it seems that my practise of collecting my published articles in the blog has backfired. The blogger has put up a word verification system on this, which means they suspect this blog to be a spam ! No wonder, since all the posts that have appeared on this had been copies of my articles from The Hindu. Naturally, they must've taken it for an automatic spam blog. I've requested to correct this year, but no idea how long it will take for those irritating letters of the word verification process to disappear.

Kerala

Kerala finds a place in national artscape

Renu Ramanath

At last, Kerala has found a place in the contemporary art scene of India. For a State just stepping into the 50th year of its existence, getting that long-deserved place of honour in the national art circuit of the country is no mean task. Especially considering that for this national art circuit, which had been more or less Mumbai-centric or Delhi-centric all through the post-Independence years, art just did not exist even south of the Vindhyas for a long time. Not to speak of the western side of the Sahyadri.

For decades after the phenomenon of Raja Ravi Varma, Kerala was virtually the Dark Continent in India 's art map. At the same time, this was quite ironical. Since, this small land locked between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea had produced some of the most brilliant of India's visual artists - at all times.

The travelling group exhibition, 'Double Enders,' curated by the Mumbai-based Malayali artist Bose Krishnamachari came as a sharp jolt and an eye-opener to the country's art world. Though this show, which lined up 69 Malayali artists, drew mixed reactions, it revealed the sheer numerical strength of the top-ranking artists hailing from this small State.

During the past couple of decades, Malayali artists have been making a strong presence in the national art scene. Almost all of them were based in Mumbai, Delhi or Baroda, the major 'centres' of art. Down south, Chennai and Bangalore were also considered as 'centres.' But nowhere in Kerala was a 'centre.' So, it was natural for all the artists to migrate.Most of the artists who completed their studies in M.S. University, Baroda; Santiniketan and the J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai, stayed on there afterwards.However, these are all tales of the past. Right now, Kerala has turned out to be the preferred hunting ground of the gallerists from Mumbai and Delhi, and art collectors from almost all over India. The evolution of a professional art gallery such as Kashi Art Gallery based in Fort Kochi has played a major role in the development of Kerala's art scene. So, things are happening in the art scene in the State at different levels. The coming decades would prove significant for the visual arts of the State, which already boast of an established literary and serious film circuit.

(The Hindu, Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi

Mastering the chemistry of acting

When C.K. Saneesh, a young chemist hailing from Chengamanad in Ernakulam district, stepped into the realms of Koodiyattom, the centuries old classical theatre form of Kerala.

He performed his arangettam in Koodiyattom last week at the Nepathya Centre for Excellence in Koodiyattom. Saneesh, who is working as a chemist at Travancore Cochin Chemicals Ltd., has been under the tutelage of Moozhikkulam Kochukuttan Chakyar and Margi Madhu at the centre for the past two years.

He become enamoured of the Sanskrit theatre form while working as a chemistry instructor at the Centre for Science in Society, the Cochin University of Science and Technology. Though Saneesh was selected for doing research at the Oxford, he could not go to the United Kingdom. He then decided to focus on the intricacies of Koodiyattom. Although he began learning the art form quite late in life, this artiste managed to pick up theacting techniques quickly.

The artiste, in keeping with the tradition, portrayed the role of the Suthradhara in Bhasa's 'Balacharitham.' The arangettam lasted for two days.The function had a special guest — Farley P. Richmond, a scholar in Koodiyattom, Professor, the Department of Drama and Theatre, and Director of the Centre for Asian Studies, the University of Georgia, Athens. The arangettam was performed in the koothambalam, the traditional space for performance within the precincts of the temple.
Renu Ramanath

(The Hindu, Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi

Government to check unauthorised land deals

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Steps will be taken to check unauthorised land deals in the State, especially in Ernakulam district, said Minister for Registration and Fisheries S. Sarma here on Saturday.

The Minister, who was participating in the District Development Committee meeting at the district panchayat office, said steps had been taken to implement clauses in the Union Registration Act, 2004 in the State.

District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said the district administration had received complaints of extensive land filling from Angamaly and Koovapadi areas. Agricultural and revenue officials were asked to track reports regarding deals related to paddy fields.

M.M. Monayi and Jose Thettayil, MLAs, demanded making registered power of attorney compulsory for land deals. The Government recently released Rs. 1.7 crore for flood-relief works in the district. Efforts would be made to get the due amount, coming to around Rs. 7 crore, released.

The District Collector instructed effective use of the money released under a total sanitation scheme in all blocks. The foundation stone for the solid-waste management plant at Brahmapuram would be laid in November.

He asked for preparation of estimates at the earliest for maintenance works on small-scale irrigation projects.

Kerala Water Authority officials told the meeting that domestic connections had been given within Paravoor municipality area and neighbouring panchayat limits under the Chowara Water Supply Augmentation Scheme. The meeting was also told that the Kerala State Electricity Board gave OYC connections for those who had applied till September 18. The Collector asked to remove the electric posts obstructing traffic on roads at Elamakkara and repair the road dug up for laying pipes at Palarivattom.

