Tulu Wikipedia - Lets Realize the Dream

Wikipedia is a living encyclopedia on the net as it allows the users to edit the content. Add to that it is available almost all the major languages of the world and also it continuously adds new languages to its ever growing knowledge bank after some requirements are met. And now it is the turn of Tulu language to have its own wikipedia.

Proposal to open new language subdomain for Tulu in wikipedia has been verified as eligible. But there are still some requirements described in the language proposal policy for the final approval to get the wikipedia in Tulu - There should be active test project on Multilingual Wikisource (Wikisource only), Beta Wikiversity (Wikiversity only), or the Incubator (all other projects). Currently Tulu has test project in Incubator. The project should be active until its approval. Also there should be a MediaWiki interface available in the language. For Tulu, some of MediaWiki messages are left untranslated. For a complete list of requirements for the approval of wikipedia for a particular language click here.

You can contribute Tulu articles written in Kannada script for this test project, thus increasing the chances of getting Tulu wikipedia approved. For this you need to have a wiki account created. For creation of wiki account click here. You can visit the request page for Tulu wikipedia and add yourself as an user interested in forming an editing community. As per language policy of wiki, at least five active users must edit that language regularly before a test project will be considered successful. Also you can add arguments in favour of creating Tulu wikipedia in the same page. Most importantly it is your articles written in Tulu contributed to test project, which will make Tulu Wikipedia a reality. Calling all Tuluvas for contributing to this cause.

Thanks
Raveesh

Shivagange Trip

In the last post, I mentioned about Goravanahalli temple visit. On our way back to Bangalore we went to Shivagange – a place for the pious and adventure enthusiasts. Shivagange is about 50 kms from Bangalore and 8 kms from Dabas Pete on way to Tumkur on NH4.

One of the Gopuras at Shivagange

Shivagange,a rocky hill appears in 4 different shapes in 4 directions in the form of Nandi , Lord Ganesha, Shiva Linga and Cobra. As you climb the rocky hill, you will find shrines at almost each halting point. Statues of Nandi or Basava carved from rocks are also seen, though called by different names – Emme Basavanna, Harake Basvanna. We were told about the monkey menace on offer in the place and were told to be on alert about our belongings! But to our surprise no monkey dared to try its tricks on that day!

Emme Basavanna

Steps to climb the hill are carved out of the rocks as it is done to help the devotees. Gopuras, old monuments, also a fort wall fill the canvas of the Shivagange pictures. Main entrance for the Shivagange temple is being constructed. As you reach near the peak of the hill, you will find your batteries need to be recharged as you would have exhausted by then. Eatables, soft drinks are available at several halting points in the rocky hill. When we were exploring the place, we used to stop at various heights to see a glimpse of the land below and how they were shrinking in size when we climbed newer heights. Needless to say that breath taking photographs were taken after that!

Fort Walls at Shivagange,
in the backdrop you can see the statue of Nandi

Our aim was to reach the top as early as possible. On the way, we went to Olakall theertha. Olakall theertha is a cave like structure. Place is dark with no electric lamps. After initial hesitation we were on our way inside. After getting the Theertha or the holy water for the first time, we were thrilled and went there again now without fears! When we looked at our watches by this time, it was already 5 30 pm and it was time to return back to Bangalore, leaving aside the hope of reaching the top of the hill.

Shivagange Peak

On climbing down the hill, we went to this temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva which also houses treasure room of the times of Kempegowda, king of Bangalore and tunnel route to reach Bangalore in those times. Time was not permitting us to explore the place further. We also missed visiting Pathala Ganga temple. On our back home, plans were already in place to visit the place for the second time.

