“If this is mine(caricature), then I must be really handsome.” these were the words said by P.Chidambaram when he saw his caricature made by Bharat Jagtap from Belgaum.

Bharat Jagtap, born in a family of traders, in a small town of Maharashatra called Barshi, had inclination towards fine art since he was a child. After matriculation he completed five years diploma in commercial art from Abhinav Kala Vidyalay, Pune. With guidance from famous artists like late.J.D. Gondhalekar, Shri. Murali Lahoti, Shri.K.B. Kulkarni, Shri. Subhash Avchat, Bharat emerged a full-fledged expressionist with his very own unique style of rendering illustration. He started his career as an ordinary paster in the pasting department of a newspaper. Later followed his career as a press photographer and finally became an illustrator of the leading Marathi daily, Tarun Bharat, Belgaum.

Bharat is a freelance visual artist. He draws and paints using various media such as pencil, ink pen, sketch pens, crayons, water colors, acrylics, oil paints and of course the digital medium. He also likes to make masks in epoxy medium as a hobby. He specializes himself in caricatures and illustrations.

Bharat has evolved his very own style of caricature and he likes to render my drawings in various styles depending on the application and subject of the illustration. Currently he is also working as an illustrator for a leading Marathi language daily newspaper.

Bharat says, “Caricatures are impressions of your face – they are not portraits. As such their finished work is an interpretation of the image/s supplied and can include exaggerations and other interpretive manipulations.

Caricature A representation, in which the subject’s distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect. This means a caricature is not a portrait, and under some circumstances may have a limited similarity to the original subject. Basically it means your nose may not be proportional because it has been exaggerated, or a forehead might be extra high etc. Certain elements of the face or body may adopt different shapes – this is what caricaturing is all about”.

His caricatures include personalities from different fields, right from politicians to sportsmen and are known for the peculiarities of the features.
Bharat Jagtap further mentioned that he works with different forms and is not restricted to caricatures only. He also does paintings and specializes in masks and murals. He continues to experiment in different media of metals and synthetics. Of a studious nature he loves to experiment with new ideas.

Jagtap has not limited his work to politicians or statesmen alone. His subjects range from cricketers, theatre artistes, film personalities and international figures, with the latest addition being US President Barack Obama.

Bharat further says, “I believe caricaturing is more related to the human mind. Computers are good, indeed, as they have helped many in this field. I associate myself with what comes out of my mind and I use different mediums to sketch,” says Jagtap, who has been awarded the Utkrusht Balvangmai Puraskar – 2009, the Maharashtra state level award.

Legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman has signed on his own caricature. Australian cricketers signatures — Steve Waugh, Gilchrist and Gillispe — grace their cartoons.

“I cherished creating caricatures of Sonia Gandhi and Atal Behari Vajpayee. However, my favourite is the caricature of former President APJ Abdul Kalam,”

Excerpts of a small interview with Mr.Bharat Jagtap.

• • Your parents/ family views on you becoming an illustrator as a career?Bharat ——> My family was involved in fruit and vegetable trading .So no one thought I should be an artist. My interest in art was not much appreciated from the beginning.

    Being an artist was considered as uncertain source of income and was not a good choice for career.

  • Do you remember your first caricature?Bharat ——> Girish Karnad had come to Belgaum around 1999 , and I made my first caricature of his. I am a huge fan of Girish Karnad and was so lucky that i got an opportunity of making a caricature of his.

    When he was on the stage of Kala Mandir. I managed to send his caricature to him through a gate-man, and Girish Karnad liked caricature so much that he asked ” who is Bharat Jagtap’ and asked organisers to call me on stage. In appreciation he gave his autograph on that caricature on the stage itself. This was a big encouragement and was a pack of surprise. Later whenever any celebrity came to Belgaum I made caricatures.

    

  • You now mainly do caricatures digitally how is this experience and how is it different from drawing on paper?Bharat ——> Actually all the caricatures are done on paper. Because most of them are done live and some are from photographs.
  • Is there any person whom you want to caricaturize?Bharat ——> I always enjoyed doing caricature in the presence of the person. right now, i wish to caricaturize Julia Roberts.
  • Do you also teach this art?Bharat ——> I do conduct live shows and demonstrations to promote an interest in caricature. Any caricature necessarily should show the most prominent characteristic of that person and it reflects artist’s perspective. You will see an individuality in every caricature. There are very few caricature artists in India. Most importantly I would like to mention that caricature is not a cartoon. It is a comic portrait of any person.
  • Your future plans?Bharat ——> I am publishing first book on caricatures. This book contains selective caricature of various celebrities i have done. The second volume will be on Bollywood personalities.

