News from God's Own Country - KeralaNews from God's Own Country - KeralaNews, Events and Trends from God's Own Country - kerala, India Articles
kerala Tourist Guide
2007-07-05 06:23:00 Starting one's journey from the southern district, Thiruvananthapuram, is an ideal choice. Thiruvananthapuram DistrictThe city of Thiruvananthapuram, built on seven hills and named after the sacred serpent god Anantha on whom Lord Vishnu reclines, is the capital of Kerala and district headquarters. Thiruvananthapuram can be reached by air rail and road.Kollam DistrictSituated on the banks of Astamudi Lake, Kollam (Quilon) is the district headquarters. The town is situated about 71km from Thiruvananthapuram and is a major railway junction. National highway NH47 passed through it. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram. Kollam was an ancient seaport where spices with Chinese, Arabs and Europeans were traded. It is still one of the important commercial centres in Kerala.Ashtamudi LakeThis is one of the largest lakes in Kerala. The District Tourism Promotion Council organises backwater boating on the traditional boats of Kerala. The boating from Kollam to Alappuzha (approx. 9 hours... More About: Guide , Tourist , Guid
Pava Kooth
2007-07-05 06:04:00 A PUPPET SHOW WITH A DIFFERENCE ; &nbs p; THOL PAVA KOOTHU is an ancient form of art in Kerala Temples (THOL = Leather; PAVA = PUPPET or DOLL; KOOTHU = SHOW)This show is conducted as a ritual in the Bhagavathy temples of Malabar for centuries. This play with shadows remind of the old black and white films. Animal leather is cleaned, dried, flat and cut in the shape of story characters, Human, Bovine or Aquatic. Being a shadow play, suitable holes are made for light effect from behind. Stories from Hindu Epic like Ramayana are played in this. According to Hindu mythology this show was designed by Lord Shiva to please godess Badrakali. The latter was engaged in a battle with demon Darika during the time of RAMA RAVANA battle and felt sorry for not being able to witness the great battle. Lord Shiva redressed her grievance by showing the Rama-Ravana battle through THOL PAVA KOOTHU. A white cl...
Population Of Kerala
2007-07-05 06:02:00 ; Kerala has been an ever developing state of India. The Malayalis have not only achieved the highest levels of literacy but have carried the flame further by setting unprecedented standards of higher education. Health conditions are excellent with the lowest infant and maternal mortality rates and the highest life expectancy among all the other states of India. Ethnicity: Kerala has often been referred to as an ethnic jungle. The original mountain tribes here were Negritos. Then came the Proto-Australoids and the Dravidians. They were the main settlers here. Thus most Malayalis still are Dravidian descendents. Not much later the Aryans also settled in the land. Initially reluctant to intermingle, and bound by strict caste laws, the Aryans considered themselves the elite Brahmins. With the settling of a small number of Jews, European Christians etc. the ethnic diversity increased further. On date however, no p... More About: Pula
Kerala at Glance
2007-07-05 06:01:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; A coastline that stretches for 600kms, virgin beaches, lush greenery, a highly literate people, and a treasure trove of rich and varied art forms all make up the fascinating land of Kerala . Enclosed by the Arabian Sea, the Lakshadweep Sea, and the towering Western Ghats, this paradise on earth has something to offer to everybody. Located at the southernmost tip of India, Kerala has become one of the most sought after travel destinations in recent times. Kerala at a glance itself is inviting and alluring, tickling our knowledge buds to know more. ; &nbs p; &nb sp; The state of Kerala has the highest percentage of literacy in India. The capital of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram. A very progressive state Kerala is very well connected by ... More About: Lance , Glance
Classical Art Forms: Krishnattam
2007-07-05 06:00:00 ; &nbs p; This is another form of dance drama, enacted in Guruvayoor Temple, depicting the frolics and divinity of Lord Kris hna. The Sree Krishna Temple of Guruvayoor was absolutely owned and maintained by the Zamourin of Kozhikode till the end of their empire conquered by the British. One of the Zamourins, King Manavedan, contemporary of Saint Vilwamangalam, a scholar and poet, was an ardent devotee of Guruvayoor deity. He used to find time, even amidst the tight schedules of governance, to spend few days in devotion within the precincts of the temple. Saint Vilwamangalam was very much in the temple and, it was known to all that he was frequented by the sight of Sree Krishna alive. Zamourin pestered the Saint with a queer request to show him also the lord live during one of His secretive appearance to him. Once, while walking out of the temple towards the 'Manjulal', the Banyan tree named after a virgin... More About: Classical , Forms , Atta
