Saura paintings from Koraput, Odissa

Today, my quest for cultural knowledge led me to the Orissa Crafts fair at the iconic VJT Hall, Palayam. The above picture is of a 'Saura' Tribal painting from Koraput District, Odissa. I learn that the Suaras are one of the oldest tribes in the sub-continent. They have been mentioned even in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Their paintings invariably have some religious significance. The above painting is on tussore silk and was being offered for Rs 7000.

Most artisans or traders who come to sell such handicraft items are not good salesmen. If they can give the background, history, ethnicity, intricacy, exclusivity and significance of these works, I am sure there will be more takers. It can also give the buyer a 'story' to share with her friends and create word-of-mouth publicity. If the artisans themselves are not good communicators, they can be aided by brief leaflets or presentations. Small versions of these can also be inserted into the packaging for the buyer to take home. A certificate of authenticity by any credible (sounding) body can also enhance the value.

Applique works from Puri Dt.

Organic Bazaar

'Thanal', (തണല്‍) an NGO working the environment space,  promotes organic farming

Parassala Ponnamma

Parassala Ponnamma   sings as part of the Sadhana programme at the Music College. The octogenarian, sitting in a chair effortlessly performed.I was however, informed that her voice was no longer what it used to be.
She was accompanied by Dr. Moorthy, HOD of the Department of Violin and prof. Balasubramoniam HOD of the Dept. of Mridangam, Sri Swati Thirunal College of Music.

From Blogger Pictures

From Blogger Pictures

Neyveli Santhanagopalan concert

Wednesday, 18th November, 2009.Carnatic Music Interactive concert by Neyveli Santhanagopalan ( நெய்வேலி சந்தான கோபாலன் ) at Muthaiya Bhagavathar hall of Sri Swathi Thirunal college of Music, Thycaud. as part of 'Sadhana - on Musical Forms' 

 He was accompanied on the Violin by Edapally ഇടപള്ളി  Ajith Kumar and on the Mridangam മൃദംഗം by Prof. Parassala  പാറശാല   Ravi.

Kingfisher

Though Trivandrum is slowly going the way of most metros, it has still managed to retain some of its greenery and charm.
The proof of this is a view from my balcony on the 5th floor apartment.  The green trees - coconut, tamarind, areca and many others I can't name - are really soothing to the eye and mind.
Last week there were a couple of Kingfishers on a tree near my balcony. Here is the picture.

From Blogger Pictures

Kingfisher in Jagathy

Here is the other one.

From Blogger Pictures

Jazz at the Palace

Kanakakunnu palace stands majestically in the heart of Trivandrum. The surroundings of the palace are popular haunts of the regulars. For a walk around the garden or for one of the exhibitions in the adjacent grounds. Once or twice a year cultural programmes are also conducted at the Nishagandhi and Surykanthi open air theatres. The palace itself is seldom open to the public. The last time  I was inside this palace was for a Kathakali performance as part of the Nishagandhi cultural festival.

From Jazz_Kanakakunnu

On Saturday, the 14th November the palace again opened for a Jazz performance by the Yakou Tribe from Germany, brought to Trivandrum by the Goethe Zentrum (Max Mueller Bhavan / Goethe Institute) .

Here are a couple of images from the show.

From Jazz_Kanakakunnu

Long view.

Corridor leading to the auditor

                                                                                          

                                                                                    A chandelier at the palace

Held 'Captive' in Jalsa Ghar

The 'Jalsa Ghar' module of Soorya Festival was held last year in the Department of Music. The venue and arrangements drew flak from the audience as well as the performers. So this year I was happy that it was held in the YMCA auditorium which once housed the British Council Library.

The event on Friday was Hindustani Sangeeth by Manjari, a well known Kerala based singer. Though the hall was air-conditioned, the seating was cramped with plastic chairs normally found in tea shops. With usual restrictions of of entry and exit, a la chamber music, it was rather suffocating especially for senior citizens.

The event, like most Soorya events, started on the dot at 6-45 p.m. Manjari began with the raag, Miya ka Todi. She described it as a morning raaga. As there aren't many opportunities for morning concerts she took this up at this event, she explained. Her rendition of this raaga for almost 45 minutes, appeared to non- connoisseurs like me, as 'mourning raaga' rather than a morning raaga.

She then went to to a couple of melancholy ghazals, but had the stage presence to warm up to some popular and racy numbers including some in Malayalam and ending with the ever popular 'Dumadum Mast laandhar' which had the audience clapping and foot tapping.

From Kathak

Once that ended at about 9 p.m, people rushed to the exits. The senior citizens to the wash rooms and the younger ones to their cuppa's or cell phones.

For the audience, which included a former Chief Secretary, representing YMCA, it was a two-and-a-half hour  'captivating' experience.

Kuchupudi

From Kuchupudi

Shilpa Nanjappa performing Kuchupudi dance.

From Kuchupudi

More Kuchipudi pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/vihar7/Kuchupudi#

Kathak

In the on going Soorya Cultural Festival, it was the turn for Kathak on Saturday, at the Vylopilli Samskriti Bhavan. Hari and Chetana were the performers.

From Kathak From Kathak From Kathak

Click here for more Kathak images

Bharathanatyam couple

On November 6th, Shijith & Parvathy performed Bharathanaytam at Vylopilli Samskriti Bhavan, Trivandrum as part of the Soorya Festival. From Bharatnatyam_Couple A collage of Bharathnatyam images

This image was part of the stage decor at the classic Koothambalam of Vylopilli Samskrithi Bhavan. From Bharatnatyam_Couple

From Bharatnatyam_Couple

Radha fends Krishna's pranks