By Anjali Shukla

Street art is a way to reclaim public spaces. It adds a touch of human expression in otherwise plain sight. It is also called Guerrilla art, as it is used by artists to make political statements. It emerged with slogans of protests and graffiti art. Though with time it has evolved as a cultural expression as well. The motive here is to allow artists to utilise public spaces to reach a broader audience. It is always seen an anti-establishment movement, but it has given expression to sub-cultural themes as well as a voice to the depleting art forms.

Street art has become a phenomenon in mega cities of India, especially with artists like Daku and Zine. With the increased demand, many graffiti artists have emerged in different cities and the do see all empty spaces as their canvas. Street art is not new in India; traditionally in villages, those living in mud houses are known to paint murals on the walls of the house. The act of street art is associated with the notion of defacement, which is not new to India. Walls in our country are always decorated either with posters of movies or advertisements, or stains of paan, and the political manifestos renewed every election season. Thus a painted wall is not as outrageous as it is in other countries.

By Megha Mariam Sajan

When we say books in Bangalore, they say Church Street. Old, rare or new you will get it all there.

By Anjali Shukla

I discovered the aesthetically pleasing masterpiece of Hoysalas’ temple through an impromptu trip to Koppa, a panchayat town in Chikkamangaluru district also my friend’s hometown. I had no hopes of being mesmerized by the stones of a 12th century structure, but you have to visit a place and allow it to prove your entire skepticism futile. Throughout the way to the temple I could smell the areca nuts in the air from the plantation in the valley beneath. The grandeur of the entire structure, along with the grace and valor in which all those statues are still etched on those high walls, makes one wonder if the muse was more beautiful or the work capturing her beauty. 

Halebeedu or Halebid, literally means ‘old capital, encampment’. It is a town located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Halebidu (which used to be called Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra) was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. Halebeedu was fortified with huge boulders to keep out invaders from the north. The Hoysala empire was stretched from Kaveri in the east to Krishna in the west, thus making it a fertile river plains. Due to the wealth and prosperity of the kingdom it attracted the attention of Delhi Sultanate. It was attacked twice. Once in 1311, when invaders were mainly after the loot and took with loads of precious gems and stones. The second time kingdom was attacked in 1326 and this time Hoysalas were chased out of their capital city, which was never reoccupied.  The city got the name “Halebidu” because it was damaged and deserted into “old capital” after being ransacked and looted by the Muslim invaders.

The Hoysala Kings were great patrons of art and culture. Historians of art from ancient and medieval times maintain that artists have never signed their work of art but in Hoysala art, the artists have signed their names and place they came from under the idols they created.

by Rajat Sebastian

Bangalore is well known for its climate and atmosphere, making it a nurturing ground for variety of plants and trees. No wonder why is it called the ‘Garden City’, places like Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park in Bangalore are well known for its diversity of plants hosted inside.

M. Lasya Priya

The dazzling angle of Bengaluru is very popular but the city also has a calm and peaceful effect on its residents and tourists. The art of Living organization that values inner peace and promote harmony. It is located on Kanakpura road and is established by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The Art of Living is a non-profit and educational organization.

It offers various programs such as SudarshanKriya, Yoga, etc. that function as powerful tools to terminate stress and stimulate well-being. it appeals not only to a specific population, the impact of this organization and its programs have a global impact.

The programs of this organization since the time of its establishment rekindled the traditions of yoga and meditation and offered them in a form that is relevant to the 21st century. He promotes Ayurveda as a form of lifestyle and with the help of members of his organization, an effort to connect it with the present generation is done. Along with providing sessions on well-being in terms of physical activity and food there are cotton clothing, groceries, jute bags, wooden furniture, organic vegetables sold in the premises.

Majority of the instructors of the organization, along with its staff are volunteers. Various community services are done through centers, and programs are undertaken by people of various traditions and religious backgrounds. The chief principles of the organization are suited with Vedic philosophy.

Approximately from the month of August to few months further many foreign tourists visit to meet Sri Sri Ravishankar and seek his blessings. Occasionally on a full moon day, the founder visits the ashram to recite some chants and communicate with his followers.

Happiness program is one of the popular courses undertaken by many individuals and to reach far and spread their message, Art of Living has begun to approach schools and universities to conduct a trial program and encourage students to enrol for various advanced courses at ashram. On the premises various physiotherapy, anxiety, and other health issues are treated by adopting various techniques of Ayurveda.

The Art of Living organization had begun with a project named ‘Care for Children’ that manages schools in approximately 20 Indian states and provides free education to underprivileged children and primarily focuses on education for girls.

This Non Profitable organization that promotes adapting to spiritual form of lifestyle has undergone many criticisms for influencing people for the benefit of organization than individual benefit. However, amidst all the allegations, the popularity does not seem to decrease. Visiting population to this foundation has remained either unchanged or increased. More number of volunteers and followers are witnessed by the visitors from time to time.

