The Game Of Cricket !

The game of cricket has become very popular not only in India but also in many countries of the world. It will not be an exaggeration if we say that cricket is the king of games. If a foreign team visits India, thousands of spectators go to see the test matches. A cricket test match is played for five days in two innings. It generates a lot of interest among the cricket fans. Those who are unable to go to the venue of the test match to watch it, listen to the running commentary on their radio or view it on their televisions.

England is the mother of this game. But now this game is so popular that players of other countries have stolen a march over England. Many Indian players like Lala Amar Nath, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar have earned worldwide fame in this game.

The game of cricket is played in a big circular ground in a stadium. All around the ground, there are seats for spectators. There is a grass pitch in the centre of the playground. Three wickets are erected on both sides of the grass pitch at a fixed distance. The bowlers throw the ball from one end and the batsman standing at the other end of the pitch hits it. If the ball moves sufficiently away from the pitch, the batsman tries to score a run. Players in the field try either to “catch” the ball or return it to the bowler quickly so that the batsman is not able to make any run. The match is played in two innings, in not more than 5 days. The match ends earlier than 5 days, if both the teams finish their two innings each before time. Each team comprises 11 players including the Captain. There are two umpires who give their judgements regarding the game.

Cricket is my favourite game. Once I went to see a cricket match at the Ferozeshah Kotla Ground. It was played between the Indian team and the visiting Australian team. There was a great rush of spectators. All the seats were full. In fact, people had bought tickets many days in advance. Some had bought tickets for only one day. Others had bought season tickets for all the five days of the match.

On one side of the playground there was a “Commentators’ Box” where the commentators were seated. They gave a running commentary of the match from this box.

The two teams entered the playground at 10.25 A.M. Two umpires had already come and inspected the pitch, wickets and the ball. The Captains of the two teams shook hands with each other. The Indians won the toss. They decided to bat first. The game started at 10.30 A.M.

The game was quite slow in the first ten minutes. The opening batsmen were trying to settle down. Thereafter, the players started playing with confidence. Within one hour, they were able to score 70 runs for no loss. The Captain of the Australian team brought in spin bowlers to get a breakthrough. By lunch time, India was able to make 120 runs for the loss of two wickets. It was a good score.

During the lunch break, we went out and took some refreshments. After lunch, the game was resumed. The Australian players who had fanned out to far off positions in the ground were asked by their Captain to “close in” to put pressure on the Indian batsmen. This strategy clicked. The Australian side was able .to take two wickets in quick succession. The Indian players were able to end the day’s play with 275 runs and seven wickets in hand.

By the end of the next day, the Indian team was able to pile up more runs, taking their total to 415 runs. It was now the turn of the Australian team to bat. They put up a good show. They were able to match the Indian score because two players of their side scored a century each. The match went on for full five days. However, it ended in a draw.

I enjoyed this cricket test match very much. I watched it on all the five days. There were many moments of excitement and suspense during this match.

These days cricket matches are also played only for one day. These are called “One-day matches”. Each team is allowed to play a fixed number of overs (say 50) in these matches. The fate of the match is decided by the end of the day itself. Nowadays one day matches have become more popular than five-day matches for various reasons.

The result of the one-day match is decided in one day so the spectators do not have to wait for a long time. Moreover, runs are scored very fast because there are limitations on the overs faced by a team. This keeps the interest of the spectators alive. Wastage of time is also not there as the match is over in a day.

Yathra - 1985 ► Classic Malayalam Movie !

The story unfolds as Unnikrishnan, a convict, now free from the jail tells his tragic love story to his fellow passengers in a bus. A forest officer by profession, he falls in love with a local girl, Thulasi, during his stay at a forest area. They decide to get married and he sets off to inform his marriage to his best friend. On his way back the police arrest him mistaking him as a terrorist. There he accidentally kills a police man and gets life imprisonment. After long years of torments in the jail he goes to meet Thulasi, and she waiting for him…