CLASSICAL ART FORMS : Ramanattam
2007-07-05 05:59:00 ; Once the King Kerala Varma of Kottarakkara requested Manavedan, Zamourin of Kozhikode to send the Krishnanattam troupe to his palace for a performance. Manavedan curtly rejected the request expressing that it is meant to be staged only in the Guruvayoor temple and also that the people of Southern Kerala have not yet grown intellectually to understand and enjoy such an art form, citing the incident at Tripunithura. Belittled and humiliated King vowed to retort and immediately wrote Ramayanam in the Atta kkadha fashion with verses set to music and prose dialogues. He named it "Ramanattam", opposing Krishnanattam, and wished to bring in all the pomp and grandeur of Krishnanattam to it He composed the entire Ramayanam in eight volumes in Manipravalam style (form of poetic composition in which words of Malayalam and Snaskrit are blended indistinguishably like pearls and gems studded in a golden necklace). It... More About: Classical , Forms
Dream of a 'Silicon Coast' in Kerala
2007-07-05 01:16:00 They are fresh from college but not desperate for a job! Eight engineering graduates from this state, known better for its thriving tourism industry, are looking to give jobs to people in their IT startup that is already being valued at around USD seven million. This team of graduates, which actually shaped its destiny by setting up 'Torque' to provide IT solutions across verticals, now dreams of turning Kerala into the 'Silicon Coast ' of India. "I come from a middle class family. I don't have a big family tag to my name. The state has given me a good education. And, now I think, I have to pay (it) back," Torque CEO Sanjay Vijayakumar told media on asked about the inspiration behind the venture created a year before they left campus.Obviously, the team also drew inspiration from Stanford University graduates, who helped the Silicon Valley in the US to become the metonymy for world hightech ventures. Their brainchild Torque has in a short time grown into a pioneering technol... More About: Dream
Kerala Catholics hope Pope will visit state
2007-07-05 01:01:00 ; &nbs p; Thousands of Catholics in Kerala are hoping that Pope Benedict XVI will arrive in Kerala in July next year to declare the Blessed Alphonsa a saint. The Pope cleared the way for the canonisation of the Blessed Alphonsa on June 1 this year. She will become the first Indian to be made a saint by the Catholic church. Father Paul Thellekat, the spokesperson of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church, told IANS on Tuesday that as of now the news is that the Pope will make the announcement of her canonisation in Vatican some time during the end of this year. However, Moran Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the head of the Malankara Catholic Church, said efforts have begun to ensure that on his way to attend the World Youth Day in Sydney in July next year Pope Benedict XVI visits Kerala to make a formal announcement of the conferring of sainthood on the Blessed Alphonsa. "With the ... More About: Hope , State
?Utsavam? to showcase Kerala?s cultural heritage
2007-07-04 15:44:00 ; Kerala Tourism has chalked out a year-long cultural festival, ?Utsavam,? featuring the traditional art forms of Kerala, including dance and dance-based performances, as part of steps to market the destination among the tourists. The event ensures the participation of the local bodies, non-governmental organisations, tourism clubs, youth clubs and the local communities who will be involved in the selection of the art forms and venues. ; &nbs p; &nb sp; Kerala Tourism sources told that the cultural festival would be the first of its kind to be organised in the State with the support of the Government and the local community. The expenditure for the event is estimated at Rs.2 crore. The District Tourism Promotion Councils will be the executing agencies for the event. Already, 36 centres have been identif... More About: Heritage , Showcase , Cultural , Ural
India's Kerala state goes open source
2007-06-29 18:17:00 India's Kerala state government is counting on open-source software to boost its IT literacy rate. According to a statement, the Kerala government has identified free and open-source software (FOSS) as a major strategic component in its efforts to build an inclusive information society. "Kerala has always been a leader in literacy and now we want to make Kerala a leader in e-literacy," said Kerala chief minister VS Achutanandan. "We believe that free and open-source software is an essential component in our drive to democratise information technology and bring its benefits to all sections of society," Achutanandan said. The Indian state is partnering with Red Hat to train the technical staff of various government organisations as well as school teachers on desktop Linux and other open-source applications. The Linux vendor will also work with the state government to promote Kerala as a global destination for developing open-source software. Commenting on Kerala's move towards ... More About: Open Source , Open , Source , Open-Source
