Z-Blogs

It has been a week, since I have returned from Bangalore to Mumbai (my original home town). In Bangalore, this place at Lalbagh Gardens was my 'oasis of peace'. Now I can only look at the photograph... Guest post by Lubna Kably. ⊕

I went to Basavanagudi and was saddened to find that one more landmark, Cauvery Petrol Pump, had quite literally bitten the dust....In conjunction with BBMP's new policy of not planting any more trees, we are going to have a treeless, desert city of roads alone...⊕

Like many other participants, I too would like to add my thanks to the people.....Madhukara, Srihari, Subbu,Swarna (that was in alphabetical order!) and all the others, starting from Sunjoy Monga and HSBC... to the judges who probably had an intense session....who've made the Bangalore Bird Race a very enjoyable event. We had a very tiring, but extremely delightful day...and I think perhaps it's the motivation to spot that extra species which makes us look harder and see more birds. Certainly I peer into the reeds and weeds and foliage with greater concentration on Bird Race days!Here's Subbu speaking at the…

Yesterday I saw this group of men, in a tea-shop, playing this traditional "Ludo"-like game, which is called "Gatta": The game can go on all day, pausing while the players transact their business.  And later in the day, found this little boy running his tyre-hoop along the road...It's niee to see the pastimes that date to a time without electricity...without which we city-dwellers can't seem to survive even for five minutes!⊕

A driver takes a break from his hectic work life. Maybe driving in Bangalore's traffic got to him.  Pic by Ravi Kaushik. ⊕

Citizens living within city limits often castigate BBMP and other local authorities for long delayed public works and amenities. The JP Nagar underpass is a classic case of BBMP's inability to fix what has gone wrong and reach the finish line.But it needs to go on record that India's transportation giant, Indian Railways, arguably with far greater resources and expertise at its disposal, has recently been responsible for a disastrous project in Northeast Bangalore.In response to a gridlocked railway level crossing at the Whitefield Railway Station in Kadugodi, the Railways responded in 2006 with an overbridge contract. The Railways runs…

Recently staged at the JP Nagar-based Ranga Shankara, Naariyal Paani is a production of the group Our Theatre. Directed by Sandeep Shikhar, the play is basically like a monologue where the character narrates his love story to the audience. He is interrupted by two characters - a tabla player and a guitarist. The tabla player, enacted by Santosh Satavailli, represents the protagonist's physical presence. The guitarist, on the other hand, represents the rest of the universe. Vivek Vijayakumaran plays the protagonist. His constant rubbing-hand-against-thigh act was fun to watch. For me, however, it was guitarist Anupam Roy who stole the…

"[SIC]"AtRanga Shankara , J.P.NagarJan 14th, Thu & Jan15th, Fri (7:30 PM) Telebooking : 9880036611 / 9845017975 (Rs 150/Ticket)Online Booking : www.indianstage.inTicket Outlets : Ranga Shankara & K.C Das, St. Mark's RdABOUT THE PLAY : sic (adv.): thus, so.[sic] takes place primarily in the doorways and shared hallway of three neighbouring apartments. Meet Theo, the desperate & edgy amusement park ride theme music composer, the struggling and ever-broke writer Babette, and Frank, the queer, happy-go-lucky aspiring auctioneer. See them humorously trudge through the haunting morass of everyday drudgery and the biting emptiness of big city life. Watch, as the three of…

There are many ways to get away from the bustle of Bangalore city. One of the greenest options is to spend a quiet afternoon at Bannerghatta amongst the birds and beasts.   ⊕

As we begin the New Year with our 25th issue, it's time to celebrate as well as reflect. The journey thus far has been enjoyable and rewarding. We have received praise from Bangaloreans, as well as those elsewhere.  With recognition by Mint Business newspaper in 2008 and BBC in 2009, we have been accepted by citizens as well as other media as a credible source of pathbreaking local journalism.Nevertheless challenges remain. As we endeavour to inform, interest, and involve, we too encounter apathy and stonewalling.  Unhelpful government officials, unprofessional ministers and MLAs and even unethical community groups are part of…