Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Kochi-Muziris Biennale

12.12.2012, Kochi

Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a three-month event  draw artists of every muse from both within and outside India for an extravaganza of art, culture and heritage on a scale unseen in India.

More than 80 influential artists from around the globe will showcase their creativity through a variety of mediums such as art installations, paintings, sculpture, music and films as Kerala seeks to enjoin Kochi, which represents the contemporary, with the biblical-era port town of Muziris that symbolises heritage

The big names from overseas include Ariel Hassan from Argentina, Amanullah Mojadidi from Afghanistan, Rigo23 from Portugal, Joseph Semah, an Israeli based in Amsterdam, Ernesto Neto from Brazil, and Jonas Staal from the Netherlands.

Image source : http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/kochi-muziris-biennal

The artists - 22 of whom trace their roots to Kerala, an equal number from other parts India and the rest from across the globe -- will show their talent at nine venues of this ancient port city, including the recently renovated British-era warehouse, the Aspinwall at Fort Kochi.
A number of installations have also been mounted in rambling public spaces and heritage buildings, such as Pepper House in Fort Kochi. The other spots of artistic activity are Cochin Club, David Hall, Moidu's Heritage and Parade Group

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is set to inaugurate the event Wednesday evening as his state -- which markets itself as 'God's Own Country' -- hopes to attract some 800,000 visitors, from India and abroad during the three-month season.

Globally, Biennale has a history that dates back to 1895, when Venice in Italy held one such event. Since then, as the organisers of here state, it has seen some 150 editions across the globe. For india, it is the first.

The event is being brought together by the Kochi Biennale Foundation, led by Bose Krishnamachari, 50, and Riyas Komu, 40, its Malayali curators. Already, Kochi has been declared a Biennale City by the state government.

'Through the celebration of contemporary art from around the world, Kochi Muziris Biennale seeks to invoke the historic cosmopolitan legacy of the modern metropolis of Kochi, and its mythical predecessor the ancient port of Muziris,' said Krishnamachari.

'This is a non-commercial project. The exhibits are open to all. The programme of events will run for three months closing on 13/03/13. The Biennale will then take place every two years in Kochi and Muziris.'

Awesome print Ads from Kerala Tourism

Another totally awesome print ad from kerala tourism.Unfortunately could not locate a image with english copy.But here is the translation.Congratulations Stark communications!

Kerala. Home of Ayurveda.Of all the places on earth there is just one that is literally shaped by a thousand year old unbroken tradition of Ayurveda.Home to the world's largest number of qualified & certified Ayurvedic physicians, Here Ayurveda is opractised to perfection. Here the humid air, fertile soil & tropical rain forests nurture over 500 species of rare medicinal herbs for you. Here centuries old regimens of Ayurveda come alive everyday.Welcome to the home of Ayurveda. Welcome to Kerala

image courtesy http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/kerala_tourism_home_of_ayurveda_2

image courtesy http://adofdamonth.com/kerala-tourism-home-of-ayurveda-1/

Advertising Agency: Stark Communications, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

Creative Director: Shelton PinheiroArt Director / Illustrator: P K UnnikrishnanCopywriter: Seetha JayakumarPhotographer: Rajesh KhanAccount Group Head: Manoj I SPublished: February 2012

Palacharakku.com, online grocery store

Palacharakku.com, The first of its kind online grocery store in India was launched by the Kochi based youth fraternity in an attempt to tackle unemployment.The platform brings the supermarket to the consumers doorstep.

Palacharakku.com

The home delivery system employed by supermarkets & small shops in other parts of the country does not exist in Kerala.The service is aimed at providing convenience to the shopper saving both time & fuel.Palacharakku.com would be a boon to the savvy aging population of the state

The website palacharakku.com though basic, showcases clear information segregation with a clear 3 step how to order process to introduce the workings of the portal to its consumers. Sorted from the usability perspective, though they could do with a stronger branding. Products are categorised clearly into vegetables, grooming products etc.The service also brings meat & fish products to the consumers doorstep & promises best quality products.

Currently the service operates within Kochi city limits
Visit Palacharakku.com here

'Take a Break' tourist amenity centres in Kerala

'Take a Break' tourist amenity centres in Kerala by the State Tourism Department will provide international facilities to foreign and domestic tourists at an affordable cost.'Take a break' tourist amenity centre project, a pilot project of the Kerala Tourism Development corporation (KTDC), was launched at the Santhigiri Ashram in Pothenkode last-day.

'Take a Break' centre project aims to change the face of tourism in the state. Once the project is fully realized, domestic and international tourists en-route to important tourist destinations could stop over for rest, refreshment and recreation at such centres.

The centres would house basic facilities like food courts, restrooms and parking spaces in addition to modern IT-enabled facilities like tele booking and check-in, and information kiosks.

Other modern facilities include gaming consoles and ATM counters. Tourist Resorts Kerala Ltd, a public sector initiative under the tourism department, will oversee the Rs 1.30 crore project at the Ashram. (UNI)

Kerala all set for Thiruvonam

Kerala is all set for Thiruvonam tommorrow, the concluding & the most important of all the 10 days of Onam.For it is on this day the beloved king Mahabali, comes on his annual visit to see his people.To read an onam tale click here

On this occassion the Kerala Governor HR Bhardwaj has greeted Malayalis the world over during Onam, the biggest festival of the state.

"Onam thrives on the golden memories of a glorious past when everyone enjoyed plenty in an endearing ambience of equality," Bhardwaj said in a message

All the traditional practises are in full swing including pookkalam (flower rangoli) competitions & Sadya, the traditional midday feast.Traditional songs & Thiruvathira, the dance form assosciated with the festval, performed by the women of the house are being translated to modern contexts.

