Mysore News from Mysore Real Estates
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Mysore 20.01.10
Phalke Award for V.K.Murthy
Ace cinematographer VKMurthy who shot India's first cinemascope movie, Kagaz ke Phool, has been conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award. Murthy is remembered for his camerawork in Gurudatt's Pyaasa.
Murthy hails from Mysore. He has also done cinemotography for a Kannada movie Hoovuhannu.
Mysore 18.01.2009
Aswath Died
Kannada cine actor Ashwath died here in Mysore today. Ashwath acted in more than 300 Kannada films like Nagarahavu, Kasthurinivasa etc.
Mysore 30.12.09
Dr. Vishnuvardhan (59), one of the most versatile, talented, stylish and popular actors in the Kannada film industry, passed away at 2.30 am today following a massive cardiac arrest in Vikram Hospital in Mysore. He is survived by wife Bharathi Vishnuvardhan and two adopted daughters — Keerthi and Chandana.
Mysore 26.12.09
CITY WITNESSES HUGE TOURIST INFLOW
The city has been receiving visitors from other parts of Karnataka and other States, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu, apart from school students and foreign tourists for the past few days on the eve of Christmas. Heavy vehicular concentration marked the approaches to Chamundi Hill and parking lots near Mysore Palace and the Zoo, causing traffic snarls on the stretches of nearby roads. A look-alike of Mahatma Gandhi, painted in aluminium colour outside the Mysore Zoo, was the cynosure of all eyes. Many were dropping coins and currency notes in front of the imitation Gandhiji in reverence and appreciation. Two persons appearing like Santa Claus, sponsored by the Zoo authorities, were seen distributing gifts and sweets to children inside the Zoo.
More than 20,000 tourists had visited the Zoo on the eve of Christmas. Mysore Palace premises also witnessed milling crowds of tourists in thousands.
Mysore 24.12.09
BUDDHA STUPA TO BE INAUGURATED
The Buddha Stupa near Ashoka Circle aka Ballal Circle in Mysore city will be officially inaugurated on Dec. 27. The Buddha Stupa project started in 1995 and now it is completed at a total cost of Rs 25 Lakhs. MLA V. Sreenivasa Prasad will inaugurate the Stupa while opposition leader Siddharamaiah will unveil Buddha's portrait. About 7,000 Buddhist followers from across the State are expected to take part.
MYSORE 14.12.09
T.S.Sathyan passes away
Veteran photojournalist Tambrahalli Subramanya Satyanarayana Iyer popularly known as T S Satyan (86) died here in Mysore on Sunday 13th December 2009 after suffering a brain haemorrhage on Saturday night.
T.S. Satyan: A profile
Tambrahalli Subramanya Satyanarayana Iyer, popularly known as T.S. Satyan, was born on December 18, 1923 in Mysore as the eldest among 15 children (11 sons and four daughters) of Dr. T.S. Subramanya Iyer and Rajammal. He graduated in 1944 from Maharaja's College, Mysore, after studying in D. Banumaiah's School in the city.
He was married to Rathna on August 31, 1950.
Reckoned as one among the last and fast vanishing tribe of personalities constituting the golden generation of Mysore, Satyan discovered his tryst with the camera very early in life. His first eight snaps, made with a box camera and black and white film purchased with a small amount saved for the occasion, were a disaster with no image appearing in the prints.
Undaunted by the failure, Satyan persisted in his pursuit capturing unusual scenes that marked the beginning of a career in photo-journalism, a rewarding pursuit in which field he remained a pioneer for well over six decades.
Beginning his worklife as a staff photographer in Deccan Herald in 1948, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) to join The Illustrated Weekly of India in 1950. Treading a steady path, he clicked his way to world recognition by expediting assignments from Time and Life magazines as well as UN agencies with professional perfection, on which he was eminently known not to compromise.
While people in all walks of life, from the ordinary to the mighty, which included world leaders of his times, were captured by Satyan over years, his unalloyed love for children was too well-known as his albums stand testimony.
A photo exhibition of his titled 'Little People' was held at the UN headquarters in New York in 1979. He was honoured with the Padmashree title in 1977 by the President of India in recognition of his achievements in photo-journalism. The University of Mysore had conferred on him the Honorary Doctorate degree in 2004 and the Government of Karnataka had conferred Rajyotsava Award on him in 1980.
He had also written on many exclusive topics to embellish his rare works of with the lens. Exploring Karnataka, German Vignettes, Hampi: The fabled capital of Vijayanagar Empire, In Love With Life and many others have been received with great admiration by his readers.
In his advanced age, he had brought out his own biography titled Kaalakke Kannadi in Kannada and a collection of his rare photographs titled Alive and Clicking.
Mysore 07.12.09
Mysore City Markets to get facelift
The four heritage Mysore City markets will be given the face lift. The restoration project to cost Rs 70 crores.
Mysore 05.12.09
Wi-Fi facility at City Railway Station
For the first time in India, Wi-Fi facility being provided at Mysore Railway Station. Passengers with modern gadgets can use internet using laptop, smart phones in the station itself.