Perumthachan - 1990 ► Classic Malayalam Movie

Perumthachan is a legendary figure from Kerala. His name literally means 'the great carpenter', but he was much more than that. Unsurpassed as a wood-carver, sculptor and architect, his creations were so exquisite that he was considered a reincarnation of the architect of the gods.
Born of a Brahmin father and low-caste mother, Perumthachan was supposed to have been abandoned in his childhood and not accepted among Brahmins as an equal, even though he had read the religious texts and was a learned man. His close association with a rich Brahmin family led to his carving an image of a goddess for them. The beauty of the Brahmin householder's wife caught his imagination and he carved the face of the goddess in her mould. A man of very upright moral values, Perumthachan felt drawn to the woman, but remembered his place and moved away.
Years later, when his son has grown into a young man of great beauty and talent, Perumthachan feels threatened by his growing reputation. Moreover, he is disturbed by his son's capacity to manipulate his clients and the strain of unscrupulousness in him which is a mark of the new, more materialistic and self-centred generation. Going back to the house of the same rich Brahmin for whom Perumthachan had carved the image of the goddess years ago, the young man designs and supervises the building of a temple. In a repetition of his father's experience, he falls in love with the daughter of the house, but unlike his father, he has no scruples about being of a lower caste. Seeing that the scandal is slowly destroying his old patron, the father of the girl, Perumthachan comes to oversee the building of the temple. He finds he cannot control his son and while giving the final touches to the dome of the temple, drops his chisel deliberately on his son's neck and kills him.

Direction: Ajayan

Story & Screenplay: M T Vasudevan Nair

Cast: Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Prasanth, Monisha, Vinaya Prasad

Cinematography: Santosh Sivan

Editing: M S Money

Music: Johnson

Malayalam Classic Movie ► Ormakalundayirikkanam - 1995

The film is set in rural Kerala during 1959, the year which the first democratically elected Communist ministry in India was dismissed by the Nehru government in the centre. The film is told through the eyes of a boy, Jayan who observes the happening around him. The major characters in the film are Bhasi, the larger than life Communist supporter, Jayan's father, a Congress party supporter and a lunatic scientist who predicts the end of the world. The dismissal of the Communist government coincides with the death of the scientist and Bhasi's arrest.

Direction & Screenplay: T V Chandran

Cast: Mammootty, Gopi, Nedumudi Venu, Srinivasan, Nitin

Cinematography: Venu

Music: Johnson

News Tablets For Kids !

Nowadays kids use tablets better than adults."When kids cry,we used to show them their pictures on videos on mobiles.Later there is no need of showing these pictures,the only thing we need to do is that to unlock the phone for them.They know the right place where these pictures are collected."Haven't you ever done this? 
There is nothing more to discuss.Kids show more eagerness on knowing and studying about the latest digital trends.But everyone hates giving their personal mobile,computer,tablets to them.Right?Main reason is that you are afraid whether the phone might fall down from their hands.But when the children get mature,we are afraid whether they get addicted to these gadgets.
So now lets keep this worries aside.These worries are useless.Nowadays certain companies launched tablets aiming kids which helps them increase their knowledge and mental power.
Samsung was the first one to launch a tablet for kids which is fully controlled by parents.The tablet is named as "Galaxy Tab 3 Kids" and was announced a month before.But it is not available in Indian market.
Last week Indian company 'HCL' and Californian company 'Swipe' launched their tablet for kids.
Both the tablet was named as "HCL me champ and Swipe Junior".HCL Me champ costs 7,399 INR and Swipe Junior costs 5,990 INR.HCL Me champ was first announced on UAE. This tablet is available online for Indians on snapdeal.com.
Users can choose which one is best by having a look at their specifications and price.
Both the tablets are well designed to attract children.Both the tablets has attractive and colorful designs.Swipe has plastic body.Swipe mainly aims on small kids.More over "shock proof" feature is added to swipe tablet.

