Ajaysekher.net

“Laughing Men” A poem by Satheesh K V

Ajay — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:55:47 +0000

She sits at a height

Wearing a petticoat.

Her smooth legs visible in the moonlight

And her bosom soft as feather.

Her eyes shadowed

But glistening in the dim light,

And her lips have an oily glint.

Behind her is the shadow,

And out of it emerges once in a while

Many a laughing men—

Men who were just beside you the other day,

And will sit beside you the next day,

And some will stay with you the full course of your life,

And look into your face always,

With thankfulness to the ‘god’ beside them

And tell a thousand silent prayers

At the back of your head,

Revealing their inner thoughts with antithetical emotions,

With a thousand different nuances…

She talks like a parrot and weeps like a child,

And each time you go away the child in her takes you back.

With the smile of ‘god’ she will teach you horror,

Takes you down to the depth

And tells you: it’s an unfathomable ocean,

The deeper you go the greater you realize…

And while you do so in the dark

She waits for the next laughing man to come…

Satheesh K V teaches English at Govt. College, Kasaragod. To read more poems by the same poet visit his blog:

http://soloscribbler.wordpress.com/

Black-winged Stilts of Vypin Mangroves

Ajay — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:19:48 +0000

Black-winged Stilt: A solitary reaper in the ruined Mangroves

The lush green mangroves of Cochin, especially the green belt around the north coast at the mouth of the harbor and the lagoons and archipelago formations in the backwaters that run up to Mangalavanam have remained as the lungs and kidneys of this unique estuary and ecosystem that is also called the queen of Arabian Sea.

Indian Pitta in Mangalavanam Mangroves

A Red Crab in the Mangroves at Mangalavanam

This green cover protected the land and its people for hundreds of years from tidal waves and Tsunamis. The crabs, shrimps, lobsters and prawn provided the people with healthy delicacies. The mangroves are the breeding grounds of fish and a range of marine life.

Mangrove Blossoms in Vypin

Even after large scale destruction done for reclamation and urbanization in the city suburbs the Mangroves of Vypin island that forms the northern coast of the estuary has been giving shelter and asylum to marine biodiversity and endangered species that were pushed to the very periphery by development.

A Fiddler Crab among Mangrove flowers

Unfortunately the recent LNG and Petroleum tanks and terminals built at the heartland of the mangrove ecosystem in Vypin has destroyed the vegetation in a mass scale.

Country-boats and Chinese fishing nets of Vypin

I visited the location with P S Devarajan, an independent activist from Vypin in mid May 2010. Big roads and mud filled reclamations and huge tanks and buildings including gigantic compound walls are chocking this fragile habitat.

Beckoning Lagoons: P S Devarajan leading the voyage

It is home to many varieties of mangroves and associated flora and fauna. Devarajan who is born and brought up near this green paradise remembers his childhood expeditions and sojourns into the shaded mystery and bounty of the mangroves.

Degree of Damage: Hectares of Mangroves slashed and burned down for LNG terminals

He narrates bird and animal encounters in the past. We surveyed the backwaters near the mouth of the estuary on a country-boat provided by local children and found many species of fish and crustaceans. We could also see a few otters that were plenty in the past according to the kids who lead us.

Mouth of Kochi Estuary:View from southern tip of Vypin

Apart from a few Egrets and Cormorants, birds were virtually absent in the mangrove relics. As we were leaving the devastated landscape in disgust a flight of birds suddenly landed down out of the blue. The long held back pinkish legs revealed their true identity. It was a small flock of Black-winged Stilts. They were desperately seeking some food in the ruins of the mangrove lagoons.

Stilt with its pinkish long legs at Vypin

A Red Crab among the breething roots of Mangroves

Green-winged Stilts: Mangroves of Kochi

Devastated Mangrove Heartland for LNG Terminal

New Beginning: Mangrove Sapling

Green Imperial Pigeon of Chinnar

Ajay — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:02:40 +0000

The thorny scrub of Chinnar is a unique habitat at the eastern margin of Kerala. It houses the relics of stone age rock art and cave paintings. The dry deciduous and thorny jungles of this eastern slope of the Western Ghats form a rain shadow country. It nurtures the sandalwood forests of Marayur and the Grizzled Giant Squirrels, Star Tortoise, Tufted Grey Langurs and much much more… The mystery of Pambar and Chinnar rivers includes big mammals like Elephant, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer and a variety of birds and butterflies.

