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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Sculptures at Fine Arts College, Dharwad

Dharwad being an educational center has institutions of every academic discipline one could think of... arts, commerce, science, history, teachers training, law, languages, industrial training, diploma, engineering, nursing, medical, dental, agricultural sciences, journalism, forestry, music & fine arts. Apart from schools & colleges, there are a host of museums & galleries dedicated to history, heritage, zoology, geology, science, and arts. There could be more to discover. For now, lets take a look at a few of the sculptures on display inside the Fine Arts College premises. Most sculptures seem to be made of steel & cement concrete except for one which is stone.

This is the simple building of the college. The campus has plenty of open space and greenery, the right ambiance for creative minds.

This sculpture, I assume depicts a mother & her child is placed at the center, lot of importance associated to it.

Along the edge of the open ground are a dozen or so sculptures, probably crafted by the teachers & students. The nearest artwork in this picture looks like an industrial tool. Further away are a hour-faced totem and an wise old man.

Pushpa posing with the open lock and a village lad. The lock sculpture reminds me of the Hindi cine song "Khaike Paan Banaraswala, Kuli Jaye Bund Akal Ka Taala" ...the mouth is chewing paan and the mind gets unlocked... he he hee. The other sculpture, a realistic one, depicts a handsome lad in rural attire.

Next is a dial clock.. the hands are swords, at 9 & 12 are faces which will be slashed off and drop down like the heap of faces on the ground. May be this artwork is called "Death by Time."

Moving on, we have an open clam shell. Inside are a few heads and a fish trying to emerge. Well, this is one is a bit too abstract for me... can't think of a name.

A royal elephant...

...and a bull flank the entrance of a building which seems like an auditorium. In the background is a dancing pair. It seems to depict a mother-child duo holding arms and dancing.

During the few minutes we spent here we saw these sculptures. Perhaps I must make another visit to study the other sculptures too.

To know more about places of interest, do check out the post- What to see in Dharwad?

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Regional Science Centre, Dharwad

June 9, 2012

During my visits to Karnatak University's Botanical Garden I'd seen construction activities but did not know it would be a science center. Dharwad Regional Science Centre was inaugurated by Shri. Mallikarjuna Kharge, Honorable Union Minister of Labor & Employment on February 27, 2012.

The Science Center broadly has two parts-
1. Center House (indoor)
2.Science Park. (outdoor)

The Center House has subject wise sections-
1. Indian Science & Technology Heritage
2. Taramandala
3. Fun Science
4. Biomachines
5. 3D Theater

The Science Park is spread out in the well planned garden. It has several exhibits pertaining to physics but the main attraction is the pre-historic animal park.

I started my tour at around 3-30PM, ticket cost was Rs.15. I started at the Center House. The ground floor is mostly occupied by Indian Science & Technology Heritage section. A scale model of Qutb Minar, Konark Sun temple, Konark Wheel, and many more monuments.

I went clock-wise around the ground floor starting with the Time Line of Indian Science and Technology followed by Technology Traditions of Indus valley, Harappans the first town planners, Glimpses of Harappan technology, Shell bangle making, Origins of Textiles, and many more exhibits related to fields of science, mathematics, medicines, music and arts.

Scenes of ancient civilization.

Capsules on various aspects of ancient Indian society.

Yarghu - The Portable Cannon Cleaner

Yarghu is a portable cannon barrel cleaning device designed for the Mughal army by the 16th century Iranian engineer Fathullah Shirazi. The device which was way ahead of its time in terms of technology could be run by just one ox. Fathullah Shirazi a native of Iran migrated to India on invitation from Sultan Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur. Later on Emperor Akbar's invitation moved to Agra. Besides Yarghu, Fathullah Shirazi designed other utilitarian devices such as; a portable cannon, a seventeen-barreled cannon fired with a matchlock, and a portable flour mill.

A mural depicting ancient Indian doctors performing surgery.

Capsules on metallurgy; smelting and foundries.

This is part of the Center House connects the ground floor to the first floor. The first floor of consists of 3 sections- Fun Science, Biomachines and 3-D theater.

Fun Science gallery is a collection of interactive exhibits which make physics entertaining and interesting. You can operate & observe the exhibits and understand the laws of physics easily.

This gallery, as the name indicates, gives an overview of the world of amazing biomachines.

The Science Park is a collection of models of various mechanical devices and prehistoric animals.

Path from the Science Center entrance to the Center House flanked by busts of Indian scientists..

Timings & Entry Fees

10AM – 6PM through the week. Note ticket counter closes at 5-15 PM.

Entry Fees to Science Center
Public: Rs.15
Child/Student:  Rs.5 & Rs. 3 per head for organized school/college students group

Entry Fees to 3D Theatre
Public: Rs.10
Child/Student:  Rs.5 & Rs. 3 per head for organized school/college students group

Entry Fees to Taramandala
Public: Rs.5
Child/Student:  Rs.1

Website: Dharwad Regional Science Centre

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