Birds view from Shivagange hill, lush greenery

Rocks at Shivagange hill

Birds view of the Shivagange town

Way to Treasure Room at Shivagange

Treasure Room at Shivagange of Kempegowda's times

Tunnel Passage from Shivagange to Bangalore
built in the times of Kempegowda

Inside the tunnel Passage

Goravanahalli Shree Mahalakshmi Temple

It was less than 2 hour journey to reach Goravanahalli covering a distance of around 80km from Bangalore. Goravanahalli is the abode of Shree Mahalakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is one of the famous pilgrimage centers around Bangalore, drawing a lot of devotees from Bangalore and elsewhere.
Goravanahalli is located in Koratagere Taluk of Tumkur district. It is said that Abbayya, a poor man was blessed to get the idol of Mahalakshmi. After worshipping Mahalakshmi at his home, Abbayya became rich. He started doing charity work and his home earned the tag ‘Lakshmi Nivasa’. Later Abbayya’s brother Thotadappa joined Abbayya in his charity work. After the death of Abbayya, Thotadappa was performing poojas to the Goddess. One day in his dreams, Mahalakshmi asked him to build a shrine for Her. So, Thotadappa built a shrine for Mahalakshmi. After Thotadappa, Chowdayya was performing poojas. But from the year 1910 the temple was in a neglected state.
In the year 1925, Kamalamma on arriving at Goravanahalli, saw the neglected state of the temple. She started performing the poojas for the Goddess. Then again after a year temple was in a neglected state, when she left the place. But then in 1952, Kamalamma was back in Goravanahalli and settled there. After this regular poojas were performed by Kamalamma. In due time, temple attained fame by word of mouth. Tuesdays and Fridays are considered very auspicious here and lot of people visit the temple in these days of the week. Lakshadeepotsava is one of the revered religious programmes here in Karthika maasa. Apart from Mahalakshmi, there are also shrines of Goddess Marikamba and Manchala Nagappa, the snake god in Goravanahalli.

Goravanahalli temple is all surrounded by greenery and Theetha reservoir is nearby. People after visiting the temple, go for walk aroud Theetha reservoir. Theetha resevervoir is built for Suvarnamukhi river and it is also one of the attractions of the place.
How To reach Goravanahalli : KSRTC buses ply from Bangalore and Goravanahalli. Also, one can reach the place from Tumkur, Doddaballapur or Koratagere. Hired/own vehicle is also a good option as Golden quadrilateral multilane road leading to the place gives a cool experience.

ಸ್ವಾತ೦ತ್ರ್ಯ ದಿನದ ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮ ಮುಗಿಯುವ ಮುನ್ನ

ಮತ್ತೊ೦ದು ಸ್ವಾತ೦ತ್ರ್ಯ ದಿನವೂ ಕಳೆದು ಹೋಯಿತು. ಕಚೇರಿಗೆ ರಜೆ ಎನ್ನುವುದು ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ಮತ್ತೇನು ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮವಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಹೀಗಿರುವಾಗ ನಮ್ಮ ಬಾಲ್ಯದ ಶಾಲಾ ದಿನಗಳ ಸ್ವಾತ೦ತ್ರ್ಯ ದಿನಾಚರಣೆ ನೆನಪಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಸ್ವಾತ೦ತ್ರ್ಯ ದಿನ ಅ೦ದರೆ ಏನೋ ಒ೦ದು ಪುಳಕವಿರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಅದರ ಮುನ್ನಾ ದಿನ ಶಾಲಾ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಿದ್ಧತೆ ನಡೆಸುವ ಆತುರವಿತ್ತು. ನ೦ತರದ ದಿನ ತ್ರಿವರ್ಣ ಧ್ವಜ ಹಾರಿಸಿ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅತಿಥಿಗಳ ಭಾಷಣವನ್ನು ಮು೦ಜಾನೆ ಬಿಸಿಲಿನಲ್ಲೂ ನಿ೦ತೂ ಕೇಳುವ ತಾಳ್ಮೆಯಿರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಇ೦ದು ಅದಾವುದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ - ಸ್ವಾತ೦ತ್ರ್ಯ ದಿನದ ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮ ಬರೀ ಶಾಲಾ ದಿನಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೀಮಿತವೇ? ಶಾಲಾ ದಿನಗಳ ಆ ಭಾಷಾತೀತ, ಧರ್ಮಾತೀತ ಭಾವನೆ ಯುವಕರಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದ೦ತೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಮಾಸುವುದು. ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಬಲಕ್ಕೆ ತಕ್ಕ೦ತೆ ಭಾಷೆ ಮತ್ತು ಧರ್ಮಗಳ ಪ್ರಾಬಲ್ಯ ಎ೦ಬುದು ಅರಿವಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದ೦ತೆ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಮಾನತೆ ಅಷ್ಟು ಸರಳವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ ಎ೦ದೆನಿಸುವುದು. ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗ೦ತೂ ಇವು ತೀರ ಅತಿರೇಕಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿವೆ ಎ೦ದರೆ ತಪ್ಪಾಗಲಾರದು.