HCL me has 7 inch (800*480 pixels) WVGA display whereas Swipe has 1024*600 pixels resolution which is capable of providing better quality.
Processor is same on both tablets 1 Ghz. HCL me has 1 GHz single core cortex A9 processor. HCL me is powered by 1 gb of ram whereas Swipe has only 512 Mb ram.Children are better on playing games.Everyone knows that.But lack in RAM can make a negative impact on Swipe.
Both the tablets has 2 mega pixels primary camera and 0.3 mega pixels front facing camera.Swipe has 4 gb internal memory.Comparing to Swipe HCL has its double internal memory that is 8 GB.Both device is capable of expanding external storage upto 32 GB.
Lack of internal memory results in the failure of downloading more apps.Also company included many apps so only half of the given memory would be available.
HCL has 3100 mAh battery whereas Swipe has 3000 mAh battery.Both device can be used continuously for 4-5 hours.
Both HCL Me and Swipe runs on Android 4.1 jelly bean operating system. 3G network can be used with the help of dongle. HDMA connectivity is not available on Swipe.
Both the models are capable of limiting the time spend by the child on tablet.Parents can pre set the apps which the child should use,control the time spend to use internet etc.If the given time is over,the tablet would shut down automatically.After a password is needed to turn the tablet back on.
HCL pre installed some applications which helps study maths,science,social,language etc.Also there is a huge collection of cartoon,songs and videos.
These apps are also available on Swipe.To all those who are unable to decide which one is best,here is another point.
HCL Me stands first if considering specifications.But considering price Swipe junior is better,especially for smaller kids.

Windows 8.1 Launched With Smart Button

As a solutions to all the feedback's Microsoft launched their Windows 8.1 update.

The most helpful update is the coming back of start button in Windows 8.1.It can also be booted using a common desktop interface.

At present, the market shares of personal computers is decreasing and smart phones and tablets now hold the market. So it can be the main reason why Microsoft thought of an update now.

To avoid the difference between a touch screen computer and older computer device, Microsoft launched windows 8.

Windows 8 has tile interface which helps to move applications by just taping or swiping. The new interface can be used easily in both touch screen and desktop computers. But many users felt bad on Windows 8 square menu interface.

Windows 8 was unable to hold their position in the fast growing tablet field. Before there was none to compete against Windows pc operating system. At present its just the opposite in tablet field. Apple iOS and Google Android already hold first and second position in tablets before Windows 8.

Let’s have a look at some of the specifications of the Windows 8.1 update-

• Start Button-If one tap on start button, tiled interface appears. If tapped start button for a few seconds, system control menu appears.
• Desktop mode-This mode helps to avoid tiled interface of Windows 8.
• Keyboard shortcuts-Without using the onscreen keyboard, it helps to compose letters and numbers.
• Gesture control-To access some apps there is no need in touching the screen. Movement of hands helps to access these apps. These apps are useful while cooking.
• Tile sizing-The square boxes present on the screen can be categorized into 4 different sizes.
• Web Browsing-Different webpages could be seen on the screen at the same time.
• Multi-tasking-Multi tasking gives better support to Windows 8.1.

At present those who use Windows 8, can update to Windows 8.1 for free. But if you have to move from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1, you have to pay.

Its a year after Windows 8, Microsoft planned for their newer Windows 8.1 update.

More About Yo Yo Honey Singh !

Honey Singh (also known as Yo! Yo! Honey Singh[1]) is a Punjabi rapper, music producer, singer and film actor. He started as a session and recording artist, and became a Bhangra producer. He has also began to produce music for Bollywood films and is currently the highest-paid Indian musical artist.[2]
Promotion

Honey Singh and Diljit Dosanjh's song Lak 28 Kudi Da reached No 1 in BBC Asian Download Charts in May 2011. The song was released a promotional track for Diljit Dosanjh's film Lion of Punjab.[3]

Honey Singh has received the ETC award for the Best sound in 2006 for his song Glassi and the PTC award for the Best Folk Pop Award 2009 for Rebirth and PTC Punjab Best Music Director 2011.[4]

It has been reported that he has been paid the highest fee ever for a Bollywood song (as of 2012) of 70 lakh (US$127,400) for a song in the film Mastaan.[5]

Yo! Yo! Honey Singh tops the chart of trending videos of 2012.[6] He earns two places on YouTube's list of top 10 trending videos of 2012.[7] His song Brown Rang makes it to top spot and High Heels, in collaboration with Jaz Dhami, takes fourth spot.[8]

Early life

He was born on 15 March 1984 in Hoshiarpur.[9] While in the UK, he studied music at the Trinity School.

