Malayalam filmmaker Navodaya Appachan (Maliyampurakkal Chacko Punnoose) passes way, the 3D man who produced country's first 3D movie

Tribute to the man and genius who introduced 3D to India and produced the first 3D movie in India

Malayalam filmmaker Navodaya Appachan (Maliyampurakkal Chacko Punnoose), the man who produced the first Indian 3-D movie, My Dear Kuttichathan, passed away at the age of 87 at a private hospital in Kochi on Monday evening following age-related illness.

Founder of the famous Navodaya Studio and Kishkinta, India’s first water theme park, Appachan was also the producer of South India’s first 70-mm movie (Padayottam) and first cinemascope film Thacholi Ambu. He began his career as a filmmaker with his brother Kunchako at Udaya Studio in Alappuzha, his birth place.



Appachan was instrumental in launching several actors in Malayalam cinema, including present-day megastar Mohanlal. As a producer and director, Appachan had taken bold steps and made several experiments in Malayalam cinema. The Kerala Government had honoured him with the prestigious JC Daniel Award for outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema.


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Kerala Family Tour Package - 5 days/4 nights - Rs. 6000 INR

TOUR PROGRAMME TO KERALA FROM CHENNAI

From 10/08/2012 (9 p.m.) to 16/08/2012 (6 a.m.)

Onward and return journey by train in sleeper class

Visiting Spots:

1. Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race by motorboat.

2. Raamankari, Chennankari, Punnamada, Pathiramanal by Houseboat/Motorboat.

3. Alappuzha Light house, Rakthasakshi mandapam, Kainakary, Kuttanad, Changanassery – the NSS centre, Thiruvalla, Pathanapuram – the adjacent towns, thick forest and hilly places, Punalur suspension bridge, Thenmala – Forest area and dam, and Thiruvananthapuram – the capital of Kerala by road.

4. Famous and world-rich Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the International Airport of TVM, famous Bheema Palli, Sankumukham/Kovalam Beach by road.

5. Return to Alappuzha by NH-47 covering Varkala Sivagiri madom, Kollam, Kayamkulam, Thottapalli spillway (Connecting Vembanad Lake with Arabian sea), Purakkad fishing spot, Ambalapuzha and Punnapra.

Shopping at Alappuzha, “the Venice of East”.

The strength of the proposed tour group will be around 25 members.

Tour charges will be Rs. 6000/- per head (Inclusive of train fare, boat charges, luxury coach charges, food (veg and nonveg), accommodation, and entry charges). No charges for children below 5 years. Children above 5 years will be treated as adults.

Halting stations will be communicated on confirmation. Tour period from 10/08/2012 to 16/08/2012 indicated above is seasonal and inflow of tourists and foreigners will be expected in large numbers to Kerala. Reservation of train tickets, food, M/B or H/B and luxury bus are to be booked well in advance. The above dates are felt very convenient as the departure is on 10/08/2012 (around 9 p.m.), 11th being second Saturday, 12th being Sunday and 15th being public holiday. Working staff/school going children have to adjust 13th and 14th only. They can report back to duty/school on 16/08/2012. 

Interested members may contact the organizer on his cellphone #9042812815 for further details and for booking at the earliest.

The bookings will be closed on or before 08/05/2012.

Ambattur-Tiruvallur Malayalee Samajam Ad-Hoc Committee Formation April 22, 2012

Ambattur-Tiruvallur Malayalee Samajam Ad-Hoc Committee Formation April 22, 2012

Representatives of Malayalee Samajams from Ambattur to Tiruvallur area met at Greenfields - The Great Gateway Resort on April 22, 2012 to form an ad-hoc committee to represent the whole area (from Ambattur through Tiruvallur).

The meeting was conducted under the leadership of Mr. Hi-Tech Manoharan. The purport of this meeting is to have one voice for all the Malayalee Samajams in the Ambattur-Tiruvallur area. Since this committee will be representing such a large population, their views are bound to have significant importance in CMA (Chennai Malayalee Association) meetings.

We wish them all the very best for their future endeavors.

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Mango City of Kerala, Muthalamada, Palakkad, Kerala,

Mango City of Kerala, Muthalamada, Palakkad, Chittur Taluk

Muthalamada Panchayat of Palakad is located on the Kerala-Tamilnadu border, in Chittur taluk, known as the ‘Mango city' of the State for its early mango harvest and large-scale export, which uses hi-tech technology in sorting, grading, ripening, packing and export of mangoes and reportedly produces 1.1 lakh tonnes of mangoes annually.