    

  • What is the best thing about Belgaum you like?Bharat ——> Nature. Air around Belgaum is very encouraging and energizing. people here are so sweet and compassionate.
  • What are your thoughts on this website?Bharat ——> I came across your web-site because of various important people recommended it. When i saw your web site I liked it very much. This web site informs about Belgaum and people of Belgaum. It always given a good “www” exposure to people from Belgaum

website www.bharatjagtap.com

Technologist, businessman, consultant, writer, actor, musician, family man, community catalyst… He has many, many descriptions;

I am talking about Atul Chitnis is an Indian consulting technologist known for his work in the fields of data networks, internet and intranets, Linux and Free and Open Source Software and mobile computing in India. He is also the founder of FOSS.IN (formerly Linux Bangalore), one of Asia’s largest FOSS conferences. He is currently on the management board of Geodesic Ltd as Chief Products Officer, where the company’s MD is again a Belgaumite Kiran Kulkarni.

Born in Berlin, Germany in 1962, to his German mother Monika and G G Chitnis, he completed his primary schooling there, before migrating to Belgaum in 1972. He completed his secondary schooling at the Belgaum Military School (1972-78), his PUC from GSS college (1978-81) and graduated in Mechanical engineering from the Gogte Institute of Technology in 1985.

After working for a while in Mumbai, Atul settled down in Bangalore in 1986, where he continues to live with his family.

Atul has worked extensively to promote Linux and Free and Open Source Software. As Consulting Editor for PCQuest from 1996 to 2002, he was responsible for the PCQuest Linux Initiative, a successful effort to introduce FOSS and Linux to readers of the popular magazine.

Working with the FOSS community (most prominently the Bangalore Linux User Group that he had helped create in 1998), seminars and articles, he encouraged people to try out and use FOSS technologies. He also encouraged the FOSS community to participate in large technology events such as Bangalore IT.COM. The exposure from these events gained the community more visibility and credibility in industry and government.

In 2001, Chitnis, along with a group of like-minded friends, created and ran the Linux Bangalore series of FOSS community driven conferences. Now known as FOSS.IN, the conference has become one of Asia’s largest annual FOSS events.

His father G G Chitnis was doing good in Germany but the urge to return to India and get into the manufacture of hydraulics became stronger and stronger, more so with the birth of Atul and Arun, whom their parents wanted to raise in an Indian environment. In 1969, Atul’s father returned to India after almost eighteen years in Europe. In 1972, Atul’s mother, Atul and his brother Arun followed him to settle in India.

After his graduation Atul worked for a while with CompuTact, a Bombay-based firm involved in the development of software for business houses. In late 1986, he moved to Bangalore, and operated as a freelance programmer and consultant until 1989, when he helped found A.R.B.Constellation, a company involved with the development of software for the Indian domestic market.

In the period between 1989 and 1994, he was involved in various projects – including the first communication software developed in India, and was chief programmer for the award winning communications host system – CyberNet.

Today, he specializes in Corporate computing strategies and the identification of appropriate technologies.

Atul married his college sweetheart, Shubha, in 1987, and they have one daughter – Geetanjali.

He enjoys writing a lot, especially “humanized” technology articles that not only describe a concept, but also give it a practical base. His articles have appeared in various publications, including some of India’s leading technology journals such as PC Quest and DataQuest. He is especially known for his articles related to data communication and the Internet, as well as Linux — an Operating System. He is also a much sought-after public speaker. He enjoys stripping technology of its mystique and making it comprehensible to laymen.

He can speak, read and write in English and German, am an amateur musician and am a voracious reader of both printed and online material. He enjoys reading, especially science fiction, which naturally means that Issac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke rank very high with me.

Shri K. B. Kulkarni was fondly known as “KB” by all his disciples, near and dear ones. KB was born in 1920 in Belgaum District.

Born on 4 February 1920 in Hindalga, he completed his schooling from Benon smith high school in 1937. He started teaching in St.Pauls High school from 1949.

