13th All India People’s Science Congress @ Thrissur from Dec 27, 2010

3th All India People’s Science Congress (AIPSC 2010) wil be held on Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur form Dec 27, 2010 to Dec 31, 2010. The 13th AIPSC is hosted by the Kerala SasthraSahitya Parishath that pioneered Science movement in India. Around 600 delegates representing the member organizations from 21 states will attend the Congress. Former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan will inaugurate the Congress which will be attended by other eminent Scientists also.

As a prelude to this Congress a number of mass education programmes are arranged which include campaigns on energy conservation, green technology, health and hygiene. A National Seaninar is scheduled on 27th November on the topic Science for Democracy, Secularism and Development.

All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN) is a network of science organisations, basically people’s science movements, working in all states with a social outlook.

AIPSC Schedule

27/12/2010

• Morning session – Inauguration, After Noon: Plenary
• Evening : Cultural Presentations/ Evening Lectures

28/12/2010

• Morning session – Workshop After Noon: Workshop
• Evening : Cultural Presentations/ Evening Lectures

29/12/2010

Sub Plenary 1: (9.00-10.30)

• Science Popularization

Sub Plenary 2: (10.30-12.00)

• Agriculture & Food Security

Sub Plenary 3: (9.00-10.30)

• Health

Sub Plenary 4: (10.30-12.00)

• Environment, Climate Change & Development

LUNCH

Workshops on Themes:

• Science Popularization
• Agriculture & Food Security

Workshops on Themes:

• Health
• Environment, Climate Change & Development

Cultural Presentations/ Evening Lectures

30/12/2010

Sub Plenary 5: (9.00-10.30)

• Education

Sub Plenary 6: (10.30-12.00)

• Decentralization and Democratization & Technology Application

Sub Plenary 7: (9.00-10.30)

• Social Exclusions

Sub Plenary 8: (10.30-12.00)

• S & T, Emerging Technologies & Self Reliance

LUNCH

Workshops on Themes:

• Education
• Decentralization and Democratization & Technology Application

Workshops on Themes:

• Social Exclusions
• S & T, Emerging technologies & Self Reliance

Cultural Presentations/ Evening Lectures

31.12.10

Discussion on the future course of Action by AIPSN

To know more visit : http://aipsc2010.weebly.com/

Posted Under: Events, Featured Articles, News

Tags: 13th AIPSC, 13th All India People's Science Congress, AIPSC, AIPSC 2010

Visit blog : http://www.aipsc2010.blogspot.com for more details. 

Prime organisers of AIPSC 2010 is Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad. http://www.kssp.in  email : aipsctcr@gmail.com, kssptcr@gmail.com

Organising Committee Gen Convenor : Dr. Kavumbayi Balakrishnan (09447614774)   

Help line : 0487 2381084

Thrissur Canine Club

Thrissur Show Details

This year Thrissur Canine Club is conducting an Obedience trial with three championship dog shows. The detailed programme is given below.

Thrissur Canine Club Dog Show Venue

Veterinary College Stadium

Date	Venue	Name of show	Judges
20th Nov. 2010 (Saturday)
	Thrissur	Obedience show	Mr. Dave Hull (South Africa)
		11th Championship show	Mr. Larry Yuen (Malaysia)
21st Nov. 2010 (Sunday)
	Thrissur	12th Championship show	Mr. Dave Hull (South Africa)
		13th Championship show	Mr. Jagteshwar Singh (India)

Swaram, Thaalam, Layam

Taalam Cultural trust in association with Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academi and Public Library is organising a poetic voyage called “Chalanangalude Kavitha at the Akademi’s K T Mohammed Memorial Theatre on 25^th and 26^th November 2010. The programme will be a visual representation of selected ppoems in English and Malayalam. Students from Vijayagiri Public School, Paramekavu Vidya Mandir, Harishree Vidya Nidhi School, Gurukulam Public School, Sandeepani Vidya Nikethan, Holy Family CGHS, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Surakshitha English Medium School, Caldean Syrian Higher Secondary School will taken part the show. ‘There is a slo a forum for discussion and criticism about various poems and writers’ says Mr. Ravunny, Secretary, Sangeet Nataka Academi..

