Vol.20 No. 5 May - 2019 FILM FESTIVAL : MAHATMA GANDHI-150 ...... YET ANOTHER SUCESS STORY
Shri Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar, Chairman, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, lighting the lamp to mark the inauguration of three days film festival on Mahatma Gandhi. From left Shri H.B. Dinesh, Registrar, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, Shri H.N. Suresh, Director, BVB, Shri Chiranjiv Singh, IAS (Retd.) Former Ambassador of India to UNESCO and Dr. Wooday P. Krishna, Chairman, Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi. Gandhiji’s life was an whose heart beat for the extraordinary example of a downtrodden. This being the visionary leader and a 150th year of his birthday, compassionate human being Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in
1 [email protected] Shri Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar, inaugurates the stamp exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi from left Ms. Sridevi, Stamp Collector, Dr. Wooday P. Krishna, Shri Chiranjiv Singh, Shri H.N. Suresh and Dr. B. V. A. Rao, President of the Indian Montessori Centre. collaboration with Karnataka as in the audience to the film Chalanachitra Academy festival. organised the film festival: Inaugurating the event, Mahatma Gandhi-150. Nagathihalli Chandrashekar, The inaugural event was Chairman, Karnataka held on April 9, 2019. Chalanachitra Academy said, The inaugural event of the “When Sreedhara Murthy, director, Madhyama Bharathi, film festival Mahatma Gandhi- told me that Bharatiya Vidya 150 was an event of significant Bhavan would hold a festival on importance and befittingly the Gandhi’s films, the Karnataka members who sat on the dais Chalanachitra Academy was very were august personalities. happy. We have read about H N Suresh, Director of Gandhi in our childhood, we read Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, his book called My Experiments extended a warm welcome to all with Truth. Knowing him, yet those gathered on the dais as well looking at him again, he is even
2 Dr. Wooday P. Krishna, addressing the gathering. Seated from left Shri. H.N. Suresh, Shri Chiranjiv Singh, Shri Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar, Shri. H.B. Dinesh, Shri. N.S. Sridharamurthy more meaningful in these modern He also pointed out an times. Any film on Gandhi is irony about Gandhi: Richard never a cliché. I have seen Attenborough made Gandhi Attenborough’s Gandhi so many famous throughout the world, times, and learn something new though Gandhi himself did not every time.” admire films. He added that he was doing Dr. Wooday P. Krishna, a film on Gandhi, but when he Chairman, Gandhi Smaraka looked up the photographs on Nidhi, congratulated Bharatiya Gandhi, he found very few of Vidya Bhavan and Karnataka them. Most of them were bad Chalanachitra Academy on pictures. When he checked if he collaborating on the film fest, couldn’t get good photographs, saying, “We need a Gandhi very he was told they were available, much today, especially in these but in London. “This shows how times when the world of war has poor our archival systems in India been created into a symbol of are,” he remarked. nationalism, when there is no There was a reason why he room for criticism. Gandhiji said felt that he should make a film on even verbal violence was bad.” Gandhi. This was particularly Further, he said that because the reading habits of Gandhiji’s philosophy could be people have decreased. Hence, summed up in two words – satya a visual media product like a film and ahimsa. Ahimsa, according was a must. 3 Gandhi - Direction : Richard Attenborough to Gandhi, was love (preethi). we have not taken his words Satya, according to Gandhi, seriously. For a saner society, was courage (dhairya). we need Gandhi today.” “There was no Gandhi Speaking of the connection before Gandhi. The world needs of Gandhiji to BharatiyaVidya Gandhi today. Each of us can be Bhavan, Wooday P. Krishna a Gandhi -we must work with spoke of how KM Munshi Ahimsa. It is unfortunate that was influenced by Gandhi.
