100/100 Karnataka | ನೂರಕ್ಕೆ ನೂರು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ || Radio Azim Premji University Radio APU

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya’s birthday is observed as Engineer’s Day in India. Born on September 15, 1861 in the village of Muddenahalli about 60 km from Bengaluru, Visvesvaraya was told that he was of poor health and would not live long. His parents, who had migrated from Andhra Pradesh, ignored the disturbing prophecy and gave him a good education. Young Visvesvaraya continued his studies in Bangalore and got his bachelor’s degree from Madras. Later, he graduated with an engineering degree from Pune’s College of Science under the University of Bombay.
ಸರ್ ಮೋಕ್ಷಗುಂಡಂ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ. ಇವರ ಹುಟ್ಟುಹಬ್ಬವನ್ನು ಇಂಜಿನಿಯರ್ ದಿನಾಚಾರಣೆ ಎಂದು ಭಾರತದಾದ್ಯಂತ ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. 1861 ನೇ ಇಸವಿ, ಸೆಪ್ಟೆಂಬರ್ 15. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಿಂದ 60 ಕಿಲೋ ಮೀಟರ್ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿರುವ, ಮುದ್ದೇನಹಳ್ಳಿ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಿಸಿದ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯನವರಿಗೆ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸರಿಯಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಹೆಚ್ಚು ದಿನ ಬದುಕುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದರು. ಆಂಧ್ರಪ್ರದೇಶದಿಂದ ವಲಸೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದ ಈತನ ತಂದೆ ತಾಯಿ, ಗೊಂದಲದ ಭವಿಷ್ಯವನ್ನು ಗಮನದಿಂದ ತೆಗೆದುಹಾಕಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ನೀಡಿದರು. ಯುವಕನಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆದ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯನವರು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಅಧ್ಯಯನವನ್ನು ಮುಂದುವರೆಸಿದರು ಮತ್ತು ಮದ್ರಾಸ್‌ನಿಂದ ಪದವಿ ಪಡೆದರು. ನಂತರ, ಅವರು ಬಾಂಬೆ ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯದ ಅಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪೂಣೇಯಲ್ಲಿರೋ ಕಾಲೇಜ್ ಆಫ್ ಸೈನ್ಸ್‌ನಿಂದ ಎಂಜಿನಿಯರಿಂಗ್ ಪದವಿ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡ್ರು.
Visvesvaraya applied his education to solving the problems of India. From irrigation to public works, he left his mark on many projects in the Deccan Plateau. His flood protection solution for the city of Hyderabad and for preventing sea erosion of the port of Visakhapatnam are considering marvels of engineering even today.
ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯನವರು ತಾವು ಪಡೆದ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣವನ್ನು ಭಾರತದ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಪರಿಹಾರ ನೀಡಲು ಬಳಸಿದರು. ಡೆಕ್ಕನ್ ಪ್ಲೇಟುವಿನ ಅನೇಕ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಿಂದ ಹಿಡಿದು ನೀರವರಿಯವರೆಗೆ, ಅವರ ಬೆರಳಚ್ಚಿದೆ. ಹೈದರಾಬಾದ್ ನಗರಕ್ಕೆ ಅವರು ನೀಡಿದ ಪ್ರವಾಹ ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಪರಿಹಾರ ಮತ್ತು ವಿಶಾಖಪಟ್ಟಣಂ ಪೋರ್ಟ್ ನ ಸಮುದ್ರ ಸವೆತ ತಡೆಗಟ್ಟಲು ನೀಡಿದ ಪರಿಹಾರವು ಇಂದಿಗೂ ಎಂಜಿನಿಯರಿಂಗ್‌ ಅದ್ಭುತ ಸಾಧನೆಗಲಾಗಿ ಉಳಿದಿವೆ.
A high point in his career, for which he shall always be remembered with gratitude in Karnataka, was the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagar dam in the princely state of Mysore. As Chief Engineer, Sir MV designed what was then India’s largest dam with automatic sluice gates. He advised that the dam be constructed not with expensive cement but with a low-cost mortar called surkhi, made from crushed burnt bricks, which gains strength if left immersed in water.
At the age of 90, he inspected the site of the proposed

“For the people of Dakshina Kannada, Bhootas are above god,” declares Umashanker Periodi. “Because, unlike gods, Bhootas talk to them.”
Periodi, who hails from a family that is involved in Bhoota Kola, is a seasoned mentor and former Head of Karnataka State at Azim Premji Foundation. Although he grew up in a Dakshina Kannada village enveloped by the aura of rituals and traditions, as a college student with socialist influences, he grew sceptical of them. As his worldview matured, nudged by his mother, Periodi began to acknowledge and respect the beliefs of his people. His experience shaped his tolerance and appreciation of their cultural and social significance.
In the second episode of our Kannada series Noorakke Nooru Karnataka [100/100 Karnataka], Shraddha has an engaging conversation with Periodi on the rich tradition of Bhoota Kola.
A spirit worship tradition with highly stylised elements of performance and music, Bhoota Kola thrives in the Dakshina Kannada region of coastal Karnataka known as Tulunadu. The ceremonies, which take place between December and July, involve elaborate preparations, including energetic performances characterised by intricate costumes and decorations.
Periodi explains that Bhootas — ancestral spirits — are often a symbolic manifestation of entities or powers feared or revered by communities that worship them. There is Koragajja the wise tribal elder who can recover anything that is lost, Panjurli the fearsome boar-faced forest spirit who is the protector of crops, the spirits of the heroic twins Koti and Chennayya who were martyred as they combated social injustice, and so on.
Rooted in indigenous practices and Hindu mythology, Bhoota Kola is performed by shamanistic dancers who invoke ancestral spirits and become possessed by them, entering a lucid trance-like state. In this state, the Bhoota is often approached for answers, advice, or mediation. When the verdict is delivered, the spirit’s word is law.
“I’m here, you have no reason to fear.” The Bhoota’s blessing is a solace to the village community.
Bhootas, usually personified by individuals from marginalised castes, are vital arbiters that mediate conflicts and disputes within their communities. They serve as counsellors and dispensers of justice. Often, the Bhootas deliver judgements that go against the interests of the feudal landlords. For challenging caste hierarchy, Bhootas have often paid with their lives. Yet, struggling to overcome attempts by upper castes to rein in or muzzle the tradition, Bhoota Kola has remained a vital pillar of community life in Tulunadu.
A Bhoota Kola brings families and communities together for a night of cultural immersion, creates a permissive environment for women to socialise beyond established curfew hours, and provides a sacred space for free expression for those oppressed by the caste system.
Continuing our exploration of stories from Karnataka for you to savour and share, Radio Azim Premji University brings you yet another episode of Noorakke Nooru Karnataka. We hope you enjoy listening.
Credits: Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Harshit Hillol Gogoi, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
For a comprehensive list of acknowledgements and resources, including notes in Kannada, please visit our website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/karnatakas-homegrown-icon-the-refreshing-story-of-nanjangud-tooth-powder

