Nov 26, 2009

Chained...


Ofcourse, India Shines !
But Toilet mugs are still in Chains....
(Photographed in Shatabdi Express)

Oct 21, 2009

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.














Apr 9, 2009

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..
.












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





Feb 28, 2009

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...

Feb 12, 2009

First brush...



she turns 3 ...
Her first brush with the brush her dad kept untouched for the past 10 years...

Jan 15, 2009

Ashokism Award 2008 - Subramaniapuram...

The Ashokism award for the best Tamil film of 2008 goes to Subramaniapuram.
For a person like me who grew up in Madurai, the film is a nostalgic walk thro’ the 80s. Kudos to director Sasi Kumar .The cast is amazing and the camera work and art direction deserve special mention. James Vasanthan’s songs add value to the movie.
The only thing I missed was Ilayaraja’s music. But the director cleverly overcomes this by the use of Ilayaraja’s 80’s numbers in the romantic scenes.
Well done SasiKumar.
The other 2 films that need a special mention are :
1.Poo
2.Anjathe
Ashokism awards 2005, 2006, 2007