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Bengaluru: The University College of Visual Arts, Davanagere is observing its diamond jubilee this year and has drawn up year-long programs to celebrate the accomplishment. However, little is known about the background of establishing this six-decade-old institution, which specialises in courses related to fine arts. Dr Satishkumar P. Vallyapure, an Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at the University College of Visual Arts, Davanagere, for the past six years, sheds light on this aspect in an informal interaction. Excerpts of the same: Q: What is the background of setting up of the University College of Visual Arts, Davanagere? Dr Satishkumar P. Vallyapure: I would like to dwell upon the five-year plan conceived by late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and as part of the same he had planned for an institute to impart fine art education in Karnataka. Then S R Kanthi was the Education Minister and S Nijalingappa was the Chief Minister. It was also at this juncture that M V Minajagi had ju...

Bengaluru: Arecanuts have been a very significant crop for traditional growers for ages, especially in regions like Sagar in Shivamogga district and adjoining Coastal and Malnad areas in the state of Karnataka. Earlier the farmers' economic condition is also solely dependent on the fluctuating prices of the commercial crop. Arecanut prices collapsed to rock bottom in 1971-72: However, according to Mattikoppa Haranaath Rao, a cherished and well-respected tall personality of Sagar recalls-"The price of Arecanut suddenly dipped from Rs 600/- per quintal to Rs 200/- during 1971-72 and thereby leading to a panic situation. The total fall of Arecanut prices led to an adverse situation to such an extent that even leading a normal life became too difficult. For us crops meant only Arecanut plantations and almost all of them were small and marginal cultivators with land holdings extending from 1-2-3 acres to five acres at the most ... ...LT Thimmappa Hegade shows the way: We were in...

Bengaluru: The University College of Visual Arts, Davanagere is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee, this year and year-long programs are underway to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner. Thanks to the past students, well-wishers and patrons and their enthusiasm to contribute in whatever way possible there is no dearth of activities to commemorate the milestone in the annals of the visual art institution now under the aegis of the Davanagere University. Dr Jayaraj M Chikpatil, Principal of the college briefed about the significant characteristics of the sixty-year-old academic body in an informal chat. Excerpts from the interview: Q: Can you recall the background of the University College of Visual Arts, Davanagere? Dr Jayaraj M Chikpatil: The University College of Visual Arts, Davanagere is currently celebrating its sixty years of existence. Although the college started in 1964 it was under the purview of the Technical Board, Bengaluru until 1992. From 1992 onwards it came under...

Bengaluru: Gone are the days of finding any connection with one's qualifications and the subsequent jobs opting later. Such thoughts look like the good old days which existed a few decades ago are almost over long back. Now, it looks like there is no meaning in finding any semblance with the formal degrees and the positions later. PhD holders run Autos and Taxis: Way back in the early Nineties, when my better half wondered about doing a PhD after the marriage and our son, became three years old there was a news story in the newspapers. It mentioned the predicament of PhD degree holders in the country equalling to the population of Phillippines! Now, after several decades passing away, it is left to your imagination the possible numbers of the PhD holders in India. Forget the numbers, the situation of PhD holders is quite dismal. Now and then you keep learning from the media about the pathetic plight of PhD holders ending up doing menial jobs and some of them transforming into Aut...

Bengaluru: M Venkatagiri Rao Haranaath Rao Mattikoppa of Mattikoppa village, Sagara Taluk in Shivamogga district is an unassuming noble personality with a variety of unimaginable accomplishments and yet grounded to the hilt. Recently the state Co-operative Department felicitated him with the Sahakara Ratna award for his lifelong contribution to society in general and to the field of cooperation in particular.   A genuine uncut gem!: Although the Co-operative Department deemed it fit to honour the 87-year-old humble gentleman at such a ripe age, public recognition of Haranaath Rao in several fields is nothing new nor is he elated or bothered about such awards in his glorious public service. It goes without saying that in the present day of selfish, mediocre and power-craving politicians he not only appears outstanding but is a genuine uncut gem! Multiple spheres benefitted: By felicitating Haranaath Rao it looks like the Co-operative Department is trying to put forth a brave face...

Bengaluru: Come Ugadi and Deepavali festivals, come postal greeting cards by Satyanarayana Nadig, a veteran journalist, educationist, and social worker, involved with literary and cultural activities and whatnot. Writing letters is a forgotten practice of the bygone era. Most kids of the present generation haven't even seen the yellow postcards of the Posts and Telegraphs Department of the Union Government. However, Satyanarayana Nadig has made it a religious practice to post beautifully handwritten postcards with festival greetings. An active nonagenarian: This has been the practice of the nonagenarian Satyanarayana Nadig for several decades and he hasn't desisted from the fond habit despite his advanced age. Srivatsa Nadig, senior scribe and his son informs-"Age hasn't become a hindrance to my father. Even at this age, he leads an independent life doing the daily chores all on his own. Only recently, he has been down with some peculiar ailment and is undergoing tr...

Bengaluru: Four cartoonists of the state have bagged prizes at the national level World Cartoonist Day 2025 competition organized by the Cartoon Watch in association with the Department of Culture, Chattisgarh and Chattisgarh Tourism Board. "Tourist will not be afraid of Terrorist" was the subject of the contest.   Prize winners: Uday Vitla and Bibek Sengupta, have shared the first cash prize of Rs 10,000/-. Kantesh M Badiger, G S Naganath and Nanjunda Swamy have shared Rs 1,000/- each in the special cash prize category. Uday Vitla resides in Idkidu of Bantwal Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district while the remaining cash prize winners are residents of Bengaluru. Uday Vitla: An Art Teacher by profession, his cartoons have been published since from1994 and has been participating in the district, state and national level cartoon competitions. Bibek Sengupta: He is a Senior Project Manager in an e-learning company and theTimes Group Books, a sister concern of The Times of India...