Monthly Archives: December 2017

Sokurov’s first stop in Kerala — a police station

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion

Russian auteur draws comparison with law enforcers back home

Russian auteur Alexander Sokurov has had an uneasy relationship with power and the various organs which enforce it, even being summoned for an interrogation by the KGB at a point in his career. It has also fascinated him, as evident from his explorations of the personal lives of three powerful historical figures in the Men of Power trilogy.

When Sokurov landed in the city to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the 22nd International Film Festival of Kerala, one of the first wishes he expressed to the organisers was to visit a police station, to study how differently the police force here worked, compared to his home country.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy officials fulfilled his wish. Sokurov, along with his personal assistant and interpreter, visited the Fort Janamithri police station, which is one of the ‘child-friendly’ stations in the city.

“One of the major things he was interested in was the type of crimes here. He talked about how Russian cities have organised crime networks and frequent instances of gang warfare. He was surprised that there is no gun culture here. He was also interested in the time the police took to solve a crime and the methods adopted, and whether the parties involved attempted to arrive at a compromise. He sought to know whether women were involved in criminal activity in large numbers,” said Fort Assistant Commissioner J.K. Dinil.

The filmmaker spent more than an hour at the station, walking around and interacting with the police personnel. He asked them about their appointment process, qualifications required, the hierarchies in the department, welfare measures initiated by the department, on the Student Police Cadet programme and even the kind of vehicles used to chase criminals. He did not have a high opinion of the police force back home though.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram /  by  S. R. Praveen / December 12th, 2017

Kudumbasree’s meaty move, this time from Palakkad

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To open 10 poultry meat stalls across the district in January in a first such move in the State

For the first time in the State, women self-help groups under the Kudumbasree Poverty Eradication Mission will start 10 exclusive shops in key locations of Palakkad district by January first week to market their own brand of processed and packaged poultry meat.

The shops, supported by 102 poultry farms across the district, will supply high-quality broiler meat at an affordable rate. In another two months, similar shops will start functioning across the State.

Talking to The Hindu here, Kudumbasree district mission coordinator S.P. Harifa Beegum said Palakkad would be the first district to have the retail chain titled Kudumbasree Chicken. Initiated with the assistance of the Animal Husbandry department, these stalls would help the State to stop depending on neighbouring Tamil Nadu for chicken. With the retail chain becoming a Statewide network, Kerala could achieve self-sufficiency in poultry meat production and broiler chicken rearing, she said.

“It was in the first week of November that the Kudumbasree chicken project was initiated in Kerala with the State-level inauguration in Thiruvananthapuram. Since then, we have been attracting women self-help groups to the sector by ensuring financial backup. Women are getting attracted to the field on a large scale in Palakkad because it needs low investments and minimal space,” she said.

Kudumbasree’s own hatchery in Thrissur would supply one-day-old chicks to the units in Palakkad on a daily basis. There would be strict quality monitoring at all levels, including rearing, processing and packaging. The prices would be less than the existing market rate. Among the 102 groups in Palakkad, 41 are existing licence holders in the field with previous expertise in rearing. Kudumbasree is encouraging rearing units set up by groups and individuals, Ms. Beegum said.

“If there is a shortage in supply of chicks from Thrissur, we will ensure alternative availability from hatcheries in Tamil Nadu. However, there will be strict enforcement of scientific rearing with quality,” said Ms. Beegum. According to her, Palakkad would have the largest network of broiler chicken farms of Kudumbasree in the next one year and they would support even retail stalls in other parts of the State.

“The chicken from our farms may be smaller in size because of our adherence to indigenous style of rearing,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by K. A. Shaji / Palakkad – December 12th, 2017

Get ready for a rich viewing experience at Nishagandhi

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
The new Barco Lazer Projector installed at Nishagandhi theater which would be used to screen films during IFFK, in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday / Rakesh Nair

Thiruvananthapuram :

The 22nd edition of IFFK will create history by introducing laser projection for the first time in the state.

Nishagandhi Auditorium has been installed with the most advanced Barco laser cinema projector designed to provide a great viewing experience.

