Latest news with #CMH
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Chowdiah Memorial Hall and its timeless appeal
Bengaluru is a city that has evolved with time, and yet, an aspect that remains constant is its vibrant cultural scene. One landmark that stands tall as a beacon of art, culture and music is Chowdiah Memorial Hall (CMH) in Malleshwaram. A building whose iconic architecture was and still is, way ahead of its time, CMH was designed over 50 years ago. This violin-shaped edifice was constructed as a tribute to violinist of renown Tirumakudalu Chowdiah and is still considered to be one of the finest examples of mimetic architecture in the world. Pioneering design It was music aficionado KK Murthy, former chairman of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the first President of the city's Academy of Music, who came up with the idea of building a memorial to Pitil Chowdiah (Pitil is Kannada for violin) as Tirumakudalu Chowdiah was affectionately called. Chowdiah played a seven-stringed violin instead of the traditional four-stringed one. Murthy approached a famous Bengaluru architect, Siddalaghatta Narasimha Moorthy (or SN Moorthy as he was popularly called) to design and build the structure. 'My father was already well known in the city, having designed several theatres such as Kaveri and Abhinay, factories like the Bangalore Breweries Factory and the Modern Bakery in Peenya as well as residences of famous personalities such as AV Meiyappan Chettiar of AVM Productions and Hinduja House in Sadashivnagar,' says NM Spoorthy, architect and son of SN Moorthy. 'It was he who proposed building the structure in the shape of a seven-stringed violin as an ultimate ode to the maestro.' Spoorthy adds that the sheer size and scale of the structure remains the highlight of the auditorium considering it was envisaged over 50 years ago. The construction of CMH started after the foundation stone was laid by the then-President of India VV Giri and D Devraj Urs, the then chief-minister of Karnataka in 1974. 'It was the only auditorium in the country with a 1,100 seating capacity specifically designed to host cultural events in the 1980s. My father was a stickler for perfection and detail, and daily carried a violin to the site to ensure every curve and line was perfectly replicated. The building is scaled on an actual violin in the ratio of 1:100,' says Spoorthy. Moorthy was known for spearheading innovative ideas such as installing the city's first escalator at Abhinay Theatre, introducing ergonomics in design and giving prominence to green areas and landscaping. When it came to CMH, he introduced several nuances into the design. 'The Plaster of Paris ceiling in the common areas have musical notes that were in keeping with the ethos of the building. He also introduced water bodies at the plinth level to give the structure a surreal, floating visual effect from vantage points. While designing the seating, he was particular that there should be enough leg room for the audience to sit comfortably while enjoying the music,' says Spoorthy. Challenges galore Given its complex shape, several challenges cropped up during the building phase. 'The main issue was designing the bow and it was fabricated in mild steel on the site itself; it is a massive 140 feet in length. Introducing seven strings on to the structure was another task and my father would not hesitate to bring it down and rebuild it if he was not satisfied with the finish,' adds Spoorthy. The seven strings were crafted out of heavy gauge and were procured from the main KEB office to ensure it did not rust or warp due to the vagaries of the weather. Unfading memories This mega project was a memorable one even for SN Moorthy's wife, CT Lalitha Moorthy, who handled the administrative works of her husband's office. 'It took hundreds of drawings before CMH came to life. During those days we used natural sunlight and ammonia to get blue prints. But we had to be really watchful to avoid over exposure or under exposure. Many a time I have burnt my fingers using the ammonia,' recollects the octogenarian. She fondly remembers accompanying Moorthy to Binny Mills to purchase curtains for the hall. 'He chose Spanish gold and navy blue satin material and they were stitched on my sewing machine at our Kumara Park home. But soon the fabric became too voluminous and we had to move it to the site itself,' says the 87-year old who recalls how the 3D model of CMH designed for the inauguration was brought to the site atop a taxi. CMH was inaugurated in 1980 by the then Governor of Karnataka, Govind Narain. Since then, it has staged several eminent performers such as ML Vasantha Kumari, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, L Subramaniam, Girish Karnad, Hema Malini, SP Balasubramaniam and numerous foreign artistes. Given its ground breaking design, CMH is a great case study that holds key lessons for many architects today. 'The acoustics of the auditorium are among the best even today and the design offers invaluable lessons that extend far beyond academics and text books,' says Shilpa Spoorthy, architect and wife of NM Spoorthy.
