Mohan:
It was a good piece on Kerala. Three visitors from USA witnessed / participated in the snake boat race. A narrow three-feet wide Snake Boat seating 2 in a row and about 60 people or so rowing in sync to the beat and whistle, was an awesome sight. Forget about Boston, cambridge or oxford boat races. This Kerala boat race is unique. This is a snake boat and nothing less. Onam celebrations were shown. Also people painted yellow with black stripes depicting tigers and hunters, performing the tiger dance rituals with the hunter becoming the hunted by the tigers was something to behold. As a child I remember these tiger dances in Tamil Nadu. The women folk and the youngsters had grace and poise.
In India Today, there is an article on your (and ours) compatriot, Ramachandran a versatile artist and native Keralite, coming from a Nair family in the small town of Attingal, is located now around Udaipur Rajasthan, fascinated by Ajanta, bright colors, sinewy and expressive faces of the locals. Page 44 India Today November 2, 1998 issue. Good reading.
JPR |
