Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Travellers, the small little town of Sadras has a lot to offer you

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
The fort of Sadras in the sleepy little town of Kalpakkam takes us back to a time when it was a hub of trade and a much contested seat of power.
The fort of Sadras in the sleepy little town of Kalpakkam takes us back to a time when it was a hub of trade and a much contested seat of power.

Sadras: 

The serene fort of Sadras stands strong, yet fragile in all its ruined glory. Not many would know that it exists in the sleepy little town of Kalpakkam — who would notice it when there is a nuclear power plant coming up two kms away.

Sadras is a quiet fishing hamlet and the fort was one of the seats of power of the Dutch who docked there in the early 17th century. They, like the other Europeans, landed here to pursue their interests in trade. The fort  happened to be standing at the heart of a battlefield, with the Dutch, Portuguese, French and British fighting to establish their monopoly here. It’s no surprise then that the fort retains a crippled magnificence.

Thus, I stand among the ruins of the fort of Sadurangapattinum, as it was called then, before it was anglicised to ‘Sadras’ by the Europeans. A white tomb and cannon adorn the entrance to the cemetery, the warehouses have been restored by the Archaeological Survey of India and the fort walls are charred, yet red.

Story has it that the battle of Sadras was fought between the British and Dutch. After suffering a brief setback in the first war the British took over in the early 19th century, razing the fort to the ground, firing cannon from the sea.

So what drew the Europeans to this calm village? This place was under the stronghold of the Cholas and later became a part of the Vijayanagara Empire, it being a bustling hub of trade and a weaving centre, well known for  its muslin export to the Europeans.

The keeper of the fort tells me all about the graves and their inscriptions. Further inside, in a room assumed to be a secret chamber or dungeon, there is a gaping hole where the central structure has caved in, making way for the sun to light up the room.

We step further into the fort, the ruins in red and black standing out against the tall green weeds that are creeping up everywhere. Beyond the warehouses I climb the ramp, leading to the roof of the rooms, which is  the highest point of the fort. I stand and listen to the distant roar of the sea, stretching out like a blanket far beyond the horizon.

I can see in my mind’s eye what the red structure must have looked like in all its original splendour. A fort, marked with triangular, yet rook-like pillars, with cannon and battlements at its corners; beautifully carved archways in white and red, leading to the warehouses and chambers of the settlers beyond, abuzz with activity. The lapping of the waves pulls me back to the present. It’s time to leave the past and enjoy the beach in front of me.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Travel / Deccan Chronicle / by  R. Supraja / May 12th, 2014

Chennai is a Telugu word, nothing Tamil about it: Historian

About Chennai(Madras) / TamilNadu, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

Chennai :

What does Chennai mean? The question troubled Paris-based historian J B P More quite a lot. After painstaking research, he found the answer.

In his recently released book, titled ‘Origin and Foundation of Madras’, More says, “Chinapatnam and Chennapatnam were the other names for Madras used by Tamil and Telugu settlers in the area. Chennapatnam was ‘Tamilised’ as Chennai but the word didn’t mean anything in Tamil. It’s undoubtedly a Telugu word.”

Madraspatnam was derived from Medu Rasa Patnam, said More, who was in Chennai on Saturday to release his book. “When Nayak Venkatappa (a local chieftain) issued a grant (a portion of the area where subsequently Fort St George came up) in favour of the English in 1639, only Madraspatnam was mentioned in it. But during the 1640s, two new names for Madraspatnam or for the area inhabited by Tamils and Telugus around Fort St George seems to have come into existence. They were Chinapatnam and Chennapatnam,” he said.

Chinapatnam would have been the first name that would have come into existence in the Tamil-Telugu quarters to signify the Black Town of Madraspatnam. “‘Chenna’ in Telugu means fair and is not to be confused with the Tamil ‘Chinna’, which means small. In Tamil, ‘Chenna’ is meaningless,” said More.

He said in the Tamil Lexicon, the Tamil word ‘Cennai’ has been mentioned which would signify ‘a drum announcing religious procession of an idol’. More said there was no reference in documents and literature of the period to ‘Chennai’ as a drum.

“In the document of Beri Timanna, we find ‘Chenna’ written as ‘Chennai’. Thus Chenna Kesava Perumal became Chennai Kesava Perumal and Chennapatnam became Chennai Pattanam.