The first modern facility for mango processing and export in the State — Chittur Agro Park — began functioning in Muthalamada in May 2010 with technical support from the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Bangalore.

The Horticulture Mission Kerala has recognised it as a model unit for process and export of mangoes. In 2010, The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has provided financial assistance to set up the Rs.50-lakh Agro Park. Mango growers can bring their product here and get them sorted, graded, ripened and packed for export or to send it to cities like Mumbai and Delhi for a good price.

The Agro Park employs ethylene-based ripening , which is recognised internationally as a safe method for ripening fruits. The Park has ripening and pre-cooling chambers. This mangoes can be kept for three weeks without damage, said Becker Palliparambil, exporter of mangoes to the Gulf countries and the persons behind the new Agro Park.

Mangoes are exported to West Asia among other countries. There are many varieties of mangoes which are in high demand abroad in Muthalamada. The farmers themselves are unaware of this fact. The value of mango trade in this "Mango City" is over Rs. 150 crore annually. Approximately 2700 hectares of land are under mango cultivation, while the actual area could be more than the stated figures. Even paddy fields are now being converted into mango plantations. Seemingly, middlemen from North come to this "mango city" as early as August and book the yield of next season well in advance. 


Interesting and unknown facts about Muthalamada Mango City:

• Myriad of mango varieties
  
• Mango trade of 150 crore
• 1.1 lakh tonnes of mangoes produced annually
• 2700 hectares of mango plantations
• Middlemen earning more than the farmers
• Mangoes exported to West Asia.

So, those who are living in and around Palakkad may visit this place and enjoy the upcoming season.

Parvathy Omanakuttan sizzles in Billa 2 Calendar

Parvathy Omanakuttan sizzles in Billa 2 Calendar

The actress shows off her sexy avatar which is in sharp contrast to her role in her upcoming flick, Billa 2. She opposites the ultimate star Ajith Kumar in Billa 2.

Parvathy Omanakuttan sizzles in Billa 2 Calendar

The makers of Billa 2 have made a calendar specially for the Thala flick featuring two hottie heroines, Parvathy Omanakuttan and Bruna Abdulla. This image of hers is in sharp contrast to her role in the movie say industry insiders.

The photos were clicked in Goa. It seems the makers came up with the novel idea since they had two models-cum-glamour queens in their film. 

Parvathy Omanakuttan (പാര്‍വ്വതി ഓമനക്കുട്ടന്‍) is an Indian model and actress who was crowned Miss India World in 2008 and later became first runner-up as Miss World Asia & Oceania at the Miss World 2008 competition.



Bruna Abdullah


And as for the audio launch, it’s most likely to happen on Thala’s birthday on May 1. The talk about town is that there will be no big event for the audio release and it’s likely that the CDs will hit the stores directly.

source: web, TOI.

Akshaya Tritiya 2012 - History, Myth, Offers, Significance!

Akshaya Tritiya 2012

Akshaya Tritiya 2012 falls on Tuesday April 24th. Akshaya means "never diminishing." There are many legends signifying the importance of Akshaya Tritiya. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi blessed Kubera the lord of wealth on this day and hence his wealth never diminishes. People offer special poojas to Goddess Lakshmi to bless them with never decreasing wealth. Another legend goes that this is the day Kusela, childhood friend of Lord Krishna, was blessed by Krishna by taking the sweetened rice flakes that Kusela had brought for him. The moment Lord Krishna eats the rice flakes, Kusela's family is blessed with all wealth and richness.



According to Hindu myth, Akshay Tritiya was the day when Lord Ganesha, began writing the epic Mahabharata dictated by the sage Ved Vyasa. The birthday of Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of god Vishnu also falls on this day. This was the very day when the Ganges descended to earth. Another legend has it that during the time of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna gave the Akshaya Patra to the Pandavas, who were then on exile, the Akshaya Patra was a bowl that would forever supply food in abundance.





The popular belief is that there are 33 crore gods according to Hindu mythology. It would not come as a surprise if each and every day of the 365 days in the India Calender did not have some significance or the other with respect to mythological legends. I am not an atheist but just I believe that everything has become business in today's world. As kids we never heard of Akshaya Tritiya, but for the past so many years, the gold jewelry business people have left no stones unturned to attach so much importance to this day. It is very clear that these are advertisement gimmicks to lure customers to buy gold. This year it is not gold but platinum that is being suggested to be bought.

