Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Bulbul chicks

Second week of August 2024, a bulbul pair started visiting our utility area. It's a hint that the pair would be having children soon. The pair brought in twigs and coconut strands to make a nest. They weaved their nest over the two previous nests already present in the same space. I a week or so three eggs were laid and incubation began. The eggs hatched in less than two weeks. The pair got really busy fetching food for the always hungry chicks. The pair was very watchful and turned hostile whenever we went to the balcony for chores. On September 7th morning around 11 AM the chicks emerged from the nest and perched on our clothesline. They were ready to leave the safety of the nest and become independent. This was a rare sight- the mother and her three chicks perched together. Father was close by, looking out for threats. Once the chicks are out of the nest, there's no turning back. They could barely fly yet they are raring to move on. Few minutes after this shot two of the chicks flew out, their parents staying close by until their wings gained strength. The last chick stayed back a couple of hours more and then flew down.



Fortunately there are plenty of trees and plants behind our apartment where the chicks could take shelter and remain safe until they were fully ready. I hope all three are fine and flying around in our locality.

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Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Ganesh Chaturti 2024

Ganesha Habba is back in full swing this year. Below are pictures of Ganesha shot between Sept 7th and Sept 12th.

ಶ್ರೀ ವಕ್ರತುಂಡ ಮಹಾಕಾಯ ಸೂರ್ಯಕೋಟಿ ಸಮಪ್ರಭ |
ನಿರ್ವಿಘ್ನಮ್ ಕುರು ಮೇ ದೇವಾ ಸರ್ವ ಕಾರ್ಯೇಷು ಸರ್ವದಾ ||

श्री वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्य कोटी समप्रभा |
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्व-कार्येशु सर्वदा॥

Shree Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha |
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada ||

home

Kabbut road, Malmaddi

Veera Savarkar Geleyara Balaga, Railway Station Road

Railway Station

RG Vidyalaya UB Hills

Shirdi Sai Nagar

Hubballi home

Ashirwada Ganapati Gudi, Kelageri

Sadankeri

Vinayaka Utsava Mandali Durgadevi Gudi Road

Idagunji Ganapati Devasthana Maratha Colony

Vinayaka Yuvaka Mandali, Yemmikeri

near Rural Police Station

Samudaya Bhavan Kelageri

Haliyal Naka

KCD Circle

Gauli Oni, Malmaddi

Ganapati Gudi, Vivekanandanagar

Subash road

Akkipete

Sangam circle

Hosayellapur Naka

Gajanana Utsava Samiti, Hosayellapur circle

Daroga Oni

Gajanana Utsava Yuvaka Mandali, Raviwar Pete

Kalal Samaja

Sri Rama Yuvaka Mandali, Line Bazar

Saptapur
Ishwara Gudi, Hosayellapur entrance

Tikare road

Links to past years' Ganesh Darshan-

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Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur Rastriya Smarak

It was Nov or Dec of 1988, I was home from college, had lunch, switched on the radio which was a habit while studying. Those days All India Radio was the only station and classical music was being aired. Until then I'd never paid attention to classical music but I was smitten by the voice. Yes, It was Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur's voice. I listened to the Raaga completely. When it was over, I wished the show continued. Those few minutes ignited an interest in Hindustani music. Between then and now, I've had the chance to listen to several other Hindustani Pandits' renditions. I've loved them all yet my favorite was Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur. His husky voice has always had a calming effect. I knew the maestro was from Dharwad...

About a fortnight ago while exploring parts of Dharwad on Google Maps I stumbled upon a place marked as "Mallikarjun Mansur Memorial Museum." It was a pleasant surprise. Even though I'd passed by that street a hundred times, I didn't know about it. Well, now I knew the location and had all the time for a visit.

Sept 2, 2024. This is the house where Hindustani Maestro Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur resided. Now this house is a museum and a memorial. The Mantapa to the left, a replica of Jagatjyoti Basaveshwara's Aikya Mantapa, marks the Samadhi of Mallikarjun Mansur & Gangamma Mansur.

This is the verandah. Pandit's Tanpura, his statue and several photographs are on display.

A marble statue made during Pandit's life time.

Pandit Mansur with his son Rajashekhar Mansur at a concert.

A family portrait: Pandit Mansur with wife Gangamma & son Rajashekhar, and sister Shakuntala & daughter Lakshmi.

Adjacent to the verandah was a room which I guess was Pandit's room since his personal belongings have been kept here. Pandit was a person who lived a simple life, his time & energy was dedicated to family and music.

A set of musical instruments- Tanpura, Harmonium & Tabla -these were probably used for Pandit's daily practice.

Almost every wall of the house was covered with photos of Pandit at various events, with fellow artists and politicians. It was an humbling experience. The lady caretaker of this place has kept the place well. With her permissions I took these pictures. The lady then introduced me to Pandit's daughter who lives next door. It was an honor to meet Pandit's daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and a granddaughter.

The memorial is being maintained by the state government. Pandit's birth anniversary (Dec 31st) and death anniversary (Sept 12th) are observed, poojas are organized here and public is welcome to attend the event.

Like my friend and Guru Karun Kumbera said- this was an enriching experience indeed.

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Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Aloe vera flower

This is the second time this aloe vera plant has flowered in the past two or three years. I guess it flowers once a year. The flower transforms into pods, each pod containing one seed.

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