Daily Archives: May 27, 2014

‘Chenda’ Teaching Takes off Online

 

Manoj Warrier, a non-resident Keralite living in Singapore, learning ‘chenda’ through Skype
Manoj Warrier, a non-resident Keralite living in Singapore, learning ‘chenda’ through Skype

Thiruvananthapuram :

It was a rare beginning to the learning of a traditional art. Taking the first ‘beats’ of the percussion instrument ‘chenda’ through Skype, though sounding off the track when announced, turned into a reality on Sunday.

‘Chenda’ exponent Prakasan Pazhampalacode launched the online class, his new venture to teach the instrument to non-resident Malayalis, by coaching Manoj Warrier, an army officer in Singapore.

“Everything worked well. I felt no inconvenience in teaching  online. The only difficulty was that I couldn’t punish him when he made mistakes,” said Prakasan with a smile.

Prakasan has fixed the time table for continuing the programme in the coming days. On Mondays, there will be two classes of one hour each for two students living in New York and two classes for those in Canada. On Tuesdays, there will be a class for Russia, two classes each for  Keralites living in Delhi and Mumbai. Fridays are given for Gulf countries like Dubai, Qatar, Muscat, Kuwait and Riyadh. On Saturdays, there will  be three classes for the pupils in Australia. Singapore and London find the place in the time table for Sundays. Four classes will be given for those in Singapore and two classes for those in London.

It was those Malayalis eager to learn to play the instrument who inspired Prakasan to start the online classes. The teaching is through Skype,  a freemium voice-over-IP service and instant messaging client. Prakasan will visit the countries every four months to assess the progress of the studies, the expense of which will be borne by those who learn. The students are those who were unable to learn it, though they had a deep passion, owing to circumstances.

Prakasan, a 48-year-old, is a known figure in teaching the instrument. The artiste, who has given several memorable performances, taught chenda to the inmates of Central Prisons of Viyyur and Poojappura. He also taught chenda to the girls of Sri Chitra Poor Home and the students of the Government School for Visually Impaired at Vazhuthacaud.  He is conducting the classes for the jail inmates and school students without charging any fee.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Service / May 26th, 2014

Showcasing Imprints of City’s Maritime History

The museum that was opened to public at Willingdon island on Monday| express
The museum that was opened to public at Willingdon island on Monday| express

Kochi :

It was exactly 86 years ago that Kochi’s own port became a reality  with S S Padma cruising into its inner berth. In 1928, Sir Robert Bristow  made a indelible signature on Kochi’s history by shaping up a port which is  now the most sought-after one in the South West India.

As the Port Trust celebrates 86th Port Day on Monday, the Cochin Port Trust  along with Bristow Society, Chamber of Commerce and Customs and Sea Marines Association has set up a heritage museum near the Cochin Port Trust office.

Paul Antony, chairman, Cochin Port Trust, inaugurated the museum titled ‘Kochi Maritime Heritage Museum’ at Willingdon Island on Monday.

The museum will be opened to the public from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday. The heritage museum unveils the history of the Kochi port during a period of 21 years starting from 1920 to 1941. The photographs exhibited on the walls flaunt the evolution of the port  from a water body to a congested berth of ships.

According to C Unnikrishnan, Cochin Port Trust secretary, the museum is a tribute to Sir Robert Bristow. “The museum has around 70 photos and other devices and instruments that virtually tell the history of the port. The 70 pictures tell the evolution of the port. The photos also convey the efforts made by the architects and construction workers to build a port. It was in 1928 that the ships were berthed at the inner harbour. Before that, the ships were berthed at the outer sea. The visitors can also see the various stages of the construction of the port,” he said.

“The museum will also feature rare documents, navigational instruments plans and devices which were used in the early decades of 20th century. The construction plan of the port drawn by the Robert Bristow is the highlight among the lot. Besides, the parts of the ships, signal devices, anchors and miniatures are also on display, said Unnikrishnan.

The museum will be managed by Bristow Memorial Society. Ticket rate would be `10 per person.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kochi / by Express News Services – nie / May 27th, 2014