This seems to be purely the work of a translator of the 19th century who had preferred to Tamilise the Telugu word ‘Chenna’ into ‘Chennai’ so it sounded more Tamil,” said More. “The word ‘Chennai’ seems to have been born to designate Madras town. Its origin is Telugu. There is nothing Tamil in it,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by M T Saju,  TNN  / May 04th, 2014

First Time Models Bust a Move at ‘Ramp Graduation’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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If you think fashion, styling and walking the ramp is all about professionals and years of intensive training, you’re mistaken. The one thing that was obvious to the spectators of the Dreeam Cast modelling workshop fashion show was that all that matters when you are under those hot and blinding spotlights is ‘attitude’.

For the 25 kids and 20 adults who walked the ramp for the first time on Monday, the experience wasn’t about it being a stepping stone to a professional modelling career. It was about feeling good about themselves, losing inhibitions and gaining confidence.

“Right from the two-year-old kids to the adults, all of our students walked the ramp for the first time. And I tell you, the experience has given them a new perspective on how they view their lives. Whether they become models or not, they now know how to portray themselves and how to style themselves. That’s an invaluable thing to people,” said photographer Karthik Srinivasan, the man behind Dreeam Cast.

The event was organised as a five sequence show, with themes including ethnic, western and fusion. The most entertaining, if not the most striking, was the sequence that had the rampwalkers, both adult and kids, attired in beach party wear jiving to heart thumping tunes.

The dancing was an important part of the 10-day workshop according to Karthik. “It is important for them to lose their inhibitions. And quite frankly, most professional rampwalkers have no idea how to dance,” he pointed out. “We made sure our students would learn to relax on the ramp and I think you can judge how it worked out,” he said.

And the event concluded its dazzling exhibition in true fashion show mode, with the final sequence featuring women in a series of elegant yet striking evening dresses and men in dark brooding black. “Whatever we aim to do, we do teach them how to model. And this show which we put up for every year’s batch of students shows both the world and them what they have learnt,” said Karthik. And if the attitudes of some youngsters who hit the ramp were are any indication, some of them are definitely on the fast-track to becoming hot-shot models soon.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express Features – Chennai / May 14th, 2014

The Literary Connect

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan or NBBSS is a phenomenon in itself, the reason being Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore, as he was its first president after inaugurating it in 1923, in Allahabad. Being an all India organisation, it has chapters in a lot of cities. Earlier, the headquarters was in Allahabad but now it is in Delhi.

Saswati Mukherjee, secretary, NBBSS, Chennai, says, “The Chennai chapter started way back in 1982 and since then we have tried to preserve our culture through literary meets and talks.” Apart from a biannual magazine called Sagari, which is a compilation of works by  members of the organisation, the group also organises literary competitions and meets. Saswati elaborates about the competitions, “We send the various works to renowned literary geniuses in Kolkata and Delhi, who select the best among them and the deserving candidate is awarded under various categories.” As for their meets, these events involve everything from theatre to poetry recitals, story-telling and dance performances. This time, the plan is to organise a theme-based meet with the theme, ‘How Tagore influenced you,’ she says.

Saswati tells us, “I’ve been a part of this group for 10 years and it’s beautiful to see people actively participate and encourage participation. There are many Bengalis in Chennai who wish to preserve our culture and our job is to encourage them and try to keep our culture alive in a different city.” She adds that they get theatre artists, authors, vocalists and musicians from Kolkata for their annual meet.

She says, “We are collaborating with Chennai Bengali for the cultural meet on June 22 to reach a wider audience.” Looks like the meet is going to be a big hit so Bengalis better Toiri Thako (be ready)!

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Pyusha Chatterjee – Chennai / May 15th, 2014

TAMBARAM : A hawk’s eye

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

 

Spreading awareness: Walton Browne recently spoke at Madras Christian College. / Photo: G. Krishnaswamy. / The Hindu
Spreading awareness: Walton Browne recently spoke at Madras Christian College. / Photo: G. Krishnaswamy. / The Hindu

British falconer Walton Browne is staying in Pallavaram and is on a mission to spread awareness about these birds of prey, writes Vipasha Sinha

Walton Woollard Browne (66), a British national, has been a regular to Chennai since 2007. It is his love for raptors that brings him back every year.

Having been in the falconry business for many years, he has travelled around the world to learn more and more about these magnificent birds.

“I have been in the falconry business in the U.K. for over 53 years. It involves training the hawks and falcons for hunting, display and other recreational flying. We discovered they can be trained to scare smaller birds flying around the airport runways, which will help avoid bird hits. He met Airport Authorities regarding Bird Hit Management, but nothing has come out of it so far.

“I’ve been visiting India for the past seven years and have worked on raptor conservation. I have noticed that the kite population has considerably declined in the Pallavaram and the airport area. Also, the increase in cases of bird hits is a cause for worry for the airport. Bird scaring is a vital exercise and is used at many international airports including Sofia International Airport, Jersey International Airport, The Royal Air Force and Benbecula Airport,” says Walton, who has made Pallavaram his temporary home.