Career

It is reported that Honey Singh prefers to sing in his native language Punjabi rather than English, Spanish and French.[10] The Punjabi album International Villager was released on 11 November 2011 (11-11-11).[11] The track Gabru from International Villager featuring singer J-Star topped Asian music charts (including world iTunes and the official BBC Asian charts)[12][13]

He has performed at many college festivals including at Ansal Institute of Technology and Ramjas College, Delhi.[14]

Keys To bEcome a Good Basketball player

    Basketball, an interesting sport made by a canadian. When the game first came out, it was made for entertainment purposes only, but soon, it became far more than that. 

    Basketball is such a popular game because in order to be good at it, you have to control many different aspects of the game, therefore, making the game it self difficult. Many people think that to be good at basketball is to be athletic and skilled, but been skilled and atheltic is only but 60% of the game. Few people realizes that the game is almost mainly based on psychological. 

    Think of it this way. In your school or university, is there a guy on the court whose pretty much dominating everyone? Does he always seem really confident when he plays the game? Like he\'s up for the challenge when someone challenges him to a game of one on one. This is confidence. Confidence is such a important part of basketball. It\'s like the vitamin c of basketball, it allows you to play your tip top game. When you feel confident, you barely ever hold back, you know when to drive, when to pass and when to shoot. By been unconfident, you will always think that you will make mistakes, and therefore, always making mistakes. 

    Next time you are on the court, look into your defender and let him know- the man he\'s guarding is far better than himself, and be confident in yourself that you can become a great player.

India's PrOGression... Read More !

Striking features:
• Every second young child in India is malnourished 
• Less than ¼ of rural population use toilets
• Only 4 out of 10 girls who enrol complete eight years of schooling

There are two prominent trends in India: impressive economic growth and wealth creation; and stagnation in key social indicators, particularly among disadvantaged populations (i.e. geographically, by caste, gender). The rapid growth of the economy since the early 1990s, and the Government of India’s (GOI) increased commitment to accelerating social development, present a unique opportunity.

Since the inception of the ambitious 10th Five Year Plan in 2003, current rates of progress on many indicators are not sufficient to meet many of the child-related National Development Targets by 2007, nor the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Greater effort and focus must be directed to enrolling all children in the development process through improved management and provision of quality basic social services, promoting child-related behaviour change within households, and mobilizing the community to become more involved in the management of services for children.

Background

India is increasingly recognized as a global power in key economic sectors. There have also been positive trends on certain social indicators, particularly those that respond to vertical, campaign-like approaches: the near eradication of polio; a significant increase in literacy rates; and the enrolment of both boys and girls in primary school. However, progress has been slow in areas requiring systemic changes, such as in the provision of good quality services (i.e. primary health care and community-based nutrition services). There has also been limited change in the practice of key behaviours related to child well-being, such as hand washing and exclusive breastfeeding. The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to spread and poses a significant threat. Issues related to child protection, including...

Tourism in Andra Pradesh

Panorama of Amaravati Stupa, an important Buddhist site in South India, the antiquity of Amaravati dates back to 500 BCE. The stupa was then adorned with limestone reliefs and free standing Buddha figures.

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The state of Andhra Pradesh comprises like scenic hills, forests, beaches and temples. Also known as The City of Nizams and The City of Pearls,Hyderabad is today one of the most developed cities in the country and a modern hub of information technology, ITES, and biotechnology. Hyderabad is known for its rich history, culture and architecture representing its unique character as a meeting point for North and South India, and also its multilingual culture,

Andhra Pradesh is the home of many religious pilgrim centres:

