CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF TIPTUR TOWN
In this chapter dealing, a study of the cultural landscape of Tiptur town, aspects like the distribution of religions institutions (Temple, Churches, and Mosques etc) have been taken up. Along with them the prominent religious festivals annual fairs held are also described. As the Mutts (boarding homes with religious background) have played a special role of in the promotion. (Education and other cultural aspects are explained).
As a part of the description of cultural scenario of the town, the publication and role of some local newspapers, and educational institutions have also been discussed. Cultural landscape of the any urban settlement becomes incomplete if there is no mention of the theatres and cinemas. In fact they have their role in both cultural and economic landscape of the town.
Many towns and cities owen their origin to this kind of cultural elements. People who have migrated or lived for ages, in these urban settlements even now hold religious functions, annual festivals. Vatican City, Veleankanni, Jerusalem, etc for Christians. Puri, Allahabad, Varanasi, madurai, Najangud etc for Hindus, Mecca, Madina, Ajmir etc for Muslims are important towns and cities, which survive mainly on the presence of religious celebrations.
Urban settlements in general are the nurturing places of human culture. It is in the towns and cities we see blooming and culmination various cultures and growth and of dance, drama, arts like painting, music and cinema. The human civilization has seen great theatres and performances in Athens, Rome, Paris, Moscow, London and New York. In India such theatres can be seen in Bhopal, Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai. Plays, music festivals are conducted annually in those places and the cultural tradition is continued. In fact during such events town becomes vibrant too. Gubbi, a few kilometers away from Tiptur gave birth to a famous theatre company of which has earned for Kannada theatre circle. In Karnataka towns and cities, even in these days of cinema and T.V era, support such theaters Bangalore, Hubli, Shimoga, Davanagera and some small towns of Karnataka still old theatres of thinking. However, it is common to see a cinema hall in every town rather than a theater exclusively for performing dances.
DISTRIBUTION OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS:
Tiptur is a medium-sized town with a heterogeneous population. Though Hindus are preponderant as a religious group, they are sub-divided as elsewhere into numerous casts and sub-castes. Brahmins, Lingayats, Devaganigas, Vysyas, Telugu and Shetty Banajigas, Vokkaligas, Kurubas, Panchalas, Darjee(bhavasar and Namadev Kshatriyas), Bhovis, Gounders and Adikarnatakas are some of the socially and or economically important caste-groups amongst the Hindus. The Muslims are also quite numerous. The Jains and Christians are numerically insignificant, for each of them account for a little over one percent of the town’s population. Nevertheless, they are distinct socio-cultural entities and enhance the cultural diversity that is manifest in the town. Through the bulk of neighbouring taluks, there are a large number of families hailing from Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh besides a few from Gujarat, Bihar, Mahharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajastan and Kerala. This coming together of people from different regions has naturally resulted in Tiptur becoming a linguistically heterogeneous community. The important languages spoken as mother tongue in Tiptur are Kannada Telugu, Urdu, Marathi, Gujarati, Marvari and Malayalam.
Tiptur town in the western part of Tumkur district has evolved into a prominent commercial town. It has over 73% of Hindu population, Muslims around 25% with Christian and Jains around 2%. Similarly even their religious institutions like temples, mosques and churches too show close co-relation to their number. In this study, researcher has analysed temple spatially under three zones of the town. [See table No. 7.1 and Figure No. 7.1]. Among various religious institutions the temples account for 93.3% and remaining are Mosques 5.5% and there is only one church in the town.
Table No. 7.1
Religious Institutions in Tiptur Town
| Sl. No. | Area | No. of Temples | % | Mosques | Churches | Total | % |
| 1 | Central / core | 23 | 27.4 | 2 | - | 25 | 27.3 |
| 2 | Intermediate zone | 33 | 39.3 | 2 | 1 | 36 | 40 |
| 3 | Outer zone | 28 | 33.3 | 1 | - | 29 | 32.2 |
| Total | 84 | 5 | 1 | 90 | |||
| Percentage | 93.33 | 5.55 | 1.1 |
Source: Data compiled by the fieldwork
If we come to the spatial distribution of temples, there is rather even distribution of them in all the three zones, which are closer to around 30% in various zones. Among the prominent Hindu temples which are found in the central zone are the Kalleswarara temple which is one of the older temple in the town (See Plate No.6). On shivarathri day’s temple is thronged by denotes. It is located in the east at the beginning of the town. There is one more temple known as Tipatooramma (village Goddess). Car festival of the deity is held during March – April in the year with great pomp and gaiety. (See Plate No.6) in fact during festivity, it leads to traffic congestion.