It is not legal in India to train falcons, but he says human intervention is required when the species are on the verge of extinction.

In 2011, he helped in forming the Association for the Conservation of Indian Raptors. “We work towards education and awareness about Indian raptors. Every year I come down to talk at various events. This time I spoke at the Madras Christian College, Tambaram. The response was good,” he says.

There is very little awareness about raptors, outside the scientific community, he adds. “These birds are an important part of the eco-system and I want the message to go out schools and colleges and save these magnificent creatures.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> DownTown / by Vipasha Sinha / Chennai – May 01st, 2014

Donkey’s milk still available for needy

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature

Trichy :

It seems there is still a demand for donkey’s milk. A group from Cuddalore district could be seen on Trichy’s streets on Friday selling it fresh and direct from the animals.

The milk vendors accompanied their animals while looking for consumers who believe in its efficacy. They walked with the donkeys under the scorching sun.

It is said donkey’s milk has medicinal value and can boost the immunity level of babies. Several people feed babies a small quantity of donkey’s milk, though doctors don’t dispute it.

Speaking with the donkey owners, who are from Thozhudhur in Cuddalore district, revealed a few interesting nuggets about their business. They buy jennies or female donkeys from Eral in Tuticorin district and Sithayankottai in Dindigul district where donkeys are reared for this purpose. One donkey alone costs Rs 15,000, a member said.

The group chooses one district a day to sell the milk. The members start their day early in the morning and chose semi-urban areas. They get up to 100 ml to 150 ml milk from a donkey every day. Selling a small quantity for Rs 30, they can earn up to Rs 300 to Rs 500.

On Friday afternoon, they moved to Samayapuram after the day’s business. They expect a good sale in Samayapuram too.

Usually, the milk sellers do not stay in one area for more than a day and they cover almost all parts of Tamil Nadu. Occasionally, they visit their village.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy / TNN / May 03rd, 2014

TAMBARAM : Free, unlimited buttermilk for the thirsty

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Resources of Free Materials
Noble gesture: The shed set up by Gayathri Trust near Chromepet bus station. / Photo: G. Krishnaswamy / The Hindu
Noble gesture: The shed set up by Gayathri Trust near Chromepet bus station. / Photo: G. Krishnaswamy / The Hindu

Many an organisation in the city provides free water and buttermilk to the thirsty during summer. Here is an organisation which does this service a bit differently: they provide an unlimited supply of free butter milk. At 11 a.m. every day, people throng the stall put up Sree Gayathri Trust, Chromepet, to give way the buttermilk.

“It’s our way of helping people get through summer. Buttermilk, apart from quenching thirst, is also good for health,” says G. Raghavan, founder, Sree Gayathri Trust.

The stall was set up on Monday (April 21) in memory of professor S. Narasimhan of Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet.

“The stall will be around till the end of May. Every day, around 300 litres of buttermilk will be served free, and I ensure that quality and hygienic buttermilk is served,” says Raghavan. The buttermilk is laced with curry leaves, coriander, salt and asafoetida. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus drivers halt their vehicles to have buttermilk in bottles. Daily around 600 people visit the stall, which is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Sweating, tiredness, muscle cramps, nausea and headaches would reduce significantly if buttermilk is consumed. Very soon, I am going to distribute free curd rice packets for people to beat the summer,” he says.

B. Raja, an autorickshaw driver, and a resident of Pallavaram says, “This buttermilk served here is tasty. Whenever I drive through this area, I make it a point to stop at the stall.”

People from Pallavaram, Tambaram and Tambaram Sanatorium are also regular to the stall. Those who want to contribute towards this work, can contact G. Raghavan at 044 22654777 or at 9444022033.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Downtown / by T. S. Atul Swaminathan / Chennai – May 01st, 2014

Broomstick fest held in Theni district to bring harmony in family

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Madurai :

A village near Andipatti in Theni district recently celebrated a bizarre festival where the brother-in-laws or cousins in a family thrashed each other with brooms to overcome their differences and bring harmony.

This ritual is held as part of the festival of the 100-year-old Muthalamman temple in Maravapatti near Andipatti. Every year, the brother-in-laws, usually the married men in the family and their brothers take part in this ritual.

According to Muthuraj, an elderly man in the village, the ritual is being practiced for more than a century now to solve disputes. “Disputes are common in almost every family. When a girl married and sent to her in-laws hose, there are instances where the brothers of the girl and her husband refrain from talking to each other over small disputes. This broom ceremony helps to solve such issues,” he said.

