The Traveling Gecko

As you near Gokarna you will notice women walking along the road wearing the Saree in a very…

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 12:16:38 +0530

As you near Gokarna you will notice women walking along the road wearing the Saree in a very...

An Atypical Tree Walk with Krishna Date and Time: Sunday,...

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 13:52:34 +0530

An Atypical Tree Walk with Krishna

Date and Time: Sunday, 7th March, 2021 - 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Registration link: https://rzp.io/l/ttg-atw-7mar21

The town of Tripunithura has always been well-known for stories related to it’s historical and cultural heritage. But there are stories about its natural heritage which are waiting to be told. Hidden in plain sight, beyond the mango and the jackfruit trees, along its lanes and riverbanks, are many trees that are waiting to be discovered.

This walk will take us to the periphery of this old town to take a close look at the hidden lives of some familiar trees. Krishna, the storyteller, will focus on the peculiarities in their evolution, their interactions with the natural world, and their place in human history and society. We will look at the topsy-turvy life-cycle of the fig trees, the salt-defying adaptations of mangroves and the grandmothers’ tales around the scholaris tree among other stories. By bringing curiosity into our backyard, we hope to foster a more mindful approach to human-nature interactions.

Krishna Anujan is an ecologist with an interest in science communication. She studies tropical tree communities, enjoys birding and reading outdoors and likes a good leaf.

Meeting Point: West Gopuram, Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Tripunithura

(Location Map: https://goo.gl/maps/VH7iw2DmCdDsVUXr5)

Group Size: 10 persons only - advance registration required

Charges: Rs. 400/- per person incl. GST

Registration link: https://rzp.io/l/ttg-atw-7mar21

Advisory:
1. Please do not register for this event if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days.
2. Please wear a face mask at all times.
3. Kindly cooperate with the Storyteller in maintaining a safe distance between you and your neighbouring participant.
4. Please report to the venue atleast 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The walk will start sharp at 7:30 AM.
5. The narration of the tour will be in English.
6. We are sorry, but the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Terms & Conditions:
1. Bookings once made cannot be cancelled.
2. In case we cancel the tour you will have the option of signing up for an alternate date or get a complete refund.

For more details write to mail@thetravelinggecko.com or call +91 9940458435.

Rediscovering Fort Kochi: A Walk Down Memory Lane with...

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 13:45:37 +0530

Rediscovering Fort Kochi: A Walk Down Memory Lane with Antony

Date and Time: Sunday, 7th March, 2021 – 7:30 to 9:00 AM

Registration Link: https://rzp.io/l/ttg-rfk-7mar21

Ever wondered what daily life was like in Fort Kochi, 40, 50, or even 60 years ago? Long before Fort Kochi became a must-visit tourist destination, how did local families spend their evenings, where did young couples meet up, and what did weddings, festivals and local celebrations look like? Who were its local heroines and heroes; the people who had a deep impact on the locals? And, listening to which ghost story did the residents delight in getting spooked?

Join Antony Thommen, a long-time resident of Fort-Kochi, as he takes you back in time through his stories of a time gone by; stories some of which are known while others are unknown, some are based on historical events and some others are part of local legends. The political and economic history of Fort Kochi is well known; this tour is all about its social history!

Mr. Antony Thommen was born and raised in Fort Cochin. He has been a tour guide for many years. He has also authored a book on Fort Cochin.

Meeting Point: Vasco Square, Fort Kochi

(Location Map: https://goo.gl/maps/PQc8D5Gsa7MqihEx7)

Group Size: 10 persons only - advance registration required

Charges: Rs. 400/- per person incl. GST

Registration Link: https://rzp.io/l/ttg-rfk-7mar21

Advisory:
1. Please do not register for this event if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days.
2. Please wear a face mask at all times.
3. Kindly cooperate with the Storyteller in maintaining a safe distance between you and your neighbouring participant.
4. Please report to the venue atleast 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The walk will start sharp at 7:30 AM.
5. The narration of the tour will be in English.
6. We are sorry, but the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Terms & Conditions:
1. Bookings once made cannot be cancelled.
2. In case we cancel the tour you will have the option of signing up for an alternate date or get a complete refund.

For more details write to mail@thetravelinggecko.com or call +91 9940458435.