Harper Collins Fest at DC Books

For the cultural capital it is the festival of letters now. Harper Collins and DC Books has joined hands together for a HC fest in the city. HarperFestival is home to books, novelties, and merchandise. Festival boasts a wide range books from topical contemporary novels to lighthearted series books, from award-winning literary tales to smart and sassy beach reads. The list goes endless- books of Paulo Coelo, Sidnet Sheldon, JUmpa Lahiri, Khushwant Singh. Malayalee Writer Manu Joseph’s Serious man is another hot piece in the festival. The other books in demand according to DC books are Ernesto Cheguvera’s Bolivian Diary and Arvind Adika’s White Tiger.

There are also attractive discounts this time. The festivals lasts till December 18^th.

So book lovers, do visit DC Books before 18 December 2010.

DC Books,

1^st floor, Pooma Complex

M G Road, Thrissur

Guruvayoor Ekadshi

Thousands of devotees thronged at Guruvayoor Temple on Wednesday. Guruvayoor town witnessed an unprecedented rush of devotees through out the day. It was after many years the Ekadashi fall on the first of Vrishchikam

Gothara venkalam @ Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi

Kerala Lalithakala Akademi is organizing another exhibition of sculptures by Phool Sing Besra -Gothara Venkalam. The exhibition started on 19^th November 201 will be ending on 16^th November 2010

Thrissur –Tomorrow’s Education Hub??

With the State Cabinet giving its nod for setting up a ‘World Class University' at Puthur and a Science City in Kainur, Thrissur district is all set to become a major education hub of the State.

About 125 hectares of land at Puthur Village in Thrissur, owned by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation, would be handed over to the Higher Education Department for establishing the university.

The site, located less than 10 km from NH 47 and about 12 km from Thrissur Railway Station, is just 50 km away from the Nedumbassery International Airport.

Rajaji Mathew Thomas, MLA, said the proposed university would be one of the 14 world class universities proposed by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development in the country.

The world-class universities would train students in a variety of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, basic sciences, commerce and professional subjects, at both the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. They would foster links between universities, research laboratories and industry.

They would not have any affiliated colleges. The Planning Commission has already allocated money for establishing these universities.

About 30 acres in Kainur village of the district has been identified for establishing a science city.

The state government had already allotted Rs. 2 crore for setting up the science city, the MLA said.

Senior government officials would soon inspect the sites for the ambitious projects and work would be initiated soon, according to education department sources.

Courtesy : The Hindu

Brass Beauties

If she had not married Phool Singh, Tilo Besra might not have been a sculptor.Phool Singh's family in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh had inherited a tradition of sculpting cast metal figures known as ‘Dhokra' (meaning ‘the oldest').It involves ‘ cire perdue' (from the Latin cera perduta) or lost-wax casting.

“My husband taught me lost-wax casting and introduced me to the world of sculptures. Had I not met him, I would have been a worker in a government office or a gram sevika. Members of all tribal families in our hamlet are expert sculptors,” she said.

They fashion figures of tribal deities, horse riders, elephants, musicians, monkeys, owls and birds out of brass. In the lost wax technique, a mould is created for each piece using clay and beeswax. Brass figures are then cast. The technique dates back to the Indus Valley civilisation. It is now practised in Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

“Each clay mould can be used only once. The work calls for great precision. The slightest mistake while breaking the mould can destroy the piece. I take four or five days to create a single piece,” Ms. Besra said.

Experts say that a few metal objects found in Mohenjadaro and Harappa resemble Dhokra figures.

“Almost all the ancient brass Dhokra pieces have been lost or destroyed, often melted down to make utensils. The pieces available today are contemporary or at the most 50 to 70 years old,” writes folk art expert K.C. Aryan, in his book, ‘Indian Folk Bronzes'.

The prices of sculptures on show range from Rs. 50 to Rs. 7,000. The exhibition will conclude on November 16.

courtesy : The Hindu

Kalamezhuthu

The second phase of Kalamezhuthu started at Kerala Lalithakala Academy, Thrissur on 9^th November 2010. This is an attempt to search the roots of the pictorial art of Kerala. The first phase was a 17-day program, during July-Aug 2010. The second phase is a 27 day programme ending on 6^th December 2010.

