FROM KERALA WITH LOVE

[padmanabha]

From Kerala with Love:-

These are a few tidbits I heard, saw and read on Kerala on different topics. Let me share with you.

WOMEN:-
Constitution guarantees equal rights for men and women. Still the women of Kerala highly educated and employed feel marginalized. Why?
Women are yet to realize their individual potential. They are non reactive and terrified inviting atrocities against them.
A woman is raped every 6th minute, beaten up every 44 minutes and murdered for dowry every 90 minutes. Globally three percent of women are harassed, which is 30 percent in India and in Kerala it is still higher.
Crime records bureau said that in 2005, there were 2433 cases of sexual harassment, 54 rapes, 125 kidnappings, 2579 physical atrocities and 2759 other violence acts. We all know that al cases do not come to the station/court.
Why is she victimized?
Woman is portrayed as an object of lust. She is used to promote commodities. No woman is spared from the glaring eye of men-which women take it with out protest. Any one who protests is branded as bad, even by other women.
We lavishly quote what is said about women-like “if a woman is educated and uplifted the entire society and then the nation too is uplifted”. But women are used and abused.
WEDDINGS:-
Employed and educated women are buying husbands for gold worth at least 100 sovereigns, latest car, and plots. Just to celebrate this ostentatious wedding parents lent money and finally commit suicide. Family suicides too are very common in Kerala. It seems marriage is the ultimate goal for Kerala women?
After marriage it is the abortion of female foetus. Kerala which stood first in the number of women (1052 women against 1000 men) has fallen drastically. Society wants women not to excel socially and officially. I have heard mothers complaining “do not sent her to courses like MBA and still higher degrees as it would be difficult to search a husband who is more qualified than her” it means the woman is expected to be always below her husband to preserve his ego.

The role of TV:-
T V serials produce negative role models for children and others to follow. Women perennially shed tears. The sentiment of thaali still exists. The family members glued to television, with out conversation-that is sharing their thoughts and daily happenings.
We have only 7 percent of women in the Asembly and Parliament. But 33 reservations were enforced in Panchayats. Political parties which claim equality do not come forward to reserve 33 percent seats for women. Women, even the empowered women, have the right to decide what curry to make.
Ajitha former naxalite, a terror in Pulpally in Wynad told me a few years ago, “the party members (CPM) say, “-we will take decisions and you can make tea for us” That is the situation in Kerala.

Alcoholism is the chief cause. Men indulge in domestic violence and they don’t even spare their daughters.

There are 64 laws to protect women. Instead of taking refuge in tears, they must be aware of these. Don’t you think that legal literacy should be made part of the curriculum from the upper primary levels?

AYURVEDA: _
Medical science is as old as VEDAS. There are four Vedas-namely Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. Ayurveda is a part of Atharva Veda.
The word Ayur Veda means Science of Life. Charaka has defined it as the science through which one can gain knowledge about the useful and harmful sides of life, happy and miserable life and the span and the very nature of life.
The practice of Ayurveda is based on PANCHAMA BHOOTA THEORY AND TRIDHOSHA THEORY.
The human body is made up of Doshas, Dhatus, and Malas. The DOshas are Vatha, Pitha and Kafa. They control physiological activities of the body. The dhatus are the functional part of the body. They are seven in number. The malas are partly used and partly excreted in a modified form. These three elements are always in equilibrium. Any imbalance results disease.
The imbalance has to be studied properly to identify the disease. The patient has to observe certain dos and don’ts called Pathyas.
There are two types of treatments-SODHANA AND SAMANA
THE former is restored to such cases where the doshas are accumulated and have to be removed. SAMANA is done when the imbalance is little.
The SODHANAS are of five types-VAMANA, VIRECHANA, NASYAM, VASTHI, AND RAKTHAMOKSHAM.
VAMANA-EMESIS THERAPY
VIRECHANA-PURGATION THERAPY
NASYAM-NASAL MEDICATIONS
VASTHI-MEDICATED ENIMA
RAKTHAMOKSHAM-BLOOD LETTING THERAPY
These are collectively called Panchkarma.
Before panchakarma the patient has to undergo SNEHANA (OILATION THERAPY) and SWEDANA KARMA (SUDATION THERAPY)
These therapies rejuvenate the body. Rheumatism, lumbago, spondylitis, muscular diseases and chronic head aches.
Besides these there are DHARA, PIZHICHAL, NJAVARAKIZHI AND SIROVASTHI. It would take five weeks to complete the process.
The patient lying in a wooden thoni called enna thoni-is made of medicinal wood. The head rests on a basin part and the neck rests on a bridge. It is said that patients with high sugar and pressure should not undergo this treatment, without controlling them. thulam, kumbham, and karkitakam are the best months to perform these.
Pizhichil, Dhara, Sirovasthi, Annalepanam and Sirolepanam are also forms other methods of available treatments.

