Category Archives: Arts,Culture & Entertainment

Braille guide, video brochure for Thenmala in Kerala

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Barrier-free access for hearing and visually challenged to country’s first planned ecotourism destination

Visually challenged people reaching Thenmala, the country’s first planned ecotourism destination, will be provided with a visitor’s guide in Braille, the tactile writing system, from March.

For the aurally challenged, a video brochure with sign language has been incorporated as a separate corner in www.thenmalaecotourism. com, the official website of the Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) that manages the destination.

Mobile app

A mobile application, a guiding app that will briefly narrate the attractions of the destination, is also on the anvil. The 16-page Braille brochure has all information needed for a traveller.

The initiative is part of the efforts to encourage people with visual and hearing impairement to visit Thenmala.

It is also part of the barrier-free tourism project launched last year to make tourist destinations accessible to all visitors.

“This is the first time a Braille tourism brochure is being made available at a tourist destination in the State. The brochures will be provided to the visually challenged from the TEPS office,” Ecotourism Director and CEO of TEPS P.P. Pramod told The Hindu.

Students of Government School for the Blind, Vazhuthacaud, is behind the Braille brochure.

It is the outcome of a day trip organised for students as part of a CSR initiative. “We realised the constraints faced and requested them for solutions. The Braille brochure was the outcome,” he said. Students of Government VHSS for Deaf, Jagathy, came up with the video brochure with sign language after their visit.

For using the mobile application being launched on trial basis, the QR code will come in handy if the visitor does not have data connection. After getting the feedback, a complete version of the app will be rolled out by TEPS in IOS platform.

Along with this, Buddha Mayoori, which has been declared as the State butterfly, has got a special corner in the butterfly park.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by S. Anil Radhakrishnan / Thiruvananthapuram – February 27th, 2019

The tale of a much-loved hero

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

Professor Lissie Mathew’s book, Kathivanoor Veeran: Malakayariya Manushyan, Churamirangiya Daivam, traces the evolution of an ordinary man to God

Mannappan and Chemmarathy were not exactly a model couple, they fought as intensely as they loved. When he dies in war, after a domestic squabble, Chemmarathy is heartbroken, the last words she uttered to him were the unkindest. She jumps into his pyre and the two attain godly status. This is an extraordinary tale of Mannappan, a man who goes up to Coorg in Karnataka from his village, Mangad in Kannur, dies a war hero, and returns as Kathivanoor Veeran. To this date, few can listen to the tragic hero’s tale without a lump in the throat.

Professor Lissie Mathew’s book, Kathivanoor Veeran: Malakayariya Manushyan, Churamirangiya Daivam, retraces Mannappan’s journey to Kodagu (Coorg). Having grown up in Vayattuparambu in Kannur, Lissie’s childhood was full of the stories and colours of Theyyam. And she had always wanted to explore the story of Kathivanoor Veeran. A professor of Malayalam at the Sankaracharya College, Kalady, working on its Payyannur campus, she has to her credit 12 books.

Kathivanoor Veeran is one among the most popular Theyyams, for it is a visual spectacle where the performer indulges in acrobatics and comes in close contact with fire. “It is an experience to watch Kathivanoor Veeran in action. I wanted to bring out the hero’s story through this book,” Lissie says.

The book delves into the micro-histories of Northern Malabar, where folktales, fiction, fact and history mingle in curious ways. It also explains the Theyyam, its rituals and practices in a detailed manner.

Excerpts from an interview with Lissie Mathew

Can you describe your relationship with the work.

I should say the book came out straight out of my mind, though it took four years of research, travel and interaction with people, to complete. It was hard work, but I wanted to trace Kathivanoor Veeran’s route from Mangad in Kannur to Kodagu (modern day Coorg). Through the thottam (the song sung before the ritualistic practice), which describes Mannappan’s life and death in great detail, one can get an insight into the geography, culture, mores and history of North Malabar. I followed the thottam to retrace Mannappan’s journey.

The thottam would have been difficult to interpret as it is in archaic Malayalam, often in the local dialect.

Yes. I could not understand it, the first time I heard it. I got the thottam singers to sing it for me, recorded it and I listened to it over and over again, until it began to make sense. It is fascinating, how these songs combine legend, history, reality and imagination. Most of the places mentioned in the thottams remain, though in different names. These thottams speak of a culture that is over a 1,000 years old.

What is the relevance of Theyyam today?

Theyyam talks about people and their problems, their relationship with Nature and fellow creatures. A rural-agricultural lifestyle makes up its very foundation. For instance, a Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam performance is always followed by an annadanam (feast), which everyone partakes of. In this day and age, when we, as a people are becoming more self-centred, this is an example of how we are a part of our community and how we need to share our resources.