An Atypical Tree Walk The town of Tripunithura, in Kochi, has...

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 10:17:44 +0530

An Atypical Tree Walk

The town of Tripunithura, in Kochi, has always been well-known for stories related to it’s historical and cultural heritage But there are stories about its natural heritage which are waiting to be told. Hidden in plain sight, beyond the mango and the jackfruit trees, along its lanes and riverbanks, are many trees that are waiting to be discovered.

Krishna Anujan is an ecologist with an interest in science communication. She studies tropical tree communities, enjoys birding and reading outdoors and likes a good leaf.

Meeting Point: Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple Western Gateway, Tripunithura (Location Map: https://goo.gl/maps/VH7iw2DmCdDsVUXr5)

Date and Time: Sunday, 28th February, 2021 – 7:30 – 9:00 AM

Registration Link: https://rzp.io/l/ttg-atw-28feb21

Advisory:

1. Please do not register for this event if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days.

2. Please wear a face mask at all times.

3. Kindly cooperate with the Storyteller in maintaining a safe distance between you and your neighbouring participant.

4. Please report to the venue atleast 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The walk will start sharp at 7:30 AM.

5. The narration of the tour will be in English.

6. We are sorry, but the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Terms & Conditions:

1. Bookings once made cannot be cancelled.

2. In case we cancel the tour you will have the option of signing up for an alternate date or get a complete refund.

Privacy Policy: https://www.thetravelinggecko.com/privacy.html

Date and Time: Sunday, 7th February, 2021, 7:30 AM to 9:30...

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 09:44:31 +0530

Date and Time: Sunday, 7th February, 2021, 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Meeting Point: Koder House, Tower Road, Fort Kochi (https://goo.gl/maps/cA3ZxR5NG4awkJwd8)

Registration link: https://rzp.io/l/rediscoverfk-7feb21

Fort Kochi is probably the only Indian town to have been under continuous European occupation from 1500 CE, starting with the Portuguese who were then followed by the Dutch and the British. The Fort in “Fort Kochi” has all but disappeared. But there was a time when there did stand a grand fort and within its walls there was a “City”. While most of the structures within the city were destroyed, a few have survived the test of time and they have several stories to tell!

Join Shagzil as he takes you through this city on a storytelling tour. He will share stories of the people who came to its shores, reveal the secrets of the beautiful monuments that have survived and help paint a picture of life in the lovely streets that crisscrossed the City. Among other places the tour will include stops at The Bastion Bungalow, St. Francis Church, Parade Ground, David Hall, the Dutch Cemetery and the VOC Gate.

Shagzil Khan is a 100% Cochinite. A Post Graduate from Maharaja’s College, he has been leading tour groups for NatGeo, Road Scholar USA, Nomadic Expeditions-India, among others, within Kerala and across India for many years now. Parade Ground in Fort Kochi is where he would come to play Cricket. He loves to bicycle around the city, exploring its lesser known heritage, while actively promoting bicycling to others.

Advisory:

1. Please do not register if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to the date of the tour.

2. Please wear a face mask at all times.

3. Kindly cooperate with the storyteller in maintaining a safe distance between you and your neighbouring participant.

4. Please report to the venue atleast 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The walk will start sharp at 7:30 AM.

5. The narration of the tour will be in English.

6. We are sorry, but the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Registration link: https://rzp.io/l/rediscoverfk-7feb21

Terms & Conditions:

1. Bookings once made cannot be cancelled.

2. In case we cancel the tour you will have the option of signing up for an alternate date or get a complete refund.

Privacy Policy: https://www.thetravelinggecko.com/privacy.html

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Tripunithura was the seat of power of the Cochin Royal Family....

Sat, 23 Jan 2021 17:35:49 +0530

Tripunithura was the seat of power of the Cochin Royal Family. The Tripunithura Heritage Walk will give an introduction to Tripunithura and its history that is entwined with its Royal past. The tour will be led by Balagopal C. K. and the narration will be in English.

The walk will take participants through some of the important sites in town, this includes the Statue Square, Clock Tower (Manimalika), Poornathrayeesa temple, Kalikotta Palace, Elephant stables, the Iron bridge and private residences of the Royal Family. The participants will be lead through these sites through stories of the ascetic Cochin Royal Family and their contribution towards multiculturalism, public infrastructure, the national movement and conservation of traditional art forms.

