Monday, December 20, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
KOTTARAKARA COLLEGE & BAHRAIN CHAPTOR
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| john kurakar &friends |
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| john kurakar & Anil |
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| Prof John Kurakar |
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| john kurakar |
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| john kurakar,Anil |
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| Prof John Kurakar |
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Continuing Education Club
St Gregorios College conducted six batches Of Information Technology Certificate courses.
Prof Kurakar
St Gregorios College conducted six batches Of Information Technology Certificate courses.
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| Prof.JohnKurakar & Team Members |
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| Prof.John Kurakar |
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| Prof.John Kurakar |
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| John Kurakar |
KOTTARAKARA & ST GREGORIOS COLLEGE
St. Gregorios College, Kottarakara
Various activities.1 Alumni Association: 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
FAMOUS PEOPLE IN KOTTARAKARA
Famous People from Kottarakkara
*Kottarakkara Thampuran (the King of Kottarakkara in the sixteenth century) was the father of the classical art form of Kathakali. This form of dance drama (which was originally based on stories from the Ramayana and was called Ramanattam), was developed by him to complement Krishnanattam, which had its origin under the Zamorins of Kozhikode
.*Malayalam novelists Lalithambika Antharjanam, Kakkanadan and writer & hypnotist Johnson Eyeroor were born here
.*The late KP Kottarakkara- Kaippallil Kuttan Pillai known as KP Kottarakkara was a film story writer, director, producer and actor. KP Kottarakkara played a serious part as a freedom fighter and was confined by the British government. Pasamalar written by him was the first Indian movie which was remade into eight different languages. He had written stories for around 87 movies including malayalam, telugu, kannada, Tamil and had produced 59 movies in these languages
.*Vedabhandu (1901–1995), the famous Arya Samaj worker and scholar of Hindu Vedas was born at Trikannamangalam, Kottarakkara. His famous works are Rigweda Pravesika' and Thandava Lakshanam. His original name was Venkidachalam Iyer and he was a Tamil BrahminIyer
*The late Oyur Kochu Govinda Pillai (1916–2008) was an artiste and a master performer of Kathakali.His character "Hamsam" (the bird character serving as messenger between lovers) very famous.He has taught in many of Kerala's training centers for Kathakali and has to his credit many disciples who later became well known names in Kathakali. Besides sharing his expertise in Kathakali at home, Kochu Govinda Pillai also got an opportunity in 1966 to visit Singapore and train students there for six months. He also toured some of the European countries like the U.K., Holland and Germany to perform Kathakali, while he was a member of the Kathakali troupe of the FACT in 1970.In recognition of his acting prowess and as an outstanding personality in the world of Kathakali, Oyur Kochu Govinda Pillai has been honored on several occasions, and some of the noted ones include the Kerala Kalamandalam Award and the Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award
Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair
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- The late Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair (1922–1986) was one of India's best known actors. He portrayed many historical heroes such as Pazhassi Raja, Velu Thampi Dalawa and Kunhali Marakkar. He is also be remembered for his roles in Chemmeen and Ara Nazhika Neram. The last-mentioned won him the Kerala state award for best actor. He also enacted negative roles with great ease, proving his versatility. His son 'Saikumar' and daughter Sobha are Malayalam film actors. His grandson Vinumohan is also a film actor.
- Veteran Murali (actor) (Bharat Murali)(1954–2009), who was the Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, hails from Kudavettoor near Kottarakara. He has acted in more than 200 Malayalam and a few Tamil movies in a film career that began in the early 80s.Murali, who hails from Kollam, entered Malayalam films after a promising stint in theatre.After finishing his degree in law, he worked in the health department and later at the Kerala University. But acting is what beckoned him, and he quit his job and plunged into a full-time acting career.Murali portrayed several roles. His greatest asset was his voice. Murali had won the Kerala State Film Award for best actor twice and a national award for best actor in 2002 for the film "Neythukaran" directed by Priyanandanan, which also won him his second state best actor award. Some of his other notable films include "Nee Ethra Dhanya", "Dhanam", "The King", "Veeralippattu", "Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu", "Meenamasathile Sooryan", "Swarnam", and "The Truth". His closeness with the Communist Party fo India-Marxist saw him being fielded by the party in the 1999 Lok Sabha polls from Alappuzha, but he lost to Congress veteran V.M. Sudheeran.
P A Solomon, Ex Rajya Sabha Member (the first Rajya Sabha from 1956 to 62) is settled at Kottarakkara. He is also a freedom fighter.
- R. Balakrishna Pillai, many times minister, MLA, MP and Panchayat President as well as Chairman of the Kerala Congress (B) is synonymous with Kottarakara. He was born to Keezhoottu Raman Pillai of Valakom who was a big " Zamindar" (landlord)of that area. His sonK. B. Ganesh Kumar, MLA and former Minister , is also a renowned actor. Other MLAs hailing from Kottarakara are Aisha Potti, B.Raghavan and P.C. Vishnunath. Renowned CPI leader E. Chandrashekharan Nair too represented Kottarakkara in the Assembly.
