Before I left to London, it was always a wish to gift Ammachi something special.
She always said that only until I was a woman, I would wear sarees. Inspired by the photograph in her dining room, I always wanted to wear her sarees and be photographed in them, just like the way she believed a woman should be. That included pursed lips, a subtlety in a smile and a very naked face. She totally hates the concept of hair let down, and I always recollected her long braid curled into into a bun. I picked up the sarees from her wardrobe and some of the date as old as 40 years. I visited some of the most important places in her life, starting from the rivers of in my grandfather’s hometown to the first house she moved into after marriage, Broadway market, the current ancestral house and finally our house. The final photograph is special to me because she draped the saree for me and gifted me the pearl necklace.
I would like to thank Dennis Antony for photographing me, especially at such short notice. Knowing how afraid I am of cameras, he still took it up, for knew how much the story meant to me. He consciously also clicked them in monochrome to recreate my grandmother’s photographs. Megha Menacherry was the biggest darling when it came to draping my sarees swiftly and also helping us get through the traffic - infested city in her speedy scooter. Finally my mother, Ammini aunty, and Reshmy aunty who are the true storytellers.
79 IN TIME BY ATHEENA WILSON
Nº1: PROLOGUE
Nº2: WHEN WAS WHEN
Nº3: TAKEN BY THE CURRENT
Nº4: BEAUTY
Nº5: IDENTITY
Nº6: BRAVERY
Nº7: LOVE
Nº8: EPILOGUE
Run parallel, meet at intersections, skip a few lines, the line of thought has journeyed across a few latitudes and longitudes. To more miles before the big sleep. Cheers, Atheena
Its been a journey from being a young soul where I have felt only love but unaware of its importance in my life I searched for love all over and only felt pain, scars and reality but never true love I still keep searching.
A collaboration of Vimal Chandran with Ajay Menon and a tribute to Avial. These series of films, photographs and illustrations we made inspired from Kerala, they celebrate Kerala’s unique landscapes, art and culture.
VISHU FESTIVAL
NEW YEAR IN KERALA
The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.
What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.
Avani is a brilliant photo shoot by Arjun Kamath, that convey the story of a woman in a patriarchal society. Avani’s story can be the story of you and me as the struggles and setbacks that she faces are the common problems of India, a country which is still deep rooted in patriarchy.
My uncanny taste for flamboyant textiles hailed from a land of curious glances. Markets always stir these peckish desires in you to experiment, it’s the one place where you can tailor your dreams. But that’s not what I loved about markets.
Eating with History by Tanya Abraham
Tanya was born and raised in Fort Kochi, a town of multicultural flavour and antiquity, where her family has been living for the past eight generations. The differences in traditions and religious influences based on history always fascinated her.
Traveling from EU to India for Ayurveda
Foreign nationals as individual tourist will be able to travel to India from 15 November 2021. India has created air bubble arrangement for EU (Schengen area) with Germany, France and Netherland. Let us help you to find a way back to India.
LOKAME THARAVADU:
MUST SEEN 30+1
The Kochi Biennale Foundation, with the support of the Government of Kerala presents a large-scale contemporary art survey exhibition titled Lokame Tharavad. The show will feature the works of 267 artists who trace their roots back to Kerala.
Dibin Thilakan is an young emerging voice in the contemporary art scene of Kerala, based in Thrissur. His work featuring strong narrative aspects exploring the human condition, have received national level recognitions.
Let's play Chaiwalla game and prepare our own Masala Chai. Historically, Indians viewed tea as an herbal medicine rather than as a recreational beverage. Some of the chai masala spice mixtures, or kashayam, are derived from ancient Ayurvedic texts.
The Mudras are used to affect the energy flow within the body. They appear to be merely physical gestures, but we can experience mudras as attitudes of energy flow intended to link the individual pranic force with the universal or cosmic force.
HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar
Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.
THE TALK 01:
What is Ayurveda for you?
Ayurveda is the science of helping a common individual to understand how to live comfortably throughout his life. Using what is available in this universe. I call it as a universe because Ayurveda is universal. Ayurveda is me and I am Ayurveda.
At some point, everyone must encounter life, what we in India call ‘ayus’. My first experience with real life came from meeting with various spiritual teachers. After many years, I found out that the best piece of wisdom I had learnt was; “Do not hurt yourself…”
Narendranath is the guardian of a dying heritage. At his tiny shop in Fort Cochin, shrunken in the course of time, he reigns as the devoted practitioner of an age-old system of medicine, a rich and valuable legacy left with him by his forefathers.
Diwali is the festival of lights, it spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. It is is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs and some Buddhists.
