ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ - ೭೫ Mysura Mallige - 75

ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ - ೭೫

(೧೯೪೨-೨೦೧೭)

ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನರಸಿ೦ಹಸ್ವಾಮಿ(ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ)ರವರ  ’ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ಗೀಗ ೭೫ರ ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮ. ೧೯೪೨ರಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊಟ್ಟ ಮೊದಲು ಪ್ರಕಟಗೊ೦ಡ ಈ ಪ್ರೇಮಗೀತೆಗಳ ಸ೦ಕಲನ ಈಗಲೂ ತನ್ನ ಕ೦ಪನ್ನು ಸೂಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಸೋಜಿಗವೇ ಸರಿ. ಮೂವತ್ತೆ೦ಟು ಮುದ್ರಣಗಳನ್ನು ಕ೦ಡಿರುವ ಈ ಕಿರು ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ದಾಖಲೆಯ ಮಾರಾಟವನ್ನೂ ಕ೦ಡಿದೆ. 

ಕನ್ನಡದ ಮೊದಲ ’ಪ್ರೇಮಕವಿ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.’ರೆ೦ದು ಹೇಳಿದರೆ ತಪ್ಪಾಗಲಾರದು. ಆ೦ಗ್ಲ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯದ ಪ್ರೇಮಕವಿಗಳಾದ ಕೀಟ್ಸ್,  ವರ್ಡ್ಸ್ ವರ್ಥ್ ರವರುಗಳಿಗಿ೦ತಲೂ ವಿಭಿನ್ನವಾದ ಸರಳ ಶ್ರು೦ಗಾರ ನಮ್ಮ ನರಸಿ೦ಹಸ್ವಾಮಿಯವರದ್ದು.    ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯೊ೦ದು ಪ್ರೇಮಗೀತೆಗಳ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹ. ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಮಾತಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಹೇಳುವುದಾದರೆ ಇದೊ೦ದು ದಾ೦ಪತ್ಯಗೀತೆಗಳ ಸಿ೦ಚನ. ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಕವಿತೆಗಳ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿ ಅವರ ಪತ್ನಿಯವರ೦ತೆ!    ನಮ್ಮ ಪೀಳಿಗೆಯ ಹಿರಿಯರಿಗೆಲ್ಲಾ ಇವು ಬರಿ ಕವನಗಳಲ್ಲ. ನಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ನಡೆಸಿ ಸವಿದ ಪರಿ.  ಆದುದರಿ೦ದಲೇ ಈ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಕವನಗಳು ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಆಪ್ಯಾಯಮಾನ.

೧೯೮೪ರ ಸಮಯ. ನಾನಾಗ ದೂರದ ಪ೦ಜಾಬಿನ ಲೂಧಿಯಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೇವೆಸಲ್ಲಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಕಾಲ.  ನನ್ನ ಮಡದಿ  ಹೆರಿಗೆಗಾಗಿ ಬೆ೦ಗಳೂರ ತವರು ಸೇರಿ ಏಳು ತಿ೦ಗಳು ಮೀರಿತ್ತು.  ನನ್ನ೦ತೂ ಒ೦ಟಿತನ ಕಾಡುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಕವಿತೆಯೊ೦ದು ಮತ್ತೆ-ಮತ್ತೆ ನೆನಪಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು......

ಹೆ೦ಡತಿಯೊಬ್ಬಳು ಮನೆಯೊಳಗಿದ್ದರೆ ನನಗದೆ ಕೋಟಿ ರುಪಾಯಿ,

ಹೆ೦ಡತಿಯೊಬ್ಬಳು ಹತ್ತಿರವಿದ್ದರೆ ನಾನೂ ಒಬ್ಬ ಸಿಪಾಯಿ||

ಇವಳ್ಯಾಕೆ ಇಷ್ಟು ದಿನ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಕುಳಿತಳು....... ಎ೦ಬ ಕೋಪಬ೦ದು ಖಾರವಾಗೆ ಅ೦ದೊಮ್ಮೆ ಅವಳಿಗೊ೦ದು ಪತ್ರ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದೆ. ನಾಲ್ಕೇ ದಿನಗಳೊಳಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಪತ್ನಿಯ ಉತ್ತರ ನನ್ನ ಕೈಸೇರಿತ್ತು.  ತನ್ನ ಹಾಗೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಮಗುವಿನ ಕುಶಲಗಳನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಸುತ್ತಾ, ತನ್ನ ಮರುಪ್ರಯಾಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿರುವ ವಿಳ೦ಬವನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸಿದ್ದಳು. ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯಪ್ರಿಯೆಯೂ ಹಾಗೂ ಜಾಣೆಯೂ ಆದ ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರಿಯೆ ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಈ ಕವನವನ್ನೂ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಬರೆದು ಕಳುಹಿಸಿದ್ದಳು.............

ತವರ ಸುಖದೊಳೆನ್ನ ಮರೆತಿಹಳು ಎನ್ನದಿರಿ

ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೇಮ ನೀವೆ ಒರೆಯನಿಟ್ಟು,

ನಿಮ್ಮ ನೆನಸೇ ನನ್ನ ಹಿ೦ಡುವುದು ಹಗಲಿನಲಿ

ಇರುಳಿನಲಿ ಕಾಣುವುದು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕನಸು.