Gandhi my father - Direction : Feroze Abbas Khan
4 Kurmavatara - Direction : Girish Kasaravalli
H B Dinesh, Registrar, span and reading habits of Karnataka Chalanachitra people in general had decreased. Academy, said that he had “Therefore, making a film is a watched the film Gandhi many better idea to make the current times. On behalf of the generation learn to know about Chalanachitra Academy, he said Gandhi,” he believed. The film that they would support events Gandhi won 8 Oscars, and such as the film festival and became famous across the world. welcomed associations to take Hence it was befitting that this up such events.” film festival would start with this film. Chiranjiv Singh in his address said that Gandhiji was a “My parents wanted me to great writer, however the present watch the film, Gandhi. I then generation was not ready to thought that if I had children, read his books since the attention I would want them to watch
20th Century Prophet - Direction : A.K. Chettiar
5 Making of Mahatma - Direction: Shyam Benegal
Gandhi.That would be the Bangalore International Film best summing up of the film,”. Festival and showed 4 films on Gandhi. We thought why not hold He further mentioned the film festival on Mahatma T.G. Tendulkar’s 10-hour film on Gandhi-150 as a collaboration Gandhi made with footage on between BharatiyaVidya Bhavan Gandhi. “Maybe the film can be and Karnataka Chalanachitra shown in three parts,” he said. Academy?” As part of the film festival, Thus was born the film collector Sridevi, who held an festival Mahatma Gandhi-150 exhibition of stamps that had showcasing 7 films with the theme been released in honour of of Gandhi, held on the 9th, 10th, Gandhi, was felicitated. 11th April 2019. N.S. Sreedhara Murthy, The films shown were: Director, Madhyama Bharathi, 1. Gandhi (English film); BharatiyaVidyaBhavan, spoke released in 1982; directed by on the films that would be shown Richard Attenborough at the festival. “When we thought 2. Gandhi my Father of holding a festival on Gandhi’s (Hindi),Year: 2007; directed by films, we were told that Feroze Abbas Khan Nagathihalli and Dinesh of Karnataka Chalanachitra 3. Kurmavatara (Kannada); Academy were also planning Year 2011; directed by Girish such an event. They held the Kasaravalli
6 Gandhi Devi - Direction: Naganatha Madhavarao Joshi
4. 20th Century Prophet humongous role as Bapu, the (English); Year 1953; directed by Father of the Nation. A.K. Chettiar • “Gandhi my Father” gives 5. Making of Mahatma the viewer glimpses into the other (Hindi); Year 1996; directed by side of Gandhi, a far cry from the ShyamBenegal Mahatma as the father of the 6. Gandhi Devi (Kannada); nation to the father to his sons, Year 2018; directed by especially in connection with his NaganathaMadhavarao Joshi troubled relationship with his son Harilal, and the conflicts between 7. Gandhinagara (Kannada) them. Year 1967; directed by K.S.L. Swamy • “Kurmavatara,” by Girish Kasaravalli, debates Gandhi in • “Gandhi”, directed by today’s times. The story revolves Attenborough, is a film that won around Anand Rao, an elderly eight Oscars, making people government employee who plays across the world learn of Gandhi the role of Gandhiji in a TV serial and marvel at his weapon of non- and how that changes his life. violence. Starring Ben Kingsley as Gandhi, this is a landmark film • “20th Century Prophet” that starts with Gandhi’s travails comes highly recommended by as a brown-skinned Indian at the Sreedhara Murthy as a very rare receiving end of racism in South film based on actual footage on Africa, and later takes the viewer Gandhi as also Jinnah, Sardar to India, chronicling Gandhi’s Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, 7 Gandhinagara Direction: K.S.L. Swamy Sarojini Naidu, Khan Abdul technically very strong working Gaffar Khan, Ambedkar, Nehru with the Pune Film Institute of and others, and in that sense, is Archives. truly a rare treat. The film was • “Making of the Mahatma” directed by AK Chettiar in1934. by Shyam Benegal was a It was also submitted as a collaboration with the South supporting document for African government. recommending the Nobel Prize • for Gandhiji, using footage from “Gandhi Devi” is based 128 photographers, and released on a real event that occurred in in 1943 - however, the British Siddapura which was recorded banned it and it was lost. by historian Dr. Suryanath But it was recovered in 2006 in Kamath, which was written as a San Francisco, with another copy script by Umesh Kulkarni, and found later at the University of which was made into a film by Pennsylvania. The San Francisco Naganatha Madhavarao Joshi. Study Circle re-edited it, adding The film makes one wonder as footage to it from the Indian to how many more stories of the Independence, Gandhiji’s impact of Gandhi on far-flung assassination, and his final journey