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The raja wade of Bhaskar Rao Bhave, also known as Babasaheb Bhave, who rebelled against the British, houses the Naragund Town Municipal Office

Amid the usual concrete structures that house government offices, the Naragund Town Municipal Office stands out. Large wooden pillars welcome visitors to the office, and as they step in, they see a locked old wooden door. On either side are two small rooms where one can see typical government employees buried in piles of old files. As they stand before the locked door, they see a narrow stairway leading to the first floor. Wooden pillars and ceiling on the first floor make them realise that they are in a heritage building, which has been disfigured owing to repair works taken up by unqualified workers with least regard for preserving the heritage.

But as they enter the adjoining room, which is now the office of the Chief Officer of the Town Municipal Council, their eyes light up. The decorated walls and ceiling, and the myriad hues of traditional artworks immediately catch a visitor’s attention. “This is what remains of the Babasaheb’s palace (Raj Wade) now, and there is one of his swords preserved in the other room,” said senior staff R.P. Malakar.

Barring the chief officer’s room, there is nothing in the whole premises to indicate that this building was once the palace of Bhaskar Rao Bhave also known as Babasaheb Bhave, who rebelled against the British a year after the first war of independence (1857) and was subsequently caught and executed.

Bhaskar Rao II Bhave, fondly known as Naragund Baba Saheb was the ruler of Naragund (comprising 33 surrounding villages) who succeeded his father Dadaji Rao III in 1842. According to the Dharwad District Gazetteer “Even earlier to the rule of the Peshwas, Chatrapathi Shahu had founded the Jahgir at Nargund. Rama Rao Bhave had been granted Naragund village as a Jahgir in 1711. In addition, the Savanur Nawab granted one taraf to the Bhave family.”

Bhaskar Rao or Babasaheb is described as a brilliant person who had a library of nearly 4,000 Sanskrit works in his ‘Wada’ (Big house with courtyards, also referred to as a palace). He was one among those rulers, who were affected by the Doctrine of Lapse introduced by Governor General of India Lord Dalhousie. His inability to adopt a son to succeed him rattled Baba Saheb and an upset Baba Saheb who got in touch with Peshwa Nana Saheb, who was leading the 1857 War of Independence.

Babasaheb put together a coalition comprising the heads of the neighbouring princely states of Ramdurg, Nippani, Dambala, Mundargi, and Koppal. The intelligence report of the same reached the British officers, who were already busy tackling the rebellions in Northern India and they sent Charles Manson, Political Agent of the region to tackle the situation in advance.

Babasaheb gained the initial advantage, he lay seize on the camp of Charles Manson at Surebhan village near Naragund on May 27, 1858, and killed him. The decapitated body of Manson was thrown into the fire and Babasaheb brought the head as an exploit and hung at the ‘Agasi’ (entrance) of Naragund, which is now known as ‘kempagasi’ (red entrance).

After killing Manson, Babasaheb received the shock of his life, when he found that his own close associates Krishnaji Joshi and Banya Bapu had been reporting all his activities to Manson secretly. He found the letters of correspondence between them which were in the possession of Manson, which also revealed that they had caused damage to the stock of gun powder in the Nargund fort. Although Babasaheb sought help from Mundargi Bhimrao, he was not in a position to help as he reached Koppal and was engaged in fighting the British.

On hearing the news of Manson’s death, British army led by Col. Malcolm reached Nargund and laid siege to Nargund on May 31. On June 1 they marched towards the fort. Of the nearly 700 people who confronted them, 70 were killed. The next day, when they entered the fort and reached the palace it was. The valuable library was burnt down by the furious British army.

