Well-known Kannada poet K S Nisar Ahmad passes away
Bengaluru: Noted Kannada poet and Padma Shri awardee, K S Nissar Ahmed died on Sunday at the age of 84.
Known as "Nityotsava Kavi" (Nityotsava poet) Ahmed, passed away at his residence in the city, sources said. He was battling cancer and was hospitalised for some time, they said adding that his son too had died of the disease recently in the US.
Ahmed had become the household name through his Nityotsava poem "Jogada siri belakinalli...." which went on to become a popular song.
His works include Nityotsava, Sanje Aidara Male, Nenedavara Manadalli, Naanemba Parakeeya, Manasu Gandhi Bazaru, Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu among others.
Born at Devanahalli in Bengaluru rural, he was a post- graduate in Geology and worked as an Geologist.
He also worked as lecturer of Geology at Central College in Bengaluru, also in Chitradurga and at Sahyadri college in Shivamogga. He is a recipient of awards like Padma Shri, Rajyotsava, Pampa, Kannada Sahitaya Academy awards among several others.
He was the chair of 73rd Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Shivamogga, and had the pride of inaugurating the the 407th edition of Mysuru Dasara.
Condoling the death of Ahmed, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa termed it as an "irreparable loss" to the state and Kannada literary world.
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Maharashtra secures historic sword of Raghuji Bhosale in London auction
LONDON/MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has acquired the sword of Raghuji Bhosale, founder of the Nagpur Bhosale dynasty and a distinguished commander in the Maratha army under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, after winning it in an auction in London.
Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar formally took possession of the weapon on Monday. It is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on 18 August, where it will be received with ceremonial honours, as reported by The Indian Express.
News of the sword’s availability surfaced on 28 April this year. Minister Shelar consulted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after which the government began preparations to participate in the auction.
A group of Marathi-speaking residents in London gathered to witness the handover. Hemant Dalvi, Deputy Director of the Archaeology Department, accompanied the minister during the formalities.
The sword is an 18th-century Maratha Firangi. It has a straight, single-edged European blade with a gold-inlaid Mulheri hilt and near the hilt is the European manufacturer’s name, while the spine bears a gold-inlaid Devanagari inscription reading “Shreemant Raghoji Bhosale Senasahib Subha Firang,” confirming its connection to Raghuji Bhosale. The hilt’s gold koftgari work and the green cloth-wrapped rounded pommel add to its rarity as Maratha weapons of the period typically lacked elaborate ornamentation or inscriptions.
Raghuji Bhosale I, ruled from Nagpur between 1695 and 1755. He expanded Maratha influence into Bengal, Odisha, Chanda, Chhattisgarh, Sambalpur and parts of southern India. His military campaigns, included victories over the Nawabs of Bengal, Cuddapah and Kurnool. The Nagpur kingdom was also known for its rich deposits of iron and copper, used for weapons and trade.
While few historians believe that the sword left India in the early 19th century, as part of the war booty taken by the British East India Company after their victory over the Bhosales at the Battle of Sitabuldi in 1817, others say it was taken later as a diplomatic gift.
The sword will be escorted from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to PL Deshpande Kala Academy in Dadar by a ceremonial bike rally upon its arrival in Mumbai next week. A cultural programme titled Gad Garjana will be held the same day in the presence of state dignitaries.
Minister Shelar described the acquisition as an important moment for Maharashtra’s heritage and extended his thanks to the Chief Minister, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for their support in securing the artefact.