- In the core area of the Tiptur town there are plenty of Hindu temples but three famous ones along with earlier mentioned are Knnika Parameshwari temple, Pandurangaswamy temple and Mallikarjunaswamy temple. The researcher has observed during his fieldwork that they are plenty of devotees offering a variety of Pooja services through out the year. This may also be attributed to the presence of a large Hindu business community which offers money and conduct poojas through out the year. The other temples around this area are Kashivishwanatha, Kote Anjaneyaswamy and Kollapuradamma temples. In this central zone there are two Mosques one is situated on Doddapete road and the other one is beside Railway station road in the middle of the town.
- The intermediate zone of Tiptur town consists of newly laid out residential areas like K.R. Extension, Gandinagar, K.S. Garden, Coronation road (South). Even this zone has 40% of Hindu temples, 2Mosques and one church. Among the major temples important ones are Shirdi Saibaba Mandir, Vigneswar temple, Subramanyaswamy temple, Shanideva temple and a large number of local Goddesses are found in various parts of the zone. These are rather temples pf new Gods, which have come up in such a big number in the ethnic and relatively economically well off communities. However this zone also has two mosques in Gandhinagar area, which is a Muslim dominated area. There is also a church in the K.R. Extension in the town (See Plate No.6).
- The outer zone of Tiptur town constitutes more rural limits like Bandihalli (E); Goragondanahalli (S.E.); Maranagere (S); Kanchoghatta (W); Annapurna, Halepalya and Hosapalya(N). The common temple scenario in these Hindu dominated village localities of the town is, that, each village has a village goddess with predominantly a Shiva temple. In al these zone has 33% of Hindu dominated area of southern limits of the vast Gandhinagar has a mosque. In fact this mosque is located in slum area.
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS:
Tiptur town being a Hindu dominated town has important festivals performed in the town. The prominent ones are associated with the temples, which have bee described previously.
Religious function in Kote area:
Kote area is a core area not only area for its origin, location, and functions characteristics, but also for religious functions also. Since historic period a number of religious functions were celebrated. At present mainly five religious functions are being celebrated. They are:
- Gramadevata Jathra (Village Goddess Festival)
This annual fair celebrated during March – April, for a period of seven days. It is held in front of Kempamma temple (Tipturamma) on B.H. road. Trustees of this institution, Gudigowdaru (Village head) and surrounding 15 villages have been playing an important role in the conduct of the fair. This is an important Hindu festival of the town, which attracts a large number of devotees from the town and the villages around the Tiptur town.
The annual fair consists of Poojas, Utsavas, Car Festival, traditional band beatings, fruit and flower and cash offerings. Special types of articles are sold in the Car Festival market, which is a common feature of this festival. - Festival at Anjaneya temple: is celebrated during Shravana masa (July). The God is taken during this festival on a procession. This is mainly a festival of local agriculturists and others are only viewers. Lingayats, Brahmins, Kurubas and people of other castes are normally engaged in celebrating this festival.
- Karahabba: is a community festival, related to agriculture life in the town, which comes on Karahunnime (a full – moonday of May). Since, Tiptur has rural beginning and also still has a lot of links with rural brothern, it has some this kind of village life based festivals. It is also a festival of worshipping Cattle. However in the present context of urbanized living, the festival is loosing its community celebration.
- Ganesha festival is celebrated in various public places and individual houses, starting from the day the Ganesha festival (September/October). It is common thing to observe. This festival is gaining popularity.
- Kannika Parameshwari Utsava is also an important festival of the Kotearea. Vyaya community of the town plays an important role in this festival.
- Mallikarjuna Swami Temple Committee also celebrates a number of poojas and utsavas in the main streets and also within the temple complex. There are important poojar which are performed by a large number of devotees on the night of Mahashivarathri.
