The Hindu : Karnataka News : Knock out punch

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Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Knock out punch

Generosity, it is said begins at home. And trust our politicians to follow the old adage to the hilt during elections. Money and booze flow in good measure to keep the voters amused and it was no different in the run up to the byelections held at Maddur on Saturday. But for the candidates in the fray who are out of touch with their constituency there was a rude shock of sorts. A section of voters at Maddur turned out to be “men of refined tastes” more than what the political parties would credit them with. As the final hours to cast the ballot approached, crates of liquor surreptitiously emerged in a few villages. But much to the chagrin of the political agents, the voters — in this case the consumers — were not amused. For, they wanted branded and up-market variety instead of the local or country liquor that was up for distribution. Cut up with the “quality” they made their demands plain to the political agents only to be rebuffed in a “take it leave it manner” that country liquor is what would be served. Peeved at being taken for granted the voters delivered a knock out punch that took the zing out of the freebies: they “tipped off” the excise department officials that voters were being bribed which had the political agents running for cover. For the candidates it turned out to their first lesson in politics: that in a democracy, consumer is the king.

R. Krishna Kumar

‘Freedom’ curtailed

“Bahuroopi”, the five-day National Theatre Festival with “freedom” as its central theme got off to a colourful start in Mysore recently. Theatre personality Kanhaiah Lal inaugurated the festival at Vanaranga, the open air auditorium on Rangayana premises. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, Shobha Karandlaje released the rope, symbolising casteism, religion and social and economic disparity, which was tied around Rangayana artiste Mime Ramesh who was dressed like a bird. Then a bird was released which flew in Vanaranga symbolising freedom.

However, the police officials, to provide security to the Minister, had set up metal detectors and police personnel were deployed inside and outside Rangayana. Shocked at the police deployment, a theatre personality remarked, “A fitting contribution to Bahuroopi festival with a theme ‘freedom’”.

Similarly, the compere, in his enthusiasm to please the officials of Department of Kannada and Culture seated on the dais, went a step ahead when he said, “Appa kotta Bharavase Sullagabahudu, Aadre Avva Kotta Bharavase Sullagolla” (there are chances of not realising the promises made by father, but not by the mother).

He described theatre personality Nagabharana as the man who directed “Grahana” based on the famous novel by Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa. But the fact is that “Grahana” is based on the barbaric practise of caste system that exists in parts of Tumkur district. The film revolves round the village festival, where a few untouchables become Brahmins for a day. However, Nagabharana did not make any attempt to correct the mistake.

Rare occasion

In what can be described as a reunion of literary luminaries of the Maharaja College of the 1960s, Dr. N. Ratna, considered an authority on Speech and Hearing in the country, was felicitated by his disciples recently on his 75th birthday. It was a rare moment, as for the first time four cultural stalwarts, Sarod maestro and literary personality Dr. Rajeev Taaranath, Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy, Girish Karnad and Dr. M.N. Hegde were present on the dais. The alumni of All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) from various parts of the country and abroad had assembled at the Maharaja College Centenary Hall. Several books of Dr. Ratna were released on the occasion. Ratna’s close friends including Dr. Rajiv Taaranath, Dr. Ananthamurthy, Girish Karnad and Dr. M.N. Hegde spoke about their friend’s humane qualities. They did not mince words in complementing Ratna’s contribution to the field of speech and hearing, literature, and theatre. Mr. Ananthamurthy revealed that it was Mr. Ratna who corrected the speach problem that late A.K. Ramanujan suffered from. Felicitation committee instituted a gold medal for the highest scorer in B.Sc. Speech and Hearing. When Director AIISH Vijayalakshmi Basavaraj made an announcement in this regard, Mr. Ratna whispered to Mr. Ananthamurthy, “If I were to be a student, there is no chance of me getting that medal”.

Muralidhara Khajane

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