ವಿಶೇಷ ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ವಲಯ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಸರಕಾರಗಳು ಚಾಲನೆ ನೀಡಿದಾಗ ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮಿಸಿದವರಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ಒಬ್ಬ. ನಮ್ಮ ದೇಶದ ಆರ್ಥಿಕತೆ ಪುಷ್ಟಿ ಹಾಗು ಜನರಿಗೆ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಉದ್ಯೋಗ ದೊರೆವುದೆ೦ಬುದು ಆಶಯ. ಆದರೆ ಅವು ಹೇಗೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಹಸಿರು ಸಮೃದ್ಧ ನೆಲವನ್ನು ಬರಿದಾಗಿಸಲು ಹೊರಟಿವೆ ಹಾಗೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಜನರೇ ಇ೦ಥ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳ ವಿರೋಧಿಗಳದಾಗ ಈ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳ ರೂಪು ರೇಶೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಳುಕುಗಳು ಕಾಣಿಸ ತೊಡಗುತ್ತವೆ.ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲೀಗ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಗಳ ಕ್ರಾ೦ತಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಹಲವಾರು ಟಿ.ವಿ ಚ್ಯಾನೆಲ್ ಗಳು, ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಗಳು ಬ೦ದಿವೆ. ಒ೦ದು ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿ೦ದಿ ಭಾಷೆಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸೀಮಿತವಾಗಿದ್ದ ಟಿ.ವಿ ಇ೦ದು ಭಾರತದ ಬಹುತೇಕ ಭಾಷೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಬಿತ್ತರಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ನಮಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ದೊರೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ಈ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಗಳ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಿ ಮನೋಭಾವ, ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮ ವಿಷಯಗಳನ್ನು ಬೇಕಾಬಿಟ್ಟಿಯಾಗಿ ವರದಿ ಮಾಡುವುದು ದೇಶದ ಐಕ್ಯತೆಗೇ ಮಾರಕ. ನದಿ ನೀರಿನ೦ಥ ವಿಚಾರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಎರಡೂ ಭಾಷೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ಹೊ೦ದಿರುವ ಸ೦ಸ್ಥೆಗಳು ಆಯಾ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಜನರ ಭಾವನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೆರಳಿಸುವ೦ತೆ ವರದಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತವೆ. ಇದು ಖ೦ಡಿತಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯದಲ್ಲ.

ಸರಕಾರ, ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಗಳನ್ನು ಬಿಡಿ, ಇನ್ನು ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳಾದ ನಮ್ಮ ವಿಷಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬ೦ದರೆ ಪ್ರತಿ ಅವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಗೆ ಸರಕಾರವೇ ಹೊಣೆ ಎನ್ನುವ ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ನಿಭಾಯಿಸಿದ್ದೇವೆಯೆ? ಸರಕಾರದ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಲ್ಲೂ ಬಹುಪಾಲು ಜನರ ಪಾತ್ರವಿಲ್ಲ. ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಾದಾಗ ಶೇ.೬೦ ಮತದಾನವಾದರೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು. ಉಳಿದ ಶೇ.೪೦ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಆಯ್ಕೆ ತಾಪತ್ರಯವೇ ಬೇಡ. ಹೀಗಿರುವಾಗ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾದ ಸರಕಾರವನ್ನು ಜರಿಯುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಆ ೪೦ ಶೇಕಡಾ ಜನರಿಗ೦ತೂ ನೈತಿಕ ಹಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ. ಇನ್ನು ವಿದೇಶ ಪ್ರವಾಸ ಮಾಡಿ ಬರುವ ಕೆಲವರು ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಶುಚಿತ್ವದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹೊಗಳುವವರೇ. ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ರಸ್ತೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒ೦ದು ಕಣ ಧೂಳೂ ಕೂಡ ಇಲ್ಲ - ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದರೆ ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲೂ ಧೂಳು ಅನ್ನುವವರೇ. ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯನ್ನು ಶುಚಿಯಾಗಿ ಇಟ್ಟುಕ್ಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ನಾವು ಮನೆಯ ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತ ಶುಚಿತ್ವದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಗಮನ ಹರಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಅಮೆರಿಕ, ಬ್ರಿಟನ್ ನ೦ಥ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಗಳು ಇವನ್ನು ಸಾಧಿಸಿವೆಯಾದರೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಜನರು ನಿಯಮಗಳನ್ನು ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಪಾಲಿಸಿರುವುದರಿ೦ದ.

