The Abu Dhabi Sakti-Thayat-T K Ramakrishnan awards were presented at a function here on Sunday. T K Ramakrishnan Award for social, cultural and literary contributions was presented to Prof M K Sanu by Chalakudy MP Innocent. He also presented the Thayat Award for literary criticism to Pallippuram Murali.
Abu Dhabi Sakti awards were presented to Sheeja Vakkam, C P Biju, Gopinath Kozhikode, E P Hamsakkutty, Sunil P Ilayidam, K Rajagopal and M S Kumar.
MP Innocent inaugurated the award ceremony and the cultural meeting organised in connection with it. P Karunakaran MP, chairman of the award committee, presided over the function. P K Sreemathi MP delivered the keynote address.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / August 04th, 2014
Kozhikode Railway Station in 1908 and (right) goods being transported using country boats. Photos by Clain & Paul studio, Madras.
Kochi:
Ever wonder how Keralites lived 100 years ago? Photographs of the lifestyle, attire, schools and hospitals in Kerala taken by a studio in Chennai and shared by Southern California University, USA, describing Kerala’s day-to-day life 100 years ago have surfaced on internet. Seventy-eight photos providing glimpses into Kerala culture are going viral on the social media with several persons sharing them, including Thiruvananthapuram MP Sashi Tharoor.
The pictures were shot by unidentified photographers who worked for Clain & Paul studio, Madras. Most of the pictures belong to the Basel Mission. There are photographs of Brahmin, Muslim, Nair and Christian families. The oldest photo is of the Mananchira Trade House and the manmade lake taken in 1850.
The photos of Lighthouse, Calicut, Chirakkal mosque, Kannur, Tali temple, Kozhikode, Indian Mission Station, Vaaniyamkulam, dated 1888, Thalassery Mission School 1911, a Christian Church in 1913, the Mananchira manmade lake and the trade house throw light into the ancient history as well as the culture of Kerala. Most of them were shot in the Malabar region, especially Kozhikode and Malappuram. Some pictures focused on the education sector showing Sunday school, women learning English and Christianity.
After Tharoor shared these pictures, Chandrashekar Sivarama, a Facebook user posted, “It’s sad you have to get this info from a foreign university. Let’s start a movement to get these pictures from these foreign universities. We expect Mr. Tharoor to lead this cause.”
The album also shows the pictures of working class society. Men are seen engaged in hard labour while women are seen in household works and in tile factories. Many more interesting photos are available in the digital library of Southern California University.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / Rohit Raj / July 27th, 2014
IN BETWEEN The history-laden Calvetti Bridge is in dire need of repair / Photo: Thulasi Kakkat / The Hindu
The Calvetti Bridge can easily go unnoticed. It is not an architectural marvel, just a narrow, barely 14 or 15 metres long, rundown bridge over a stagnant waterway. But then this bridge is the most famous, the most strategic, among the five bridges that once connected British Kochi to the State or the native state.
On the bridge, a mingling of the stench from the torpid canal, the aroma of spices wafting in from the bazaar, and the distinct smell of the backwaters hits you. A lone country craft lies anchored close to the canal wall. This bridge, across the Calvetti canal, separated Fort Kochi, once under British control and native state directly under the Maharaja of Cochin. Till as recently as the late 1970s all the products of the region – spices, rice bamboo, vegetables and fruits – arrived by country boats to the many godowns or warehouses located close to the canal. The canal, bridge, the whole Calvetti area was abuzz with activity.
In the past huge boats and barges reached the busy harbour that was located at one end of Calvetti. The crowded streets throbbed with life as merchants loaded their wares on to the waiting boats. Trade flourished and there was a long line of trading houses, belonging to the British East India Company, which dotted these streets. This waterway that flowed under the bridge, was the link to the distant lands across the seas.
Calvetti has been spelt differently by various historians and many also differ on the meaning and origin of the name . So we have this place referred to as Calvathy, Kalvathy, Calvetty in various books and publications. “It is believed that Calvetti came from the Arab word Havat, which means open or vacant space. History records the advent of the early Moplahs to Cochin. They found an open space to build a mosque and gradually they inhabited this area which gradually took the name Calvetti,” says M.A. Aboobacker, Retd. Deputy Development Commissioner and Director (Retd.) Kudumbasree, Central Region.
