Latest news with #RaniChennamma
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Kittur Rani Chennamma Mini Zoo undergoes Rs 2.6cr upgrade
Belagavi: In a major boost to ecotourism, development works estimated at Rs 2.6 crore are underway at Kittur Rani Chennamma Mini Zoo in Bhutramanhatti, on the outskirts of Belagavi city. The zoo, spread across 34.4 hectares, is being upgraded to meet the criteria of a Medium Zoo, with plans to expand an additional 20 hectares to accommodate more enclosures. Four major projects are almost complete and are expected to be inaugurated for public access by December this year. The key works consist of a state-of-the-art reptile park, a new crocodile enclosure, and a gigantic, illuminated entry tower featuring a statue of freedom fighter Kittur Rani Chennamma. Reptile park to feature exotic species One of the most anticipated additions is the upcoming reptile park, which will house 12 exotic snake species in male-female pairs. The line-up includes the King Cobra, Rattlesnake, Rock Python, Reticulated Python, Green Anaconda, Lake Snake and Monitor Lizard. The King Cobra and large pythons are expected to be star attractions. Crocodile enclosure A new 1,200-square-metre crocodile enclosure is also under construction. While a Mugger crocodile already resides at the zoo, two Gharials will soon join the enclosure. Meanwhile, a vibrant bird zone has been established, featuring species such as lovebirds, cockatiels, sun conures, zebra finches and rose-ringed parakeets. An exclusive section showcasing distinct sheep breeds from across India is also being developed. Additionally, the construction of a museum and an auditorium is in progress to enhance visitor engagement and learning. A 65-foot-tall iconic signage structure has been installed at the zoo's entrance. Adorned with illuminated logos and topped with a statue of Rani Chennamma, the tower is designed to be visible from over a kilometre away, improving visibility and attracting travellers on the highway. Towards Medium Zoo status According to range forest officer Pavan Kuraning, a proposal will be sent to the Central Zoo Authority of India by the end of this month, seeking approval for upgradation. "We plan to expand the zoo by another 20 hectares to increase animal enclosures," he told the TOI. The zoo currently operates a safari and houses 216 animals and birds, including three tigers, two lions, three leopards, bears, blackbucks, sambar deer, hyenas and jackals.
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
B Saroja Devi: Pan-India queen who ruled cinema for 3 decades with unmatched legacy
'Nimageke Kodabeku Kappa?' – This powerful line remains iconic among the people of Karnataka to this day for two reasons: for showcasing the fierce opposition against British imperialism by Rani Chennamma, the queen of Kittur who refused to pay taxes to them, and for establishing the fierce acting prowess of one of Indian cinema's most celebrated female superstars, B Saroja Saroja Devi was born in Bangalore, Mysore State (now Bengaluru, Karnataka) on January 7, 1938 to a Kannada-speaking family. Having been fond of dancing, singing and plays during her school days, it was during one such performance that she was spotted by Honnappa Bhagavatar, a pioneer of Kannada cinema, and offered the lead female role in his film 'Mahakavi Kalidasa' (1955). A poster of Saroja Devi's debut film, 'Mahakavi Kalidasa' (PC: Wikipedia) Having initially been reluctant to act in films, she accepted the offer only at her mother's insistence, as she could never refuse her mother's wishes. Saroja Devi's debut film was a major success, earning a National Award and opening several doors for the young actor to cement her legacy. Whether she wanted cinema or not, it seems destiny had decided that cinema wanted her. Starting with one film at a time, Saroja Devi went on to star in over 200 films in her illustrious career, playing the lead role in 161 films consecutively and ruling as one of the top female stars for almost three decades. Having started her career at a very young age in the 1950s, this superstar withstood the test of time, facing several generations of actors without fading away, until she decided to take a step Devi shared screen space with the biggest names in Indian cinema. From Dr Rajkumar in Kannada to MG Ramachandran in Tamil, to NT Rama Rao in Telugu and Dilip Kumar in Hindi - and several other iconic names of Indian cinema - the young starlet, within her first 25 films, had already starred opposite many of them, making her one of the youngest 'pan-Indian' stars of Indian cinema.B Saroja Devi's portrayal of the fearless warrior queen in 'Kittur Chennamma' (1961) remains one of the most iconic performances in Kannada cinema. Directed by BR Panthulu, the film brought to life the story of Rani Chennamma, who