Outpatient consultation up to 4 p.m., started for checking epidemics, would continue in all Government hospitals in the district. Allowing more buses on the Malyankara bridge would be considered. The Public Works Department officials said assistance had been sought from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, for repairing the Sree Sankara bridge at Kalady. Mr. Monayi and Saju Paul, MLA, demanded opening of the main canal of the Periyar Valley Project by mid-November.

(The Hindu, Sunday, October 29, 2006)

Kerala

150 artistes to be honoured on November 1

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies, Thripunithura, is organising a percussion festival, 'Melotsavam,' on November 1, to mark the State formation day.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, programme general convener P. Vasudevan said the festival would begin with a `Kombu Pattu' in which 51 artistes would participate, to be held at Layam Ground at 3 p.m. It would be followed by `Pandi Melam' in which over 150 artistes would participate, a public meeting felicitating the artistes and major set `Panchavadyam' with more than 75 artistes. The meeting would be inaugurated by Sebastian Paul, MP. Kerala Kalamandalam vice-chairman A.S.N. Nambisan would deliver the keynote address.

Masters of percussion including Thevan Theradippurath, Velappaya Chandra Marar, Thripunitura Pappu Asan, Kadavalloor Thami, Unni Dayanandan, Thripunithura Thankappa Panicker, Pilakkattil Thami and Kottappadi Devan would be felicitated at the function.

The 'Kombu Pattu' would be led by Varavur Manikandan. Karukutty Sasi would lead the 'Pandi Melam' and Kalamandalam Chandran would lead the 'Panchavadyam.'

The festival aimed at promoting the rich tradition of percussion and questioning the conservative tendencies prevailing in the field. Honouring of artistes who belonged to marginalised sections of society was also an objective, the organisers said.

(The Hindu, Friday, October 27, 2006)

Kerala

Choondy scheme: obstacles removed
Staff Reporter
Row over road-cutting will be settled soon
Disagreement remains over compensation
NHAI, KWA engineers to visit all sites

KOCHI: The obstacles in the work for the Augmentation of Water Supply Scheme of Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to Thripunithura municipality and adjoining panchayats (Choondy scheme) are being removed slowly, with a solution to the disputes on road-cutting being worked out between various agencies.

According to K. Babu, MLA, a solution for cutting the road for laying pipes along National Highway-49 and the roads constructed under the Kerala State Transport Project was worked out at a high-level meeting convened in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

Agreement was reached on cutting the 1.95 km stretch of road from Choondy Junction to Puthenkurissu in NH-49, the 750 m stretch from Karingachira to Puthiya Road Junction and the 6.49 km stretch from Karimukal to Puthiya Road Junction in the Chithrapuzha-Ponjassery Road, Mr. Babu said.

This was one of the major hurdles the Kerala Water Authority had to overcome while completing the Choondy scheme. There were reports that the work could be stalled in case permission from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Public Works Department (PWD) was not received on time. There was also disagreement regarding the amount of compensation to be paid to the NHAI by the KWA.

The National Highway Executive Engineer and Kerala Water Authority Executive Engineer should conduct a joint inspection at all sites. The compensatory amount to be paid by the KWA to the NHAI and the PWD for cutting the roads would be fixed following this visit. It was also suggested that the KWA should take care to complete the work of laying the pipes on a daily basis, by filling the ditches the same day itself.

Public Works Department Minister T.U. Kuruvila, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran, M.J. Jacob, MLA, K. Babu, MLA, Suresh Koilerian, Chief Engineer, National Highways, PWD Chief Engineer Baburaj, KWA technical member Suresh Babu and other officials took part in the meeting.

A stretch of 14 km of the pipeline would be laid along the road for this scheme, from Puthenkurissu to Karingachira.

This scheme, with an expected capacity of 46 MLD (million litres per day) water, was aimed at providing water for Thripunithura municipality and the adjoining panchayats including Chottanikkara, Thiruvankulam and Maradu. Some parts of Udayamperoor panchayat would also benefit from this scheme. The scheme would be completed in 2008.

(The Hindu - Friday, October 7, 2006)

Rathi Devi paintings

Kerala - Kochi
Palette of figurative images

T. Rethidevi, an alumna of the Government College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, has come up with a collection of paintings and drawings.

The solo show, 'The Golden Flag Staff,' was held at the Durbar Hall Art Centre. It was her second such show.
Rethidevi's first solo exhibition, 'Mystique Landscapes, was held in Bangalore in 1999.

'The Golden Flag Staff' had on display 22 paintings and 15 drawings.

All the works, except one, were done in June this year, she says.

The art works are figurative with the images of the Golden Flag Staff, (Swarnakkodimaram), shells of fireworks (kathina) lined up in temples.

The artist has drawn upon images from a life associated with temples.

Rethidevi had been based in New Delhi for some time. At present, she is working as an art teacher at the Kalabhavan Talent Residential School in Kakkanad.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu, Tuesday, October 17, 2006)

Infopark acquisition

Kerala - Kochi
Land acquisition for Infopark progressing

Staff Reporter

34 acres in possession of district administration
46 acres expected to come into authorities' possession next week

Rs.50 crore is being utilised for the acquisition of land

KOCHI: Land acquisition for the development of the Infopark at Kakkanad is progressing, with 34 acres of land already in the possession of the district administration.