The Madras Manual of Administration interprets the word Calvetti to mean stone cutter. But V.K. Raman Menon, who has supplied an exhaustive note on this subject, writes that the name means hangman’s canal or island from the Malayalam word kazhu ettuka or impale. In fact, impalement, not hanging, was the ancient mode of execution. And executions took place close to the Calvetti Canal. (Ref. Travels in India by Jean Baptiste Tavernier).
“I remember that a canal too existed here for the boats that passed through the Calvetti Canal. And this was there till the 70s. I have heard that permits were required for people to cross the bridge to go to British Cochin. The State area, the present Mattancherry, was crowded. There were thatched houses, godowns and a busy market. Living conditions on this side of the bridge were terrible as mentioned in William Logan’s Malabar Manual. He writes about the ‘insanitary moplah quarter of Kalvetti.’ And this area was a standing menace to the health of the place with cholera and smallpox periodically ravaging the area . After the Great Fire of 1889 that destroyed godowns and the houses, a law prohibiting construction of thatched houses came into being,” informs Aboobacker.
History lurks at every corner of Calvetti, almost every building on either side of the bridge has tales that can fill up pages of Kochi history. The Fort Kochi branch of State Bank of India that has a history of over 100 years, the Calvetti Mosque, the trading company buildings, the first wharf, the Calvetti Bridge itself are historic places that dot this area.
“This was the place where Vasco Da Gama landed. The British side of the bridge had some top class shops that was usually frequented only by them. There was a hotel, built by the Dutch, active during the British rule, but stopped functioning after the housekeeper complained that he did not have funds to maintain it. There used to be flagstaff and a traveller’s bungalow. The Imperial Bank, trading companies, godowns, the busy canal, goods being brought in boats and barges, Calvetti was a fulcrum of trade and commerce,” says V.N. Venugopal, local historian.
The bank building, established in 1862 as the Bank of Madras, as a branch of one of their Presidency Banks, was Kerala’s first ever commercial bank. It later merged with the Imperial Bank of India in 1921 and in 1955 became State Bank of India. In his work Flashes of Kerala History, historian K.L. Bernard adds that the palatial bank building was earlier the Calvetti Palace. “There is an account of how Rani Gangadhara Lakshmi, the first and only woman ruler of the erstwhile Cochin State, who was watching a fierce battle against the Dutch being fought in front of the palace, was captured by Henrick Van Rheede (A Survey of Kerala History by A. Sreedhara Menon),” adds Venugopal.
K.J. Sohan, chairman, Town Planning Standing Committee, Corporation of Cochin, says that the Calvetti Bridge was and still is a link between two diverse worlds; different ‘socially, culturally, politically.’ He also recounts some interesting incidents. “These days when there are debates on prohibition, it is significant to note that after Mahatma Gandhi’s proclamation for prohibition the once British Cochin area implemented it to the letter. Toddy shops were picketed and shut down. There was total prohibition. On the other side of the Calvetti Bridge this was not in force. So those who wanted a swig or wanted toddy for their appams had to either go the other side, drink and return. There was always the risk of being accosted by the police on the Fort Kochi side. People also used to smuggle toddy across the bridge.”
There is this popular song by H. Mehaboob who never tired of singing about Kochi. It spoke of those days when trading companies flourished and sprouted at Calvetti.
“Pierce Leslie, Aspinwall, Volkhart, H&C, Madura Company, Bombay Company… ” Mehaboob lists most of them. He sings of the huge ships that came in and took away our rubber, coir, spices, tea and of the busy, crowded bazaars. All this is memory now. Most buildings in this area and the roads leading to the Calvetti Bridge are protected sites. But the historic bridge, in urgent need of repair, however does not come into this category. “The bridge certainly needs to be maintained. What we require are strong byelaws that will help such conservation initiatives. Perhaps even the State Bank of India can think of exhibiting the historic artefacts, like the ledgers that are now authoritative documents in Indian banking, antique weights and measures which they have in their possession. They will reveal so much about the history of Kochi,” feels Sohan.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Melange : Hidden Histories / by K. Pradeep / Kochi – August 01st, 2014
The city has quite a few philately clubs where collectors get together to discuss stamps and exchange them. / File Photo / The Hindu
Philately still the king of hobbies in city
It’s called the king of hobbies and it still has many takers in the age of email and WhatsApp. Kochi is home to thousands of philatelists, or stamp collectors, who eagerly wait for new stamps and collect old and rare stamps as well.
