Memon is a community of Muslims from Kutch area in Gujarat.
Memon is a community of Muslims that migrated to Kochi from the Kutch area in Gujarath during the early part of the 19th century. Even though they migrated into Kochi from Kutch their roots can be traced back to Sindh region in Pakistan. It was in 1815 that a group of influential Memoni Muslim businessmen to settle in Kochi. It is believed that the influx of the Memonis into Kochi started after that.
The role played by the community in transforming Kochi into a major trading hub is commendable. The community formed made many charitable trusts and contributed vastly to the socio-economic fabric Kochi.
Education and women empowerment are two key areas were their contributions are immense. The community members have made commendable contributions to Urdu literature as well.
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION BY BIJU IBRAHIM: COMMUNITIES OF KOCHI
Places have souls and Mattancherry in the city of Kochi has a mystic one. Biju Ibrahim discovered this while documenting the lives of Kochi’s 38 communities through black and white pictures. Distinct in layers of identities – caste, faith, language, ethnicity and region – these communities have been welcomed over centuries and have, in turn, infused Mattancherry and Kochi with a rare and rich heritage. Historically, it has been home to Muslims, Christians, Jews and Hindus. The sea and port attracted sailors, traders from Arabia and Gujarat, preachers of Semitic faiths, colonisers such as the Dutch and Portuguese, political refugees and migrant labourers. A cross-section of India lives here in a radius of 5 kilometers.
He captures the essence of rustic geographies, the people who are now becoming archive of the earth, the mythic & mystery of spaces & places, alleys of now filled with the density of then or before.
URU art harbour is a cultural hub situated at Kochi. URU seeks to be a space for collaboration and a continual hub for artistic, cultural, and intellectual exploration. Founded by Riyas Komu and Zoya Riyas.
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.