• Tirupati, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the second richest and most visited religious centre (of any faith) in the world. Srisailam, the abode of Sri Mallikarjuna, is one of twelve Jyothirlingalu in India. Amaravathi's Siva temple is one of the Pancharamams, Vemulavada temple, one of the old abodes of Lord Shiva, reputed as Dakshina Kashi – Benaras of South India. Vemulavada temple is built by Chalukya Kings between AD 750 and 975. Yadagirigutta, the abode of an avatara of Vishnu, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.
• Birla Mandir, on the Naubath Pahad is a Hindu temple of Lord Venkateshwara, built entirely of white marble located in Hyderabad
• The Ramappa Temple and Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal are famous tourist spots and depict the finest taste of Kakatiya dynasty for arts & culture and temple carvings. Warangal is also home to Medaram – the Asia's largest tribal fair/festival called "Sammakka Saralamma Jatara".
• Gunadala Matha Shrine - One of the second largest Christian pilgrim Destination in India located in Vijayawada City. Thousands of people visit Gunadala Matha throughout the year as they firmly believe in the merciful heart of the Blessed Mother Lady of Lourdes and are convinced of her Motherly blessings. Devotees, not only from all corners of Andhra Pradesh, but from the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka visit the shrine during the festival in February, every year.
• Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basar is one of the famous Saraswati Temples in India

Kerala World Famous Snake Boat Race ! Locally Called Vallam kali

It is during the months of August and September that the moist, rain-drenched earth and the glorious ever flowing backwaters burst into a song together, as over a hundred thousand men and women gather on the banks to witness a spectacular water regatta – the SNAKE BOAT RACES. It is believed that these boats were designed for ancient Naval battles fought in these backwaters. Local chieftains of the then kingdoms of Vadakkumkoor (Northern Kingdom), Thekkumkoor (Southern Kingdom) and Chempakassery all maintained their chundan boats.Boat race crew begin to practice for the race months before the great day. They live together, eat together, toil together to work themselves into a smooth, coordinated team. A splendid procession unfolds with all types of ‘Kali-Vallangal’ or RACING BOATS, led by the largest and the most majestic of them, the ‘Chundan’ (Snake Boat). Its rowers sing songs known as ‘ vanchi pattu ‘ to the rhythm of the oars – a feast for the eyes and the ears. The largest of the ‘Chundan’ boats, the length of which varies between a hundred and a hundred and thirty feet can seat a hundred and twenty rowers, sixty on each side. Like the neck of an angry snake it curves to a height of fifteen to twenty feet. The prow is pointed and stands four feet above the water with its glistening brass embellishments. The main steer man of the boat stands on the amaram (The Backside of the boat where the boat is steered) with specially made long oars. The efficiency with which they handle the oar is what establishes the speed of the boat and its balance. They claim that a single strong plunge of the oar into the water can take the boat three leaps forward to a distance of thirty feet.

Major Boat Races There are many interesting boat rades in Kerala, each races is more enchanting than the other.