On the day of the festival, the brother-in-laws beat each other with the brooms and finally end up hugging each other. It was interesting to watch the men dressed in their worst attire being hit by others. They were rolled on the wet ground and the crowd gathered was laughing to their fullest. Large crowds from the neighbouring villages too gathered witness the event.

Periyathai, a villager, said, “If the bridegrooms are villages, which doesn’t follow such ceremonies, we inform them well in advance before the marriage as it is believed that participating in the festival also enhances family ties. There have also been instances where the mothers of the bridegrooms have called off the wedding arrangements because they believe their sons are above the rest,” she said.

On Tuesday, the men gathered in the village armed with brooms, many had even bought new ones as they did not want to offend their opponents, and started hitting each other with it.

The women in this village do not get very upset when some dispute arises because they know it would be solved in the next festival.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by Padmini Sivarajah, TNN / May 02nd, 2014

History, architecture and more: stories behind HC

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence
Heritage walks on the Madras High Court campus will be held on the second Sunday of every month — Photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu
Heritage walks on the Madras High Court campus will be held on the second Sunday of every month — Photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu

On a carpet of withered leaves, under the shadow of a century-old building, a group of architecture and history lovers listened with rapt attention the stories the walls of Madras High Court had to tell, on Sunday.

“Just next to the lighthouse (constructed in 1838) where we stand, there used to be two temples. Water from the temple tanks were brought by priests and witnesses deposed had to touch the water and take oath,” said M.L. Rajah, advocate and member of the Madras High Court Heritage Committee, to participants of the High Court heritage walk. Later, the temples were shifted out of the complex, he said.

As the group strolled from one building to another, interesting anecdotes and stories behind the architecture unfolded.

“The buildings of the High Court, including the law college and the lighthouse, are exuberant examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture that display an amalgamation of Islamic, Moorish, European and Hindu styles, among others,” said Sujatha Shankar, architect and convenor of INTACH (Chennai chapter).

They also show how public buildings have been used to convey political messages; and what better way to communicate them than through architecture, she said.

After a glimpse of the architectural marvel of these buildings, Mr. Rajah led the crowd to the next stop: the statute of Sir V. Bhashyam Iyengar, the first Indian acting advocate-general.

“He had a morbid desire to die while arguing a case; and incidentally, during a court proceeding, when he felt uneasy, he walked up to the statute of Sir T. Muthuswami Iyer, and passed away,” he said.

The group then walked through the Madras High Court museum, the Madras Bar Association and ended the tour at the magnificent court halls.

Ann Neuman, a 45-year-old writer from New York who arrived in Chennai a week ago, seemed visibly excited after the walk.

“My friends specifically asked me to not miss this walk. It is wonderful to hear the history of the court systems here and what it has done to the city,” she said.

The heritage walk initiated by the Madras High Court Heritage Committee will be held on the second Sunday of every month. For details, contact: 9841013617.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Sunitha Sekar / Chennai – May 12th, 2014

Android App on Women safety Brings Award for VIT Student

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technologies
Mithila Harish receiving the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award from Dr R A Mashelkar, Chairman, SRISTI, at a recent function in IIM-Ahmedabad | express
Mithila Harish receiving the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award from Dr R A Mashelkar, Chairman, SRISTI, at a recent function in IIM-Ahmedabad | express

A final year student of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Mithila Harish has developed a mobile app for women’s safety and has bagged the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Award for it.

Studying B Tech in Electronics and Instrumentation, Mithila said she was concerned over the growing danger to women and children as  they were being subjected to kidnapping, acid attack, rape and extortion and wanted to help them using the tools of technology. The distressing situation can be both mental and physical.

Along with a professor who was her guide, the student developed a voice-activated app on the Android platform that would help women in distress by providing the location information through an SMS to trusted emergency numbers stored in the mobile phone. “This would certainly help improve the chances of detection and prevention of crime,” she told Express.

The app recognises voice command of the user. Supposing a woman screams a keyword such as ‘danger,’ the app would automatically alert the emergency number. The app is a combination of early warning and tracking services aimed at providing a degree of succour. Broadly, its functionality spans situation-sensing, situation-recording locally and situation- broadcasting.

The biggest strength of the tool is that the solution aims at providing  both the obvious and simple features such as GPS-tracking and the more subtle and complex ones such as phrases recognition, probabilistic tracking and device-hopping solutions.

“I faced conceptual and methodological challenges in implementing the advanced technology in the app. Keeping battery and memory capacities of the phone are some of the  practical issues,” she noted.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by V. NarayanaMurthi – Vellore / April 30th, 2014