The documents of this land were handed over by the owners in anticipation of payment, accepting the land price fixed by the District-Level Purchase Committee. Another 46 acres are also expected to come into the possession of the authorities next week.

The highest value of land to be taken over for the Infopark is Rs.84,000 per cent with the lowest value being Rs.10,000 per cent. The land of those who are unwilling to accept the price fixed by the committee will be taken over under the Land Acquisition Act. Separate steps will be taken in the case of people who will lose their houses with the plots. A detailed hearing will be held by the Revenue Divisional Officer to work out the rehabilitation scheme for these families.
If one joint family residing in a single house has two units of nuclear families in it, both families will be considered eligible for separate compensation. There are such 58 families eligible for compensation at Kakkanad. These families will be given plots of land for rehabilitation. Three acres of `poramboke' land has been identified adjacent to the Smart City for providing rehabilitation to all the evictees, said District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish. An amount of Rs.50 crore is being utilised for the acquisition of land at Kakkanad.

The minimum price fixed for the land being taken over for the four-lane highway from Kalamassery to the Vallarpadam terminal has also been fixed at Rs.10,000. However, the land at the prime spots in Thrikkakara North village at Kalamassery with NH frontage, will fetch a maximum price of Rs.3.5 lakh.
(The Hindu, Monday, October 16, 2006)

Lokadharmi

Kerala
Lokadharmi stages new play

The Lokadharmi Centre for Theatre Training Research and Performance is celebrating its 15th year of theatre activities with a play based on a Malayalam novel written by the late N. Mohanan. The play, `Innalathe Mazha,' which shares the name of the novel, narrates the story of `Parayi Pettu Panthirukulam,' a popular legend of Kerala. The legend recounts the life of 12 sons born to Vararuchi, a Brahmin priest, and his wife. Panchami belonged to the Paraya community. Mohanan's novel presents the legend in a different perspective. The play, written and directed by Ullas Mavilayil portrays the legend highlighting the personality of Panchami. Sumesh Chittooran plays Vararuchi, while Charu Narayan dons the role of Panchami. The play will be staged on October 23 at Changampuzha Park, Edappally.

Renu Ramanath

(The Hindu, Wednesday, October 11, 2006)

Seaspn of exhibitions

Kerala

Season of exhibitions

It is exhibition time in Kochi. The Durbar Hall Art Centre is the venue for many of the painting displays. The vast space of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, with two galleries on the ground floor, has been hosting exhibitions continuously.

A mega group exhibition, in which 29 artists from all over the State participated, was organised at the art centre by the Kerala Chithrakala Parishath. The show, the parishath's fourth State-level exhibition, concluded on Monday.
In another group show, a few women based in the city put up their works at the art centre last week.

Nottam-06, an exhibition of select news photographs by press photographers in the city, was organised by the Ernakulam Press Club on the ground floor of its building. The show will conclude on Tuesday.

At the art centre, two exhibitions are opening on Tuesday. The show by Hareendran Chalad and Vidya Ranjith will be inaugurated by the senior artist C.N. Karunakaran.

Renu Ramanath

(The Hindu, Tuesday, October 10, 2006)

Sunitha Menon

Kerala - Kochi
A life dedicated to Bharatanatyam

She literally wandered into the arena of dance, but she never knew that the casual encounter was to become a lifetime vocation.

Sunita Menon, young Bharatanatyam dancer based in Delhi, had gone to the Rukmini Devi Lalit Kala Kendra in Delhi at the age of seven for painting classes.

One day, she happened to walk into one of the Bharatanatyam classes. The teacher, Guru Sujata Dinesh, at the Kala Kendra insisted that she join the dance classes.

The encounter may have been pure chance, but as she grew up, Sunita realised that her true vocation in life was in the avenues of dance.

From a young age, she started giving performances winning accolades wherever she went.

A graduate from Delhi University, Sunita is also a double diploma holder in Bharatanatyam in both the Pandanelloor and Kalakshethra styles.

Living at Rohini in New Delhi, she completed her senior diploma in Bharatanatyam from the Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad.

In 1998, she joined the Shriram Bharathiya Kala Kendra in Delhi under the American Bharatanatyam dancer Justin McCarthy and took a diploma in the Kalakshethra style.

In 1999, she got a two-year scholarship from the Ministry of Culture.

She participated in all the leading dance drama productions made by Justin McCarthy. `Kaladarppanam', institution for Bharatanatyam she opened in 1998, at present has around 40 students.

Sunita recently fulfilled one of her long cherished dreams last week when she performed at the conclusion of the Navarathri Dance and Music Festival at Panachikkadu Temple in Kottayam district, popularly known as Dakshina Mookambika.

