Malayalam poet and social activist Sugathakumari has been chosen for Mathrubhumi Literary Award (Mathrubhumi Sahitya Puraskaram) for 2014.
This was announced by M.P. Veerendrakumar, managing director, and P.V. Chandran, managing editor of Mathrubhumi, here on Wednesday. The award carries a purse of Rs.2 lakh, a citation, and a statuette. A judging committee comprising poet Vishnu Narayanan Namboodiri as chairman and poet K. Satchitanandan and literary critic M. Leelavathi as members chose Ms. Sugathakumari in recognition of her contributions to Malayalam literature for the past 50 years.
Major works
Some of her prominent works arePathirappookal; Raathrimazha; Ambalamani; Krishnakavithakal; Radhayevide; Kurinjippookkal; and Thulaavarshappacha.
The 80-year-old poet was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2006 for waging a struggle against the destruction of environment in the name of development.
She is the founder editor of Thaliru, a children’s magazine published by the Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature and former chairperson of the Kerala State Women’s Commission.
Ms. Sugathakumari is also the founder secretary of Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi, an organisation for the protection of nature and of Abhaya, a home for destitute women. The literary award is being presented to her on the occasion of the 90 year of Mathrubhumi.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Kozhikode – October 02nd, 2014
While cleaning programmes mark the observance of the Gandhi Jayanthi across the country, the house and property donated by Gandhiji’s fellow freedom fighter Raghava Poduval in Paruthipra near Shoranur to Sarvodya Sangham stand in utter neglect.The house is located in the three acres of land on the banks of the Nila. The property was donated by Shoranur Parathipra Mahadevamangalam Neduvilpat Raghava Poduval alias Raghavji to the Sarvodaya Sangham before his death in December 1992.
Raghavji was one among the 78 persons participated in the Dandi Yathra led by Mahathma Gandhi. “When we were children, we used to purchase gingelly oil from the mill set up here. Soap, honey and khadi clothes were also made at Raghavji’s house. Weaving classes were alsoconducted here,” said social activist Prasad Shoranur. “After India attained Independence, Gandhiji exhorted all freedom fighters to return to their villages and continue their work. And Raghavji returned to Parathipra near Shoranur and continued his selfless service here,” he said.
Manager of the building Vanaja said that most of the buildings were in a dilapidated condition. “Only a few buildings here are safe.
“ We collect clothes, honey and oil from the various Sarvodsaya Sanghams now and keep it in this building. During this Onam, we clocked a sale of `2,40,000,” said Vanaja. “We are not getting any other funds for maintenance,” she adds.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by A. Satish / October 12th, 2014
The eToilet has an automatic flush, which works before and after use, sensor controlled water usage and eliminates the need for manual cleaners in schools. / The Hindu
Eram Scientific, manufacturers of the country’s first eToilet, on Tuesday unveiled the world’s cheapest unmanned, self-cleaning eToilet with inbuilt solar panel and metallic platform for schools.
“This is our contribution to the nation and comes as a response to the “Clean India Campaign” announced by the Central Government. It perfectly matches with the “Make in India” campaign as well,” said Siddeek Ahmed, chairman of Thiruvananthapuram-based Eram Group.
Built of stainless steel base, mild steel super structure and occupying 25 sq.ft space, the eToilet comes with a price tag of Rs.99,999 ex-factory, which is inclusive of insurance charges and one-year warranty.
It has got an inbuilt solar panel, which eliminates the need for electricity connection while the metal platform avoids civil construction too.
It has an automatic flush, which works before and after use, automatic floor wash, sensor controlled water usage and eliminates the need for manual cleaners in schools.
“The present problems in sanitations at schools are known to be not because of the dearth of toilets. The lack of maintenance and requirement for manual cleaning has made them dysfunctional. We are out to address that gap and that is why we are now launching this comprehensive solution for schools,” said K. Anvar Sadath, CEO.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / IANS / Thiruvananthapuram – September 30th, 2014
Vetran actors Madhu and Saradha greeting each other at the inauguration of 4th Female film festival in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Film maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan looks on. Photo:S.Gopakumar / The Hindu
The Nila theatre on Saturday witnessed a rare get-together, the coming together of three of the key players behind the 1972 classic Swayamvaram. Director Adoor Gopalakrishnan and actors Madhu and Sarada shared the stage for the first time, 42 years after the release of the landmark film, which fetched four national awards.