Spectacular Landscape of Chinnar

I visited this unique valley encircled by Eravikulam National Park on the west and south, Indira Gandhi WLS on the north and Kodaikanal forests on the east with an artist friend Jain in the first week of May 2010. We saw plenty of Spotted Doves and Tufted Grey Langurs. The landscape of the dry valley was breathtaking. The dry jungles of Chinnar lie at an average elevation of 600-500 meters MSL. From Munnar we can reach hear by driving down north east some 50 km through Marayur.

A Peafowl Pair in Chinnar

Blue Moutains and Green Jungle in Chinnar

The blue mountains in the background and the lemon green forests in the foreground formed a spectacular and highly soothing view. We saw peafowls in the dry grass. Spotted deers ran past us as we entered the thorny bush. A tribal forest watcher told us that it is also home to the endangered Mugger crocodiles which are rare in South India. There are dormitory, rooms, tree huts and log huts by the Forest Department for travelers.

Tufted Grey Langur in Chinnar WLS

We entered the Tamil Nadu side and drove through Indira Gandhi WLS towards Udumalpet for a few miles to see a herd of wild elephants calmly grazing by the highway. A mother and calf were enjoying their time together without much concern about the onlookers. I could go up to 70 meters near them. A forest guard was there to check the people.

Mother and Calf: A Close Elephant Encounter in IGWLS

While returning from this wonderfully and unbelievably close elephant encounter, before entering Kerala I noticed a big pale pigeon on a wild fruit tree. Stopping the vehicle I approached the tree with my camera and found a splendid Green Imperial Pigeon in its sheer beauty and grace. Its glorious green wings and whitish underparts and head were visible in the dying light of the Chinnar sun. I could also hear the yearning call of this pretty pigeon that animated and resonated the whole landscape and sunset at Chinnar.

Green Imperial Pigeon in Chinnar

Thorny Scrub of Chinnar

Thuvanam Falls inside Chinnar WLS

GRAY TUFTED LANGUR FEASTING ON A TREE

GREEN I PIGEON ON A FRUIT TREE

SUNSET AT CHINNAR

SURREAL LANDSCAPE IN TWILIGHT

Cholayar: Tributes to a River

Ajay — Mon, 17 May 2010 08:51:10 +0000

Cholayar or Chalakudy Puzha as it is known downstream is one of the largest rivers in central Kerala. It originates from Anamalais and Nelliampathy slopes in the Western Ghats and joins Arabian Sea after merging with the waters of Periyar near Paravur. It is world famous for its waterfalls at Athirappally, Vazhachal and Charpa.

Green Glory: Athirappally Falls in Cholayar

The river also hosts the relic patches of unique riparian low-lying forests, extremely rare in Kerala. It is home to four species of horn-bills: Malabar Grey, Indian Grey, Malabar Pied and Great Indian Horn-bills. The fish diversity (more than 100 species) of the river and the bird diversity (more than 200 species) of the adjacent riparian forests are amazing. It is the last resort of an ancient tribe called Kadar who live by the river at Vazhachal range. The riverside ancient route to Valparai and Pollachi connected Kerala with the Tamil country for centuries.

Cholayar at Athirappally

The thickly forested islands in the river are also home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. The Cholayar basin is also part of an elephant corridor stretching from Parambikulam to Puyamkutty. Large mammals like Gaur, deer (Sambhar, Barking and Mouse deers) leopard and tiger are also abundant here. The human-leopard conflict is a serious menace in Malakapara.

