Nettur petti: The ethnic jewel box of Kerala

Netturpetti, the ethnic jewel box of the Kerala woman was once a mark of the influential families of the land. The casket ( petti) originally designed in the Nettur region of Malabar is testimony of the patience and skill of the artisans who make it. The box usually made of rosewood is fully handcrafted. Every joint, every screw and lock is shaped and chiselled by the hand. The wooden box is first varnished and then fixed with brass frames. Today, this richly embellished box with its conical lid is a collector's item. Very few of the artisans remain and the casket is fast becoming a rare object. You can pick up a Netturpetti for Rs. 2000/ onwards.

Source-Malayala Manorama

The Padmanabhapuram Palace

This majestic old palace is 63kms from Thiruvananthapuram. It is situated at Thucklai, on the way to Kanyakumari. This palace was once the capital of the State of Travancore. The palace is built in the Travancore architectural style. Reputed to be the largest wooden palace in India, the Padmanabhapuram Palace is today administered by the Kerala government's Department of Archaeogy, even though it is located in Tamil Nadu - one of the quirky results of the 1956 reorganisation of Indian States along linguistic lines.

Originally, the area comprising the fort, the palace and its surrounds covered a total of 86 acres. Today the area administered by the Kerala Department of Archaeology is 6.5 acres. If you look very hard, you'll see a deep gutter on either side of the entrance to the Palace. That is all that is left of the moat infested with crocodiles, so it is believed - that once surrounded the fortress. A large courtyard separates the main entrance, called the King used to receive visiting dignitaries from over from overseas. At the centre of the hall, hanging from the carved ceiling,is a brass lamp, shaped like a horse-rider. Its beauty, as the guide will enthusiastically point out, is that whichever direction you turn it, it will return to its original position and remain absoultely horizontal, thus ensuring that no oil is ever spilled.

The ceiling of the Poormugham has carvings of 90 different flowers in full bloom, while on the behind the chinese chair- a gift from visiting Chinese traders - can be seen coloured wooden planks depicting the reclining figure of Lord Vishnu, also known as Padmanabhaswamy. The chair bears the inscriptions of 17th century Chinese art, and complements the other magnificent piece of furniture in the room, a glistening black bed made of seven pieces of granite.
A steep and narrow flight of wooden stairs leads to a trap door that opens into the first floor, which houses the mantrasala, or council chamber, where the king held his cabinet meetings. The narrow staircase and the heavy trap door are said to have been designed with the intention of warding off unexpected attacks- only one person can enter at a time. The black, highly polished floor here is quite special. It is made of a mixture of lime, burnt coconut shells, the whites of eggs, water from tender coconuts, sand, laterite and the juices of various herbs.

On the Southern side of the palace is the ootupura, 78m long double - storied building that houses two large dining halls, each of which can seat 1000 persons at a time. Here the rulers of Travancore used to exhibit their legendary charity by serving free meals to 2000 Brahmins each day. Beyond the dining hall can be found the large glazed jars, which the Chinese used to bring pickles and savouries fo the King of Travancore.
Past the bathing ghat are the four-storied king's quarters, called the upparika malika, built by Marthanda Varma in 1744 CE. The courtyard here was the testing ground for hopeful recuits into the royal army. The test? Lifting 38Kg stone on to the top of a pillar - not once, but a hundred times
The centrepiece of attraction in the King's bedroom is the huge four-poster bed made of 67 different pieces of wood from medicinal trees. The bed, which has a symbol of serpents entwined around a cross over a pot of nectar is believed to have been gifted to the king by the Dutch East India Company during the time of Captain Adrian Van Goens, who complied the Hortus Indicus Malabaricus in the 16th Century.