He was a student of Haldankar’s Art Institute and later became an Art Teacher. He has done Drawing Art Teacher certificate course from Sir J.J. School of Art , 1945. He was also on the Advisory board for Art Education of Karnataka. He was also a member of Karnataka State Lalit Kala Academy.

He was awarded State Award in 1972. KB started an Art Institute called ” Chitramandir” in 1951  at Khade Bazar and conducted regular classes till 1977. He also taught at St.Pauls High school Belgaum.

KB had devoted himself to art and teaching of art and also in painting. A whole generation of artists have been trained and nurtured by him. His own works truly represented his mastery over oil, water colour and nature, as well as human figure. For him art of paintings was a mysterious activity. In his words –“ Though it is often said that art is a visual poetry, I think it is also music, where harmony, balance, rhythm are very important.”

Photo: Santosh Purohit

He was born in Sulebhavi near Belgaum. He studied music under the well-known Prof B R Deodhar.

He married Bhanumati Kans in April 1947 and moved to Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. Soon after moving there, he was stricken with lung cancer which was wrongly diagnosed as tuberculosis. He was forced into having a surgery to remove the cancerous lung or face eventual death by the disease. Kumar opted for the surgery after much persuasion by his family and despite warnings that he might not be able to sing anymore. Recovering from the trauma of a surgery in Khanapur near Belgaum in Kumar Gandharva was visited by a fan who was also a physician. The doctor noted his surgical wounds had healed and asked Kumar Gandharva to attempt singing once again. Gradually, helped by this doctor, medicines of those yesteryears and care from Bhanumati Kans, Kumar Gandharva recovered and began singing again. However, his wonderful voice and singing style would always bear the scars of his surgery, which are evident to any person who listens to his songs such as ‘Runanubandhachya” from the drama “Dev Dina Ghari Dhavla”.

The house of Kumar Gandharva, which could have been developed into a memorial, has now become a restaurant and it is owned by Rudrappa in Sulebhavi. His father, the late Malleshappa Naganur, purchased the house about 50 years ago. Kumar Gandharva kept visiting the village and performed at the annual Sri Laxmi Mahotsava even after he shifted to Dewas.

His last performance was about three decades ago, and thereafter he did not visit the village.

Bhanumati Kans, who was learning music first under Deodhar and later under Kumar Gandharva himself, nursed him through his illness. His first mehfil after recovery from illness took place in 1953. The illness greatly affected Kumar’s singing in later years – he was to be known for powerful short phrases and his very high voice. He may not have reached the same heights of popularity as contemporaries like Bhimsen Joshi, but he always enjoyed the love and support of dedicated and connoisseur enthusiasts. His singing was also true to the Indian classical music tradition of dialogue with the listeners, of impromptu creation and interactivity. Kumar Gandharva was awarded the Padma Vibhushan award in 1990.

Kumar Gandhrav died on January 12, 1992 (aged 67) at Dewas.

Life of man is a pre-destined path, rightly designed by the supreme power. He firmly believed in this. Since childhood he had a dream of becoming a stage singer. And yes, at this stage of his life he Says, yes! Mission accomplished! He is Nandan G Herlekar of Belgaum.

The beginning:

Nandan still remembers the day when he sang for the first time in front of many people. He was a small boy of eight years and sang a patriotic song in a remote village in Nanded district of Maharashtra on the republic day. It was appreciated by one and all and was very halcyon and on the wings of ecstasy. From that day his desire to sing grew and he was in search of occasions to sing. He anxiously took part in the musical activities in the school and then in high school. Fortunately some staff members of the high school were musically talented and they encouraged Nandan to sing and act on the stage on every occasion. He learnt a lot from one Shahir Bilgoji. They went to many villages to sing Powadas, Lawnis and other folk songs. During those years they staged a musical drama (Waga-Natya) “Pudhari Pahije” written by Pu. La. Deshapande. Nandan sang all the songs in the drama though they belonged to different roles.

Nandan’s college days were also wonderful. Prof. Arvind Yalgi, a very cultured man was the principal and he directed the same Waga Natya in college. Prof. Page, a Sanskrit scholar was the next principal. He sang “Geet Ramayan” beautifully. He encouraged Nandan a lot. He was very happy when he accompanied him on harmonium. They both used to sing on every occasion in college and also in private ‘mehfils’.

