The South-side story never ends, even when the likes of Deve Gowda, Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa, Reddys and Naidus are not too busy with politics. Politics apart, the Dravida land is always vibrant with cultural, literary events, glamour, gossips, cinema and of course sport and music. CNN-IBN News Editor (South) DP Satish gives you a glimpse of all these happennings in his fortnightly column ' Masala Doses' from New Delhi.
Food for Thought
Udupi hosted the 74th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana (literary conference) last week. It is perhaps the biggest literary jamboree you can see anywhere in India, with over a lakh literature lovers converging on the venue to see and listen to their writers.
The small coastal town boasts a famous 800-year-old Krishna temple around which eight mutts have grown, and has created at least two international brands:the masala dosa and the idlisambar.
The literary meet witnessed some heated moments. Two factions of a self-proclaimed Kannada protection forum fought at the venue to prove their muscle power, not literary prowess.
Sadly, such militant organisations have the support of some men of letters. Noted film maker MS Sathyu had to go into hiding for some time after he spoke out against a violent grouplast year.
I don't see much difference between these so-called protectors of Kannada and the Bal Thackeray gang in Mumbai. It is not good for Kannadigas to rally behind such elements. Kannada can't be promoted through street fights.
A nationally known seer from Udupi, Pejawar Vishwesha Theertha Swamy (guru to saffron sanyasin Uma Bharti and a leader of the Ram Janmabhumi movement) is making news in the state for his fight with a seer from another mutt. That seer had visited the United States and met President Bush.
The Pejawar seer has taken objection, saying the scriptures do not allow seers to cross the seas. He insists any seer who violates this rule should abdicate The row is taking a new turnevery day. People are comparing it with the just concluded JD(S)-BJP power-sharing drama. It seems the Gowda wave has hit the Udupi seers!
It is ironical that these custodians of religion call themselves 'Jagadgurus' (means gurus of the world when they don't want to see beyond their mutts. many.
****
The Road Not Taken
December-January is the best season to visit the countryside of Karnataka. The 650 KM long Westen ghat, which separates the plain land from the coastal areas looks like a real paradise in the winter. An aimless drive across the hills will be a lifetime experience. I have a few tips to the New Year revellers.
PAGE_BREAK
Instead of going to the same old, over exposed, charmless places, go to interiors and remote areas in the hills of Kodagu (Coorg), Hassan, Chickmagalur, Shimoga and Canara. Long treck on the dew drenched grass, leisurely drive on the lonely roads, stay at an old house in the deep forest will be unforgettable. Please pack your luggage. Hop onto a bus or drive a SUV. Leave only your footprints back and take the sweet memories back home.
***
Poll party, Ahoy!
2008 is an election year in Karnataka. The Gowda family's mega drama and the BJP's hunger for power (7 day wonder!) resulted in the dissolution of the Assembly. The opposition Congress has already hit the streets sensing a victory. However its track record (first 20 months at the helm of affairs and remaining 21 months in the opposition) is not at all impressive. It was known as a ' sleeping ' party. The ' hand ' party also has its share of criminals and corrupt leaders. It can be a big liability in the elections.
The over confident BJP is already dreaming of a full five-year term. The party is banking on the invisible or non-existent sympathy wave. The shameless power drama makes it hard to sympathise with the BJP, which is an equal partner in the crime. The saffron brigade is now busy trying to rake up the old Baba Budangiri issue to get votes in the election. Afterall the BJP leaders think that it will be their Ayodhya in the South.
The Gowda family's JD (S) is being decimated because of its its own sins. Poster boy of the family former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy is at a hospital recovering from a heart attack. His father senior Gowda is desperately trying to stop the exodus from the party.
The people are caught between these three parties. They are left with no choice. Who will be their choice? Most probably Congress may be BJP, certainly not JD (S).
***
Vanishing Species! (I wish it was so)
Bangalore (for that matter entire Karnataka) is quiet these days. The President's rule has brought some kind of order back in the state.
PAGE_BREAK
Politicians and their chamchas have gone into hiding. Broad roads around Vidhana Soudha are free from the usual suspects. Public can enjoy a few hours on the manicured sprawling lawns and gardens in the central Bangalore. Netas and their followers have disappeared.
My uncle was telling me that the people like him would be very happy, if the President's rule continues for at least one year!
***
Bi2Cofee: The old world charm
A long walk from the Highgrounds to MG road through Cubbon Park or Chinnaswamy stadium is always enjoyable during winter. One can still see wonderful parks, broad tree lined streets and imposing old public buildings in this stretch. A cup of hot Coffee at the famous Coffee House next to Deccan Herald and a tasty Dosa at ' ancient ' Brindravana Hotel, a few yards away from it make it a perfect walk.
Oriental building, St. Mark's Cathedral, quaint old bungalows, a bustling music and arts scene, charming gulmohar tree lined avenues are still there in Bangalore. As a young Bangalore born blogger says, " the little sparrows and mynas that were all over the place are fast disappearing. Bangalore's narrow streets that were initially designed for a few Fiat Padminis and Ambassadors now have to bear the weight of a million glitzy, flashy cars, which belong to the nouveau rich".
You haven't a clue how Bangalore has changed.
Comments
0 comment