mere watan ke logon in film Haqeeqat described one's deep love for the motherland. The crystal clear sweet voice of Lata Mangeshkar left a strong impression in the hearts of millions of people.      Here is a Kannada patriotic song presented by H.S.Venkatesh Murthy and Ricky Kej. The visuals highlight the natural beauty of the land and its rich cultural heritage.       When MS Subbalakshmi sang the popular Bengali patriotic song of Dwijendralal…

It's quite unusual to go to review a play that's been running for some time, but I did just that on the 23rd of January, as I went to watch "The Incredible Mullah Nasruddin" at Ranga Shankara. This was their 13th show. The play is a production by the "AHA!" children's theatre wing of Ranga Shankara. The main protaganist is Mullah Nasruddin, who, in this version, comes from Arabia to India to garner wisdom, and undergoes various experiences, depicted in 21 short vignettes. The play had several features unusual in children's theatre. For one, there was a blue turban that…

It’s been a while since my last post. I have been travelling with a friend. My friend owns a grooming salon for dogs and she was participating in a contest. I went with her for moral support. What’s life without friends, right? The same holds true for dogs as well, as Tigger’s story will demonstrate. In November last year, I got involved with an animal welfare organization called Precious Paws Foundation (PPF). As part of my involvement I fostered a puppy called Rackles. Rackles stayed with us for a few weeks and soon found a home. Rackles became Mishka in…

Vinay Sreenivasa posts in Hasiru Usiru group: Tree Felling in Kanataka is governed by the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976. Section 8 (1) of the act states: With effect on and from the appointed day, notwithstanding any custom, usage, contract or law for the time being in force,  no person shall fell any tree or cause any tree to be felled in any land, whether in his  ownership or occupancy or otherwise, except with the previous permission of the  Tree Officer Thus, whether the tree is in private land or government land, the permission of the Tree Officer is essential before a tree…

The morning of Sunday, 19th Jan 2014, saw more than 150 people assemble at Halanayakanahalli Lake, to raise awareness of the need for the revival of the lake. The walkathon began at 7.30 am, with volunteers guiding groups of people around the lake, and at times into the lake bed. As they were taken through the imaginary boundary of the lake, many were surprised to learn that what seemed like one large piece of barren land was actually three lakes, Halanayakanahalli, Chikkanayakanahalli and Chikkanalli. A distance of 4 km was covered, around an area of approximately 80 acres. Children spotted…

The winter sun was out, and so were the 56 kids who came along with their little siblings and parents. They all came to Puttenahalli Lake on this pleasant Saturday morning to listen to Gitanjali Sarangan (Geetu) and her team - Anagha, Sasha, Damroo, Akshat, Arun and Manasa (from Snehadhara Foundation) spin a yarn based on a story "Who Owns the Water?" by Deepa Balsavar.  ["Who Owns the Water? is one of the stories in the book Water Stories from Around the World, published by Tulika.]   Raj (from Music for Soul) came with his guitar and got everyone in the mood to…

A butterfly hunter in Lalbagh, 20th December 2013   Vinyasa U writes:"Suhas S Sapthagiri has noticed a person (a foreigner by the looks of him)  killing butterflies in Lalbagh, Bangalore, on 20th December 2013.Whatever  the reason  may be (perhaps he wants to collect butterflies)... killing butterflies can not be accepted; India is no longer`Butterfly collectors' paradise' as almost all Indian butterflies are under threat, and some are critically endangered."

A story about water, 18th Jan 2013, 10:30 am, at Puttenahalli Lake.   Once upon a time, near large apartment communities, an Ashy Prinia searched for a place to lay her eggs. The land was parched and dry and there wasn't a bush or tree in sight. Finally she found a depression in the ground and using her tiny claws she made a hole and laid her eggs. The eggs hatched and the Ashy Prinia took care of the babies until they were big enough to fly.   "Is that it?" you will enquire. To which we will reply, "No it isn't,…

Halanayakanahalli Lake is located off Sarjapur Road, near Rainbow Drive/ Rainbow Residency, about 1.5 km from Mori Gate. It belongs to the Halanayakanahalli Gram Panchayat. Hidden away from the traffic of the main road, currently with little water, the lake can be easily mistaken for "land to be developed". There is a bare island somewhere in the middle, and a wooded area that has full grown trees, and admist these have been spotted a variety of birds that have made this place their home. The lake consists of three parts:- Halanayakanahalli Lake (42 acres 23 guntas)- Chikkanayakanahalli Lake (22 acres…