In the folklore

Having been deceived by treachery and perfidy, the disolutioned Babasaheb had left the fort. However, he was pursued and caught near the forest of Toragal. His mother Yamunabai and wife Savitribai ended their life by plunging themselves into the river. Babasaheb was tried and hanged at Belgaum on June 12, 1858. The rebellion of Babasaheb which resulted in the killing of Manson and his subsequent execution has found its way into the folklore in the form of ‘lavani’ and is referred to as ‘Naragund Bandya’ (Naragund Rebellion) in the history of Karnataka, while British records term it another ‘mutiny’ by chieftains.

Converted to municipal office

The ‘raj wade’ (palace) captured by the British was later turned into a municipal office after one was established in 1871. Just few years before India attained independence, i.e. on May 20, 1942, the Municipal Office, Naragund purchased the building for Rs 4,000. A plaque (dated 1-3-1943) giving details of the purchase and office bearers of the municipality still adorns the front wall of the building.

All these years, the Raj Wade has been used as the municipal office of Naragund, which is a Town Municipal Council(TMC) now. Over the years, the structure has undergone temporary repairs, and several portions of the structure have already collapsed or rendered unfit for occupancy. While some efforts have been made to retain the old structure, it seems the damage has already been done due to lack of maintenance. The adjoining annexe with a courtyard, which reportedly was the women’s quarters (Annapurna) has been leased out to an organisation running a ‘rehabilitation centre for destitute and elderly persons’. The structure seems to be fragile. A portion having an underground secret annexe has caved in. The front elevation of the annexe has undergone a change with cement and bricks being used for the purpose. The words ‘babasaheba aramane’ (Babasaheb’s palace) written on it look amusing considering the change the building has undergone.

It is not that none is bothered about preserving the history. A group of teachers and writers from Naragund made a futile attempt to trace and collect more information on the relatives of the Bhave family, but to no avail. According to C.S. Salutagimath, Professor of Political Science and Retired Principal of Government Degree College in Naragund, still a lot is needed to be done to unearth details pertaining to the freedom fighter. People like him and other like minded persons hold programmes to commemorate the sacrifice and a memorial hall has been constructed in the town. And bust of Babasaheb installed in front of the municipal office welcomes the visitors.

Will it be restored?

More than the thinking to preserve the structure as a monument, the structural fitness of the building seems to have forced the authorities to chalk out plan for building a new municipal office for the town. The plan was sanctioned during the 2017-18 fiscal year and the building is in the final stage.

However there is no clear cut plan as such on restoring the structure. Amit Taradale, Chief Officer of Naragund TMC, told The Hindu that probably with the plan of restoring and preserving the structure, the new building was planned. “It may take another six months for the new building to get completed. Once the office is shifted, we will take a call on the restoration issue. We will have to consult various departments before taking a final call. The issue of restoration, whether to convert into a memorial or museum and other issues have to be decided upon in consultation with senior officials”, he said.

(Sources: Dharwad District Gazetteer, History of Indian Mutiny, 1857-1859 by Colonel G.B. Malleson, CSI, Published from London in 1880)

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The idea of the badge came to Speaker UT Khader when he noticed the foreign delegates wearing a unique badge and he thought of getting similar badges for the state legislators too.

 Legislators in both Houses of Karnataka will henceforth wear gold-coated metal badges depicting Gandaberunda while attending sessions. The badge, which carries the official emblem of the state, will also mark 50 years of renaming Karnataka.

Starting from the legislature session at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, MLAs, and MLCs are expected to flaunt the badges on the left of their shoulders. Legislators are also expected to wear them when they travel out of the state and country.

“We cannot make it compulsory for all legislators. But this badge will definitely give an aesthetic and elegant look. It will make each one legislator proud as it carries the state emblem,” said a senior officer requesting anonymity. The Belagavi session starts on December 4.

The idea of the badge came to Speaker UT Khader when elected representatives from a foreign country met him recently. He noticed the foreign delegates wearing a unique badge and he thought of getting similar badges for the state legislators too, official sources told TNIE.