Tourism Boat Race: Connected with Great Elephant March- 11th January.Connected with Great Elephant March- 11th January.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most famous of the boat races of Kerala. This annual festival is held on the Punnamada Backwaters of Alappuzha district on the 2nd Saturday of August month. The Nehru Trophy boat race is held to commemorate the visit of the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1952. This spectacular race features magnificent snake boats or ‘Chundans’. The lively and rhythmic boat songs or Vanchipattu draw the spectators to a state of frenzy. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of those events, which the people of Kerala look forward to with excitement. The most prestigious and interesting event among the races is the competition of the “Chundan Vallam” or the snake boats. These majestic boats measuring a length of 30 to 60 metres (over 100 ft) with a raised prow, are quite impressive and can accommodate around 100 rowers, 4 helmsmen and 25 cheer leaders. Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race is a striking water sport celebrated on the rolling backwaters of Alappuzha District, Kerala. It is held at Pulinkunnu, 10 km from Alappuzha. Every year, the boat race is conducted on two weeks after the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. The colourful water procession, water floats and boat races are the main attractions. The winners are awarded Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Trophy, which was instituted in memory of Rajiv Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India. The main highlights of this race are colourful water procession, water floats, and boat races. Champakulam Moolam Boat Race The oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala, and is closely connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Temple. The race popularly known as the ‘Moolam Vallamkali ‘ is held in the waters of the Champakkulam River at Champakulam, about 26 km from Alappuzha. Moolam signifies a Malayalam asterism (star) of the Malayalam month of Mithunam (June- July). The boat race is held in remembrance of the installation of the famous idol of Lord Krishna in the Amabalapuzha Sree Krishnaswamy Temple brought from the Karinkulam temple in Kurichi near Kottayam. Neerattupuram Boat Race Neerattupuram Boat Race is held on month of September every year during Onam festival. More than 1000 oarsmen in boats of different sizes and shapes will participate in this event. Even though Snake Boats participate in this race, the importance is given here is for iruttukuthi, in which about 50 oarsmen row. The successful iruttukuthi will win The Ever Rolling Trophy. Pamba Boat Race A group of lovers and admirers of water sports were credited with the idea of brining various boat clubs of Kutanadu for the little of “Pamba Boat Race” and the race was held at the Pampa water stadium at Neerattupuram and it was rapidly advanced to a unique sporting event in the filed of Boat Race in Kerala. The race has now earned international reputation and recognition by virtue of its high standard, excellence and expertise and is a renowned name in the world of water sports. Since 1957 the race is held on every Thiruvonam day, the most auspicious celebrant day of Kerala. The glistering golden Mammen Mappila Trophy presented to the winner of Snake Boat every year. Karuvatta Boat Race Karuvatta Boat Race is one of the water events that take place during Onam days at Karuvatta River. The boat race is preceded by colorful water parades and is the most enchanting facet of the festival of Onam. The event is promoted as a major tourist attraction of the state of Kerala and draws a large number of domestic and international tourists. The race has been going on for good number of years and its popularity is soaring with each passing year. The boats are no ordinary boats and there are fixed measurements to it. It is about 100 feet long and has a seating capacity of 150 men. The boats are usually made of anjili (artocarpus hirsuta), though sometimes teak and kadamb (Naucleacadamba) wood is also used. The curled ends of the boats are shaped like cobra hoods and it is from this shape that boat has derived its name. Each boat is meticulously crafted by skilled craftsmen and a lot of patience and hard work goes into making and decorating it. The boat is treated as a deity and a holds a lot of emotional value for the village folk. Only men are allowed to touch the boat that too with bare feet. Each boat belongs to individual villages located near the river Pamba. Mannar Boat Race Mannar Boat Race ‘Kettukazhcha’ is very famous and it is a procession of tall decorated structures in chariots in which effigies of horses, bullocks are displayed. It is an annual event in the Sri Parabrahma temple, which aims at highlighting the martial skills of participants. Many people come to the sacred temple of Parabrahma. In Kerala, Mannar boat race is held on the place where former rulers of Kerala, namely, Kayamkulam and Ambalappuzha are said to have fought a historic battle. The festival is held to honor that historical event.

Holiday In Kerala !

When it comes to choosing a summer vacation spot, we are certain to pick a hill station. This vacation season we decide to explore the state of Kerala. My gang of friends had to plan a 5-day Kerala trip and visit places that would be soothing enough for the senses and visually appealing too.The Mattupetty dam was our first destination and what a splendid view it was! The clean and clear lake, the dam and the green cover that was spread till our eyes could see. After this pleasant sight it was time to visit our next destination, the Rajmalalai wildlife sanctuary. All we wanted to do in the lush green jungle was spot the Nilgiri Thar which we weren’t lucky enough to spot. However on our expedition, we did manage to see squirrels, the Nilgiri langoor and elephants. We retired for the day with a lavish open-air dinner at our hotel, recollecting our experiences.Periyar wildlife sanctuary. We bid adieu to our hotel and were looking forward to the next adventure. We were lucky enough to spot a tiger from a far distance, this surely was the best experience I and my group of friends could ever have together. We zoomed our camera lenses to capture the moment and till date the experience is fresh in our memoriesWhen it comes to choosing a summer vacation spot, we are certain to pick a hill station. This vacation season we decide to explore the state of Kerala

Traditional Village Style of Kerala

The village life in Kerala, the gods own country  forms the backbone of this state in the Indian peninsula. kerala reconstructs the settings and atmosphere of a traditional Kerala village, including the houses.  It is seen in a rare villages.  The tharavadu and Nalukettu houses, representative of the residences of the lower and upper classes of Kerala are put up here. Family is an important unit of a rural household in the state giving first preference. The male member works outside  in agricultural works in the field, the female member looks after the household works. But, sometimes, especially in the harvesting seasons, women also accompany their male partners to the fields for work.

