Blogs

There seems to be a little confusion as to which day JanmAshtami (the eight day of the lunar calendar, which, in this month, marks the birthday of Krishna) falls. Yesterday at my friend's home, I was told it was yesterday. Today, when I visited my friends Hema and Ganu, she had just lit the lamp and made the little "foot marks" of the baby Krishna: So I offered geetAnjali...I sat and sang "sri krishNam bhaja mAnasa sathatham" in Todi, a majestic kriti, and then "maNi nUpura dhAri" by OotthukkAdu in nIlAmbari...and she lit the karpoora Arathi: Outside her front door,her maid had…

Many Bellandur residents have been enthused by the anti-corruption campaign. They are organising small and large local rallies, candle light vigils and protests.It started earlier this week itself - Aug 16th saw a human chain and singing of the National Anthem on ORR.One of the organisers of a protest on 19th August, Geetha Arvind, shared this on our federation mailing group, "Started at around 9am with one person and kept growing with time and by 11am there were more than 60-70 people... Cab drivers joined, auto drivers joined... Many junta from softzone companies were present". Another march from Iblur Junction…

Not many can miss the multi-floor building with the glass facade on 9th Main, 5th Block, Jayanagar. The first and the second floor of this building houses Dakshin Foods’s specialty restaurants Athityam and Bon Aroma. While Athityam serves South Indian dishes from different states, Bon Aroma serves North Indian cuisine as well as cuisine from different parts of the world. Both the restaurants serve only vegetarian food. According to Arjun S Devatha, an ex-citizen of the corporate sector and the founder of Dakshin Foods, Athityam offers a variety of South Indian dishes which families and groups can enjoy in a…

Samosas and puffs are the favorites during Ramzan. Pic Uma Swamy During the month of Ramzan, the eateries around many mosques in Bangalore are busy selling savouries specially made for this occasion. The 30th Main at Tilak Nagar and neighbouring streets is one such area that people throng from 3.30 p.m. onwards. A stall at Tilak Nagar,near Swagath Garuda Mall in Jayanagar selling savouries during Ramzan. Pic: Uma Swamy The usual favourites are different types of non-vegetarian samosas, puffs and puddings. Sold mostly on the basis of weight, the savouries have a loyal customer base, as many purchase them all…

Making Human Rights a Household Concept is its mission. Standing by victims of discrimination, repression and violence is the very raison d'etre of the South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM) headquartered in Lingarajapuram in Bangalore. Envisioning a fearless society which uniformly respects the rights of everyone and particularly the marginalized, some concerned citizens started SICHREM in 1995. The NGO has been responding to the growing insensitivity to the law by the state and others through direct intervention, helpline, campaigns and tracking and reporting on unacceptable actions such as torture of prisoners, ill treatment of kids in…

Here's a snake catcher in Bangalore city...well-documented and written about by Nishant Ratnakar, in his blog. Read about Shivappa click here for the post. Nishant adds, "He goes by the name 'Snake Shivappa'. If ever you need someone to rescue snakes in any corner of the city, then get in touch with him." As Nishant records, His real name: Devaraj K S His occupation: Snake Rescuer His mobile no. 99808 55720 Area of operations: Any corner of Bangalore City! So, if you see a snake, do not kill it, or allow it to be killed; please call Snake Shivappa. Readers…

The following two blood donation camps will take place at Bangalore this weekend: 1. On Sun 14th Aug 2011 between 11.00am and 1.00pm at Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church, Hebbal Kempapura.( Behind Esteem Mall after Hebbal Flyover en route to new Airport.) To turn right to entrance, one has to go upto Kodigehalli Cross and take U turn and come back to Esteem Mall and take left. 2. On Mon 15th Aug 2011(Independence Day) at Shiridi Sai Cultural Centre, 2, Syndicate Bank Colony, opp Kamakshipalya Police Station, Basaweshwaranagar Post from 10.00am to 1.00pm. Those staying in and around those areas and…

Hailing from a State where politicians are often figures associated with writing, folk theatre and entertainment (Tamil Nadu), I was intrigued to see rafiki, the Bangalore theatre group, advertise their production of “The Memorandum”, a play by Vaclav Havel, the first President of the Czech Republic. The translation was by Vera Blackwell. Here’s the information I got on the net about the play: “The Memorandum is one of Havel’s best known and most popular plays. Inspired by the absurdities of life in Eastern Europe under Communism, Havel began writing the satirical play as early as 1960. Rewritten many times over…

Explore the dark caves, enjoy the art of rock climbing & experience the misty morning camp at Jogimatti Peak. Nisarga is conducting this adventure packed camp with loads of activities & an amazing camping program during the long weekend on 13, 14 & 15th of Aug 2011. “Jogimatti” is one of the highest peaks at a height of 1323m above the sea level & surrounded by the reserved forest with huge rocks all around. The activities conducted during the program are Trekking, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Cave Exploration, Water Sports etc. For more details please Click here -- Karthik G.K. Wildlife…

I went to attend a wildlife photography workshop by Rathika Ramaswamy, for Pixetra...but that's not what this post is about. As I walked to the venue, I saw this old house... I mused on when the house was built, how proud the owner (Mr Vaz) must have been to see this bungalow coming up in the beautiful city of Bangalore....here, you can see his name in the gate-post, and the name of the present owner... I can say, "It Vas a very nice house once!" Today, the house is taken over by weeds, and in the grip of Strangler Figs:…