The Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan and Ranga Shankara are presenting a dance-theatre performance by the Ben J. Riepe Kompanie from Düsseldorf, Germany.

Event: Love | Death | Devil – The Piece

A Dance-Theatre Performance by the Ben J. Riepe Kompanie

Date: November 29, 2009

Time: 7.30 p.m.

Venue: Ranga Shankara

Age limit: 18 years and above

Tickets: Rs. 200 available at Ranga Shankara, www.indianstage.in and the Goethe-Institut

More information at the Bhavan: 25205305/6/7/8 or on our website: www.goethe.de/bangalore

The Düsseldorf-based choreographer Ben J. Riepe’s latest work is based on the five-part performance series Practise seeing beauty – Love, Death and the Devil that he created with his company in 2008.

This production starts off where the performance series with its different formats (installation, stage pieces, outdoor-performance) new techniques and means of artistic expression left off. The production is characterised by a synthesis of precise choreographic management of time, movement, space and context on the one hand, and the individual improvisational creativity of all involved artists on the other. And by a delight in powerful images and baroque costumes.

Aesthetic and macabre scenarios emerge from within the depths of the play creating that the audience can enjoy like a glamorous and puzzling parade of pictures.

Ben J. Riepe:

Ben J. Riepe, who studied at the Folkwang-Hochschule in Essen and later worked with V.A. Wölfl and as a guest dancer in Pina Bausch’s Ensemble, founded his own ensemble in 2004. In March 2009 he was selected as one of four choreographers for the promotion of elites of North-Rhine-Westphalia. With his productions he is on a quest for critical and future-oriented art that transcends the viewer’s and his own artistic expectation with means that are beyond psychologisation, narration and the conventions of contemporary dance.

Ben J. Riepe and his troupe are in India to participate in the World Dance Alliance Annual Summit at New Delhi and will perform in Chennai and Hyderabad before taking the stage in Dhaka, during their South Asia tour.

For interviews with the troupe, please contact : 9243100911

Yesterday we went birding to Manchinabele Reservoir and several of us planned to go to Kommaghatta Lake this morning.

One of us did visit…and found that the lake had…disappeared.

Here’s part of her message:

“sorry for sending bad news your way so early, ….i reached the *erstwhile* kommaghatta lake and found no sign of it… I could hardly believe my eyes… the entire lake is GONE, disappeared, lake bed dredged up and big mounds lying all over the place. walked across the lake bed… i meant to walk the entire stretch but after a point didn’t have the heart to do it…. still can’t get over the anger and the shock….
no cheers,
-g”

The anguish we all feel speaks through those strong words. How DARE BBMP dry up our water bodies like this? Have they no sense? I read last week that BBMP does not want to plant any more trees in Bangalore because “the roots are shallow”. This may be true of the Rain trees and the Spathodeas (which are from Africa) …but what about planting banyan trees, neem trees or mango trees instead? Our old roads and highways had shelter for wayfarers, and sheltered wildlife and birds, and gave welcome shade even to motorized vehiccles.

What on earth is wrong with our present government that they are so extremely shortsighted>

Is there some way we can get the BBMP to account for the disappearance of Kommaghatta Lake?

I am told that Jakku Lake has been similarly drained. I am…truly anguished. Should I stand by and see my city being murdered and literally dried to death in this fashion? NOTHING will bring back the trees and the lakes once they are going. We can just have “Sampangi Tank Road” and “Miller Road Tank Bed” as road signs, that’s all.

click here

to see where Kommaghatta Lake is….was…situated.

Date: 10:00 am – 11:00 am, Sunday, October 11, 2009

Venue: GKVK Main Gate on Bellary Road

Program: Protest against proposed 80 feet link road through GKVK campus

Issue
Proposed construction of a major 80 feet link road through GKVK campus entailing cutting of 3000 trees and destruction of several research plots

Current Status

GKVK has transferred the land to BBMP. BBMP has felled hundreds of trees and has initiated civil works. Court has issued stay order on further felling of trees. Forest department has filed a FIR and is investigating the issue. However, BBMP is still planning to carry on with road work. We have now lost hundreds of trees, but the land still remains. We can atleast regrow the trees and we can prevent a road from running through a green patch and destroying it. If we lose the land, we lose the battle fully and we’ll have a road running through an urban green patch, impacting the rest of the green patch negatively!

