ABOUT MYSELF

MY HOME PAGE

Hey, this is my homepage, so I have to say something about myself. Sometimes it is hard to introduce yourself because you know yourself so well that you do not know where to start with. Let me give a try to see what kind of image you have about me through my self-description. I hope that my impression about myself and your impression about me are not so different. Here it goes.

I am a person who is positive about every aspect of life. There are many things I like to do, to see, and to experience. I like to read, I like to write; I like to think, I like to dream; I like to talk, I like to listen. I like to see the sunrise in the morning, I like to see the moonlight at night; I like to feel the music flowing on my face, I like to smell the wind coming from the ocean. I like to look at the clouds in the sky with a blank mind, I like to do thought experiment when I cannot sleep in the middle of the night. I like flowers in spring, rain in summer, leaves in autumn, and snow in winter. I like to sleep early, I like to get up late; I like to be alone, I like to be surrounded by people. I like country’s peace, I like metropolis’ noise; I like the beautiful west lake in Hangzhou, I like the flat cornfield in Champaign. I like delicious food and comfortable shoes; I like good books and romantic movies. I like the land and the nature, I like people. And, I like to laugh.

I always wanted to be a great writer, like Victor Hugo who wrote "Les Miserable", or like Roman Roland who wrote "John Christopher". They have influenced millions of people through their books. I also wanted to be a great psychologist, like William James or Sigmund Freud, who could read people’s mind. Of course, I am nowhere close to these people, yet. I am just someone who does some teaching, some research, and some writing. But my dream is still alive.

This is a brief introduction of myself. If you are interested in knowing more, read my Blog or take a look at my pictures do not expect too much, and keep your sense of humor.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

KOYIKKAL PALACE - Thiruvananthapuram

KOYIKKAL PALACE


Location: Nedumangad, about 18 km from Thiruvananthapuram City on the way to the Ponmudi hill station and the Courtalam waterfalls, Thiruvananthapuram district, South Kerala.

Attractions: Palace, folklore museum and numismatics museum.

Visiting hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days, except Mondays. 
The Koyikkal Palace, situated far of away from the city, was actually built for Umayamma Rani of the Venad Royal Family who ruled the land between 1677 and 1684. The palace is a double stroreyed traditional nalukettu with slanting gabled roofs and an inner courtyard.

 

Today, the palace houses a Folklore Museum and a Numismatics Museum set up by the Department of Archaeology. The Folklore Museum, a treasure house of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk arts etc., was set up in 1992. The exhibits here draw attention to the rich cultural background of Kerala. The exhibits include rare articles like Chandravalayam (not found in any other such museum in Kerala), a small percussion instrument used as an accompaniment while reciting the ballad Ramakathappattu (the story of Lord Sree Rama); and Nanthuni , a sweet sounding musical instrument made of wood and string used while singing the Onappattu and Nanthunippattu during Onam the harvest festival of Kerala.

 
The Folklore Museum housed on the first floor of the palace also has a wide range of household utensils including wooden kitchenware, brass/copperware etc. representing the lifestyle of the Keralites during different periods. Thaliyola (old manuscripts), Chilambu (a sort of anklet) used by Umayamma Rani and Maravuri (dress material made of the bark of trees) etc. are well preserved here. Oorakkudukku a device for intellectual exercise used by the Yogis as a pastime, Gajalekshmi - a lamp representing the Goddess of prosperity - Lakshmi, seated on her elephant (this lamp is usually lighted at dusk and during the harvest season to welcome the goddess) are other interesting exhibits. The Kettuvillakku - a ceremonial lamp (artistically made out of coloured paper and locally available light wood splits/rails), lit during festivals at the Bhagavathy temples of Southern Kerala; a model of the most impressive of Theyyams - the Muthappan theyyam, a Patayani kolam model; the headgear and dress used by Ottanthulal artistes exhibited here give an insight into the performing as well as the ritual art forms of Kerala.

