Saturday, April 28, 2007

Kuppamma - Suppamma show!

The story of two sea turtles - Kuppamma and Suppamma - was a unique show.

A puppetry show, in which they told everyting about their survival from hatchlings to young adults who have now returned to the beach of their birth, to lay their own eggs and what the humans do to them.... All in conversation in Tamil.

This event was organised by Naturequest, will be held at the Book Point Auditorium, (Opp. Spencer Plaza) in Chennai.

Dr. Bhanumathi, who runs Pavai Centre for Puppetry gave the intro and demonstrated another nature and environment related story through glove puppets.

The evening was wonderful. The audience looked relaxed and enjoyed the conversation like kids would do!

Yes, where were all the kids of Chennai?

Too busy reading? No. The exams are over!

Busy holidaying? Should be!

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Parade of 63 devotees!



The next day after the ther was the Arupathumoovar (festival of 63 nayanmars or Saiva saints).
A glimpse from the terrace of a friend's house!
















Kolavizhi Amman, who joins the tribute to the saivaite saints!
















Do you recognise this deity? (!!!)
Tiruvalluvar with consort Vasuki!
It is customary for the neighbourhood temples to join the procession during the Arupathumoovar festival.
And yes, Tiruvalluvar has a temple and is worshiped in Mylapore. It is but natural for him to join the festivities!

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Colourful farewell to the chariot!

The Car Festival at the Kapaleeswarar Temple is one which we don't miss to visit.
There is less crowd in the mornings, when the ther starts its procession. The preliminary pooja and the swamy's ascent to the ther are events one should not miss!
What interested me this was a novel idea to introduce the festivities to the younger generation. Kids who enjoy an outing with the parents during the temple festivals, sat down to paint their own ther!
The contest, which Mylapore Times, the neighbourhood newspaper organised for kids attracted the kids on the next day morning, when the ther was still standing tall at its shed, with all decor.
Once the contest was over, the pictures were hung on a clothesline on Sannadhi Street.
Wow! Twenty more thers. All perceptions of young kids!