Mysore Real Estates
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Mysore 23.11.09
Biogas plant to come up in city
A biogas plant sponsored by the Governament of Sweden will soon come up in the city. The fecility is estimated to cost Rs 25 crores.
Mysore 20.11.09
Mysore to get 80 more hi-tech Buses
Mysore city will get 80 more buses including 10 volvo and 70 semi low floor buses next week.
In fact, Mysore is the only city after Bangalore in the state where the public transport system is being improved under JNNURM.
Mysore 16.11.2009
R.K.Laxman goes nostalagic in city
The country's most popular cartoonist R.K.Laxman went round the Mysore city visiting his old residence in Laxmipurum, the Governament Middle School, Maharaja's College, Manasagangothri and his brother late R.K.Narayan's residence in Yadavagiri.
Mysore 19.09.2009
Ten days of sheer joy. That's what Mysore Dasara is about. Starting Sept. 19 this year, Mysore will be ready to host visitors, some of whom will compete while others will show their talent and skill to mesmerize the crowds. Mysore Dasara will have events in 14 venues ranging from sports, cycling, wrestling, cultural programmes, exclusive events for farmers, rural folks, women and children and youth. All these events provide opportunity for young and the old to come and experience the rich cultural heritage that Mysore Dasara has come to be recognised.
The Mysore Dasara
The Mysore Wodeyars carried over the tradition of Vijayanagara rulers, in celebrating Dasara as a state festival. The Mysore dynasty which was founded in 1399 by Yaduraya and Krishna at Hadinaru in Mysore district, which witnessed an era of pomp and glory under a band of twenty five generations of rulers like Raja Wodeyar (1578-1617), Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar (1673-1704), Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1799-1868), Chamaraja Wodeyar X (1868 – 1894), Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1902 – 1940) and the last king Jayachamaraja Wodeyar(1940 – 1947).
Throne:
In 1610 , the glory of Dasara reached its pinnacle when Raja Wodeyar ascended the historic golden throne of Vijayanagar kingdom and inaugurated the Dasara festivities at Srirangapatna. During the early part of the 17th century, it was carried away to Srirangapattana by Srirangaraya, who was the vijayanagar chief at Srirangapatna. After the fall of Tipu sultan and the restoration of Mysore to Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1799, the throne was shifted to Mysore.
A sanskrit work 'Devatanama Kusuma Manjari' composed by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1859, gives a description of the throne. It consists of the main seat in the shape of a tortoise-Kurmasana, a stair-case embellished with female figures, and the golden umbrella studded with precious stones and pearls, the four sides of the throne are decorated with vyalis and creepers. A benedictory sanskrit verse engraved on the umbrella, mentions Krishnaraja Wodeyar III as the 'Lord of the Karnataka Ratna Simhasana'. The throne is taken out once a year during Dasara and placed in the Amba Vilas Palace for public view.
Dasara during the time of Wodeyars
English Durbar: A new dimension was added to the Dasara when Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III began to rule from Mysore and the celebration started from the old Mysore Palace. There was a one day English Durbar specially reserved for the Europeans from 1814.
Past memories linger on...
Ceremonials: The Mysore Palace build in an Indo-Saracenic architecture style in 1912, has always been a venue of the Dasara festival and has served as a fine backdrop. During the time of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1902-1940), it became a great spectacle and attracted a large number of Indian and European visitors. The religious functions were limited to relatives and high rank officials where as the evening durbar meant for the invitees. The invitees had to wear special dress of white trousers, black long coat, uttariya, and a laced turban to attend the glittering Maharaja's durbar held in the palace durbar hall. There were music programmes of veteran musicians like Veene Seshanna, Bidaram Krishnappa, dance, dramas, sports, wrestling and many such events ending with dinners at the Government House and Lalitha Mahal. Hindustani musicians like Barkatulla Khan, Gohar Jan, and Fiaz Khan were specially invited during Dasara and patronised by the Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, who presented Khillats and rewards to them.
On the tenth day, the Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV seated in golden howdah on a caparisoned elephant along with his younger brother Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wodeyar and nephew Jayachamaraja Wodeyar went on procession to Bannimantap followed by the military troops, superbly conducted Palace band, volga sets, palace honours, the Royal Insignia of the Gandabherunda order, the state sword, the state elephant, the state horse, the state cow accompanied by the Panchakalasha elephant chariot, camel and gun carriages proceeded to the Bannimantap and after worshiping the Banni tree returned to the palace.
The firing of 21 gun salutes marked the beginning and the end of the Dasara procession. At the Bannimantap, there were entertainment programmes like hunting of tiger, bear and other animals brought in captivity from the forest during the period of Raja Wodeyar, which was later substituted by torch light parade, equestrian events, fire words, etc.
As the natives observed it with religious enthusiasm amazingly viewing the products at the stalls at the Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition, the Europeans attended the English Durbar specially meant for the British Resident and other Europeans, enjoyed it with fun, inviting their English guests to Mysore, witnessing horse races, polos, ball, and oriental dances, relishing both the Indian and European cuisines at the dinner parties hosted by the Maharaja at Lalitha Mahal and the Government Guest House. Prominent among the Indian guests of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV for Dasara were poet Rabindranath Tagore and the industrialist Dorabji Tata.