The get-together happened during the inaugural function of the 4th Female Film Festival organised by the Kerala Sthree Padana Kendram. On the occasion, Ms. Sarada was presented with the P.K. Rosy award, in memory of the first female actor in Malayalam cinema, who starred in Vigathakumaran.
Road to award
Mr. Gopalakrishnan, in his inaugural address, reminisced about the making of Swayamvaram and its journey to the national awards. “I was fortunate to have two of the biggest stars in the industry for my first film. But once the film released, a lobby started working to deny it all the awards. We sent a long letter to the National jury requesting them to watch the film. Fortunately, a print of the film which was sent to the Moscow film festival had arrived back in Delhi at that time and the jury happened to see it. The fact that the film had less dialogues also probably worked in its favour. The experience tells that if you do your work sincerely, the awards will follow. These days, there is too much lobbying for awards.”
Ms. Sarada said she was fortunate to have received the maiden award in the name of P.K. Rosy.
Mr. Madhu said that few women from Kerala are coming forward to act in films, which has led to those from outside taking their place in many films.
Fourteen films will be screened at the festival in four days. Seminars and debates are arranged as part of the festival at the Gandhi Park at 5 p.m. on all four days.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by S.R. Praveen / Thiruvananthapuram – September 28th, 2014
Rakesh Rajnikant seen practising at his house on Thursday for his Carnatic music debut on Friday./ Photo: C. Suresh Kumar / The Hindu
When Rakesh Rajnikanth was six months old, his parents and relatives discovered to their shock that he was blind and mentally challenged. Now, 32 years later, they are only too proud to say that he is in fact “differently able”.
Even now he is completely expressionless when hungry or thirsty and cannot do anything on his own.
But he sings so well that he can bring an entire audience to their feet. Friday marks a big day in the life of his family since he will be making his debut in Carnatic music at the Lakshminada temple here as part of the Navaratri celebrations.
It all began with his grandfather giving him a tape recorder 30 year ago as a toy. That was because he could only hear and other toys were of no use. From that age he began listening to songs, says his father, Rajnikanth, from a Gujarati family settled in Kollam for the past 60 years.
Some years later all of a sudden, Rakesh began to sing a song he regularly heard over the tape recorder and that surprised his family. It was a Kishore Kumar song and he sang it as though Kishore Kumar himself was singing. Then he went on to sing Mohammed Rafi and S.P. Balasuramaniam songs with the sound of the original singer.
His family members soon discovered that though blind and challenged, he can master any song in any language after hearing it a few times. With the karaoke machine, he times the songs with mathematical precision. This happens because he is an echolaliac, meaning that he echoes what he hears.
Singing with ease
Today, he even sings with ease the not-so-easy-to-sing ‘Marutamalai Mamaniye…’ of Madurai Somasundaram. Rakesh has a databank of hundreds of songs in six languages in his head and can play any one of them at will, improvising each song each time.
As news about his exceptional talent spread, the International People Leap Organisation promoted him and today, even though he is not aware of it, Rakesh leads a devotional song orchestra.
The orchestra has more than 80 bookings a year. He also sings Christian and Muslim devotional songs. The only two words he understands is “music concert” and on hearing them, he starts practising.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Kerala / by Ignatius Pereira / Kollam – September 26th, 2014
The Palakkad chapter of Swaralaya will organise a programme titled ‘Oru Chempaneer Poove Pole’ to mark 33 years of singing by Unni Menon here on Saturday and Sunday.
Former Nagaland Governor K Shankaranarayanan will inaugurate the function at Lions School auditorium at 10 am. In the afternoon, there will be a seminar on ‘Malayalam film songs – Yesterday and today’ which will be inaugurated by music director M Jayachandran.