“Normally projectors use Xenon lamps, which can run only for 1,000 to 1,500 hours. Laser projection gives the purest white colour because the colour depth is so great resulting in stunning cinema viewing experience. Besides we don’t have to go for replacements as in Xenon lamps which need to be replaced after 1,000 hours. Laser projectors could run movies for as long as 30,000 hours,” explains Litto Tom, manager, technical services, at Qube Cinemas, who is in the city co-ordinating screening in theatres as part of IFFK.

The reduced operating expense and simplified operations have added to the growing popularity of laser projectors across the world “The brightness levels and image quality are going to be incomparable when we use laser projector. It not only does away with lamp-related expense but installation and operation are also easier,” says Noby P, senior engineer, Qube Cinemas.

Some major films, which have been critically acclaimed, are scheduled to be screened at Nishagandhi. The new laser projector will also add to the effects of the much anticipated midnight screening of the Indonesian horror film ‘Satan’s slave’ on the fourth day of the fest.

The projector room of Nishagandhi has been slightly decked up to welcome the prestigious new projector. The room has been fully air conditioned in addition to a pre-installed chiller that comes with laser projector. Aneesh Kumar, the projectionist who has been associated with IFFK for the last few years, can’t conceal his excitement. “It is one of the most advanced projectors. To operate it for our viewers and that too at an event like IFFK is really thrilling for any operator,” says Aneesh Kumar.

Meanwhile, an IFFK flex erected at Vazhuthacaud invited protest as it blocked traffic signals for commuters coming from the Bakery Junction side. Following protest, the traffic police removed the flex board.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City News> Thiruvananthapuram News / by Aswin J. Kumar / TNN  / December 08th, 2017

Seminar on Travancore history begins

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

Thiruvananthapuram :

The three-day national seminar  on ‘Thiruvananthapuram Charithrathil’  which began at the University College  here on Monday brought to light several unknown aspects of the history of the capital city.

Organized by the department of history, the seminar was inaugurated by Kerala Council for Historical Research chairman Michael Tharakan .

In his inaugural speech, Tharakan spoke about the history of the ancient and probably the very first church in Thiruvananthapuram, St. Anne’s Church of Pettah. “During Karthika Thirunal Maharaja’s regime, his courtiers were appointed based on their potential and not according to their religion.

Traders from far and wide used to come to Travancore for their business. One such trader was Thachchil Matthew Tharakan. He used to accompany the Maharaja in his rounds everywhere except to the temple. It is believed that the king learned about Christianity through Tharakan.

And so, way before the British rule was established here, St Anne’s church was built for the Christians just outside Pettah as people belonging to other religions and lower castes weren’t allowed into Pettah. The exact year of construction is still not known,” said Tharakan.

Around 16 experts will talk about various subjects in the seminar, which will conclude on Wednesday.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Thiruvananthapuram News> Schools & Colleges  / TNN / December 05th, 2017

Tracing evolution of Malayalam cinema

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Organised by Kerala State Chalachithra Academy

Malayalam film industry is indebted to the pioneering filmmaker J.C. Daniel. Befittingly, the exhibition, organised by the Kerala  State Chalachithra Academy (KSCA) at the Kanakakkunnu Palace, which traces the glorious past of Malayalam cinema, ensures prominence for the ‘father of Malayalam cinema’.

The exhibition, which got under way on Thursday, takes film enthusiasts back in time to understand the evolution of Malayalam cinema and its milestones over the course of nine decades. It starts off by highlighting the efforts that went into the making of the first movie to be made in Malayalam, Vigathakumaran, written, produced, and directed by J.C. Daniel in 1928.

The display also features the ‘Debrie’ camera that he had used. Veteran actors Madhu and Sheela and filmmaker-lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi formally inaugurated the programme that has been arranged in association with the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC).

Kerala State Chalachithra Academy chairman Kamal said the exhibition was a prelude to the year-long Navathy (90th anniversary) celebrations of Malayalam cinema. He lamented the lack of efforts made in preserving the history of the industry, particularly prints of several classics.

“The upcoming International Film Study and Research Centre and the Digital Film Archive at the KINFRA Film and Video Park at Kazhakuttam will enable us to digitise several archives and preserve them for posterity,” he said.

P. David, who was the still photographer for several films during his career spanning over five decades, was felicitated on the occasion.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Thiruvananthapuram – December 08th, 2017

Kochi-Muziris Biennale art to adorn Cochin International Airport wall

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Travel

Sadanandan’s work depict origin of clans.

