Nritya Gram - Dancers Village

The entrance to Nritya Gram

The first sight to greet us on entering the premises that promises Dance at its heart and soul

When we started for Nritya Gram I was excited to see a thriving community of dancers, an ode to dance and I was hugely disappointed that there were barely a dozen dancers in the place and the whole are is left in neglect covered in fallen dried leaves everywhere. Though a few who are still dedicated to the art are still there trying hard to maintain a respectful disposition, but there is not much that they can do without proper patrons.

The unique flora found in this place

When we talked of going to this place to the aged people in our apartments they were reminiscing of the good old times when there were spectacular performances that went on all through night and jubilant events performed in this place. This made me feel even worse that I was unable to see it in its hay days. But now there is not a hint of the once talked of splendor.

The amphitheatre, which must have hosted exclusive dance performances lay silent, haunted by its own memories, waiting for anklets bound feet to once again perform. This here is symbolic enough to let us know that how fine arts have been neglected in the recent years.

 The view from the stage of the Amphitheatre.

 Art found on the walls of this place

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World is full of Beautiful things...

Here's a song with beautiful lyrics I loved so much...
I heard it in Etihad Airways Ad and instantly fell in love with it.
People think Music is so important and that music makes the song a hit but to me Lyrics are important too. Lyrics give the song a Character. If you like the lyrics you will love the song too here go to the link in YouTube and enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGaaPJAfxD8


The world is full of beautiful things
 Butterfly wings, fairy tale kings
 And each new day undoubtedly brings
 Still more beautiful things

The world abounds with many delights
 Magical sights, fanciful flights
 And those who dream on beautiful nights
 Dream of beautiful things

Beautiful days for sunshine lazin'
 Beautiful skies and shores
 Beautiful days when I can gaze
 In beautiful eyes like yours

You wonder why the nightingale sings
 Lovers have wings, people wear rings
 The world is full of beautiful things
 Beautiful people, too
 Beautiful people like you
Beautiful days of sun kissed showers
 Beautiful sea kissed breeze
 Beautiful nights of moon kissed hours
 Beautiful dreams like these
Our lives tick by like pendulum swings
 Delicate things, butterfly wings
 Life is full of beautiful things
 Beautiful people, too
 Beautiful people like you
Like you, just like you, people like you
 Beautiful people like you

Read more: Bobby Darin - Beautiful Things Lyrics | MetroLyrics

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Coorg - the exploited paradise

It had been 7 years since I last went to Madekeri, in Coorg district of Karnataka. Back then it was beautifully natural, mostly untouched by the harsh hands of civilization. Now that gorgeous wilderness has been bruatally mauled by tourism and has been tamed to submission. No longer the hike into the jungle to watch those cascading falls a peaceful and tranquail experience but a very fussy and crowded one. This time when I went to Abby falls I could see plastic garbage everywhere and it made me really sad.

Abbey Falls, Coorg, Karnataka

I wish the tourists wouldn't do such harm to the very environ they are here to admire. Also I wish the tourism department along with developing the area restrict the sale of non-degradable items near such natural resourses and keep the serenity of the place in tact. Even after such ill teatment by its adorers the place still proudly lays bear its beauty for everyone to enjoy. I only wish that it is not completly spoiled like another tourist spot that I have recently.

Talakaveri, Coorg, Karnataka

see Kodugu...


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Sanchari Mahotsava 2016

Yesterday was an amazingly refreshing day spent in Indiranagar Sangeet sabha. We were  to witness some of the young people in banglore showcase their talent in Sanchari Mahotsava 2016.

 The program started of with a 'Tilana' by giggling little school girls all decked up in glittering jewelry, it was cute to watch. They enjoyed their performance and so did we. 

Then came the vocals, where six kids performed two songs each, some were divine and some needed more practice but I was really amazed at the talent of these kids who could sing so beautifully at such an young age. 

The whole event was was carried out quiet professionally which showed that these kids meant business. 

