Kamat's Potpourri

AnthoBLOGy: I want to meet: The Graphic Artist at TCM

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 CST

I have been a big fan of TCM graphic artist or art department. Many times I just turn on the channel to watch and admire the graphics. I especially like the abstractions of famous scenes they come up with -- most recently as a flip-book.

Amma's Column: Kamat Literary Award Winner Announced!

Sat, 3 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CST

Krishnanand Kamat Sahitya Puraskar 2010

A literary award in Kannada for the year 2010 was instituted by above foundation established in memory of Dr. Krishnanand Kamat (my late husband). It was for the best travelogue for a work on preservation or creating eco-awareness. Both the subjects were very dear to late Kamat.

Due press publicity was given in the month of March itself and twenty eight entries were received state-wide in Karnataka. Of these seventeen, which directly dealt with the subject were examined by a panel of three well known litterateurs, who were through with the subject. All the three unanimously agreed that Dr, Niranjana Vanalli's "Oman emba Ogatu" (Riddle called Oman) has been chosen as the best entry. Dr. Vanalli presently teaches communication and journalism at post graduate level at the University of Mysore. He will receive a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty five thousand) along with a citation and memento, at a specially arranged invited audience programme on September 25, 2011 at Honnavar, Kamat's birthplace. It coincides with Kamath's 77th Birthday.

The author, Dr Niranjana Vanalli was in Oman on a teaching assignment for 28 months. He has carefully but interestingly noted down the aspect of everyday life, culture, sports and other events of this friendly Muslim country, which has historical trade links with India for more than a millennium.

Several pleasing and hitherto unknown faces of the enlightened ruler and his progressive approach are narrated with the commoners' response with can dour in "Oman emba Ogatu".

Aperture Photo Blog: Kharvis of Coastal Karnataka

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 CST

Amma's Column

Fishermen throughout the world are known for adventures. Since they have to face rough weather on mid sea at times, all of a sudden, their presence of mind and boundless courage saves them from grave situations. Konkani fisher folk known as Kharvis who reside in Coastal districts of Karnataka are no exception. Since ancient times, they are exposed to unpredictable rough fury of nature. The adjoining land is also not as fertile as the plains. This rocky strip of land is inhabited by people of various fisher folk castes, who try to eke out a living are sandwiched between Sahyadri mountain range and the Arabian Sea. However the sea provided varied and plentiful fish, most part of the year. The Kharvi fisher-folk are a brave and god-fearing community who speak Konkani language. They used to be expert boat-builders as well. They built strong warships and mercantile ships which competed with Arab dhows.

Boats sailing on Sharavathi river

Karnataka state has three hundred and twenty three kilometers of sea-coast. Fisher-folk are divided between Kannada and Konkani speaking communities and they do not interact. In a caste-ridden country like India, each caste-people develop their own culture and leave behind a tradition of typical rituals and practices. Kharvi fishermen work on sea and in saline water. "Kshara" or salt in Sanskrit has a derivative word Khara in Indian languages. Hence the term Kharvi perhaps applied to fishermen who went fishing in salty water. Nowadays the nomenclature is wider. Since Khavis speak only Konkani language, there is every possibility that they escaped from Konkani state of Portuguese Goa, to avoid forcible conversion to Christianity in the sixteenth century. Kharvis are devout Hindus and worshipers of several deities. But interestingly they, mainly worship Durgamata or Sakti (Primeval power) who, as Goddess Almighty has precedence over all other gods! They also worship Siva husband of Shakti, their Son Ganapati and God Vishnu in his different incarnations.

Boats of different dimensions, tubs, varied types of nets, oars and bamboos form main tools of Kharvis.

Earlier nets to catch fish were woven from strong fibers obtained from barks of certain forest trees. These days nylon nets have come handy for them, who put in endless hours in weaving and mending. Similarly small boats sail to catch by hook, or hand-nets.

Nowadays technology has made room for mechanized boats launches and percins.

Rampani or Maribale the huge net required the service of a hundred people which hauled tons and tons of sardines and mackerels during the season. Trawlers, nowadays net in fish with the help of five or six people. Percin boats go far and deep in the sea and managed by twenty-twenty five members. Big boats haul in mixed fish which requires big team to sort out edible fish like Surma, mackerel, sardine, small shark, hook fish, Saundale, prawns and others. Other non-tasty fish goes as chicken-feed. Unedible varieties form good manure. "Kawan" are sheds to store dry-fish and beaches are used to sun-dry the huge quantities of fish.

Some fishermen are not lucky to have lions share of Rampani netting or trawler-catch. But they are happy to catch enough fish for evening dinner, oaring their way on quite-flowing Sharavati and sell in baskets on the shore.

Red Hot Chili Peppers Bring Dried

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST

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Pictures of India

Magician Lolaksh at Honavar

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CST

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Activities of Kamat Foundation
September, 2011

Jaipur, Shoes

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

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Rajasthani Shoes

A Kshatriya Warrior

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

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Caste System of India
Detail from a medieval Indian sculpture

Amber Palace

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

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Pictures of India
Rajasthan, India

Interior of Rambagh Palace

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

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Indian Furniture
Jaipur, Rajasthan

Enjoying Music While Smoking

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

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Indian Royalty

Divine Assistance in Decision Making

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

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Indian Culture
A devotee attaches petals to a sacred pillar. Depending on which petals fall first in interpreted as a devine signal.

Man Cajoles Woman

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

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Erotic Arts of India
Wooden carvings on temple chariot, Nanjanagudu

King Climbing his Throne of Power

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CST

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In the Court of Mysore Palace