Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Guru puja of Maruthu brothers goes off peacefully

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Madurai :

Guru puja of Maruthu brothers went off peacefully with more than 100 people from various districts visited the memorial and paid homage to the statue at Teppakulam here on Monday.

People from Usilampatti, Karumathur, Virudhhunagar and Dindugal districts visited the memorial on guru puja day. As a mark of respect, they garlanded the statue of Maruthu brothers.

Similarly, the guru puja was celebrated at Kalayarkoil in Sivaganga district. People from Ramanathanpuram, Madurai, Virudhunagar and Sivagnaga districts, visited the memorial at Kalayarkoil.

As the event was marred by violence in 2012, the district administration had issued an order under section 144 of Cr Pc and imposed a ban on entry of private vehicles and higher vehicles to the memorial at Kalayarkoil.

Usilampatti MLA Kathiravan said, “The volunteers visited the memorial in their own vehicles to pay their homage to Maruthu brothers. More than 300 women from Madurai district belonging to Agamudaiyar community visited the memorial carrying milk pots and poured the milk on the statues of Marathu brothers at Teppakulam.”

The event passed off peacefully amidst the security provided by the police personnel in the city. Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed at various spots and sensitive areas to maintain law and order in the city.

Deputy commissioner of police (law and order) Samant Rohan Rajendra, said, “The law and order of the city was maintained by deploying around 1,000 police personnel at Teppakulam, Goripalayam and Scot Road in the city. Traffic was diverted at Kalayarkoil.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / October 28th, 2014

Nature Forum initiated to study biodiversity, document flora and fauna

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

Environment and nature enthusiasts in the city convened at the Gandhi Memorial Museum premises here on Saturday to initiate the ‘Madurai Nature Forum’, a collective of NGOs and individuals working for environmental causes in the city.

The forum plans to conduct an extensive study of the biodiversity in the district over the next six months and document the flora and fauna. The biodiversity study, which will have a special focus on birds and the disappearing water ecosystems in the district, will begin on October 26 with a study of the Samanatham tank and the migratory birds which flock to the spot during the monsoons.

Speaking at the launch of the forum, District Forest Officer Nihar Ranjan said that a forum and study like this would not only help people know about the unexplored biodiversity in the district, but would also motivate people to conserve their surroundings.

“As many of the forest areas in the district are unexplored, the forest department will cooperate and help organise treks for enthusiasts who wish to document the biodiversity there,” he said, at the event.

D. Raveendran of Iragugal Naturalists Association said that the study would seek to create awareness among many people who remain oblivious to their surroundings or the harm they might be causing to the environment. The members of the forum further made a mention of villages in the country which had celebrated a cracker-free Deepavali to protect birds in the area and urged the people to follow more such initiatives to conserve the biodiversity.

Badri Narayanan, an avid bird watcher, spoke about the variety of birds in the district with a powerpoint presentation showcasing the various species of birds he had photographed in the district.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> TamilNadu / by Staff Reporter / Madurai – October 26th, 2014

Singanallur Boat House to be renovated in 15 days

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

Coimbatore :

The Singanallur Lake that was once a hub for various migratory birds and accommodated a boat house will be restored to its previous grandeur within 15 days. The lake was closed for public usage 5 years back and the boat house was also closed down. The Mayor, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineers and other higher officials at the corporation inspected the lake. Several labourers were employed to remove water hyacinth from the lake.

The engineers have also contracted a private company to renovate the boat house.

“I have instructed the officials to clean up the tank and renovate it within 15 days. We have also planned to have a cafeteria and a children’s play area in the boat house for recreational purpose,” said P Rajkumar, Mayor.

Once a popular attraction in the city, it was frequented by families and college students for boating and recreation. There have been several attempts in the past for cleaning the tank but hyacinth grew quickly even after cleaning it. Environmentalists said that even if the hyacinth is removed, the lake cannot be restored unless untreated sewage water is dumped into it. “The hyacinth has been growing there for years and due to its roots and seeds in the water, it will continue to grow. Hyacinth grows only in dirty water. So it is the hyacinth that cleans the sewage and drainage that is being dumped into the lake. If hyacinth is removed, the lake might start to stink. Only if they treat the water before directing it to the lakes, the problem can be solved,” said C Yogananthan, Environmentalist.