Renu Ramanath

(The Hindu, Friday, October 06, 2006)

Madhubani Paintings

Kerala - Kochi
Workshop on Madhubani painting

A traditional style of painting by women of Madhubani, north of Dharbhanga, in Bihar has won national and international acclaim. Madhubani painting, having been practised for centuries to decorate mud walls of huts in the region, is part of their daily life and rituals.

A workshop on it will be held in the city on Wednesday. Devendra Kumar Jha, an artist from Madhubani, will give a demonstration and a lecture on the art.

The painting style shot into prominence in the 1960s, when the All-India Handicrafts Board encouraged the women artists to reproduce their traditional skill for finding a non-agricultural income for their families, as Madhubani was struck by drought. The economic crisis launched the paintings and the hitherto anonymous artists into prominence.

Since then, this skill has become a primary source of income for scores of families in this area.

Also known as Mithila paintings, as this area forms the heart of Mithilanchal, this art is said to date back to the times of the Ramayana, when, it is believed, Janaka, who ruled Mithila, had artists make paintings on the occasion of the marriage of his daughter Sita to Rama.

Madhubani paintings mostly depict nature or mythological events, and the themes generally revolve around deities such as Krishna, Rama, Siva, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Sun, moon, plants of religious significance such as tulsi and others are widely painted. Social and royal scenes are also depicted often.

Details of the workshop may be had from the Indian School of Arts, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Ravipuram, Kochi - 15 (ph: 235 8943, 301 2145).

Renu Ramanath

(The Hindu, Wednesday, September 20, 2006)

'Draupadi' in Nangiarkoothu

Kerala - Kochi
Recreating Draupadi's saga

Work draws inspiration from unexplored areas of classical Sanskrit theatre

These days, Koodiyattom artistes are presenting a good number of innovative works.

They are opening up hitherto unexplored areas of the classical Sanskrit theatre form and do not want to be confined to age-old creations.

The choreography of the story of Draupadi by Usha Nangiar, Koodiyattom and Nangiarkoothu artiste, had got critical acclaim.

The story of the wife of the five Pandava princes had not been told in Koodiyattom so far.

Usha Nangiar had choreographed the play, drawing upon classical Sanskrit plays.

The play 'Venisamharam,' by Bhattanarayanan portrays the character of Draupadi in detail. Usha Nangiar has taken Act 1 from this play for evolving this performance.

Composed as a Nangiarkoothu performance for three days, it delineates Draupadi's saga from her wedding to the princes, the insults she had to face from the Kauravas and the completion of her revenge.

Draupadi, a production of Chathakkudam Krishnan Nambiar, Mizhavu Kalari, Chathakkudam, Thrissur district, will be presented at Kalikotta Palace in a three-day performance from Sunday.

The event is being organised by the International Centre for Koodiyattom, Thripunithura.

Usha Nangiar will be accompanied by V.K.K. Hariharan on the mizhavu.

The performance will be preceded by the release of a book, Laghusamskritham, written by K.G. Paulose, former Registrar of the Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit, Kalady. The book, to help the common man learn the rudiments of Sanskrit, will be released by the literary critic Sukumar Azhikode, who will deliver a lecture on Indian culture.

Dr. Paulose will give an introduction to the performance.

The first part, 'Swayamvaram,' will be performed on Sunday, followed by 'Vasthrakshepam,' on Monday and 'Prathikaram,' on Tuesday.

Renu Ramanath

(The Hindu, Tuesday, September 19, 2006)

'Manthrankam'

Kerala - Kochi
Documenting Koodiyattom

The ancient theatre form of 'Koodiyattam' has many treasures in its repertoire. Many of these portions have more or less an academic nature, rather than creating a direct aesthetic experience for the viewers. 'Manthrankam' is one such part that is rich in complicated layers of meaning and textual portions.

Basically the Third Act of the classical Sanskrit play 'Prathinja Yougandharayanam' by the Sanskrit dramatist Bhasa, 'Manthrankam,' has been taken out of the main text and elaborated into a 41-day-long performance that stresses more on the oral style of acting ('Vaachikabhinaya'). The text, with multi-layered meanings, is more or less a discourse on 'Rajathanthra' and 'Rajaneethi,' nuances of administrative and political stratagems. Even though Koodiyattam enjoys a wide range of popularity, especially among an international audience of theatre scholars and enthusiasts, portions like 'Manthrankam' still remain a little bit out of range for the average viewers.

Nepatya Centre for Koodiyattam, based in Moozhikkulam, has undertaken the task of presenting the complete portion of 'Manthrankam,' as monthly performances with the aim of visual documentation. It will be presented by the noted Koodiyattam artiste Margi Madhu, who had earlier presented 'Manthrankam,' at Thripunithura a couple of years ago.

'Manthrankam' can basically be considered an exercise to teach 'Vaachikabhinaya' to students of Koodiyattam, just like 'Anguleeyankam,' is considered an exercise for acting, says Mr. Madhu.

The performance at the Nepatya Kalari at Moozhikkulam started in August. The second part of `Manthrankam,' will be performed on Sunday evening.

