GENRE: Features

When was the last time you bought a pen? How much did it cost? Was it made of plastic or coated with gold? Yes some pens are made of gold and can cost up to a couple of lakhs. Cross pens. Pic: Anisha Nair Brand name, as in any other retail product is a key factor with the pricing of pens too. From Parker, Pierre Cardin, Cross, Sheaffer, Baoer, Waterman, Mont Blanc, Caran d’Ache, Q, the list is long. You have a plethora of designs, trends and styles to choose from. It also depends on the material from which pens…

We have a lot of birds around us in the city. Some eat seeds, some fruits and some eat live prey. We’ve all seen sparrows pecking at the grain in the market areas, or seen parakeets pecking at ripe fruit...but some birds are predators.Even in the city, we have several predators; the most common, of course, is the crow, which will often raid the nests of other birds to eat up their eggs. But there are two common birds that actually help human beings in our city....and at least one does not deserve the bad reputation it has. Barn Owl.…

As always, this year’s Kala Madhyam Mela at the Chitrakala Parishath has a vast array of handmade handicrafts, terracotta work, fabrics, jewellery, antique display items, and much more. With over a hundred stalls spread out right from the entrance of the Chitrakala Parishath, the mela features artisans from all over India, selling and displaying their work.The atmosphere at the venue is energetic and lively, and the weather now is perfect for an outdoor mela.Colourful ceramic crockery. Pic: Maitreyi AnanthChappals, jhoothis and more. Pic: Maitreyi Ananth Jewellery (one of the many kinds!) Pic: Maitreyi AnanthShow pieces. Pic: Maitreyi AnanthFrom laundry baskets…

Vibrant colours, sublime themes, the horse as a symbol of power - these were some of the aspects that stood out in 4 Strokes, an exhibition of paintings by four young Bangalore based artists. On display from 10th to 15th May at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (CKP), the well known school of art on Kumarakrupa road, these works brought out varied interpretations of the subconscious and the visible. Sahan Sarvi has a full time job and growing family but art is still her priority. Her work portrays nature in an aesthetic and realistic manner. Sarvi also is a professional counsellor…

During the months of April and May, a lot of birds are observed to be nesting in various parts of the Bengaluru. In places like Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, which has a lot greenery and a fair amount of wooded area, birds can be found, and if we're patient enough, a few rarer sightings are a possibility.Here are a few birds that are nesting in our city.Amongst those birds we often see flying across trees or across streets, either in groups or in pairs is the Rose-ringed Parakeet. These parakeets are found in many pockets of the city, and are…

The 84th edition of the Gangamma Jathre (Fair) at Malleswaram drew Bangaloreans in large numbers. The origin of this Jathre can be traced to the rich tradition of worshipping Nada Devathe or local deities in our city. Gangamma is believed to be one of the seven deities of Bengaluru. Gangamma temple. Pic: Sridhar C R Jathre at Gangamma Temple near the famous Kadu Malleshwara Temple was a three day affair that began on 14th May and concluded on 16th May with a grand Karaga procession.During the period of festivity devotees flocked the Gangamma temples in large numbers and offered Ragi…

Groups of people gathered at Freedom Park on Sunday evening, 20 May, where Swarathma was going to play. Though the show started almost forty-five minutes late, the stall selling copies of their second new album ‘Topiwalleh’ and colourful topis, kept people excited.This Bengaluru based folk-rock band has been travelling and they have finished five of their eleven concerts on their ‘Restless Tour’ around India to launch their new album. Having started in Delhi, they travelled to Lucknow, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and then made their way to the band’s hometown.“The money we've saved from the incessant touring is going back into this…

Seeing the posters for Hugo, you’d expect something á la The Polar Express. Or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Something right out of your childhood fantasies. If you did, you’re right! Hugo is a magical 2-hour-8-minute long story of the hand-to-mouth life of a little boy, who stumbled on a life changing secret. Film-changing for cinema lovers. Nobody likes to be forgotten. Especially if their work is so tremendous that they are de facto pages in world history. Today, popular names in movie trivia include ‘Deepika Padukone’ or ‘Karan Johar’. Moving to Hollywood, it’s ‘George Clooney’ or ‘Steven Spielberg’…

The aroma of the coconut oil being heated in the pan, the tempting curries and payasam dishes spread across the table is what God's Own Country's food is about. Here are some of the restaurants that serve the best of Kerala cuisine in Namma Bengaluru. Fish Curry. Pic: Kumarakom Prawn pollichathu and Kerala Chicken curry is the biggest draw at Peppers in BTM Layout. The simple ambience with a few abstract paintings on the wall have calming effect and lets you concentrate on the food.Average cost of meal for two is Rs 250. Alcohol is not served. Karimeen. Pic: Kumarakom…

Have you ever wondered how important colours are, in the world of Nature, around us?Colour is often a way of attracting attention; for these flowers, it is their bright colours that attract bees which will pollinate them, and propagate their species. Colourful flowers. Pic: Deepa Mohan For animals and birds, too, colour is a way of saying, “Here I am!” Nothing depicts colour better than the prismatic plumage of the peacock, flaunting his wonderful tail: The peahen, presumably, chooses the most colourful peacock to be with. Peacock with tail. Pic: Deepa Mohan  Sometimes, colour helps the creature hide instead of…