CHAMPARUTHI: -
There are many varieties of Champaruthi or shoe flower. The flowers and leaves form the essential part of toiletries. It can arrest premature graying, and falling of hair. The paste of flowers and leaves act as anti dandruff agents.
The decoction of champaruthi bud is capable arresting bleeding. Various preparations of champaruthi are used to prevent constipation. Coconut oil boiled with champaruthi petals heals external ulcers.
Champaruthi grows easily. Stem cuttings are used to propagate. The cuttings will flower with in two months. Regular pruning helps sprouting of flowering shoots.
Before trying self treatment consult an ayurvedic physician.
(TO BE CONTINUED)

[padmanabha]

GOLDEN YARN: -
Keralam the word is believed to be the derived from the Keram which means coconut. There is another version that Cheralam in due course became Keralam. Anyway, it is a land of coconut. The coir and the coir products produced from the husk are popular all over the world. The quality of coir from Kerala has en edge over the brown fiber used elsewhere. The government has charted out a clear cut strategy to boost the export of coir products and the target fixed is RS 1500 Crores.
Coir matting, coir tiles, rugs, car mats, tinkers like earrings, necklaces and shopping bags, have arrived the market to lure the consumer. Coir murals carefully crafted with soft delicate coir fiber are exquisite pieces of art. It enhances the beauty of the interiors. Good time for the golden yarn.
The living conditions of the coir workers too have to be improved. Retting causes pollution of the backwaters. Women who sit for long hours beating the rotten husk too are exposed to skin diseases. So the government should take care of their welfare as well. Without them there will be no coir and no import.

IXORA:- We call it thetti in Malayalam. There are about 400 species and the flowers are red, yellow, white and magenta. There are hybrids available in pink and salmon. It is the national flower of SURINAM. The shrub grows to a height of 10ft. It blooms in all seasons.
There are two varieties the tall and the dwarf. Miniature ones are bushy and can be grown in pots.
You cannot call it a shade loving plant. The plant is propagated by semi ripe cuttings and suckers from lateral roots. In a polythene bag fill equal quantities of sand and cow dung powder; plant the ripe cutting that is all.
The seedlings can be replanted in a pot containing a mixture of gravel, sand and cow dung powder. Water once a day. Add two spoons of Neem cake thrice a week along with cow dung powder.
The plant will look elegant if pruned. It provides shades to door porches and backyard. The flowers last long and can be used to decorate interiors. The flowers have medicinal qualities.

[padmanabha]

Here is a translation of a poem penned by MAHAKAVI ULLOOR PARAMESWARA IYER. i read it today.

FUTURE:-

SPREADING THE COWRIES BEFORE THE LAMP,
THE ASTROLOGER CALCULATES
TRYING TO UNRAVEL THE FUTURE
PERHAPS ALL THE DARKNESS AROUND
IS NOW GATHERED WITHIN HIM
THE LAMP WONDERS
AND GAZES UNBLINKING
“ARE WE STARS
TO BE HELD IN YOUR HANDS?”
THE COWRIES SEEM TO QUESTION AND LAUGH
“THEN COUNT THE STARS
ON THE BLUE BOARD OF THE SKY”
SAYS ALSO THE LIZARD’S VOICE
“LET US NOT STOKE THE FIRE IN THE HEART
TO SMOKE THE GREEN FRUIT OF TODAY
INTO THE RIPENESS OF TOMORROW
GOD HAS WRIT THE FATE OF ALL
“THOSE THAT ARE BORN SHALL DIE”
WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?
THIS IS THE AUSPICIOUS MOMENT
FOR DOING GOOD
NEVER SHOULD THERE BE TIME FOR EVIL
IN THIS LIFE
SHORT AND MUTABLE”

[padmanabha]