Performed most often in sacred groves (kaavus), it is important to understand the relevance of preserving these pockets of biodiversity intact. It is heartening to see that even the younger generation respects the rituals associated with Theyyam. By wanting to preserve the sanctity of Theyyam’s rituals, they are also contributing towards preserving the ecosystem.

Theyyam is performed by people in the subaltern communities. The Chirakkal Kolathiris, the rulers of the land, gave certain subaltern communities the right to perform Theyyam and it is continued to this day. Once they become Gods, even the upper castes, pray to them.

In that sense, Theyyam is undoubtedly, extremely relevant today.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books / by Anasuya Menon / February 28th, 2019

Bishop Jerome declared Servant of God as prelude to beatification

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Canonisation : Kollam Bishop Paul Antony Mullassery declaring Bishop Jerome as Servant of God during the holy mass at Thangassery on Sunday.   | Photo Credit: C Suresh Kumar R

Bishop Jerome, the first native bishop of Kollam diocese of the Catholic Church, has been declared Servant of God, initiating the process of his beatification and canonisation.

Kollam Bishop Paul Antony Mullassery made the declaration during the holy mass held at Infant Jesus Cathedral, Thangassery, here on Sunday. He also unveiled a portrait of the late bishop, who would be now called the Servant of God.

Archbishop M. Soosapakiam was the chief celebrant who led the pontifical mass while the co-celebrants included Changanassery Arch Bishop Joseph Perunthottam, former Kollam Boshop Stanley Roman, Neyyattinkara Bishop Vincent Samuel, Punalur Bishop Selvister Ponnumuthan, Alappuzha Bishop Stephan Athipozhiyil, Mavelikkara Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios and Pathanamthitta Bishop Samuel Irenios.

First step

Declaring the late bishop Servant of God is the first step towards recognising him as a saint.

Former Kollam Bishop Stanley Roman had started the proceedings for the same and a delegation from Kollam had visited Vatican last year to hand over the report on the completion of the initialisation. Bishop Jerome, who was ordained as the first native Bishop of Kollam in 1937 and led the diocese till 1978, will be bestowed the title of ‘venerable’ in the next stage followed by beatification and canonisation.

Kollam diocese had organised programmes to mark the occasion including workshops on the life of the late bishop and processions.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> State> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Kollam – February 25th, 2019

Sakthan Palace to get a facelift

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It was converted into a museum in 2005

The Sakthan Palace, situated in the heart of the Thrissur city, will soon get a facelift.

The palace was reconstructed in Kerala-Dutch style by Ramavarma Thampuran in 1795. Once the centre of power of the Sakthan Thampuran, it has been preserved by the Department of Archaeology. It was converted into a museum in 2005.

The palace was renovated with ₹1.75 crore recently. In addition to this, a joint Centre-State fund of ₹5 crore has also been allocated for the palace development now.

CCTV cameras

The amount will be utilised to make it one of the best museums in the State. The palace will be given a new coat of paint.

The garden will also get a facelift. Seats, toilet complex, and a walk-way will be constructed.

As part of the recent development project, 27 CCTV cameras were installed on the palace premises. A fire alarm has also been installed.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Thrissur – February 24th, 2019

Mattancherry’s 463-year-old synagogue now a cattle shed

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The stench of cow dung, unkempt surroundings and obscene graffiti on its shutters drive away curious visitors to the Kadavumbhagom synagogue. Photo: VIPIN CHANDRAN  

Prayers at synagogue stopped after most of its members left for Israel

The Paradesi synagogue at Mattancherry receives several thousand visitors every year from all over the world. People flock to Jew Street to catch a glimpse of the well-preserved 16 century synagogue and the descendants of the Paradesi Jews who still follow the old customs. Not many know, however, that a second synagogue older than the Paradesi synagogue still stands just a few metres from it. At the other end of Jew Street stands the Kadavumbhagom synagogue, a 463-year-old prayer hall of the Cochini Jews.

When the Moors attacked the Jewish settlements near Kodungalloor, known as Cranganore or Shingly in Jewish texts, the people fled to the port town of Mattancherry to seek refuge. There were at least four synagogues in Mattancherry in the old days, says historian P.M. Jussay in his book ‘The Jews of Kerala.’ These are the Kochangadi, Kadavumbhagom, Paradesi and Thekkumbhagom synagogues. (There are two other synagogues — the Kadavumbhagom and Thekkumbhagom synangogues on Market Road in Ernakulam — that are less known but are just as important.)