Shri Nandan Herlekar

Along with music, he began his career as a sub-editor in ‘Belgav-Varta’ and then became an assistant reporter for Belgaum for newly started edition of ‘Sakal’s Kolhapur edition. It was a nice experience in writing columns and music reviews. He has also written hundreds of reviews and articles on music in ‘Tarun Bharat’.
Nandan was a student of Pt. Nehru Vidyalaya of Shahapur-Belgaum during 1970-73 (SSLC in 1973)
PUC in Govt. Chintamanrao Jr. College in 1974-76, B.A. in RPD College during 1976-79.
Nandan has passed ‘Gayan Kala Visharad’ exam from Bharat Gayan Samaj, Pune in 1983 and passed ‘Sangeet Vidvat’ with first rank in Karnatak state in 1984. At the same time he completed M. A. in History and Archeology. This made him a qualified for teaching music. During this period, he composed dance dramas on various topics and presented them with help of Mrs. Sandhya Hosmani, a leading Bharatnatya exponent.

He began teaching music to Bhajan groups and took some of them to AIR Panaji for broadcast. This was the time when he founded his music class in 1982 and began teaching vocal music and instruments like Tabla and harmonium. Eventually his institution became an examination centre of A. B. Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya of Mumbai.

In 1983 he accepted a job as a music teacher in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Air Force Station, Sambra. In the span of almost twenty seven years in K. V., he has enjoyed his job with hundreds of his own compositions, skits, poems, group songs, dance dramas and many other genres. Heepresented Bangalore region with twenty five students to Indore in 1990 and to Assam in 1998 for Cultural Exchange Programmes. He also had an opportunity to be a resource person for the in-service courses for music teachers for three times so far. He also has been a facilitator for oracle’s Thinkquest.org to teach the teachers to use websites for teaching music.

Nandan always think of composing new ‘Bandishis’, Taranas, Dhrupads, Dhamars and Chaturangs for the aspirants of classical music. He has written three books on music – 1: The Beginners’ Book On Hindustani Music 1998, 2: Revised Edition of the same in 2005 and 3: Tabla-Principle and Art. The books are popular among the music lovers of the country and also in music institutions in the U.K. and the U.S.A.

A small interview With Mr.Nandan Herlekar:

Tell us more about your initial training in music?

Nandan —–>In childhood my talent was tapped by my elder brother and sisters, who were good in singing. We belong to a heritage of traditional musicians. My great grandfather Pandit Damodarbuva Deulkar was a Dhrupad singer, a Pakhawaj player and a staunch devotee of Sant Manik Prabhu of Humnabad. He spent his whole life at his lotus feet. His son Vishubuva continued the tradition and I, as a child saw him chanting the ‘Gurumantra’ of Manik Prabhu and ‘Parans’ of Pakhawaj at an equal pace.

My father Govindrao Herlekar was a true lover of music. He took us to concerts where we enjoyed from the core of heart. He inherited the ‘Seva’ of music department at the Darbar of Maniknagar and we children were fortunate to listen to the great musicians of that time. Being Bapurao’s children (as he was popularly called!), we were treated with special attention by all at Maniknagar. The musical treat we received every year during Datta Jayanti festival of six days had been wonderful in our lives. I am immensely benefited by the music I listened there and have stuffed it in the inner part of my heart.

It was here that I met my first Guru in Tabla late Pt. Suryakant Gokhle, a talented Shishya of the great Ustad Ahmedjan Thirakwa. In presence of my father he taught me the first lesson at Maniknagar in 1973. Back in Belgaum I continued the ‘Riyaz’ and visited often Guruji’s house in Pune.

During that time I began taking lessons in vocal music from Pt. Sangameshwar Gurav in Vadgaon. After he went to Dharwad as a professor of music in Karnatak University, I was again in search of a Guru and I met Pt. Mrutyunjayabuva Puranikmath. Due to old age Buva was reluctant to accept anyone as a Shishya, but I was adamant and eager to learn from him. After a struggle of six months I could win his heart and he began to teach me. From 1979 to till his demise in 2002 he taught not only music, but the way of life.

Tell us more about your group during the Emergency days Madhav Vrunda?

