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.

AnthoBLOGy: Obituary: Mario Miranda

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 CST

Mario Miranda (1926-2011) passed away today. He will be most remembered for his unique illustrative style and depictions of Goa.

AnthoBLOGy: Alabama - UAB Sibling Rivalry

Sun, 6 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CST

Alabama lost a big game (it was branded "Game of the Century") to LSU. I am a Bama fan, so I am disappointed.

But I am pissed of The Alabama Board of Trustees for lack of vision and trying to kill UAB's Football. They killed UAB's efforts this week.

There were afraid that a popular UAB program would mean dilution of their brand and revenue.

Don't they know that a McDonald location will actually do well next to a Burger King, than out of nowhere?

What kind of person (or institution) doesn't want a sibling to do well?

I will tell you, only small minded, mean spirited and visionless ones.

AnthoBLOGy: No Toilets at Bengaluru Metro

Sat, 5 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CST

I get a lot of hate mail because of a caption I wrote on our website. The caption reads "An Important thing the Nation Builders Forgot�" about lack of public toilets in India.

Earlier this month they built a shiny metro in Bengaluru (India's fifth third largest city).

Guess what, no toilets! (Hat tip to That's Kannada for pointing it out)

They forgot!

AnthoBLOGy: RIP: M.Y. Ghorpade

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:00:00 CST

(via Telephone from Amma) Noted wildlife photographer, and leader of people Murarirao Yeshwanthrao Ghorpade passed away in Bengaluru today. He was 80.

Amma was to meet him today. Alas!

AnthoBLOGy: Recognize Palestine

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CST

Palestinians Press for Statehood, and some famous words come to mind.

"A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance."

One has to be historically blind not to see this moment of great significance. From days of Intifada to a day of statehood, this truly is the struggle of our times. This is the end game.

IMHO, it will be bad policy (and a dishonest policy) for USA to sabotage that effort. It would make the following statement -- "We are for democracy and people's rule, except for Palestinians", and the game will not end.

A better alternative is the welcome a new state, devoid of terrorism (deny them the cause) that recognizes Israel and simmer down the Muslims vs the West war that has consumed my generation.

AnthoBLOGy: Librarians as Mentors

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CST

My mother went to a literary function to remember Gourish Kaikini and met many people.

Times of India has a report here.

She was most fascinated to meet her childhood librarian!

My mom is 75 years old, so you can imagine how old is the librarian. They were seeing after some 60 years!

Amazingly, he remembered the little girl Jyotsna who "loved books" and was so happy at the heights she reached.

I think it is very cool.

I remember my childhood librarian -- Charudi. I wonder where he is, since there is no library now in Honavar. (OK, there is a library that I built we built)

But I remember my friend G.D. Bhat and I had read each and every book in the library and plead with Charudi to issue us novels (we were 10 years old, and wanted to read romantic novels).

He would not give them to us --saying we were too young and he didn't want our mind get "twisted".

I hope I can meet him one day and perhaps confirm that his fears did come true

AnthoBLOGy: Of Fruits Hidden Behind Leaves

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CST

My father was extremely publicity-shy and preferred to be a private man -- he has been described as the "fruit hidden behind the leaves". He didn't receive any recognition for his work, when he was alive -- except one -- a rather little known The Gourish Kaikini Award.

But this award gave my dad incredible boost -- mostly because it was not given by a Government entity (and the ugly lobbying that goes on for such awards in India), and because Gourish Kaikini was a highly respected name within our household, and my father cherished the award.

Gourish Kaikini himself is best described as a "fruit behind leaf" -- for most people he was "Master of Bankikodla" school, but his scholarship was deep, exploring divinity, atheism, and aesthetics.

After my father passed away, we wanted to offer the same type of encouragement or boost to a not yet recognized talent in Kannada language, and instituted the Krishananand Kamat Puraskar. This year's winner is just announced and it is Niranjana Vanalli.

Incidentally, today is the 100th birthday of Gourish Kaikini. A small function is being held in Gokarn today. Amma will be there.

Kamat Award will be given away on September 25th, and Gourish Kaikini's more famous son, Jayant Kaikini will be there.

I am sometimes amazed by the chain of inspiration that spans generations.

See Also: Inspirations that Spans Generations

AnthoBLOGy: Obituary: Mandarke Devanna Pai

Sat, 6 Aug 2011 00:00:00 CST

(via private message) M. Devanna Pai (1916-2011) of Karkala passed away. A Gandhian idealist, Mr. Pai had fought during India's Freedom Struggle, and continued to live a life of farming, simplicity, and sacrifice afterwards in the town of Karkala.

Pai-mam served as a volunteer in Rashriya Sevadal and experimented with herbs and crops in his family plantation.

Devanna Pai is survived by his wife, three daughters, and son M. Nityanand Pai.

Mandarke Devanna Pai Picture Album

(c) Vikas Kamat

Portrait of Mandarke Devanna Pai, Karkala
A Gandhian freedom fighter, Devanna Pai refused Government pensions and returned the honors to protest the misguided development of India

AnthoBLOGy: Obituary: Umesh Kamat

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:00:00 CST

I am saddened to share the news of passing of my uncle (dad's younger brother) Umesh Kamat in the town of Honavar this morning (Monday morning in India).

"Anna" as we called him, was a fatherly figure to me, and it is a personal loss.

Umesh Kamat (1939-2011)

Anna was there when I was admitted to primary school (he was my guardian, and signed all my progress reports), he was there for my ordaining ceremony, and he was with me when I graduated from Engineering school and had rejoiced when I found my first employment. Even my wife's mangalasutra was given by him. Anna introduced my to stock market and took me to places just like he did for his children.