Onam special this year for GOC has been the bumper sale of lottery tickets, Its that time of the year when there is good cheer all around & everybody feels lucky .

Celebrations cannot be complete without a smashing sale of liquor. The state-owned Kerala State Beverages Corporation, the sole wholesalers, has stocked its outlets and godowns with more than adequate stock.

"Last year during Onam week, we had sales of close to Rs.300 crore and this time we expect the sales to go up by a minimum 25 percent," said an official.

Textile shops too will expect spurt in sales. It is common for Malayalis to buy new pairs of clothes every Onam.  

Kochi Onam Regatta @ Bolghatty Palace

For more information visit the website

Coir Expo 2012

The 5 day Coir Expo 2012 will open at Marine Drive, Kochi on 4th Aug.The coir technology exhibition is set to showcase all the breakthroughs achieved by research organisations in the area.In addition to new technologies in coir the expo will also show case new products developed in the material.The expo is planned for 5 days.So if you are in God's own country in August,look up the Coir Expo, The garden products & floor coverings are quite something. Lookout for large players like Palm fibre too.

'Gen next' fish products launched in Kerala

KCADC, Kerala Coastal area development corporation has launched value added fish products in Kerala under the brand bizzarely called 'Fish maid'.
The products labelled 'gen next' boasts of products like, Fish Burger, Mayo Wrap, Donuts, Munchy Bites, Sandwich, Noodles,  Lollipop, Cheesy Treat, Dumplings, Twister, Cutlet, Kofta, Manchurian,Samosa etc. The menu is interestingly devoid of traditional fish dishes from the region like dried fish chutney, or ready to fry fish fry.

The challenge of fish wastage to the tune of 20-30 per cent of fish catch as trash and spoilage is hereby likely to be turned into an opportunity for value addition, providing employment & adding to the income of fisherfolk

On the other hand the maturity exhibited in coming up with the menu is

Karkidakam the Ramayana month

Ramayana masam

The Malayalam month of karkidakam (July-August) is observed as the Ramayana month in Kerala.On all days of the month the epic is read in traditional homes & other establishments like temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the state.The Ramayana month falls between mid July & August, this year the it starts on the 17th of July & closes on August.

The reading starts on the first day of the month & the book is completely read by the last. As per tradition the reading takes place in the evening.The reciters

KSBB plans botanical garden in Idukki to showcase flora & fauna of the western ghats

Close on the heels of UNESCO's heritage site tag the KSBB Kerala State Biodiversity board (curiously similar in acronym to KSEB, Kerala state electricity board) announces plans to set up a botanical garden in Idukki.

Tea gardens, Munnar

The garden will showcase the abundant flora & fauna in the kerala part of western ghats.This

KTDC goes Hitech

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism department defenitely is proactive & efficient in its functioning atleast compared to the other states in the country. In the past they have come up with some of the best Ad films in the country. Its 'Your Moment is Waiting' film campaign, won multiple awards  including three gold medals awarded by Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).Watch the film by renowned film maker Prakash varma below.

'Now the Tourism Department is planning blue tooth kiosks & mobile functionality in its repertoire of tourist friendly goods.

Short video on the natural beauty of Kerala

Came across this beautiful video shot in Kerala by Venkat Damara on Vimeo.Could not help but post it.a glimpse of all that's beautiful in GOC.take a peak at the link below
http://vimeo.com/17816294

Elephant rejuvenation

In God's own country the ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy at the peak of southwestern monsoon is not the exclusive right of human beings. Hundred of domesticated elephants too are given the refreshing health experience.Major temple administration boards conduct these therapeutic sessions for the elephants they own

UNESCO World Heritage Site tag for 19 sites in Kerala

Hibiscus fencing, Kuttikkanam, Idukki district.

The eco-sensitive Western Ghats along the west coast of India have been included on the coveted list of the World Heritage Sites, at a meeting of the World Heritage Committee held in Russia Sunday evening, 

Of the 39 serial sites that won global recognition for their Outstanding Universal Value, Kerala accounts for the most number of sites at 19, followed by 10 in Karnataka, six in Tamil Nadu, and four in Maharashtra.

The inscribed sites from Kerala include two national parks (Silent Valley and Eravikulam), five wildlife sanctuaries (Shendurney,

Natural Architecture

 Vicarage garage, CSI Church, Munnar. Kerala.

'There is an emerging art movement that is exploring mankind's desire to reconnect to the earth, through the built environment, referred to as 'natural architecture'. 

Kerala, an unusual state

Kerala is one of the southern most states of the country with a long coast line. Green & scenic the state is high on the tourism, one of the main industries of the state.

Social context : With high education levels, population & its growth in the state is very low compared to other parts of the country.HDI(human Development index considerable higher than the rest of the country & some of the developed nations. 
The ‘communist every other 5 years’ state has serious labor issues which has kept industrialization & serious investment in the manufacturing sector away in the past many years. As a result most of the youngsters of the state move out early. On an average of 18 years for higher education abroad or in other parts of the country & then to find jobs. Many of these marry & settle in the locations they work in & come back only when they are ready to retire above the age of 60

As a result the working age group in the state is very less in number & prefer white collar jobs to hand skill based or manufacturing jobs. consequentially the craft based sectors are dying out & basic service industry like plumbers, carpenters etc are becoming a rarity. A very unusual state in a populous country like India.

Manufacturing Industry

The manufacturing Industry in Kerala is almost non existent & steadily decreasing along with agriculture, main reasons being lack of labor. Mechanization is being looked at as an answer in essential  activities like real estate development. Tourism & by extension hospitality is the only  active industry in the state.