In keeping with Covid-19 social distancing requirements we are limiting the number of participants to just 10. Look forward to seeing you on this tour. For any clarifications you can call Rajith - 9940458435 or Balagopal - 7338445803.

Date-Time: Sunday, 31st January, 2021 - 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Registration & Payment: https://rzp.io/l/ttgwalks-31jan21

1. Please do not register if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to the date of the tour.

2. Please wear a face mask at all times.

3. Kindly cooperate with the storyteller in maintaining a safe distance between you and your neighbouring participant.

4. Please report to the venue atleast 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The walk will start sharp at 7:30 AM.

5. The narration of the tour will be in English.

6. We are sorry, but the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Terms & Conditions:

1. Bookings once made cannot be cancelled.

2. In case we cancel the tour you will have the option of signing up for an alternate date or get a complete refund.

Privacy Policy: https://www.thetravelinggecko.com/privacy.html

The Women of Kathakali - Kochi, KeralaKathakali...

Mon, 04 May 2020 11:21:02 +0530

The Women of Kathakali - Kochi, Kerala

Kathakali (literally translated as story-play) is a highly stylised classical drama which evolved to its present form sometime in the 16th-17th Century CE, around the same time that Shakespeare was writing his plays in London. The switch in storytelling from Sanskrit to Sanskritized Malayalam took Kathakali to the masses and it spread far and wide, and today it is synonymous with the cultural heritage of Kerala.

Thus did Kathakali as an individual style of dance-drama emerge as ‘people’s theatre’ from the traditional dances of the past. The plays were performed by the Rajah’s own company of actors not only in temples and courts but from village to village and house to house. The new art form (called ‘Ramanattam’ - ‘”Rama” from the Ramayana and ”attam” meaning dance) soon became very popular all over the Malayalam speaking area. The feudal chieftains of Malabar (as the area was then called) began to vie with one another in their efforts to produce the best Kathakali troupes, and this competition contributed to the rapid development of the art in a very short period. One important result of this development was the composition by the Rajah of Kottayam, in North Malabar, of four plays in verse based on stories from the more colourful Hindu epic, Mahabharata. These are regarded by many connoisseurs as the best examples of Kathakali literature.”

(The above excerpt is from the book “A Guide to Kathakali” by David Bolland.)

The bright and colourful make-up, flowing costumes, percussion music, coordinated hand and eye movements of the artistes, have always appealed to both locals as well as tourists. However, most viewers tend to disconnect once the performance has started. This is largely because of the lack of understanding of: 1. The Language - which is Sanskritized Malayalam 2. The Story - from the Hindu epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana.

The real thrill of watching a Kathakali performance however is when it is conducted open-air. They start late in the evening and continue until dawn. As night falls, the shadow effect created by the lone, tall, oil lamp and the reverberation of the music and the open air setting makes for a thrilling experience. The stories on which Kathakali is performed has also evolved. In recent times “The life of Jesus Christ” and “Shakespeare’s Othello” was performed by Kathakali artistes. This is a very good trend and will help Kathakali become a more global art form.

The Kathakali artistes don’t speak heir dialogues they only communicate through mudras (hand gestures) and facial expressions what the singers sing in the background. The artiste uses the mudras to explain each and every word sung by the singer, which we can pick up if we pay close attention. The make-up of the character also reveals the role played and helps in connecting with the story-line, see images and accompanying text above.

Kathakali had been an all-male art form for a very long time, with even women characters being portrayed by men. In a State which is known for its high female to male ratio, matrilineal lineage and high literacy rates, entry barriers for women into the Arts were high.

Our Women of Kathakali in Kochi, Kerala, is a special interest tour that offers an unique opportunity to meet a group of highly spirited women Kathakali artistes who broke through the male bastion, excelled in the art and made a mark for themselves. They share with us their inspiring journey of starting an all women Kathakali troupe while alongside explaining the different elements of this fascinating art form- its stories, language, costumes, music, training, mythology, et al. The interaction ends with a brief lecture-demonstration without any make-up or costume.

For more details write to us at mail@thetravelinggecko.com or call +91 99404 58435.

The Ice House, along the Marina promenade in Chennai, Tamil...

