Mysuru: A programme has been organised at Haveeka Bhavan, High Tension Road, next to B.C. Hostel for Boys, CFTRI Layout, Bogadi 2nd Stage, on Jan.27 (Saturday) at 5 pm, for the launch of the book ‘Birds of Mysore and It’s Environment’ authored by late Senior Scientist of CFTRI (Mysuru) N.P. Dani.

Homage will be paid to late  Dani following which the book will be released by wildlife  photographers Krupakar and Senani.

Corporator J.S. Jagadeesh will be the guest of honour. Children from Nele Ashram, Mysuru, will render invocation. Also, a sitar recital by Prof.Anand Murthy of SJCE, Mysuru, has been organised on the occasion.

For details, contact Anjali Dani on Mob: 99458-99298 or  Saurabh on 97419-17276.

BIRD MAN OF MYSURU

Narhar Prahlad Dani (N.P. Dani) was born on Mar.23, 1933 in Pune, into a family with roots in Guledgud, Bijapur. His father P.G. Dani was a famous botanist who served the Government of Uttar Pradesh as their fruit expert.

After a B.Sc (Hons), he pursued M.Sc in Zoology at Fergusson’s College, Pune, where he topped the University with a Gold Medal. Being a Zoology student, the animal world naturally caught his interest, but it was the feathered beauties that fascinated him the most.

It was his association with Bombay Natural History Society (BHNS) that turned his casual interest in bird-watching into a life-long passion. He became actively involved with a lot of activities and programmes conducted by BNHS, and was even fortunate to meet the Bird Man of India, Dr. Salim Ali. His interaction with Dr. Salim Ali left a huge impact on him as a bird-watching enthusiast, and made him decide to take bird watching a step further. He formed a bird-watching club with his young friends, organising several bird-watching trips in and around Mumbai and Pune.

In 1961, he moved from what was then known as Bombay to Mysuru, as a Research Assistant in the Animal Product Technology section of CFTRI. What more could he ask for, Mysuru being a paradise for birds?

During his days at CFTRI, he would spend the weekends bird-watching. He frequented Kukkarahalli Lake, Daddahalli Lake, Karanji Lake, and sometimes even Ranganathittu or Kokkarebellur on his Vespa scooter, armed with binoculars, a cap, a field guide book of birds, a notepad, and most importantly a water bottle. He emphasised to other bird-watchers to follow the same protocol. He did an extensive study on the migratory birds visiting Mysuru every year and give talks and tips on bird-watching to the young enthusiasts.

N.P. Dani continued active bird-watching in and around Mysuru for 32 years with unchanged enthusiasm and zeal. In fact, he became more active after his retirement as the Head of Animal and Product Technology, CFTRI in 1993. This was the time when he visited various bird sanctuaries across India with his wife Sunanda Dani. After visiting all these places, he made an extensive study on the bird species in Mysuru. He also regularly wrote articles based on the results of his bird-watching activities, both in English and Marathi.

He formed a bird-watching group for children in CFTRI campus, taking them on bird watching trips during their summer vacation. He was an active member of Mysore Amateur Naturalists (MAN).

As age caught up on him, he was advised not to physically strain himself too much or travel. But even this did not hamper his passion for birds, and he would spend a lot of time on his balcony, with binoculars and a cup of hot chai. He was such an ardent bird watcher that the call of a bird was enough for him to identify the bird. He would always have Dr. Salim Ali’s “The Birds of India” by his side, referring to it as the Bible of bird-watchers. He was also nicknamed the “Bird Man of Mysuru.”

Later, even when he was not so mobile, he would spend a lot of his time writing articles and books on birds and nature. On Jan.27, he left for his eternal abode, leaving behind a great legacy of love towards birds and nature. This is just a small tribute to the Bird Man of Mysuru.

—Saurabh Thakur and Mrudula (Anju) Dani