Inside the houses, an ethnic crafts of Kerala are on display – woodwork, ethnic jewelry and boxes, sandal wood carvings, paintings, musical instruments, furniture, swords and shields and more are displayed. The outside of houses are decorated with Pookkolams, the lovely traditional flower arrangement of Keralam.The whole creation has an enchanting effect, transporting the visitors back to an era that appreciated beauty and elegance in every aspect of lifestyle.

Besides the cultural feasts, that satisfy the tourist’s palate are also on offer here.  Various luxurious delicacies of South India, a wide varied choice that leaves tourists confused as to what to choose and what to leave, are on displays here. Some of the dishes include theeyal, meen moilee, malabar porotta, fish stew drowned in coconut milk, avial, appam, idiappam, Vellappam and Kallappam.

Kathakali -Kerala's Own Art Form !

Kathakali literally meaning ‘story-dance’ is the dance-drama of Malabar which is now culturally and politically known as Kerala’s soul. Kathakali traced its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of the Vedic Age and connected its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas. The early Malabari danced in the forests: His dance was a power- a mixture of his passions, erotic pleasures and inner talks with the beauteous Nature, and his natural and graceful movements, elaborate gestures, picturesque costumes, grand harmonic make-up suggested by herbal plants of the forests and the vigorous and triumphant music emerging out of the crude instruments manufactured by him.

It was believed that Kathakali was conceived from Krishnanaattam, the dance drama on the life and activities of Lord Krishna created by the Zamorin of Calicut. The reason for that is said as follows: Once Kottarakkara Thampuran the Raja of Kottarakkara who was attracted by the tone of the Krishnanaattam requested the Zamorin for the loan of a troupe of performers on the eve of some festive occasion. Due to internal feuds and political rivalry between them, the Zamorin refused to send the performers and insulted with the remarks: ”It is useless to depute the troupe, because Kottarakkara Thespian’s court would be neither able to appreciate nor understand anything of the highly artistic Krishnanaattam and the high standard of the performance”.

Here the political rivalry between the two chieftains leads to the art rivalry. So Kottarakkara Thampuran initiated a parallel mode of entertainment, which he called Raamanaattam which was later transformed into Aattakatha, and yet later into Kathakali while Krishnanaattam based on the story of Lord Krishna’s activities, Raamanaattam described the complete story of Lord Raman. Krishnanaattam was written in Sanskrit, “the language of the Gods”. Raamanaattam was in Malayalam, the language of the people. By the end of the seventeenth century, the finished product of Raamanaattam was placed before the world under the tittle Kathakali.

The costume of Kathakali has been much influenced by Chaakkyaar koothu and Koodiyattam the two older forms of dramatic representations in vogue in Kerala. The history of their origins dates back to the period of Perumals i.e. much earlier to the introduction of Raamanaattam. The whole scheme of Abhinaya (acting) and the use of Mudras (hand poses) and gestures were bodily adopted in Kathakali from them in addition to its borrowing and refinement of facial make-up and costume. The use of colour, costume, and make-up present a unique show and create an unearthly atmosphere. Kathakali became more attractive and popular than the Chaakkyaar koothu and Koodiyattam. Moreover ,its performance was not restricted to the precincts of the temples. Kathakali had a golden period between 1665 AD and 1743 AD.

Remarkable contributions were also made by Kaartika Thirunal, the king of Travancore, to Kerala’s literature, art and dance. His efforts were also directed to popularising Kathakali among the people. He instituted a tradition of arranging Kathakali performances at various festivals and on the Navaratri night.

Kathakali employs the four abhinayas, viz Sattvika, expression of thoughts by the efforts of the mind (Bhaava and Rasa). Aangika, conveyance of ideas by the movements of the various parts of the body (gestures).,Vaacika, spoken words, singing, shrieking, etc., and Aharya, the dress and deportment.