areas of India could have existed. and released it. Then the Indian • “Gandhinagara” is a government recognised it as a Kannada film based on Gandhi’s authenticated film, making it principles. • 8 JOIN NOW : One course : Many avenues LIMITED SEATS It’s not just one more course One year Journalism course offered by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan H.B. College of Communication & Management Course Timings : 7.45 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday of every week For Admission & further details, please contact the office between 10.00 a.m. & 6.00 p.m. Race Course Road, Bangalore - 560 001. Phone : 22201959, 22267421 Mobile : 9538181140 / 9980055864 Email : [email protected] Website: www.hbcollege.org
9 SWADESHI INDOLOGY CONFERENCE - 5 “KARNATAKA SASTRIYA SANGITA: ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE” The fifth Swadeshi Indology Paramapujya Sri Sri Yadugiri Conference titled “Karnataka Yatiraja Jiyar Swamiji, Sastriya Sangita: Its Past, Present Padma Bhushan awardee and Future” was organised by Dr. R. Nagaswamy, Shri Infinity Foundation India in Mohandas Pai and Dr.Sumathi collaboration with Bharatiya Vidya Krishnan. Bhavan, Bengaluru, and Indira Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Gandhi National Centre for Arts - Manipal Global Education, spoke Regional Centre, Bengaluru. It about cultural appropriation and was held at Khincha Auditorium, the multiple dimensions of attacks BharatiyaVidya Bhavan, on on our civilisation. Dr.Sumathi Saturday, March 30, 2019. Krishnan, Secretary of the Nâgasvara recital was Madras Music Academy, offered presented by Vidushi Prabhavati a balanced view on tradition in and Vidvan Palanivel. The the context of our music. Swâmiji conference was inaugurated threw light on the onslaughts on with lighting of the lamp by Sanâtana Dharma and on
Dr. Sumathi Krishnan, Secretary, Music Academy, Chennai, welcoming the Guests and Dignataries. from left : Shri. Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Manipal Global Education Services Sri Sri Yathiraja Jeeyar Swamiji, Sri. Yadugiri Yathiraja Mutt who inaugurated the Conference. and Padma Bhushan Awardee Dr. R. Nagaswamy, Historian. 10 A view of Panal Discussion - from L to R - Melakaveri Balaji, Dr. T.S. Sathyavathi, Dr. Radha Bhaskar, Shri. Lalitharam and Shri. N.S. Krishnamurthy
Karnatic music, in the past few Tyagaraja’s kritis, and rebuttals decades. to allegations of casteism and oppression;Vidushi Gayathri Shri Rajiv Malhotra delivered Girish’s paper on the music of the key note address through a Muttusvami Dîkshitar – a video recording, talking about the window to his world, and Bhakti performing arts of our Vidushi Vrinda Achary’s paper culture being systematically on the nontranslatables of destroyed and hijacked by (South) Indian music. alien-colonial forces and our scholars/artists themselves. Shri N S Krishnamurthy, Dr. R Nagaswamy (renowned Former Director of AIR and historian, archaeologist and reputed scholar, chaired the epigraphist) traced the origins of second academic session which Karnataka Sangita. included a paper by Dr. Radha Bhaskar, musician, musicologist The academic sessions had and organiser of repute, on a total of 8 paper presentations Experimentation in Karnatic which covered the various Music - How far is too far; and aspects of the classical musical a presentation by Shri Aravind form. The first session chaired by Brahmakal of Ranjani Fine Arts, Dr. T S Sathyavathi, musician and on Role of Patronage in Karnatic musicologist included Dr.Korada music – Past, Present and Subrahmanyam’s paper on the Future. philosophy underlying Shri
11 This was followed by a attempts to appropriate panel discussion moderated by Karnataka Sangîta: A historical Dr. Radha Bhaskar, with Perspective; a paper by panellists Dr. T S Sathyavathi, Dr. V B Arathi on “Is Carnatic Shri N S Krishnamurthy, music a Bastion of Brahminical Vidwan Melkaveri Balaji and Patriarchy?; and a paper by Shri Lalitharam on the topic, Dr. V Ramanathan of IITBHU: “Recent trends in Karnatic Music “A critique of ‘A Southern Music - Is there anything wrong? If yes, – The Karnatic Story’. what needs to be done? The valedictory was offered The third and final by Shri V Nagaraj, Secretary of academic session was chaired the Mythic Society (which is by Prof. K S Kannan, the partnering with IFI to bring out Academic Director of the conference proceedings) Swadeshi Indology. The paper and Dr.Deepti Navaratna, presentations included a paper Director of IGNCA - Regional by Shri Jataayu, blogger on Centre, Bengaluru, followed Hindu culture and Tamil by the Vote of thanks by literature, on the Christian Prof. Kannan. •
Dr. Deepti Navaratna, Director, IGNCA Regional Centre being honoured by Smt. Meera Kannan. 12 A ONE-DAY SYMPOSIUM – ON MUSIC THERAPY