For details about the programme schedule, contact Voice Of thrissur- voiceofthrissur@gmail.com

About Kalamezhuthu

Pictorial designs, is the inheritance of humanity from ancient times. All over the world, it first appeared on floors, and on walls of human dwellings. In India, it has existed as part of ritualistic life in Hindu households. Kolam in Tamilnadu, rangoli in Northern India, other forms in different parts of India, are intimately connected with women and their domestic routine. In Kerala, it is in the form of pookkalam, made of flowers during Onam season. A different kind of drawing on the floor, Kalamezhuthu is associated with sacred groves.

Origin of Kalamezhuthu

Kalamezheuthu is a temple-centered ritual, tribal in origin, Dravidian in spirit, tampered with or enhanced by changing times and influences.Naga kalam, Bhagavathy kalam, and kalams dedicated to gods like Vetekaran, Ayyappan etc, trace their origins to groves. This pictorial art, with its inseparable rituals, takes a discerning reader to the roots of the aesthetic sensibilities of cultural Kerala. Kalam progresses through three steps; kalamezhuthu, drawing of the picture, kalam paattu, singing the myth to the accompaniment of instruments, and kalam thullal, enactment of the myth in stylized performance. And it has three aspects - aesthetic, religious, and social.

The Art of Kalamezhuthu


Kalams are combinations of two-dimensional and three dimensional designs drawn on the floor using fine powder culled from nature. The drawing of a kalam starts with a ritual in a space near the temple or the grove. Timed by rituals, it is completed within a specific time. The picture takes shape from a central line. Primary colors, black, white, green, yellow and red are used and drawing is done with hands. The art of shading especially the background, gives a velvet touch. And the border done in circles and squares, in lines and dots, using colors in certain combinations are not just for decoration. Permutations and combinations are used for foregrounding, or to create illusions. The influence of the tantric must be a later addition. The figures drawn come alive when the eyes of the central figures are opened, again at a particular time marked by ritual. And lighted oil lamps around, make the kalam a sacred space where rituals known as thiri uzhichil is a form of worship.

ViBGYOR international film festival entries closes on November 15 2010

The  sixth edition of ViBGYOR international film festival for short films and will be held at Sangeet Nataka Academy , Regional Theater Akademi on January 12 to 16 . This  year’s ViBGYOR is dedicated to late C.Saratchandran, the noted filmmaker, activist  and an active  ViBGYOR The focus of this years Film festival is political film making & media activism in south east Asia. Anand Padvardhan is the festival Director for this year’s  VIBGYOR.

Around 100 films will be screened at ViBGYOR 2011. Interested film makers can submit their recent films (Documentaries/Short Fiction/Animations/ Music Videos/Spots) to ViBGYOR which will be selected by a eminent jury panel for the final film screening.

The last date of submission of the films is on November 15. Entry forms can be downloaded from here. 


Send queries to vibgyorfilmfest@gmail.com or contact ViBGYOR Film Collective directly: +919809477058/ +91 487-2323590
For more details log on to ViBGYOR webpage. 

Funday at Fab India

Celebrate an exciting Children's Day with Fab India. On 14th November Fab India is invites kids for a fun filled day with them with games, competitions, gifts and more.

Registration for story telling competition-

Contact : 0487-2441899. 

Ages: 6-8, 8-10 & 10-12

14th November 2010. Time: 10:30am to 8:30pm



Fab India, V/300, Kollannur Tharavad, Fathima Nagar, Near Jubilee Hospital, Thrissur

Vadakkechira Changing its Face

Vadakkechira is undergoing a facelift by the District Tourism Promotion Cuncil (DTPC). This 2.5 acre eco system is one one of the oldest in the city, built by Shakthan Tampuran. On the list are fitting of 16 lights on the east-west direction near the chira, a public pathway opposite to Vadakke bus stand, a bird watching counter, a remaking of the ‘kovilile kulakadavu’ in the west. The works are expected to be completed within a year. Renovation of comfort stations and shops near Vadakke stand is another step taken by DTPC. 

One and Only one ONV

The Kerala Sahithya Academi, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Acdemi and Kerala Lalithakala Academi felicitated poet ONV Kurup at a function held on Sunday, November 7^th 2010. A seminar, a poet’s meet, a ballet based on ONV’s work, ‘Ujjayini” and a programme of film songs composed by him were presented during the event.