Kerala Boat Races To Get Sporting Event Status
2007-06-28 14:23:00 The boat races in Kerala , which have attracted tourists for years, are now all set to get the status of a full-fledged sporting event. The formal announcement of this decision will be made during the 55th Nehru Boat Race to be held in Alappuzha on the second Saturday of August this year, T.P. Dasan, President, Kerala Sports Council (KSC) told IANS. 'We are working out the nuances and through a new law this would be made a sporting event. A lot of homework has to be done because unlike other events, the rules and regulations of boat races are quite different. A committee would soon be appointed to work out everything,' he said. For any event to get the status of a sporting event in Kerala, it should be held in at least seven districts. Currently the boat races are held as a competitive event in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. Communist Party of India - Marxist legislator and a former captain of a popular boat c... More About: Event , Sporting , Status
Rs 3000 cr package for coastal development in Kerala
2007-06-28 14:22:00 A comprehensive development package with a total outlay of Rs 3,000 crore would be implemented in the coastal regions of Kerala , state Fisheries Minister S Sharma told the Assembly on Thursday. Replying to a calling attention, he said "The Hyderabad based National Institute of Rural Development had been entrusted with the task of preparing project report for the package. The Coast al Development Authority would be the nodal agency for implementing the schemes." Besides improving basic facilities in the coastal areas, the other main components of the package included providing houses to all fishermen, power connections and developing the fish landing centres and fishing harbours. The package envisaged coordination of schemes taken up by different departments in the regions. Source More About: Pack , Package
Insurance policy for Kerala fisher folk
2007-06-28 09:25:00 The Kerala government has firmed up plans to introduce an integrated insurance policy for the state?s fisheries sector. Kerala?s minister for fisheries, S Sarma, told the Assembly on Wednesday that his department had charted out the initial plan for the insurance policy, which will be christened 'Matsya Suraksha'. As per the insurance policy, the government will ensure that an amount of Rs 1 lakh is paid to the kin of fisher folk who die in mishaps. An amount of Rs 50,000 will be paid to those who are rendered physically invalid while engaged in their work. This apart, fishing equipment such as fishing boats, boat engines, and nets would also be covered under the policy. He said the policy, which will come into force this year itself, would cover all those who are involved in fisheries and related sectors. Source More About: Insurance , Folk , Policy , Poli
Kerala traders protest against retail chains
2007-06-28 09:21:00 Traders in Kerala downed shutters on Wednesday to protest the entry of big domestic and multi-national players in the retail sector. The protest was called by the traders' associations, including "Kerala Vyapari Vyvasayi Ekopana Samiti" and "Kerala Vyapara Samiti". Their demands include a state legislation restricting FDI in retail sector, refusal of licence to big retail houses by local bodies and imposition of luxury tax on corporate entering the retail sector. Reports from across the state said the response to the protest was near total in most towns. Medical stores and hotels have been exempted from protest. The head load workers unions have pledged their support to the trade hartal. Source More About: Retail , Traders , Protest , Chain
Rs 100 cr infra loss to Kerala
2007-06-26 03:38:00 For Kerala , the first monsoon fury of the year turned out a double dose of disaster, with the State already reeling from viral fever ravage. The heavy downpour took a holiday on Monday, but it was after logging as much as Rs 100-crore infrastructure loss and 2,458 hectares of crop loss. ?Revenue officials are busy putting together data on monsoon-related losses since the State government is preparing a memorandum to be submitted to the Centre,? Nivedita P Haran, principal secretary (revenue), Kerala government said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan on Sunday of all possible assistance to manage the monsoon havoc. From June 1, about 54 monsoon-related deaths have been reported. A 24-hour control-room has been set up to co-ordinate the disaster management activities. Crop-losses are yet to be worked out. By the initial assessment, about 2,458 hectares under paddy, coconut, arecanut etc seem to be in bad shape, revenue officials said. ... More About: Loss