ಕೆಲವೇ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಮುದ್ದು ಮಗಳೊಡನೆ ಲೂಧಿಯಾನ ಸೇರಿದ ನನ್ನವಳನ್ನು ಬರಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾ ನನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಹೀಗೆ ಹಾಡಿತ್ತು.....

ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಲಿ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಹೂ ಬಿಡುವು-

ದೇನು ಸೋಜಿಗವಲ್ಲ.

ಅ೦ದು ನಾನು, ನನ್ನವಳೂ ಸೇರಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಮಗುವಿಗೆ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲು ಕಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೆವು.  ಹಾಡುಗಾರ್ತಿಯೂ ಆದ ನನ್ನ ಪತ್ನಿಯ ಸಡಗರ ಕೇಳಬೇಕೆ?  ಮಗು ತೂಗುವ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವಳು ಅ೦ದು ಹಾಡಿದ್ದು ಅದೇ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಜೋಗುಳ........

ಅತ್ತಿತ್ತ ನೋಡದಿರು, ಅತ್ತು ಹೊರಳಾಡದಿರು;

ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬರುವಳು ಹೊದ್ದು ಮಲಗು, ಮಗುವೆ.

ಸುತ್ತಿ ಹೊರಳಾಡದಿರು, ಮತ್ತೆ ಹಟ ಹೂಡದಿರು;

ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬರುವಳು ಕದ್ದು, ಮಲಗು ಮಗುವೆ.

ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾ ಮಲಗಿದ್ದ ನನಗೂ ಮಧುರ ಕ್ಷಣವೊ೦ದರ ಭಾಸವಾಗಿತ್ತು.

ವರ್ಷಗಳುರುಳಿ ನನ್ನ ಮಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಬ೦ದಿತ್ತು. ತನ್ನ ಬಾಳ ಸ೦ಗಾತಿಯನ್ನು ತಾನೇ ಆರಿಸಿ ನಿ೦ತ ಮಗಳನ್ನು ಹರೆಸಿ ಧಾರೆಯೆರೆದು ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೂ ಆಯಿತು.

ಸು೦ದರ ಕವಿತೆಯ೦ತೆ ರೂಪುಗೂ೦ಡ ಅವಳ ಸ೦ಸಾರ ಕ೦ಡು ನೆನೆಪಾದುದು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಸಾಲುಗಳೇ......

ಒ೦ದು ಹೆಣ್ಣಿಗೊ೦ದು ಗ೦ಡು

ಹೇಗೊ ಸೇರಿ ಹೊ೦ದಿಕೊ೦ಡು,

ಕಾಣದೊ೦ದು ಕನಸ ಕ೦ಡು

ಮಾತಿಗೊಲಿಯದಮ್ರುತವು೦ಡು,

ದು:ಖ ಹಗುರವೆನುತಿರೆ,

ಪ್ರೇಮವೆನಲು ಹಾಸ್ಯವೆ?

ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಸುಗ೦ಧವನ್ನು ಪಸರಿಸಲು ಗಾಳಿ ಹೇಗೆ ಬೇಕೋ, ಹಾಗೆ ಕವನವನ್ನು ಜನಮನಕ್ಕೆ ಕೊ೦ಡೊಯ್ಯಲು ಸ೦ಗೀತವೂ ಬೇಕು. ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯೊ೦ದಿಗೆ,  ಮೈಸೂರು ಅನ೦ತಸ್ವಾಮಿ, ಸಿ.ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ್ ರ೦ಥ ಗಾನಗಾರುಡಿಗರ ಶ್ರುತಿಯೂ ಸೇರಿತು.  ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಘಮಘಮ, ಸರಿಗಮವಾಗಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಮನೆ-ಮನದ ಗಾನವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಈಗ ಇತಿಹಾಸ.

ಮತ್ತೊ೦ದು ವಿಷಯ.  ಸುಗಮ ಗೀತೆಯೆ೦ಬ ಸ೦ಗೀತ-ಕವಿತೆಗಳ ಸಮ್ಮಿಳನ ಕನ್ನಡನಾಡಿನ ವಿಶೇಷ ಕೊಡುಗೆ. ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ., ಕು.ವೇ೦.ಪು.ರವರ೦ಥ ಕವಿಗಳೂ, ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ್ - ಕಾಳಿ೦ಗರಾಯರ೦ಥ ಗಾಯಕರು, ಕನ್ನಡ ಗೀತೆಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಮನೆಮಾತಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಗೀತೆಗಳೂ ಕೂಡ ಚಲನ ಚಿತ್ರ ಗೀತೆಗಳಷ್ಟೇ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿವೆ.  ಸಮಗ್ರ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ  ಈ ರೀತಿಯ ಗೀತ-ಕ್ರಾ೦ತಿಯನ್ನು ರೂಪುಗೊಳಿಸಿದವರಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊದಲಿಗರೇ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಎ೦ಬ ಸತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸುಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಗಾಯಕ ಶ್ರೀ.ಎಸ್.ಪಿ.ಬಾಲಸುಬ್ರಮಣ್ಯಮ್ ರವರೂ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಿ.ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ್ ರವರೂ ಧ್ರುಡಪಡಿಸಿರುವುದನ್ನು ನಾನು ಕಿವಿಯಾರೆ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

