Further explorations of Bangalore

On Karnaka formation day(1st November 2007), me and my roomie decided to visit Nrityagram(www.nrityagram.org) - My first trip out with somebody (usually I go alone)since I came to Bangalore.

Nrityagram is a residential dance school founded by dancer Protima Gauri. It is situated in Hesaraghatta village which can be reached by 1 hour journey from Majestic/Kempegowda bus stand, Bangalore. The onward journey is through a different route and the return journey is by another route as the roads are very narrow for two-lane transport.

From Hesaraghatta bus stand, Nrityagram is at a distance of 5 km which can be reached by auto(which costed Rs. 60). The auto driver even gives you his cell phone number to call him when we decide to return(as people come there only by their own cars or mode of transport. So there are no autos/cabs to take you back from Nrityagram to bus stand). Exactly opposite to Nrityagram is a Resort named Kuteeram of Taj Group.
But all through the way, we enjoyed the scenary very much, that we decided to walk back and covered the 5 kms by walk during return. On the way, we saw poultry farm, turkey farm, emu farm and a dam.
Coming back to Nrityagram, it follows the Gurukul method of education. Dance is taught free of cost. Food, Stay is all free. The only thing a student has to do is stay there for three years to learn it.
We were allowed to photograph everything other than dancers. There are separate buildings constructed for each type of dance - Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Mohini Aattam, Kathak, etc.But when we went there, only Odissi classes were going on and only at the most 2 students were there as nobody was ready to take off 3 years of their life to dedicate to learn dancing.
We could see sculptures everywhere; a temple dedicated to Protima; a yoga centre, a kitchen; separate buildings for visitors to stay; buildings for students and teachers.There was an amphitheatre where dance programmes were held during "Vasanth Habba"(Spring Festival). What impressed me most is the buildings and environment. All buildings including kitchen looks like "Kuteers" of sages that were in Gurukul times. And each building for different forms is build according to the style where the dance form originated from. For eg: the building which houses classroom for Mohini Aattam will be in the style of Kerala and so on. And its green everywhere around. The place is cared for well. A must visit!

Total cost per person:
Domlur to Majestic(in Volvo) - Rs. 25
Majestic to Hesaraghatta bus stand(by bus) - Rs.10
Hesaraghatta bus stand to Nrityagram(by auto) - Rs.60
Entrance fee for Nrityagram - Rs. 20

I also visited "HAL Aeronuatical museum" and Kemp fort one Saturday. HAL museum may be a good visit for people who have interest in aeronautics. For me, I was just looking at the photos of presidents and prime ministers of different countries who visited during the building of different aircrafts. The entry fee was Rs. 20. I could say that another Rs. 10 charged for going to Air traffic control room was a waste, because the only thing you could see from there in seeing planes landing or taking off from runway, as if you are situated in a building next to airport.

And regarding Kempfort, I saw the big statues of Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. One thing which irked me there was that , one can buy diyas, light it and leave it in the small artifical pond created there. But the people who were cleaning the premises using water from water hose were pouring the water on diyas(not intentionally though) which blew off the light of the lighted diyas. Hope someone takes care of it.