The badge is mostly made of brass with a gold coating. Gandaberunda is a two-headed bird in Hindu mythology and is believed to be a form of Lord Vishnu. The emblem was used by the then Mysuru state and continued to be the state emblem even after Mysuru state became Karnataka 50 years ago. Official sources said that initially, the idea was to get the badges for MLAs.  

‘Bagdes will ensure security’

Official sources said that initially, the idea was to get the badges for MLAs. But after members of the Legislative Council showed interest, the badges are being made for them too. “Each badge costs around Rs 2,800 and each MLA will get three sets. The entire cost comes to around Rs 20 lakh. The Finance Department has given its approval for the proposal,” the sources said.

During the budget session this July, an unknown person, who was not an MLA, entered the Assembly and sat for some time. This serious breach of security would not have occurred if legislators had such badges, the sources added.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Nagavi Agrahara near Chittapur in Kalaburagi district, which once housed an important place of learning, lies in a state of neglect.

An hour’s drive from Kalaburagi city via Nandur, Bhankur, Ravoor, and Chittapur — with tur-dal fields and limestone quarries on either side of the poorly-maintained road and massive cement factories visible at a distance — take you to the historical town of Nagavi. It is located about 50 km from the district headquarters Kalaburagi, and 580 km from State capital Bengaluru.

As you move a few kilometres south of Chittapur, you reach a well-conserved 1000-year-old Nagavi Yellamma temple. Nagavi Yellamma is said to be the family deity of Rashtrakutas who ruled the large areas of the Indian subcontinent between the 6th and 10th centuries. Manyakheta (today’s Malkhed town), the capital of the Rashtrakuta Empire, is around 12 km from the temple. The mixed architectural style of the temple suggests its structural transformation over centuries in the hands of successive dynasties – Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas of Kalyana and Bahmani Sultanate.

Nagavi Agrahara

About 200 meters walk from the Yellamma temple to further south takes you to the gateway to the ruined town of ancient Nagavi. Stepping inside, you will find a number of damaged structures such as temples, step-wells, raised platforms, houses, and other structures – all built with locally available limestone blocks – scattered everywhere across the large area surrounded by the vast tracts of agricultural fields.

Based on inscriptions and historical records, researchers have concluded that it was an Agrahara, a settlement of Brahmins who were then called Mahajan. The evidence suggests that Nagavi, which was also called Nagavapi and Nagavavi in ancient times, had, at a point, provided shelter to 400 Mahajan families. An inscription describes the Nagavi Agrahara as “the Brahmaloka of four hundred Brahmins mastered in four Vedas; head of the mother earth; and the Tilak of Kuntala Desha”.

‘Takshashila of South’

Nagavi is often termed “Takshashila of the South” by researchers because of the intense educational activities said to have been carried out there. As per the inscriptions found in the area and historical records, the ancient town housed a famous Ghatikasthana of the time. Ghatikasthana, which means the place of learning, had the status of today’s university.

The Nagavi Ghatikasthana, which was established during the early rule of Rashtrakutas, gained prominence during the reigns of Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna-III (929-970) and the Kalyana Chalukya ruler Someshvara-I (1042-1068), attracting hundreds of students from across the subcontinent. Some of the researchers compare Nagavi Ghatikasthana with Kanchi Ghatikasthana, which was at its peak of fame between the 6th and 8th centuries.

Though there is no exact estimate of the size of the Nagavi Ghatikasthana, it is roughly estimated that over 200 students at a time were studying a range of subjects including Vedas, Shastras, and the works of Kumarila Bhatta and Prabhakara. It is said that Vastu Shastra, Agastya Samhita, and Bhrigu Samhita works were also taught here. The ruined structures and the inscriptions give enough evidence for the presence of a number of houses for teachers and hostels for students in the fortified Nagavi Agrahara.

