Suresh Laxman Rajamane

The Foundation Project implemented by IFA will engage 35 students of Government Lower Primary School, Doniyavara Thota, Metagudda village in Mudhol taluk, Bagalkot district. Titled Bete Nayigala Kote Mudhol (Mudhol: The Fort of Dogs), this 15 month initiative aims to nurture observation, curiosity, expression, and creative connections through the cultural and ecological lens of the Mudhol hound. By integrating Environmental Science, Mathematics, and Kannada with creative writing, sculpture, mural-making, and community documentation, the project positions the dog as a central figure of inquiry and imagination. Suresh Laxman Rajamane is the Project Coordinator for this foundation project. 

Suresh Laxman Rajamane hails from Rannabelagali village in Mudhol taluk, Bagalkot district. By profession, he is a teacher; by passion, he is a writer. He has published three poetry collections Suduvina Benkiya Nagu, Mounayuddha, Rajiyagada Raktada Kana, a  ghazal collection Kattalagarbha Belaku, one reflective verse collection Vishwasada Hejjegalu, and a concise reference book introducing women writers to children Akshadarasi. Deeply involved in literary pursuits, he enjoys writing articles, poems, and stories for newspapers, collecting profiles of inspiring personalities, singing, and experimenting with creative activities in school. These hobbies reflect his commitment to both education and cultural enrichment. Given his experience, he is best placed to be the Project Coordinator of this Foundation Project of IFA. 

Bete Nayigala Kote Mudhol is built on the belief that education becomes truly meaningful when it connects with the everyday world children see, hear, and live. By placing the Mudhol hound a native Indian dog breed at the heart of the learning experience, the project bridges classroom subjects with real-life encounters, cultural heritage, and community engagement.

Mudhol hounds are known for their speed, strength, and agility. In 2017, they became the first Indian dogs to be inducted into the Indian Army, trained at the Remount and Veterinary Corps Centre in Meerut. Originating from Mudhol, a town in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district, the breed carries historical significance, with accounts suggesting that a local ruler once gifted two puppies to King George V. Though their lineage is debated some tracing it to Arabian Salukis or Central Asian breeds introduced during the Mughal era many experts consider Mudhol hounds to be a uniquely Indian hybrid, closely related to southern breeds like the Kanni and Chippiparai.

Suresh uses this rich cultural and biological heritage as a foundation to meet the learning competencies outlined by the education department for primary students. These include identifying animal movement, sounds, habitats, and food habits, as well as recognising differences of species and understanding care and characteristics. Mudhol dogs, with their distinct traits and local relevance, become a living example to anchor these goals.

Children begin by collecting stories, facts, and folklore about Mudhol hounds from their families and local community. With a conservation center just 20 km from the school, they gain direct exposure to the breed. As they share and compare stories, language skills naturally develop. Writers and authors conduct workshops to help shape these narratives into poems and prose. Each child writes monthly postcards containing stories, rhymes, and reflections, which are sent to at least 50 households. This recurring activity strengthens vocabulary, expression, and community connection. As curiosity grows, children begin asking deeper questions about the dogs’ value, traits, and seasonal behavior. Teachers guide this inquiry, helping students build research and analytical skills.

Students then engage in creative activities such as designing a large mural, crafting illustrated story panels, and sculpting Mudhol hounds in clay. The mural features local animals—dogs, cows, cats, crows, parrots and their coexistence with humans, while integrating math concepts like counting footprints and comparing sizes. Illustrated panels narrate a dog’s daily life through simple sentences and vibrant visuals, supported by visiting artists. Clay sculptures introduce children to traditional craft and cultural preservation. Poster-making activities allow students to express their bond with the breed and promote responsible citizenship. These posters, highlighting care, protection, and the role of the dog in farming and community life, are distributed to nearby homes. 

In the final stage, students publicly exhibit their illustrated stories, letters, and creative works. This not only celebrates their learning journey but also strengthens their confidence, communication skills, and sense of belonging. Through this project, Suresh transforms the Mudhol hound from a subject of study into a symbol of heritage, empathy, and inquiry. Children learn that even a dog can be a doorway to understanding language, numbers, nature, and emotion making education a lived, shared, and deeply rooted experience. 

The outcome of this project will be an exhibition. The Project Coordinator’s deliverables to IFA with the final report will be copies of the photographs and the video documentation of the entire project.

This project suitably addresses the framework of IFA’s Arts Education programme in the manner in which it attempts to connect students and schools to the cultural knowledge of the local communities they live in. 

IFA will ensure that the implementation of this project happens promptly and funds expended are accounted for. IFA will also review the progress of the project at midterm and document it through an Implementation Memorandum. After the project is finished and all deliverables are submitted, IFA will put together a Final Evaluation to share with Trustees.

This Foundation Project is made possible in partnership with InterGlobe Foundation.