Nandan —–>During emergency we formed a group called ‘Madhav Vrunda’ to spread the message of patriotism among the youth. Our group consisted of singers, orators, musicians and mimicry artists. Some names among them are Kishor Kakde, Avinash Vengurlekar, Dilip Deshpande, Bhalchandra Kalled, Ranvindra Karekar, Datta Jayade and many others. It was at this stage of life I began to compose music to the poems I liked. It was my duty to teach those songs to others and set music with musicians. I still wonder how I could compose hundreds of songs at that tender age. I have been doing the same till today with equal zeal.

How do you break the barrier of non-support from media to Indian Classical music?

Nandan —–> Let there be any support or not,I have been working in the field, many times swam across, followed the line of Rabindra Nath Tagore-”Ekla Chalo Re”. “Non-Support” is not at all a barrier to me.

Do you think electronic music instruments affect natural music?

Nandan —–>It is the person behind the instrument who is important. Electronic instruments are very smart. One must make proper use of them – artistically and yes, with brains! I puzzle myself by the use of them. I do not categorize music into natural and otherwise.

What would be you advice to the young aspirants who plan to take up misuc?
Nandan —–>“Go ahead, see, learn and conquer”. Music is unfathomable.

Can you tell something about Nandan Herlekar that the world doesn’t know?
Nandan —–> I do not think world is interested in me otherwise of music. Yes, they do not know that I am a history-lover. I traveled a lot on bicycle for the historical places.

Has being in Belgaum helped you in your musical career or do you think otherwise?
Nandan —–>Belgaum has made me whatever I am. Though the sphere is limited, I have done a lot (This is strictly confidential) musically and have done whatever has not been done by anyone earlier. So I am happy with my town.

What is that you wish Belgaum had for music lovers like you?
Nandan —–> Since earlier days, Belgaum is a heaven for music lovers. Music toppers lived in Belgaum. The “Samskara” done by the stalwarts have proved to be useful. The greats in the field made their Shishyas worthy of something. With the help of modern amenities and techniques, today’s artistes are achieving without much struggle. It is a very good thing. We, the old timers are happy about it, but sometimes are sad of lack of enthusiasm among the youngsters.

What is the best thing about Belgaum you like?
Nandan —–> “North-South, East-West” My Belgaum is the best! After you return from any place to Belgaum during summer, the so called “hot” Belgaum feels “cold”. YES! THAT IS BELGAUM!!!

What are your thoughts on this website?
Nandan —–> I liked the caption! ALL ABOUT BELGAUM! I think any topic, any subject or anything that connects with Belgaum is about this website. You and your friends (whoever has inspired you to begin it) are worthy to be appreciated a lot for this modern day necessity!
THANKS!

Dr. R H Patil was born in a small village called Nandgad, about 32 kms from Belgaum (Khanapur Taluk). His father was a landlord. He completed his matriculation from the Mahatma Gandhi High school Nandgad and then went to study at Karnataka College in Dharwad between 1955 and 1957. He then got bored with Dharwad and shifted to Pune’s Fergusson College. He had scored well in SSC. Everybody said he should go in for medicine or engineering, but he wanted to be different. He thought medicine meant cutting bodies and, being a vegetarian, that didn’t appeal. Engineering meant working in a factory or field sites he didn’t want that either. At the pre-graduate level, he opted for economics, which he liked very much and chose sociology as his second subject. After graduating, he wanted to join the best school in economics, which was the Bombay School of Economics those days. That is how he landed in Mumbai.

Dr. R. H. Patil is presently Chairman of Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. and was ex-Managing Director of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (NSE).Dr. Patil has been associated closely, during his career, with the financial sector in various capacities, particularly with the Capital Market. He has also been associated with various Expert Committees including High Powered Committee on Stock Exchange Reforms, Committee on Secondary Market for Debentures and Committee on Trading in PSU Bonds and Units of Mutual Funds. He has been associated with establishment of National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (NSE), Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL) and Credit Analysis and Research Ltd. (CARE). Currently, he is also Chairman of Disinvestment Commission and Local Advisory Board of BNP-Paribas and Director on the Board of 7 companies, including National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (NSE), National Securities Clearing Corporation Ltd. (NSCCL), National Securities Depository Ltd. (NSDL) and Credit Analysis and Research Ltd. (CARE). He has worked with Faculty of Post-Graduate Dept. of Economics, University of Mumbai, Reserve Bank of India, Economic Dept. and Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) as Sr. Executive Director in charge of Loan Operations and Treasury functions.