There was also a mesmerizing performance by one of the teachers, her voice soothing, her countenance pleasing and her songs filled the whole auditorium with a serenity. It was a pleasant experience, for those few moments I was transformed to my happy place. I was there with my husband and 2 year old kid and neither gave me trouble during the show, (you know how husbands are if its not sports or action movies, they get bored), infact my 2 year old was so moved by the music that he too tried a few ragas (not the crying kind mind you), it was so cute to watch, well that's what good music does, it moves people.  

The program ended with three spirited performances of Bharatanatyam by Prardhana, Rohit and Aishwarya although Rohit's performance was my favourite. I say this because I have seen grace and vigour in his performance, his facial expression matched his steps and his steps were in tune withe music, I am no expert in Bharatanatyam, but his was my clear favorite because I enjoyed watching it, and in the end isn't it all that counts. 

The day ended with a display of some spectacular paintings by Surya Natarajan from her studio Zilpa. She also offers art classes for Adults & kids in Tanjore painting, Glass paintings, reverse glass paintings, oil and acrylics.

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Mekadatu - the goats leap

If you search for this place on the net you will find people chilling out in the water and having fun, it is an exciting place to be... but its dangerous as well and that makes it more exciting. Situated in the dense forests, two life giving rivers merge and then flow through the ravine into a narrow gorge. This place is a testament to the power of nature, looking over the water, on to the surrounding hills covered with dense forests makes us feel so small and insignificant.

Just taking a moment away form your camera, phone and laptop just to behold the wonder, that is nature is enough to soothe your soul. The rocks here are not chiselled or sculptured yet they radiate great beauty. The armored riverbed here is filled with motley of parti-coloured pebbles add a picturesque charm to this place.

The waters that look so deceptively calm on the surface behold within them the power to even cut through rock and stone.The flora and fauna,... everything here is a work of art. The turbulent relation between water and rock creates a amazing scenery that arrests your heart.

Getting here : We can reach this place by driving to Sangama which is a mere 90 km from Banglore. then taking a coracle over to the other side of the river to board a bus that goes through the rocky road and reach the view point from where we could get a great view of the Mekadaatu where the goat leapt to escape from the lion.

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Movie - Rudrama Devi

Watched Rudrama Devi movie yesterday. Have been waiting for its release for too long, and it finally came. The main reason for watching this movie was to encourage these new age directors to step out of their comfort zone and make such movies that has some meaning and as such I give the director a double thumbs up. Another heartfelt appreciation to the main lead of the movie actress Anushka who has boldly adorned a manly attire for almost the entire movie. She has done so many diverse characters in recent cinema, that if I come to think of it, no actress has in the past 15 to 20 years and this definitely is another feather in her cap. The settings were quiet appealing but I wish the director did not go overboard with the graphics. A little artistic freedom is allowed but when doing a historic film the we should take care that the sites are believable.

The story is as you know it, Rudrama Devi is raised as prince Rudrama Deva, to protect the kakatiya empire from being under siege from the devarakonda Kings. None know of her true birth except her parents and the prime minister. Soon Rudradeva enters adolescence and when in company of his friend finds out that he is indeed a girl but on hearing his father and prime minister talk of the danger it poses to reveal the truth she decides to continue as a prince. In course she becomes a valiant warrior and true saviour of the people.

Though the cinematography was good the story lacked soul, it felt like pieces were cut and put together in haste, there is no flow in the story and sometimes it just felt like a history lesson. The love track is not very appealing and I felt it could have used a little bit of refinement. Introducing Allu Arjuna might have been a good idea in his mind but I really wish he did not yield to the pressure and make him look larger than life, to maintain Arjun's star status the director had to make some compromises and the result was that Gannareddy let Rudrama Devi have credit for the victory (though I can kill him in a whiff, I am letting Rudrama Devi do it because people should know that a woman is good enough, I helped her raise the walls by providing the funds, I raised the army to fight by her side it was all me me me). I can understand the need for glamour in films but I would have preferred instead of just mentioning the different silk sareees Andhra Pradesh was famous for the director used them in the film after all the queens wore sareees and half sareees in those days not aggravated cholis.

Though I have my qualms with a few aspects of the film as I do with almost all films, I definitely recommend you to watch the movie. The director has a story to tell and it is different from the rest of the pack you always watch. It's not always about love, there are other things in life like duty, honour, courage which are the pillars in Rudrama devi's life.

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