ಕವಿತೆಗಳನ್ನೇ ನೆಲೆಯಾಗಿಟ್ಟುಕೊ೦ಡು ರೂಪುಗೊಳಿಸಿದ ಭಾರತದ ಏಕಮಾತ್ರ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರವೇ ಪ್ರಾಯಷ: ’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ (೧೯೯೨) ಎ೦ಬುದು   ಚಿತ್ರರ೦ಗದ ಮಾತು. ಹೆಸರಾ೦ತ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ನಾಗಭರಣರು ನಿರ್ದೇಶಿಸಿದ ಈ ಗಾನಮಯ ಚಿತ್ರ, ಬೆಳ್ಳಿಹಬ್ಬವನ್ನು ಕ೦ಡಿದ್ದೂ, ಅನೇಕ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಬಾಚಿದ್ದೂ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಸದಭಿರುಚಿಗೆ ಹಿಡಿದ ಕನ್ನಡಿ. 

ಆ ಚಿತ್ರದ ಸನ್ನಿವೇಶವೊ೦ದು ಹೀಗಿತ್ತು..... ’ರಾತ್ರಿ ತಡವಾಗಿ ಅಳಿಯ೦ದಿರು ಬ೦ದಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಋತುಮತಿಯಾದ ಮಗಳು ಗ೦ಡನ ಉಪಚಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬರುವ೦ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಚಡಪಡಿಸಿದ ಮಾವನವರು ಅಳಿಯ೦ದಿರನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ನಿಭಾಯಿಸಿದರು’, ಎ೦ಬ ಸ೦ದರ್ಭಕ್ಕೆ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿಯಾದುದೇ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಒ೦ದು ಕವಿತೆ......

ರಾಯರು ಬ೦ದರು ಮಾವನ ಮನೆಗೆ

ರಾತ್ರಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತೂ;

ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ ಹರಸಿದ ಬಾನಿನ ನಡುವೆ

ಚ೦ದಿರ ಬ೦ದಿತ್ತು, ತು೦ಬಿದ

ಚ೦ದಿರ ಬ೦ದಿತ್ತು.

’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ ಎ೦ಬ ನಾಟಕವೂ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಮರಿಸಬಹುದು.

’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ಗೀಗ ೭೫ ವರ್ಷ ತು೦ಬಿದೆ. ಈ ಸುದೀರ್ಘ ಅವಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಲ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಬದಲಾವಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕ೦ಡಿದೆ. ದಶಕಗಳ ಹಿ೦ದೆ ಮದುವೆಯಾದ ಹೊಸ ದ೦ಪತಿಗೆ ’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ಯ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಉಡುಗೊರೆಯನ್ನು ನೀಡುವ ಸತ್ಸ೦ಪ್ರಾದಯವಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೀಗ ಪ್ರಪ೦ಚ ’ಮೊಬೈಲ್’ಮಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಡೀ ವಿಶ್ವವೇ ಮಾನವನ ಬೆರಳ ತುದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬ೦ದು ನಿ೦ತಿದೆ. ಮಾನವೀಯ ಆದರ್ಶಗಳು ಕುಸಿದಿವೆ.   ಗ೦ಡ-ಹೆ೦ಡತಿಯರ ನಡುವಿನ ಸ೦ಭ೦ಧ ಸಡಿಲಗೊ೦ಡಿದೆ.

ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರಿಗೋ, ಕನಸಿನಲ್ಲೂ ಹೆ೦ಡತಿಯೊ೦ದಿಗೇ ಸಲ್ಲಾಪ........

ಒ೦ದಿರುಳು ಕನಸಿನಲಿ ನನ್ನವಳ ಕೇಳಿದೆನು

ಚೆ೦ದ ನಿನಗಾವುದೆ೦ದು -

ನಮ್ಮೂರು ಹೊನ್ನೂರು, ನಿಮ್ಮೂರು ನವಿಲೂರು

ಚೆ೦ದ ನಿನಗವುದೆ೦ದು.

ನಮ್ಮ ನವ್ಯ ಪರ೦ಪರೆಯ ಈಗಿನ ಕವಿಗಳು ಮೇಲಿನ ಪದ್ಯವನ್ನೂ ಹೀಗೆ ತಿರುಚಿದರೂ ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ...........

ಅ೦ದಿನಿರುಳ  ಹೊಸ ಗೆಳತಿ ನನ್ನ೦ದು ಕೆಣಕಿದಳು

ಚೆ೦ದ ನಿನಗಾರೆ೦ದೂ -

ನನ್ನ೦ಥ ಬೆಡಗಿಯೋ, ನಿನ್ನ ಪೆದ್ದ ಮಡದಿಯೋ

ಬೇಗ ಹೇಳು ಈಗೆ೦ದು.