On Sunday there will be a seminar on ‘Contributions and achievements of Unni Menon’ at the Lions School Auditorium. Music director Shyam will inaugurate the programme. Critic Ravi Menon and film director V K Prakash will deliver the keynote address.
At 3 pm, there will be a seminar on ‘Music and Palakkad’ which will be inaugurated by carnatic vocalist K Omanakutty.
K J Yesudas will inaugurate the valedictory function at the Indira Gandhi Municipal stadium at 6 pm. The keynote address will be delivered by CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala will inaugurate the programme ‘Oru Chembaneer Poove pole’. Young singer award will be presented on the occasion.
At 6.30 pm there will be Samarpana Ganamela and visualisation of songs. Singers K J Yesudas, S P Balasubramaniam, Susheela, Vani Jayaram, K S Chithra, Mano, Vijay Yesudas, Madhu Balakrishnan, Sudeep Kumar, Krishnachandran, Gayathri, Najim Arshad, Siddique, Manoj K Jayan, Dinesh, Kallara Gopan, Franco, Devanand, Nishad, Minmini will take part.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / September 26th, 2014
The five winners of the Toonz- Disney ‘Kahaani Masters’ contest in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. Photo: Special arrangement / The Hindu
The organisers said the idea was to make the children believe in themselves and instil confidence in them.
Five young minds, all aged below 12 years and whose creativity took them past 14,000-plus others from across the country in ‘Kahaani Masters,’ a story-writing contest held by the Technopark-based Toonz Animation India and Disney India, are putting their brains together to make their stories come alive on screen.
Suhani Shrikande, 10, from Nagpur; Animesh Nigham, 7, from Bhopal; Atri Garg, 11, from New Delhi; Mayul Verma, 11, from Agra; and Aryan Sharma, 9, also from New Delhi, had won the contest, meant for children aged between six and 14 years, and are in Thiruvananthapuram from Thursday for a three-day workshop at the Toonz Studio. Here, under the mentorship of well-known animation film designer Prosenjit Ganguly, the five young story-tellers will design and colour the characters from their stories, enrich the story background, and enhance the story.
The organisers said the idea was to make the children believe in themselves and instil confidence in them. Each of them would be supported by an animator from Toonz. Once the three-day workshop was over, a three-month process by a Toonz creative team would begin to create five animated short films, strictly keeping in mind the designs and stories of the children. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow would be in the form of these short films being telecast on Disney channel during January 2015.
As for the stories, Aryan’s nine-year-old talent delves into friendship, sacrifice, and celebrating with the family, while 11-year-old Mayul brings to the storyboard a magical toy that makes a big difference in the world. Suhani conveys a message, in a funny manner, that arrogance leads to one’s fall. Animesh lets his imagination run riot while bringing stationary articles to life and letting them take matters into their hands, while Atri narrates the hilarious story of a boy and his mischievous pet.
Toonz CEO P. Jayakumar, in a statement here, said Toonz was ‘spellbound’ at the magnitude of creativity that came to light through the entries for the contest, which was organised in connection with the 15th anniversary of Toonz.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Dennis Marcus Mathew / Thiruvananthapuram – September 20th, 2014
Chilli powder-mixed water being poured on Alukku Samiyar
Vellore :
A 86 year-old self-styled godman took bath in water mixed with over 30 kilos of chilli powder, in a bid to ward off the hardships and suffering of others. The news spread like wildfire and attracted a huge crowd to where the godman was performing his special ablution in a narrow street of Vavusi Nagar in Sathuvachari.
Around 100 people in and around Sathuvachari, Vellore and Gudiyattam poured the water mixed with chilli powder over the godman, who calls himself as “Alukku (Dirt) Samiyar.”
At 10.15 am, the godman sat inside a 25 litre cooking vessel, while his devotees poured the chilli-powder-water over him, one after another, for half-an-hour. “Around 10 persons purchased the chilli powder. We mixed it in water and we poured it over him using a small bucket . He did not show any sign of discomfort. We recorded the entire happening,” said Pandian, a realtor, who arranged the special pooja.
