Category Archives: Travel & Tourism
ART OF DRAWING AT ITS LAST BREATH IN KERALA
How awful is the fact that Kerala, a land which gave birth to many of the well known artists in various forms of art have almost forgotten the new faces. There is nothing we are doing for the growth of young artists apart from conducting youth festivals and other competitions. A kalathilakam and kalaprathibha will be celebrated out from it and its over.
We should not forget that the field of art is very much vast and it doesn’t limit to the boundaries of a competition. There are a number of non performing arts which demands our care and attention. They are also as important as the performing arts.
The art of drawing is one among them. It was our land that gave birth to the painting maestro Raja Ravi Varma. No one who has a little knowledge about art can forget his name. He set a new level in the field of painting. And his works were a beauty to watch. His paintings are considered to be among the best examples of the fusion of Indian traditions with the techniques of European academic art. Varma is most remembered for his paintings of beautiful sari-clad women, who were portrayed as shapely and graceful. His exposure in the west came when he won the first prize in the Vienna Art Exhibition in 1873. He is considered among the greatest painters in the history of Indian art. He made our land’s name renowned all over the world. And our commitment limits to the celebrations on his birth anniversary.
But that’s not just what we owe him. We have a responsibility to build ahead on the way he opened. We have a responsibility to allow young talents to follow the path of their master. But no, we just shut our eyes on these facts.
If a book with a controversy is put to sell, there will be a hundred persons to buy it. But if there is a beautiful painting kept in a shop, we gave a comment of it’s goodness and beauty and nothing more. Every new artist fears to take painting as his/her profession as they very well know that it will give them satisfaction but no earnings. And without earnings life does not move on. So they are forced to keep their talent as just a hobby.
This is not acceptable. It’s time to open our eyes. It’s time to realize and react. We have forgot to live. We are working, gathering savings, preparing to live and the preparation goes on and on as we expect to live the other day. But there is no other day. We should realize what have happened to our generation.
It’s not yet late. We should support youngsters to move on in this field. We assure them the safety of their future. Otherwise we will have one more day to share our grief, a day in remembrance of this art for which we were proud of once.
PEERMADE: A PLACE OF BEAUTY TO VISIT
Peerumed
Peermade is a small beautiful place that lies in the district of Idukki in Kerala. The cold climate of this region adds to its peculiarities.
Traveling along NH 220 the change in climate can be felt as we pass the Mundakkayam bridge. On crossing the bridge a cold breeze slashes our cheeks as if it tells of the approaching weather.
From there the topography changes to hilly. The roads are cut around small hills and a marvelous scenario of deep valleys and joined hills will turn on infront of our eyes. It is beautiful enough to make everyone praise the beauty,who comes there.
Long waterfalls seem as white lines drawn on a black background of rocks. As we move on the number of houses gets fewer and woods grew thicker.
The vehicle crawls up the twisted and steep road and mist will pass by our windows. It brings the cold which enters deep into our nerves and we feel our ears shut unable to hear the voices.
The natives used to wear ear caps to avoid this uneasiness and it serves remarkably well. The place has tourists althrough the year and we can see the small shops by the side of the road expecting them.
Paruthumpara
The destinations of most visitors include places like Panchalimedu and Parunthumpara.
Panchalimedu is a small hill which has a temple and it’s a pleasure walking there on the mountain that runs to the horizon. No bus service is there to this place and we should hire a jeep or an auto to reach there. And it’s fairly available to all those who wish to visit the place.
The latter is a steepy barren hill full of rocks and standing there, we feel to be on top of the world. Humans in the valley are hardly visible and large vehicles seem to be small toys. It’s comparatively easier to reach Parunthumpara than the former.
Two small palaces are also there nearby, which are somewhat surrounded by forest. They always welcome visitors to reveal our great tradition before them.
Strong wind always blew here which increases the strength of the cold. The wind is so strong that it often damages our umbrellas.
There are a number of resorts to facilitate the residing of the tourists. Three professional colleges function in this place and a thick pine forest stands there inviting visitors.
In short the beauty of the place is too attractive that no one who visits there will ever be able to forget the journey.
Tour to Vagamon
-
- vagamon meadows
-
- Pine Forest
Vagamon is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Central Travancore. Situated in the border of Kottayam and Idukki district, it is only 35Km away from Thodupuzha and 33Km journey from Pala. Vagamon attracts not only ardent tourists but it also attracts pilgrims.
Vagamon hill station is situated 1100 meters abov the sea level. The cool weather of Vagamon enchants tourists as their perfect hideout n summer season. The dynamic weather that switches from 10-23C0 during the summer mid days offers unique summer holidays.
Vagamon is a peaceful place where the noise of traffic or disturbance of people is a rare scene. The green meadows with its picturesque beauty give mystic romantic atmosphere. Even when the hot sun shines bright at noon the green hillocks remain cool to welcome their guests. The nature of Vagamon is girdled by tea estates that further beautifies its greenery.