led an armed rebellion against the British East India Company in the early 19th Devi's powerful dialogue delivery - especially the line 'Nimageke kodabeku kappa?' - resonated deeply with Kannada audiences and became emblematic of resistance and pride. With a performance so iconic, she became a cultural touchstone in Karnataka's cinematic and historical memory. B Saroja Devi as Rani Chennamma (PC: Youtube/SRS Media Vision) By the time shemarried Sri Harsha, an engineer at Bharat Electronics, on March 1, 1967. She had already acted in nearly 100 films as the female lead. Unlike many of her contemporaries who stepped away from the limelight after marriage, Saroja Devi continued to grace the silver screen with her husband's unwavering an interview, when asked how she managed to balance her career post-marriage, Saroja fondly recalled a story that had travelled through legends of the industry. 'Dilip Kumar once said he had asked Saira Banu not to quit acting. That story was shared by Rajesh Khanna with my husband, Sri Harsha - urging him not to stop me from acting.' Saroja Devi with husband Sri Harsha (PC: Facebook/B Saroja Devi) Saroja Devi's life took a quiet turn after the loss of her husband, Sri Harsha, in 1986. She had signed up for the Kannada film 'Ladies Hostel' in 1985, but halted shooting midway to care for him during his illness. Following his passing, she stepped away completely from the limelight, not shooting or meeting anyone outside her family for nearly a was only in 1987 that she resumed work. 'Ladies Hostel' turned out to be a commercial success, but Saroja Devi chose not to take on any new roles. Instead, she honoured her earlier commitments, completing eight films she had signed before 1986. Once those projects were done, she took a conscious break from cinema. Though she did return to acting, her appearances became far less frequent, marking the end of an era defined by her dominance on her illustrious career, B Saroja Devi garnered numerous honours celebrating her enduring impact on Indian cinema. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992 by the Government of India. She also received an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University, and various lifetime achievement awards. Saroja Devi received Life Time Achievement from the then President of India, Pratibha Patil in 2008 (PC: Wikipedia). B Saroja Devi delivered some of Indian cinema's most iconic performances across languages. With MG Ramachandran, she formed a hugely successful pairing of Tamil hits like 'Nadodi Mannan' (1958), 'Thaai Sollai Thattadhe' (1961), and 'Padagotti' (1964). In Telugu, her role in 'Seetharama Kalyanam' (1961) alongside NT Rama Rao remains also shared the screen with Hindi cinema legends like Dilip Kumar in 'Paigham' (1959) and Shammi Kapoor in 'Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya' (1963). In Kannada, her celebrated collaborations with Dr Rajkumar include 'Anna Thangi' (1958) and 'Mallammana Pavaada' (1969).Dr B Saroja Devi passed away during the early hours of July 14, 2025, at the age of 87. She was reportedly found unconscious at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed that she had passed away. Although the towering presence of the veteran superstar leaves behind a hollow, the legacy remains immortal.- Ends
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Vijayapura Central bus stand named after Kittur Chennamma
Vijayapura: State govt has issued an order to rename the Vijayapura Central Bus Station as ' Veera Rani Kittur Chennamma Bus Station', said industries, infrastructure development, and district minister MB Patil. In a statement, Patil mentioned that a statue of the valiant Rani Chennamma on horseback was already installed at the central bus station in the heart of Vijayapura. "During the inauguration of the Shakti scheme, we expressed our wish to name the bus station after Rani Chennamma. We wrote a letter to the chief minister regarding this. He then instructed the transport minister to take necessary steps to name the central bus station after Veera Rani Kittur Chennamma. Considering our request and the CM's directive, transport minister Ramalinga Reddy has now issued the order for renaming," he added. He further said, "Additionally, Vijayapura airport was named after Vishwaguru Basaveshwara. A 1,200-acre area in Mamadapur is designated as the 'Siddheshwara Shri Biodiversity Traditional Conservation Forest Area.' Women's University was renamed Akkamahadevi Women's University. By naming these places after revered figures, their ideals are being perpetuated in the public consciousness." He also stated that during the upcoming cabinet meeting in Vijayapura, CM Siddaramaiah will unveil a grand statue of Rani Chennamma installed at the Vijayapura Central bus Station and officiate the renaming.