ಆದರೂ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಸ೦ಗೀತ ಪ್ರೇಮ ಕನ್ನಡತನದ ಅವಿಭಾಜ್ಯ ಅ೦ಗವಾಗಿ ಈಗಲೂ ಉಳಿದಿರುವುದು ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರ ಭಾಗ್ಯ. ಹಾಗಾಗಿಯೇ ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಕವಿ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನ.ರ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಅಜರಾಮರಗೊಳಿಸಲು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿರುವ ಸು೦ದರ ತೋಟವೇ ಬೆ೦ಗಳೂರಿನ ಬನಶ೦ಕರಿಯ ’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನರಸಿ೦ಹಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವನ’. 

ಒ೦ದೊಮ್ಮೆ ಆ ವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸುತ್ತಾಡಿದರೆ, ಈಗಲೂ ’ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ’ಯ ಘಮ-ಘಮದ ಭಾಸವಾದೀತು!

ಮೈಸೂರ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ತೋಟಕ್ಕೆ ಮಹದ್ವಾರೋಪಾದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುನ್ನುಡಿ ಬರೆದುಕೊಟ್ಟು ಹರಸಿದವರು ಹಿರಿಯರಾದ ಡಿ.ವಿ.ಗು೦ಡಪ್ಪನವರು.

"ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪುಸ್ತಕವ೦ತೂ ಇನ್ನೊಬ್ಬರ ಮುನ್ನುಡಿಯಿ೦ದ ಬಣ್ಣ ಕಟ್ಟಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಾಗಿಲ್ಲ.  ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ತೆರೆದು ಒ೦ದೆರಡು ಸಾಲುಗಳನ್ನು ಓದುವವರಿಗೆ ಬೇರೆ ಯಾರ ಶಿಫಾರಸು ಬೇಕಾಗಲಾರದು. ಜೀವನಾನುಭವವಿದ್ದ ಈ ಪದ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಓದುವವರಿಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಮನದ ಧ್ವನಿಯೇ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊರಡುತ್ತಿರುವ೦ತೆ ಕೇಳಿ ಬ೦ದೀತೆ೦ದು ನನಗೆ ಅನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ತೋಟದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿ೦ತಾಗ ಧಾರಾಳವಾಗಿ ಉಸಿರಾಡಿರೆ೦ದು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಬೇಕಾದ ಕಾಲ ಬೇಗ ಕಳೆದುಹೋಗಲಿ. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯ ಬಳ್ಳಿ ಎಲ್ಲ ಋತುಗಳಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ನಗುನಗುತಿರಲಿ".  ಡಿ.ವಿ.ಜಿ.ರವರ ಈ ಮುನ್ನುಡಿಯ ಹರಕೆ ಈಗ ಸಾಕಾರಗೊ೦ಡಿರುವುದು ಸಮಸ್ತ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಲ್ಲವೆ?

ಕನ್ನಡ ಕುಲಕೋಟಿಗೆಲ್ಲಾ ’ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ - ೨೦೧೭’ರ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳೊ೦ದಿಗೆ ವಿದಾಯ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

ಜೈ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ!

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ಓದಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.  ತಮ್ಮ ಅಮೂಲ್ಯವಾದ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ದಯಮಾಡಿ ಇಲ್ಲೇ ನೀಡಿ ಎ೦ದು ಅರಿಕೆ.  

klakshminarayana1956@rediffmail.com

98455 62603

Amitabh Bachchan (80), You may not know!

Amitabh is the son of Padma Bhushan Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan of Allahabad, U.P.  Harivansh Rai  is a  great Hindi Literature giant.  He wanted to name Amitabh as 'Inquilab' (meaning 'revolution').

But later he changed it to 'Amitabh' (meaning 'brilliance unlimited').  Amitabh inherited his surname from his father's pen-name Bachchan (meaning 'child like'). Amitabh was initiated in to acting by his mother. 
   
      
 2.Amitabh is ambidextrous and therefore he can write with his both hands equally well.  But in films we have seen him as a left-hander.                                                                                                           
                                                                     
3.Amitabh wanted to become an engineer and wanted to join Indian Air Force.  

4.In search of a job, he came to Kolkata.  Amitabh's first employer was 'Bird & Company' who had                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Paper Mills and Coal mines.  His first salary was about Rs.300.                        

5.Amitabh could not pass the voice test for entering All India Radio, Kolkata as a news-reader. His voice was termed as hoarse!  But we all know and love Amitabh for his majestic voice.                                                                                                                                        
6.With the help of actor Mehmood, Amitabh came to Mumbai seeking a career in acting.  His first film was 'Saat Hindustani' released during 1969.  

                                                                                                             7.Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi gave Amitabh an introduction letter addressed to her friend Nargis.  Therefore Nargis' husband Sunil Dutt gave Amitabh the role of a 'dumb' person in his film 'Reshma aur Shera' (1971).                                                                  

8.Amitabh came to limelight when he played a supporting role in the Rajesh Khanna starrer 'Anand' (1971). Rajesh Khanna was already a super-star by that time.  During the shooting period, Amitabh  

   

has confessed, that he was shy of talking to Rajesh Khanna.             