“The Philatelic Bureau in Ernakulam has about 9,800 accounts and over 5,000 of them are very active. We also get a lot of new members and enquiries from people who want to take up philately seriously,” said K. Anil, senior postmaster. The bureau sends latest stamps and first day covers to members, who add to their increasing collection of unique stamps.
The city also has quite a few philately clubs where collectors get together to discuss stamps and exchange them. “The clubs have a strong membership of serious collectors. They organise regular meetings in the city. Stamps are auctioned at the meetings. People also come to exchange as well as buy and sell stamps,” said Rajesh Chhabani, an avid philatelist in the city. His specialty is unique stamps from India. Philatelists organise their collections either based on themes, such as sports or animals, or by country or period.
“In India, you can also collect stamps of the kingdoms that existed before like Cochin or Travancore,” he said. He said that changing times had not dampened the enthusiasm of collectors in the city.
The Postal Department is also trying to get children interested in stamp collection by setting up stamp clubs in schools. Through these clubs, experts impart training in the technical aspects of philately to students, while also creating in them an interest in studying stamps and the stories they tell.
Philately kits to get children started on stamp collection are also distributed through the clubs. “Children are attracted by the design and pictures on stamps and collect these from letters that arrive at home or from friends. They may not be able to buy stamps like adult collectors because it is an expensive hobby. But they still take a keen interest in philately as a hobby and make it a point to visit exhibitions that we conduct,” said Mr. Anil.
For many collectors, however, philately is more than a hobby or a passion. There are several collectors in the city who carry on a thriving business in stamp trading. “Some stamps are issued only in a limited number. Traders buy these in bulk and sell them to others who are looking to complete their collection. Serious collectors will buy good money to get stamps they need,” said Mr. Anil. Philately clubs also help collectors exchange stamps with members of clubs from other States or countries.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Nidhi Surendranath / Kochi – July 14th, 2014
Artist J. Valerian Fernandez with his certificates, c. 1936. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
J. Valerian Fernandez was a talented artist, photographer and interior decorator
Kunnukuzhy in Thiruvananthapuram is famed for its settlement of Latin Christians. The ancestors of many of these families were once associated with the Travancore royals and worked as artists, photographers, and artisans. During the late 1870s, Arunachalam Pillai, an artist and amateur photographer from Madras [Chennai] took photographs of Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma. Later, Pillai taught the techniques of photography to J.B. D’Cruz, who became the first official photographer of the Travancore royals.
Certificate awarded to Valerian Fernandez in connection with the Sri Chithira Thirunal Birthday Celebrations, 1936. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
J. Valerian Fernandez (c.1900-c.1964), a.k.a. Artist J.V.F., a member of this family was once famous as an artist, and he was also a talented photographer. Valerian was the son of Joseph, an expert upholstery worker and his wife, Jona Thankam. Being related to the D’Cruz clan, it was quite natural for young Valerian to be inclined towards photography. His talents were recognised by the royal family, who appointed him as an interior decorator.
According to Joseph V. Fernandez, son of Valerian, his ancestors originally hailed from Tuticorin. They belonged to the community known as Muthuparavar. The members of this community were skilled divers, who retrieved oysters and pearl from the depths of the sea. Joseph says, “Our ancestors were not only good at diving, they also exhibited talent in producing artefacts with the pearl retrieved from the sea.” Around 300 years back, due to some political reasons, some members of this community relocated to new environs. They travelled in small boats and landed in Anjengo, Mudakkara, and Kollam. The settlements established by these people can still be seen in the respective regions. The local rulers extended their generous patronage towards them. Most of the early ancestors of this clan were engaged in pearl inlay works, locally known as ‘pavizham pathiykkal’.