The third floor of the King's quarters houses the puja room, perhaps the most captivating part of the palace, filled as it is with 8th Century murals in dull, earth colours, bathed in the yellow glow from the oil-wick lamps. Unfortunately, since 1990, this room has been closed to the public because of the weakening walls and the need to preserve the rare murals. All you can do now is stare at the closed heavy door at the top of the staircase and make do with the photographs in the official guidebook.
Adorning the ladies' quarters, called veppumoottu kottaram, are two large belgian mirrors that stretch almost from floor to ceiling, while on the walls are watercolours of Lord Krishna, the dark-skinned lover boy of 6,000 gopikas. The watercolours have since been shiffted to another room, but it requires a feat of imagination to conjure up visions of princesses gazing forlornly at the impossibly perfect images of the master of love, even as dancers performed at the navarathri mandapam below, all glimpsed through slats in the viewing corridor meant exclusively for the ladies of the Kingdom
Adjacent to the palace is an archaeology museum that should not be missed. Built where the royal stableand guard room once stood, the museum is a treasure trove of sculptures, carvings mural paintings, manuscripts, stone inscriptions, armoury, coins and metalware, dating from the 8th to the 18th Century.the scariest exhibit – a metal straitjacket designed to fetter those who were awarded capital punishment. A cage-like contraption of iron into which the condemned man- shorn of all clothing - would be placed, it was meant to make sure vermin, as he was left hanging from a tree
A trip to Padmanabhapuram Palace is money and time well Spent.

Source-Wikipedia

www.trivandrumonline.com

http://www.trivandrumonline.com/travelinformation/padmanabhapurampalace.htm

Thenmala Ecotourism

It is the first planned ecotourism destination in India, situated in Kollam district in Kerala.

http://www.thenmalaecotourism.com

Kerala Kalamandalam

Late poet Vallathol Narayana Menon

It is a major center for learning Performing Arts in Kerala.It is situated in Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur District.It was founded in 1930 by Late poet Vallathol Narayana Menon .

http://www.kalamandalam.org

Poomully Mana

When I read about this Mana, a few months back, I decided that one day i have to go there and check it out. What took me by surprise was the fact that, it is situated very near to my hometown and I didnt even know about it. To say the truth, I knew that it existed but never tried to find out its significance. I was never bothered. But now, I have changed , not ignorant any more. Thats a good sign, I am sure, My hubby will support that. The site is very informative and useful. Chk it out.

http://www.ayurvedamana.com/

CGH Earth

When it comes to Resorts & Hotels in Kerala, CGH Earth is a known name to all. I have personally visited some of their properties, Coconut Lagoon & Marari Beach Resort being my personal favourites. A perfect place to chill out & Relax, far from the maddening crowd.

The picture above is when the kettuvallam enters Coconut Lagoon.

http://www.cghearth.com

Legend Behind Onam

A long long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers.
Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin's wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor, Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked him for a favor. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.
The Vamana asked for a simple gift — three paces of land — and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realising that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step.
Vishnu's fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.

Onam

The Harvest Festival of Kerala.

One of the most beautiful festivals of India.It falls during the month of Chingam (August-September ).

The ten day celebrations starts on Atham day.The best part of the celebrations is the making of Pookalam. Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards in front of the house and beautifully decorated with flowers.

Chaakyaar koothu-An Art Form Of Kerala

I was always fascinated by this art.During 'Amabala ulsavam' , that is during temple festivals, was when i got the opportunity to see this marvellous art form.The attire,make-up, bhavas,everything about this art form, was so interesting that I got hooked to it instantly.I sat for hours watching that performance in the temple.I have always wanted to know more about it,so i decided to find out.I searched the net ,and here I am, with the information that I found useful.

Chaakyaar koothu is one of the plays performed in temples. This is enacted in the special dance hall called Koothambalam, connected to the temples. It is performed by people belonging to the Chaakyaar community. The word koothu is derived from the Sanskrit term, Koordanam which means ‘dance’.