That is the kind of person Dr Patil is – unassuming but fiercely competitive; intensely focused on the cause of the institution he works for; remarkably entrepreneurial but totally ethical; an institution-builder but only of the public-service variety. He belongs to a rare category – serial institutional-entrepreneur.

Dr.Patil is a true example of what one can achieve in life. Coming from a small village of Nandgad to setting up of NSE he dreamt big and hence achieved his goals in life. He is simple down to earth person in life. We still wonder why he hasn’t been awarded the Padma awards still. A selfless person dedicated to work all time around.

Team AAB salutes Dr.R H Patil and his vision of NSE which has transformed securities trading in the country.

Gopal Ganesh Chitnis also known as German Chitnis was born on the 16th of December, 1928 in Tadsinhal, a small village in the Chandgad District of Maharashtra.

Very early in his life, he showed signs of the drive and determination that would become his trademark characteristic. In an era when any form of education was deemed as optional, he fought the odds that were against him and completed his primary and secondary education.

In 1948 he decided that there was more to learn, and decided to join the College of Engineering in Pune, which he did despite all the odds of a poor village boy ever doing so. In 1952, he successfully completed his course in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

At this point, he set himself another challenge – to continue his education in London and to gain work experience there. With the help of a loan of Rs.200 from Shri Baburao Pusalkar, he set On the 4th of September 1952, this village boy landed in London, where he proceeded to work and study, eventually earning his Higher National Certificate from the Hendon Technical College in 1955.

Thereafter, he joined AEG Germany as a Trainee Engineer, rising to be a Project Engineer in the newly formed Rourkela Cell at AEG.

In 1957, he left AEG to start his own import/Export and Consultancy business, focusing on the Oil Hydraulic line. As a side business, he decided to enter the tape-recorder business, and at the age of thirty became the youngest tape-recorder manufacturer in the world.

In 1959, he met his benefactor Baburao Pusalkar again in Germany, and arranged a collaboration with Vogel & Co. for him, for the manufacture of hydraulic presses – the first of its kind in India.

In 1961 he married Monika Barthel, his erstwhile secretary. A German by birth, she was the ideal partner in his career, and has stood by him through thick and thin ever since.

Through the 60′s, he continued his businesses, focusing more and more on the import and export of engineering goods. But the urge to return to India and get into the manufacture of hydraulics became stronger and stronger, more so with the birth of his two sons, whom he wanted to raise in an Indian environment. In 1969, he returned to India after almost eighteen years in Europe. In 1972, his wife and sons followed him to settle in India.

In 1970, he established his first unit – Standard Hydraulic (India) – in Belgaum. This firm was followed by more and more such units – each one focusing on a particular field in oil hydraulics, such as Hydrokraft for presses, Hyguri Hydraulik for hydraulic motors, Chitnis Machine tools for hydraulic application machinery.

His hydraulic pumps, valves, presses and other hydraulic machinery can be found all over India and across the world. His constant innovations and design improvements gave rise to hydraulic equipment his customers swear by. And his vast knowledge in the field made him a much sought-after consultant in the field of hydraulics.

The Government of India recognized his efforts by awarding him the much coveted Udyog Patra, considered to be the “Industrial Nobel Prize” in India.

Mr.Chitnis traveled often. Not content sitting on his laurels, he could be found wherever the action was – just like that boy back in the 1930′s in the small village of Tadsinhal – the little boy who stood up and said: “I can!”.

He spent his later years in retirement, often spending time in the villages that he grew up in, only to emerge with new ideas that he was always keen to discuss with people who wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Mr.Chitnis passed away on April 6th, 2009, leaving behind a rich legacy of industrial development and advancement that he could rightfully claim credit to.

Belgaumite Niranjan Sant recently won a special mention award for his photo Chameleon walk from the RBS-Santuary Asia magazine Sanctuary-RBS wildlife awards 2009.

Niranjan Sant is a great nature lover and one of India’s most admired wildlife photographers. He makes time from his busy work schedule to visit all corners of India to photograph birds and nature – but his first love would appear to be Belgaum in coastal Karnataka where he spends most of his time. Niranjan has co-authored books and articles on our birds.

award winning photo

You can see his photos here.