As in earlier dramatic forms, Raamanaattam players also sang the padas. But for the vigorous Kathakali, demanding tremendous physical exertion, singing by the actors was exacting and tiring. A change in the practice was conceived by Prince Vettathu Thampuran, who introduced a few fundamental innovations. He provided seperate singers and introduced the chenda, a percussion instrument, to announce a performance and give background sound effect. This drum’s powerful and penetrating sound heightened the acting of supernatural characters appearing on the stage in hideous and fantastic make-ups. The religio-theatrical reforms brought Raamanaattam performances outside the temples for the enjoyment of all sections of the community. Masks were replaced by make-up; Mudras were accentuated, a variety of percussion instruments and characteristic costumes were introduced; singers and musicians formed an independent part of a show.

Symbols of the hand have played an important role in the art of Kathakali. With the help of Mudras, the hand poses are called in Sanskrit, a whole literary expression is reduced to elementary notions. There are sixty-four basic hand poses which connote five hundred words, while the alphabet of the eyes express emotions. Their permutations can be employed to convey any number of meanings requiring any detailed explanation in the modern concept of story-telling.

In the art of Kathakali, all emotional qualities, and psychic conditions acquire remarkable outward manifestation and mukhabhinaya (facial mime) is cunningly, sometimes lightly employed. While the Kathakali use elaborate similes and hyperboles, and fingers permute into mudras to represent words of comparison such as like, as if and same as, the eye-balls roll evanescently to tell the miracles. The face becomes the open drama in which the story is drawn in successive shades and touches of lineament.

According to the theme, a Kathakali song suggests the use of a particular Bhaava and Rasa (aesthetic delights) and the dance and mimicry are rendered most effectively in harmony with these aesthetic appeals. The powerful music heightens the moods of the actor and adds life to acting. He dances to the melodies of the song and executes the various passages with well- defined Padaghats (foot work). It provides scope for the amplification of an emotion and the abridgement of the climax of a story. The powerful footwork trembles the earth below and cuts short the final action.

As Kathakali is a story-play, interpreting a drisya kaavya, its various contrasting characters are presented. There are good and bad characters, demons and gods, wordly and unwordly role-types according to their castes, quality and nature. Each group is distinguished from the other by specific make-ups.
Make-up of Kathakali

The make-up of Kathakali character is peculiarily native to the Kerala folk-art. In folk theatrical varieties, huge marks and make-ups were as much prevalent during the historic span of time. Elaborate make- up heightens dramatic effects. Colour symbolism reflect certain categories of emotions and gunas. The green colour represents Saattvika reveals godliness, white represents spirituality. Red represents Rajasic reveals violence. Black represents Tamasic reveals evil. Yellow represents the combined character of Saatvika and Rajasic. Thus Kathakali characters are grouped into five major role-types, each having a specific make-up and costume. These role types are Minukku, Paccha, Katti,taadi (has three varieties viz. Velupputaadi, Chuvannataadi and Karupputtadi) and Kari.

Minukku
Minukku is the polished variety of facial make-up consisting in smoothening the actor’s face with a coating of a mixture of yellow and red pigments. The composition obtains ‘a self’ (or natural skin) complexion colour. It reflects the characters usually found in Brahmins, Rishis and Virtuous women. The eyes and eye-lashes are painted and contours elongated with the black unguent and greasy collyrium. Sometimes the face is decorated with white or cream colour dots, running from the cheeks to the fore-head in a bow-shape. The lips are reddened and the forehead is decorated with a caste mark. This colour scheme serves to give a symbolic glow of piety to a devotee character. Women role-types are given delicate touches of the make-up.

Paccha
Paccha or predominantly deep green face role- types, are Gods, celebrated mythological heroes, and virtuous personages, symbolising inner refinement poise, heroism and moral excellence. This include heroes of a play and noble characters, Indra, Krishna, Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Satrugnan, Harischandra and Nala. The front part of their faces is given smooth deep green base on which chuttis (white rice-paste curves) run from the centre of the chin,covering the lower jaw, to either side of the face. The eyes and the eye-lashes are painted black and the lips bright red. It assumes the shape of a broad-blade saber or of a sweeping curve of a bow. The forehead, above the bow-tie shaped painted portion, is covered by a red ribbon of the gilded head gear.