ಅದಿರಲಿ, ನಮ್ಮ ದೇಶದ ಒಗ್ಗಟ್ಟು, ಸಾರ್ವಭೌಮತ್ವವನ್ನು ಸಾರಲು ನಮಗೊ೦ದು ದಿನ - ಆಗಸ್ಟ್ ೧೫. ಆದರೆ ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಉಗ್ರಗಾಮಿಗಳ ಬಾ೦ಬ್ ಸ್ಫೋಟಗಳನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿದರೆ ಇ೦ಥಾ ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮವನ್ನೂ ಹದ್ದಿನ ಕಾವಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಸುವ೦ತಾಗಿದೆ. ಜಗತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದನೆಗೆ ಮೊದಲು ಗುರಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದುದು ಭಾರತ. ಜಗತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಅತ್ಯ೦ತ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದಕ ದಾಳಿಗಳಾಗಿರುವುದು ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ. ಆದರೂ ಅದನ್ನು ಹಿಮ್ಮೆಟ್ಟಿಸುವ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಇಚ್ಛಾ ಶಕ್ತಿ ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ. ವಿಪರ್ಯಾಸವೆ೦ದರೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ೯೩ರ ದಾಳಿಗೆ ಈಗಲೂ ಅಪರಾಧಿಗಳನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದಕರಿಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲೂ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆಯಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಪಕ್ಷಗಳ ಆರೋಪ ಪ್ರತ್ಯಾರೋಪಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊನೆಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತವೆ.

ಈ ಸಲದ ಒಲಿ೦ಪಿಕ್ಸ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿನವ್ ಬಿ೦ದ್ರಾರವರಿಗೆ ಶೂಟಿ೦ಗ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿನ್ನದ ಪದಕ ಬ೦ದಿರುವುದು ಭಾರತೀಯರಾದ ನಮಗೆ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ವಿಚಾರವೇ. ಆದರೆ ೧೦೦ ಕೋಟಿ ಜನರನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಸಲು ಕೇವಲ ಒ೦ದೇ ವೈಯಕ್ತಿಕ ಪದಕವೇ - ಅದೂ ಇಷ್ಟು ವರ್ಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ. ಭಾರತ ಇನ್ನೂ ಒ೦ದು ಕ್ರೀಡಾಸಕ್ತ ದೇಶವಾಗಿ ರೂಪುಗೊ೦ಡಿಲ್ಲ. ಕ್ರೀಡೆಗಳು ದೇಶದ ಐಕ್ಯತೆಗೆ ಪೂರಕ - ಒ೦ದು ಸಾಧನೆಯಿ೦ದ ಇಡೀ ದೇಶದ ಜನರೆಲ್ಲಾ ಒ೦ದಾಗಿ ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮಿಸಿತ್ತಾರೆ. ಮತ್ತೊ೦ದು ಸೋಜಿಗದ ವಿಚಾರವೆ೦ದರೆ ಈ ಪದಕ ಬ೦ದಾಕ್ಷಣ ಕೆಲವು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರಕಾರಗಳು ನಾ ಮು೦ದು ತಾ ಮು೦ದು ಎ೦ದು ಬಹುಮಾನ ಘೋಷಿಸಿರುವುದು. ತೆರಿಗೆ ಪಾವತಿದಾರರ ಹಣವನ್ನು ಹೀಗೆ ಪೋಲು ಮಾಡುವ ಸರಕಾರ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಪಟುಗಳು ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಗೆ, ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹಕ್ಕೆ ವಿನ೦ತಿಸಿದಾಗ ಕಿವುಡಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ.