“I observe the torment and miseries of the persons who pour the chilli-powder-water over me. With the holiness vested in me, I will relieve them from all their sufferings,” the godman claimed. He said, a couple of years ago, he performed a similar pooja in Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh.
During a special pooja in Sathuvachari on Tuesday | S Dinesh
“It (chilli powder water) will not harm me,” said the godman, who is a native of Kerala and was brought up in an ashram in Vadakara (Kerala).
Before coming to Vellore four months ago, he was in Red Hills and Tiruvallur. “We want to set up an ashram in Sathuvachari hills during his stay here. He does not ask for anything from persons seeking his blessing, but accepts whatever they offer,” said Pandian.
However, some residents stated that few persons were trying to make money in the name of faith. The police warned the organisers of the pooja that action would be initiated if something happened to the godman.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Shanmuga Sundaram / September 24th, 2014
The ancient art is still prevalent in temples dedicated to snake gods and sacred groves in the state | Express
Thiruvananthapuram :
‘Sarpam Thullal’, a unique form of mystical ritual for propitiating snake Gods,is slowly losing its sheen owing to the lack of patronage from the public and authorities concerned apart from the paucity of artists to perform and preserve the centuries-old art.‘Sarpam Thullal’ is conducted during the traditional festivals like ‘Aayilya Maholsvam’, a ritual performed on ‘Ayilyam’ star of the local almanac every year in sacred groves and temples dedicated for snake gods. Though the ritual is still prevalent in temples like Sree Pambumkavu Sree Nagaraja Temple, Parappur Ngathankovil, Pambu Mekkattu, Mala, and Pathirakunnathu Mana at Cherppulasherry and other temples and scared groves in parts of the state, it don’t get enough patronage and trained artists to sustain.“Earlier, the artists used to draw around 30 types of ‘sarppakalams’ (a pictorial drawing depicting the images of gods on the floor) and a total of 240 different other ‘kalams’. Now it is has been shrunken to only handful of Kalams,” former Kerala Lalithakala Akademi secretary T A Sathyapalan, who penned a book titled ‘Kalamezhuthu – a ritual art practice of Kerala’, said.
“In 2008, I made an attempt to document the primitive art by organising 45-day-long camp for these traditional artists and they had drawn around 140 ‘kalams’ which have been documented as part of an attempt to hands down the knowledge on various designs of Kalams to next generation. “But of late, it has been found that the artists are not even drawing the documented ‘kalams’ as well,” he said. “In recent times, many of communities like Mannan, Velan, Kuruppan, who were practising the art form, were forced to take up other jobs to sustain their lives,” Suresh Koothuparamba, vice-chairman of the Kerala Folklore Academy, said.
However, some artistes and communities are still striving to keep the tradition alive, he said.
In ‘sarpam thullal’, girls perform a ritual dance and crawl like snakes on a decorated floor unbinding their hair to the tunes of the songs and music instruments played generally by Pulluva clan members. The girls would be exhausted and faint down one after another on the decorated floor.
Serpent worships have a long tradition in the state and these rituals had been drawing huge crowd in the past since it is believed that the spirits inhabiting the ‘kavu’ would bless the devotees at the end of the ritual, said Karappan of Kunnamkulam, a Pulluva clan member who sings ‘Sarappam Pattu’.
“These rituals and rites performed in the sacred groves would be varied in some regions in accordance with the precedence of region and the patron deity worshipped at the sacred groves,” he added.
source:m http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Dhinesh Kallungal / September 23rd, 2014
A view of the main block of CDS / Photo: Jayesh S. Pillai / The Hindu
The book Masterpiece of a Master Architect: CDS unveils how Centre for Development Studies showcases the architectural concepts of Laurie Baker
The picturesque nine-acre campus of Centre for Development Studies (CDS) in the capital city is a masterpiece of Laurie Baker. It beautifully complements the architectural concepts of Laurie Baker, who devoted his life to design cost-effective and environment-friendly buildings. Paying homage to this critically-acclaimed work of Laurie Baker is the book Masterpiece of a Master Architect: CDS. Through sketches and photographs the book captures the magnificence and simplicity of this structure. Designed and edited by architect, visual designer and filmmaker Jayesh S. Pillai, the book is the first documentation of a work by Baker. In an interview with MetroPlus, Jayesh talks about working on the project.