- Poojas and Abhishekhas at Kolleswara temple on the night of Mahashivaratri attract a large number of devotees. The investigator has noted the age- group of participants in the above mentioned festivals. Over 60% of participants are under the age – group of 35-59. Caste constitution on the participants consists of Lingayats, Brahmins, Kurubas, Vokkaligas, Ganigas, S.Banajigas.
Ganesha festial is held in the campus of vegetable market. Ganesha festival is also celebrated in various parts of the town. But Dodda Ganapathi festival, which is celebrated in vegetable market campus, is very significant. It is a festival of the entire town. The invocation of big Ganisha idol (made in mud) starts on the day of Vinayaka Chathurthi (During September/October). Daily poojas, Homas, Havanas arranged by trustees and other public devotees is celebrated this festival for 48 days. This is popular for cultural programs. Which the organized as a part of the festival music concerts, harikathe, dance, drama and other programmers of cultural interest are arranged daily. On the last day of the festival a procession of the deity is taken out in many streets of the town and towards the end the deity is immersed in the water. Fire works and bursting of crackers add colour to the event thousands of people from various parts of the district participate in this famous festival. Before 1978 when the Tiptur tank was full of water, there was another attractive function called Theppotsave (Procession on raft/float). After 1978 due to lack of water in the tank it is not in arranged.
Religious functions in and around K.R. Extension:
- Utsava at Saibaba Mandira, which includes Bhajans (singing of devotional songs), discourses on topics of spiritual importance and other activities through out the year. However the number of such programmes more during Sharavanamasa (July/August)
- Subramanyaswamy Utsava: During Shravana (July/August) this utsava is held with small number of devotees. It is held in the transitional zone of K.R. Extension and H.B.Colony and Vidyanagara (Ward No.10).
- Religious functions celebrated in Sri Sringeri Sharada Mutt: In the northern end of the K.R. Extension through out the year harikathas and classical music programmes are an important occasions. In these musical events artists from national and state level are invited. Reputed Brahmin families and trusties of this mutt are the organizers of these functions.
- There is only one Church in the town and it is located in K.R. Extension. Christians celebrate Christmas, Good Friday and other functions.
Religious functions on Rama Mandir Road
- Ramotsava a nine day utsava is celebrated during Ramanavami festival (May) at Ramamandir which is located in the center of the town. Pujas, Abhishekas and Bhajans are important functions.
- Karthika Puja: during Karthika Masa (November) special poojas are arranged in Ramamandir.
- Recentlyl a beautiful Jain temple has been built in Rama Mandir Road. A number of Jain festivals are celebrated in this temple.
Gandhinagar Area
This is a vast residential are inhabited by Muslim and Hindu communities in the southern part of Tiptur town.
- Moharam-ten- day’s festivals is observed by Muslims. Thousands of Muslims celebrate by offering cash and sweets and walking on the street in groups.
- Utsava at the shrine of Yellamma – A temple that is situated in Gandhinagar is one of the important celebration centres of this area. Some clashes between the Hindu groups are also reported during festivals.
- Functions at the Chamundeswari temple in the western part of Gandhinagar can be also seen. It is normally held during November and May months.
Religious functions in the village parts of the town:
- Haunma Jayanthi at Holeplayla village is attracting a large number of devotees in the recent years.
- Mahalaxmi utsava is being held in the same area.
- Poojas, utsavas are also celebrated in Ranganatha temple of Halepalya.
- Grama devatha jathra is also celebrated in Halepalya.
- A number of poojas, utsavas are celebrated in Korchaghetta, Maranagere, Garagondonahalli and Bandihalli.
Particularly in the Hindu localities, which are prominent in Tiptur town, the pooja services are being offered to nearby god/goddess by most of the households. During special seasons (like Karthikamasa/navarathri days) the pooja services are offered in large numbers. For some communities it is imperative that they offer poojas to their Gods. In spite of urbanization these pooja services are getting intensive in relatively economically well off localities. But the number of such poojas is being reduced in poorer areas of the town.