The Kochangadi synagogue in Mattancherry, says Mr. Jussay, was enlarged by a community leader named Baruk Levi in 1539. But the synagogue was abandoned in 1795 a few years after it was destroyed by Tippu Sultan’s soldiers. The Thekkumbhagom synagogue, on the other hand, was demolished in the 1950s after most of its congregants left for Israel. All that stands are the Paradesi and Kadavumbhagom synagogues. While the Paradesi synagogue remains popular as a tourist attraction, the Kadavumbhagom synagogue has almost faded from memory. A portion of the synagogue, which earlier stood right at the coastline, was removed to construct the road in front of it. The building passed into private hands after the Jewish residents sold it while they left for Israel.

The first owner used the place of worship to store prawns, a food item forbidden to Jews. The building was later used to store coir products. Today, this centuries-old archaeological monument is used as a cattle shed by its current owner. The stench of cow dung, unkempt surroundings, and obscene graffiti on its shutters drive away curious visitors. Only a small board at the entrance set up by ‘The Friends of Kerala Synagogues’ gives any indication of the historical significance of the building.

“Private persons have carted away whatever was inside the building. It’s an important monument. Shouldn’t the government protect this synagogue?” a local resident asks.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Nidhi Surendranath / Kochi – September 14th, 2013

A historical canvas at Kannur station

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion

Artists with their relief mural works at the Kannur railway station on Tuesday. S.K. MOHAN   | Photo Credit: S K Mohan N

Payyannur-based organisation offers a glimpse of Railways’ history

Railway passengers can now experience the local history of Kannur and railway history now etched on the parapets of the entry and exit approaches of the Kannur railway station’s main concourse under a beautification project initiated by a Payyannur-based organisation promoting cultural conservation.

The relief murals sculpted on the parapet walls by a group of 14 artists, headed by K.R. Babu and curated by V. Jayaraj of Folkland, an organisation promoting conservation, reflect the tradition of the region and offer a glimpse of the history of Railways as expressed artistically.

Art works

The art works done by the artists occupy an area of 5,000 square feet depicting cultural landmarks, village life, activities inside the railway station and evolution of trains.

“This artistic and cultural initiative is meant to serve as an art gallery that can be a cultural experience to people reaching the railway station,” Mr. Jayaraj told The Hindu. The work depicting the heritage was done in collaboration with the corporate social responsibility fund of the Mumbai-based Dorf Ketal company, he added.

The cultural history visually narrated by the relief murals captures the Theyyam, Kalaripayattu, circus and bakery traditions of the district, as also art forms such as Oppana and Margamkali.

The works that deck the walls also include rural activities such as weaving, pottery, oil expeller work, goldsmiths and blacksmiths at work, among others. Railway vendors and porters, railway platforms, steam engines, diesel engines and electric engines are among the mural relief images done on the walls of the entry approach to the station.

Work in six stages

“The relief mural works have been done in six stages, the first stage being drawing on paper the ideas prepared by artist K.K. Marar, Mr. Jayaraj and myself,” said Mr. Babu, who had also done relief mural works in the Kannur international airport.

Golden paint

Those drawings were converted into 3D forms on the walls using cement and they were finally coated with golden paint, he said.

The relief murals, completed in less than two months, were opened to the public by Southern Railway General Manager R.K. Kulshrestha during his visit to the Kannur railway station on Tuesday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Mohamed Nazeer / Kannur – February 19th, 2019

Curtain goes up on Thunchan fete

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Bengali writer Manoranjan Byapari inaugurating the Thunchan Literary Festival at Thunchan Paramba, Tirur, on Friday.  

This year’s Thunchan Literary Festival began at Thunchan Paramba, Tirur, on Friday. Inaugurating the festival, well-known Bengali writer Manoranjan Byapari described his life’s journey from being a shepherd to accidentally meeting Jnanpith laureate Mahasweta Devi while riding an autorickshaw.

He said that he had entered into writing much later in life. It was his incarceration that helped him find an interest in reading books. His writings in Bengali are considered one of the strongest in Indian Dalit literature.

Thunchan Memorial Trust chairman and Jnanpith laureate M.T. Vasudevan Nair presided over the function.

Arts festival

Mr. Nair released the Thunchan history penned by K. Sreekumar by giving a copy to Artist Namboothiri. Mr. Namboothiri inaugurated a book festival being held as part of the literary festival.

Poet V. Madhusoodanan Nair delivered the Thunchan Memorial Lecture on poetry and tradition. Writers Chathanath Achuthanunni, Manambur Rajanbabu, and V. Appu Master spoke.

Actor V.K. Sreeraman inaugurated the Thunchan Arts Festival.

Poet Alankode Leelakrishnan spoke.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Malappuram – February 15th, 2019

Rare experiment with sand art greeted with loud cheers

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Education

Sand art presented by students of Vidyodaya School, Thevakkal, at the Krithi International Book Festival in the city on Friday.  

