Cartoon: RK

Also visit the Cartoon page on RwB.

Cartoon: RK

Also visit the Cartoon page on RwB.

Stamp released by India Post in memory of Dr.Rajkumar.
Date Of Issue:-01.11.2009.

The Karnataka Postal Circle on November 1 (Kannada Rajyotsava) released a commemorative postage stamp on Dr.Rajkumar.

[As a personal tribute, yours truly designed a stamp in memory of Annavru on April 24 earlier this year.]

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Posts related to Dr.Rajkumar on RwB.

First Day Cover and Stamp released by India Post in memory of R.K.Narayan. Date Of Issue:-10.10.2009.

The Karnataka Postal Circle, on Saturday released a commemorative postage stamp to mark the 103rd birth anniversary of legendary writer, novelist R K Narayan.

Good to see that the stamp design team have included Laxman’s cartoons, that so perfectly matched Narayan’s stories.

After reading and seeing the books of Laxman, I got to know that he also illustrated for the stories of his elder brother, RK Narayan. I remembered the serial “Malgudi Days”. One day, I kept seeing the cartoons accompanying a story by Narayan and just as a timepass, read the story. I was really surprised that how the story and the illustration could match so much. I read many other stories by Narayan and saw that the sketches were just perfect for the story. Gradually, I started reading all the short stories, essays, novels and articles written by RK Narayan. I collected all his books and got to know more about him through the ‘Frontline’ magazine, which brought out a special issue on the occasion of Narayan’s 90th birthday in 1996.

By now I was addicted to reading Narayan and seeing Laxman!

[Read full story]

Awaiting November 1, when Dr.Rajkumar’s stamp will be released!

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Posts related to RK Narayan on RwB.

Design: RK

Blessed with a rich and resonant voice, she struck an immediate rapport with the audience. Coming straight from the heart, her Mellifluous and Sublime music transported the scholar and commoner alike. The aesthetic experience was equivalent to experiencing the Brahman. Soaked in spirituality, her music reached the rasikas effortlessly.

An artiste extraordinaire, MS’ timeless and priceless music and the saintly aura was enhanced every moment of her life kaaya-vaacha-manasa and of course through her divine music.

Yet, she was so humble that her body language conveyed that all this was the Grace of God; not of her making. In his composition, “Shanthamuleka” in Sama raga, Sri Thyagaraja has pleasingly delivered the essence of Shantha rasa, which we can so easily associate with MS.

To quote Rajaji, “The way of devotion is not different from the way of knowledge or Jnana.  When intelligence matures and lodges securely in the mind, it becomes wisdom.  When wisdom is integrated with life, and issues out in action, it becomes Bhakti.  Knowledge, when it becomes fully mature, is Bhakti…”

The Bhakti-filled renditions of MS can make even a bitter truth in Bhaja Govindam seem very sweet. Not only did she possess true devotion but she could make her listeners experience what true Bhakti was.

What did MS say about her music? She knew that Sangeetha was the Sanmarga to attain divine communion. “If i have done something in this respect, it is entirely due to the Grace of the Almighty who has chosen my humble self as a tool” she said receiving the Ramon Magsaysay award.

On a personal note, I still remember MS telling  me, “Atmartha Sangeetha is the supreme form of singing. First you should love your music, only then will others love it.”

It is a different experience to see a performer on stage and off stage. Most of them are inaccessible. But there are few exceptions like MS. I had seen her during Kacheris, read articles and heard elders in the house describe her as a very humble and down to earth person. But I was fortunate to have seen her off stage at such close distance. As we were driving back, the feeling was yet to sink in that I had spent priceless moments with a legend. Listening to the stereo which was playing MS’s Bhavayami Gopalabalam…. I realized that because MS conveyed the meaning of devotion that the audience came to her. And came in millions.

Forever MS!

Yours truly gets absorbed into MS’ Sankarabharanam, Khamboji and Todi renditions.

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Posts related to MS Subbulakshmi on RwB.

Design: RK

Posts related to KS Narayanacharya on RwB.

Aside: This is the 500th post here.

Cartoon: RK

Also visit the Cartoon page on RwB.

Compilation & Design: RK

During their growing up years, this was how the above featured personalities looked before becoming famous in their chosen field.

All you need to do is identify these personalities.

Clues:
The above personalities are from the below mentioned fields:
1. Films & Television
2. Music
3. Music
4. Films & Politics
5. Films
6. Films & Music
7. Films & Music
8. Music
9. Films
10. Films & Music
11. Films
12. Sports

Good luck & happy quizzing.

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Visit the Quiz Page on RwB.

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Answers to the “Music Band Quiz“ posted on 26 January, 2009:

A. Spice Girls
B. Red Hot Chili Pepper
C. Pussycat Dolls
D. Pink Floyd
E. Backstreet Boys
F. Aerosmith
G. Green Day
H. Disturbed
I. Evanescence
J. Led Zeppelin
K. AC/DC
L. The Beatles
M. Metallica
N. Pearl Jam
O. KISS
P. The Doors
Q. Coldplay

Congratulations to Gaurav for getting all correct (and Jacob for getting nearly all correct) answers.

Caricature: RK

Also in this series:

Ilayaraja and AR Rahman

Also see: ‘Harry Potter’ of a different sort