By Kanak Astha

Walter Benjamin talks about a move in perception and its effects in the wake of the advent of art forms specially films and photography in twentieth century. Further Benjamin also mentions Marx on the capitalist method of creation amid the technological revolution; that talks about what could be normal in the future of the industrialist generation. Society saw art as one of a kind of instrument of traditional qualities where replication of art can contribute in controlling the reliable material in the support of the fascists yet then again, it can be helpful in the upheaval of revolution of politics of art. Benjamin endeavors to stamp something particular about the modern age or the impacts of modernity on art specifically. For Benjamin, aura of any art is lost in the process of its mechanical reproduction of arts itself. Quality for him is speaking to the creativity through the mechanical reproduction of arts itself.

The reproduction of a work of art leads to the loss of uniqueness – being the only one in a time and place – that the original can lay claim to. While all the other mechanical reproductions are branded as forgeries in the presence of the original, this is not the case in technical production. A photograph or phonographic record is able to meet the spectator halfway. Though the reproduction does not affect the original, there is deprecation in the presence of the reproduction. Authenticity of an object, according to Benjamin, hinges on the history to which the object is subjected. The mechanical reproduction of an art work “interferes” with this aspect of the original, and questions its authority (authority here being derived by historical significance i.e. the sheer amount of events through the ages that a piece of art has been witness to). Benjamin terms this aspect of the work of art its “aura” and from tradition and has been linked with mass movements.

But this all arguments made by Benjamin are contextual to Europe which ruled Indian Subcontinent for almost three hundred years. Yet the essence of aura is far more preserved in this multicultural continent as compared to colonial capitalist continent. If ever Walter Benjamin visited Woodeyar Bangalore palace, he would have had some reactions like this:-

M. Lasya Priya

Bangalore would be incomplete without its food culture. It is a tradition of every visitor of Bangalore to explore Vidyarthi Bhavan. It was established in 1900s and was a famous eatery for students which is evident from the title. It is located on DVG road, Bangalore. It began as a small canteen for cater to students nearby national high school and later developed into a restaurant.

Irrespective of its old architecture and history, this restaurant still captivates people from all over the city. It is evident from the pictures above that this old space gives an ancient feeling to its customers. Many of the customers wait in long queues to eat here.  It gained more popularity after popluar figures such as actor Rajkuamr, writer Patil Puttapa, poet Siddalingaiah, former Prime Minister of India H.D. Deve Gowda, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, etc.

With its limited menu, this place does not only manage but is doing exceptionally well till date. Some of the famous dishes sold here are Masala Dosa, Idly, Khara bath, Vada, Coffee, etc. Vidyarthi Bhavan is aslo known for the method of serving where employee carries piles of plates with dosa and serves chutney with a jug after serving. It is fascinating to notice that although this place is crowded and can accommodate limited number of customers, these reasons do not count for not being there to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.

This local old landmark of Bangalore has an emotional connect to people that could be one of the important reasons for customers to not miss spending their time at this eatery either on weekdays or weekends. Weekdays is majorly visited by old and retired locals whereas weekend is mostly occupied by families and young group of individuals.

M. Lasya Priya

Vibrant, beautiful and busy is the city of Bangalore. At the heart of it resides Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, known as an art complex. It was established by Mr. Arya Murthy in the year 1960. It is now known as leading institution for visual arts. It comprises of museums, archives, and galleries. Apart from being a hub for various culture forms, an educational institution named Chitrakala Vidyalaya which was established for studying topics such as art history, sculpture, animation, English, Kannada, etc. apart from this, this organization also holds numerous conference based on art and culture. Occasionally visitors are restricted from their visit due to seminars organized for students by the institution. Due to its accessible location, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath is an immediate get away place for all the art lovers. 

Some of the paintings present in chitrakala parishath are Nicholas Roerich, H.K. Kejriwal, Mysore traditional gallery, leather puppets gallery, etc. Dr. Svetoslav Roerich contributed many of his paintings and those of his father Nicholas Roerich to the Parishath.  It is interesting to note that textiles are also part of the art exhibitions as a form of attraction to many visitors. Exhibitions as a whole is known as ‘Chittara’ organized in this venue on regular intervals

Chitrakala Parishath also organizes hobby classes such as Mysore traditional painting course, short term painting course and summer art classes for children.The organization is well known for an annual event names ‘Chitrasante’ which means painting fair produced by various artists. This place which is crowded usually on the weekends becomes extremely difficult to manage during this event. Recently, there was a ‘Chitrasante’ with Mahatma Gandhi theme where the police faced issues to manage public flow. The fair is organized on the footpaths of Kumara krupa road. 

One of the captivating events is the folk mela. During this event, the local festivals, dances and songs are performed to ensure the slowly fading rituals and practices are preserved and retold to the audience. Hence, these multiple mediums used to preserve art and culture continues to attract individuals to learn about culture of Karnataka and art expressions of India.

By Anagha Biju

I wonder how city guides ruled the roost of introducing the city to its tourists. Granted that they are convenient, quick and to the point- but being a traveler who prefers stories over bare facts any time, blogs and travel literature are my best pals to familiarizing with the city before jaunting across on my own. But our trip to Kochi was all too sudden to even have time to hunt for blogs telling myriad stories of Fort Kochi. The fact that it was only two women, who have no clue about Kochi apart from keywords like Mattancherry, Chinese Fishing Nets, and Jews, were to undertake the trip meant there were basic facts like train timing and travel spots to be sorted foremost than hunt for stories and legends.