The pine forest is another spot to visit in Vagamon. The very first step in pine forest is enough to realize its distinguishing charm and mesmerizing calm. After a long trekking in hillocks, we can relax in the lap of pine forest. We may feel as if we were dissolved in the nature’s soul.
The nest spot after the pine forest is the famous Thangal Para. It is also known as the suicide point in Vagamon. Perhaps, this may be the most compelling landscape. The wide sweep of landscape might inspire you to feel a strong sense of déjà vu; one which you experienced in a distant dream. If you are lucky a slight drizzle will kiss you. It will double your happiness and enthusiasm. You have to walk or drive roughly 1.5Km one kilometer to Thangalpara from the main road. The pebbles and round stones in the path way will give you and off road experience.
Almost in every summer season the suicide point will to be the playground of Para gliding. This event usually invites national as well as international recognition. Foreign tourists can be seen hovering under bright sky in Vagamon.
The other nearest tourist centers – Parunthumpara, Thekkadi , Idukki dam are worth visiting.
santro xing diesel
Now a days because of high price of petrol every car manufacturer is going for the diesel versions of its hatch back. Nissan is is going to launch its diesel version of micra, maruti has already launched its diesel version of swift. Now Hyundai is planning to launch the diesel version of its bread and butter model santro.Expected price of this Hyundai Santro Diesel car is around Rs. 4.25-4.50 lakhs.
How to apply shares in Kannur International Airport?
Final day to apply – 31st January
Minimum shares to apply – 2001
Price of one share – Rs: 100
The initial application should be written in a white paper. No other special applications forms are there. The applicant should buy a minimum of 2001 shares of face value of Rs: 100. An individual or an institution can apply.
Need to give only 25% of the share value with the application. This amount can be taken as a Demand Draft (DD) in the name of Kannur International Airport Ltd. which can be change at Thiruvananthapuram. This DD should be submit with the application. Pan number should be must with the application. A photocopy of the pan card is also needed with the application. If some one don’t have the Pan number, they should fill the form 60 and submit which will be available from the banks. The remaining 75% amount should be paid at the time of shares will be allotted.
The address to which the application with DD should be send to : Kannur International Airport Ltd., Parvathy, TC 36/1, NH bypass, Chaaka, Thiruvananthapuram – 695054.
The application can be send to Kannur office also. Address – Kannur International Airport Ltd., Kinfra Office building, Opposite to Old Bus stand, Temple road, Matannur, Kannur, 670702
For the NRI’s, they should provide the DD from their account itself with the application. There is no special consideration for any category or no high level is decided for the shares.
For doubts and clarifications, email to managingdirector@kannurairport.in. Phone : 0471-2508668,69(Thivandrum), 0490-2474464
Passenger cum Tourist Double Decker Boats
This is the new venture from the water transport department of Kerala Government for the promotion of tourism and also to provide economical transportation to people here. 2 new boats will be made for this project. This new boat trips are included in the “See Kuttanad” tourism package.
Double Decker boats will be used for this project. The top floor will be allotted for the tourists with entertainment options while the lower deck is for the passengers. This will be run in trial with two new steel boats. Government had already given order for them. This new package is to attract tourists to various beauty spots of Kuttanad and thus promoting the tourism options here.
Special telescope and video facilities are set up in the upper deck for entertaining the tourists. Different fares will be charged for tourists and passengers. The water journey is of 150 minutes. About Rs 70 will be charged from a tourist. At present the private boat agencies are charging Rs. 500-700 on each tourist for such a journey. So, ultimately this new project will be a great boon to tourists.
These boats cost about Rs 48 Lakhs. About 90 people can travel in such a boat. The upper deck can occupy 35 tourists. These boats will start service by February 2011.
A present the Government transport boats are running in great loss. It is expected that this new system of combining transportation and tourism in a single boat will reduce this loss. More such boats will be launched if the trial is found successful.
Job Opportunities at Iringal Art and Craft Village
Kerala Government is now launching a new program to bring together the artists and craftsmen of the state and provide them more opportunities. Applications are invited from handicraft making experts for the Iringal Art and Craft Village. They are invited to attend the seminar on November 13, 2010 from 9 am to 5 pm at Iringal Art and Craft Village,Calicut. This seminar will be inaugurated by Hon Minister for Home-Vigilance and Tourism Shri Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. For more information regarding this seminar and ensuring your participation contact 0471 2326812 or visit www.keralatourism.org/iringal.
More About Iringal Art and Craft Village:
Iringal Art and Craft Village is at Iringal in Vadakara of Calicut District. Iringal is the place of famous Kunjali Marakar. Iringal art and Craft Village is set up in 20 acres in the bank of Murad river. Around 32 attractive huts are constructed for the artists to make, exhibit and market their creations.
This village also provides facilities for tourists to enjoy the handicrafts and their making process.