Visual interpretation of poem on Jhansi Rani presented on sand

As it is, creating an image on sand is a tough task. Setting it to the tune of poetry can be even a bigger challenge.

Seven girls from Vidyodaya School, Thevakkal, managed just that when they presented a visual interpretation of Subhadra Kumari Chauhan’s poem on the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai at the Krithi International Book Festival here on Friday.

“We wanted to break the popular notion that women always need to strive to be men’s equal and instead drive home the message that what is more important is to realise and fulfil one’s own potential. It was the students themselves who came up with the idea of sand art to put across that message,” said Rema K. Nair, a teacher from the school.

The performing team was made up of Theerdha, Gaddha, Arundhathi, Varsha, Nidhi, Shwetha, and Ardra from Standards 6, 7, and 8 with the support of the school staff.

They felt that creating images on sand would infuse more life into characters rather than simply painting them on paper.

They first wrote the script, designed the scenes, and finally practised it in tune with the poetry.

Because of the enthusiastic response from the crowd, the students did an encore.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Staff Reporter / February 16th, 2019

A recyclable and reusable cast for arm fractures

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Marnu Prasad displaying his award winning invention, Uni-cast.  

Kerala student Manu Prasad bags design award for his ‘Uni-cast’, which he says addresses multiple hygiene issues

Innovation has always been the passion of Manu Prasad and his urge for invention has bagged the prestigious Lexus Design Award for him in the student category this year.

Mr. Prasad, 26, an electronics engineer, is presently pursuing an Advanced Product Design course at the Kerala State Institute of Design.

He is all smiles as he speaks to The Hindu about his invention — a resizable and recyclable cast for treating arm fractures.

He says that he has already filed an application to obtain patent for the universal cast, christened Uni-cast.

Research at hospitals

Mr. Prasad came up with the idea after a series of research work at various hospitals across the State.

According to him, this unique cast is a low-cost product and for that reason, accessible to every one.

Mr. Prasad said the Uni-cast can overcome several problems.

The product has been designed to address various problems associated with traditional casts, like sweating, itchiness, dry cell accumulation, bad odour, difficulty in keeping the cast dry, hygiene issues and neck pain, he said.

Unlike the conventional system, the Uni-cast is both light-weight and waterproof, Mr. Prasad said.

“The product is ergonomically designed so that it can be used for both hands. Uni-cast is recyclable and can even be remade, leaving zero waste behind,” he said.

Sporty look

Moreover, Mr. Prasad’s invention has got a sporty look, making it different from the traditional casts and braces.

The award was presented to Mr. Prasad at the Design Festival 2019 held in Pune a week ago.

P.B. Venugopal, president of Lexus India, said, “India possesses an incredible depth of design talent, and we wanted to give these designers an opportunity to exhibit their skills.”

With the theme ‘Design for a better tomorrow’, Lexus Design Award India (LDAI)-2019 was open to emerging designers, both professionals and students

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Health / by Radhakrishnan Kuttoor / Pathanamthitta – February 12th, 2019

Rubik’s cube is just child’s play for her

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Niah Sanjith  

Three-year-old Niah has set her sights on Guinness record

Come March 3, 2019, Niah Sanjith will be participating in a cubing competition organised by the World Cube Association in Thiruvananthapuram, where she hopes to do what she loves most — solving Rubik’s cube puzzle in record time. Niah, a 3-year-old cuber from Thathampally in Alappuzha can solve different variants of puzzle — 3×3, 2×2, and Pyraminx under two minutes. With her amazing skill to get uniform colours on all sides by spinning and rotating the cubes in a short time, the girl’s family is hoping to use the cubing competition to enter the Guinness World Records as the youngest cuber to solve three types of twisty puzzles/Rubik’s puzzle. “Niah is attentive and has a strong desire to learn things. She would watch older kids in our neighbourhood solving Rubik’s cube and play board games,” says her mother Tixy, a veterinary doctor. She can solve 2×2 and Pyraminx in under a minute, whereas she solves 3×3 variant in 1.45 minute. Dr. Tixy says that Niah has her own technique to solve the puzzles.

“Before Niah turned two, she used to bring the Rubik’s cube to me to solve it. I tried my best to teach her, but she couldn’t understand it. Later, she started to solve it by herself,” Dr. Tixy says.

Sensing the child genius, thecubicle.com, a leading online cube store has come forward to sponsor her. Niah is the first cuber from India to be sponsored by them. In a letter sent to Dr. Tixy, thecubicle.com noted this: “We are very excited to see Niah, having so much passion and interest in cubing. She is incredibly talented for her age, and we hope she can continue to solve puzzles and inspire young cubers.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Sam Paul A / Alappuzha – February 12th, 2019