HIV+ children face boycott in Kerala school
2007-06-26 03:38:00 Five HIV positive children in Mar Dionysius Primary school in Kerala ?s Kottayam district face a boycott as parents of most of the students on Monday refused to send their children to the institution and even threatened to withdraw their wards. Only three children attended classes in the school here as parents continued to protest the presence of the five afflicted children. The Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), which met on Monday, formed a five-member committee to take a decision within three days on their future course of action, said the school manager, Paulose Mar Pachomios Thirumeni. The HIV+ students, studying in classes two and three, also did not turn up as the vehicle carrying them to school had developed some complaints, said authorities of ?Asha Kiran?, the rehabilitation centre where the children are staying. The five children were refused permission to continue with their studies in the school in December last year after parents of other students came to know about... More About: Children , School , Face , Boycott
Alcoholic prohibition and Christian prayer team worker murdered in Kerala
2007-06-25 18:23:00 The dead body of Joy Anthariyeth, 52, was found at Kavil junction near a bridge over a rivulet at Thannithodu. Joy was a member of the action council seeking to shut down the alcoholic toddy shop of Thannithodu. He was also one of the active members of the SVM Prayer Fellowship. Joy was brutally murdered as he was going back home on Friday night after attending a prayer meeting, according to Salem Voice Ministries News Service. « Joy was threatened several times by the toddy shop authorities for leading the agitation against the toddy shop for shutting it down, » Police officials told Rev. Paul Ciniraj, the Director of the Salem Voice Ministries and SVM News Service. Police said Joy was walking through the south side of the Kavil bridge on Friday, June 15. An eight-member group of men drove by and pulled him through the bridge and beat him. Joy tried to escape through the narrow path which is between the Marthoma Church and the Federal Bank, but the attackers together beat him s... More About: Christian , Kerala , Team , Prohibition
Goodyear opens outlets in Kerala
2007-06-25 18:22:00 Expanding its presence in south India, tyre major Goodyear India has unveiled two branded retail outlets in Kerala . The two new outlets, at Malappuram and Kollam, are part of the company's initiative in organised tyre retailing and are aimed at strengthening its presence in the tyre replacement market in the country. The company already has three shop-in-shop outlets in Kerala ? at Alappuzha, Kochi and Kollam. Goodyear has entered into an exclusive tie-up wherein the two new stores will also offer car care products including car perfumes, car wash and tyre shine, making it convenient for customers to purchase their car-related requirements under one roof, according to a company statement. Source More About: Year
Poorakkali
2007-06-25 06:41:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; Poor akkali is a traditional dance ritual performed by men during the nine-day Pooram festival in Bhagavathy temples across Northern Kerala (formerly known as Kolathunadu), south India. ; &nbs p; The Pooram festival begins with the Karthika asterism and concludes with the Pooram asterism of the month of Meenam according to the Malayalam calendar (corresponding to the sun sign Pisces according to the Julian Calendar) to honour Kamadeva, the god of love. ; &nbs p; The Poorakkali dance itself is performed by a troop of young men decked in lion costumes around a huge, multi-tiered, lit lamp, also known as a "nilavilukku." The dance involves ma... More About: Kali
Kolam Thullal
2007-06-25 06:37:00 ; Kolam Thullalis a ritual dance form prevalent in south Kerala (south India) and this form of dancing is customary in houses and temples of Bhagavathy (Female deity). This is performed in relation with temple festivals and to drive away the bad spirit from the 'possessed' bodies. ; This is a ritual offering usually performed to get rid of the troubles caused evil - spirits. Here a number of characters, with hideous make-up and flat big head - gears dance to the accompaniment of primitive percussion instruments. The costumer of the dancers are highly decorative and rich in colour and brilliance. There is no accompanying song.