Why is it of concern?

q GKVK is a unique habitat with rich bio-diversity providing the much needed green space and shelter to several species of birds, insects, animals and many rare plants.

q Deforestation will potentially affect ambient temperature, rainfall, and the surrounding water table.

q Pollution resulting from the fuel emissions of subsequent traffic on the proposed link road would negatively impact the bio-diversity of the campus as also the health of the neighbourhood children and residents.

q The research character of the campus would be adversely affected with the advent the road, commuters, establishment of commercial enterprises, and generation of waste material alongside such a major link road through the campus.

Community Demand

q Environmental Impact Study (EIS) must be done in compliance of legal requirements for forest areas and a serious evaluation of alternatives must be undertaken in consultation with stakeholders and environmentalists before taking a decision.

Action taken so far

q Signature campaign for petition to Karnataka Governor

q Petition to BBMP on April 10th, 2009

q Save GKVK Candlelight Vigil on August 25, 2009

q Petition to the Karnataka Governor on August 28th, 2009

q Save GKVK March on September 5th, 2009

q Memorandum to the Karnataka Governor on September 5th, 2009

q Submission for intervention to the Director General of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi.

q Save GKVK Candlelight Vigil on October 2, 2009

Must SAVE this lung space – the GKVK campus – one of the last remaining green cover in North Bengaluru!

Contact: 95 35 10 30 50 Email: SaveGKVKadmin@gmail.com

Steps
Approach the contractor/workers cutting the tree. Ask them if they have the approval of tree officer, BBMP for cutting the tree.

If they dont have the order
Ask them to stop. Tell the that they are not authorised to cut trees and that they can be arrested for cutting trees without required permission. Please call the relevant tree officer.( Details in latter half of mail.)
Tell them the details – what’s happening and where. Ask her/him to come immediately and get the work stopped. If tree officer does not answer her/his phone, call their office number. If you dont get through to that, call the cops from the police station under whose jurisdiction the said road is located. Alert local residents and try and gather support (this could be counter-productive sometimes, they may want the tree to be cut) . And yes, pls take pics of the trees being cut.

If they have the order
Please have a look at the order and see what it says.
Does it have a BBMP seal? Does the order explicitly state that the full tree needs to be cut? Is it signed by the tree officer? Note – some times the tree officers permit the branches to be cut, but people use that to cut the whole tree. If permission is granted only for cutting branches, only branches can be cut, not the trunk. In case they have what appears to be a order, but the order looks fishy/incomplete, call the tree officer on cellphone/landline and inquire if permission has been granted.

In case they do have the order to cut trees and it looks like they have been granted permission, just double-check with the tree officer anyway. Call the tree officer on cell-phone/landline and speak to her/him confirming if an order has been passed to cut the trees in that location.

If they have the order and it looks like its genuine and the order allows felling of trees
If at the end you realise that the tree officer has granted permission to cut the trees, there is not much you can do at that moment to stop it. Ask the tree officer if trees are being replanted in the same area, to compensate for the trees being cut. If trees are not being replanted in the same area, thats a violation of the act.

Later, you can also file an appeal with the tree authority, BBMP against the
tree officer’s order.

Tree Officer Contact Details

Tree officer North (Zones – North, East, Mahadevpura, Bytarayanapura)
Suresh – 9845174447, 22485317

His office is in the BBMP main office, hudson circle.

Tree officer South (Zones – South, West, Bomannahalli, Raja Rajeshwari Nagar)
Venkateshappa – 94806 83842, 2657 8423

Office – in the BBMP southern zone office, Jayanagar 2nd block, close to Ashoka pillar.

Here’s an announcement I got via Hasiru Usiru:

Those who want unbaked, uncoloured Ganesha vigrahams of the size that can be dissolved at home in a bucket of water and poured back to join your garden soil, can contact

3419177 or 9342303247

or email Chandra Ravikumar at

chandraravikumar@hotmail.com

Here’s an announcement I got via Hasiru Usiru:

Those who want unbaked, uncoloured Ganesha vigrahams of the size that can be dissolved at home in a bucket of water and poured back to join your garden soil, can contact

3419177 or 9342303247

or email Chandra Ravikumar at

chandraravikumar@hotmail.com

17 – 29.08.2009, 9.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan

Inauguration on 14.08.2008, 6.30 p.m.
All are welcome!

The objective of the intensive 3-week workshop for Bangalore photo enthusiasts, conducted by German photographer Stefan Koppelkamm, whose exhibition Ortszeit/Local Time has just concluded at the Bhavan, was to define the personal criteria that determine the “quality of life” in a city. The focus was more on the routine and normal, rather than the unusual. Social aspects of the city (neighbourliness, the presence of smaller stores and cottage industries, etc.) that are not immediately discernible to outsiders were more important than outstanding architecture or excellent design.