RELIGIOUS MUTTS AS SPECIAL FEATURES:
All most religious mutts render social services in the form of running schools, hostels, community health and marriages along with their religious discourses they often open several branches of such institutions to yield power over the people in their area. However their religious cum people oriented programmes predominate their political clout. Affiliate they command sizable property and money in various parts of the country, though their seat may be non urban far off location, they have there branches in big and medium sized towns with community halls and a set of educational institutions. Our study area Tiptur town is no far away from such institutions. In this sub section an attempt is made to highlight the Mutts and their role in urban life of Tiptur. [See Figure No. 7.2].
Matts and Hostels Scenario in Tiptur:
It is the rich hinterland of Tiptur town where commercial crop like coconut gardening. Specially copra trade with generosity of people have attracted religious muttas to the town. As early as 1912 his holiness Niranjana Jagadguru Sri Jayadeva Murugarajendra Swamiji of Chitradurga started Jayadeva hostel in the town. Others both lingayath, non lingayath and other government hostels established during 1960’s others have followed in the later years got established more or less in north of BH road and railway line in Tiptur town. The special feature of these mutts is that, apart from having a religious deity they have free mess for their visiting devotes maintained round the year. They also have marriage halls, as a service often they are let out for nominal charges. Since they are engaged in this kind of community based service often in older part of the town they have problems of shortage of living space, space for parking vehicles. Since some of them have student hostels to get income to maintain hostels rent out the premises that too, when students have examinations. Blaring mike’s sound pollution is not uncommon in these premises. But morning and evening prayers, some seasonal spiritual discourses, occasional marriage counseling, yoga sessions are worth mentioning services. With increasing population density, roads are I poor shape in providing good excess to these institutions.
At present there are six mutts and seventeen hostels in Tiptur town. A glance at Table No. 7.2 reveals that, they are distributed more or less in linear pattern adjacent to old township along B.H. Road (See figure No. 7.2) Again most of these hostels are maintained by religious community based institutions. In terms of spatial distribution they are closely follow religious mutts. However, these out number the mutts even there are about three hostels, which are maintained by State Government for backward classes. As most of the educational institutions particularly high schools (11); Junior college (8) and college and technical institutions (7) are along the B.H. Road, these are located nearby municipal wards like 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 26, 27 in the town (See Figure No. 7.2).
Field study has revealed that, in the years of increasing alienation, individuality, increased influence of western culture these religious heads and communities are maintaining them well. Some of them are in need of space as they are in older areas often with marriage halls. Problem of crowding is rising as demand for hostels is rising with rise in number of educational institutions and student strength in the town. As Tiptur town is yet to get insufficient water supply from Hemavathi canal water and frequent power cuts is bothering these hostels.
These religious institutions consisting temples, mutt’s premises with their associated land uses and hostels etc. The detailed study of land use related to Mutts and hostels has revealed that, they together account for nearly 40% of total public utility land use in 1999-2000. It is a sizable area with its other component uses like schools and colleges and government office, parks and playgrounds. In fact their presence mostly in just west of the commercial heart of the town has good access to arterial roads. But the growing student’s strengths and devotees, the crowding is visible. Tiptur town is situated on a rather plain land area, where town is growing along roads radiating from the town. However it is evident from the town’s map that it has first grown in a linear pattern along B.H. road and the railway line.