Garudan Hanging
2007-06-25 06:31:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; Garudan Hanging (Eagle Hanging) is a ritual art form performed in Kali temples of south Kerala, south India. The people who disguised as Garudas (Malayalam: eagles) perform the dance. After the dance performance, the hang-designate dangle from a shaft hooking the skin on his back. In some places, the ritual is performed colorfully with Garudas taken in a procession on bullock carts or boats or hand pulled carts. ; &nbs p; The legend is that after slaying Dharika, Kali remained insatiable and thirsty even after killing Dharika. At this time Vishnu, one of the three primal Gods, sent Garuda to Kali to quench the thirst. A dancing and bleeding Garuda was taken to Kali and only after getting some drops of blood from Garuda, Kal...
Kerala NGO gets Green Oscar
2007-06-25 04:27:00 A Kerala based NGO has won a Green Oscar for installing biogas plants in the state to convert organic waste into alternate source of energy. Former US vice president Al Gore gave away the award ? a cash prize of 30,000 pounds ? to Biotech chief A. Saji at a function in London on Friday. Biotech had launched the award-winning initiative of turning food waste into gas for cooking and electricity purposes (domestic biogas plant) at its inception in 1994. Among the other products Biotech offers are smokeless ovens, solar lanterns and home lights. It has built and installed 12,000 domestic plants, 220 institutional plants and 17 municipal plants that use waste from the municipal fish markets to produce biogas, which is then used in a three kilowatt engine to generate electricity for lighting the markets. Around 160 of the domestic plants installed also use waste from eco-friendly toilets. Using excreta in the digesters helps manage human waste at source and avoids ground water conta...
Thullal
2007-06-25 03:52:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; Among the classical performing arts of Kerala, Thullal is distinct with its simplicity of presentation and its frank, outspoken wit and humour. The songs are in simple Malayalam and the techniques employed in this art are not rigid, though they are based on the classical principles of Naatya Saastra, a treatise on art originating in the 2nd century B.C. it is said to have been a modification of Koothu. ; &nbs p; The word Thullal belongs to the Dravidian family of languages and literally means jumping, this however can be extended to mean to ?to leap about? or to ?cut a caper?. ; &nbs p; Thullal is also a genre of poetry...
Panchavadyam
2007-06-25 03:42:00 ; &nbs p; Panchavadyam As Panchavadyam is regarded as one of the most sophisticated art forms in Kerala, the performers are highly respected and usually a huge crowd gathers to watch and listen to the performance. In distinction to the smaller ritualistic panchavadyam, this orchestral form is also called sevanga panchavadyam. Similar to chenda melam, panchavadyam is also characterised by a pyramid rhythmic structure, the ever increasing tempo, and the proportionally decreasing number of beats in a cycles. In contrast to melam it uses different instruments, is not related so closely to the kshetram ritual, contains improvised parts, and its present form was only composed in the 1930s by the maddalam artist Venkichan Swami Bhagavatar and Madhava Warrier. ; Panchavadyam performance during a festiva...