The Chaakyaar koothu consists of two parts of which one is action and the other narration . In the earlier days, the action part of it was known as koothu. There are different types of koothu, known by different names like Mantraangam koothu, Anguliiyaangam koothu, Parakkum koothu, Matta Vilaasam koothu etc. When more than one actor performs on the stage, it is called Koodiyaattam. If the actors are not more than one, it is called Chaakyaar koothu. Chaakyaar koothu, is the narrration of Puranic stories by the Chaakyaars who wear the attire of a joker and tell the story humourously.

The Koothambalam constructed for the perfomance are edifices built according to Bharata Muni’s Natyasaastra. It mentions three types of theatres which are rectangular,quadrangular and triangular. The Koothambalam of Kerala has a green room inside at one end. Just in front of the green room is the stage. The remaining portion is left for the audience to sit.

The musical instruments used for Chaakyaar koothu are Mizhaavu, Kuzhittaalam,Itaykka and Sankhu. Of this Mizhaavu is the most important. It is said that Mizhaavu can be made from copper, bell-metal, or granite. Nowadays only Mizhaavu made of copper can be seen. Mizhaavu is a huge pot upto one’s waist. Its mouth is tied firmly with animal skin. The sound of the Mizhaavu is more majestic as its size increases.

The Chaakyaar adorns his face with the usual caste mark on the forehead (pottu), In addition soot and turmeric too are smeared on the face. There is a huge earring called Kundalam on one ear. On the other ear, he wears betel leaves and geranium flowers as earrings. A pleated costume is worn. He wears girdle and bangles. The head is tied with a red cloth.

koothu is a combination of dance and humour. As soon as the Chaakyaar comes to the stage and offers his salutations, a dance known as Chaari, starts. This dance is an offering. Hence there should be no mistakes in it. Later, prose and verse are recited and meanings given. Initially, Chaakyaar koothu was only story-telling. Each word is pronounced very slowly and in a special tune which is called Bharu Method. This special kind of pronunciation is found only in the speech of the Chaakyaars on stage. This special sound and clarity of speech are efficient to attract the attention of the distracted among the audience. It is audible, and the meaning can be grasped by the hearer.

In the Sanskrit Dramas enacted in Malayalam, not only Sanskrit and its Prakrit are used but also Malayalam and its Prakrit. In plays where there is the clown (Viduushaka) the Viduushaka speaks in Malayalam. He first pronounces the Prakrit sounds, which he is supposed to utter, and later speaks similarly in Sanskrit and again explains it in Malayalam. One can hear old Malayalam forms from the Viduushaka.

The actor enlivens his narration with Thaandava dance, gestures and bodily postures derived from Naatya Saastra. Combined with mime and gestures and interspersed with occasional dances, the narrative is made dramatic. The actor never misses an oppurtunity to make humourous and witty statements about political and social situations. He has the license to ridicule the audience according to his own imagination or discretion. Nobody could object or protest.Criticisms of contemporary events or personalities also figure in the narration.

References-

1. Narayana Pisharoti. P, Kalaalo'kam, Kerala Sahitya Academy Trichur 1989.
2. Vishnu Namboodiri M.V,Folklore Nighantu. State Institute of Languages, Trivandrum;2000.
3. Festivals of Kerala Tourist Desk, Cochin 1993

The Nilgiri Tahrs

In the district of Iddukki, Eravikulam, near Munnar is the home of Nilgiri Tahr(mountain goat).Eravikulam is one of Kerala’s finest wildlife reserves,a mere 16 km from Munnar,the park, a spread of 97 km across Rajamalai Hills, is a combination of grassland and shola forests.

http://www.tahrfoundation.org

http://www.munnar.com/Nilgiri%20Tahrs/index.htm

NEELAKURINJI FLOWERS

These Flowers bloom once in 12 years. The Last time they were in full glory was in the year 2006. Now, we have to wait till 2018 , to see this beautiful flower .The blossoms spread out as a blanket on the hill sides of the Anamalai, Nilgiris (Ooty) and Palani (Kodaikanal) hills.

http://www.munnar.com/Neelakurinji/index.htm