Being Christians, the members of this community had close social contact with the Europeans. Through the European officials who were stationed in erstwhile Travancore, as well as the visiting European dignitaries, these artisans were able to widen their prospects with Western technological advancements. The European connection aided the privileged members of this community to expose themselves to the Western Academic fine art; this was followed by their encounter with photography.
In his capacity as an interior decorator for the royal family, Valerian came into contact with various British officials who came to Travancore. “Often, officials would call my father to appreciate his work. On such occasions, they would present him with various musical instruments,” claims Joseph. Thus, Valerian and his family developed a close association with music and the various musical instruments.
An illustration by Valerian Fernandez. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Valerian, in his later years, rendered his services to the Mysore government as an artist. According to Joseph, the family maintained a vast collection of photographs taken by Valerian in his younger days. However, in due time, many of the photographs and the glass negatives were lost. Some of the old glass negatives are still maintained by Joseph’s elder brother, who is settled in the United States.
(This write-up is based on an interview with Joseph V. Fernandez).
[The author is a conservation architect and history buff]
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / Sharat Sunder Rajeev / Thiruvananthapuram – August 01st, 2014
Manju Warrier comes to the fore with her maiden response regarding her marital separation with Dileep. Manju posted a letter written in her own hand on her official Facebook page. The letter that is three pages long and which was posted this morning started receiving good responses within minutes. Movie goers’ requests to her include not to separate from Dileep and to reconsider her decision.
Manju starts her note by stating, ‘I am someone who values privacy in personal life as much as you.’ She however does not disclose the reason for separating from Dileep in the letter. Not only that, Manju has not ventured out to blame Dileep or to personally denigrate in it.
By means of this letter, Manju offers apology to her friends who stood by her through thick and thin and who have been hurt as a result of her separation with Dileep. ‘Geethu, Samyukta, Bhavana, Poornima and Swetha Menon are the friends who have always been with me. Rumours are abound that these are the people who are responsible for what happened in my personal life. My decisions are mine alone and I am solely responsible for its consequences. Their persuasion or coercion is not behind it.’
In the letter, Manju expresses her hope that the note will dispel all the misunderstandings.
‘I also pray that whatever decisions Dileepettan takes in his personal life may all bode well for him, and that he conquers even greater heights in his career. Meenootty (Her daughter) will always be happy and secure in her father’s guardianship. This mother will always be there for her at just a stone’s throw away. After all, is not a daughter always ensconced within the mother….’
‘I am starting everything from scratch again, including my life and my earnings. In a way, this is like taking a rebirth.”. Manju also offers thanks to the bouquets and brickbats she received for her second innings. She concluded her note with a Bob Marley quote– “You never realize how strong you are, until being strong is the only option you have left…” (Not verbatim).
source: http://www.beta.english.manoramaonline.com / Manorama Online / Home> News> Kerala / Thursday – July 31st, 2014
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will formally dedicate the ‘Cartoonist Sankar Memorial National Cartoon Museum and Art Gallery’ to the nation on Thursday. Announcing the event at a press conference here on Tuesday, Minister for Cultural Affairs K C Joseph said the museum is the first of its kind in the state and would be elevated to the ‘top cartoon study centre’ in the country.
The museum is being set up under the aegis of Kerala Lalithakala Academy at Krishnapuram near Kayamkulam. The museum, in memory of cartoonist Sankar on his 112th birthday, has been built on a 15,000-sq ft area and will showcase Sankar’s major works. His tools including brush, pen, easel, table, overcoat and dolls would also be displayed at the museum, the minister said.
The tools are donated by Sankar’s daughters, Yamuna Sankar and Santha Sreenivas. The minister said the museum will showcase cartoons of existing and former cartoonists, but will predominantly feature Sankar’s works. Almost 120 original cartoons have been received from his kin. Cartoons of Gandhiji, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi are among them, the minister said. A water-coloured portrait of Nehru by him will be a major display at the museum. Cartoons of former stalwarts including Abu Abraham, O V Vijayan, Kutty, Samuel, B M Gafoor, John Mathew, Thomas P Mohan, Kerala Varma, K S Pillai, P K Manthri along with Sankar’s students and existing cartoonists including Yesudasan and B G Varma will be exhibited at the museum, he said.