Nepatya is planning to document the entire performance on DVD. It has also released a DVD of the performance of the sloka beginning, 'Himakaram... .,' from 'Asokavanikankam,' with English subtitles.

Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu, Wednesday, September 13, 2006)

Hudco Retendering

Kerala - Kochi

Hudco Project: re-tendering process on

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The re-tendering of the pipe-laying work from Kathrikkadavu to Konthuruthy for the Ad hoc Water Supply Augmentation Scheme (Hudco Project) is now being processed.

The work of laying pipes for the much-awaited Hudco Project should be completed for increasing the pumping capacity to the water-starved areas of West Kochi. The cancellation of the tender earlier given to the FACT Engineering Works (FEW) sparked controversies. The cancelled works included laying of 840 meters of 1,200 mm MS pipeline from Kathrikkadavu to Elamkulam underground sump and 5,105 m of 1,200 mm MS pipeline from Elamkulam to Konthuruthy in West Kochi.

The works were re-tendered in three reaches, instead of the two reaches in the earlier tender. The tenders were opened and being processed. The FEW was reported to have come as the lowest bidder only in one reach. In the other two reaches, it was reported to be the third lowest bidder only.

The public sector unit was almost on the verge of losing the bid.

The Kerala Water Authority Employees' Association, the Congress-led union of the KWA staff, registered its protest against the re-tendering. The KWA management said the work was re-tendered, as the FEW could not complete the work on time. However, the FEW said the delay was caused not because of their fault, but due to the delay in obtaining permission for cutting the roads. The FEW also demanded increased charges from the KWA citing the delay caused the costs to increase.

The laying of pipes for 1,735 m from Samskara Junction to Kathrikkadavu was successfully completed by the FEW.

This work was part of the first phase and the fourth phase of laying 4,280 m of pipeline. Only the laying of 5,955 m of pipelines from Kathrikkadavu to Konthuruthy, a part of the second and third phases of the project, remained to be completed.

Unless the re-tendering process was completed, the hopes of the West Kochi residents for getting the promised water of 25 MLD (million litre per day) when the Hudco project was completed would remain unfulfilled.

(The Hindu - Friday, September 08, 2006)

Chowara Scheme

Kerala - Kochi
Water conservation measures soon: Minister

Staff Reporter

Paravur water supply augmentation scheme commissioned

KOCHI: The State Government will introduce comprehensive water resource conservation measures, said Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran.

Speaking after commissioning the Paravur Water Supply Augmentation Scheme (Chowara project) for North Paravur and adjacent panchayats of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), Mr. Premachandran said the schemes would address the water shortage in the State.

The water conservation measures will also look into issues such as lowering water table, protection of water sources and rainwater harvesting, he said.

The Minister also announced that a pump house and overhead tank would be constructed to ensure the supply of water in pipelines in the areas that will benefit from the project.

The KWA had earlier lifted the ban on water connections in Paravur and adjoining areas in view of completion of the project.

The Authority plans to give at least 32,000 connections following the commissioning of the project. Of this, nearly 14,000 connections will be given in the domestic sector.

Fisheries Minister S. Sarma; V.D. Satheesan, MLA; M.K. Purushothaman, MLA; district panchayat president P.S. Shyla; and Paravur municipal chairman N.A. Ali were among those who attended the function.

The project is expected to bring potable water to more than 3 lakh residents of North Paravur Municipality and eight surrounding panchayats.

The authorities plan to supply an additional quantity of 68 million litres of water a day through the project.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs. 56.144 crore. The laying of pipelines for water transmission was completed at a cost of Rs. 36 crore.
(The Hindu, Monday, September 05, 2006)

'Bhargavi Nilayam'

Kerala - Kochi
MACTA to remake 'Bhargavi Nilayam'

'Bhargavi Nilayam,' the Malayalam classic by Vaikom Mohammed Basheer and A. Vincent, took Kerala by storm in 1964.

The ghost story was set against the backdrop of the tragic love affair of Bhargavikutty and Sasikumar.

'Bhargavi Nilayam' gave Malayalis some of the most exquisite songs.

The film, starring Madhu, Prem Nazir, P.J. Antony and Vijaya Nirmala, was a landmark of sorts. It was also a box-office hit. Four decades later, the Malayalam Cine Technicians' Association (MACTA) is toying with the idea of remaking the film in a new format.

However, it will not be an exact 'remake' of the old one, says director Vinayan, chairman of MACTA and general secretary of the MACTA Federation.

The directors plan to make a film based on 'Neela Velicham,' a short story on which Vaikkom Mohammed Basheer based his vibrant script.

The new film will be directed by seven directors- Kamal, Vinayan, Joshy, Shaji Kailas, Siddique, Priyadarsan and Fazil.

The script will be penned by director Siddique and John Paul. The cast will include either Mammootty or Mohanlal donning the role of the novelist, portrayed by Madhu in the original version.

