Chitra Sante 2023

The Chitra Sante in Bangalore is an annual one-day event where 1500 plus artists come together to exhibit their artwork. This is hosted by Chitrakala Parishath. I have heard about this. But not been lucky enough to visit it until this year. This event was held yesterday, and it was mind blowing.

Imagine! 1500 plus stalls of art and more art. There was art made of various mediums like acrylic, oil, gouache, watercolours, colour pencils and so on. There were paintings that were realistic and beautifully abstract too.

I noticed that Kathakali, Boothakola from Kantara movie, blue hues of sea and Lord Ganesha were artists’ favourite.

It took me about 7 hours to see around the shops. I told my friend, “It is like diving into the Pinterest app and endlessly scrolling through it”. A bunch of people around me heard and they agreed! Trust me, it was super crowded, as if there is no place for even a pin! Incidentally 400k footprints were expected. So, no wonder.

I would highly recommend that you visit this place. Trust me it is an experience that you'd treasure. 

I wish that the arrangements for food and refreshments were better though. In fact, I would prefer to carry some quick bites for my next visit. The food stall was nothing but the canteen in Chitrakala Parishath or Richie Rich which is one end of the road. Well, I am sure we would not have enough energy to walk so much in the crowd. 

Lets not even bring the washroom challenge up. Also, the network had jammed. It was a struggle for buyers to make UPI transfers. They had to go hunting for the ATMs.

Kaarthikai 2017

Kaarthikai 2017 - Celebration Time!

Street View...

Kalpathy Theru 2017

Kalpathy Theru (Car Festival/Ratholsavam) took place between 8^th and 16^th of November, 2017. It is one of the most famous and very old festival celebrated in the town. 

The event begins with flag hoisting in all these 4 temples.

The streets of Kalpathy, beautifully lit… Kalpathy theru is an emotion and an event which the natives look forward to year after year. The real beauty lies in the fact that it is celebrated by everyone in Palakkad surpassing the religious diversity.

The beauty of the theru lies in it’s simplicity and the wonderful streamers made of white-paper, called netti maalai in Tamizh.

The car festival is celebrated in 4 temples, spread across 4 different aggraharam/villages in Palakkad – Kalpathy, Mandakkarai, Old Kalpathy and Chathapuram. 

The theru is made of wood and has intricate wooden work. 

It resembles to the theru in Kumbakonam and Tanjavur of Tamil Nadu because the natives of the Kalpathy are said to have migrated from those places a few 100 years ago.

Lord Ganesha of Mandakkarai– on Day 4 of the ratholsavam

Lord Viswanathaswamy of Kalpathy – on Day 4 of the ratholsavam

Lord Krishna of Old Kalpathy– on Day 4 of the ratholsavam 

Lord Ganesha of Chathapuram – on Day 5 of the ratholsavam

Lord Krishna of Old Kalpathy– on Day 5 of the ratholsavam

Lord Viswanathaswamy of Kalpathy – on Day 5 of the ratholsavam

Lord Ganesha of Mandakkarai– on Day 5 of the ratholsavam

Each day the God will be seated in different Vaahanam (vehicle) and goes around 5 adjacent agraharam

This is one of my personal favorite. Lord Krishna of Old Kalpathy decked up as Mohini. I loved this even better this time because of the beautiful candy pink sari!

 The ever handsome and majestic Lord Ganesha of Mandakkarai

It is also a time for family get together and reunions with old friends

A lot of shops come up and it’s also shopping time.

Some of the must-buys includes glass bangles, kumkum, puffed rice and vessels made of stones. 

No festival in Kerala would be complete without Panchavaadhyam.

Kalpathy is declared as a heritage village by the Government and it is famous for music lovers. This year, the stage was adorned by many vocalists and instrumentalists including Sudha Raghunath.

PS: I heartily thank my friends for generously sharing pictures because I couldn’t be a part of the celebration this year. Thanks again for also letting me share this. This post would not have been possible without you – my amma, Nidhun and Prasad J

Memories of Milan

As a part of an official trip to Italy, I got an opportunity to explore Milan. The shared walls and the architecture in Europe always awes me. So I didn’t care that I had very limited time. I put on my comfortable shoes, packed some quick bites, ensured that the camera is fully charged and walked across the streets of Milan. On day one (I had just couple of hours), I first went to Piazza Duomo and the walked around the market square. And on a Friday evening, went around Sforza castle and the walked across the Simplon Park and saw the Porta Sempione also. Here are some glimpses of the Fashion Capital. Though I have to tell you that I didn’t buy any clothes. There was so much of sightseeing to do!!!!

Piazza Duomo is located in the heart of Milan. It is a cathedral surrounded by a market square.

 

We can climb up the cathedral through steps or elevator (the exhausted me chose the elevator)!

 

I say, that's an angel clicked by a demon

 

It was a hot and sunny day. And although it was well around 7PM, the Sun was refusing to set. Some shade was all we all needed!

 

Sforza Castle is the treasure house of the famous Last Supper of Leomardo Da Vinci. Unfortunately, I could not see that because by the time we reached the castle was closed. I missed it; but I am glad that I was somewhere near its vicinity. 

It was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan

 

 Porta Sempione - The Central gate of Milan, behind the Sforza castle

 

Simplon Park, a brilliant patch of green on the way from the Sforza Castle to the Porta Sempione

 

Though it looks like a majestic mansion, it is the Milan Centrale Station -  We can catch trains and metros. And of course do some extensive shopping. It is no less than a mall!

The railings that took me across Italy!

I should say Italy is a delight for art lovers. Give an artist a few Euros and your time, they will sketch you also. I tried and it looks a lot like me!

Some flavors of India in a foreign land is always a delight!

The shared walls... Streets of Milan!

x

Sankey Tank, Bangalore

An early morning stroll across the Sankey Tank, a manmade lake or tank located in Bangalore, India 

It was constructed in 1882, as a safeguard against water shortages

Its a nice place to walk around, the water body cooling down the atmosphere

Floating nest

Ducks seem to be having a good time too!

And there are lots of pigeons... Its such a joy to see them fly -  so free and happy - unlike most of us!

They say, fly high!