Karunalaya is a Home for the dying, destitute, poor and abandoned of the city of Belgaum and its surrounding areas. It is run and managed by members of the LEOMEL Society for care of the dying and destitute who provide selfless service to the residents of the Home. It was founded by Mrs. Anita Rodricks, retired teacher of St. Paul’s High School, Belgaum. By establishing this Home, she and the society members hope to reach out in love and service to the poorest of the poor to care, support and assist the dying, destitute and abandoned who have no one to look after them.

Most of the residents of the Home are suffering. Some residents are partially paralyzed, some are deaf & dumb, some get epileptic fits, some suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure and a few are mentally ill. Karunalaya is not an old age home. It is specifically meant for the dying, destitute and poor who are abandoned and have no one to look after them. It caters to everyone regardless of race, creed, religion or sex, subject to the availability and admission criteria of the Home. Mrs. Anita Rodricks, the founder of Karunalaya, resides in the Home and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Home. The Home solely depends on the generosity and kindness of the general public.

Karunalaya welcomes with open arms those who are poor, dying, destitute or abandoned and have no friends or family to look after them.

Karunalaya is a home that provides the residents, who are poor, destitute and abandoned, a roof over their heads to sleep, simple food for daily nourishment and medical assistance for their illnesses.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Mrs. Anita Rodricks, husband passed away early and that left Mrs.Anita devastated. Her brothers and sister were always with her but she still something was missing in her life. In an effort to fill the heart-broken emptiness she tried to search opportunities. At this time she was also a mother of three and raising them and educating them she still had an urge to work for the poor.

Teacher Anita as she was called in St. Pauls High School, took and eary retirement for the cause of the poor. She was very impressed with Sneha Sadan, Hubli, run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. She got a chance to work for the dying, destitute, terminally ill and poor. The selflessness and generosity of the Sisters of Mother Teresa inspired her to do something similar for our city of Belgaum.

Inmates of Karunalaya

By establishing Karunalaya, which means a Home of Compassion and Love, She envisioned a Home providing physical nourishment, emotional support, medical assistance, and care to the dying, destitute, abandoned and poor. Mrs.Anita could not do this all alone, hence she sought help of her best friends especially Fr. Victor D’Cruz and Ms. Mariamma Nygam who supported her on every step and to setup The LEOMEL Society for Care of the Dying and the Destitute.

Volunteer feeding an Inmate

The Society is a group of my closest friends and relatives who extend their dedicated and selfless service to the residents of the Home, without whose help and support Karunalaya would not be where it is today.

Karunalaya has come across many deserving cases. Paralytics lying on the roadside and starved destitute dying on the foot path. Some residents were poor and had no one to look after them who were in urgent need of medical attention. Some residents who came to us were mentally challenged incapable of looking after themselves and had no one to look after them. Some residents who suffer from medical conditions, including epilepsy. Some are very tragic cases where residents were abandoned by their very own children and asked to leave the house. The one inmate who was admitted which is in our minds is who could not speak, read or write, Karunalaya had no choice but to give him a name.

Karunalaya is built on a piece of land measuring about 2 acres (approx. 8100 sq. meters) in the village of Navage on the outskirts of the city of Belgaum. Construction began in September 2004 and was completed in January 2005. It was designed and fully supervised by one of Belgaum’s leading Structural Engineers and Architect, Mr. Vijay Moogi, a society member.

The first phase of Karunalaya was officially inaugurated on 4th January 2005 and included a large Dormitory, Kitchen & Dining Hall, Toilets, Bathing rooms and Staff accommodation. There was no electricity and getting water was a major problem. Despite many hardships and difficulties, on 19th February 2005, the birth anniversary of her late husband, Melwin Rodricks, she decided to go and live in the Home with her first two residents – Maruti Uchukar and Arjun Ramling. Since there was no electric supply in the Home, she bought a diesel Generator on an installment basis at the cost of Rs. 58,000/- Due to the high cost of operation, the generator was sparingly used for only one hour a day. For drinking water Mrs.Anita used to get it from her home in camp.

The second expansion phase of Karunalaya was inaugurated on 21st January 2007 and added a new block that included another large Dormitory with attached Toilets and Bathing rooms, increasing the residential capacity of the Home. The new Dormitory was named Conrad House and assigned to the male residents. The existing Dormitory was named Melani House and assigned to the female residents. The Kitchen & Dining Hall was named Natasha Refectory.