The 15 participants – a mix of professional and amateur photographers – started their field work in the last week of July trying to visualise the intrinsic qualities of “their” places. In the second part of the workshop the group discussed the different projects and made their selection for the exhibition.

The places portrayed in this exhibition are as diverse as the city itself: They include bustling markets or shopping centres such as Russell Market or Avenue Road, secluded and peaceful areas such as the Mughal Fort and the Someshwara Temple in Ulsoor, Charles Correa’s Bimanagar township from the early ’70s and the L&T South City, a recent project on the periphery of the city which is contrasted by quarters like Malleswaram or Cooke Town, where the architectural heritage is threatened by land speculation and the building of freeways. Two of the photographers portray their favourite hangouts, one a small café in Indiranagar, the second one the famous Koshy’s in St. Marks Road.

For more details, visit

http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/bag/kue/en4905386v.htm

In the case of Avenue Road which is actually threatened by plans to widen the road, the exhibition might hopefully be a strong visual argument against the destruction of this unique architectural and socio-economic ensemble.

Featuring photos by:
Aniruddha Ghosh
Apurva Mathad
Archana Venson
Arnab Dey
Dayaprasad Kulkarni
Deepti Jois
Jyothy Karat
Kusum Dhar Prabhu
Mallikarjun Katakol
Peeyush Sekhsaria
Rahil Arora
Rajeev Malagi
Rajesh Pandey
Ravi Shankar Kolara
Swarna Kumarswamy

A One Day Workshop for Children ( Ages 9-14)

Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu God. As we all know, He is a very popular god in India and has become a popular symbol around the world too. Ganesha in different art forms has broken many boundaries of caste, race, religion, and nation and has found a space in many living rooms around the world. He is a favorite among the children too. The story of his birth and the variety of delicacies made on this day are enjoyable for children. Over the last few decades, there has been a considerable shift in our societies across the country from celebrating the festival in a traditional way to a more ostentatious occasion, with little regard to the socio-economic, cultural and environmental impacts.

The workshop is aimed at helping children identify the traditional and historical significance, ways in which it was celebrated in the past, the importance of the traditional foods made on this day and ways in which the festival can be celebrated without causing harm to the environment around us.

The workshop will take children through interesting stories, videos, making clay idols, learning to make traditional decorations, learning through some games and learning to take responsibility.

Workshop Date: 30th August 2009

Timings: 9.30 am -4.30 pm

Registration Fees: Rs.300/-

Venue: ESG office

Contact Details:

Environment Support Group

1572, 100 feet Outer Ring Road, Banashankari 2nd Stage, Bangalore-70

Telephone: 91-80-26713559/60/61 Email: divyarrs@esgindia.org/esg@esgindia.org

Website: www.esgindia.org

Dibru-Saikhowa is a biosphere reserve. This little known site, is one of the biodiversity hot spots situated in the south bank of the river Brahmaputra. It is located in the alluvial flood plains of the Brahmaputra. Fashioned by nature – earthquakes and ever changing water courses it has numerous island pockets and water bodies providing an unusual habitat for varied wildlife
and aqua fauna and avifauna.

Contained between the Debang, Lohit & the Great Brahmaputra rivers,the 340 sq Kms reserve was set up with a view to protecting the grass land and swamp habitat. Its internal water channels & bodies,seasonally flooded forests, “beels”, and grassy pockets, makes it an interesting birding destination for rare specialized grass land and swamp forest birds such as the threatened Marsh Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Black throated Parrotbill, Rufous-vented( swamp) Prinia, and Jerdons Bushcat. You can also spot altitudinal migrants such as Pale-capped pigeon, White-tailed Rubythroat,and Black – breasted Thrush, and various warblers. More than 300 species have been recorded.

Located in Arunachal Pradesh, Namdapha lies in the extreme North East of India. Spread over 1985 sq Kms, Its altitude varies from 200 m to 4578 m. However it is only approachable up to altitudes of 850 m.Its avifauna is a unique blend of Indo-Burmese, Sino-Tibetan and Himalayan forms, which thrives in the bio-diverse habitat encompassing tropical, temperate and alpine. Largely unexplored 665 species of birds have been recorded, of which some are exotic – Blyth’s Tragopan,Wards Tragopan White- Winged Wood Duck, Rufus necked hornbill, Blue napped Pitta, Wedge-billed Wren Babbler, snow
throated Babbler, and Beautiful Nuthatch. Brown Hornbills may occur here, together with a fabulous list of pheasants, babblers and laughing-thrushes, which include the Arunachal endemic – Austen’s Spotted Babbler. Whilst such truly rare and elusive species occur, you should treat a sighting of any of them as a real bonus. It will be years before sites for such species are sufficiently well known for them to be found more easily.Nonetheless a visit to this remote park is an experience to remember.