While there is no clarity about the exact spot of Ghatikasthana within the Nagavi Agrahara, some point to the 60-pillar temple. Presently, three Lingas – representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara – are worshipped together in the structure. It is said that it is the only place where Brahma Linga is worshipped. Built with heavy limestone blocks, the roof is supported by 60 stone pillars spread throughout the central hall. There is a square-shaped pit at the centre of the hall and exactly above it is the opening of the roof for sunlight.

Indications of a big library

The inscriptions suggest the presence of a good library at the Nagavi Ghatikasthana which attracted students and scholars from neighbouring states as well. The library had Bhandaraka (librarian), who was also a scholar, and his assistants to look after the daily affairs. The library had developed a system of copying valuable original works and giving them to scholars in need for their reference. It had many copy-makers for the purpose.

The inscriptions record a number of endowments of lands given by the contemporary rulers for the maintenance of Ghatikasthana, libraries, temples, Agrahara, and the households in it. Though Nagavi was under the rule of Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta, it received grants and donations from other kings subsequently as well, including Chalukyas of Kalyana and the Haihaya king Shivarasa. When Someshwara-I, the king of Chalukyas of Kalyana, had camped in Kalagi, his military general Kalidasayya gave a land grant to Nagavi Agrahara. It is said that he and his son Madhavarasa built the Lakshmeshwara Temple and Madhusudhana Temple at Nagavi Ghatikasthana and gave land grants in Alur and Ravoor villages for their maintenance.

There are a number of wells in and around the Nagavi Agrahara. Some of them are buried in the ruins and thorny bushes while a few of them are still used by the local people. “It is in this well that many people in Chittapur town and other surrounding settlements learnt swimming,” a local resident told The Hindu.

A picture of neglect

With the Archaeological Survey of India and the local administrations being conspicuous by their absence here, it is hard to get to the structures given the dense and impregnable Jali (Prosopis Juliflora), lantana, and other thorny shrubs that have engulfed this place.

Most of the structures, some of which are over 1000 years old, have already collapsed and the remaining buildings are on the verge of destruction. Two damaged structures standing side-by-side, and apparently counting their days, will especially draw your attention. One of them has two inscriptions lying on the ground in the heap of fallen stone slabs and pillars.

“After firmly standing for centuries, many structures have collapsed owing to the rains, winds, and other natural causes over the years. However, there are some structures that were destroyed by people who dug the floors for treasures that they believe were hidden beneath the historic structures,” a villager said.

The floor and the premises of one of the abandoned temples outside the fortified area was completely filled with the dung of sheep and goats. The livestock, while grazing, take shelter inside the temple during the rains. The adjacent structure, which is said to be a dance school during ancient times, appears to have been renovated with Indo-Islamic architecture. Behind the temple is a beautiful well which was full of water. The trees and bushes that completely cover the water-filled well have Baya Weaver nests hanging from their branches. Nagavi is charms a visitor who dares find his/her way through the bushes despite its state of neglect.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

In alignment with CII’s National theme, CII Southern Region this year will focus on key enablers of growth that would propel economic growth of the southern States, says chairman Kamal Bali.

Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Southern Region will focus on nine tracks to transform South India by 2047, said CII Southern Region chairman Kamal Bali, here on Saturday, November 4.

Mr. Bali, who is the president and Managing Director of Volvo Group India, told reporters, “In alignment with CII’s National theme, CII Southern Region this year will focus on key enablers of growth that would propel economic growth of the southern States and also set the tone for transitioning South India @ 75 to South India @ 100 with the theme ‘transformation through competitiveness, growth, sustainability, trust and globalisation’ for 2023-24.”

The nine tracks are: ‘People and culture rejuvenation’, ‘Holistic sustainability and ESG’, ‘Tech adoption and digital transformation’, ‘Embracing energy transition’, ‘Innovation and startup ecosystems’, ‘Manufacturing excellence’, ‘Partnerships and collaborations’, ‘MSMEs’, and ‘Brand building and sectoral promotion’.