Inaugurating the symposium by lighting the lamp from L to R Dr. Meenakshi Ravi, Shri Shastri, Dr.V. Parameshwara Shri. H.N. Suresh and Dr. Geetha K. Bhat BharatiyaVidya Bhavan, Physician and Cardiologist and Vice Chairman, BVB Bengaluru, in collaboration with Hamsakutira Foundation (Shri The event began with an Lakshmi Narayana Trust) and invocation by Ms. Anusooya Meera Centre for Music Therapy Vasudevan followed by the and Research (Manollasini Trust) lighting of the lamp by the guests presented a one-day symposium and a welcome address by on “Different Perspectives of Dr. Meenakshi Ravi. Indian Music Therapy on the Shri H N Suresh welcomed basis of Systematic Study and one and all to the symposium. Research” on Sunday, April 7, Speaking about music, 2019. Dr. Parameshvara said, “Music is The chief guests were a universal phenomenon spanning Shri H.N. Suresh, Director, all cultures and is the most social Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and of the arts. Music has a profound Dr.V. Parameshvara, Consulting effect on the body and psyche. 13 Historically, the healing power of second session by Dr. Geetha music dates back to the writings R. Bhat on: The use of music of Plato and Aristotle, and the as an adjunctive therapy in the earliest reference is found in treatment of neurological and Columbia magazine in 1789. behavioral disorders and However, till the 19th century, children with special needs. music therapy was confined to Dr. Suguna Varadarajan spoke anecdotes, but since 1940, on Music Therapy for wellness music therapy became an during the third session. accepted modality of treatment. Music was widely used for The fourth session had veteran sepoys of World Wars Ms. Anusooya Vasudevan at rehabilitation centres.” speaking on “Benefits of early intervention music to children Further, “Research has with special needs” (a Case study found that Raga Neelambari is presentation). For the fifth session, useful in curing sleep disorders, Smt. Ruma Chakravarty threw Raga Kapi for inducing a divine light on the topic: Significance of mood (sleep) and Raga Mohana Indian Music intervention for for curing tension (stress) professionals in balancing their headache,” he said, adding, inner and outer core. Vidwan “I am all for music and music N.G. Ravi spoke on “Why rhythm therapy.” is important in the well-being of Dr. Deepti Navaratna, human self,” which was followed Neuroscientist, Director of Indira by performances by divinely- Gandhi National Centre for the abled students (Meera Centre for Arts (IGNCA), Bangalore Music Therapy and Research) delivered the key note address and performances by divinely- on “Indian music as Therapy; abled students (Hamsakutira issues, promises and challenges.” Foundation). Following the The first session had vote of thanks by Dr. Geetha Dr. Meenakshi Ravi speak R. Bhat, there was a Therapeutic on the topic: Therapeutic Concert Ras Anubhav (by Elements in Carnatic music and Dr. Meenakshi Ravi, Dr. Geetha its application, followed by the R. Bhat and team). • 14 Fri 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall PROGRAMME : 03. Bharatanatya duet recital: Ms. Zuairiyah Mouli and MAY - 2019 Ms. Anjana Ramesh Sarma Fri 6.30 p.m. - KRG Hall 24. Bharatanatya Recital : Wed 6.00 p.m. - KRG Hall 08. Shri G.V. Bhave and Ms. Sonia Lobo Smt. Lakshimi G. Bhave endowment - Sat 6.00 p.m. Carnnatic music concert by Smt. 25. BVB -Infosys Foundation Lavanya Krishnamurthy and party Cultural outreach programme : Devotional music Fri 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall 10. Bharatanatya Recital : Vocal : Vid Ashwini Satish and Ms. Ranjana N. Vid Shilpa Shashidar Violin : Vid Jyosna Manjunath Sat 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall Mridanga : Vid Vinod Shyam Anoor 11. Horizon series - Khanjira : Vid Sunad Anoor Kathak recital : Tabla : Vid L.S. Sudatta Smt. Amartyya Chatterjee Ghosh Venue : Vasantha Vallabha Kalyani, (in association with Indian Council Konanakunte, Vasanthapura, for Cultural Relations) Bengaluru.
Fri 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall Fri 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall 17. Kathak Recital : 31. Bharatanatya Recital : Ms. Ashitha Rajesh Kumar Smt. Priyadarshini Vasudev
JOIN NOW : KATHAK CLASS AT LIMITED SEATS BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN We are happy to announce that under Kalabharathi Admission for Kathak classes are open. The renowned Kathak artiste Mrs. Mijink Rani Brahma and Smt. Dhara Mavani at BVB South Centre, Bhavan-Bangalore Press School, Chamarajpet, will train students. Those who are interested may please enrol their names at BVB office between 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. during working days. Class timings Saturday – 4.00p.m. to 6.00p.m. :: Sunday – 10.00a.m. to 12.00p.m. BOOK POST
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