Koodiyattam
2007-06-25 03:37:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar as Ravana in Koodiyattam. ; &nbs p; Koodiyattam, Sanskrit drama performed in Kerala, India,has been recognised by UNESCO as a Human Heritage Art. Rightly so. It is the oldest existing classical theatre form in the entire world, having originated much before Kathakali and most other theatrical forms. It is considered to be at least 2000 years old. Kulasekhara Varma Cheraman Perumal, an ancient King of Kerala was known as the creator of Koodiyattam in the present form. His book "Aattaprakaram" describes various aspects about how to perform Koodiyattam. Till date this is considered the most authoritative work on the art form. The "grammar" of performance is entirely based on the stipulations o... More About: Diya , Atta
Mohiniyattam
2007-06-22 16:46:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; &n bsp; Mohiniaattam performer ; &nbs p; &nb sp; Mohiniyattam is a dance form said to have originated in Kerala. It is closely related to Bharathanatyam of Tamil Nadu, which was originally called 'Dasiyattam'. Originated as the temple dance performed by Devadasis, it portrays feminine love in its myriad forms - carnal, devotional and maternal- with accent more on Lasya and Bhava. In the main items Cholkettu, Padavarnam and Padam, Mudras and facial expressions are more important than the rhythmic steps. Costumes and ornaments of Mohiniyattam have much in common with female characters of Koodiyattam and Kathakali. ; &nb... More About: Atta
Theyyam
2007-06-22 16:30:00 Theyyam or Theyyaattam is a pattern of hero worship performed in Kolathunaad, a territory comprising the present Cannanore District and Badagara Taluk of Kerala State. It is a ritual and a folk-dance form supported by a vast literature of folk songs. Theyyam is a corruption for Deyvam ?God?. 'Aattam' means dance. Thus 'Theyyaattam' means the God?s Dance. History ; &nbs p; &nb sp; The earliest Brahminic settlements like Payyanur and Perimchellur (Thaliparamba) in Kolathunadu where the Brahminic religion was propagated through the institutions of temples largely influenced the popular folk religion based on Theyyam and other tribal cults. According to the legendary Keralolpathi, Parasurama sanctioned the festivals like Kaliyattam, Puravela and Deivattam or Theyyattam to the people of Kerala. He assigned the responsibility of Theyyam dance to the indigenous comm...
Russian Titanium major to set up JV with Kerala company
2007-06-22 15:16:00 Russia's VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, the world's largest producer of Titanium, is planning to set up a joint-venture with a government-owned company in Kerala to supply aviation metal to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The corporation, controlled by state-owned arms exporter RosOboronExport (ROE), is in talks with Kerala Minerals and Mining Limited (KMML) for setting up a joint venture for the processing and smelting of Titanium, RBC business daily reported today. "From the Indian side a protocol of intention has been signed for the construction of a plant for the production of Titanium sponge with an annual capacity of 10 thousand tons," VSMPO-AVISMA General Director Vladislav Tetyukhin said, according to the daily. "In 2008 we will work out the strategy of the plant and in 2009 it will become operational," he said. Part of the production of the JV could be imported by Russia and also used in implementation of the joint Indo-Russian Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) project. The T... More About: Company , Major , Compa
Kathakali
2007-06-22 14:47:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; performance of Kathakali in Kochi ; &nbs p; &nb sp; &n bsp; Kathakali, literally meaning `story-play', is a dance-drama originated in the 17th century in Kerala, one of the smallest states in India lying on the west coast of the Indian peninsula. However, its roots could be tracked back even to the earlier times. Koodiyattom, the only surviving form of Sanskrit theater in India has been preserved in Kerala for centuries, now, by a small community called Chakyar as a part of their hereditary temple service. Krishnanattom, another form of dance-drama considered fore runner to Kathakali in its origin, is performed even today at the famous Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayoor as an... More About: Kali , Akal
Arts of Kerala
More articles from this author:2007-06-22 14:27:00 The Indian state of Kerala is well known for its diverse forms of performing arts. The various communities in Kerala contribute to its rich and colorful culture. Hindu Arts Kathakali Thiriyuzhichil Kalaripayattu Mangalamkali Marathukali Kothammuriyattam Malayikuthu Charadupinnikkali Chakyar Koothu Sopanam Thacholikali Sarpam Thullal Pulluvan Paattu Theyyam Mohiniyattam Koodiyattam Panchavadyam Thullal Ottamthullal Garudan Hanging Kolam Thullal Poorakkali Mudiyett Muslim Arts Oppana Mappila Paattu Kolkali Duff Muttu Kuthu Ratheeb Christian Arts & nbsp; Margam Kali Chavittu Nadakam Fine Arts of Kerala Murals of Kerala Arts Promotion Bodies Kerala Kalamandalam Kerala Folklore Akademi 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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