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 10:06:10 +0530

The Ice House, along the Marina promenade in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is the only surviving one in India today (the other two were in Bombay and Calcutta). Built sometime in the late 1830’s it was used to store ice that was transported all the way from America. Ice slabs were cut from frozen lakes and ponds during winter time, covered with sawdust, loaded on to ships and then exported to Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, and cities around the world. The #Walden pond in #Massachusetts was one such source for the ice. David Thoreau, the American writer and philosopher, talks about this excavation of ice in his book “Walden”.

This was the beginning of the ice trade and also the beginning of our love for cold drinks. Bartenders were given free ice so that they could offer chilled drinks to their patrons. Ice also found application in food storage and medical treatment, leading to increased deamnd. At its peak, trade in ice was second only to the cotton trade! The person behind this ice revolution was Boston born Frederic Tudor who started his ice business in 1806 when he was 23 yrs old. He went on to establish a very successful business, earning for himself the moniker, Ice King.

With the commercialization of ice making using the “steam process”, towards the second half of the 19th century, the demand for imported ice diminished. The building was purchased by an advocate Biligiri Iyengar who used it as his residence. Swami Vivekananda on his way back from a hugely successful trip to #Chicago came to #Madras in 1897 and stayed in this house for about 10 days. The house then became a home for widows and later a hostel for women. In 1967 the government dedicated the building to Swami Vivekananda to memorialize his visit to Chennai. This is what gives the building its present name, Vivekanadar Illam.

Summer is here, so before you sip on your cold drink, raise a toast to the Ice King. Cheers!

Stories like these, about Madras/Chennai and its connections with the world is what our Madrasiana special interest tour is all about. You can browse through the complete list here Special Interest Tours. To book a tour write to us at mail@thetravelinggecko.com or call +91 99404 58435.

(The sepia tinted picture is from the British Library’s online collection, taken by Frederick Fiebig, c. 1851.)

Travel in the time of Corona? Well, we are advising all our...

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:52:17 +0530

Travel in the time of Corona? Well, we are advising all our guests to hold on to their travel decisions for now. Though the lock down is very painful it is in our collective best interest to stay put at home and follow the advice of the local governments. There is much more to lose if we flout the advice. India is coping well so far, and among the states Kerala seems to have flattened the curve, but it is still early days. Every passing week we are getting more information on the spread of the virus within the country, and across other countries too. Lets hope and pray that all countries are successfully in controlling the spread and that we all get back to a healthy way of life soon.

There is a lot of information, good and bad, that is floating around. Please take a PAUSE and THINK twice before FORWARDING any information. Medical teams and Governments around the world need all the help they can to contain the Virus. Let us do our bit by staying safe and acting responsibly.

We are keeping a tab on these 2 websites for the latest updates, in case you find them useful too.
1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (for India) - https://www.mohfw.gov.in/
2. World Health Organization (for the World) - https://www.who.int/emergen…/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Please feel free to write to mail@thetravelinggecko.com in case we can be of any assistance.

Stay Safe, Stay Calm - from all of us here at The Traveling Gecko.

The Traveling Gecko is very happy to bring to you its next...

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 20:47:05 +0530

The Traveling Gecko is very happy to bring to you its next musical storytelling tour on Sunday, 2nd February. Led by vocalist Madhuvanthi Badri the tour will take you through the world of Carnatic music, its evolution over the centuries, its traditions, regional influences, and some of its well known and lesser known contributors. The tour will be peppered with lots of songs by Madhuvanthi.

Madhuvanthi Badri is a classical vocalist, teacher, performer and culture host who started training in Carnatic Music when she was 6 years old. She trained under Kalaimamani Vidushi Smt. Bhushany Kalyanaraman, thus imbibing the authentic paatanthara (style) from the GNB and Thanjavur S. Kalyanaraman lineage. She learns advanced music from Kalaimamani Vidushi Smt S. Rajeswari as well. Madhuvanthi is also specially trained in Tamizh music having learnt the Tevaram, Tiruvasagam, Tirumandiram, Periya Puranam, Divya Prabandham and Tiruarutpa from musicologist Dr. Rama. Kausalya, scholar and former principal of the Tiruvaiyaru Music College, with whom she travels to perform lecture demonstrations and conduct workshops.

To register please write to mail@thetravelinggecko.com or call +91 9940458435.

