January:
Speaker: Dr. Ramapriyan
Topic: Kannada Bhagavadgeeta
Date: January 10, 2010
Dr. Ramapriyan, has been a long standing presenter/ participant in Bhoomikaa. We can recollect his scintillating presentations of "kavithegaLU mattu chandassu" and BrithrU hariya neetishatakagaLu". Once again Dr. Ramapriyan will be enlightening us with his newly translated Kannada version of "Bhagavadgithe". A preface in his own words as to the origin and production of his book" Kannada Bhagavadgeete" is provided below.
There are probably no Indians that are unfamiliar with the contents of or at least the name of the Bhagavad-Gita. There are many translations of the Bhagavad-Gita into other Indian languages, and specifically, Kannada. There are familiar commentaries of this truly inspiring work by stalwarts such as Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya and many others. While this is the case, one may ask "why do we need one more translation?" However, Ramapriyan has gone ahead and written a translation of the Bhagavad-Gita into Kannada in the form of verses. He chooses not to answer the question "why do we need one more translation?", but simply says he felt compelled to write it.
A few years ago (probably at the end of 2002, according to the "last saved" dates on his computer files) Ramapriyan felt the urge to memorize the Bhagavad-Gita in its original Sanskrit version. While commuting to work he would try to memorize one or two verses. As he was memorizing, the Kannada translations of these verses would occur to him naturally in the same style (or meter) as the corresponding Sanskrit verses. He started writing them down. It took several years in this manner, but by September 2008, he finished the translation of all 700 verses from the 18 chapters.
Dr. Ramapriyan will present some of the issues involved in translation and also discuss several verses from his translation.
February:
February 14th program was cancelled due to severe weather conditions.
March:
Speaker: Srivathsa Joshi
Topic: olavina touch and nalivina touch
Date: March 14, 2010
Srivathsa Joshi, a long standing friend of Bhoomikaa, has not only instrumental in disseminating bhoomikaa's monthly program reports to electronic portals such as thatskannada.com an others, has also presented/shared earlier his books on this forum.
Srivathsa Joshi, living in Reston (Virginia) and working as a software professional for IBM, is a graduate of Mysore University, India. With passion for journalism and media/publishing, he has written a weekly column titled 'vichitraanna' for thatsKannada.com (a Kannada news portal) for continuous five years from 2002 to 2007.
Now he writes a weekly column titled 'paraaga sparsha' which appears every Sunday in Karnataka's No.1 Kannada daily "Vijaya Karnataka".
Recently, two books (collections of "paraaga sparsha" column writings) were published by Ankitha Prakashana of Bengaluru. The book release function was held in Bengaluru on 2nd January 2010, wherein Sri Master Hiranniah, Sri Jayant Kaikini and Sri Vishweshwar Bhat were chief guests of the function. Book titles are "Olavina Touch" and "Nalivina Touch". They have already made it to the Top-10 charts of leading book stores in Karnataka. Srivathsa Joshi will share his experience of writing this column, also of getting these books published. Select video clippings and photographs from the book release function also will be shown during the program.
April:
Presenter: Dr. M.K. Prabhakara
Topic: Few unique features of Karnataka
Date: April 11, 2010
Dr. M.K.Prabhakara, long standing core member/patron of bhoomikaa, is a structural engineer by profession. Dr. Prabhakara, is well known for his unieque and thought provoking lectures/discussions that he has presented over the years at Bhoomikaa. Being well read in history, philosophy, literature and well versed in karnatatic music, his talks encompass and engulf regional and global perspectives.
May:
Presenter: Dr. M.S. Nataraja
Topic: Dr. U. R. Ananathamurthy: Life, Literature and philosophy
Date: May 09, 2010
Dr. M.S. Nataraja, is a long standing friend of Bhoomikaa, has presented earlier on this forum. Dr. Nataraja is civil engineer by training and proffession, is a well known writer in kannada. Today he will be presenting a disussion on " JnAna Pitha laureate Dr. U.R.AnanthaMurthy's literaray works, with an emphasis on " non-fictional writings. Presentation also compasses Dr, U.R.A's life and personality.
June:
Presenter: Dr. T.N. Krishna Raju
Topic: aDigara kAvyagaLalli Ase mattu nirAse
Date: June 13, 2010
Dr. Raju, physician by training and profession, a long standing friend of Bhoomikaa, has presented several interesting topics/works of his own and other wellknown authors. A detailed account of his presentation including the poems selected for discussion has been distributed for your review.
July:
Presenter: Dr. Vijaya Manohar (Kulkarni)
Topic: G.P.Rajaratham ravara barahagaLa vaividhyate (G. P. rajarathnam's versatile writings)
Date: July 11, 2010
Dr. Vijaya Manohar a research biologist by training and profession, is one of the founders / organisers of Bhoomikaa, has presented several interesting topics on this forum. A synopsis of the proposed topic is attached here with for your preview. We invite you and your enthusiastic kith/kins who may have similar interests to participate in this discussion.