The Numismatics Museum at the Koyikkal Palace is the only one of its kind in the State. Occupying the ground floor of the palace, the coins displayed here belong to different parts of the world as well as to different periods. This rare and historically valuable collection is a vestige of the trade relation of Kerala in the bygone ages. Among the exhibits are some of the oldest coins of Kerala - Ottaputhen, Erattaputhen, Kaliyugarayan Panam etc. A Venetian coin named Amaida, believed to have been presented to Jesus Christ, is also a property of this museum. The most valuable among the Indian coins found here are Karsha. These are nearly 2500 years old. Rasi, the world's smallest coins are also on display here. Sreekrishna Rasi, one of the rasis (regional coins) issued by the local kings of Kerala around the 10th century, Anantharayan Panam - the first modern gold coin of Travancore in circulation in the 15th and 17th centuries, Kochi Puthen - one of the coins of the Kochi Kingdom which also had variations like Indo-Dutch Puthen (1782 AD). Lekshmi Varaham - the silver coins minted in Travancore, Rasi Palaka (the coin board) - a wooden board with small niches used to count small coins (counting up to 100 to 200 at a time), coin mints etc. are preserved here. Nearly 374 Roman gold coins, each worth up to five hundred thousand rupees today, depicting Roman Gods and Goddesses like Venus, Hercules, Mars, Ceres, Genius, etc. and rulers like Hardin (AD 117 - 138) are also among the collection. The museum also has coins used by various Indian dynasties - the Gwalior royal family, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali, etc.
Posted by THE BLEEDING MOONLIGHT at 10:28 AM

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We were given: Two hands to hold. To legs to walk. Two eyes to see. Two ears to listen. But why only one heart? Because the other was given to someone else. For us to find.

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NARRATION MY HOME LAND


I am glad to introduce my Home Land MyKerala, blessed with some of the most ideal landforms like backwaters, 900 km long coastline on the west and almost equally long hills called Western Ghats with only three passes to connect with neighboring states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the east. Kerala houseboat journey through Kerala backwaters from southern Kollam district through Venice of the East, Alappuzha to commercial capital Ernakulam is the most tranquilizing experience for any Kerala traveler. In that journey one can enjoy the soothing effect of nature.

My Kerala is also home to three National Parks, among them Eravikulam National Park, located in Anamudi, the tallest mountain in India after the Himalayas, where the rare Nilgiri Tahr is protected is the most special treat for travelers. Other National Parks are Thekkady and Silent Valley.
No other place in the world exhibits as much diversity as My-Kerala. Food, costumes, festivals, and even language are different at two places separated by just 30 kms. Although Malayalam is the language of Kerala, there are more than a handful of dialects in the 600 km stretch.

Colorful Kathakali a dance form of Kerala and Kalari Payattu, the martial art form of Kerala boast world acclaim. Another ritual dance form, Koodiyattam is recognized as Human Heritage Art. There are also various dance forms yet to be recognized- Arjuna dance, Nangyar Koothu are two among them.

Kerala Temple festivals and rituals are also much diverse- from the biggest gathering of women at Attukal for Pongala, Garudan Thookkam, a special ritual in which little children are taken around the temples on a vehicle called 'Villu', Nareepooja means worshiping women on a special occasion and much more special rituals are worth the seeing. Thrissur Pooram is one occasion where you can see 100 elephants in two rows with an ocean of people between the two rows, with colourful umbrella transit, thousands of percussionists performing the same tune and full-night display of fireworks.

Apart from the various seafood delicacies, the daily food items like Poottu, Appam, Dosa, Vada, Pathiri, Upmav and side dishes like sambar are also diverse in various parts of my Kerala.

Among this endless diversity there is something common also. They include the lush greenery, and coconut palms shadowing almost the whole land of Kerala and the pleasant faces and the most literate people of India.

GLOBAL WARMING THREAT TO HUMAN

The world is currently witnessing an ecological threat called global warming. It is mainly caused due to the overall imbalance in nature. Global warming is most commonly referred to as the rise in temperature that is occurring everywhere around us and it is drastically causing changes in the climatic conditions. Almost every organism on the earth will be affected by the abnormal weather conditions.