 

 

It is wise to invest in gold and platinum but one should not be gullible enough to fall for such blind beliefs and incur unnecessary expenditure. Such actions may or may not give you "never diminishing wealth" but definitely it will diminish your peace of mind.

© Copyrights KeralamAnywhere.com 2012

Kerala Jewelry - Traditional Ornaments of Keralam

               Traditional ornaments of Kerala

In the matter of dress and ornaments, Kerala presents through the age a picture of astonishing variety. Simplicity and elegance of dress is a trait of the Malayali character. The common male dress is the white 'mundu' or cloth which is worn around the waist. A small upper garment ie. 'thorthu' is also worn over the shoulder.

Ornaments of different patterns are used by women of all communities and castes. These ornaments are for the neck, the arm, the nose, and the ankle. The oldest ornament of the 'Nair' women for the neck was the serpent's hood, so called after the shape of the pendant. Among other necklaces were 'nalupanti', 'addiyar', 'puthali', 'avil mala', 'patakkam' etc. The ornaments for the nose were 'mukkuthi' and 'nattu'. The 'Namboothiri' women do not wear costly ornaments. The 'Kaasumala' and the 'oddyanam' were the most characteristic of their ornaments.

Kerala Ornamental Designs have made a special mark in the history of jewelry making.  The  jewelry  patterns having its origin in Kerala are unique and classical.  These designs tend to lean towards creating a bigger look at the jewelry and have a dark yellow stint to them. 

Keralites are one of the very few people in the world to wear golden anklets, while other consider wearing golden ornaments below the waist line to be ominous.

Kerala remains on top among the states where gold ornaments play a vital role in a wedding.  Kerala marriages continue to include highest quantities of gold as sridhaan.

Traditional ornaments continue to influence even present gold designs and patterns of Kerala Jewelleries. 

• Kasu Mala (Kaasumala)
• Palakka Mala
• Nagapada Thali
• Karimani Mala
• Mullamottu Mala
• Manga Mala
• Cheruthali (Thalikoottam)
• Addiyal
• Kashali
• Poothali
• Jhimki

These above-listed ornamental forms remain an evergreen influence. Every household boasts of owning at least one of them. Even though it comprises only about 5% in case of the daily gold business, traditional gold ornaments remain a main asset of Kerala families.

Foreign and domestic tourists buy gold from Kerala. They are attracted by the variety of special traditional designs, mostly Kasu Mala, Palakka and Jhimki which are very popular among gold lovers around the globe.

Following traditional ornament pictures are artist's impression of traditional Kerala jewelleries graphically created in designer's perspective. They are not photographs of any actual gold jewelry. 

Kasu Mala



Palakka Mala



Nagapada Thali - 1




Nagapada Thali - 2



Karimani Mala



Mullamottu Mala



Manga Mala - 1



Manga Mala - 2



Kazhuthila



Cheruthali



Avilmala



Avilmala - 2



Kandassaram



Kingini



Kuzhiminni



Pulinakhamala



Kumbilmala



Pathakkam



Lakshmimala



Poothali



Kuzhalmothiram



Thoda




Mukkolakkallu

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Credits:  KeralaGold

Kerala Summer Vacation - a complete family package

                            Summer Vacation in Kerala- a complete family package.

Come summer and the first thought on everyone's mind in the family is vacationing. One does not have to think hard to choose a place. Kerala - God's own country is the right place for the whole family. For the adventure seeking members what more than trekking the Sahyadris.

A pleasant houseboat tour along the backwaters of Kerala will be a revitalizing and soothing experience for all those who have been slogging all round the year to beat deadlines at their work.



The beaches in Kerala also offer exotic experience for everyone with its unique taste of seafood.



The Chinese fishing nets are just awesome.



For all those who want to soothe their mind and body can avail of Ayurvedic body massage by experienced specialists that really rejuvenates the body.



The summer season provides abundance of fruits in Kerala. Jackfruits, mangoes, pineapples are in plenty during this season. Foodies would love to visit Kerala at this time of the year. Jackfruit itself is an ingredient in many recipes like jackfruit chips, chakkavarattiyathu (kind of jackfruit jam), chakka eriseri made from 'not the fully ripe ones' and chakka aviayal to name a few.



Last but not the least to mention gold ornaments suitable for all seasons and designer sarees for all occasions for the ladies.



There is an array of religious festivals like Thrissur pooram etc coming up in the coming month and is a visual treat and a novel experience too.



Now this is what I call a complete family package for a summer vacation. So what are you waiting for. Go ahead and pamper yourself and your family to a summer vacation to Kerala.