It is a general notion in our country that government buildings are those which would not have seen a fresh coat of paint for years, have piles of dust-filled files, cupboards and broken chairs. However, if you happen to visit the Block Resource Centre (BRC) at Goodinabali near BC Road in Dakshina Kannada district, you may take some time to believe that whether it is actually a government building.
Contradicting the general belief that government buildings are the same everywhere, the BRC in Bantwal taluk stands apart. Right from the entrance gate to the BRC building, the compound wall has been adorned with Warli paintings. On the other side, cement art works (modern art) in the premises attract the visitors. The outer walls of the BRC too are adorned with Warli paintings.
Inside the building, a world of Warli paintings opens up. Every wall of every room attracts you with either a Warli painting or some other form of art work on it. The building also houses a computer lab, office, staff room, training halls and a library.
Thematic paintings
Quite interestingly, every painting has a theme in it. The paintings on the compound wall depict the rich culture and heritage of Dakshina Kannada district — a picture of a fair, a car festival, of traditional dance forms practised in Tulu Nadu like aati kalenja, kangeelu, karangolu and bhootha kola, of a cock fight, agriculture activities and the life of fishermen. Puja kunitha, pata kunitha, dollu kunitha, huli kunitha, kole basava, malla kamba, rural sports, see-saw, a variety of birds, Yakshagana, buffalo race and folk games among other things are also depicted.
Similarly, the paintings on the building wall depict the government schemes such as Akshara Dasoha, Nali Kali, Ksheera Bhagya, Marali Baa Shalege, facilities provided for the differently-abled and computer literacy. On the other hand, the walls of the auditorium have been filled with depictions of Lord Krishna's childhood pranks.
Rajesh, co-ordinator of the BRC, said that the 15-year-old building was like any other government building until last year. When it was decided to renovate the building, Rajesh approached Tharanath Kairangala, an art teacher at the Manchi Government High School, who specialises in Warli paintings. After a few meetings, Tharanath brought along with him 8 of his team members and within a few months, there was a drastic transformation — from the drab white wall to the present colourful one — a phenomenal change.
At the same time, Rajesh approached B Ramanath Rai, district-in-charge minister, who agreed to provide a concrete road from the entrance to the centre. "Many others, including the Rotarians and non-resident Indians have donated and contributed to the present building in various forms," says Rajesh.
"Our aim is to inspire and motivate teachers who come here for training," he added, "Around 1,000 teachers are trained every year between July and February (5 days training for each batch). In addition to this, the BRC conducts camps twice a year in schools, wherein spectacles, hearing aid and walking sticks (for the visually challenged) among other equipment are provided for differently-abled students on the doctors' recommendation."
![]( "colourful A view of the Block Resource Centre at Goodinabali; (below) interiors of the auditorium. photos by author")
It is a general notion in our country that government buildings are those which would not have seen a fresh coat of paint for years, have piles of dust-filled files, cupboards and broken chairs. However, if you happen to visit the Block Resource Centre (BRC) at Goodinabali near BC Road in Dakshina Kannada district, you may take some time to believe that whether it is actually a government building.
Contradicting the general belief that government buildings are the same everywhere, the BRC in Bantwal taluk stands apart. Right from the entrance gate to the BRC building, the compound wall has been adorned with Warli paintings. On the other side, cement art works (modern art) in the premises attract the visitors. The outer walls of the BRC too are adorned with Warli paintings.
Inside the building, a world of Warli paintings opens up. Every wall of every room attracts you with either a Warli painting or some other form of art work on it. The building also houses a computer lab, office, staff room, training halls and a library.
Thematic paintings
Quite interestingly, every painting has a theme in it. The paintings on the compound wall depict the rich culture and heritage of Dakshina Kannada district — a picture of a fair, a car festival, of traditional dance forms practised in Tulu Nadu like aati kalenja, kangeelu, karangolu and bhootha kola, of a cock fight, agriculture activities and the life of fishermen. Puja kunitha, pata kunitha, dollu kunitha, huli kunitha, kole basava, malla kamba, rural sports, see-saw, a variety of birds, Yakshagana, buffalo race and folk games among other things are also depicted.
Similarly, the paintings on the building wall depict the government schemes such as Akshara Dasoha, Nali Kali, Ksheera Bhagya, Marali Baa Shalege, facilities provided for the differently-abled and computer literacy. On the other hand, the walls of the auditorium have been filled with depictions of Lord Krishna’s childhood pranks.
Rajesh, co-ordinator of the BRC, said that the 15-year-old building was like any other government building until last year. When it was decided to renovate the building, Rajesh approached Tharanath Kairangala, an art teacher at the Manchi Government High School, who specialises in Warli paintings. After a few meetings, Tharanath brought along with him 8 of his team members and within a few months, there was a drastic transformation — from the drab white wall to the present colourful one — a phenomenal change.
At the same time, Rajesh approached B Ramanath Rai, district-in-charge minister, who agreed to provide a concrete road from the entrance to the centre. "Many others, including the Rotarians and non-resident Indians have donated and contributed to the present building in various forms,” says Rajesh.