New Thrissur Mayor to be sworn in tomorrow

I. P. Paul, Opposition Leader in the previous council of the Thrissur Corporation, will be sworn in as the third Mayor of the civic body on November 9.

District Congress Committee president Benny Behanan said that a meeting of councillors and senior party leaders had unanimously selected Mr. Paul, a four-time councillor and an ‘I' group member, for heading the corporation during the first half of the council's term. Rajan Pallan, former councillor and an ‘A' group member, will be the Mayor during the second half of corporation's tenure, he said. Suby Babu of ‘A' group would become deputy mayor in the first half. The ‘I' group was yet to decide on its deputy mayor candidate for the second half.

K.V. Dasan, belonging to ‘A' group, would be the chief of the district panchayat for the initial two-and-a-half years. He was elected from Madakkathara division. He would hand over the charge to C. C. Sreekumar of the ‘I' group, who was elected from Choondal division. The district panchayat post has been reserved for Scheduled Caste community. While T. Nirmala, who was elected from Chelakkara division, would become vice-president in the first half, Leela Subramanian, elected from Muringur division, will be the vice-president in the second half. The vice-president position has been reserved for women.

Yummy!!!

Orion Festival at Hotel Asoka Inn !!!!

Yet another mouth-watering food festival happening at Thrissur is the orion Festival at Hotel Asoka Inn. Feel the orion cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Korea and Nippon at your city. The Orion Festival starts today and will be ending on November 8^th. Time 7:30pm to 10:30pm. The delicacies are brought to you by Asoka Inn’s Executive Chef Mr.Jaykumar and Antu, who is specially trained in Japanese culinary art. Don’t miss the opportunity J

A Salute to the Artistic Excellence

Standing mesmerized among the crowd inside the far flung compound of Sri Vadakumnathan Temple, I forget to pray.  From the entrance through a huge “gopuram”, the slow journey starts from the “Vilakumadom”, with a hypnotic spell, to the different shrines situated in the green land. Thanks to the instructions inscribed there on how to move through the intricate temple complex and the rituals to be followed.

It is a proud possession of Thrissur, this classical example of the rich Kerala architecture. For the dear Thrissurites who still did nt much cared to know about the legend behind this artistic marvel, here it is.

“Vadakumnathan Temple,” which is also known as Thenkailasa (Kailasa of the South) is said to have been built by Parashuraman. Legend says that Adi Sankaracharya’s parents who were childless for many years prayed at this temple, and as a gift of Lord Siva, Adi Sankaracharya was born to them.

The temple is a combination of ancient and rare architectural techniques, almost forgotten by today’s building fraternity. The main temple complex is spread over nine acres of land. The four magnificent gateways, called gopurams, and the massive stone wall around the temple quadrangle are imposing pieces of craftsmanship and skill. Each gopuram owns beautifully carved out wooden pillars and wooden bracket figures.

Artistic Excellence

According to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), Thrissur circle, the temple was built between 9th and 14th century A.D. The temple has a highly evolved tradition of ancient architecture, wooden sculptures and mural paintings. The spokesperson of ASI says- “Most of the other temples in Kerala show one or two of these evolved features but in Vadakkunathan all of them are perfectly combined and this makes it unique.”

The outer walls of the main temple enclosure, called vilakkumadom like other Kerala temples, are lined up with lamps. The centre of this main enclosure is a multi-shrine complex with four  principal shrines (Naalambalam) dedicated to Shiva, Sankaranarayana, Rama and Ganapathy. The Sankaranarayana shrine is beautiful with elegant 17th century murals delineating graphically the stories of the Mahabharata. The other two murals in the surrounding cloisters — Phanivarasayana (Mahavishnu) and Nrithanatha (Nataraja) — are worshipped regularly. Lord Siva in a hunter form called - Vettekkaran is also worshipped within the nalambalam enclosure


There are namaskara mandapams (spaces for special rituals and Vedic chanting) with beautifully carved wooden pillars in front of all the central shrines. The temple theatre, known as koothambalam, has no parallels anywhere in this world. The shrines and the koothambalam displays exquisitely carved wooden vignettes. A 41-day special programme of mythological story telling, Koothu and an ancient form of dramatic dance, Koodiyattom, is conducted in this theatre annually.