Riparian and Islet forests of Cholayar

In the last week of April 2010 I visited the banks of Cholayar with Adv. Sureshbabu Thomas. We stayed at Athirappally near the river. We explored upstream up to Sholayar reservoir near Malakapara bordering Tamil Nadu en-rout to Valparai. In the oil palm plantation below the Athirappally waterfalls my friend spotted a spotted dear and calf.

Spotted Deer and calf in Oilpalm plantation at Athirappally

This was an alarming surprise for us as the western slopes of Western Ghats are not known for this species which is abundant in the eastern and dry slopes like Parambikulam. It could be an indication of changing climatic and vegetation patterns. We saw plenty of Malabar Grey Horn-bills on the way as well. Giant Squirrels and butterflies are quite common in the riverine vegetation and sparkling glades. This unique biodiversity hot spot is also under increasing threat from big dam projects that would eventually maroon this invaluable gift of nature.

Malabar Grey Horn-bill in Vazhachal forest

Malabar Giant Squirrel in Vazhachal

Blue Mormon and Blue Bottles

Dreams Deferred: A Solo

Ajay — Sat, 08 May 2010 08:09:46 +0000

What happens to a dream deferred? Asked Langston Hughes from Harlem renaissance. He concluded his famous poem by aptly assuming that it would eventually explode! The explosive and subversive power of human dreams that are visual signs and memories are explored on canvas in my first solo exhibition of painting titled “Dreams Deferred” which is on at Dubar Hall Art Centre, Ernakulam from May 9 to 15, 2010 (Gallery D, First Floor).

'Pandit Karuppan' Mixed Media 2010

Paintings and drawings done in the last few years in acrylic and mixed media are on show including figurative and abstract compositions, portraits and landscapes. The images and motifs radically question, deconstruct and subvert mainstream visual culture and representation. Sites of power and hegemony are critiqued and caricatured. The art show is part of a new democratic cultural politics of difference in the field of visual culture and semiotics.

'Nude' Acrylic on Canvas 2007

The works are well situated within the contesting locations of culture and struggle within Kerala and its contemporary cultural history. Visual references and nuances point towards the historic epistemological and semiotic struggle between cultural elitism and democratic politics of the people, the subaltern. All who are interested in the contemporary visual culture and the politics of resistance and survival are welcome to this little act.

Some Media Responses

New Indian Express Review

Report in Desabhimani Daily

Review in Metro News

Viewers at the gallery

First Malayalam Book on Cultural Politics in Kerala

Ajay — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:23:47 +0000

My first book in Malayalam happens to be the first book in my mother tongue dealing directly with the politics of culture in Kerala. Samskaram, Prathinidhanam, Prathirodham: Samskara Rashtreeyathilekkulla Kurippukal (Culture, Representation, Resistance: Notes Towards Cultural Politics) is on the politics of writing, film and various forms of culture.

Notes towards Cultural Politics (Malayalam)

There are a few books on cultural studies and cultural criticism in Malayalam but there is hardly any title dealing directly with contesting sights of culture. There is a broad notion that cultural studies is cultural politics itself. But the real locations of struggle and fight within the realm of culture/s are always invisible and intangible in the ‘balanced’ academic analyses. The ethical and political questions of exclusion and democracy are often sidelined as something that are outside literature and culture. So even cultural studies is exclusionary, elitist and hegemonic in Malayalam literary culture.

The counter hegemonic and radical subversive acts against dominant and elitist culture are carried forward by little but deviant epistemological practices. Challenging and continuously destabilizing and rewriting existing notions of culture, polity and society are part of the democratic cultural politics. Expressing and marking the difference of historical and social experience and the politics of subject formation are also part of this practice in a society where slavery and extreme forms of brutal marginalization were practiced for many millenniums.

Cultural elitist discourses, transcendental mysticism or dogmas, hegemonic notions or practices of culture are rejected and critiqued. The themes varies from literature to film and music to pop culture. The work is a collection of critical essays and notes written and published in leading journals in Malayalam like Bhashaposhini, Mathrubhumy, Madhyamam, Kalakaumudi, Pachakuthira, Suchakam etc in the last decade. It is divided into two parts. The first part includes essays on literature and the second part includes essays dealing with pop film, music, art and visual culture. The book also contains a foreword by Prof. P P Raveendran. It is published by Fabian Books, Mavelikara (90INR).