The park is home to outstanding wet tropical forest. The remote and inaccessible nature of the park has preserved its pristine forests,and much of the area remains unexplored. It is as close to true wilderness as any of the many national parks and sanctuaries in India.But do bear in mind that access will be restricted, as the network of trails and tracks that allow exploration of most national parks and wildlife reserves simply does not exist here. Over 150 species of tree are found in Namdapha, including such tropical giants as Hollock,Mekai, Hollong, Jutuli, Dhuna, Mechelia champaka and others. Amongst the temperate and subtropical zones a wide variety of rhododendrons and oaks, birch and magnolias are found. Species of particular note are Pinus merkusi and Abies dalavavi, which are not found elsewhere in India; whilst one of the rarest and most endangered orchids, the Blue Vanda, occurs here, together with the Mishmi Teeta a well-known local medicinal plant, used by endemic tribal people to treat a host of illnesses.

Details of the trip are as follows :

19th December 2009: Arrive Dibrugarh in the morning, transfer to Dibru-saikhowa ( 1 1/2 hrs). Birding around the guest house. Overnight at Dibru-saikhowa.

20th December 2009 : Boat Safari / Borajan WLS visit. Overnight at Dibru-saikhowa.

21st December 2009 : Trekking/Maguli beel visit. Overnight at Dibru-saikhowa.

22nd December 2009 : After the breakfast drive to Namdapha & Overnight at Namdapha.

23rd December 2009 : Birding/trekking at Gibbons Land.Overnight at Namdapha

24th December 2009 : Birding /Trekking around 13th Mile/Anamika falls.Overnight at Namdapha

25th December 2009 : Birding around 19th Mile and transfer to Dibrugarh.Tour ends.

Cost : Rs.20,500/ per person Ex- Dibrugarh.

Cost includes : Transporation,all meals,guide charges ,Inner line permit and entry & Boating fees to the national park Ex – Dibrugarh for Indians.

For further details, please contact:

IT Nature Club
C/O Avanti Holidays
1922.Nisarga Layout
3rd Main 4th A Cross
Bannerghatta Post
Bangalore-560083
Tel/Fax : 080 – 27824059
(M) : 9845383882
Email : itnatureclub@rediffmail.com
itnatureclub@gmail.com
info@avantiholidays.com
Web : http://www.itnatureclub.com

Cost does not include : Camera Charges and any personal expenses.

Participants must be in Guwahati by 18th of December in order to leave for Dibrugarh to begin the trip. There is a good non-stop train from Bangalore to Guwahati, apart from the air option.

ABIDe, which stands for Agenda for Bengaluru Infrastructure and Development Task Force is an initiative of Chief Minister, Karnataka, Mr B.S Yeddyurappa and comprises of several noted citizens and leaders who have come forward to build a better Bengaluru. Member of Parliament Mr Ananth Kumar is the Vice Chairman of ABIDe, Member of Parliament,Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar is the Convenor.
Since its inception, ABIDe members have put together a series of recommendations before the Government on specific issues
Ø  Regional Governance
Ø  Traffic and Transport
Ø  Heritage
These recommendations are contained in the reports published by ABIDe, and available online at www.abidebengaluru.in.  The recommendations also contain a blueprint for action by the government, to create rapid changes in the areas of focus.
At this juncture, the government is considering the Task Force’s recommendations to strengthen regional governance, and will very likely introduce legislation based on the recommendations in the coming months. At this time, we are keen to therefore seek the citizen’s inputs to refining the recommendations further, and to have your voice heard by the lawmakers as well. A series of public consultations is being scheduled in the city. The first such consultation will be held at the following venue:
National Games Village, Builder’s Club-Koramangala.
Date & Time: Sunday 12th July 2009 at 11 am
We hope you will attend this upcoming event, and help members of the ABIDe Task Force in gathering citizen inputs for subsequent action to build a better Bengaluru.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at the venue of the first public consultation.

The people of Bangalore deeply mourn the sad demise of our life giving trees, which lost their lives due to our callousness. We will be performing a , ”Shraddha” ceremony for them, on Sunday 24th May at 11am. Please join us to pray for the departed souls.

This condolence meet will be followed by a meeting on the next course of action to be taken to save LAL BAGH and our other PARKS

Venue

Park at 32nd Cross and Nanda Road Junction Jayanagar

Organized by

“Sanmathi” and “Hasiru Usiru”

Preferred dress : White dhotis sarees /dress