                                                                                                              

8.Before making a big breakthrough in the film Zanjeer (1973) as an angry young man, Amitabh had acted in 12 flop films.  His role  

in Zanjeer was first offered to Dev Anand who rejected and therefore Amitabh got the opportunity!

9.Amitabh has acted with almost all heroines of 3-4 generations of his period.  His wife Jaya Badhuri

too is a great actress.  But for Amitabh his most beautiful actress is Waheeda Rehman.    

                                                                                                             

10.Amitabh's 'special friend' and actress Rekha's birthday coincidentally falls on 10th October, just

one day prior to Amitabh's. Stars matched, but fate did not!                                 

11.Amitabh was voted as the 'star of the millenium' by BBC voters, 
putting him ahead of greats like Charlie Chaplin, Marlon Brando and Laurence Olivier.  Like Chaplin, a light sense of comedy while acting for different  types of roles is Amitabh's mark of genius.  Remember his soliloquy in front of the mirror in Amar, Akbar, Anthony!

 12.Amitabh was the first Asian actor to be honored with a wax-statue on display at Madam

Thussaud's, London. I can be seen with his statue here along with my wife.                                                                                               

13. Amitabh is a T.B.survivor.  He was detected with T.B. of the spine when he was trying to revive his career with KBC during 2000.  This great man has never hided his disease from public domain

unlike so many ordinary people do. He told people that if T.B. can happen to him, it can happen to anybody.  He wanted to give a message to common men that TB is curable. He became an 'unpaid ambassador' of the Government for promoting awareness about T.B. Recognizing his services U.S.Government honored him (see Pic) with a special trophy during the 'World T.B. Day - 2004'.
                                                                                                                                                          
 14.Amitabh has also never hesitated to tell people that he is suffering from Liver Cirrhosis although he has never touched alcohol.  He contracted this disease when he received blood from about 200 voluntary donors,  when he was under treatment for the fatal injury he received during shooting of the film 'Coolie' during 1982. He says that he is living with just 25% liver.                                                                                                                                                                        
 15.Besides Amitabh also suffers from Asthma and a disease related to muscles. Since 1982 he is a frequent  patient to the Hospitals.  But he is able to overcome all these diseases because of his indomitable spirit to live and excel.  He is really great because he has disclosed all his ailments to people in order to fill them with courage.                                                                                                                                                                                        

16.Amitabh is also an 'unpaid ambassador' for more public causes. Gujarat Tourism received a very 

 big boost after he started spreading 'khushboo Gujarat Ki' in his inimitable style.  It is equally heartening to see him promoting 'Swachh Bharat',  never hesitating to become one with rural people in politely guiding them towards 'Sulabh Shauchalayas'. 

Amitabh Bachchan's life itself is a great message for all of us, especially to youngsters.  For him 'work is worship and birth is a God given gift to live and excel irrespective of obstacles'.  He does not believe in delivering sermons.  He guides people by 'walking the talk'!  May God bless him and his family with very long life, health, happiness and prosperity.                                                        

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  Thank you for patiently reading my article.  You can send me your valuable feedback in this site itself.  You can also reach me at klakshminarayana1956@rediffmail.com,  mobile no. 98455 62603, and on facebook at Lakshminarayana Krishnappa.

           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Devdas turns 100.....

Yes, the most remembered and the most liked character from the  

screens of our sub-continent, 'Devdas has turned 100'. Bengal's most respected novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay created this character exactly 100 years ago (1917) in his ever-green novel 'Devdas'. Since then 'Devdas' has become the most filmed (16 times so far) non-epic story in India, Pak and Bangladesh.  Every time this story is made in to a film, it has charmed the audience and has become a super-hit! What may be the reason? 

Does everybody in this world see 'a bit of Devdas' in him and therefore likes to see his reflections again and again on the screen? Does Devdas touch the hidden sentiments of the most at least once? Let us examine........

Devdas (published 1917) is a Bengali romantic novel penned by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay (1876-1938). His other well known novels include Parineeta, Majhli Didi, Swamy, Choti Bahu, Apne Paraye, and Khushuboo which have all become well known Hindi films. 

Devdas - front cover with its author

Devdas (Dev) is a young man from a wealthy rural Bengali family in the early part of 20th century. Parvathi (Paro), the little girl from same village is his childhood friend. This childhood friendship slowly blossoms in to a romantic relationship as the two grow up. Sumithra, Paro's mother proposes to marry Paro and Dev.  Dev's parents turn down the offer as Paro's parents are poorer. Paro musters courage and approaches Dev asking him to take her away.  At this stage Dev fails to rise to the occasion and backs out fearing his father's wrath. He irresponsibly runs away to distant Kolkata without telling Paro and later in an act of self-deceit writes to Paro saying they were only just friends and nothing more.  Paro's parents take all these developments as an insult and vow to marry Paro to a richer family. Eventually Paro's marriage is settled with a much richer Zamindar.

 Just before her marriage, fickle minded Dev comes to Paro and offers to take her away.  Paro, now asserts and chides Dev for his cowardice and vacillation.  But emotions continue to carry between them.

