Deepa's Jottings

 I decided to visit my friends Ganu and Hema, and their daughter, Janani, who's recently come home for good, after having done her Masters' degree at Pittsburgh. They always put up a lovely display for Navarathri:A "kolu" or "golu" is supposed to be a representation of the universe, so anything you wish to can be put in....human beings, animals, gods, flowers....Here's an idol which is half Ganesha, half Hanuman, that I've never seen before:These dolls/figures are often sold in "sets". Here's a beautiful set of Mamallapuram, or Mahabalipuram, on the shores near Chennai:There is also a lovely seascape painting to…

 I decided to visit my friends Ganu and Hema, and their daughter, Janani, who's recently come home for good, after having done her Masters' degree at Pittsburgh. They always put up a lovely display for Navarathri:A "kolu" or "golu" is supposed to be a representation of the universe, so anything you wish to can be put in....human beings, animals, gods, flowers....Here's an idol which is half Ganesha, half Hanuman, that I've never seen before:These dolls/figures are often sold in "sets". Here's a beautiful set of Mamallapuram, or Mahabalipuram, on the shores near Chennai:There is also a lovely seascape painting to…

 On Sunday, 25th September 2011, discerning lovers of music flocked to Ravindra Kalakshetra, to attend the Radio Sangeet Sammelan.The Carnatic music program by Smts. Ranjani and Gayathri was followed by a flute recital by Sri Ronu Mojumdar.The foyer was beautifully decorated with this "AIR" floral rangoli.An enjoyable evening for everyone, followed by distribution of sweets by K C Das! ⊕

 On Sunday, 25th September 2011, discerning lovers of music flocked to Ravindra Kalakshetra, to attend the Radio Sangeet Sammelan.The Carnatic music program by Smts. Ranjani and Gayathri was followed by a flute recital by Sri Ronu Mojumdar.The foyer was beautifully decorated with this "AIR" floral rangoli.An enjoyable evening for everyone, followed by distribution of sweets by K C Das! ⊕

Anyone who has developed an interest in forests and wildlife would have heard of the author, Kenneth Anderson. His stories of the forests are legion, and are still selling briskly everywhere. (Fresh stocks have just arrived at Landmark bookstore in the Forum.)Many people do accuse Anderson of exaggerating for effect, and say that he over-dramatised the wild. But perhaps he did so to make a better story, and to attract more people towards both his tales and to wildlife.Unfortunately, though, an author who is at least as entertaining as Ruskin Bond, or James Corbett, rests now in a grave in…

Anyone who has developed an interest in forests and wildlife would have heard of the author, Kenneth Anderson. His stories of the forests are legion, and are still selling briskly everywhere. (Fresh stocks have just arrived at Landmark bookstore in the Forum.)Many people do accuse Anderson of exaggerating for effect, and say that he over-dramatised the wild. But perhaps he did so to make a better story, and to attract more people towards both his tales and to wildlife.Unfortunately, though, an author who is at least as entertaining as Ruskin Bond, or James Corbett, rests now in a grave in…

‘*A Call in the Rainforest*' This film documents and examines the impact of human induced changes on one Lion-tailed Macaque sub-population, in the Valparai Range of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The *Lion-tailed Macaque* (Macaca silenus) is an endangered species according to the IUCN Redlist. The total number of mature Lion-tailed Macaques is estimated to be less than 2500. The duration of the Film is 18 and half minutes long, and is shot with Canon 1D Mark IV (DSLR). It is a full HD movie. Date : 1st Oct 2011 (Saturday) Venue : *Alliance Francaise** De Bangalore* (Near Cantonment Railway Station)…

  Where does "kolam" or "rangoli" fit in? Art? Tradition? Culture? Hospitality? ...All of the above it seems to me!  Here's a lovely rangoli in front of my friend Alamelu Ramaswamy's home: It's such lovely patterns that invited the passerby to enter, and feel at home...Rangoli is one of the traditions that I love. ⊕

‘*A Call in the Rainforest*' This film documents and examines the impact of human induced changes on one Lion-tailed Macaque sub-population, in the Valparai Range of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The *Lion-tailed Macaque* (Macaca silenus) is an endangered species according to the IUCN Redlist. The total number of mature Lion-tailed Macaques is estimated to be less than 2500. The duration of the Film is 18 and half minutes long, and is shot with Canon 1D Mark IV (DSLR). It is a full HD movie. Date : 1st Oct 2011 (Saturday) Venue : *Alliance Francaise** De Bangalore* (Near Cantonment Railway Station)…

  Where does "kolam" or "rangoli" fit in? Art? Tradition? Culture? Hospitality? ...All of the above it seems to me!  Here's a lovely rangoli in front of my friend Alamelu Ramaswamy's home: It's such lovely patterns that invited the passerby to enter, and feel at home...Rangoli is one of the traditions that I love. ⊕