“We understand that sewage water is causing the growth of hyacinth and so I have strictly instructed the officials to stop sewage water entering into the lake. That will be the first step in restoring it,” said Rajkumar.

The engineers in charge for the restoration of the lake and renovation of the boat house said that the work will be completed as soon as possible. “After the renovation, we will go out to tender for the boats,” said T Gnanavel, South Zone Executive Engineer.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Komal Gautham, TNN / October 17th, 2014

Like grandmom’s pai

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

 

Utilitarian and graceful: The surukkupai has returned. Photo: special arrangement / The Hindu
Utilitarian and graceful: The surukkupai has returned. Photo: special arrangement / The Hindu

Tucked into the waist for easy access, the surukkupai women carried all those years ago, has made a comeback as a fashion statement.

Surukkupai is a small bag usually made out of fabric with drawstrings. This could easily be one of the oldest accessories in the South of India. The surukkupai culture they say began in Madurai. Most of us will remember our grandmoms or their friends with a surukkupai tucked into their sari at their waists. I vividly remember some elderly ladies at a temple fiddling with their surukku pais. As an accessory, it had a lot of utilitarian value. As those were the good old days when cell phones didn’t exist and nobody carried makeup around, the surukkupai served to be an aesthetic and useful accessory to carry their vethalai paaku.

Chenthamarai, a tailor in Papanaickenpalayam, reminisces that he used to stitch surukkupais from leftover bits of cloth given to stitch blouses, at no extra charge. In more recent years, the paati’s surukku pai has transformed into a more contemporary fashion accessory. The surukku pai has given way to the chic potlis or the batuas of today. Younger women generally tend to pair them with a sari or a salwar kameez. The potlis come out in a rainbow of colours during the wedding season. Designers have also made the batua an accessory to own. My favourite designer duo of the batua are Chamee & Palak. More widely known for their lehengas, their batuas are unique and ornate too.

Actress Vidya Balan carrying a potli. File photo: PTI
Actress Vidya Balan carrying a potli. File photo: PTI

A temple border Kancheepuram sari paired with a simple Mangalagiri cotton potli for a morning function is elegance personified. On the contrary, carry a hand embroidered batua made of Banaras silk fabric for a night out to feel luxurious and grand. The beauty of the modern surukkupai lies in the fact that you can use it to dress up or dress down as you deem fit for the occasion.

During traditional functions when return gifts have to be given, the potli is the perfect gift, especially when filled with bangles and sindoor.

It is indeed a lovely piece of handcrafted art that represents our culture and heritage and, therefore, the most appropriate gift to give your friends abroad. It shows them our diverse crafts and the variety of textiles our country has to offer. Be a fashionista and carry your surukkupai with pride!

Shrivyshnavi Annush is a software engineer who pursues her passion for fashion and design. She has launched a curated fashion accessories portal, www.pookaari.com.

The accessories portal

Shrivyshnavi Annush recently organised a sneak peek into a collection of accessories that she is going to feature in her brand new website www.pookaari.com.

“If we wanted access to some of the happening designers in the country, we had to visit their stores in big cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Bangalore. I always felt there was a dearth in fashion accessories and hence I decided to launch Pookaari,” says Shrivyshnavi.

Jewellery designed by Suhani Pittie. Photo: special arrangement / The Hindu
Jewellery designed by Suhani Pittie. Photo: special arrangement / The Hindu

Her carefully curated portal will feature designers from across the country and include brands such as Suhani Pittie, Raya, Mayaa Bazaar, MKBK (Madras Ka Bag Kompany), Deepa Sethi… Scarves, stoles, earrings, neckpieces, bags and clutches are some of the accessories that will be featured in the website. Pookaari will feature a minimum of two new collections every Thursday and the collection will remain online for two weeks.