Prof.John Kurakar
ILAYADATHU SWAROOPAM
Kottarakkara was the capital of the famous Ilayidathu swaroopam.The historical evidences collected from here reveals that about seven -palaces- existed there. The land of kottaram’s later became Kottarakkara Besides Manikandeswara Kshethram, owned by the Ilayidathu dynasty is the Kottarakkara kovilakam of which, historical evidences are available from the sixth century of Malayalam era. Kottarakkara kovilakam was the younger thavazhy of the Venad dynasty. So this was known as the Ilayidathu (younger) swaroopam,and also as Kunninmel. The land spreads from Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram and Nedumangad to Shencottah in the east. Chera Udaya Marthandavarma, who ruled Venad during A.D.1383-1444, is supposed to have built the Kovilakam. But,according to the famous historian Sooranad Kunjanpillai, the Kunninmel dynasty has been mentioned in the Mathilakam Books in the year 1345 itself. Kottarakkara is known as a land of temples. The Padinjattinkkara Mahadeva temple,Manikandeswara temple,Kulasekharanalloor Sreekrishna temple,Thrikkannamangal Mahavishnu temple,Neduvathur bhagavathy temple are all famous temples. There are also many places which are believed to be associated with Ramayana. These are Jadayumangalam(Chadayamangalam),Valiyonkunnu (known in connection with Bali),Ugramkunnu (connection with Sugreeva)and also Poredam, which is known as the battlefield of Ravana and Jadayu.
The place that we now call Mahaganapathy temple is actually Kizhakkekara Siva Temple. The main deity is none other than Lord Siva himself – Siva facing eastward. In fact Ganapathy is only a minor deity here. But the temple today is famous as a Ganapathy temple rather than a Siva temple. | |||
The legend behind this is that Kizhakkekara temple was the property of two Nampoothiri houses – Akavoor and Oomanpally. Padinjattinkara Siva temple belonged to the royal house of Elayidathu. | |||
One day, before sunrise, rituals were taking place for the consecration of Siva at the Pandinjattinkara temple, the work of which was managed by the legendary Uliyannor Perumthachan. Outside the temple , while listening to the manthras , he started chiselling a piece of jackfruit tree. To his surprise, he found that it was the form of ‘Ganapathy’ that was taking shape. Thus he asked the chief priest to enshrine ‘Ganapathy’ also after the consecration of Siva. The chief priest denied. “This is a Siva temple. Ganapathy cannot be consecrated here.” | |||
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Perumthachan, desperate, walked towards the east and thus reached Kizhakkekkara Siva temple. As that priest was preparing offerings for the lord- Unniyappam. Perumthachan asked him “ Can you not sanctify this Ganapathy here ?”. The priest agreed. Perumthachan viewed the place- Siva facing east, in front of that it is Ganga, Parvathy turned towards the west. Southwest there is Sastha and northwest Subrahmanya. If Ganapathy too is installed, Siva family will be complete. The place will be none other that Kailas itself. Thus Ganapathy was installed southeast by Perumthachan. | |||
Perumthachan then asked the priest “ Unni Ganapathy must be hungry.What is the sacrificial food that you have prepared?”. | |||
“Unniyappam” was the reply. On a leaf, the priest placed six to seven Unniyappams stringed together. Perumthachan, with all his heart devoted his first offerings-Koottappam. Koottappam is still known to be the most wanted nivedhyam for Kottarakkara Ganapathy. | |||
After the offering Perumthachan affectionately declared “Though father is the main diety, the son will be much more famous”. His words proved to be true. Kizhakkekkara Siva temple is now known as Kottarakkara Ganapathy temple. Prof.John Kurakar |
KOTTARAKARA MAGAGANAPATHY TEMPLE
Kottarakkara Ganapathi Temple is a famous temple for Lord Ganapathi located in Quilon, Kerala. It is one of the oldest and famous pilgrim centres of South India. The fact is this is a Siva temple (Kizhakkekara Siva temple) , but it is not known by the principal deity’s name and known as a Ganapathy temple widely. Moreover, the Ganapathy idol here was not installed according to the tantra rituals. Also the important art form of Kerala having international repute – Kathakali has its origins in Kottarakkara.
Legend has it that it was it was Perumthachan who installed the idol here. Perumthachan, the master craftsman had crafted an idol from the roots of jackfruit tree and had was seeking the permission of the tantri of Padinajarekkara temple to install the idol there. The tantri on the other hand denied permission and that prompted Perumthachan, the craftsman to change his plans. Later having secured the permission of the tantri of Kizhakkekara temple Perumthachan,installed the idol there. He is believe to have studied in detail and found it ideal for the installation in south east direction. He felt that it was like kailasa (abode of Lord Shiva).
The strange fact is that the main offering (Nivedyam) for Lord Ganesha is the Unniyappam or Koothappam, a food having very sweet and delicious taste. The story behind this offering is that when Perumthachan had asked the head priest what the neyvedyam for Ganapathy will be. The priest suggested unniyappam. It is said that Perumthachan immediately offered half a dozen unniyappams in a plantain leaf before the deity.
Prof. John Kurakar
KOTTARAKARA
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Kottarakkara (Malayalam:കൊട്ടാരക്കര, IAST: Koṭṭārakkara), also transliterated as Kottarakara, is a town with almost all urban facilities, located in Kollam District (formerly known as Quilon), in Kerala state, India. The town lies 27 km to the east of Kollam City Centre, the District headquarters and 18 km to the west of Punalur on National Highway 208/220. It is 72 km to the north of the Thiruvananthapuram, the State Capital,on the Main Central Road and 80 km to the south of Kottayam. It is also the headquarters of Kottarakkara Block and Taluk comprising six panchayaths
Prof.John Kurakar.
Prof.John Kurakar.
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