P.K. Sadanandan next to his mural painting.

Kochi :

One of the biggest attractions of the third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a massive natural colour mural by artist P.K. Sadanandan depicting a popular story from Kerala folklore, has now been installed at the new international terminal (T3) building of Cochin International Airport. Telling the well-known tale of the origins of the clans in Kerala “Parayi Petta Panthirukulam” was painstakingly created by Sadanandan and three of his colleagues over the 108 days of the Biennale from December 2016 to March this year using natural dyes extracted from stones, leaves, oil, sand and tree sap. No synthetic colours were used.

Top officials from the government and CIAL who visited the Biennale at the time had expressed the desire to find the 15mx3m mural a home at the newly constructed Terminal 3 at the airport. Among the champions of the idea were Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, former minister M.A. Baby and Ernakulam MP Prof K.V. Thomas who saw the artwork as a great symbol of Kerala to greet visitors to the state. “After the Biennale, we had meetings with V.J. Kurian, the MD of CIAL and other officials to complete the formalities to install the mural in the new Terminal 3. We facilitated their talks with the artist and offered logistical support for the installation,” said Bose Krishnamachari, the president of the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF).

“CIAL is the fourth busiest airport in the country and a masterpiece such as this deserves to be installed here, as it conveys the idea of secularism and speaks strongly against caste-based discrimination,” he added. Sadanandan himself was thrilled at the idea that the work would be viewed by thousands of people passing through the airport every day. “I am happy that the painting will draw international attention from a world which may not always focus on art. The methods used in drawing this may have been ancient and traditional, but the message it conveys has much relevance in the present time,” he added.

“I hope that this relationship will give a fillip to the efforts made by KBF to place Kerala on the world cultural map.  The last three editions of the biennale have produced many masterpieces. I believe, ‘Parayi Petta Panthirukulam’ is certainly one of them,” said V.J. Kurian IAS, Managing Director, CIAL. The work requires careful maintenance and preserving under certain temperature conditions and it might have placed a huge financial burden on the host. CIAL was a great alternative,” said KBF Secretary Riyas Komu.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Books & Art / Deccan Chronicle / December 05th, 2017

Guinness memory record for Keralite

Amazing Feats, Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinion

Santhi Sathyan has been undergoing memory training for seven years

There is a misconception that memory is an innate skill whereas it is a result of years of training and perseverance, says Santhi Sathyan, who holds a Guinness world record for the longest sequence of objects memorised in a minute.

The 28-year-old from Kadakkal needs just 60 seconds to save 45-odd objects to her memory, and after reshuffling, she can arrange them back in the same precise order in 2 minutes 57 seconds.

The previous record was held by Arpan Sharma of Nepal, whose record of 43 objects was easily broken by Santhi.

“There are many scientific methods to enhance memory. One of the main tricks is to convert the objects into visuals, something that will last longer in your memory,” she said at a press meet here on Wednesday.

Santhi has been undergoing memory training for the past seven years and started preparations to break the Guinness record a couple of years ago.

Her husband, Anith Soorya, an IT professional-turned-counsellor, is her coach.

From school days

“I have been practising this from my school days though I have never entered any competitions. Two years ago, a friend encouraged me to make an attempt to break the current record that had remained unbroken for two years,” she says.

The postgraduate student in psychology entered the Guinness Book of World Records at a programme held on May 28 at the Kadakkal panchayat conference hall in front of a panel approved by the Guinness World Records officials.

“I am grateful to the Kadakkal panchayat authorities, whose immense support helped me achieve this feat,” she says.

Gearing up for more

Santhi next wants to win the World Memory Championship.

“Many of us are not aware of memory training and its benefits. I want more and more children to come to this field and I am willing to train them,” she says.

A wish

Santhi is currently waiting for her Guinness World Record certificate, which has been shipped to Kerala,  she says.

“Usually it’s handed over by a renowned personality and I wish I could receive it from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar,” she adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Kollam – December 06th, 2017

Elapully to house an MSV memorial

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Plan to revitalise his ancestral house

Two years after musical legend M.S. Viswanathan passed away, a fitting memorial for him will come up at his native Elapully village in Palakkad district.