Mrs.Anita dressing an inmate

A second bore-well was dug which now provides sufficient water for the Home and residents. However, the water supply is not sufficient for landscaping the property and water for a vegetable garden that is being planned, to help keep the residents of the Home occupied.

The third phase of Karunalaya was inaugurated on December 26, 2009. This phase consisted of a Multi-purpose Hall on the lower level and two Guest Rooms on the upper level.

How can one help

Karunalaya solely depends on the support and generosity of people like you. Below is a list of our current needs that will help residents tremendously.

Ambulance, Hospital Fowler Beds, Water Beds, Paved Walkways & Landscaping, Additional Bore-well.

The Home solely depends on the generosity and kindness of the general public. The LEOMEL Society encourages people to reach out to us so that we may be able to reach out to the dying, destitute, poor and abandoned residents in our Home. There are many ways you can contribute to Karunalaya –it does not have to be monetary.

You can DONATE:
• FRUITS & VEGETABLES for the residents of the Home
• FOOD rations that can be cooked for the residents**
• HOUSEHOLD GOODS & FURNITURE that can be useful for the Home
• CLOTHING for the residents
• MEDICINES & MEDICAL SUPPLIES that can be used for the residents
• Your PROFESSIONAL SERVICES for the use of the Home
• Your TIME to volunteer at the Home

If you have any questions please call Mrs. Anitat+91-94489-41633. info@karunalaya.org

CHEQUE or DEMAND DRAFT (INDIAN RUPEE ONLY)can be sent to:

KARUNALAYA

3, Independence Road, Camp

Belgaum, Karnataka 590 001.

Karunalaya Address:

KARUNALAYA

Navage Village

Belgaum, Karnataka 590 001

http://karunalaya.org

Mrs.Anita Says ”I feel blessed and would like to acknowledge with gratitude the tremendous help and support of all those generous people who have come forward to enable us achieve the aims and objectives of our Society. I pray that God give us all the strength and willingness to continue what we are doing and take our Home to even greater heights.”

Shobha Gurtu has a voice that pleads, cajoles, entices, prays and finally drowns you in a sea of emotion. An individual of extraordinary versatility, this doyen of Thumri singing who belongs to an artistic family with a long history from Goa, is the undisputed queen of her genre today. She must have inherited some of her enviable talent including her expressiveness and histrionic capabilities from her mother, who , we are told was one of the most sought after dancers and singers of her time. Apparently Manekabai Shirodkar, the mother, taught her daughter every nuance of singing. The little girl, Shobha, was encouraged to sing at religious festivals and soon her talent came to be reckoned with by all.

She was born Bhanumati Shirodkar in Belgaum on February 8, 1925 and was initially trained by her mother, Menakabai Shirodkar, a noted dancer schooled in the Atrauli Jaipur `gayaki` of Ustad Alladiya Khan. She married Vishwanath Gurtu, and took the name Shobha Gurtu. Her father in law, ‘Pandit Narayan Nath Gurtu’, was a highly placed officer in Belgaum Police, scholar and a sitar player

Shobha continued her musical education with ustads of the eminence of Nathan Khan in classical singing and Ghamman Khan in light classical and popular music. She was particularly influenced by singer Begum Akhtar and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.

The grand dame of Thumri was thoroughly steeped in pure Classical Music. But she was better known for her light Classical Music. Shobha Gurtu was considered to be in a class by herself not merely because of the unique qualities of her warm and sensuous voice that blended strength with suppleness and vigour with grace. It was equally much the unique combination of talent and soul that she brought to bear on her music. She rendered with equal ease, everything from thumri, dadra, hori, kajri and chaiti to ghazal, bhajan and Marathi Natya Sangeet, with all regional and stylistic variations blended subtly.

A popular broadcaster and television artiste, she regularly featured in major musical events held all over the country. She had also created the musical scores for several Marathi and Hindi movies and had also lent her voice to the silver screen.

In 1989 she received the Sangeet Natak Academy award. She also got the Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar, Shahu Maharaj Puraskar and the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar. In 2002, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan.

After reigning over Hindustani classical music genre, for five decades, as the Queen of Thumri, Shobha Gurtu died on 27 September 2004, and was survived by her two sons.

In 1987, she received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and later awarded the Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar, Shahu Maharaj Puraskar and the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar. In 2002, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Another reason to be proud that we are from Belgaum.
Thanks Rajendra Pai.