Saba Yemen
21-05-2025
- Business
- Saba Yemen
Greatest mines in Algeria, millions of tons of underground wealth
Algeria - Saba: Five mines in Algeria stand out among the list of strategic projects the state is counting on to achieve a qualitative shift in the structure of the national economy. These projects are considered a practical starting point for diversifying sources of income, strengthening manufacturing industries, and reducing dependence on oil and gas. These projects are supported by huge investment figures and employing thousands of workers. The specialized "Energy" platform listed the five most prominent mines in Algeria that have spearheaded the country's vision to exploit the country's untapped mineral potential, which until recently was only 10% exploited. The five most prominent mines in Algeria include resources of iron ore, phosphate, zinc, and lead, and their prospects extend to include gold and even diamonds. With Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's directives to make mineral resources a priority in economic policy, the pace of work on the ground has accelerated to launch and activate major mining projects that had been postponed for decades. National and international partnerships have been harnessed to complete them within record timeframes. This step represents a real transformation, as 2023 witnessed what can be described as the "year of mining resurgence," following the launch of several such projects across the country, from the southwest to the far northeast. Ghar Djebilet Mine The Djebilet gas mine is the largest of Algeria's five major mines, with a massive reserve estimated at 3.5 billion tons of iron ore, of which 1.75 billion tons are directly exploitable. The mine, discovered in 1952, is located in southwestern Algeria. However, its actual exploitation did not begin until 2022, making it one of the most delayed projects in Algeria, despite its importance. The project was launched as part of an Algerian-Chinese partnership under the supervision of the National Iron and Steel Company (FERA) and the Chinese consortium CMH. During its first phase (2022-2025), it will produce between 2 and 3 million tons annually, increasing to 50 million tons starting in 2026, following the completion of the 950-kilometer railway line to the city of Béchar. Jebel Onk Mine The Jebel Onk mine is the second largest project among the five major mines in Algeria, representing the backbone of the integrated phosphate project in the east of the country. According to Algerian mining sector data from the specialized energy platform, Jebel Onk covers the provinces of Tebessa, Souk Ahras, Skikda, and Annaba. This mine's reserves are estimated at 2.8 billion tons of phosphate, and the project aims to produce 10 million tons of raw material annually, 6 million tons of phosphate concentrate, and approximately 4 million tons of fertilizer. Investments in the Jebel Onq mine have reached approximately $7 billion, and are the result of a partnership between national companies (Asmidal and Algerian Mines) and Chinese companies (Wuhan and Yunnan Tian'an). Tala Hamza Mine The Tala Hamza-Oued Amizour mine is one of the new projects included in the Ministry of Energy and Mines' plans. It is located in the Tala Hamza region of Bejaia province and covers an area of 23.4 hectares. Oued Amizour is also one of the five most prominent mines in Algeria, with reserves estimated at 34 million tons of zinc ore, placing it among the top ten globally. The project's foundation stone was laid at the end of 2023, as part of an Algerian-Australian partnership with an investment of $400 million. Scheduled to begin operations in July 2026, the mine is expected to produce approximately 170,000 tons of zinc concentrate and 30,000 tons of lead annually, providing thousands of jobs and subject to strict environmental standards. Amsemsa Mine The Amsemsa gold mine, located 460 kilometers in the In Guezzam region, west of Tamanrasset Province, the far south of the country near the border with Niger, was discovered and developed by GMA Resources PLC. It is one of the top five mines in Algeria, being the country's largest gold producer. The mine's gold deposits amount to approximately 70 tons, with proven reserves estimated at approximately 3.38 million tons. It represents a sample of the mines spread throughout the Hoggar region in southern Algeria, a region with difficult geological terrain and abundant precious metals. Jebel Reggane Mine Although not yet operational, the Jebel Reggane region in Adrar Province is considered one of the regions with significant potential for diamond production, according to recent geological studies. This site is currently undergoing intensive exploration and could become a promising mine in the future, placing it among the top five mines in Algeria, worth $30 billion. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
President visits CMH
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday visited CMH to inquire after the health of Jawans of Pakistan Army and civilians who were injured during the Indian aggression. The president was accompanied by Minister for Interior Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Commander 10 Corps and administration authorities of the hospital, President House Media Wing said in a press release. The president met every Jawan and civilian individually and praised their valour, sacrifice and patriotism. He said that they were proud of the sacrifices of their Jawans and the entire nation saluted their brave Sepoys and civilians. The president said that Pakistani nation faced the enemy's aggression with determination and termed Indian aggression and extremist a threat to the regional peace. He further observed that entire regional security was at risk due to the Hindutva ideology, adding Modi's government wanted to use aggression against Pakistan for its political mileage. He reiterated that they would not allow any harm to Pakistan's sovereignty and national solidarity and the entire nation was untied, spirited and vigilant to counter any aggression. President Zardari said that Pakistan was capable of fully responding to any aggression and giving a befitting reply. He also thanked the doctors, nursing staff and administration authorities for looking after the injured. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
India violated international laws, says minister
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique attended funeral prayers of those martyred in an Indian attack in Bahawalpur. On this occasion, he prayed for the security of the country and nation. Senior officials also attended the funeral prayers. Khawaja Salman said the Indian government had violated international laws and targeted Pakistani civilian population. However, these cowardly actions by India cannot weaken the resolve of the Pakistani nation. Pakistani people stand with their government and army. He said India had committed a disgraceful act that had disrupted the peace in the region. Bahawal Victoria Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Amir Bukhari said 14 people martyred in the attack had bene received dead in ten facility, of whom eight were women, one of them pregnant, along with four children aged two to four years and two men aged over 50 years. More than 35 injured were also brought in. They were later shifted to CMH Bahawalpur.
The Herald
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Proton says it is not quitting SA
However, Proton's sales have failed to make a dent against a proliferation of more price competitive Chinese and Indian brands. Proton sold only 66 cars last month compared to GWM (1,943), Chery (1,852) and Mahindra (1,278). Last week BusinessLIVE reported McIntosh said the partnership with Proton had been 'challenging' and the parties were reassessing their options. 'The Proton import and distribution operation has continued to be challenging and costly. Current inventory will be sold during the first half of the coming year, and thereafter the group and the Malaysian manufacturer will decide on the way forward,' McIntosh said in his letter to shareholders published in the group's annual report. CMH, which has 43 retail motor dealerships representing 29 brands sold through operations in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape, said imports, particularly from China and India, had made the market very challenging to compete in. Ranjeeth this week said Proton has no plans to leave and is reaffirming its long-term commitment to the local market. 'Proton is strengthening its home market presence by preparing to launch new-generation vehicles, including compact sedans, hatchbacks and competitive B-segment SUVs with internal combustion and hybrid powertrains,' Ranjeeth said. Every Proton X-Series model in SA is backed by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with 24/7 nationwide roadside assistance throughout the full warranty period, she said.