ಭಾರತ ಇ೦ದು ಪ್ರಗತಿ ಶೀಲ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವಾಗುವತ್ತ ದಾಪುಗಾಲಿಡುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಯ ಪ್ರಮಾಣ ಶೇಕಡಾ ೯ ರಷ್ಟಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ನಾನು ಬಯಸುವುದು ಜಾಗತೀಕರಣದಿ೦ದ ಉ೦ಟಾಗಿರುವ ಈ ಭಾರತದ ಹೊಸ ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯ ಲಾಭ ಸಮಾಜದ ಕೆಳ ಸ್ಥರಕ್ಕೂ ತಲುಪಲಿ ಎ೦ದು. ೬೧ ಅತ್ತು ಮು೦ದೂ ನಮ್ಮ ದೇಶ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಪ್ರಬುದ್ಧವಾಗಲಿ. ಪ್ರಜ್ನಾವ೦ತ ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳನ್ನು ರೂಪಿಸಲಿ. ಪ್ರತಿ ಸ್ವಾತ೦ತ್ರ್ಯ ದಿನವೂ ಆ ವರ್ಷ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಿಹಿ, ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕಹಿ ನೆನಪುಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊತ್ತು ತರುತ್ತದೆ - ಯುಗಾದಿಯ೦ತೆ!

ರವೀಶ

ಗಿರೀಶ್ ರಾವ್ ರವರ ’ಜೋಗಿ ಕತೆಗಳು’ - ಒ೦ದು ನೋಟ

ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಪ್ರಪ೦ಚಕ್ಕೆ ’ಜೋಗಿ’ ಎ೦ದೇ ಪರಿಚಿತರಾಗಿರುವ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪ್ರಭ ದಿನಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯ ಪತ್ರಕರ್ತರಾದ ಗಿರೀಶ್ ರಾವ್ ರವರ ಕಥಾ ಸ೦ಕಲನ - ’ಜೋಗಿ ಕತೆಗಳು’, ಈ ಲೇಖನದ ವಿಷಯ. ಹೊಸ ಪೀಳಿಗೆಯ ಕತೆಗಾರರಾದ ಜೋಗಿಯವರ ಕತೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಭಿನ್ನತೆ ಇದೆ. ತಮ್ಮ ಕತೆಗಳ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಡಿನ ಹೆಸರಾ೦ತ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಎಳೆದು ತರುತ್ತಾರೆ - ಗೊರೂರು ರಾಮಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಅಯ್ಯ೦ಗಾರರು, ಗಳಗನಾಥರು ಹೀಗೆ ಹಲವರು. ಕತೆಯನ್ನು ಸೊಗಸಾಗಿ ಹೆಣೆದು ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಅ೦ತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಓದುಗರ ಭಾವಕ್ಕೆ ಬಿಡುವುದು ಮೊದಲ ಕೆಲವು ಕತೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇಷ್ಟವಾದರೂ ಕೊನೆಯ ಕತೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒ೦ದೇ ಥರ ಎನ್ನಿಸಿ ಬಿಡುತ್ತದೆ. ಕತೆಗಳ ವಸ್ತು ಪ್ರತಿಯೊ೦ದರಲ್ಲೂ ವಿಭಿನ್ನ - ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಪರಿಸರದ ಕತೆಯಿದ್ದರೆ ಇನ್ನೊ೦ದೆಡೆ ನಗರ ಜೀವನದ ಕತೆಯಿದೆ. ಕೆಲ ಕಡೆ ಬರೀ ಒ೦ದು ಪಾತ್ರವೇ ಮುಖ್ಯವಾದರೆ ಇನ್ನು ಕೆಲವೆಡೆ ಅದರ ತದ್ವಿರುದ್ಧ. ಕತೆಗಳ ಕೆಲ ಸಾಲುಗಳು ಹೊಸ ಪ್ರಯೋಗಗಳೆನಿಸುತ್ತವೆ. ತಮ್ಮ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕವು ’ನಲುವತ್ತೆರಡು ವರುಷಗಳಿ೦ದ ಒಬ್ಬರನ್ನೊಬ್ಬರು ನ೦ಬಿಸಲು ಶತಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಪಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೂ ಇನ್ನೂ ನ೦ಬಿಕೆ ಹುಟ್ಟಿಸಲಾಗದ ದೇವರಿಗೆ’ ಅರ್ಪಣೆ ಎ೦ದಿರುವ ಜೋಗಿಯವರು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸ್ತಿಕತೆ ಮತ್ತು ನಾಸ್ತಿಕತೆಯ ತೊಳಲಾಟದ ಎರಡು ಕತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಓದುಗರ ಮು೦ದಿರಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಸ್ನೇಹ, ಪ್ರೀತಿ, ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ-ಸ೦ಗೀತ ಪ್ರೇಮ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕೂಡ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕತೆಗಳಿವೆ. ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹಕ್ಕೆ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕವೂ ಒ೦ದು ಉತ್ತಮ ಆಯ್ಕೆ.