Pookaari’s pick

Besides the stylish range there will also be Pookaari’s Pick that will have a line of scarves in natural textiles, iPad sleeves and so on. The price of the accessories range between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 14,000.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus> Fashion / by Shrivyshnavi Annush / October 20th, 2014

Chasing her dreams

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Samyuktha with her collection of clothes at Alwarpet in Chennai. Photo: M.Srinath / The Hindu
Samyuktha with her collection of clothes at Alwarpet in Chennai. Photo: M.Srinath / The Hindu

House of Chase attempts to make lounge wear glamorous and fun

‘Flat lock,’ ‘lab dips,’ ‘pigment print’…everytime Samyuktha Venkatachalam uses technical words such as these, she stops for a second and looks amused. “I am just getting acquainted with these terms,” she smiles with a sense of achievement and just stops short of almost patting herself on the back. A student of graphic designing, she realised sitting in front of the computer was not her thing. A need for a creative outlet led her to start House of Chase, an online fashion label that has loungewear for women. “I never found enough loungewear here. Clothes that I bought abroad were long-lasting and had a snug feel and that’s what I was looking for. So I decided to start something of my own that addresses the needs of people like me,” she says. Hats are what she actually wanted to start working with. But since it was hard to get a hat manufacturer in India, the plan had to be shelved.

Hoodies, shorts, vests, tunics, tank tops, pyjamas, polo neck, round neck and printed T-shirts in hot pink, bright blue, virulent green and other bright-hues comprise the collection. Cotton, velvet, fleece, pique, poly viscose are the fabrics used. The tracks, hoodies and shorts have brushed fleece or velour lining for that cosy feeling. What princesses wear when they are chilling — that’s the concept House of Chase is based on. No wonder the logo has a shiny golden crown, along with a St. Bernard (her favourite pet).

Does the name mean anything? “Chase — I have been obsessed with that word since ninth grade. All my books had ‘chase’ scribbled on them. To me it means pursuit. When I was starting this business I knew I had to use that word in the label.” The clothes are deeply inspired by Juicy Couture. The California-based brand’s tracks and hoodies have been her favourite for long. Every time relatives travelled abroad they knew what they had to bring back for her. “They are very comfortable and the fabric is amazing. I wanted people who don’t have access to JC to get a feel of it through my clothes,” she says.

All the materials are manufactured and dyed in Tirupur. She has a small team comprising a graphic designer, two brand designers and a merchandiser. She comes up with a concept and together they work on it. “We vote to finalise and I also ask my friends for opinion. We are working off feedback for now,” she says. The second line of clothes is underway — summer dresses in varying silhouettes and lengths. How often does she plan to have a new collection? “As soon as we are ready with new clothes,” she laughs and adds, “The aim is to have a new line every three months.”

It took two years for House of Chase to take shape. Sleepless nights, anxiety, excitement and after analysing numerous fabrics the first collection was launched on September 20 this year. “Now when I see a garment from any other brand I can tell how much effort has gone or not gone into it,” says the 24-year-old.

Barely 19 days since its launch, House of Chase has managed to sell 200 pieces of garment so far. She pulls out a file and is all business-like as she checks her sales report to reconfirm the number and then laughs again. “I am just getting used to these things. There’s still scope for improvement in terms of finishing. We are far, far away from breaking even.” Her father, V.R. Venkatachalam, Chancellor of Sri Ramchandra Medical University made the initial investment. “At first I thought I would pay him back, but now, I don’t think so,” she laughs. Samyuktha aims to start a boutique by the end of this year. In addition, she wants to add more to her label. There are notebooks already. Coming soon are watches, bracelets and accessories, perfumes, hand sanitisers… So, the brand will basically comprise everything she likes? “Well, yes, you could say that,” and she breaks into a giggle again.

www.houseofchaseclothing.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus> Fashion / by Priyadarshini Paitandy / October 08th, 2014

Ooty student wins state level contest with thought provoking speech on nature

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Nature

Udhagamandalam :

A student of Class 12 of Crescent Castle Matric Higher Secondary School in Ooty bagged the first place in the state level elocution competition in English conducted by the forest department as part of their Wildlife Week Celebrations, held on Thursday in Chennai.

Having won the district level elocution competition held in Ooty earlier, Hanu Priya, a Badaga girl, was selected to represent the Nilgiris district in the state level competition held in Chennai.

“For the second time, Hanu Priya, has won the first prize in a state level competition. We are proud that she competed in the Wildlife week competition conducted by the forest department and won the elocution competition,” said Farouk Ummar, corespondent of the school.

