Koodiyattam in the KMBB Campus

KMBB College of Engineering and Technology located at Daleiput Khurda showcased a unique Koodiyattam performance by Margi Madhu, which was organized by SPICMACAY on December 13,2011  Koodiyattam is the Sanskrit theatre tradition of Kerala and has been declared as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO. Notably it is for the first time that UNESCO has selected art forms from across the world to bestow recognition as part of its effort to safeguard expressions of oral heritage and traditional culture. Koodiyattam deals with the plays of eminent Sanskrit dramatists such as Bhasa, Harsha, Kalidasa, Mahendravikrama and Saktibhadra. Firmly rooted in the culture of Kerala, it has the toughest and the most detailed training in facial expression, especially of the eye. 
 

Margi Madhu made a grand entrance onto stage behind a screen held to the accompanying beats of the 'mizhavu' ably played by Kalamandalam Ratheesh and Anoop and 'Edakka' by Kalanilayam Rajan. The mastery over their instruments enhanced an already powerful performance. Dr. Indu gave a brief introduction to the hand gestures which greatly helped the audience follow the highly theatrical and complex performance.

The involvement and talent of the dancer was evident when the audience was transported with him to the abode of Sugreeva, the character from great Indian epic Ramayana. The makeup man, Kalamandalam Satheesan, and the accompanying percussion artists deserve a mention for making the programme successful. The performer literally thrilled the audience by putting of a good show of an art form  from God's own country.

Celebrating International day of Service

30 odd numbers of children, in all shape, size and look  all around us, cheering up at the top of their voice following an oriya song. Once they are done with the singing session , a drawing competition and hand painting session was held where they learn to use their palm dipped in water colours and making their impression on the cardboard creating wonderful pictures like trees and peacocks.

On the International Day of Service on Friday, volunteers including corporate employees, professionals and college students decided to take out some time from their busy schedule and spread happiness among the unprivileged.   The event initiated by Bakul Foundation, a voluntary organisation in Bhubaneswar was observed in 25 cities across India.

I along with some of my friends had been to four Anganwadis and undertook few activities and was enthralled by the response of the children , some of them have just started perceiving what  a mango or tree is.

Here are few pictures of the joyous moments we had on the  day.

Really had a great time and looking forward to have some more such precious moments with my closest buddies and doing something meaningful.

On meeting Chandrahas

I am really happy to be back in my blogging action for it has been long since I posted something. Blogging really gives one a kind of pseudo psychological satisfaction that one is contributing to the domain called writing. The idea of getting back to blogging came after meeting Chandrahas Chodhury, a noted writer of Odia origin settled in Mumbai. He was there in Utkal university to address an intellectual gathering on a topic 'Staying in literature'. As a matter of fact , I was absolutely ecstatic to see somebody who is young and successful and people like us can always relate to.

Though I am yet to explore the taste of his book Arzee the dwarf, I am quite confident that I will definitely be able to appreciate the aesthetic attached with the work.

In a response to a question on the connection between communicative English and English literature he expressed his worries by giving utmost importance to grammatically correct sentences and use of appropriate phrase. That was an absolutely honest and sincere suggestion one can implement in one's writing.

In fact, I found his blog very interesting which is a great treasure of literary material and a platform to share ideas to promote and live in literature.

I am looking forward to procure and read his book Arzee the Dwarf at the earliest since I don't want to deny myself the pleasure of reading such a wonderful book.

Jayaprakash