"Our aim is to inspire and motivate teachers who come here for training,” he added, "Around 1,000 teachers are trained every year between July and February (5 days training for each batch). In addition to this, the BRC conducts camps twice a year in schools, wherein spectacles, hearing aid and walking sticks (for the visually challenged) among other equipment are provided for differently-abled students on the doctors’ recommendation.”
Contradicting the general belief that government buildings are the same everywhere, the BRC in Bantwal taluk stands apart. Right from the entrance gate to the BRC building, the compound wall has been adorned with Warli paintings. On the other side, cement art works (modern art) in the premises attract the visitors. The outer walls of the BRC too are adorned with Warli paintings.
Inside the building, a world of Warli paintings opens up. Every wall of every room attracts you with either a Warli painting or some other form of art work on it. The building also houses a computer lab, office, staff room, training halls and a library.
Thematic paintings
Quite interestingly, every painting has a theme in it. The paintings on the compound wall depict the rich culture and heritage of Dakshina Kannada district — a picture of a fair, a car festival, of traditional dance forms practised in Tulu Nadu like aati kalenja, kangeelu, karangolu and bhootha kola, of a cock fight, agriculture activities and the life of fishermen. Puja kunitha, pata kunitha, dollu kunitha, huli kunitha, kole basava, malla kamba, rural sports, see-saw, a variety of birds, Yakshagana, buffalo race and folk games among other things are also depicted.
Similarly, the paintings on the building wall depict the government schemes such as Akshara Dasoha, Nali Kali, Ksheera Bhagya, Marali Baa Shalege, facilities provided for the differently-abled and computer literacy. On the other hand, the walls of the auditorium have been filled with depictions of Lord Krishna's childhood pranks.
Rajesh, co-ordinator of the BRC, said that the 15-year-old building was like any other government building until last year. When it was decided to renovate the building, Rajesh approached Tharanath Kairangala, an art teacher at the Manchi Government High School, who specialises in Warli paintings. After a few meetings, Tharanath brought along with him 8 of his team members and within a few months, there was a drastic transformation — from the drab white wall to the present colourful one — a phenomenal change.
At the same time, Rajesh approached B Ramanath Rai, district-in-charge minister, who agreed to provide a concrete road from the entrance to the centre. "Many others, including the Rotarians and non-resident Indians have donated and contributed to the present building in various forms," says Rajesh.
"Our aim is to inspire and motivate teachers who come here for training," he added, "Around 1,000 teachers are trained every year between July and February (5 days training for each batch). In addition to this, the BRC conducts camps twice a year in schools, wherein spectacles, hearing aid and walking sticks (for the visually challenged) among other equipment are provided for differently-abled students on the doctors' recommendation."
It is a general notion in our country that government buildings are those which would not have seen a fresh coat of paint for years, have piles of dust-filled files, cupboards and broken chairs. However, if you happen to visit the Block Resource Centre (BRC) at Goodinabali near BC Road in Dakshina Kannada district, you may take some time to believe that whether it is actually a government building.Contradicting the general belief that government buildings are the same everywhere, the BRC in Bantwal taluk stands apart. Right from the entrance gate to the BRC building, the compound wall has been adorned with Warli paintings. On the other side, cement art works (modern art) in the premises attract the visitors. The outer walls of the BRC too are adorned with Warli paintings.
Inside the building, a world of Warli paintings opens up. Every wall of every room attracts you with either a Warli painting or some other form of art work on it. The building also houses a computer lab, office, staff room, training halls and a library.
Thematic paintings
Quite interestingly, every painting has a theme in it. The paintings on the compound wall depict the rich culture and heritage of Dakshina Kannada district — a picture of a fair, a car festival, of traditional dance forms practised in Tulu Nadu like aati kalenja, kangeelu, karangolu and bhootha kola, of a cock fight, agriculture activities and the life of fishermen. Puja kunitha, pata kunitha, dollu kunitha, huli kunitha, kole basava, malla kamba, rural sports, see-saw, a variety of birds, Yakshagana, buffalo race and folk games among other things are also depicted.
Similarly, the paintings on the building wall depict the government schemes such as Akshara Dasoha, Nali Kali, Ksheera Bhagya, Marali Baa Shalege, facilities provided for the differently-abled and computer literacy. On the other hand, the walls of the auditorium have been filled with depictions of Lord Krishna’s childhood pranks.
Rajesh, co-ordinator of the BRC, said that the 15-year-old building was like any other government building until last year. When it was decided to renovate the building, Rajesh approached Tharanath Kairangala, an art teacher at the Manchi Government High School, who specialises in Warli paintings. After a few meetings, Tharanath brought along with him 8 of his team members and within a few months, there was a drastic transformation — from the drab white wall to the present colourful one — a phenomenal change.
At the same time, Rajesh approached B Ramanath Rai, district-in-charge minister, who agreed to provide a concrete road from the entrance to the centre. "Many others, including the Rotarians and non-resident Indians have donated and contributed to the present building in various forms,” says Rajesh.
"Our aim is to inspire and motivate teachers who come here for training,” he added, "Around 1,000 teachers are trained every year between July and February (5 days training for each batch). In addition to this, the BRC conducts camps twice a year in schools, wherein spectacles, hearing aid and walking sticks (for the visually challenged) among other equipment are provided for differently-abled students on the doctors’ recommendation.”