Nurturing young minds to pay heed to the global issue of ‘deforestation’, Hanu Priya said, “The nature of man’s future depends on the future of our nature”. She said, only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught, will man realize that he cannot substitute money for sustenance. “The guidance I received from my English teacher, Rukhia, helped me deliver a winning performance at the state level for the second time”, she said.

Her prize-winning speech had some thought provoking moments with ” man did not inherit earth from his ancestors, he, in fact, borrowed it from his children” and “a greedy man grabs more than what nature offers him.” On Friday, Hanu Priya met Nilgiris collector P Sankar. As a token of his appreciation for her achievement, the collector presented her with a small memento.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / October 11th, 2014

Indira Sivasailam Endowment Award for T M. Krishna

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Musician T. M. Krishna. / The Hindu
Musician T. M. Krishna. / The Hindu

Carnatic vocalist T. M. Krishna will receive the award on on September 25 at The Music Academy during the Navaratri season.

Carnatic vocalist T. M. Krishna has been chosen for the fifth Indira Sivasailam Endowment Medal and Concert.

The fifth Indira Sivasailam Endowment Concert will be held at The Music Academy in Chennai on September 25 during the Navaratri season.

The artist is selected by a panel comprising members from the Endowments Committee of The Music Academy and Ms. Mallika Srinivasan (Chairman – TAFE Limited), daughter of late A. Sivasailam (Former Chairman – Amalgamations Limited) and late Indira Sivasailam.

Every year, the Indira Sivasailam Endowment Fund recognizes an outstanding Carnatic musician based on an established set of criteria.

The Indira Sivasailam Foundation was established by Ms. Mallika Srinivasan in the memory of her mother, whose deep-rooted conviction was to uphold and promote India’s rich heritage by preserving and propagating its various art forms.

“Mr. T. M. Krishna, who describes himself quite simply as “a singer”, occupies a distinct place in the sphere of Carnatic music for the stunning individuality of his renditions. Trained by distinguished gurus, Mr. B. Seetharama Sarma and Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Mr. T. M. Krishna has a firm footing in tradition, without being owned by it. Singing with a musical veracity that goes back to centuries, he presents a musical imagination that unfolds in the present. Among one of the most widely travelled musicians, Mr. Krishna has reinforced the Carnatic musical legacy among its cognoscenti, and also introduced its magnificence to new audiences across continents,’’ says a release.

Since 2010, renowned  musicians such as Ms. Sudha Ragunathan, Mr. Sanjay Subrahmanyan, Ms. Aruna Sairam and Ms. Bombay Jayashri Ramnath have been conferred this honour.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review> Music / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – August 25th, 2014

Neo-tantric artist K V Haridasan passes away at 78

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Chennai :

Veteran neo-tantric artist K V Haridasan passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Bangalore, where he had been undergoing treatment for throat cancer for more than a month. He was 78.

His body has been brought to Chennai, and is being kept at his home in the Cholamandal Artists’ Village. “He had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bangalore where his son lives. He was very weak when I met him last. He died in the morning at around 7am,” said Gopinath P, senior artist and close friend of Haridasan.

A pioneer in neo-tantric form, Haridasan won many prestigious awards, including Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram and Lalit Kala award, for his Brahmasutra Series. A student of veteran artist K C S Panicker, Haridasan was always in search of Indian tradition through tantra symbols and yoga. This set him apart from others.

“He was the only artist from the south who developed his own style in neo-tantric in the 1960s and 70s. He never deviated from his style and of course had every reason to do that. He was a great artist and had a strong connection with our culture and tradition,” said Gopinath.

Born in 1937 in Keecheri, a remote village in Kannur district of Kerala, Haridasan did his diploma in painting at the School of Arts and Crafts, Madras during 1960-66. He had exhibited his Brahmasutra Series in many Indian cities and countries.

Exhibition of his neo-tantric works in New Delhi in 1970 was a turning point in Haridasan’s life. After the exhibition, he travelled to many countries with his work. Even though many changed their style, Haridasan never deviated from his neo-tantric metre till his death.