Places tell stories. Often, the story and the place are synonymous, as with Nanjanagudu. This town near Mysuru beside the Kapila river is famous for the Srikanteshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, where devotees pray to be cured of disease. The temple earned the reverence of Tipu Sultan, who hailed the deity as ‘Hakim Nanjunda’ for miraculously curing his royal elephant's eye ailment. A variety of banana, Nanjangudu Rasabaale, is also named after the town. Another reason why Nanjanagudu became a household name across Karnataka and beyond is Nanjangud Tooth Powder, a creation of the renowned Ayurveda Vidwan B.V. Pundit.
Pundit’s father died before he was born. His widowed mother raised him in dire financial circumstances. Against great odds, he pursued his studies and graduated from Mysuru Ayurvedic College. In 1913, with his mentor's blessings, he set up Sadvaidyasala in Nanjanagudu to manufacture Ayurvedic products, cycling 50 km daily to sell them in Mysuru.
Witnessing a priest performing a homa (Vedic fire sacrifice), Pundit was inspired to use paddy husk as a base for a dentifrice. Nanjangud Tooth Powder was born and became an overnight success. Celebrities, including Kannada cinema star Dr Rajkumar and many literary doyens, endorsed Nanjangud Tooth Powder.
In the 50th year of the naming of Karnataka, we celebrate the stories that make Karnataka proud. Sudheesh Venkatesh, in conversation with Shraddha Gautam, presents our first episode.
ನೂರಕ್ಕೆ ನೂರು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ
ನಂಜನಗೂಡು ಹಲ್ಲುಪುಡಿ
ಸ್ಥಳಗಳು ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತವೆ. ಕೆಲವೊಮ್ಮೆ, ಕಥೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸ್ಥಳವು ಸಮಾನಾರ್ಥಕವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ನಂಜನಗೂಡು ಕಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೀಗಿದೆ. ಮೈಸೂರು ಸಮೀಪದ ಕಪಿಲಾ ನದಿಯ ದಡದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಈ ಸಣ್ಣ ಪಟ್ಟಣವು ಶಿವನಿಗೆ ಸಮರ್ಪಿತವಾದ ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆಸರುವಾಸಿಯಾಗಿದೆ, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಭಕ್ತರು ವಿವಿಧ ಕಾಯಿಲೆಗಳಿಂದ ಗುಣಮುಖರಾಗಲು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ವಾಸ್ತವವಾಗಿ, ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯವು ಮುಸ್ಲಿಂ ಆಡಳಿತಗಾರ ಟಿಪ್ಪು ಸುಲ್ತಾನನ ಗೌರವವನ್ನು ಗಳಿಸಿತು, ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ರಾಜ ಪಟ್ಟದ ಆನೆಯನ್ನು ಕಣ್ಣಿನ ಕಾಯಿಲೆಯಿಂದ ಅದ್ಭುತವಾಗಿ ಗುಣಪಡಿಸಿದ್ದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ದೇವರನ್ನು 'ಹಕೀಮ್ ನಂಜುಂಡ' ಎಂದು ಕೊಂಡಾಡಿದನು. ನಂಜನಗೂಡು ರಸಬಾಳೆ ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯಲ್ಪಡುವ ಒಂದು ಬಾಳೆ ಹಣ್ಣಿನ ತಳಿವಿವಿಧ ಬಾಳೆಹಣ್ಣುಗಳು ಪಟ್ಟಣದ ನಂತರ ಅದರ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡಿವೆ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ, ನಂಜನಗೂಡು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಾದ್ಯಂತ ಮತ್ತು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಗಡಿಯಾಚೆಗೂ ಮನೆಮಾತಾಗಿರುವುದು ಮನೆ ಮಾತು ಆಗಿರುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕಾರಣ ಖ್ಯಾತ ಆಯುರ್ವೇದ ವಿದ್ವಾನ್ ಬಿ.ವಿ.ಪಂಡಿತ್ ಅವರ ಅವರು ತಯಾರಿಸಿದ ರಚನೆಯಾದ ನಂಜನಗೂಡು ಟೂತ್ ಪೌಡರ್.
ಪಂಡಿತ್ ಅವರ ತಂದೆ ಅವರು ಹುಟ್ಟುವ ಮೊದಲೇ ನಿಧನರಾದರು, ಮತ್ತು ಅವರ ವಿಧವೆ ತಾಯಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ದುಃಖದ ಸಂದರ್ಭಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆಸಿದರು. ದೊ