RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY ARADHANE 2018

Tuesday, 28th August 2018
Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, AGEC Layout, UttaraHalli, Bengaluru

We were there again this year for Madyararadhane of Guru Raghavendra Swamy at AGEC Layout.

Sri Raghavendra Swamy, one of the most popular of all the Saints lived in 16th Century,(!595 - 1671)

He was devotee of SriRama and Panchamukha Mukhyaprana. People refer to him as Guru Rayaru and the mutt is known as Raghavendra/Rayara Mutt.

Pujyaya Raghavendraya,
SatyaDharama Rathayacha,
Bhajayam Kalpavrakshaya. 
Namatham Kamadhenuve.

ಪೂಜ್ಯಾಯ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರಾಯ,
ಸತ್ಯಧರ್ಮ ರತಾಯಚ,
ಭಜತಾಂ ಕಲ್ಪವ್ರಕ್ಷಾಯ
ನಮತಾಂ ಕಾಮದೆನವೇ 

Every year, the day when the Vrindavana was constructed Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, while he was sitting in the "Samadhi" position, is observed as "Raghavendra Aaradhane". It is three day celebrations, Poorvaradhane, Madhyaraadhane, and Uttaraaradhane.

Every Rayara Mutt organizes Aradhane in a grand way with lot of people attending the function and grand lunch is served on banana leaf for all people.

at ShubhaRaghu House

Posted Thursday, 30th August 2018

DANCE PROGRAM - Dr. NARTHAKI NATARAJ

Saturday 25th August 2018
Seva Sadana, Malleshwara, Bengaluru.

It was solo dance program by KalaiMamani Dr Narthaki Nataraj, organized by International Arts and Cultural Foundation, Bengaluru.

DR. NARTHAKI NATARAJ

Dr Narthaki Nataraj, a transgender, is Sangeet Natak Academic Awardee and performed at numerous places and won accolades for far and wide.

Number of dignitaries were present for the program titled "COLOURS OF DANCE"

LIVE MUSIC

The dancer's movement, expressions were fantastic.There was live music which was excellent.

Posted Sunday 25th August 2018

FESTIVAL -VARAMAHALAKSHMI POOJA 2018

Friday, 24th August 2018
Venue: P.C. Chadaga House, R T Nagara, Bengaluru

VaramahaLakshmi Vrata or Pooja is one of the most auspicious festivals for married women.

The day is celebrated to worship the Goddees Lakshmi, who is consort of Lord Vishnu,  for wealth and prosperity. Married women perform this Pooja for the well being of their family, especially husbands. It falls on the second Friday of the month of Shravana.

Praying to VaraMahalakshmi is believed to be equal to worshipping AshtaLakshmi, the eight Goddesses, that is , Siri (Wealth), Earth (Bhoomi), Learning (Saraswathi), Love (Preethi), Fame (Keerthi), Peace (Shanthi), Pleasure (Thushti) and strangth (Pushti).

We were there at Pa. ChandraShekhara Chadaga's house at R T Nagara, Bengaluru in the evening to join the celebrations. His wife Nalini Chadaga performed the pooja, inviting many people for afternoon lunch.

We returned after having dinner in their house.

Posted Sunday, 26th August 2018

WEDDING - ANEESH SHRUTHI

Wednesday, 22nd August 2018
GuruNarasimha Kalyana Matapa, NammaBengaluru.

It's the wedding reception of GopalaKrishna Kedilaya's son. GopalaKrishna is the son of JayaLakshmi, daughter of ShankaraNarayana Somayaji who is my father's elder brother.

Relations remain if one maintains contact and attend special occasions like wedding, reception etc.

So we were there to attend the reception as we had to attend another wedding next day.

Relations friends lining up for wishing the new couple and a buffet dinner with various variety.

Posted Friday, 24th August 2018

WEDDING - ANUSHA'SHANKARRAM

Thursday, 23rd August 2018
TempleTree Leisure, Near Marthahalli, Bengaluru.

It's the wedding of SridharRao's daughter at TempleTree Leisure, a distance of 22 km on busy road with heavy traffic, at Bengaluru.

Sridhar Rao is a known person during our Dubai years. As he is from Kammannu, near Udupi, he is also in distant relation. Sri P K Vittala Rao, one time HeadMaster at our School, S M S High School, Brahmavara is his uncle.  So we traveled with him to attend the wedding.

It was a traditional wedding, performed in a modern way, that is in open garden without much of sound from trumpets and musicians. It was like a casual get-together, with open atmosphere, socializing and networking, Re-establishing lost connections of relations and friends.