The temple is built with rich vastu precincts and according to the famous vastu expert, Kanippayoor Krishnan Namboodiripad, it has all the ingredients of a perfect structure. The ancient science of Indian temple architecture is closely associated with many rituals and allied sciences like geometry, iconography, astrology, vastu sastra, tantra sastra and mural painting with organic pigments.


The idol of the principal deity Vadakkunathan (Shiva) is unseen, as it is covered with a 12-foot high mount of ghee, formed by the daily abhisheka (ablution) with ghee over the centuries. It is a wonder that the ghee, in spite of high temperature, doesn’t melt. A devotee looking into the sanctum can see only a sixteen-foot high mount of ghee embellished with thirteen cascading crescents of gold and three serpent hoods at top. According to traditional belief, this represents the snow-clad Mount Kailas.

Ganapathi shrine is positioned facing the temple kitchen and offering of Appam (sweetened rice cake fried in ghee) to Mahaganapathy is one of the most important offerings at the temple. Propitiating Ganapathy here is believed to be a path to prosperity and wealth.

The sprawling 64-acre Thekkinkadu maidan encircling the temple, along with the temple itself, is the  venue for the famous Thrissur Pooram festival.

Temple At Present


The temple has not undergone any major conservation efforts yet, except for periodic maintenance. Conserving a centuries-old temple which is also a protected monument is a real challenge. According to  ASI conservation department, “The huge size of the monument and the difficulty of obtaining traditional building material make it a very tedious and time consuming work”.


The gopurams are in a bad condition, the sculptured pillars and the roof rafters has been eaten up by termites and the roof copper plates are getting corroded. The roof of the temple complex is leaking at many points during the monsoons. The wall plasters has been  peeled off at many places.


According to ancient science, the original plaster material was made out of powdered shells, nine different herbs and jaggery. The whole preparation, which took 40 days, required skilled traditional craftsmen which are not  here now. The traditional way of applying anti-microbial wood treatment is also unique and laborious. The wood preservative is prepared by boiling seven herbs in sesame oil and bee wax. The entire process of conservation goes in tandem with the rituals mentioned in tantra shastra, astrology and vastu shastra
The temple, owned by the Cochin Devaswom Board, is protected under the Archaeological Monuments and Archaeological Sites Remains Act – 1958 and it is mandatory to conserve it following the techniques used to build it originally.

The conservation of Sree Vadakkunathan temple, helps to conserve our rich, traditional architecture for future and it also contributes in reviving many extinct traditions and preserving our rich cultural and social heritage.

By Nishaa

Exhibition of Sculptures at Art Gallery ( 2010-November 10th-16th )

Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, Thrissur presents Magic Fingers, an Exhibition of sculptures by Tilo Besra at Art Gallery, thrissur. The inauguration is on 2010 November 10th, 5:00 pm

Digital Printing

Color House, a city-based photography studio, has been introduced HP 5500 digital printing. Addressing a press conference, Suneet Chadha, director, Graphics Solutions Business of Hewlett Packard India's Imaging and Printing Group, said the new digital printing technology was being introduced for the first time in Thrissur.

Irresistible Offer

Good News for Voice of Thrissur readers !!!

The Raymond Shop, Kuruppam Road offers an exclusive package @Rs.1099/- Three Raymond Shirt pieces and 3 Raymond Pant pieces for just Rs.1099/-

For The Movie Maniacs In Thrissur.

Free film show- “Road Movie”, at and by Chetana Media Institute, Palace Road Thrissur. Today @ 6:00 pm

Online Thrissur Guide

Here is a website to get information and contact details of important places, offices and shops of Thrissur. www.thrissurkerala.com hosts every information that you may need about Thrissur in your fast daily life. The location of important schools, colleges, other educational institutions, medical colleges, hospitals, shopping centers, hotels, health centers and many more in Thrissur like movies, tourist places,traditional arts, cultural programmes, list of doctors, ATM’s. Moreover the website provides opportunity for all visitors to enter new data and edit the contents in the website but it will be subjected to verification.  


Its simply superb :)

Brand New

The 55 newly elected members of Thrissur Corporation took oath yesterday-on the Kerala Piravi Day. District Collector and residing officer A T James administeres oath to the senior most counsellor- the 67 year old Sidharthan. Sidharthan then administered the oath to all fellow counsellors. The ceremony which began at 11:30 am lasted for an hour.



Image Courtesy-Manorama

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