Table No. 7.2
Hostels and Mutts in Tiptur town
A) Hostels :
| Sl. No. | Hostelsl and Community | No. | Year of Establishment | Ward No. | Land Area (in Hects.) | Accanmo date on Capacity | For | Ownership |
| 1 | Jayadeva Hostel (Lingayath) | 1 | 1912 | 6 | 3 | 100-150 | Boys | Private religious/ community |
| 2 | Gurukula Hostel (Lingayath) | 1 | 1922 | 7 | 7 | 150-200 | Boys | Private |
| 3 | Vyshya Boys Hostel (Vyshya) | 1 | 1962 | 6 | 2.5 | 75-100 | Girls | Private |
| 4 | Vyshya Girls Hostel (Vyshya) | 1 | 1962 | 5 | 100-150 | Boys | Private | |
| 5 | Kalpatharu College Hostels (Public) | 3 | 1965 | 11+26 | 5 | 200-300 | Boys & Girls | Government |
| 6 | Sorvodaya (Govt.) | 1 | 1955 | 21 | 2.5 | 100-150 | Boys | Government |
| 7 | Bapuji Hostel (Govt.) | 1 | 1970 | 27 | 2.5 | 100-120 | Boys | Government |
| 8 | Backward class Hostels (Govt.) | 2 | 1978 | 19 | 2 | 100-150 | Girls | Government |
| 9 | Other Community Hostels | 6 | 1952-1990 | 8,10,17 | 2-3acre. Each | 100-150 each | Boys & Girls | Private |
| Total | 17 |
B) Mattas :
| 1 | Muruga Rajendra Mutt | 6 Ward | Hostels for all community + Marriage Hall + Sanskrit School |
| 2 | Siddlehalli Mutt | 7 Ward | ITI + Marriage Hall |
| 3 | Moorusavira Mutt | 26 Ward | School |
| 4 | Parappa Swami Mutt | 24 Ward | |
| 5 | Siddarooda Mutt | 24 Ward | Spiritual Services/ free food for devotees |
| 6 | Shankar Mutta | 8 Ward | Hostels for Brahmins (40 years) |
Source: Data compiled by Field study
LOCAL NEWS PUBLICATIONS:
Urban settlements particularly the larger ones are centres for a variety of functions. One such specialized function is that they are centres of publication of daily newspapers weeklies and other periodicals. By doing so, they carve out their own service zone. R.L. Singh, Bangalore- An Urban Survey – Bangalore Newspaper service areas can be cited. A big city acquires its metropolitan quality through the newspapers published in English and other languages. In fact the newspapers affect the Urban Living in a highway. For instance, Bangalore city is largely affected by – Prajavani and Deccan Herald. Similarly in Bombay – Times of India, in Madras- The Hindu, in New Delhi – Hindustan Times, in Kalkota – Anand Bazar Patrika and in Pune – Kesari. But, it is small and medium towns do not normally have daily newspaper however one or two weeklies are published on a weekly marker day. Such news weekly papers like Kidi, Jwalanukhi, Agni, etc. are published on weekly Markey day. Following table shows the list of such weekly paper in Tumkur district.
Table No. 7.3
Tumkur district’s News Papers Publication
| Sl. No | Taluk Head Quarters | Weekly Marker day | Publications |
| 1 | C.N. Halli | Monday | Maylara Vani, Kuppura Vani, Suddi |
| 2 | Gubbi | Monday | Sathya Vedike |
| 3 | Koratagere | Monday | Suvarna Mukhi Koratagere Crimes, Agneya Vani |
| 4 | Kunigal | Wednesday | Kunigal Nagari, Kunigal Kudure, Jayavardhini |
| 5 | Madhugiri | Wednesday | Madhugiri Times, Madhugiri Mitra, Hasiruthorana |
| 6 | Pavagada | Monday | Paarakrami, Shankar Khadga |
| 7 | Sira | Tuesday | - |
| 8 | Tiptur | Wednesday/Saturday | Aadithya Vani, Sevaka, Anttyodaya, Raithakirana |
| 9 | Tumkur | Monday/ Thursday | Praja pragathi, Sogadu, Tumakur Varthe, Madyama, Nazeer Beg, Lokagni, Gangavahini, Amruthavani |
| 10 | Turuvekere | Monday | - |
Source: Data compiled field study during 2000
Tiptur town being a class three commercial town with a population of around 55,000 has a very poor reading public. The local dailies like Adityavani, Sogadu, Raitakirana, Tipturtimes etc. were started with a lot of funfair, but subsequently closed down without public support. The newspapers were also badly managed. Due to its very location Bangalore-Honnavara Road fast facility to which is closer to the state capital, people preferred to read publications from the Bangalore City. Though literacy rate is over 80%, the people are not encouraging the publication of even a weekly newspaper from the town. Before the nineties, when the T.V was not popular and even newspaper and magazines were not in good number, each taluk headquarter including Tiptur town encouraged the publication of one or two such weekly news papers. In fact Kidi and Jwalamukhi published from Madhugiri in 1964-65 played a vital role in the dissemination of police excesses (Sugarcane growers – Gauribidanur Sugar Mill). They used to carry out even local advertisement. Table No: 7.3 is showing the current status of some publications in Tumkur district in 2000.
