Kannada drama to mark bird expert Dr. Salim Ali’s 126th birth anniversary
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Kannada drama to mark bird expert Dr. Salim Ali’s 126th birth anniversary

December 3, 2022

Mysore/Mysuru: Arivu Ranga, Mysuru, is presenting a Kannada drama titled ‘Salim Ali – Pakshi Lokada Beragu’ on well-known Ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali at Kirurangamandira in Kalamandira  premises tomorrow (Dec. 4) at 6.30 pm.

Script is by Dr. M.C. Manohara, Direction – Berty Olivera, Music – Sai shiv, Stage design and light – Yatish N. Kollegala, Properties – Kaju, Costume design – J. Rajani, Make-up by Ranganath, Music management – M.C. Giridhara.

This is the first-of-its-kind in India that Dr. Salim Ali’s life is illustrated through a play. It includes incidences from his childhood, family life, research works, field surveys and contributions to the natural science in India.

Profile: The Birdman of India Dr. Salim Ali happened to visit Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) to know which bird he shot using an airgun presented by his uncle on his 10th birthday. There he was introduced to Indian bird diversity by none other than Hon. Secretary, W.S. Millard. This single incident glued him to ornithology for entire life.

Ali struggled many years of unemployment during the early years of his career. Since there were no jobs related to natural history in 1919, he left for Burma to look after the family mining and timber business.

After returning to India, Salim Ali’s attempt to join as ornithologist in Zoological Survey of India didn’t materialise as he had only basic degree, B.Sc in Zoology. Ali initially did a job of guide lecturer at BNHS in Mumbai. Later he realised, to take up ornithology as a profession he need to continue further studies. He pursued his studies in Germany under eminent Professor Stresemann. Despite the knowledge gained at the prestigious University abroad, Salim Ali didn’t succeed in procuring a job in India. He offered to conduct regional ornithological surveys in princely States whose avifauna is not explored under the aegis of the BNHS. For the next two decades, Salim Ali roamed the subcontinent studying birds. These field visits for birds made him one of those rare Indians who travelled to nook and corner of the country.

After India’s Independence Salim Ali took over the BNHS and managed to save the century old institution from shutting down and transformed it as exemplary Indian institution in natural science. His timely intervention saved the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan and the Silent Valley National Park, Kerala.

Dr. Salim Ali received numerous awards including Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan from the Indian Government and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1985.

Salim Ali was mainly interested in studying living bird in its natural environment. He was instrumental in popularising the study of birds in India. He wrote numerous journal articles, popular and academic books and field guides. The ‘Book of Indian Birds’ still remains the bible for budding and seasoned birders.

For details call: 98806-43458.

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