Human beings conduct many activities that release gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide etc in excessive quantities. These gases, which are present in the atmosphere, absorb the sun's heat and radiate the same thus keeping the atmosphere warm. There are innumerable sources that contribute to this problem. Chlorofluorocarbons are extremely harmful to the ozone layer and it mainly results due to the refrigeration and air conditioning that we use in our homes. The ozone layer encompasses the earth and it regulates the atmospheric temperature by entrapping the harmful ultraviolet rays.

One of the comprehensive effects of global warming is the quickening of the hydrogen cycle. It gives rise to many natural calamities such as droughts, floods or hurricanes. When the climatic condition turns intense, the microorganisms, insects or other harmful molds gradually multiply and therefore spread various diseases all over the landmasses. The crops wither out in the early stages due to the absence of essential minerals. Most of the living creatures will sooner or later be extinct if the hydrogen cycle continues to accelerate. Due to the acceleration, the marine life is deeply affected and the fishing industries may undergo crisis in the coming future.

Global warming is undoubtedly a hazard for mankind if not curbed within a reasonable period. Everybody should sincerely admit that he/she is accountable for the increased pollution in the atmosphere and reduce the usage of unnecessary gadgets that cause these significant changes. Even the scientists should actively take a step and invent more substitutes. Let our earth always remain the best place to live in.




INNOCENT BLOOD SPILLED IN SYRIYA SOCIAL REFORMATION

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NNOCENT BLOOD SPILLED IN SYRIYA

SOCIAL REFORMATION

Again news hits top of the Media the unrest in Syria. Tanks roll over the Ten thousand marchers march across the country, protesters many of them were brutally murdered by shooting, the news came out from Syria on April 22, 2011 give the clear inexcusable and inhuman activities happening widely, and the casualties are mounting across the hospitals.

An incomplete democratic government leads Syria into the level of third world country president Mr. Bashar al-Assad lifted the decades-old emergency rule, reveals now the country is isolated with economic crisis, poverty, unemployment, increase in barbarian activities more over government is a total devastate for the social secures and human rights.

The frustrated Syrian people marches road dialogues the abolition of Baath Party’s monopoly on power and the establishment of a democratic political system in the country. At least 1000s of people were reportedly killed by government security forces in what appears to be the bloodiest day in the on-going anti-government protest in Syria. The most tragic day was this happened a two year old boy was shot dead by the government force. Reporters reporting enough blood spilled around in Syria of innocent people those fighting for democracy. The unintelligible activities by this government invites lot of disputes from worldwide, NATO force warned to halt this Barbarian activities otherwise get ready for an another confrontation as same happened in Libya against President Gaddafi. Meanwhile united state secretary Hilary Clinton declared an open war with Bashar al-Assad until flee his tyranny from Syrian Democracy.

The news reporting from Syria is life under thread of trespass orders of President peeking fire against Protesters. In no manner Syrian protesters took over the street again, highlighted their opposition to the government. Security forces used tear gas and fired in the air to disperse protesters. The government has placed severe restrictions on news coverage and many journalists have been ordered to leave the country. Protests erupted in Syria weeks ago and have been growing steadily every day, with ten thousands of people calling for sweeping reforms in President Bashar Assad's authoritarian regime.If the condition is heading President Bashar al- Assad have to take chance against NATO.

Sunil Abdul Latheef







ARTICLE ABOUT KERALA TOURISM

NEWS

Kerala tourism explores Scandinavian markets

November 9, 2009 | Joe A Scaria , ET Bureau

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking a cue from the increased arrivals of tourists from Scandinavian countries to the state, Kerala tourism has ventured to tap the tourism markets in those countries. A team from the state held road shows at Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm last week to tap the markets of Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Tourism department officials said tourists to Kerala from Sweden and Denmark had shown a 103% and 46% growth respectively in 2008, and that...