Presence of a large number of schools and colleges in Tiptur town normally as an annual affair publish school and college magazines. Often they reflect not only the creative ability of the students but also the prevailing cultural landscape of Tiptur in them.
SCENARIO OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS:
Educational institutions of various types ranging from primary to higher level play a vital role in the growth and life of an urban settlement. At one level we see exclusive educational towns like Nalanda Nagarjunakonda, Taxasila etc. At the other level each urban settlement depending upon the size and other special reasons support a variety of educational Institutions often reputed base of the town. Mysore, Dharwad, Belgaum, Tumkur etc. in Karnatake form good examples for such educational towns. However certain religious institutions (see previous section on mutts and their roles) and of late private bodies have established both general and professional educational institutions. The sixties, seventies and also the subsequent years have witnessed the growth of urban settlement. In fact Mysore, Mangalore, Bangalore, Tumkur and Tiptur, in Southern Karnataka, Gadag, Hubli, Gulbaraga etc., in Northern Karnataka have plenty of educational institutions influencing the urban growth.
Tiptur, in as early as 1962, became a nerve centre of a prominent reputed educational institution and that is Kalpatharu Vidyasamsthe. By 1970 onwards it had a host of primary and high schools managed by both government, private, and religion bodies. (See Table No.: 7.4). However Tiptur town has the credit of having a pre independence period High school (1925).
Growth and History of Educational Institutiona:
In 1868, ‘Hobli School Scheme’ was introduced by Lewis Rice. This scheme envisaged the establishment of formal school education at each Hobli Headquarters. Under this scheme the first formal schooling was introduced in Tiptur in 1868. Tiptur became the Taluk head quarters in 1886 and a superior vernacular school was established. In 1890 Tiptur had the facility of primary and middle schools.
Table No. 7.4
Educational Institutions in Tiptur town
| Sl. No. | Type | Number | % | Number of students | % | Number 0f teachers | % |
| 1 | Primary and Higher Primary | 33 | 58.92 | 7560 | 47.6 | 215 | 44.33 |
| 2 | High Schools and Junior colleges | 16 | 28.57 | 5270 | 33.18 | 180 | 37.12 |
| 3 | Colleges, and technical institutions | 7 | 12.51 | 3050 | 19.22 | 90 | 18.55 |
| Total | 56 | 1 | 15880 | 1 | 485 | 1 |
Source: Data compiled by Personal Survey
In 1925, the first high school was established and it was also first high school of outside the district headquarters of Tumkur. As population and importance for education increased more and more primary, higher primary and high schools were established. In subsequent years 1962 is the landmark year in the history of education and total development of the town. In this year the crowing event happened through the establishment of a first grade college under Kalpatharu Vidya Samsthe. This education institution achieved a lot in offering higher education in the subsequent years. In 1986, Kalpatharu Institute of Technology was established. At present Kalpatharu Institution has acquired the status of running a post-graduate centre.
Number of Educational Institutions in Tiptur Town:
However the Table No. 7.3 reveals that there are thirty-three lower and higher primary schools, sixteen high school/Junior colleges and seven college/technical institutions in the town. The percentage of institutions in different categories account for such as 58.92% of primary and higher primary, 28.57% of both High schools and Junior colleges and 12.51% of college including technical education institutions. (See Table No. 7.4)
Students’ number account 15,880 from lower primary to Higher education. Among these over 47.60% of students are studying in higher and lower primary education. High school and Junior college students’ strength account for 33.18%. However college and technical educations like engineering polytechnic and I.T.I students account for 19.22% in the year 2000-01
Percentage of Teachers accounts 44.33% in Primary and Higher Primary, 37.12% in High schools and Junior colleges and 18.55% in college and technical education. (See Table No. 7.3)
If we observe the Table No. 7.4, there is a variation of about 13% in between Primary and High school / Junior college student strength. It shows the decrease in the numbers of students of High school / Junior college, again about 14% lesser in between High school / Junior college and College/Technical students. This 13% and 14% of lesser number of students from higher primary to High school and Junior college level to college is nothing but dropouts. This is owing to several reasons. However the socio – economic reasons out number than the personal like/dislike educational system.