Mr. Bali said CII will work closely with the State governments in bringing State-level policies on manufacturing and Industry 4.0, as these are very important in realising the economic goals and vision of southern States. CII would set up State-level task forces on digital transformation to support industries in their digitalisation initiatives to make member companies be ready for Industry 4.0.

CII will hand-hold 2,000 MSMEs which will be serviced and sensitised on various elements of competitiveness in collaboration with CII centres of excellence.

New Office

Inaugurating a new office of CII in Mangaluru earlier, Mr. Bali said CII’s office network in South India has now increased to 17. CII could extend its services to members and other stakeholders with specific interventions for development of MSMEs in Mangaluru region.

CII Karnataka Chairman Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan said CII could service its members at the grass root level with the network expansion in Karnataka. CII-Mangaluru District Chairman Praveen Kumar Kalbavi said the new office would strengthen CII’s presence in tier-2 cities and officer specific services to members in exports, food processing, manufacturing besides active engagement with academia and MSMEs in the region.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

To run the project, Vizzhy has imported the NVIDIA DGX H100, which claims to be the AI powerhouse and the foundation of NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD.

Texas-based Vizzhy Inc., a firm focussing on healthcare innovation leveraging multi-omics, is in the process of building what is claimed to be the world’s first and largest multi-omics-based Generative AI platform on holistic health to help the common man, medical professionals and researchers.

Vizzhy’s a team of 40 data scientists, medical professionals and researchers and deep tech experts based in Bengaluru will be working on this project. To run the project, the company has imported the NVIDIA DGX H100, which claims to be the AI powerhouse and the foundation of NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD, that helps enterprises solve the biggest challenges with AI through its high performance.

Multi-omics (multiple omics) offer possibilities of holistic discovery across multiple levels of biology. By combining multi-omics data, researchers will be able to get a deeper, holistic understanding of molecular changes happening in the human body, and therefore physicians would be able to treat all kinds of ailments more effectively with significantly less, but precise medication. Multi-omics involve a comprehensive analysis of biological data, integrating genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to unravel intricate disease mechanisms and advance personalised medicine.

Dr. Vishnu Vardhan Pogunulu Srinivasalu, founder of Vizzhy Inc., is an orthopaedics doctor hailing from Ballari district in Karnataka. He has an MS, and an MBA in Business Administration and Science & Technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

He told The Hindu, “What patients, especially the ones with multiple ailments, require is a holistic approach to understand their body and treat their complaints more effectively rather than treating patients with diverse medications prescribed by different specialists or super-specialists for different diseases triggered by metabolic issues.’‘

Quoting a 2019 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the U.S., Dr. Srinivasalu said that some 88% of adults were metabolically unfit and the average adult gained 15 kg since the 1970s. A surge in metabolic diseases has propelled America’s annual healthcare spending to over $4 trillion, surpassing India’s GDP. Metabolic trends in India too were similar, or not satisfactory.

“This startling revelation prompted us to realise that the entire healthcare landscape required to be redefined. Transforming from specialists’ medication model to a holistic medication approach, a more natural way of treating diseases effectively,” he added.

Vizzhy’s Generative AI platform would be able to generate a humongous amount of innovative medical data, meant for the public and patients, medical fraternity and researchers, further expanding the possibilities of research and treatment for metabolic diseases.

“These technologies thrive on global collaboration, aggregating original research, expertise, datasets, and computational capabilities. Our attempt is set to explore novel avenues in the management of lifestyle ailments, and it is about taming the AI to tackle the root cause of metabolic diseases,’‘ Dr. Srinivasalu said.

Vizzhy’s approach focused on a systems biology paradigm, emphasising on preventative, predictive, precise, participatory (the patient has 70% of responsibility in managing his health, he argues), and personalised healthcare. The synergy of multi-omics and Generative AI is key to addressing the fundamental causes of metabolic diseases.