Date and Time: Sunday, 2nd February, 2020, 7 AM to 9 AM
Meeting Point: West Gopuram (entry tower), Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore
Charges: Rs. 800/- for Adults; Rs. 400/- for children aged 12 yrs and below (payable in advance along with the registration)
Inclusions: Coffee and Taxes
Last date for Registration: 1st February 2020

In the year 2017, Chennai was included in UNESCO’s Creative...

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 16:55:43 +0530

In the year 2017, Chennai was included in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. Chennai’s vibrant music and dance heritage is what brought it this honour. Chennai is one among few Indian cities that eats, breathes and sleeps music; 365 days of the year there is some music and/or dance performance taking place in some part of the city.

On this tour, led by a Carnatic artist, we will take a closer look at Chennai’s classical music and dance heritage. The tour will be conducted in and around a local temple. Most musical traditions have originated and evolved from Temples. It is very common to see musical instruments and dancers sculpted on the walls and pillars of temples. A number of Poet-Saints have sung lines in praise of the Gods and Goddesses which today have become part of the repertoire of classical music. Your host will not just help you understand and appreciate the city’s artistic heritage, but will also sing some verses for you along the way. As the December Music season is underway we will visit one of the Sabhas (venues) and understand the role they have played in furthering the cause of classical music and dance.

Your host Smt. Madhuvanthi Badri is a classical vocalist, teacher, performer and culture host who started training in Carnatic Music when she was 6 years old. After her initial training with her mother Smt. Meenakshi, a vainika and vocalist, she started rigorous training under Kalaimamani Vidushi Smt. Bhushany Kalyanaraman, thus imbibing the authentic paatanthara (style) from the GNB and Thanjavur S. Kalyanaraman lineage. She learns advanced music from Kalaimamani Vidushi Smt S. Rajeswari as well. Madhuvanthi is also specially trained in Tamizh music having learnt the Tevaram, Tiruvasagam, Tirumandiram, Periya Puranam, Divya Prabandham and Tiruarutpa from her musicologist aunt Dr. Rama Kausalya, scholar and former principal of the Tiruvaiyaru Music College, with whom she travels to perform lecture demonstrations and conduct workshops.

Date and Time: Sunday, 15th December, 2019, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Meeting Point: Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai
Charges: Rs. 800/- per person
Inclusions: Artist fee, Filter Coffee and Taxes

When Professor G. H. Hardy visited an ailing Ramanujan in...

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 20:51:53 +0530

When Professor G. H. Hardy visited an ailing Ramanujan in London, Hardy who always struggled at starting a conversation remarked, “I thought the number of my taxi cab was 1729. It seemed to me rather a dull number.” To which Ramanujan replied, “No, Hardy! It is in fact a very interesting number. It is the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways.”

This indeed is true,
1729 = 1³ + 12³ = 10³ + 9³

(These type of numbers are ever since referred to as Taxicab numbers.)

This is how Srinivasa Ramanujan’s mind worked. A genius mind undoubtedly. He failed college (in Madras) but then went on to become a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and a Fellow of the Royal Society, London (FRS). Ramanujan died when he was just 32 years old, but he left behind a large body of work on which research continues to this day.

Ramanujan’s life is something that we all can seek inspiration from. As much as it is a story of self-belief, perseverance and genius, it is also a story of sacrifice, friendship and goodwill. His wife Janakiammal, Cambridge professors Littlewood and Hardy, and many others, within and outside India, have contributed towards his success. On this Mathematical Pilgrimage we will learn about Ramanujan’s life, his work, and of the people who supported him.

We visit his home, school, and a wonderful museum that showcases his life, all of them in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. A series of workshops and lectures based on Ramanujan’s work will be organised, as also interactions with leading Math Professors and Researchers in Thanjavur and Chennai. While this tour has been designed for children with a keen interest in Mathematics, Adults curious to know more about Ramanujan are welcome.

This tour is being organised in collaboration with Vichar Vatika a Mumbai based organisation that organises curated workshops and sessions to help empower young minds with thinking, questioning, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. To book a seat write to us at mail@thetravelinggecko.com or call on +91 99404 58435.

“From the arrival by boat to our own private hotel on...