Table No. 7.5
Distribution of Educational Institutions in Tiptur Town
| Zone | Primary and Higher | Number of High schools and Junior colleges | Colleges and technical institutions | |||
| % | % | % | ||||
| 1.Core/Central area | 9 | 27.3 | 3 | 18.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2.Intermidiate zone | 13 | 39.4 | 12 | 75 | 3 | 42.8 |
| 3.Outer zone | 11 | 33.3 | 1 | 6.3 | 4 | 57.2 |
| Total | 33(58.9) | 100 | 16(28.6) | 100 | 7(12.5) | 56 |
Source: Data compiled by fieldwork
A look at Table No. 7.5 reveals the spatial distribution of various educational institutions in Tiptur town by 2000-2001. As primary and higher primary is the form of required level of education we see fairly well and almost even and excessive distribution of these institutions in almost all the 27 wards, Which in turn have been re delineated into inner, Intermediate and outer zones. Government run primary schools have relatively good buildings with sports grounds and other infrastructure. However about 33% are privately managed schools and most of them do not have certain infrastructure. In all these primary educational institutions for 58.9% of total number and educational institutions.
Coming to High Schools and Junior colleges they account for about 28.6% of total number of educational institutions. About 19% of them are located in various wards of central zone. However highest concentration of these high schools is found in the intermediate zone (75%). As people from inner areas and also from outer zone can easily reach these intermediate zones we see this overwhelming location of high schools in intermediate zone of Tiptur. At the same time outer zone constitutes scattered built up areas with rural landscape within town limits then intermediate zone provides ideal location for development of educational institutions particularly high schools. Hence we see only one high school in the outer zone. About 81% of high schools and junior colleges are under private management leaving 19% under government sector.
The scenario of college like higher education institutions as they requires larger space and equally bigger infrastructure like building, laboratories, playgrounds, etc. nor they have been developed only in intermediate and outer zones. The famous ones are institutions managed by Kalpatharu Vidya Samsthe, even in that the outer zone has slightly more of this kind of higher educational institutions.
THEATERS, CINEMAS AND RECREATIONAL SCENARIO:
Urban settlements like Los Vegas (USA) and certain towns draw their sustenance by the presence of gambling and recreational activities. But, there are cinema halls and famous theatres, which hold apart from their daily shows often the annual cinema and theatre festivals. However, these form of higher order recreational and aesthetic values in the urban community and they normally present in great metro politic cities like London, New York, Paris, Moscow, Delhi, Bangalore, Thiruvanathapura. But, medium size commercial town like Tiptur has four cinema theatres and four exclusive theatres for the performance of plays dance etc. Though it is very close to Gubbi (birth place of famous Gubbi Veeranna Theatre), Tiptur has failed to promote a permanent theatre in the town except Shikshakarabavana. At the same time relatively well – off urban community have succeeded in getting Low Power Transmission (LPT) TV station (1989) even before Tumkur city. Though distance factor is involved the presence of rich business people and other who can afford T.V sets have been able to bring T.V. station to the town rather than a drama theatre. It has to be stated that before 1990 there were regular annual state leave drama competition arranged by old boys association of Kalpataru Vidya Samsthe. These activities were held in open-air theatre in the K.R. Extension, unfortunately since last ten years this famous cultural activity of the town has been stopped.
However in Gandhinagara area Dr. Ambedakar Bhavan has an auditorium, which is used for cultural events. This is useful to the southern part of the town.
Kalpatharu Vidya Samsthe has a big auditorium in its college campus where college function and youth festivals are held.
Town is lacks common good auditorium for its size and reputation as commercial hub of tumkur District smaller community hall earmarked for the public also use smaller functions for cultural functions.
Schools and colleges apart from religious centres (Shankaramutt) normally hold annual music event along with other recreation (programme). There are four Cinema Halls screening Kannada, Hindi and other language films regularly. In the recent years T.V. with cable network have in providing almost round the clock entertainment. From the fieldwork it was apparent that there is overwhelming use of T.V than converntional theatre/dramas in Tiptur.