The roles of Sasikumar and Bhargavikutty, immortalised by Prem Nazir and Vijaya Nirmala, will be performed by newcomers.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu, Monday, September 04, 2006)

MACTA

Kerala - Kochi
MACTA to start film institute

Staff Reporter

New office-bearers take charge

Kochi: Vinayan and K.G. George, film directors, assumed office as chairman and general secretary, respectively, of the Malayalam Cine Technicians' Association (MACTA) here on Saturday.

They took charge at the general body meeting of MACTA.

Mr. Vinayan said the association was planning to start a film institute. The Government had promised to give 4 hectares of land for the project, identified near NAD on the Aluva-Pukkattupadi route. Minister for Revenue K.P. Rajendran had promised to complete the process of handing over of the land soon. MACTA was planning a housing scheme for medium-level film technicians, such as costumers. An apartment complex with small flats would be constructed for them.

A scheme for production of a mega-serial was in the offing for helping old-time technicians left high and dry by technological revolutions sweeping the cinema field. The scheme would also help to raise funds for MACTA.

Mr. Vinayan is also the general secretary of MACTA Federation, a trade union, the chairman of which is Hariharan.

Kamal and Thampi Kannanthanam were elected president and general secretary, respectively, of the Director's Union of MACTA at the general body meeting of the union here on Friday.

The other office-bearers are Mohan and Harikumar, vice-presidents; Viji Thambi and Blessy, joint secretaries
(The Hindu, Sunday, September 3, 2006)

Chowara Project

Kerala - Kochi
Chowara project to be commissioned tomorrow

Staff Reporter

To augment water supply by 68 million litres a day in North Paravur municipal area
Project cost Rs. 56.14 crore
Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran to inaugurate project

Kochi: The Paravur Water Supply Augmentation Scheme (Chowara project) will be commissioned on Monday.

The Kerala Water Authority project will augment water supply by 68 million litres a day (mld) for a population of three lakh in North Paravur municipal area and in the limits of eight surrounding panchayats.

Kerala State Construction Corporation Ltd., which was in charge of the work, said the project could be described as the first large-scale water supply scheme in the State to be completed in a time-bound manner. It took two years.

The major works included those on a 26-metre-deep well of 12-metre diameter on the banks of the Periyar at Chowara; a chemical house with an area of 5,000 square feet for filtering water; a 15,000 square feet filter house; a 21-km-long clear-water pumping line; and a 28.9-lakh-litre sump at Paravur.

The project cost Rs. 56.14 crore.

As much as Rs. 36 crore was spent on pipelines, Rs. 15 crore on civil works and Rs. 5 crore on electromechanical jobs.

Two hectares of land acquired on the banks of the Periyar for the filter plant was handed over in March 2004. Supply of potable water started on April 7, 2006.

Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran will launch the project.

Minister for Fisheries S. Sarma will inaugurate allocation of domestic connections.

Lonappan Nambadan and Sebastian Paul, MPs; M.K. Purushothaman, MLA; district panchayat president P.S. Shyla; District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish; and Paravur municipal chairman N.A. Ali are among those who will speak on the occasion.
(The Hindu, Sunday, September 3, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
FCI godown at Angamaly sealed

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown at Angamaly was sealed on Wednesday night under the orders of District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish following allegations that food grains from the godown were being illegally transported to private mills at Kalady. The Collector told the Regional Transport Officer to verify the details of the vehicles that were allegedly used to transport the food grains from the godown.
(The Hindu, Thursday, August 24, 2006)

Exhibition of Sunjil and Shijo

Kerala - Kochi
Of different concerns

Solo exhibitions of the works of Shijo Jacob and Sunil A.P began at the two galleries of the Durbar Hall Art Centre here on Tuesday.

Shijo's show 'Beyond the Contours' and Sunil's exhibition 'Shadow of the Hero' comprise works from the early part of their career.

Sunil has exhibited works dating back to 1997, when he was working at the Kanoria Centre for Arts in Ahmedabad. Shijo has exhibited works from 1999.

Sunil has exhibited around 30 works. There are 20 sculptures, done mainly in wood and terracota. The remaining are paintings in acrylic. The paintings are mostly from his days at the Kanoria Centre.

In his works, Sunil tries to deal with history. They attempt to capture the 'hero' figures who were always demonised.

Shijo's works are concerned with the personal. Body is the preliminary concern. Different stages of his life are depicted. His student days in Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi and his stint at the Kanoria Centre are also reflected.

He has exhibited 16 works, all of them paintings. Most consist of multiple frames.

Sunil has done his BFA (Sculpture) from Government College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, and MFA (Sculpture) from Santiniketan. Shijo has done his BFA (Painting) from Jamia Milia Central University in New Delhi. He has worked at the Garhi Studio of Lalitkala Akademi, New Delhi, and the Kanoria Centre. He won the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi State Award in 2005.

They are now lecturers at Government Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts, Mavelikara.

This is the first solo exhibition of Sunil. Shijo has conducted two solo shows in New Delhi.

The shows will be on till August 28.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu, Thursday, Augsut 24, 2006)

Video Films at Tripunithura

Kerala - Kochi

Video film festival at Thripunithura from today

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The third phase of the Monsoon Cine Fest - 2006, organised by the Elias Foundation, the Public Relations Department and the Janakeeya Samithi, Thripunithura, will be inaugurated by the filmmaker Jayaraj on Tuesday at the Government Sanskrit College Auditorium, Thripunithura.