Disappointed Dev meets his old friend Chunnilal who takes her to Chandramukhi, the dancing sex worker.  Dev starts drinking heavily.  Chandramukhi falls in love with Dev and starts dedicating herself to him.  Dev, obsessed with Paro's memory,  once again errs by refusing to respond to  Chandramukhi's love and conducts himself very rudely with her. 

By the time Dev realizes the virtue and the intensity of Chandramukhi's love, it is too late.  Due to heavy drinking and despair Dev's health deteriorates beyond cure.

Dev, who is now only counting his days runs to meet Paro.  But Paro is prevented by her husband's family members from meeting Dev .  Dev breathes his last in front of Paro's doors!

Of course, Dev's acts of dilemma should also be viewed in light of the social customs and practices prevailing at his time. But Dev had chance to come back to life by owning up the genuine love of Chandramukhi.  Also he should have pursued his family profession of  Zamindari with responsibility.  But he spurned both these options and chose to rely on heavy drinking leading to self-destruction. Thus he is an example before modern youth of how not to conduct oneself!

Full credits to the great novelist  Sarat Chandraji for creating such a character which is so near to life.  During last hundred years, generations of audience have felt and wept for Devdas, resulting in outstanding blockbuster dramas and movies!

Great actors like K.L.Saigal, ANR, Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan have felt honored on being offered to play the role of Devdas.

Probably the role of Devdas was made for the veteran actor Dilip Kumar.  He has added a new dimension to the role under Bimal Roy, the great director.  Sharukh Khan had the privilege of watching and even copying Dilip Kumar when he donned the role during 2002.

Among all attempts to showcase the great novel, which is the best? Comparisons are bound to be made.  K.L.Saigal and Dilip Kumar's Devdas are said to be very close to the original novel.  Arguably the credit of best version of Devdas goes to Sanjay Leela Bhansali (SLB), the director for his epic effort during 2002.

'Extravaganza, thy name is SLB' is a gross understatement. And the best example for this among his gems is Devdas (2002).  Probably Sha Rukh, Aishwarya and Madhuri have played the roles of their lives in this film.  But what is noteworthy is SLB's deft twists and turns given to the original story itself.

Probably the most touching scene of Devdas (2002) is when Paro meets Chandramukhi seeking Devdas.  This is simply SLB special which is not there in the original novel. 

Paro (Aishwarya) looks to Chandramukhi (Madhuri) with  doubts and alleges she is hiding Devdas.  Emotional Chandramukhi asks Paro to go and see inside her dance court, but Paro fails to find Devdas.  Chandramukhi virtually opens Paro's eyes when she says....'if you look through your eyes, Dev is not there.  If I look through my eyes, Dev is very much there!  I can find him in those half-filled glasses, cigar-butts and scattered pillows!'  Relieved Paro now feels that Dev is safe in Chandramukhi's hands.  Paro further collects 'Tawaif ke ghar ki mitti' (mud from a sex worker's home) from Chandramukhi for making Durga idol.  This is another commendable addition from SLB, which is an honor extended to 'tawaifs' only on the occasion of Durga Pooja in Bengal.

Also in SLB's Devdas, the duo between Sumithra (played by Kiran Kher), Paro's mother and Kaushalya (played by Smita Jaykar), Dev's mother  is a newly added feature. In the original novel, both these characters are quite weak ones.

Both the artists, Smita (left) and Kiran have poured their hearts out in playing their roles to perfection.

SLB's Devdas is well supported by haunting music composed by Ismail Darbar. The film also served as the perfect launch pad for the 

budding singer Shreya Ghoshal, who is now probably the youngest of all living legends.  Each song in the film is heart-touching and a super-hit.  Compared to this although for Dilip Kumar's Devdas (1955) the music is scored by S.D.Burman the great, songs are just okay, but none of the songs are remembered today.

Lastly, characters like Devdas, although just fictional, will always remain close to our hearts.  Even with changing times such characters remain relevant.  Times may change, people may change, but human emotions and its vagaries remain the same. That's why critics say that characters like Devdas are for ever!

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Thank you for reading.  Please give your valuable feedback right below.  Alternatively you can please mail me at klakshminarayana1956@rediffmail.com. Mobile No.098455 62603

Teachers' Day Greetings

If the people remember me as a good teacher,  that will be the greatest honour for me

Abdul Kalamji

Kalam speaks to his spirit!

(My pictorial poem as a tribute to the great man on the occasion of Teachers' Day)

               O my spirit, stop nowhere! 

                Sea shores soared your ambition  

               Struggle kindled  your vision     

                 Mosques and temples tempered your mission.

O my spirit, stop nowhere!

Quran and Gita mingled in your veena

Music and mantra embedded in your tantra

Spirituality guided your Science.

O my spirit, stop nowhere!

You rose like a  missile

Agni was not a mere name

it was your nation’s fame.

O my spirit, stop nowhere

You saw rise and rise, you saw fall and fall

Success has many fathers, feather  them

Failures are orphans, father them.

O my spirit, stop nowhere!

Earth shook under your feet

It was atom power

Compassion shook your heart

Was it ‘atma’  power?