The memorial, comprising a cultural centre and larger-than-life statue of the musical genius, will come up close to the house where Viswanathan was born and spent his first eight years amidst poverty and misfortunes. The Department of Culture is also planning to revitalise the ancestral house that is in shambles now.

According to Culture Minister A.K. Balan, a memorial committee has already been constituted for early start of the work. The formal inauguration of the committee will be held on December 23 at a mega event when musical contributions of the genius will be recalled. The event, to be organised with the involvement of Vylopilly Samskrithi Bhavan and Swaralaya, will also have a musical nite titled ‘Hridayavahini’ that will feature songs composed by the musician.

The memorial will be completed by the end of December next year. “Viswanathan is Elapully’s illustrious son. He had elementary education in the local school here,’’ recalls C.P. Pramod, an office-bearer of the committee. During his life time, the music director and composer regularly visited the remote village that is located close to the Palakkad-Pollachi highway to remember his mother Narayanikutty.

Remembering mother

“Renovating the ancestral house was one of his long-cherished dreams,” recalls E. Jayachandran, another member of the committee.

His passion to renovate the house was because it symbolised the trials and tribulations his mother went through to bring him up.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Palakkad – December 05th, 2017

Mulanthuruthy’s women ‘stars’ making waves

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features
Vanitha Vedhi members making Christmas stars that feature LED lighting systems assembled by them.

The women’s forum received a lot of public attention with its initiative. The price of the stars being sold ahead of the festival this season ranges between IRs 130 and IRs 230.

These women in Mulanthuruthy are the ‘stars’ ahead of Christmas as they have launched a programme to make and sell LED stars for the 2017 season. The Vanitha Vedhi women’s group under Mulanthuruthy Public Library hopes to sell around 300 of the stars which feature LED lighting systems assembled by them.

The ‘stars’ initiative is the continuation of a project to locally assemble and repair LED lighting systems launched in August this year. The women’s forum received a lot of public attention with its initiative. The price of the stars being sold ahead of the festival this season ranges between ₹130 and ₹230.

The women are confident that the products are priced competitively. The group of women is already well-known in the area with their brand of LED lighting systems under the name ‘Sooryakanthi’. They have been selling LED bulbs and tube lights under the brand name.

Ajitha Ramachandran, who is among the group of women, said on Saturday that they expected good response from the public as the people were aware of the novelty of their initiative. Besides selling stars during the Christmas-New Year season, the group of women also hopes to popularise LED lighting systems to save energy.

Early this year, Ms. Ramachandran along with Benny Lalan decided to get trained in making LED lighting systems. They were part of a group of around a hundred women in three batches who were given training in LED assembling and repairing. The initiative has helped substantially in increasing the reach of LED lighting systems in the neighbourhoods of the Vanitha Vedhi.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – December 04th, 2017

Thousands pay last respects to E Chandrashekaran Nair

Leaders
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan pays homage to E Chandrasekharan Nair at M N Smarakam.

Thiruvananthapuram  :

Former minister and CPI leader E Chandrashekaran Nair who passed away on Wednesday was cremated with full state honours at Santhikavadom here on Friday.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former chief minister Oommen Chandy, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, former chief minister and administrative reforms commission chairman V S Achuthanandan and CPI national leader D Raja were among those leaders who paid their last respects to the departed leader on Friday.

His body was kept at M N Smarakom, the CPI headquarters in the morning for the public to pay homage and was later taken to his house at Pandit Colony in Kowdiar.

The chief minister and his cabinet colleagues had paid their last respects to the senior most Communist leader M N Smarakom. V S Achuthanandan and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala had also reached the CPI headquarters in the morning.

At Santhikavadom, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former chief minister Oommen Chandy, CPI leader D Raja, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran, CPI leader Pannyan Raveendran, state ministers V S Sunil Kumar, E Chandrasekharan, Ramachandran Kadannappalli and Mathew T Thomas and former ministers Benoy Viswom, Mullakkara Ratnakaran and M Vijayakumar were present.

According to the wish of the departed leader, no religious rituals were performed.

The body of E Chandrasekharan Nair was kept at the mortuary of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences since Wednesday as his son C Jayachandran had reached Thiruvananthapuram from the US only on Friday morning.

Thousands of CPI cadres and people from all walks of life had reached M N Smarakom and Santhikavadom to pay their last respects.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Thiruvananthapuram News / TNN / December 02nd, 2017