A Programme on Mahatma Gandhi
Dr. H. Shantaram, presiding over Vadiraja-Kanakadasa Music Festival on 14th Feb 2011
Dr. Shantaram, presiding over State Level Workshop, at Sri Bhuvanendra College, Karkala
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| Mangalore University College Literary Conference: Inauguration by Dr. H. Shantaram |
Ku. Shi Prashasti to Mala Shetty
Foundation Laying Ceremony of New Block of Ladies Hostel -Feb 2011
Lecture Series by A.R. Mithra - 2011
Distribution of TMA Pai Memorial Scholorship to Students - 2010
Navarathri Sahityotsava at MGM College: 2010
Addressing parents at PU Parent Teachers Association Meeting: 2010
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| Honouring Tallur Shivarama Shetty in Natakaranga Function of MGM College: 2010 |
Presiding over the NSS Function of MGM PU College: 2010
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New Year Award Ceremony - on the eve of New Year Award Function organised by Academy of General Education, Rotary Club, Manipal and Manipal University, Dr. H. Shantaram proposed vote of thanks.
Dr. Shantaram was the Chief Guest in the Kantappa Master Award Ceremony held recently.
Karkala, Feb 10: Karnataka Sahitya Parishat former president Harikrishna Punaroor inaugurated the first 'All Karnataka Beladingala Sahitya Sammelan' on the evening of Monday February 9, by offering puja to Mother Earth, as per Tulunadu tradition observed on the occasion of Keddessa.
The Sammelan was held as part of the decennial celebrations of 'Gramotsav' by Kurpady Yuva Vranda, which has organized nine Gramotsavs in the surrounding villages in the past providing a platform for rural talents to shine.
Punaroor, in his inaugural address, said that this Sammelan was an innovative programme which should be held elsewhere in the state.
Dr. H. Shantaram, Administrative Officer of Academy of General Education was presented Shikshana Ratna Award on this occasion.
Seminar on Ethics and Human Values in Education: MGM College, Udupi
Udupi: Two-day Nagatihalli Chitrotsava in M G M College
Udupi, Jan 31 2009: The two-day festival of films directed by renowned short story writer, producer and director Nagatihalli Chandrashekhar got underway at the Nutana Ravindra Mantap of M G M College here, on the morning of Saturday January 31. During the film festival, students and others will have a chance to enjoy the directorial feats of Nagatihalli at one go, besides having an opportunity to directly interact with this fine director. The festival was inaugurated by Manipal Media Network managing director Satish U Pai. Karnataka Bank Ltd general manager B Ashok Hegde participated as chief guest.
Meaningful Jubilee in Kundapur
(Report of Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Yakshagana Talamaddale Programme in Bhandarkar's College, Kundapura held on Rajyotsava Day, 1 Nov 2000)
(Report of Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Yakshagana Talamaddale Programme in Bhandarkar's College, Kundapura held on Rajyotsava Day, 1 Nov 2000)
In the year 1976, Dr H Shantaram, the then Principal of Bhandarkars' College Kundapura, took interest in organising Yakshagana Talamaddale programme in the college on the Rajyotsava Day, since then a tradition of Talamaddale programme was established in the college. To mark the Silver Jubilee of the event, a day and night programme was organised in the College on 1st November 2000.
Inaugural Funciton: Sri Hiriyadka Gopal Rao, a veteran maddalegara and the former 'Guru' of Yakshagana Kendra of M G M College, Udupi, inaugurated the celebrations. Dr Kalegowda Nagawara, the President of Karanaka Janapada and Yakshagana Akademy presided over the function. Dr H Shantaram, the Administrative Officer of the Academy of General Education, Manipal was the Chief Guest. Dr U S Aithal, the Principal of the college welcomed at the beginning. Dr Jayaprakash Mavinakuli compered the programme.
Seminal on 'Yakshagana Talamaddale Swaroopa': To mark the Silver Jubilee Celebrations meaninfully, an Yakshagana Gosti (seminar) was organised soon after the inaugural formalities. The seminar was presided over by Dr. M Prabhakara Joshy, a renowned Yakshagana arthadhari. Besides Dr Joshy, a panel of experts consisting of Dr Chandrashekar Damlem Sri Korgi Venkatesh Upadhya, Dr G L Hegde, Sri Subramanya Dhareshwar presented their views on various issues pertaining to Talamaddale. A host of Talamaddale artists and ardent lovers of Yakshagana from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada Districts were specially invited to participate in the discussions in the seminar.
Ranga Vaibhava: Yakshagana is a traditional folk art. It is characteristically a South Indian performing art. It has a unique place in the cultural ethos of Coastal and Malenad regions of the Karnataka State.