“Vizzhy Inc. is propelling a healthcare revolution by channelling the potent combination of multi-omics and Generative AI. The platform would respond to all health related queries from anyone, and generate authentic, well-researched medical data accordingly,: he elaborated.

Invests ₹100 crore on research in metabolic diseases 

To further its commitment to combat metabolic diseases through holistic approach, Vizzhy Inc has decided to invest over ₹100 crore ( $12.5 million) in Sreenivasulu AI for Wellness Centre, at the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

This center, led by Prof. Narendra Ahuja, global scientist in Computer Vision, known for establishing India’s first IIIT in Hyderabad, would assemble a team of scientists, engineers, and health system experts committed to addressing one of humanity’s most pressing challenges — metabolic diseases. 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Krisben Music honoured 37 remarkable Covid warriors from the Konkani community of Bahrain at the Indian Club here on November 3.

A momentous tribute unfolded during this show, honoring 37 remarkable COVID warriors from the Konkani community of Bahrain in the benevolent presence of two Covid-survivors Lancy Fernandes and Julius Lobo. The awards were handed over by Lancy and Julius in the presence of Christopher Roshan Lobo, owner of Krisben Music. Their journey through the trials and tribulations of the pandemic resonated deeply with every soul in attendance. Recognizing their unwavering commitment and selfless service during the pandemic, the event not only paid deserving respects to these warriors but also underscored the importance of solidarity within the community. Their resilience in the face of adversity served as an enduring reminder of the strength one finds in unity.

Walter Nandalike, the founder and managing director of Daijiworld media, graced the occasion with his presence, and his words resounded with heartfelt appreciation for the tireless efforts of the Covid warriors. He opined that the work of frontliners need to be acknowledged by the public. Nandalike in his vociferous address to the audience opined that it was for the first time a Konkani organization had come forward and that too in Bahrain to go out of the way to acknowledge and honour the Covid warriors and congratulated Krisben Music for initiating this noble act. He went on to narrate his own compelling story of surviving Covid, highlighting the incredible dedication and sacrifices made by the nurses and medical staff involved in the battle against the deadly virus at that time.

It was a poignant and inspiring evening, celebrating these unsung heroes who selflessly served on the frontlines of the pandemic and saw all through it.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, have developed machine learning models for designing next generation nuclear reactor materials.

According to IISc, advanced nuclear reactors offer enhanced efficiency and safety compared to the long-standing conventional reactors in use, which is achieved by changing either the type or the rate of nuclear reactions within the reactor core.

However, it said that these changes could lead to increased radiation exposure for core materials, like austenitic stainless steels, which were not originally designed to endure such conditions, and an alternative is a special type of steel called Ferritic-Martensitic (FM) steel, which is more resistant to damage caused by nuclear radiation.

“But a variety of FM steels can be made by changing the composition and processing conditions, and they behave differently under different levels of radiation exposures at different temperatures. Only a small subset of these steels has been experimentally studied so far, mostly because conducting experiments in extreme environments brings its own challenges – scarcity of nuclear testing facilities, large expenses, and safety issues,” IISc said.

It added that it is, therefore, important to thoroughly investigate the effects of neutron irradiation on FM steels to identify the most suitable option for a specific irradiation level in a given reactor.

“One approach is to use physics-based models, but they require extensive defect characterisation data as input, which is missing in most experiments reported in the literature. As an alternative, a collaborative team from IISc and the University of Wisconsin-Madison has developed ML models. These models forecast the impact of neutron irradiation on the strength of FM steels, employing input parameters such as composition, processing conditions, and testing variables such as radiation dose and temperature,” IISc added.

The team used an algorithm called SHAP to pinpoint the most important input parameters/variables influencing the strength of FM steels upon irradiation. Using these variables, they deployed four ML algorithms to predict the strength of different FM steels subjected to varied radiation levels and temperatures.