Sat, 16 Sep 2017 18:27:01 +0530

“From the arrival by boat to our own private hotel on the water, we could only guess what our holiday at Chittoor Kottaram would entail. The personal attention bestowed on us made us truly believe that we were special guests with a unique weekend in store. The house adorned with rich Keralan wood shutters and period furniture quietly invited us to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The food was delicious and served in traditional South Indian style for special occasions, adding to the overall experience. Our host was constantly available but never intrusive, nothing was ever too much to ask. The cultural activities, heritage walk, meeting the Royal Family for tea were fascinating experiences rarely offered on the usual tourist itinerary. The Royal Family visit and the Heritage Tour was an added plus to our whole experience there in Kochin. You were right, we need to come back and spend a week in Kerala."
This is what Carol and her husband Jim, both from the USA, had to say at the end of their Holiday like the Royals trip in Kochi, Kerala.

The Holiday like the Royals trip opens a window into the lives and times of the Cochin Royal Family, one of the four powerful royal families of Kerala (before India gained Independence). The stay included in this trip is in a Royal Mansion that was used by the Maharaja of Cochin to rest while visiting the nearby Sri Krishna temple. The Mansion is now a single key hotel, which means that you and your family (or partner) will be the only guests. In addition to enjoying the exclusivity of staying in a Royal Mansion, this trip also affords an exclusive yet informal interaction with present day members of the Royal Family, today very much a part of mainstream society. On top of this, boat rides, cultural performances, traditional meals, and an attentive staff will ensure a memorable holiday.

If you would like to know more write to mail@thetravelinggecko.com or call Rajith on +91 99404 58435.

A heritage homestead overlooking a 1,000 yr. old temple and its...

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 22:53:23 +0530

A heritage homestead overlooking a 1,000 yr. old temple and its tank, what if your day started with a view like this? You step out and you come across houses with bamboo fences, thatched roofs and multi-coloured walls. A stroll around the village reveals vast stretches of paddy fields with farmers tilling the land, a small shrine of the guardian deity of the village (also painted with multiple colours) and families tending to their cattle. The air, the view, the sounds, they all help you slow down and relax.

Mangala Heritage, the homestead, is located in the coastal district of Nagapattinam (which is also home to the much revered Velankanni Church). You can easily spend 2-3 nights exploring the village and its surroundings.

A host of experiences are up for grabs, starting with a visit to a family of temple ratha (chariot) makers who will happily showcase their work. There are very few places in Tamil Nadu that offer this interaction. Next, are the superb 400 yr. old murals on the ceiling of an ancient temple complex, which tell the story of a monkey king and how he installed the temple deity. Also interesting to learn are the efforts that went into restoring the murals. A nearby temple where elderly couples come to renew their marriage vows is bound to bring a smile on your face as you watch the couples blush while at the same time enjoy all the attention.

An evening spent watching a Silambattam performance, a martial form, and Kumi-kali by the youth of the village will be most memorable. The food is simple and tasty. The locals warm and cheerful. The Danish Fort at Tranquebar, the Nagore Dargah, the Velankanni Church and the Point Calimere black buck sanctuary can all be visited.

For the next few months Kerala and Tamil Nadu will play host to...

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 20:56:05 +0530

Theyyam - North Kerala - November 2016 to March 2017.

Kollatta Javandharai - Thillaisthanam, Thanjavur - 6th November to 20th December 2016.

For the next few months Kerala and Tamil Nadu will play host to some wonderful festivals that are not to be missed. We briefly profile two of them.

Starting November the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod, both in North Kerala, awakens to the ancient ritual practice of Theyyam, the Malabar regions most fascinating ritual art form. For the next 4-5 months every village and town, small and big, will have their own Theyyam ritual and you are cordially invited.

Theyyam, believed to have been derived from the word Daivam, meaning God, is based on the belief that immortal spirits enter into mortal bodies to perform a ritual dance of divine revelation. Theyyam is a great leveller too, as for once, irrespective of social and economic status, everyone bows to the Performer and seeks his blessings.

Theyyam is usually performed at dawn or at dusk. The colours, the music, the singing, the play of light reflecting off the metal jewellery worn by the performer, the smoke from the wooden torches, the silent crowds and the open air setting makes it an absolutely memorable experience. So, give the Kathakali artistes a break this winter season and head Northwards and witness this unique and distinctly local art form.