ರವೀಶ

Moggina Manasu - An Offbeat Movie

Moggina Manasu, is the story of 4 teenage girls and their confusions in their tender age. These 4 girls provide 4 different perceptions of love. Chanchala(Radhika Pandit), true to her name is always in confusion about love. Renu(Shubha Poonja), who comes from a village background is very innocent about love. Other two girls are two different poles with one using her boy friend as an ATM Card and the other like an LIC policy! Film begins with Chanchala going down the memory lane about her college days - first day in college, ragging and friends. Though juniors Chanchala and Renu are subjected to ragging initially by two of their seniors, 4 girls become best of friends. As the company, so are the habits. So, Chanchala and Renu are in search for boyfriends like their senior counterparts. The girls are not able to differentiate between infatuation and love - like Chanchala is about give love letter to her English lecturer! Innocent Renu falls in for Aakash but Chanchala takes her time to choose her love. Story takes different twists in each of the four girls' lives. In the end, film's message becomes clear - dont falter in the emotional upheavals of teenage. Wait for your true love to discover yourself. Though film contains some predictable sequences that does not seem boring. Also, comedy runs as a set of seperate sequences, away from the main story line with comedian Sharan providing the comic relief.Shubha Poonja's innocent character wins the hearts of the audience and so is the confused character Chanchala played by Radhika Pandit. Disha, who is a rebellious daughter also steals the show. Male leads, all freshers, do not have much scope to showcase their talent. Out of the bunch, Radhika's love interest, Yash gives a good performance.

Camera work is good but when it comes to special graphic effects, score is below average. Some of the graphic effects are not given their due and could have been best avoided. Background score by Manomurthy has mesmerising effects. Music of the movie is good. But movie contains an overdose of melodious songs, of which two could have been avoided. Nooraaru Preethi Maathu Nooraru Saari Aadi sung by Sonu Nigam, Moggina Manasali and Male Baruva Haagide both sung by Shreya Ghosal stays in memory. Interestingly Kumar Sanu has sung one song - Om Namaha Om for the movie. Teenage Teenage is a typical youth song, lyrics penned by director Shashank.

Major portion of the film was shot in coastal Karnataka including Mangalore, Kasaragod and Karwar. Welcome break from the usual shooting locations for Kannada films. Panambur beach in Mangalore, Bekal Fort beach and Ananthapura temple in Kasaragod are beautifully shot. MG Road, Bharath Mall in Mangalore also form the locations for several scenes.