Surya Kaladi Mana:-
“It is believed that Surya Kaladi Mana is as old as Kerala itself. The present structure was built during the reign of Maharaja Swati Tirunal who had received mantropadesam from the then head of the Mana. He unfailingly visited this Mana whenever he visited Kumaranallor. He saw the dilapidated structure when the Mana was financial crisis and helped to renovate the Mana” said Surya Subramanium Bhattathirippad, the head of the Mana who was in the city for a personal visit.
This Mana is known for conducting tantra and mantravadam (Science of Mantras). It is believed to be the abode of Lord Ganesa.
“In fact the mana was earlier located in the Malabar region. With the differences of opinion with the then Zamorin around 600 years ago, followed by Revathi Pattathanam, the family moved to Kottayam (Thekkumkur). ('Revathi Pattathanam', is the annual intellectual meeting among Vedic scholars held at the Tali temple.)” The Zamorin never entertained Brahmins south of Gaunipuzha. Still the head of the Mana participated Pattathanam. Zamorin honored him at the same time sent people to locate the Mana. It is said that the river took a different course and thus the Mana became north of the Gaunipuzha. Even today if you look at the course of the river, you can see the river meandering round the Mana. It is because of the grace of Lord Ganesa” explained Surya Subramanium. “Earlier the Mana was known as Kaladi Mana and nearly eight generations ago, the head of the Mana had the Vision of Surya, the Sun God and since the Mana is prefixed with Surya. There are many stories related to Surya Kaladi Mana. Kottarathil Sankunni in his work on Aithihyamaala has included the legends attached to this Mana” he added.
The Mana is organizing what is called Gangapravaham. What is it all about?

“Gange cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswathi
Narmade Sindhu Kaveri Jalesmin Sannidhim kuru"

Life cannot exist without Water. We a team of 60 would be collecting water from the perennial springs of the seven sacred Rivers and the holy waters of Maanasarovar. No puja can be performed with out water and above all, the people should be made of aware of the extent of damage and pollution, and its consequences. The collected water is further sanctified by chanting Vedas for 60 days at the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple. As I said, the Mana is an abode of Lord Vinayaka and on the day of Vinayaka chaturthi, ablution is performed with this sanctified water. Then on an appointed day a conch of sanctified water is poured into all the 44 rivers of Kerala. Environmentalists do participate. They address the people on river pollution and the need to protect our water sources. None has the right to pollute the river. The world does end with me. We have to conserve water for posterity” said Bhattathirippad. (479 WORDS)

[Braandan]

Is it "Champaruthi" or simply "Chembarathi"?

[padmanabha]

both are same-and is like tholasi and thulasi.

[MazhaiKuruvi]

I think it is chembaruthi, m+p=mb red cotton

[MazhaiKuruvi]

Padmanabha,

Isn't keralam a derivate of chera?

[padmanabha]

yes. it is another version. since two decades or so keralam has become rubberalam. (keram=naalikeram=coconut). One cannot stand below a rubber tree, because of the hotness. You feel terribly hot underneath a rubber tree. when you happen to be in a rubber estate -it will be like a preheated oven! in due course I fear the atmospheric temperature would rise further due to more area coming under rubber cultivation.

[padmanabha]

Veluthampi Dalawa
“A man of extraordinary ability and talents strong passions and quick sensibility and was amazingly bold and daring,” remarked Kottarathil Shangoonny Menon, on Veluthampi Dalawa. Born to Valiyaveettil Valliyyammapilla Thankachi, and Manakkara Kunjumayitti Pilla, in 1765, at Thalakkulam Veluthampi was an exponent, in martial arts. He led a disciplined life.
He proved his ability as the kariakar, and mulaku madiseela sarvadhi kariakar, and the Dewan Chirayinkizh Ayyappan Chempa Raman Pillai need not think twice for appointing him as his successor. Veluthampi could put an end to corruption and injustice. He launched touring court. The team traveled, from place to place hearing grievances and pronouncing immediate judgments. On one such journey, the team identified Pathiramanalpuram a fertile island, amidst the backwaters near Alappuzha. The punishment was severe and many regarded him as a cruel Dewan.

As a reformer, he attempted reclamation of the fallow land, the opening of the kollam –shenkotta road, construction of canals, and roads, improved trade and commerce. He felt the need for a Huzur Cutchery. The palaces near the eastern entrance of the Padmanabha temple were built by him. The streets around the Fort area, and an open ground (now KSRTC garage and the iron villa park) where people assembled to express their grievances, the survey of the land, and assessment of tax based on the yield, (kandezhuthu) were his innovations. He made primary education compulsory. While his predecessors enjoyed the privilege of drawing money from the treasury, Thampi fixed monthly salary. There existed an anti Dewan group, which plotted conspiracy. The Resident Macaulay informed of the conspiracy and asked him to meet the Maharaja. The conspirators became active once again. In the mean time Thampi, cut the soldier’s allowance, which led to an immediate revolt. When his life was at stake, he committed suicide at the Mannadi Bhagavathi Temple, instead of surrendering to the British.
Though we consider the Sepoy Mutiny (1857) as the first revolt against the Imperial Power, in fact Veluthampi raised voice against the British for the first time that is in 1809. He addressed a large gathering at Kundara and proclaimed to oust the British.