Chennai :

It was an attempt to revive the tradition and folk culture at the Rukmani Arundale auditorium of the Tamil Nadu Isai Nataka Manram, recently. The excitement on the faces of the audience bore testimony to the fact that  folklores like Tholpavai or Bommalattam were deeply rooted in them.

The puppetry show was amusing as the group performed with much precision and perfection. The two-day event featured Tholpavai by Paramasiva Rao, with the story ‘Shoorpanagai Vadham’  being staged on the first day and Murugan Bommalattam Sabha by 90-year-old Shankara Narayanan with Seetha Kalyanam.

One could not predict the age of the artiste, who managed to hold the audiences captive. There was also an interactive session  between the artiste and the audience.

Chitra Vishwesaran, member secretary of the manram, said,”Tholpavvai and Bommalattam are dying artforms.  We are very particular that these artforms should be nurtured and must be passed on to the next generation, as they are unique. We have been presenting various festivals like these, such as Panchamoorthi Vizha and Purana Nataka Vizha, which were funded.”

Fascinated by the performances, the audience left the auditorium, hoping for more such events in the city.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express Features / April 06th, 2015

This numismatist’s collection includes one quarter anna by the East India Company in 1835.

It started in a small way as a childhood hobby. It is now a collection, focussed and growing.

Brigadier Mohan Thomas, a resident of Selaiyur, has been collecting coins of various countries that were in currency during the earlier parts of the last century. The United States of America, United Arab Emirates, France, The United Kingdom, Liberia, Ceylon and Kuwait are among the countries that figure in his collection of more than 300 coins. “I started collecting coins from my relatives and friends. When I was in the Indian Army from 1967 to 2002, I couldn’t pursue the hobby. Post-retirement, I have been collecting coins of significant value — to give just examples, the 100 year of Civil Aviation of India 2011 and Saint Alphonsa Birth Centenary 2009. The pre-Independence coins were given to me by my relatives. The coins are valuable,” he said.

Other sparklers in his kitty are: One-Quarter Anna by East India Company in 1835, King George V one-by-twelve Anna in 1935, One-Quarter Anna King George V in 1936, One Penny in 1936, Five Francs in 1950, 20 Francs in 1952, and One Cent in 1957, The Second Queen Elizabeth, and Five Cents in 1944, George VI King and Emperor of India.

He celebrates the birth years of his family members by collecting coins issued by countries that year. Other coins of significant value that I have collected include Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Year 1989, Five Rupees coin, 200 year of State Bank of India (1806-2006) Two Rupees 1982 Asian Games, ONGC 50 year (1956-2006) and Reserve Bank of India Platinum Jubilee 1935-2010 One Rupee Coin, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board 2012 Silver Jubilee Five Rupees Coin, he pointed out.

His parents, K. A. Thomas and Ponnamma Thomas, who served in security establishments of Madras between 1940 and 1945, are recipients of three George VI Medals. He can be contacted at 9444934080.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> DownTown / by T.S. Atul Swaminathan / March 21st, 2015

Mohan Sundaram’s passion for watches started in school and is growing with time

For neighbours, N. Mohan Sundaram is a stainless steel businessman with a shop at Kondithope. But, for watch collectors , Mohan Sundaram is a man with a treasure trove.

“Often neighbours wonder why I have guests coming in luxury cars,” says the 54-year-old businessman who is an avid collector of watches.

Sundaram’s fascination for watches started in school when his father gave him a Hendry Sandoz. “The watch cost Rs. 65. I was the only student in class VI to sport a watch but after a few days my teachers asked me to stop wearing it to school,” says this resident of Old Washermenpet.

In high school, Sundaram would buy steel watches and improvise on them. “My father was into steel business and somehow watches and steel had a role in developing my hobby,” he says, showing the Omega winding watch ‘C’ on his wrist.

Sundaram says he has nearly 5, 000 watches and his passion has only been growing with time. HMT watches and Sequoia, a watch that slips into the ring finger, and a gold-watch coated are part of his collection.

His most prized collection is a Jagar Le Culture (JLC) made in solid gold.

Sundaram spends two hours regularly meeting watch collectors and learning about lesser-known models. He also visits places like Bangalore and Mumbai to meet collectors.

“All watches are not original. On quite a number of occasions, I have been cheated,” he says.

With his years of experience, Sundaram has many VIPs consulting him before buying an antique watch.

“Is the watch a duplicate? Have some of the parts been changed? Its make… I know it all,” he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> DownTown / by Liffy Thomas / March 21st, 2015