The festival is being organised as part of the Athaghosham in the town. The third phase is a video film festival, which will continue till August 26. The opening film is From Mao To Mozart, directed by Murray Lerner. A short film competition will also be conducted.

The fourth phase of the fest from August 27 will include a film workshop, with classes led by the experts from the film and television world. Acting, script writing, editing and film appreciation will be taught.

The video film festival will include short films, campus films, ad films, documentaries, short films of Doordarsan and films from the Public Relations Department.

An international film festival from September 4 to 10 will include films which have won awards at major film festivals all over the world. Functions will be held to commemorate the veterans of Malayalam cinema, including Bharathan, Padmarajan, Aravindan, M.S. Thripunithura and Oduvil Unnikrishnan.

(The Hindu, Tuesday, August 22, 2006)

Attakkalari

Kerala - Kochi
Dancing with the times

Striking a path different from classical dances, contemporary performers of India are trying to evolve a new body language reflecting the realities and issues of the present times.

The Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, Bangalore, is recruiting dancers and trainee dancers who are interested in developing a career in contemporary dance. It has been functioning as an umbrella organisation facilitating and producing international art events for artistes and audience from its inception in 1992. The organisation, with London-based Malayali dancer Jayachandran Palazhi as artistic director, has a repertory company which tours widely in India and abroad.

Artistes selected by Attakkalari will receive training at the Bangalore centre.

They will get opportunities to perform in major national and international festivals, and to train in a professional diploma course in Movements Arts and Mixed Media. The trained dancers can become members of Attakkalari's education outreach team to teach dance in schools, corporate houses and other community centres.
Trained dancers will also be considered for independent projects, national and international residencies, workshops and for participation in festivals.

The dancers will be selected at an audition to be held at the Chavara Cultural Centre, Kochi on August 26.

Interested candidates, aged between 16 and 30 years, should reach the venue at least 15 minutes before the starting time, 9.30 a.m.

They should submit a recent biodata and wear practice clothing, such as tracksuit and T-shirt.

More details will be available from the Chavara Cultural Centre, Monastery Road, near the South Railway Station, Kochi, or Attakkalari, 39/3525, Kausthubham, Manikkath Road, Ravipuram, Kochi. Phone: 0484 - 2356449 / 94472 21899.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu, Tuesday, August 22, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Seminar on Synod of Diamper

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Kerala Historical Research Society will organise a two-day national seminar on 'Rethinking Diamper: Religion, Canon, Polity and Society' here on September 16 and 17.

To be held at the Chavara Cultural Centre, the seminar will highlight the epoch-making event of the Synod of Diamper and its impact on the subsequent history of society and religion in Kerala.

The historic Synod of Diamper took place at Udayamperoor, some 15 km from the city, in 1599.

Experts to participate
M.G.S. Narayanan, former chairman of the Indian Council for Historical Research, New Delhi; K.S. Mathew, former head of the Department of the Church of the East; Sergio Mascarenhas de Alemeida, a delegate of the Portuguese; Pius Malekanthathil, reader, Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit, Kalady; N.M. Namboothiri and P.T. Narayanan (S.D. College, Alappuzha) would participate in the seminar. For more details contact the general secretary, Kerala Historical Research Society, Kuriachira, Thrisssur. Phone - 94462 30367.
(The Hindu, Monday, August 21, 2006)

Infopark land

Kerala - Kochi
Infopark: land acquisition at Kakkanad next month

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said the Government would acquire land for the expansion of the Infopark at Kakkanad next month after distributing compensation to the owners.

The acquisition proceedings would continue after depositing the compensation amount in court, Mr. Hanish said. It was estimated that Rs.48 crore will be required for taking over 100 acres of land. On the cutting of a road at Kunnippadam was cut, the Collector said that it was being examined whether any legal action should be taken. The assistant director of panchayats hads submitted a report. The Chief Technical Examiner would be directed to inspect the site, the Collector said.
(The Hindu, August 20, 2006)

MACTA office bearers

Kerala - Kochi
MACTA office-bearers

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The panel led by Vinayan as chairman and K.G. George as general secretary was elected unanimously as the office-bearers of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) for 2006-2008.

The other office-bearers are Sreemoolanagaram Mohan (treasurer), Shaji Kailas, Kaloor Dennis (vice-chairmen), Rajasenan, Ranjith, Anto Joseph (secretaries), V.M. Vinu, T.S. Suresh Babu, M. Jayachandran, Anandakuttan, Raghunath Paleri, Suresh Unnithan, Venu B. Nair, O.S. Girish, Sreekumar Arookkutty, Pattanam Sha, Sasi Perumanoor and G.R. Das (executive committee members).

Mr. Vinayan is also the general secretary of the MACTA Federation, the apex body of various trade unions under MACTA.

The controversies surrounding the elections following the rejection of a panel led by Rajan P. Dev in June has been resolved. Senior journalist K.M. Roy was the returning officer.

