Bob Geldof in Trivandrum

Bob Geldof of Band Aid fame, performed at the conclusion of the the Hay Festival in Trivandrum, Kerala. at the open air Nishagandhi auditorium. Enthusiastic fans braved the intermittent  showers to enjoy the performance.

Elephants

Recently, the  Government of India declared elephant as a national heritage animal. This will help in stepping up the measures for their protection.  Kerala has a large number of elephants in captivity. There are also many instances of ill treatment of  pachyderms leading to violent reaction from them. This enactment will, hopefully ensure  humane handling of these animals.

Elephant parade held in July 2010 at the Chandrasekaran Nair police stadium, Trivandrum

A child watching the elephant line-up

Local body elections and Woman Power

The elections to the local bodies of Kerala will be 23rd October. 50% of seats are reserved for women.

Wall posters of candidates in my ward.

Tagore Exhibition on Wheels

The Indian Railways, dedicated a whole rake of air conditioned coaches to showcase the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore on his 150th Anniversary. The rake went from station to station all over India and was in Trivandrum in the second week of October.

Visitors viewing the Tagore exhibition on rails at Trivandrum Central Station, Platform #1.

Tholpavakoothu - Puppet play

'Tholpavakoothu' - shadow puppet play with leather puppets was sponsored by Indian Council of Cultural Research, Trivandrum at the Theerthapada mandapam, East Fort on Saturday, 19th June 2010. Pulavar Ramachandran and his team performed 'Ramayana'. This unique form of art,  with its skilfully manipulated  animated leather figures was well appreciated by the select audience. The commentary was in a mixture of Malayalam, Sanskrit and Tamil. Perhaps, they could have tried out some innovations in the vocal and musical support, like including female voice.

Vyloppilli Samskriti Bhavan

Now I am on the mailing list of Vylopilli Samskriti Bhavan.

During the last Nangyar koothu performance, I dropped my lens pouch in the Koothambalam. I could retrieve it three days later thanks to Ms. Annie, the programme officer and other friendly staff of the Bhavan. Annie has also put me on the mailing list for the monthly programmes. No more straining to read the "Today's Engagement' column in the Hindu.

Last Saturday, I missed the Chakyar Koothu by Margi Chakyar. The next two programmes are Malayalam Drama and poetry evenings. I may give them a go-by.

Third International Documentary & Short Film Festival of Kerala

The Third International Documentary & Short Film Festival of Kerala was inaugurated on 11th June. It will go on till the 15th. Most of the shows will be in the Government owned twin theatres, Kairali and Sree, located in the busy Thampanoor area close to the train station and bus terminus.

The inaugural film was The Children of the Pyre - the life, laughter and lament of the children of the funeral ghat Manikarnika at Varanasi.

On Saturday, I watched Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein - of the Kabir series by Shabnam Virmani. The 94 minute film beautifully explores the conflict between the sacred and the secular, by highlighting the dilemma of a Kabir panth mahant, Prahladji. The mahant was present during the screening and was available for interaction after the show.

The festival website is at: http://www.iffk.in/