Specially invited professional and amateur Yakshagana artists presented a unique programme, namely 'Ranga Vaibhava'. It was one of the rarest shows presented ever. Episodes from religious epics and legends were demonstrated marvellously by the artists. Spectators were thrilled by the enchanting costumes, fascinating make up and short impromptu dialogues. Characteristic 'himmela' (accompaniment) consisting of Taala (two small cymbals), maddale (drum), Sriti Pettige (harmonium) and Chande (drum for high pitched beats) provided background music. Bhagavataru (generally known as the Prathama Vesha) with the customary dress of Kempu Mundaasu (red turban) and wearing a chain of gold beads around his neck, sang the Yakshagana songs with traditional 'raagas'.
Ranga Vaibhava programme began with a procession of Bhagavataru (singer), durmmers and two kodangis (little clowns or buffoons) from 'chowki' (dressing room) to the Rangastala (performing area or stage). 'Poorvaranga' or 'Sabhalakshana' was presented by the students of Yakshagana Kendra of M G M College, Udupi. While the guiding spirit was that of Sri Bannanje Suvarna, the 'Guru' (Principal) of the Yakshagana Kendra, the unstinted support was extended by Sri Heranje Krishna Bhat, the Director of the Kendra. Under the 'Poorva Ranga' programme, Kodangi Kunitha (dances by little clowns) was followed by Hala Oopalas (depicting Balarama and Sri Krishna) who praised Vishnu while dancing. They performed Ganapathi Pooja (worshipping of elephant headed God) near the entrance to the Rangasthala.
Afterwards, Sthriveshas (two female characters) entered the stage and danced traditionally.
'Oddolaga' dance of five Pandavas was a feast to the eyes of the spectators. Glittering head gears, adornments on chests, and bhujakirtis on shoulders, etc along with rhythmic dances enchanted the spectators.
In the Ranga Vaibhava programme, Yakshagana dance postures and foot steps used in exit from and entry to the Rangasthala, dances depicting different battle sequence and cobats, mass hunting by kiratas, digvijaya (conquering) etc. were performed. A variety of roles were enacted by the artists such as Kedage Mundale, mukhya strivesha (leading female character), bannada vesha (demonic characters like Ghora Bhishana and Hidimbe), warrior queens, Eradaneya Vesha (i.e. Purusha Vesha or the main male character) etc. etc. Needless to say that Hasyagara, Hanuma Naika, messengers (doota) etc. characters kept the audience in good humour. In short, it was a demonstration of all the theatrical techniques, and 'Navarasabhivyakthi' (depiction of nine sentiments) through characteristic roles of Yakshagana.
A very rare depiction was that of the 'double kore mundaasu vesha' (double head gear) by Sri Haradi Mahabala. Perhaps, he is the only artist who is proficient in this art of wearing double headgear for Kirata (hunter) vesha. Despite his old age, he performed very well and earned kudos from the thousands of spectators. The spectacular event of Ranga Vaibhava was compered by Sri Shridara Hande, an Yakshagana teacher, artist, critic and organiser.
Felicitations: The highlight of the post dinner session was the felicitation to the pioneers and propagators of Talamaddale programme in the college in the yester years. All those who put sustained efforts in organising the programme uninterruptedly for 25 years were presented with a shawl and a memento. Dr H Shantaram, who pioneered the programme in the college was honoured with an Yakshagana corwn and a shawl by Sri Sri Keshavananda Bharathi Swamiji of Edneer Mutt. He had all praise of Dr H Shantaram's patronage to Talamaddale programme in the college and blessed him profusely. Sri Sheni Gopala Krishna Bhat, the most prolific Yakshagana artist was the Chief Guest.
Later, all the Talamaddale artists, including himmela personnel who participated in the Rajyotsava Yakshagana were felicitated by Dr H Shantaram with shawls and mementos. Dr M Prabhakara Joshy, expressed sincere thanks on behalf of all the honourees. Dr H V Narasimha Murthy was the master of ceremony. Prof. K Shankar Rao and Sri Sujayeendra Hande have left no stone unturned to make the entire event a great success.
Talamaddale Programme: Yakshagana Talamaddale artists of repute have congregated at Bhandarkars' College on the Rajyotsava Day. Talamaddle is a form of Yakshagana which is staged indoors by Yakshagana artistes, sitting around aBhagawataru. There are neither costumes nor dances in this kind of Yakshagana. However, dialogues is most important part of this programme.
Three prasangas (stories), namely, Shrasetu Bandhana, Subhadra Kalyana and Bhishma Parva were presented. Sheni Gopalakrishna Bhat, Perle Krishna Bhat, Dr Prabhakara Joshy, Amba Tanaya Mudradi, Moodambail Gopalakrishna Shasthri were prominent 'arthadharis' among others, who played main characters in these prasangas. The Talamaddale programme went on till dawn. Heranajalu Gopala, Ambalpady Ganesh Achar Brothers, Dinesh Ammannaya were in the Himmela. Both Badagu Thittu and Thenku Thittu Bhagavathike were presented.
- U S Aithal, Kundapur