The new office-bearers will take over during a general body meeting on September 2.
(The Hindu, Sunday, August 20, 2006)

N N Rimzon

Kerala

The power of art to influence and transform lives

N.N.Rimzon, one of India's leading sculptors, believes in the potential of art to transform.

Rimzon, who was born in the sleepy village of Kakkoor in Ernakulam district, says he realised the enormous possibilities of art when he joined the College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1976. He was in the first batch of the college. "It was like entering a new world," he recalls.

"Till then, I had only seen calendar pictures, read something about Ravi Varma and Picasso and heard about Van Gogh. The realisation that art is a big, vast, world, dawned there.

"All my class mates were dedicated. We were not bothered about 'future' after studies. We wanted to be artists; that was the sole purpose of life. There was a charged atmosphere, idealism in the air." Mr. Rimzon remembers the sense of collective effort that prevailed among them. It helped them continue in the field of art. "The sense of collectivity gave us the courage to leave home and family behind."

There was a yearning for freedom, for creative experiments in that post-Emergency period. He reminiscences that they were not bothered about 'earning' at that time. After graduation, Rimzon left for Baroda to do his postgraduation at the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University. Later, he got an Inlaks scholarship, to London. "When I got the Inlaks, the biggest relief was that I could continue working for two more years, without bothering about anything."

In 1989, Rimzon returned to New Delhi where he held solo shows in 1991 and 1993.

So, why did he choose 'Sculpture,' at art school? Rimzon says from the very beginning, he had a way with three-dimensional form. However, the decisive suggestion to choose sculpture came from Kanayi Kunhiraman, sculptor, who was teaching at the Government College of Fine Arts.

Rimzon says it took 10 years for his work to reach a stable position. "While in Thiruvananthapuram, I had good skill. But, I realised that skill alone was not enough. Developing a language was important. I could not do anything concrete during the Thiruvananthapuram days. It was at Baroda that my works grew mature." His pathbreaking work, 'Man in the Chalk Circle,' was made at Baroda. He was 27 then.

In 1986, when installation was just beginning to be accepted in India, he exhibited a work of installation at the Sixth Triennale International in New Delhi.

He has participated in many exhibitions in and outside India, including New York, Amsterdam and Brisbane among others.

His major shows include the Venice Biennale, 1993, the Second Asia Pacific Triennale of Contemporary Art, Queensland Art Gallery, 1996, Stadelijk Museum, Amsterdam and 'Edge of Desire: Recent Art in India,' Queen's Art Museum, New York, 2005.
Renu Ramanath

(The Hindu, Sunday, August 20, 2006)

Paperless Collectorate

Kerala - Kochi
Collectorate to go paperless

Staff Reporter

Software to monitor complaints installed

Easy access for the public to information Training for employees to use software

KOCHI: The Collectorate will use a special software designed by the National Informatics Centre to track the action taken on complaints filed by the public.

The software will help the public access information through the Internet, telephone and touch screen.

The move is part of the attempts made by the authorities to turn the Collectorate into a paperless office.

Employees will be given extensive training on how to use the new software. In the first phase, experts from the National Informatics Centre will train 400 employees.

District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said that the new software would speed up the functioning of the Collectorate. It would also help in reducing the workload of employees.

The Collectorate had been divided into 21 sections in this new software. The working nature of each section had been taken into consideration while designing the facility.

An official press release said that the complaints received from the public would be entered into the computer. The Collector could track the position of each complaint by using the special software.

He could enter his opinion before sending it back to the officers concerned.

Deputy Collector, section superintendents and clerks could register the steps taken on each complaint by keying in the information into the computer.

The computers used at the Collectorate would be networked to access various files and complaints. For implementation of the new project, the authorities would use 133 computers.

During the first phase of training, employees would be familiarised with the use of computers. The District Collector said that taluks would also be networked with the Collectorate using the software.
(The Hindu, Saturday, August 19, 2006)

Smart City

Kerala - Kochi
More land for Smart City

Staff Reporter

Additional land identified at Kunnathunadu and Kizhakkambalam

KOCHI: The District Administration will acquire 167 acres more for the proposed Smart City project.

District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said in a press release that additional land had been identified in Kunnathunadu and Kizhakkambalam.

He said the district administration would freeze all land transactions in those areas identified for development under the project.

A decision in this regard was taken during the high-level meeting on Smart City held at Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

HUDCO meeting
Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran has convened a meeting of MPs, MLAs, and Mayor on August 24 to discuss the progress of a HUDCO-aided drinking water project in the city.

The Minister had called a meeting on July 1 to discuss the drinking water scarcity in Ernakulam district.

The meeting on the HUDCO project has been convened based on reports that work on the project has not been progressing according to the schedule.

The District Administration has re-organised the food advisory and vigilance wing as part of efforts to strengthen public distribution system in Ernakulam. The new committee will consist of members of student and youth organisations and members of SC/STs.

Each category can nominate one person to the committee.
(The Hindu, Friday, August 18, 2006)