In the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, “Kollatta Javandharai” is underway. It is an art form played by striking two sticks rhythmically against each other by holding one in each hand accompanied by Music. It is one art form which is prevalent all over India. Javandharai is a festival of Kolattam.

There is a myth connected with the festival. Once upon a time, a demon called Basavasura was torturing the people by beating them with sticks, in the form of a bull/cow. Bhoomi Devi, the Goddess of Earth, unable to bear the sufferings of the people, pleaded with Lord Vishnu/Shiva. The Almighty ultimately killed him and at the time of his death, the Asura realized his folly and pleaded for a boon. Accordingly, if innocent children assemble and perform Kolattam before his idol for a period on one Mandala (45/48 days), the place should gain good showers of rain, a fruitful harvest and prosperity. Thus, the festival came into existence, with slight local variations in the southern districts of Tamilnadu, where agriculture is the principle occupation.

This traditional festival was revived in Thillaisthanam village (of Thanjavur) after a gap of forty years, in 1989, by Dr. Rama. Kausalya, ex-principal, Thiruvaiyaru Music College. Her Foundation has been conducting this wonderful communal festival every year. Please join in the revelry and experience the mutual respect that once existed between Nature and Humans.

To experience either festivals or for details on other festivals write to us at mail@thetravelinggecko.com or call on +91 9940458435.

“I only need as much land as I can cover with three footsteps of...

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:25:26 +0530

“I only need as much land as I can cover with three footsteps of mine.” the little brahmin boy told the King. The mighty and generous King Mahabali readily agreed. The little boy started growing in size and with his first two steps covered the earth and the skies. On asking the King where he should keep his third step, the King offered his head and was pushed down to the netherworld, but not before he asked for a boon to be allowed to visit his country and his people once every year.

A mythical tale, one that every child in Kerala loves to hear and one that every grandparent takes great pleasure in telling, with some exaggerations of their own of course, forms the folklore background for celebrating the 10-day festival of Onam. The entire state of Kerala prepares itself to welcome their King home and this is what makes the festival of Onam its biggest, most vibrant and entertaining.

Come along with The Traveling Gecko and celebrate Onam in Kerala this year. A feast for all the senses is in store. This trip promises to be a good mix of all things local- festivities, community, traditions, history, food, shopping, folk arts and village life. Click here for more details- https://www.thetravelinggecko.com/featuredTrip.

The trip dates are from 14th to 16th September 2016 (for 3 Days and 2 Nights).

For costs please write to mail@thetravelinggecko.com or call us on +91 99404 58435.

Mudiyettu is a ritual dance drama from Kerala based on the...

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 11:07:28 +0530

Mudiyettu is a ritual dance drama from Kerala based on the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. It is a community ritual in which the entire village participates. Mudiyettu is performed annually in ‘Bhagavati Kavus’, the temples of the goddess, in different villages along the rivers in Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts. The performances are held in village temples between November and May after the harvest season; for the rest of the year, you can meet Mudiyettu artistes and also, visit their training school in Kochi (and in the neighbouring district of Thrissur). In the year 2010 UNESCO inscribed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The most fascinating element of this art form is that the performance area is not fixed i.e. the performers move all over the place (the venue) and the devotees/audience follow them, and the boundary between artiste and audience is blurred, everyone present participates in the iconic battle, as can be witnessed in this video.

Christmas celebrations have started early this year in both...

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 15:17:21 +0530

Christmas celebrations have started early this year in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu! Our experience partner, CGH Earth, is offering a 25% discount on their peak-season room tariff for all stays from 20^th November to 20^th December 2015 for Indian nationals and Expats living in India. We are very happy to extend this 25% discount to you. In addition, if you follow our FB page, there is a 5% FB-FAN discount on the overall holiday cost, excluding taxes, that makes the deal sweeter.

An Artist in her own right.It is 6:30 AM and a little...

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 18:55:25 +0530

An Artist in her own right.

It is 6:30 AM and a little neighbourhood in Chennai is stirring in readiness for the day. Though early-morning noises can be heard, there are very few people walking in the lane. She comes out of her house quietly, armed with her tool kit- a stick broom, a bucket of water and a cardboard box. She first sweeps the area just outside the gate clearing it of dry leaves, paper bills, biscuit and chocolate wrappers and other wind-swept things that may have accumulated there from the previous day. She then empties a quarter bucket of water on the area and scrubs it clean with the broom. Her canvas is now ready!