“I like him mainly because he never deviated from his style. It may not be a great quality when it comes to an artist, but in his case, it was different. His works attained a kind of rhythm and perfection due to his long association with the neo-tantric style. It is of great quality,” said Achuthan Kudallur, a senior abstract painter.

Haridasan is survived by his wife and a son. The cremation will take place at the Besant Nagar electric crematorium on Monday.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by M.T.Saju, TNN / October 27th, 2014

Ex-CEC Gopalaswami new chairman of Kalakshetra Foundation

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Former CEC N. Gopalaswami has been appointed as Chairman of Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai. A file photo: V.Sreenivasa Murthy. / The Hindu
Former CEC N. Gopalaswami has been appointed as Chairman of Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai. A file photo: V.Sreenivasa Murthy. / The Hindu

The government has appointed former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami as the new chairman of the governing board of the Chennai-based Kalakshetra Foundation.

The Ministry of Culture stated in a notification on Tuesday that Mr. Gopalaswami has been appointed for a term of five years, according to a release from New Delhi.

Earlier, on June 3 the government had accepted the resignation of Mr. Gopalkrishna Gandhi from the chairmanship of the foundation.

Mr. Gandhi, the former West Bengal governor, had submitted his resignation on May 21 this year, the release added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / PTI / New Delhi – October 22nd, 2014

Veteran Tamil actor S.S. Rajendran dead

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
S.S. Rajendran known as SSR — a contemporary of Sivaji Ganesan and M.G. Ramachandran in cinema and politics — breathed his last on Friday. He was 86.
S.S. Rajendran known as SSR — a contemporary of Sivaji Ganesan and M.G. Ramachandran in cinema and politics — breathed his last on Friday. He was 86.

Tamil cinema’s yesteryear actor S.S. Rajendran known as SSR — a contemporary of Sivaji Ganesan and M.G. Ramachandran in cinema and politics — who was battling for life at a private hospital in Chennai, breathed his last on Friday. He was 86.

Born in Sedapatti, Madurai district, SSR, like all his contemporaries cut his teeth in the Boys Company and later in the theatre troupe run by T.K.S Brothers. He was also a good singer and a few could match his Tamil pronunciation.

In his autobiography Naan Vantha Paathi, he had said he could get a job in the TKS troupe after singing a song set to raga Karaharapriya. “It impressed T.K. Bhagavathi, the younger brother of T.K. Shanmugam,” he had said.

He had penned his autobiography, but kept the manuscripts with him. “IAS officer Rajendran and artist Trotsky Marudhu are responsible for getting the book published,” said poet Vennila, whose publishing house Agani has brought out the book.

SSR was closely associated with the Dravidian movement, and he was the first actor to be elected to the Assembly in the country in 1962 from Theni constituency on a DMK ticket. He also represented the DMK in the Rajya Sabha in 1970.

When he was a Rajya Sabha MP, his absence in the House at the time of the adoption of the Constitution Amendment Bill to abolish privy purses in September 1970 made a big difference as the Bill collapsed by one vote. This triggered a major political controversy and eventually, the nation had to face snap polls to the Parliament.

Though he was a close friend of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, he fell out with him after the expulsion of former chief minister MGR, and became a member of the AIADMK. Later he was elected from Andipatti Assembly constituency on a AIADMK ticket with a highest victory margin.

In his autobiography, SSR had recalled his close association with the family of DMK founder C.N. Annadurai and his decision to send Rs 5,000 per month to the widow of the late leader after knowing about the family’s financial troubles.

“After Anna’s adopted son Parimalam started earning, he asked me not to send the money,” SSR had said.

Parasakti, starring Sivaji Ganesan, gave him the much needed introduction in the film world, though he had acted a few films earlier.

Some of his outstanding films include Poompuhar, for which the dialogues were penned by DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, Sivagangai Cheemai, a film by the late lyricist Kannadasan and Manimagudam, a film he played opposite former chief minister Jayalalithaa.

He is survived by two wives, including actress C.R. Vijayakumari (his wife Thamaraiselvi had passed away earlier) and eight children.

IANS adds:

A family source said, “He was admitted to Meenakshi Hospital yesterday (Thursday) in critical condition. He passed away this morning (Friday) due to issues related to lung infection.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Cinema Plus / by B. Kolappan / Chennai – October 24th, 2014