Ashokism Award 2009 - Pasanga...

The Ashokism award for the best Tamil film of 2009 goes to Pasanga. Debutant director Pandiraj amazed me with his down to earth story telling and screen play.

Some of the other exemplary films worth mentioning are:
1. Vennila kabadi Kuzhu
2.Nadodigal

Chained...

Ofcourse, India Shines !

But Toilet mugs are still in Chains....

(Photographed in Shatabdi Express)

Pillayarpatti visit...

My usual interest in temple architecture lead me to Pillayarpatti - a small village about 12 kms from Karaikudi. The Karpaga Vinayagar Koil here has small but well proportioned gopurams and is set beside a beautiful tank. The original shrine inside is a rock cut cave dating back to 4th cent. AD. The vimanas and mandaps were later additions.

Bangalore Snapshot...03

Bangalore Snapshot...02

Thrissur...

For about 2 years I have been travelling to Thrissur and I realize that I have not posted anything worthwhile on this beautiful small town-the cultural capital of kerala...

The wider stream on the left is a treat to sore eyes...

Either side of my project site runs two beautiful streams..so typical of Kerala.

Nesting water birds...

the distant bridge...

boats waiting for eager tourists...

picture postcard...

a boat floating still..

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an interesting sculpture on the hilltop...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a view of my project site from the nearby Vilangan hills... Seena, my architect friend took me to this vantage point for a panaromic view of Thrissur...07.04.2009

World Architecture Award...2009

"Lalitha Mahal" among the winners of World Architecture Community Award...!

a drive to Idaikattur..01

Idaikattur is a small village by the river Vaigai, close to Manamadurai. I took a drive to visit the historic "Sacred Heart of Jesus"Shrine - a century old church of architectural significance.

The church was built in 1894 AD by French missionary Fr. Ferdinand Celle SJ with funds donated by Mary Anne- a French Anglican lady.

The church is an attempt to replicate the Rheims Cathedral in France.

The church has its own web site that has interesting info on its history...

a drive to Idaikattur...02

Idaikattur is the place where Siddhar Idaikattar lived and set the Navagrahas - the pattern followed by later temples...a small temple stands testimony to this important event in the history of temple architecture.
The countryside surrounding the village is green and yet rustic. The place is home to various bird species like kauthari, kadai, maina, karichan kuruvi, etc...

...'sithu pura' (small wild dove)

a pair of wild doves fluttering off at the sight of my car...

.'kana-koli'- a wild type of hen...very fast on its legs..

grazing cows and 'unni kokku' (cattle egretts)...

the scerene countryside...

the road leading to the village...

First brush...

she turns 3 ...

Her first brush with the brush her dad kept untouched for the past 10 years...