Rajasthan Crafts Fair

The third craft fair was the Rajasthan Craft Fair at the Rajsekaran Nair (Police) Stadium by the Rajasthan Hastakala Samiti.
The exhibits were very similar to the ones in the VJT hall, including the Orissa tribal painitngs.

Kerala Artisans' Development Corporation, Craft Mela at VJT Hall

Simultaneously there are three craft exhibitions going on in Thiuvananthapuram this week. I had already reported about the Gandhi Shilp Bazaar at Kanakakunnu. The other one is the Kerala Artisans' Development Corporatio's Craft Mela at the VJT Hall.

Bangles in Boxes                                                                                                            Bangles on stand

Tribal art from Orissa - ceramic on canvas

 Orissa art - applique

Craft Exhibition

Collage of some exhibits at the Gandhi Shilp Exhibition at the Kanakunnu palace grounds.

Natural bird nests for sale

This is Kuttappan at his stall selling bamboo products.- bamboo ek tara, bamboo drums, lampshdes, wine mugs, penstands etc. Kuttappan comes from Ramakkalmedu in Idukky district. Legend has it that Lord Rama halted at Ramakkal medu in search of Sita as this place overlooks a vast valley and some towns of Tamil Nadu.

Carnatic vocal concert by Pattabhiram Pandit

Pattabhirama Pandit at the Swati Tirunal Sangita Sabha on Tyagaraja Day.

Russian Ballet

The Russian Ballet group Altai performed at the Tagore Auditorium, Trivandrum on Friday, 25th March 2010 to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the inauguration of the Russian Cultural Centre in Trivandrum. The troupe of over 25 members performed a variety of dance forms to a rapt audience.

Senegalese Band

BBC Sound System, a Senegalese band based in France performed at the Nishagandhi open air theatre, Trivandrum. They played a blend of African melodies, hip hop and salsa. Their lively performance was appreciated by the goodly weekend crowd squatting in the amphitheatre galleries.

Kadinamkulam, poor man's Vembanad

Thanks to Google maps, I discovered Kadinamkulam on a Saturday evening. It is just 12Kms from Kazhakuttam, the seat of Technopark. You proceed on NH 47 and turn into Vettu road. It takes you to the junction at St. Andrews. Turn right (North) at St. Andrews and proceed for about 4-5 Kms to Mariyanad Kadinamkulam lake is just 1 km from this junction. For locals, this just an everyday sight, but to me it appeared like a poor man's Vembanad. A country boat can ferry you to the other bank (Mrukkampuzha) in about 15 minutes.On the way from Kazhakootam you can also enjoy the isolated beaches at St.Andrews, Vettiyathura and also some magnificent churches and one or two small temples.