Corporate social responsibility

Dayanand Sagar Institutions and Heart and Soul Foundation celebrated a two-day event recently. The focus of the celebration was corporate social responsibility.The festival was inaugurated by Mahendra Jain, Commissioner for Collegiate Education and Dr Narahari Dixit, the well-known Hindustani vocalist. About 250 people took part in the rally walking six kilometres to support the cause of the underprivileged segments of society. There were other cultural events like kuchipudi performance, Carnatic music and fashion show by the students.

There was also a symposium on corporate social responsibility. The Bangalore Chapter Alumni of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, students, faculty members and NGO representatives were present.

Inter-collegiate competition

The NSS wing of APS College of Arts and Science is organising inter-collegiate competitions on March 14 in view of the 150th year of the Independence struggle and the birth centenary of Bhagat Singh. There will be a quiz programme on general knowledge and singing competitions of patriotic and folk songs. Contact: Prof T Venkatadasappa at 9448401066.

Acting lessons for children

The Karnataka Institute of Stunt Arts Trust is conducting a children’s summer camp at the Janapada Loka near Ramanagara called 'Chinnaramela-2008 haadona, nallyona, kallyona baara'  by veteran theatre director C Basavalingaiah. The camp will focus on theatre acting, dance, drama, music, mask-making, mime and cultural activities. This will be held from April 15 to May 5 for children between 7-14 years. The timings will be from 9 am to 5 pm. For details contact: 9902243418, 9984022214.

Promising performance

Apoorva K Keshav, a disciple of Soundarya Srivathsa, performed a Bharatanatyam recital at the Guru Kittappa Pillai Memorial Dance Festival 2008 at Parampara Auditorium recently. Apoorva, a first-year engineering student of SJBIT College Kengeri, has been learning dance for a decade and has performed on various stages like the Belur Chennakeshava Temple and Lakshadeepotsava at Dharmasthala, to name a few.  The performance started after the lighting of the lamp and garlanding of the portraits of late Guru Kittappa Pillai and late Padmini Rao. Apoorva began her recital with ‘Pushpanjali’ offering salutations to Lord Ganesha in ‘Gambheera Naata’ with ‘Trishra Nade’. Thereafter, she performed ‘Varnam’ composed by Tanjore brothers. Next was ‘Ashtaraga Malika’ in ‘Roopaka Taala’, a ‘Devaranama’ composed by Purandaradaasa in Raga Yaman - ‘Kadagola Tharenna Chinnave..’, which was splendid. The programme concluded with ‘Kshethragna Padam’.

The dance was supported by the ‘Natuvanga’ by her guru Soundarya Srivathsa, accompanied by the melodious singing of D S Srivathsa, mridangam by Gurumurthy and flute recital by Narasimha Murthy.

Interior design course

Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women will be starting a part-time certified six-month basics, advance and one-year diploma course in interior design for housewives, students and working executives from April 7.  The batch will be conducted between 11 am and 1 pm. The course is handled by architects and includes guest lectures, site visits and material seminar. Vaastu, landscaping, colour, flooring, furniture, plumbing, false ceiling, lighting, acoustic, rain water harvesting for applications. Last date for submission of application is April 5. Contact: 22248254/55.

Parva fest

Bangalore University and Department of Commerce had conducted an inter-university fest called ‘Parva’ at Jnana Jyothi Auditorium, Central College recently. Actress of ‘Gaalipata’ fame Neetu was the guest of honour. Dignitaries like Dr Pushpa Bhat, Dr Ramachandre Gowda, Dr Muniraju and Bangalore University Registrar Sanjay Vir Singh graced the occasion.  The programme started with an invocation by II MFA Students followed by lighting the lamp and guest lecture.

The programmes included Bharatanatyam, girls fusion and boys fusion. Three group songs were performed. One was called ‘International Integration’ where ‘Nammaya Guri Ondhe’ was sung.

Group dances, monoacting, skit, mad-ads and fashion show were also part of the programme.

Pristine’s annual day

Pristine Public School celebrated its annual day recently. The chief guest for the occasion was Rev Dr Thomas P Kalam, CMI, the Director of St John’s National Academy of Health and Sciences.The school staged the fairy tale Cinderella as part of its celebration, which was appreciated by one and all for its setting, costumes, direction and the acting put up by the tiny tots.

Music day celebrations

National Public School, Koramangala witnessed a grand event recently in the form of Preksha, a musical journey. The year-long efforts of the students and the teachers paid off beautifully during the musical performances presented by the students of grades 1-5. Keeping in line with the school tradition, all children participated in this cultural and musical event.The children excelled in their presentation of the pieces of classical music, with meticulous reproduction of the ‘Geetams' in perfect ‘Raga' and ‘Taala' accompanied by a violinist.

Children also played the tabla. They played popular folk, ‘golgumba’ and ‘nagada’ beats. Various lilting songs in different languages won the hearts of the parents. School Vice-Principal Sudha Balan emphasised on music being soothing for the soul and weaving music with the academic curriculum. The chief guest was Keerthi Kumar Badseshi, a versatile Hindustani vocalist. On show, there was a plethora of colours exhibiting the wide canvas of the artistic sensibilities of children. Students of grade IV displayed their literary skills in the form of novels written by them.

KG day

Kindergarten annual day celebration was celebrated at Cambridge School, K R Puram recently. The function marked the onward march of the tiny tots of K G higher to class one - from preparatory to primary. The School Magazine ‘The Cambrian’ 2007-2008 was also released on the occasion. Dr Joseph VG, Chairman, Garden City Group of Institutions was the chief guest. Guests of honour on the occasion were Sujata Mohandas, Principal, Shishu Griha English School and Dr Ganesh Bhatt, Professor at MES College of Education. Bhatt said three things were important in imparting education to children. One was knowledge that is information collection, second was intellect, that is processing of knowledge, and third was wisdom that is education of the heart.

D K Mohan, Chairman, Cambridge Group of Institutions said the aim of the Cambridge School was to give the best of the facilities to the students. The highlight of the event was an impressive variety shows by the children of play home and nursery sections which was highly appreciated all.

Donation for cause

Y’s Men’s Club of Bangalore organised a blood donation camp at the Hindustan Academy, Chinnappanahalli, March 7. Nearly 160 students of the Polytechnic and Aviation Academy volunteered to donate blood and the Bangalore Medical Services Trust and Research Institute managed to collect 117 units of blood at the camp for the Rotary — TTK Blood Bank.

Y’s Men Club International, founded in 1922 is a worldwide fellowship of persons of all faiths working together in mutual respect and provide leadership to build a world for all humankind. The Y’s Men’s Club of Bangalore was first Chartered in May 1942. It went into hibernation for some time and was  re-chartered last year.