Most of our films are love stories. Everything falls in place for love is the gist in every such movie. But that rarely happens. Very few filmmakers have dared to explore the topic of adolescent age and its sensitivities. Kudos to E Krishnappa for choosing such a subject in Moggina Manasu, with fresh faces, after the blockbuster, Mungaaru Male, a tragic love story. Director Shashank also deserves credit for handling such a sensitive subject well.

Regards
Raveesh

Psycho Kannada Movie's Music - A Class Apart

Psycho may be a weird title for a film. That deterred me initially to listen to the songs of Psycho, a Kannada film. But well, when the one of the songs from the movie, ‘Ninna Poojege Bande Mahadeshwara’, became popular and was frequently played in FM channels in Bangalore, it caught my attention. When I listened to all the songs from this movie, I was surprised at all songs being too good, as it is a rarity nowadays. The album seems like a perfect combination of lyrics and music in all the songs.

Psycho is mostly a newcomers’ venture – with Devadatta directing the movie for the first time and Raghu Dixit giving the tunes and lending his voice to few of the songs. But on the lyrics front, it is the veterans of the industry who have penned their thoughts and emotions. Jayanth Kaykini, top Kannada lyricist now, has wrote 3 songs for the movie – Beladingalante Minu Minuguta, Eno Ide Ee Preethili Eno Ide, Preetiya Manashantiya Siri Honnina Naadidu. R N Jayagopal, one of the famous Kannada lyricists, who passed away recently, has also written a song for the movie – Mussanje Rangalli. Lyrics of the most famous song of the movie, Ninna Poojege Bande Mahadeshwara is penned by V Manohar and Raghu Dixit.A Class Apart : Psycho marks Raghu Dixit’s debut as music director in Sandalwood and it has been rocking. Ee Thanuvu Ninnade Ninnane is composed on western tunes and haunts you after you listen to it. On the contrary, Mussanje Rangalli is on Indian classical tunes and Saindhavi singing the song – perfect match! Beladingalanthe Minu Minugutha is a slow, melodious track. Eno Ide is a sad song echoing the emotions of a dejected lover. Preetiya Manashantiya is a song describing the greatness of Karnataka. Most songs about Karnataka or Karunaadu in the past emphasized more on the past glory and were fast tracks. Here, this song does not focus on the past glory but on the common man of Karnataka and melody of the song reverberates in your mind for a long time.

Here are some of my favourite lines from the songs of the movie
Preetiya Manashantiya – kadalina male madilina bisi bayalina thavaridu, bevara hanigaLu vividha danigaLu eLeyuva theridu, jnanada parijnanada hambala, chigurige berina bembala, mamatheya samatheya angala (Karnataka is a region of sea, forests and plain lands, It is a cart pulled by hard working people coming from various backgrounds, people seek knowledge and wisdom, youth is supported by the elders, It is a land of affection and equality )
Mussanje Rangalli – banalli santhoshadi haaridda bellakkiya iralilla yava beli, nee preeti maathaadutha bale beesi naa sikkide hosa prema savi jaagadalli( I was a like free bird flying in the sky and had no hurdles, you caught me in the net in a new place with your nice, lovable talk)
Baladingalante – kantumba ninna anda saviyutta koorale, kandiddu nijave antha muththittu nodale(should I just enjoy seeing your beauty or should I kiss you to confirm whether it is true) naanendu nodadantha beLakondu moodide, ninagashTe keLuvante manasindu haadide (I am seeing a never seen light and my heart is singing lightly for just you to listen)
Eno Ide – BaaLina deepave indu aari hogide, nannaya neraLe nanna bitttu hogide, jeevana allola kallola vaagide, kareyuva koraLe mouna thaalide (light of my life is gone, my shadow has left me, my life has become a mess, voice which used to call me has gone silent)

Of course, not much to tell about Ninna Poojege Bande Mahadeshwara, as you would have already heard, read enough about this song. Film has already generated curiousity among the movie buffs. Cast of the film is not disclosed yet. Trailor of the movie looks impressive. I am eagerly waiting for the movie to be released. Are you?

Regards
Raveesh

To listen to the songs of the Kannada movie, Psycho click here.