Krishnavataram Nangiarkoothu

Margi Usha performing Krishnavataram Nangiarkoothu at Margi, Trivandrum.. Edakka and Mizhavu can be seen the background. 

Koodiyattam, A two thousand year old art form

Maya Seethankam by Shaktibhadra.

 Koodiyattam, a 2000 year old dance form being performed in Thiruvananthapuram under the aegis of Drisyavedi. UNESCO has declared Kutiyaam as  one among the "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". The male actors are from the Chakyar community and the female parts are played by Nangiars. Accompaniments are Mizhavu and edakka played by Nambiar men and kuzhitalam by Nangiars

Edakka and Mizhavu

Kuzhithalam

Sree chitra home

The sree home has a new metal roof. Somehow I liked the tiles. The metal roof is funtional but garish.

Taken with my phone camera from a nearby theatre

Door

Traditional door front in the busy Padmavilasam road, Fort, Thiruvananthpuram

9th Century Cave Temple at Madavoor, near Sreekaryam

After having visited the cave temple at Vizhinjam, a couple of times, I decided to explore Madavoorpaara which is closer to my place of work, Asian School of Business, Technocity. 


Madavoor para houses an ancient Shiva temple of 9th Century C.E. Now it is under the care of the State Archaelogical department. It  is on Pothencode - Sreekaryam road. I took the Pothencode road from Vettu road junction on NH 47 at Kazhakootam (near the Sainik School). A sharp right turn at Kattayikonam takes you to the Sreekaryam road. (Incidentally, this is also a good road to take if you want to avoid the traffic snarl between Vettu road and Kazhakuttam on NH).  Madavoor para is within a couple of Kms. on this road on the left. There is a hand painted wooden board in Malayalam. A newly laid road takes you to the bottom of the rock temple.There are well laid steps to the rock. (could be slippery in monsoon). The last few steps on the rock could be a challenge for senior citizens.
 Pooja timings are from 6am to 10 pm and from 5-15pm to 6-30 pm . It was closed when we visited . So could not see the lingam and the inside carivngs of Ganapati and Subrahmanya. However the surrounding areas, including the nearby rubber plantations were soothing sights.Since it is not far from Technopark, it is well worth a visit if you can spare about an hour.

''Adharam Madhuram, Vadanam Madhuram...", the beauty of Krishna. Odissi dance by Orissa Dance Academy led by Ms. Aruna Mohanty.

Friend in Need Society

'Friend in Need Society' building in May 2008 (above) and now (below)

The building of the Friend in Need Society at Pattoor had caught my attention ever since I came to Trivandrum for it quaintness and apparent antiquity. So I was really concerned to see the building on the verge of demolition for widening the road. The picture on the top was taken in May 2008. Somehow, due to bureaucratic red tape or due to resistance for acquisition from a nearby church, the building  survived for two years more. The picture below shows the condition of the building today. Will it be there tomorrow?

Now that the building is almost part of history, does anyone know what the  'Friend in Need Society' was and how old was it? I searched the web, but could not get any lead. If anyone has some information, I would like to know.

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.

Ruined 500 year old palace at Eraniel, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu

Floral motif on a stone pillar

Staircase to the upper floor

Nadu mittam - Central Courtyard

Verandah