Spinal Cord: Malayalam Theater is Live and Kicking Abroad!

Ajay — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:08:17 +0000

Spinal Cord is a Malayalam theatrical adaptation of Marquez, the Colombian master of fiction. Deepan Sivaraman has shown his remarkable directorial and scenographic skills in the experimental production which has already seen a number of stages within Kerala and won laurels abroad.

The whole world is a stage: Intimacy of Sandwich stage

The sandwich stage and participatory tropes are de-centered and democratic. The trained cast and crew are rising to the occasion. But unfortunately the B V Bhavan in Ernakulam where I watched the whole drama in the hot and humid evening could not hold the eager audience who were kept out by the small and scorching auditorium.

Sajitha Madathil playing a remarkable role

Though the play was trying to articulate an inclusive gender politics and justice the theater and venue excluded the spectators who thronged into the crowded house from all over Kerala. Though poetic justice was ruling over the stage material justice was denied to the people who came to watch the play.

Obscure object of Desire: personified female chastity

The play interrogates and critically explicates the patriarchal concept of woman’s chastity. The bloody violence and struggles that follow in order to maintain chastity and family/caste honor are also dramatically visualized with excellent lighting and stage properties. This new breed of Malayalam theater also uses multimedia support for visual simulation. Actor Gopalan who played the lead of an old woman did an excellent performance. It is a meaningful and valid dramatic attempt for representing cultural reality while attacking patriarchy.

Total theater: the polyphony of Audio-visual experience

Festive Summer Nights of Kerala

Ajay — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:34:17 +0000

The festival season is on in Kerala. The hot midsummer nights are transformed into convivial carnivals of music, dance and performance in a variety of ways in various locations of culture. Temples and churches are throbbing with their annual festivals. These religious centers become secular in these sociable and inclusive nights that open up for everyone.

Pop concerts called Ganamela: Leading young playback singer Jyotsna in full swing

Both popular and elite cultural forms pull audiences from all walks of life. There are still hegemonic and orthodox traits in some aspects like the parading of elephants and temple purity and pollution culture that are both anti human and anti aniamal. But still the old democratic spirit and egalitarianism of Kerala’s Sramana heritage of Buddhism and Jainism are reminiscent in the festival culture. The temple festivals in Kerala are actually the lasting legacy of Buddhist and Jain festival rituals appropriated later by Hindu Brahmanism as they converted the temples in the 8th and 9th centuries.

Classical concert by Priya Sisters

But still the popular performances and music in these starry nights are a true democratization of culture and celebration of the secular human spirit. The dynamism and creative energy of Kerala’s young talents are expressed amidst mixed crowds and fans of this unique festive gaiety that surpasses caste, gender, class, age and locality. The hegemonic and reiterating elements must be checked and the secular and democratic spirit must be upheld by the people. Let me leave you with glimpses of this vibrant creative energy and local life culture.

Gopi Asan: A star in Kathakali

A favorite duo: Kalamandalam Gopi and Margi Vijayakumar

Hot and spicy: Boiled corns for sale

Festival shops and colors

A senior Pan seller at the festival

Illuminating toys on display

Children enjoying with fire crackers

Lord of Peacocks among humans: A folk performer of Mayuranritham

Ultimate Performer: Pop diva Jyotsna

Luring the crowds: Jyotsna in pop concert

Bio power of music: Jyotsna in action

Democratizing Art: Jyotsna singing to the people

First Birthday of a Koi-pond

Ajay — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:14:40 +0000

Koi carps in the garden pond

Arun’s pond of Koi carps turns one this April. Arun conceived, designed, fabricated and built this beautiful tiny pond for Kois and Shubunkins and Goldfish in our small backyard at Gandhinagar, Kottayam a year back in April 2009. He used metal mesh, concrete and waterproofing materials to make his dream pond.