O my spirit, stop nowhere!

Elevation to power, not for ever

Ignite minds, fire wings

Sow dreams

Man goes, but his mission continues!

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Notes: 
1) Agni is the name of the missile designed by Kalamji

              2) ‘You saw fall and fall’ refers to a Kalamji designed  satellite that failed during 1979.

              3) ‘Earth shook under my feet’….these were  his words when he carried Pokhran -1998

                       Nuclear explosion.

              4) Ignited Minds & Wings of Fire are two books authored by him.

5) 4th item (down-right) of the last picture is the last moment of Kalamji when he collapsed addressing students at Shillong on his last day.

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I am happy to present you the pictorial poem I have composed as tribute to the great man on the occasion of Teachers' Day. 
Your comments are most welcome.

Lakshminarayana K

Manipal Academy of Banking

Bengaluru

Our Europe tour

I am glad to inform you all that I had the fortune of going on a tour of Europe along with my dear wife Smt. Anasuya, from 16th July to 3rd August 2017 (17 days). We had chosen Bharath International Travels, Mysuru, Karnataka as our trusted tour operator.  I would like to share my tour experiences through this blog.

1.Conquest of London:
Our tour commenced from London. I had my childhood (since 1967) dream of visiting the famous
                                       
                                 

Lord's Cricket Stadium fulfilled.  The thrilling sight of the picturesque field made me reminiscent of our Indian team's famous World Cup victory during 1983.  I could also recall our great batsman and the Lord of Lord's,  Dilip Vengsarkar scoring 3 consecutive centuries in 3 appearances here.  But Tendulkar, the great  and even Sunil Gavaskar could not score a century here!

Trafalgar Square (see above) was interesting as we came to know that the square commemorates the victory of British over French, led by Napolean, the great.  Even today this place is the most preferred spot for celebrating great British Victories. Tower of London, the historic royal castle which is presently a museum for British royal dynasty possessions was one more place we visited.

England queen's Buckingham Palace disappointed me as I could visualize that it is a poor second when compared to our Mysuru Palace. Similarly we visited Madam Thussad's wax museum wherein we had pictures with our famous icons like Einstein, Amitabh, Modiji and Tendulkar.  But I could remember the lesser known Sunil's Celebrity wax museum near Lonavala, Pune which is by far a better one.  But do we care to value our own pride possessions?

London eye (huge giant wheel across the river Thames)  which provides us an aerial view of entire city was an exciting experience. Similarly we felt emotional on seeing Basava and Gandhi statues near the Parliament square.

2.Paris, the city of Love!
I and my wife felt emotional on reaching Paris (travel through English Channel and Bus) as it was the place where our son Dr.Subhash lived, studied and secured his doctorate.  It is also the place where he found his life-mate Ms.Gayatri. As per many including my son, Paris is said to be the best city in the world to live and also is the most visited city on this planet.  Reportedly 8 crore tourists visit this city every year!

Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris standing on the bank's of the river Seine.  It is named after its designing engineer Eiffel.  The steel tower was built during 1887 to celebrate 100 years of French revolution.  It stands 324 meters tall and we could reach its top to have an aerial view of the city.

Louvre Museum, Paris (see Pic above) is said to be the second largest and the most visited museum in the world.

Highlight of Louvre Museum is the painting of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.  But compare this to our woman-with-the-lamp painting by S.L.Haldankar (on the right) at Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysuru and decide for yourself which is a better one.  Watch the glow of lamp on the saree and the shadow behind the lady!  Is it not marvelous?

Nothing much to write about Paris Palace. One can see below the marvelous  picture of  Triumphal Arch (1806) built to commemorate Napolean's victories wherein 12 main roads of the city converge.

 Disneyland on outskirts of Paris too is a an enjoyable experience.  We were also taken on a cruise ride on the river Seine to have a night view of the city.

3.Beauty of Brussels, Belgium

We can be seen here in picture with Atomium, a monument commemorating a major Science event held in the city earlier.  The atomic structure behind is interesting.  Each of the modules (spherical in shape) of the atomic model is said to be containing exhibitions and interactive displays related to science.

The 'Grand Place' of Brussels which encompasses the Royal Palace, City tour hall and the Museum of Brussels is an exciting place to visit.

4.Holland, the land below the Sea level!

Certain pieces of land in Holland (also called Netherland) are said to be below sea level in this country and hence the name 'Hallow land'. Holland is known for dairying and wind-mills. Amesterdam, its capital is the world's most famous flower market!  Madurodam in Amesterdam, the miniature park which contains replicas of famous Holland landmarks is a great tourist attraction.

5.Germany, the home of top brand cars!
Germany is an automobile giant and the home of tops car brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Opel.

In Germany we visited the Heidelberg city.  On the back of the picture above one can see the famous Heidelberg castle.  This is the city where tennis super-star Steffi Graph spent most of her childhood. The city boasts of a famous University which was established during 14th century.  Cruise ride on river Neckar at St.Goar was exciting.  We also visited the famous Cathedral (Church) at Cologne. Then we moved to the picturesque Black Forest of Germany which houses the manufacturing centre of the world famous Cuckoo clocks.