IISc further said that this research demonstrates that these predictive models can significantly reduce the time and cost needed for conducting experiments in challenging conditions and accelerate the development of materials for advanced nuclear reactors.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

He has created work as a writer, musician, actor, and director, thereby displaying an exceptional ability to be dexterous and ambitious in his craft.

This year’s Shankar Nag Award was given to theatre person Lakshman K.P. on Wednesday at the Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival 2023 – Narratives & Narratives.

Lakshman is known to have created a rich and important oeuvre of theatre work over the last decade. Since graduating from Ninasam, Heggodu, he has gone on to train at the Intercultural Theatre Institute in Singapore and lived up to the high standards of both institutions.

He has created work as a writer, musician, actor, and director, thereby displaying an exceptional ability to be dexterous and ambitious in his craft. His theatre is deeply rooted in the cultural and social world of his practice and at the same time speaks clearly and powerfully to the world at large.

The award comes as another feather in his cap, as Lakshman’s recent play Dakla Katha Devi Kavya also earned laurels at the META Awards 2023.

‘Happy and humbled’

“I am very happy, humbled and thankful to Ranga Shankara for honouring me with this award. Just as special as it makes me feel, it is equally scary because feeling special is not a privilege in India. As much as this award means to me, I do not want the award to let me forget about the whole ecosystem around me. There have been theatre teams, institutions, audience, my schooling and my family that have all contributed to the award that I have received today, and they will continue to be my backbone,” he said.

When asked how the young director has seen success in the theatre world, Lakshman says, “I do not know how success is measured, but I agree that my work has been recognised. I am an actor, and I train actors. However, due to certain circumstances, I forced myself to get into direction, and I stand here today. I enjoy working with actors, and the fact that I consider acting an important form of craft is one of the many reasons actors in my plays are also being recognised. The curiosity I have on learning more about the craft of acting and how the process of my work with actors has evolved over the years could be the reason behind my work being recognised.“

Instituted on November 9, 2014, to commemorate late Kannada theatre and filmmaker Shankar Nag’s 60th birthday, The Shankar Nag Award is presented to a young theatremaker for service to theatre. The award is given away on the last day of the annual Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival to an exceptional theatremaker below the age of 40. Over the years, the award has been given to prominent young theatre makers of the country like Abhishek Majumdar, Mohit Takalkar, Quasar Thakore Padamsee, Anurupa Roy, Toral Shah, Sankar Venkateswaran, Neel Chaudhuri, Vivek Madan, Nimmy Raphel and Sharanya Ramprakash.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The contribution of Mysore Lancers, the personal army of Mysore Maharaja, in helping the British to capture Israel’s Haifa by winning a battle against Ottomans is unknown to many, except a few history aficionados. The reasons are unending but in an interesting turn of events, the great grandson of Rajkumar Desraj Urs has recently made a significant connection with the current conflict-ridden country, by making a hard-hitting documentary, after a century from the victory of Mysore lancers against Ottomans.

Rajkumar Desraj Urs was a command-in-chief of Mysore Lancers during the battle with Ottomans, and was also the son-in-law to Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar. Pranav Pingle, the great grandson of Desraj Urs, directed a documentary film called ‘Occupied’ and captured the stories of love, hope and creativity amid the uncertainty of life in war-hit Israel and Palestine.

“The Israel-Palestine conflict has always kept me on toes, with surreal goals of making a documentary film around it. We managed to travel to the conflict-ridden zone and there were so many stories which might go unknown in the lap of forever-burning geo-politics. We wanted to capture those stories, which are majorly about love and hope amid uncertainty and destruction”, Pingle told Hindustan Times.

‘Occupied’ is a five-episode documentary series that mainly focuses on youngsters, who use art form — music, calligraphy, street art, poetry, dance, etc as an expression of resistance and live life to the fullest within the restrictions that are imposed on them.

