Blind Keralite woman wows music aficionados
by Juhan Samuel

         Vaikom (Kerala): A visually-impaired woman in Kerala is adding delight to the world of music. M Vijayalakshmi plays Veena, an Indian classical stringed instrument, at national and international concerts. Twenty-six-year-old Vijayalakshmi is blind by birth but she has made herself an artiste of distinction. Practicing on the Indian musical instruments, since she was five, Vijayalakshmi has emerged as an icon of sorts in Kerala's Vaikom town for her Veena recitals. She chanced upon a makeshift instrument made from a plastic bottle for the first time during her childhood, which opened the world of music for her. But for someone whose own life is engulfed in darkness, to compose beautiful and soul-stirring music is nothing short of an achievement. "Blindness has never been an impediment to me or my music, as I have dedicated my entire life for music and want to do a lot more. My main ambition is to pursue a Doctorate in Music for which I have already started preparing," said Vijayalakshmi. Vijayalakshmi plays the 'Gayatri Veena', which is a modified version of a regular Veena, done by her father, Murleedharan, an electronics expert. The father has improvised the instrument by removing strings from a regular model and preparing a one-string Veena for Vijayalakshmi and attaching it with an amplifier so that Vijaylakshmi can play it comfortably. She claims to know over 500 ragas or melodies apart from having an uncanny ability to copy a tune by just listening to it once. "We were very disappointed to have a blind child when she (Vijayalakshmi) was born. But now we are proud of her talent and accomplishment. We are grateful to the God for gifting us such a child. She knows over 500 ragas and various devotional songs. She can play a tune even if she may have heard it once. This is really a great thing," said V. Murleedharan, Vijayalakshmi's father. Vijayalakshmi's performance at various national and international concerts has won her many awards and laurels. She has set her aim further high and is a guiding light for many such people who are bogged down by handicap. Famous nineteenth century German composer Robert Schumann once said: "To send light into the darkness of men's hearts-such is the duty of the artist."
- May 30, 2007

Saddam play runs houseful in Kerala
by KS Ashik

        Balrampur (Kerala): A play on Iraq President Saddam Hussein opened to packed houses here last week. It depicts him as a crusader against colonialism. Organised by Mudra, a theatre group affiliated to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the play titled "Saddam" highlights the life of the Iraq's dictator who was awarded death sentence by hanging. According to the writer and director Dinesh Pallath, Saddam was a hero who fought against mighty imperialism of the West. "A leader like Saddam Hussein has emerged as a leader of third world countries and he fought against the colonialist countries, which is why we chose this subject. The fight against the colonialist countries, the stand taken by Saddam and the fight against America leads to this drama," Pallath said. The final scene of the play shows the execution of the former Iraqi president, with the message -- "the fight against colonialism will not end." Saddam was hanged on the first day of Eid ul-Adha, December 30, 2006, despite his wish to be shot (which he felt would be more dignified) Well-known theatre actor Sudarshan said that acting as Saddam Hussein in the play was a big challenge. "I am very happy to perform the role, I have great pleasure to do this, for the last 17 years I am in the field, it is one of biggest challenges for me, and as an actor I am happy to act like Saddam Hussein," Sudarshan said. Saddam's execution had sparked protests in various parts of India. "Nowadays, the main problem in the world is colonialism the attack against humankind by the colonialist forces is at its peak now. Even the media is under American control. The play conveys a message against colonialism," said Pavithran, a member of the audiences at the premier show. The play held at Balaramapuram near Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, will be shown in other towns and cities in the following days. Theatre troupes travel around rural towns and cities and a single show often fetches 50,000 to 70,000 rupees (1,000 to 1,200 dollars). With cable television and Bollywood films posing a big threat to the existence of traditional art form, artists related to traditional art forms are now taking up contemporary issues. Be it 2004 Asian tsunami or the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Towers in the United States, real life incidents are being used by these artists to revive olden days of traditional art forms.
- May 28, 2007

Cockfights still a popular sport in Kerala
by Juhan Samuel

        Kasaragod (Kerala): The cruel sport cockfight, an ancient game patronised by the royalty, is still popular in many parts of Kerala. The sport has birds mauling each other often till death, as the encircling crowds cheer and exchange money on every winning stroke. Held as a ritual, the cockfight is popular in northern parts of Kerala, mainly in Kasaragod District. "It is believed that offering of cock blood to the Theyam Gods will protect family members. The fight is associated with this tradition," said N. Laxmanan, a local temple official he ritual has emerged as one of the most favourite sports of rural folk, especially for betting, as a large number of men gather on this occasion and gamble aggressively on the roosters. Despite protests by animal rights groups and crackdowns by police, these people have refused to give up their 'traditional sport'. "This is a mythological ritual in these regions and associated with temple festivals but now people have started misusing this tradition and started gambling on this ritual, the person loses if the cock runs away or killed by the other cock," said Gobi K, a social activist. Believed to be the world's oldest sport, cockfighting has become a business for many, and breeders spend a huge amount of money on rearing roosters, which are tailor-made to fight. From rich landlords to the poorest of toddy tappers, villagers invariably raise "fighter cocks" at home, to be used for the duels. The natural spurs of roosters are sawed off and replaced by razor sharp steel blades. They are also given drugs to maximize their aggression and stamina. A cockfight is a blood sport between two specially trained roosters held in a ring called a cockpit. The combatants, known as gamecocks or cocks, are specially bred birds, conditioned for increased stamina and strength. The comb and wattle are cut off in order to facilitate the placement of a hood over the birds' heads to keep them calm prior to the beginning of a fight and to decrease the potential for wounds and bleeding in these fleshy areas. Cocks possess congenital aggression toward all males of the same species, which is amplified through training and conditioning In some regional variations, the birds are equipped with either gaffs or knives tied to the leg in the area where the bird's natural spur has been partially removed. A cockspur is a bracelet (often made of leather) with a curved, sharp spike which is attached to the leg of the bird.
- May 12, 2007

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