6.Switzerland, the heaven on earth!
We commenced our journey of Switzerland by visiting the famous Rhine falls.

Titlis mountain (10,623 ft) in the Alps range is a major tourist attraction.  We went on top of this mountain with the help of the Cable car.  During evening we visited the Interlaken city which is a favorite location for shooting of Bollywood films. We can be seen below with the statue of Yash Chopra who picturised his famous film DDLJ and many more films here.

Probably the greatest attraction of Switzerland is the JUNGFRAJOCH (11,333 ft) which is the topmost spot in Europe. (see below).

We reached the top with the help of the train which runs through several tunnels over exciting range of hills and valleys.

Here I have tried to compared the two beauties of nature....Switzerland and Jog falls. Has not God blessed our country too at par with Swiss?.......... You be the judge!

7.Is Austria more naturally blessed than Switzerland?
It apparently looks so.  In Austria the mountainous landscape keeps changing every 20-30 kms adding to the beauty of nature.  May be for this reason Austria is the house of winter sports for the entire world.

Austria is also famous for its rich classical music.  'yodelling' while singing has originated from Austria.  Kishore Kumar could sing yodelling successfully.  Remember the famous song 'Zindagi ek safar hey suhana' from the film Andaz!

Austria is the home of SWAROVSKI, the world famous manufacturers of artificial crystals.  The picture above is a location related to Swarovski Crystal Worlds museum.  The museum was built in 1995 to celebrate 100 years of the company.

Innsbruck, Austria is a famous sports centre.  We can be seen above in front of the Golden roof completed around 1500 AD which marks a royal wedding of the rulers of Austria.  The city also contains a grand 18th Century Church called the Baroque Cathedral.

8.Slovenia, famous for Postojna Caves!
Ljublijana, the capital city of Slovenia is famous for St. Nicholas which has the grand bronze door.
Slovenia is also famous for Lake Bled, which is famous for water sports. See picture below.

Postojna cave a limestone cave created by Pivka river is 24 kms. long and 400 feet deep. One has to go inside the caves on a specially designed open train and then by foot to witness the breath-stopping natural formations of limestone all along.  This natural wonder is only seen to be believed. See picture below.

But even in India one can see such Limestone caves.  There is one such cave near Bhopal.  One more such cave I have seen on Araku Hills, near Vishakapattanam.

9.Italy, the seat of  Roman Catholic Church
After Slovenia we moved to Italy, the country having highest number (53) of UNESCO recognized heritage sites.  Probably the greatest of them all is the Colosseum at Rome.  (see pic below).

Colosseum is an ancient sports stadium built by Roman Kings about 2000 years ago.  Even the world's greatest modern cricket stadium Lord's has a capacity of 30,000 whereas this ancient stadium has a capacity of 50,000! The mansion is built using concrete and sand!  One of the seven wonders of the old world, the Colosseum is still in presentable condition!

We entered Italy through the city of Venice, which consists of 120 artificially created islands.  The city does not have roads and the popular mode of transport here is Gondolas (Boats) and we had the privilege of the Gondola ride all through the city (see Pic below).

Venice is also the seat of Saint Mark's Basilica.  Basilica is a special Roman catholic church in which the various religious rites are performed by the holy Pope.

Our next stop in Italy was Florence, the home of many masterpieces of great renaissance artists like

Micheangelo.  One of its iconic sights is the brick-red tiled-dome cathederal (Church) which can be seen in the aerial view above.

When we reached the city of Pisa, I remembered the popular 9th standard Physics text picture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa (see Pic below). It is one of my old memories when I had dreamt of visiting

the monument one day and it took nearly 50 years to realize it.  This monument is a perfect example for the concept of 'centre of gravity' as propounded by the father of Physics, Issac Newton.  No item on the earth will fall down as long as its centre of gravity stands supported!

The site of Leaning Tower consists of four monuments.  Leaning Tower itself is a bell tower which stands 184 feet tall and was built about 700 years ago. The other monuments are a Church, a Baptistery (for baptising young children into christianity, something like our Upanayanam) and a Cemetry (burial ground).

The last city we visited in Italy was the holy city of Rome, the only city in the world which houses an independent country within its corporation limits. Vatican city state within the city of Rome is an independent country with a population of about 1000 spread over just 110 acres. This smallest country of the world is headed by the holy Pope himself!

Vatican city houses the famous St. Peter Basilica (see Pic. above) which is regarded as the mother of all catholic churches in the world. This church is said to be the burial site of Saint Peter, one of the direct disciples of Jesus Christ and he is also the first Pope.

Vatican city also consists of the famous Vatican museum (see above)  which has a display of more than 20,000 arts works and paintings created by Renaissance period artists like Michelangelo.

Yes, Europe is blessed with gifts of nature like mountains, rivers, lakes and caves.  Europe's history is also very rich leaving behind great monuments.  But our own country India too is equally blessed and great!

While European countries are able to create a 'brand' out of their tourist attractions and attract the entire world with their top class infrastructure, our Country is lagging behind on both these counts. All of us are stakeholders in 'brand India' and we all have a role in building this great brand!

                                 Long live Europe! Long live India!! Long live our mother earth!!!
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