Yellow Water Lily in full bloom

I was also part of this exciting endeavor. We went up the Meenachil river to collect water plants, snails, logs and pebbles for the pond. He also planted lilac, pink and white native water lilies along with the plants. Some of them have flowered during the first year, but some of them are yet to bloom. We have a small yellow bamboo grove beside the pond; temple tree, Alovera and ferns adjoining it. A small rockery and a terracotta bird-bath adorn the banks.

Feeeding Frenzy of Kois

Magpie Robins and plenty of Dragon flies, Damsel flies and Butterflies like Southern Rustic and Blue Tiger regularly visit this cozy humid pond with a few potted ficus plants providing shelter and cool shade. A pond heron also came to fish in the pond in between and got away with a few Shubunkins. Then I started covering the pond with a thin net. And then on managed to keep the intruders out!

Red Dargonfly on a waterplant

We had earlier introduced two medium sized Whale-tailed Carps, two Kois, a few Goldfish and some mollies. Most of them are still going well! It is a rare delight to feed and watch them playfully gliding through the water lilies and submarine vegetation.

A Green Damselfly: An invisible visitor

We are really happy to celebrate the first birthday of Arun’s Koi-pond as it is not simply a stagnant structure but a dynamic ecosystem and a living organism with its own individuality and organic identity. All cheers to life and nature and its various manifestations!

A tiny froglet that comes by night

Magpie Robins coming to the Birdbath

Shubunkins

Orange Carps and Green Ferns

Southern Rustic Butterfly near the pond

Fern frilled Rockery skirting the pool

A rare butterfly on a waterlily

Blue Flycatcher of Bannerghatta

Ajay — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:00:05 +0000

Reclining Tiger in Bannerghatta N P

Bannerghatta National Park lies 22 km south of the city of Bangalore at around 1000 m in altitude. Though it is in the state of Karnataka it has historical and geographical linkages with north eastern Kerala and Wayanad in particular. It is part of an elevated elephant corridor connecting Wayanad and Sathyamangalam. The zoological park and jungle safari within the reserve attract a lot of tourists and common folk to this unique wilderness high up in Deccan plateau.

Spotted Deer, a grazing male

I visited the National Park in the first week of April 2010. The natural history museum within the zoo is really informative and illuminating. There are separate large houses for birds, reptiles, herbivores and carnivores. The wonderful trees and rocks of the zoological garden provide a green, cool, shady and wild ambiance to the area and makes you one with nature.

Wild Tusker behind the bush

First we went on a grand safari including the lion/tiger/bear/herbivore circuits. The minibuses operated by the zoo take you to the middle of the reserves where you could watch the kings and queens of the jungle in their natural surroundings in close quarters. We saw a wild elephant near a lake cooling in the mud and shallow waters. Plenty of sloth bears were seen under bamboo groves. We saw a group of lions sleeping under green cover in the scorching heat. An old tiger was wandering around in the bush. Another was chilling off in the small pond. A white tiger was lying beneath a ficus tree as an enlightened spirit of the forest.

Sleeping cozy lions

After the grand safari we explored the butterfly park and the zoological park. Due to the heatwave conditions butterflies were rare in that noon time of the day. In the large house of the birds we saw plenty of pelicans, painted storks, white storks, night herons and other water fowl. The night herons are even nesting and breeding within the large enclosure.

White Tiger in napping mood

The joy came when I spotted a blue bird in the bamboo groove that was free and autonomous as we neared the end of the park. I followed it with my camera to the neighboring trees. It was a Tickel’s Blue Flycatcher! This cool being was roaming and feeding free within the zoological park. The dark blue head, wings and upper parts and the rufous and whitish under parts were strikingly visible. I was really happy to see this blue flycatcher roaming free and lazy amidst the huge enclosures of the park representing the untamed spirit of the wilderness and the untiring spirit of nature.

Tickel's Blue Flycatcher in Bannerghatta N P

T Blue Flycatcher in Bannerghatta

Night Heron nesting inside the cage

Sambhar Deer female: Cautiously watching

Red-crested Pochard in captivity

Painted Stork

A Preening Grey Pelican