It took 35 days for the documentary crew led by Pranav to shoot the whole series in Israel-Palestine and the director called it a ‘lifetime experience.’ “Not very often, the risk of our lives feels worthy enough and undoubtedly, shooting occupied the war-hit West Bank was one such event. It is sad to see such unfortunate things happening to such calm and composed people. Hope normalcy restores in the area,” Pranav added.

This five-part docu-series was also the only Indian film selected for the Athens International Film and Video Festival which took place in Ohio of the United States.

As Israel is once again hit by a conflict and making headlines across the globe after its war with the Hamas, the docu-series is being planned to screen across India.

Last week, a screening happened in Hyderabad and Pranav said that the team is also planning to arrange screenings at Bengaluru and Mysore as well.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

From traditional south Indian fare to contemporary global cuisine, these establishments have captured the hearts and palates of discerning diners.

Eleven restaurants from Bengaluru have secured spots in Condé Nast Traveller India’s list of the country’s top 50 restaurants. From traditional south Indian fare to contemporary global cuisine, these establishments have captured the hearts and palates of discerning diners. Here’s a glimpse into the gastronomic wonders that earned a coveted place on this illustrious list.

Bengaluru Oota Company (Rank 11)

Cuisine: Specialising in Gowda and Mangalorean cuisines.

Experience: Offers an intimate tasting room in Cambridge Layout, where diners can choose between 4 or 5-course menus tailored to their preferences.

Must-try dishes: Mutton cutlets, ragi mudde with mamsa saaru, kori gassi, and marwai ajadina.

Le Cirque Signature, The Leela Palace (Rank 16)

Cuisine: Franco-Italian cuisine at its finest.

Highlights: From portobello and confit duck to Le Cirque salad, each dish is a culinary delight. Don’t miss the pan-seared Atlantic scallop with Puy lentil cassoulet and the classic Sirio’s spaghetti primavera.

Lupa (Rank 23)

Concept: Classic European tastes infused with modern creativity.

Inspiration: Inspired by the mythological La Lupa, embodying an untamed spirit.

Experience: A unique culinary journey offering an exclusive experience for each guest.

Farmlore (Rank 24)

Philosophy: Menu shaped entirely by what thrives on their farm, upholding ethical farming practices.

Experience: An ever-evolving 10-course farm-to-table experience crafted by a team with backgrounds in Michelin-starred establishments.

Karavalli Vivanta Bengaluru Residency Road (Rank 28)

Specialty: Carefully-sourced seafood prepared in the traditional coastal Karnataka way.

Highlights: Tiger prawn roast, meen eleittad, and the tangy rasam.

Falak, The Leela Bhartiya City (Rank 30)

Cuisine: Authentic Indian cuisine, from Awadhi to Northwest Frontier specialties.

Must-try Dishes: Tandoori chicken, Dadi jaan ka qorma.

Burma Burma Restaurant and Tea room in Indiranagar (Rank 34)

Specialty: An all-vegetarian menu with exotic Burmese recipes.

Favourites: Samosa soup, honey caviar, khao suey, tea leaf salad, Durian ice cream.

Oota Bangalore (Rank 41)

Experience: Showcases Karnataka’s diverse cuisine from various regions.

Must-try dishes: Chicken ghee roast, Pandi curry of Coorg, akki roti, neer dosa.

Naru Noodle Bar (Rank 42)

Specialty: An intimate haven dedicated to perfecting ramen.

Highlights: An array of enticing ramen options, including vegetarian choices and delectable sides.

Boteco Restaurante Brasileiro (Rank 43)

Offering: Authentic Brazilian dishes with a casual vibe and enticing cocktails.

Highlight: Features a special ‘Churrasqueira’ section and a charcoal grill for perfect meat preparation.

Toast & Tonic (Rank 46)

Concept: Celebrates the best of local ingredients infused with global flavours.

Ambiance: Inspired by the bohemian East Village spirit with a minimalistic decor that lets the ingredients shine.

source/content: thenewsminute.com (headline edited)