The ceremonial tradition of Dasara Procession was continued by the last Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wodeyar. The Mysore Dasara, which started as a religious ceremony during the days of the Maharajas underwent remarkable changes and finally evolved as a socio-cultural festival of the people of Karnataka inculcating a spirit of unity and strength for achieving progress in a democratic set-up.
The origin of Dasara goes way back to the Vijayanagar dynasty in 15th Century. The Wodeyars of Mysore continued this colourful & religious celebration under the leadership of Raja Wodeyar in the year 1610. Dasara is also known as the 'Navarathri', where nine days of worship & celebration culminate on the 10th day, known as 'Vijaydashami'. This has been declared as ‘Naada Habba’ or the State Festival.
Legend has it that the resident demon of Mysore, known as 'Mahishasura' was slain by the goddess in the avatar of Chamundeshwari. (Incidentally the name Mysore is derived from this demon 'Mahishasura') Therefore 'Vijaydashami' is celebrated symbolically as the victory of good over evil.
During Dasara, the brightly illuminated Mysore Palace and the entire city is a sight to behold. In September 1805, the wodeyars started holding a special durbar ('Royal Assembly', similar to that of the Mughal emperors) for members of the royal family, Europeans, palace officials, royal priests and important citizens, commoners also participated in the durbar. The festival has become a tradition of the royal household and reached its zenith during the rule of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar (1902-1940).
Now the ceremonies are largely a private affair of the royal family, witnessed by a select audience. Clad in royal attire and traditional headgear, His Highness Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar, the scion of the royal family, ascends the seven steps to the golden throne - which is assembled according to religious instructions - at a preordained hour and receives obeisance from the public. Court musicians then play the signature tune composed to commemorate the assumption of power by the Wodeyars.
The venue for most of the festivities of the Mysore Dasara always has been the Amba Vilas Palace, which is also known as the Diwan-e-Khas.
On the first day, the King, after a ceremonial bath, worships the family deity in the palace and enters the durbar to the accompaniment of sacred chants and music. He worships the navagrahas (nine sacred planets) and the sacred `kalasa',then ascends the throne at an auspicious moment. The palace lights are lit and a 21-gun salute is given as the royal insignia and sword are presented to him.
According to legend, Dharmaraja, the Pandava King, used the Mysore Royal throne, which is made of gold. Kampilaraya brought it from Hastinapura to Penugonda, where it lay buried. It was rediscovered by Vidyaranya, the royal priest of the Vijayanagar Empire and subsequently presented to Raja Wodeyar in 1609. Another legend is that the Moghul Emperor Aurangazeb gifted the throne to Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar in 1700. The third legend says that it belonged to the mythological King Vikramaditya.
The king sits on this throne and receives royal guests. He accepts offerings from various temples and religious centers, which are blessed by royal priests chanting vedic verses and sprinkling holy water. In the olden days vassals, dewans, army chiefs and other royal staff would line up to offer their respects to the throne. An ensemble of musical instruments accompanied by dance begins and the blowing of conches and trumpets announces the commencement of a parade of uniformed soldiers.
The decorated royal elephant arrives and showers rose petals on the assembled guests. The royal horse, equally well decorated, bends in salutation to the throne. While the assembly leaves the court after paying respects to the king, the queen and other royal ladies come to pay obeisance to the king. The queen-mother and senior ladies bless him . The king leaves the durbar hall after praying to the Goddess once again and partakes lunch with the royal guests.
This ceremony is repeated on all the nine days during Navarathri, accompanied by acrobatic feats, wrestling bouts by champion wrestlers, fireworks display and other forms of entertainment, which are open to all.
The king worships the Goddess Saraswathi on the seventh day and Mahisasuramardini on the eighth. On Mahanavami, the royal sword is Worshipped ceremoniously and all the weapons are taken out in a procession comprising elephants, horses, camels and the royal retinue.
Navaratri culminates in Grand Vijayadasami celebrations, also known as Jamboo Savari. The grandeur and magnificence of this event has popularised the Mysore Dasara world over. The earlier practice was that the King himself would lead the procession on the royal elephant back. The King would be seated upon this decorated golden howdah weighing over 750 kgs. But now the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari is placed in the golden howdah and taken in a procession
Colourful tableaux, folk dancers, music bands, decorated elephants, horses and camels form a part of the procession which starts from the Mysore Palace and adjourns at Bannimantap where the banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped. According to a legend of the Mahabharata, banni tree was used by the Pandavas to hide their arms during their one-year period of Ajnatavasa (living life incognito). Before undertaking any warfare, the kings traditionally worshipped this tree to help them emerge victorious in the war. The Dasara festivities culminate on the night of Vijayadasami with an event held on a grand note at Bannimantap called as Panjina Kavayathu (torch-light parade). A much awaited finale to Dasara, this event attracts thousands of visitors. Exotic fire works and daredevil stunts on motorcycles by a team of the Indian army add to the excitement.
News from Mysore 18.05.07
My Realty show begins
The real estate showcasing of Mysore My Realty-2007 will begin from today and will be held for 3 days at Hotel Regaalis, Mysore.