Jayesh S. Pillai / The Hindu
Coming on board the project
Though a draft of the book was presented in 2004 to Laurie Baker, on his 87th birthday, it was not carried forward. It was then titled ‘CDS: The Vision of a New Architecture’. But he suggested that his effort was never ‘new’, but an extension of the vernacular techniques deep-rooted in the architectural practices in Kerala.
Baker passed away in 2007. In mid-2008 I came to Thiruvananthapuram after completing my masters from IIT Kanpur. I came to know that the Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD)was looking for someone to take over this particular documentation. My friends suggested my name to P.B. Sajan, joint director of the centre. Thus I started working on it in February 2009 and finished it in seven months.
The process
Though the draft was well thought about, a lot had to be crosschecked, updated and added, especially because the campus was still evolving with the addition of new buildings. We had to digitise the original drawings as most of the early ones were made on paper.
Also, we had to match them in quality with the digitally-prepared ones. I had full access to the campus for documentation work and to photograph the campus and its structures at different times of the day in which I was helped by Aravind Ramachandran and Avirat Inamdar.
There are a whole lot of others who helped with the drawings, editing the text and giving necessary inputs. It took five years for the book to get published though.
A whole lot of people had helped me in the project, including my wife, Rutu Panchal, R.D. Padmakumar, Shailaja Nair, Prahlad Gopakumar and Shyamkumar Puravankara who edited the texts and Tilak Baker, Baker’s son.
What are your favourite aspects about CDS?
The campus brings together brick structures following the contours of the terrain, stairs winding around trees, circular and organic-shaped courtyards and roof terraces, a network of creative walkways, an exceptional seven-storied library tower and numerous interesting architectural structures.
The spaces are well designed with great concern for the natural landscape that Baker seamlessly blended with the structures that came up on the campus as the institute grew. And the jali wall patterns don’t just create a delightful play of light and shadow, they also provide well-ventilated spaces within the buildings.
Jali wall patterns at CDS create a delightful play of light and shadow /Photo: Jayesh S. Pillai / The Hindu
Jali wall patterns at CDS create a delightful play of light and shadow / Photo: Jayesh S. Pillai / The Hindu
Why is it considered one of the landmark structures of Baker?
It was perhaps the perfect chance for him to display his ideas and philosophy to a larger community. The campus not just demonstrates Baker’s love for nature-friendly and cost-effective architecture, but also illustrates his artistic genius. The campus stands testament to sustainable approach in architectural practices, still inspiring architects and students around the globe.
However, why hasn’t Baker’s architecture gained wide acceptance?
He has left behind a legacy with his bold and distinctive attitude towards the style that he developed (or adapted, as he would say). Even though many architects within and outside India try to adopt his philosophy, unfortunately, many still have misconceptions about the ‘Baker Style’, especially in failing to understand that he advocated cost-effective (and energy-efficient) and not simply low-cost architectural practices. As I understand, one of the focal points in his philosophy would be that an architect should not blindly adopt these techniques and practices, but adapt them to the prevailing environmental and social conditions, and their context.
In retrospection
This is the first published work that I have designed entirely. So it was a learning process for me.
I had gone through many of Baker’s drawings, paintings and sketches during the time I spent at COSTFORD. So I was able to incorporate certain visual elements in the book as a homage to him, especially the recurring mango patterns that is noticeable in his works.
The book has been published by COSTFORD and Laurie Baker Centre for Habitat Studies (LBC).
Wordsmith and artist
Jayesh S. Pillai, who hails from the capital city, is an assistant professor in Design Discipline at Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur. An alumnus of Sainik School and College of Engineering Trivandrum, he did his masters from IIT Kanpur. He has a doctorate in virtual reality from Arts et Métiers ParisTech, France. Jayesh, a registered architect, is a short filmmaker as well. While his films have been selected for short films festivals in Kerala and outside, the work Beyond was selected to the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner 2011.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Athira M / Thiruvananthapuram – September 17th, 2014