While the ground dries, she stares intently at the cleaned area and plans her masterpiece for the day. She opens the cardboard box which reveals eight small plastic boxes, one of which has white powder while the others are filled with powder of different colours. She tucks in her saree pallu at the waist and taking some of the white powder between her thumb and index finger of her right hand, bends and starts making pulis or little dots on the ground. Next, her fingers move swiftly connecting the dots on the ground with some straight and some curved lines. And before you realize it, a wonderful piece of art has taken shape.

She dusts the white powder from her hand and jumps into the boxes of coloured powders. She throws some blue, saffron, red, green, maroon and pink into the empty slots between the white powder lines and curves and within minutes the black and white design blossoms into a colourful kaleidoscope. She gives some final touches by putting some more powder here and wiping away some extra powder there. She straightens up and surveys her work for a few seconds. And then, she quickly packs up the cardboard box, picks up her broom and bucket, and quietly marches back into her house to attend to her house and family.

This is my neighbour who adorns the entrance to her home every single morning. While nearly every household in that lane has a kolam (or rangoli) adorning its entrance, none of them can match the beauty and elegance of this wonderful artist in my neighbourhood.

“The kolam -an ancient Dravidian geometrical motif - combines form, movement and colour to announce each new day. In Tamil, the word kolam implies beauty, form and play; it is a quiet ritual full of grace to make the home a sacred space. Women have drawn kolams before the entrances to their homes for centuries. Kolams may be linked to the earth, the stars or special festivities, but they are first and foremost a conscious offering to Mother Earth. They are prayers for prosperity, joy, wisdom, good health, and friendship. Their pretty patterns make villages and towns more festive, joyful, and devotional.” (https://archive.auroville.org/environment/villages/vill_kolam.htm)

You are very likely to come across an image like this, sculpted...

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 18:20:10 +0530

You are very likely to come across an image like this, sculpted on stone or painted on the walls, in a temple in South India or even displayed in a museum in India or abroad. It is not a very remarkable image and thus, may not catch your attention. But, look closely at this image as it has stories to tell!

The image has 4 icons- an animal and a vertically placed object at the bottom and two distinct shapes at the top. The animal is a Boar, the vertically placed object is a Sword and of the two icons on top the one to the left represents the Sun and the one on the right the Moon. Now that we have identified the components of the image, let’s look at what they represent and what they tell us:

1. Ruling Dynasty - This entire image is the royal insignia of the Vijayanagara Kings. Vijayanagara, meaning ‘city of victory’ was the imperial capital of the last great Hindu empire to rule South India (known to us today as Hampi). Established in 1336 and named after its capital, the Vijayanagara Empire expanded and prospered through the next century. In 1565, this impressive city was ransacked by armies from the Deccan sultanates and was never rebuilt.

2. Antiquity - Now that we know of the image’s Vijayanagara connection, we can safely assume that the structure carrying this image was built somewhere between the 14th and 16th century CE*. A bit of trivia about most heritage structures, especially temples, is that their antiquity decreases from the inside out, i,e. the central most structure of the temple, the sanctum sanctorum will be the oldest and as we move outwards, the structures could be relatively new.

3. Belief - According to one school of thought, the animal shown in the image, the boar, is a representation of one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu (Varaha Avatar). In this Avatar, Lord Vishnu takes the form of a boar and rescues Mother Earth (Bhumi Devi) from the depths of the ocean where Hiranyaksha, a demon had taken her. The Vijayanagara Kings liked to associate themselves with this form of Lord Vishnu as they too had fought many battles to protect South India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) from the marauding armies of the Delhi Sultans, their vast empire being equated to Mother Earth. They were very successful in their endeavour and managed to hold out the Delhi Sultans for close to 200 years! The sword represents their promise of defending South India, and the Sun and the Moon represented their promise to do so as long as the ‘Sun’ and the ‘Moon’ existed.

Every piece of art, whether a sculpture, an inscription or a painting, located outdoors or in a museum, has a fascinating story to tell. If we just slow down a bit, look at them carefully and ask for more information about them, we can have a richer, more meaningful interaction with these pieces of rich historical heritage.