Another draw would be Sankaran Kutty’s caricatures on Indira Gandhi and Vaikom Muhammed Basheer. The minister said the building was constructed by the Public Works Department at a cost of `3 crore, under the initiative of Kayamkulam MLA C K Sadasivan.
According to Lalithakala Academy officials, Joseph will preside over the function on Thursday.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / Express News Service / July 30th, 2014
JNTBGRI have developed three new hybrids of the Pitcher plant or Monkey cup (Nepenthes), a carnivorous plant that traps insects and small rodents and feeds on them.
Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) here have developed three new hybrids of the Pitcher plant or Monkey cup (Nepenthes), a carnivorous plant that traps insects and small rodents and feeds on them.
The institute is justifiably proud of its Nepenthes collection of 20 species brought from far and wide. Of the 140 species of Nepenthes distributed across the world, mainly in Madagascar, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Australia, only one — Nepenthes khasiana — is known to occur in India, in the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya.
Plants of Nepenthes are usually climbers, growing several metres in length and straggling over low bushes and trees in forest areas. The leaves of the plant get modified into a pouch-like structure with a lid on top. The pouch produces enzymes that can kill insects and even small rodents. The trap is often colourful, attracting prey. The slick coating on the upper part of the trap makes escape nearly impossible for the prey.
According to C. Sathish Kumar, scientist, Orchid Biology and Conservation unit, JNTBGRI, Nepenthes and other carnivorous plants such as Aldrovanda, Dionea, Drosera, Sarracenia, and Utriculariaattract, kill, and digest insects to derive nitrogen required for their growth.
Dr. Sathish Kumar said the initial results of the breeding experiments with Nepenthes were exciting. “For the first time in India, we have developed a few wonderful hybrids.”
The collection of carnivorous plants is the highlight of Plant Wonders, a children’s education programme conducted by the JNTBGRI. “Understanding the basics of plant sciences will have to be a priority in this changing world when forced extinction of species is happening at a faster rate than ever. How many of the species on the earth today will be seen by our children or grandchildren is anybody’s guess. Botanical gardens will act as Noah’s Ark, arresting the extinction and saving some species for posterity.”
The JNTBGRI has drawn up plans to supply Nepenthes plants to students under the programme.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / T.NandaKumar / Thiruvananthapuram – July 28th, 2014
The karkidaka vavubali held at Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple on Saturday
Thirunavaya :
Around 25,000 devotees offered Karkidaka Vavu Bali at the Navamukunda temple ghat here on Saturday. The rituals started at at 2.30 am and lasted till 2 pm. Sixteen priests led the rituals. People thronged the place from early morning itself to offer bali, seeking redemption for their ancestors. Tokens were distributed on a first-come first-served basis.
source: http: //www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / July 27th, 2014
Three Keralite Civil Service officers would soon add a new chapter in palliative care in rural West Bengal, inspired by similar initiative in their home state.
‘Sanjeevani’, an end-of-life care project to be launched in September in the Nadia district of WB, is the brain child of IAS officers P B Salim and Bijin Krishna and Amarnath, an IPS officer. The project has been conceptualised by the Kozhikode based Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), the training, research and outreach arm of Pain and Palliative Care Society, which pioneered community volunteering in end-of-life care.
Salim, hailing from Muvattupuzha, is currently working as the District Magistrate of Nadia while Amarnath, a native of Moozhikkal in Kozhikode, is the ASP of South 24 Parganas. Bijin from Meppayur in Kozhikode is the Assistant Collector of Murshidabad district. “Both Amarnath and Salim had associated with IPM years ago. Salim suggested starting a palliative care programme in West Bengal. He along with Amarnath then approached me. Later, Bijin also extended support to the initiative,” said Dr Suresh, director of IPM, which provides technical support for the project.
According to Salim, Sanjeevani is aimed at improving the quality of life of the terminally ill in Nadia.
“The project intends to introduce a new culture of providing care for the bed-ridden patients utilising a network of physicians, nurses and volunteers,” he said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Shafeeq Alingal / July 25th, 2014