Wedding Feast (Grand Lunch) was traditional , on banana leaf and served at leisure.

We were there at 11 am and back home by 2pm after lunch

EVENING WALK AT GKVK

Saturday. 18th August 2018
Gandhi Krishi Vijnana Kendra, (GKVK) Yalahanka, Bengaluru

It was Saturday, evening, thought of going to GKVK Campus for walk and outing for SeenaTheDog. Manikanta, neighbour's sschool going boy accompanied us.

After walk about one  kilometer inside the campus, we reach an area to sit under the tree and there also MahaGanapathi Temple.

Equally long distance to return up to the entrance gate, where car was parked.

Also on the way, there railway underpass and we waited to see the train passing, it was unlike sitting in the train and travelling.

That was about one and half activity and back home.

Posted Sunday, 19th August 2018

MUSIC PROGRAM - FREEDOM CONCERT -

Wednesday 15th August 2018
Orion Mall Poolside, NammaBengaluru.

It was music concert of Grammy Award Winner, Ricky Kej, titled as "FREEDOM CONCERT".

The venue was at Orion Shopping Mall, Poolside. It was also clubbed with program to create awareness for "Bonded Labour" There was also stage program for which we were late. However, we were just in time before the concert began.

It was a fantastic stage setting with huge LED screen at the backdrop and the musicians, vocalists and keyboard players on the stage. Beautiful songs were rendered with appropriate visuals appearing on the screen, which made the whole presentation awesome. Ricky Kej is also a good conversationist, who was highlighting the meaning and purpose of upcoming song. Saving animals, environment, and saving the earth was the message.

with Bonded Labourers

It was just a 40-minutes concert, but with a beautiful impression in the minds of people, who witnessed the program. There weren't any dull moments, treat for ears and eyes.

Thank you for all the sponsors for presenting a beautiful free program on the occasion of 72nd India's Independence Day.

Posted Friday, 17th August 2018

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2018

Wednesday 15th August 2018
CoffeeBoard Park, Kempapura,Hebbala, Bengaluru

The whole country and Indians abroad are celebrating Independence Day which 72nd since the country became independent from British on 15th August 1947.

Indian tri-colour flags are hoisted in most of the places. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted Indian Flag at Red Fort, Delhi and Chief Ministers hoisted the flags in their respective capitals.

District Commissioner/Incharge Ministers do the same exercise  in the district headquarters.

Here in CoffeeBoard Park, Flag hoisting was organized by Kannada Sahitya Parishat unit. Few residents around the park were present. National Anthem was sung by all people and few children spoke about the importance of Independence and people who gave their life for the nation.

Laddu was distributed to all present.

Posted Wednesday 15th August 2018

YAKSHAGAANA - AMBAA SHAPATHA - (DanceDrama)

Sunday, 12th August 2018
TaralaBalu Centre, R T Nagara, NammaBengaluru.

Yakshagana - Field drama, Dance drama, Ballet, etc called is fantastic entertaining stage play and it is especially predominant in coastal Karnataka. A story from Ramayana or Mahabharatha is taken and developed with songs, dance, awesome costume and meaningful dialogues and a moral. The presentation also contains comedy called "HasyaGaara" who is also part of the characters in the story.

People in the villages watch the whole night and feel blessed in the morning hours as they have witnessed a story from Hindu Epic.

Amba and Salva

The King of Kashi arranged Swayamvara for his three daughters Amba, Ambike and Ambalike. Princes from diffrent Kingdoms come to Kashi for the function. Amba, eldest of the princesses, had secret affair with the King of Salva. Bhishma from Hastinavathi also came to Kashi, abducted all the princesses. Salva fought with Bhishma and lost.

After reaching Hastinavathi, Amba tells Bhishma that she is in love with King Salva and promised him that she will marry him. When she reaches Salva King, he rejects her and says that he is no more interested to marry her. Dejected, Amba comes back to Bhishma  asks him to marry her.

Bhishma, refusing to marry her as he is practicing BrahmaCharya, Amba gets upset and asks for Sage Parashurama's mediation. But Bhishma still adamant and refuses. This makes Amba very wild curses the humanity, menfolk and goes for asceticism.

SVAYAMVARA

Singing of Bhagavatharu, accompanying maridanga and chande artists also had done a fantastic job.

SAGE PARASHURAMA

WILD AMBA

BHISHMA

Neelkodu Shankar Hegde as Amba has done a superb acting, dance, dialogues and expression.

JHALAK

Thank you KrishnaPrasad for co-ordinating with different artists and presenting a superb show.

Posted Monday, 13th August 2018