Step into a Van Gogh painting this June 29
OB Bureau
Bangalore, brace yourself. Starting June 29, you won’t just see a Van Gogh—you’ll step inside one. “The Real Van Gogh Immersive Experience” is coming to Bharatiya Mall, promising an electrifying, 30-minute dive into the psyche and palette of one of the most enigmatic artists in history.
Produced and co-curated by Nikhil Chinappa, the experience goes beyond pretty projections. “Everyone’s heard of Van Gogh—but how many really know him?” says Chinappa. “We’re not just showcasing his art—we’re showing his mind, his pain, his process.”
This isn’t the city’s first brush with a Van Gogh exhibit (remember Van Gogh 360 last year?), but this one claim to be different. For starters, it’s built on a 200-page visual and psychological deep dive by New York-based artist and curator Hemali Vadalia. She’s obsessed enough to know “when Van Gogh’s dots turn into dashes, and dashes curve into emotion.”
The show features fully animated interpretations of iconic works like Seascape at Saintes-Maries, brought to life by local animator Naveen Kiran Boktapa. Sailing ships bob, waves ripple, stars swirl—every digital flourish rooted in artistic intent, not gimmick.
All of it is lit up by India’s first 22,000-lumen projection system—bright enough to feel like Van Gogh’s infamous sunflowers are blooming right in front of you.
But the show isn’t just tech and dazzle. It’s packed with moments that decode the man behind the brush. Ever wondered why Van Gogh used so much yellow? Turns out, it might not have been just an aesthetic choice. “One theory says prolonged use of Digitalis—used to treat his seizures—caused him to literally see the world in yellow hues,” reveals Chinappa.
Whether you’re an art nerd, a curious wanderer, or someone just looking for a sensory escape—this is a ride through colour, chaos, and creativity you don’t want to miss.
“The Real Van Gogh Immersive Experience” opens June 29 at Bharatiya Mall.
HL: Rapido ride turns violent!
OB Bureau
A Rapido bike taxi rider was caught on camera allegedly slapping a woman passenger in Bangalore’s Jayanagar, in an incident that has since gone viral on social media and raised fresh concerns over commuter safety.
According to the police, the altercation took place last week when the woman, employed as a saleswoman at a jewellery store, was en route to work. She reportedly confronted the rider over rash driving and alleged that he jumped traffic signals. The confrontation escalated after she chose to end the ride midway and refused to pay the fare or return the helmet.
A widely circulated video of the incident shows the rider slapping the woman with such force that she falls to the ground, prompting shock and outrage online.
Both the rider and the woman were later brought to the Jayanagar police station for questioning. However, despite being urged by the police, the woman declined to file a formal complaint.
“We have registered a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) since the woman has not submitted a complaint. A notice has also been issued to her to encourage her to file one, which would allow us to register an FIR and proceed with a full investigation,” said Lokesh B Jagalasar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).
The rider has been questioned, and legal action will follow based on the findings, the DCP added. Rapido has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.
The video has reignited concerns over safety measures and background checks for bike taxi services operating in the city.
Bangalore, the country’s tech hub, boasts a massive fleet of bike taxis, with Rapido holding 60% of the market share, clocking 16.5 lakh rides daily. Bike taxis employ at least 1.5 lakh gig workers across the state.
Meanwhile, from June 16, the state government banned bike-taxis in the city. (Read our Cover Story on Page 8&9).
HL: Techies fume over 12-hr shift plan
OB Bureau
The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has strongly opposed a reported move by the state government to extend daily working hours in the IT, ITeS, and BPO sectors to 12 hours. The union has urged workers across industries to resist what it called an alarming rollback of employee rights.
The backlash comes after the Labour Department convened a meeting mid-week to discuss a possible amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act. The proposed change, according to trade unions present, aims to increase the legal workday from the current cap of 10 hours (including overtime) to 12 hours.
Representatives from KITU attended the meeting alongside labour officials and industry stakeholders. The union expressed deep concern over the proposal, calling it a push towards “modern-day slavery” that could have serious implications on workers’ mental and physical wellbeing.
Union leaders warned that legalising 12-hour shifts would open the door for companies to adopt a two-shift system, which they said could reduce the workforce by a third. They argued that the change prioritises corporate profits over employee welfare and erodes job security.
They criticised the move, stating that the government appeared more interested in appeasing corporate interests than safeguarding human dignity. He said the proposal had little to do with productivity and instead risked turning workers into machines.
KITU also raised red flags over mental health, citing the State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024, which found that 90% of corporate employees under the age of 25 experience anxiety. The union said this proposal would only worsen the situation, placing additional strain on an already burdened workforce.
Reiterating its opposition, KITU said it would continue to resist the proposed amendment and called for greater solidarity among employees across sectors to push back against what it sees as a dangerous precedent