A Crusader in Integrated Dairy Farming

A crusader in integrated dairy farming. More than a farmer, perhaps, this would be the ideal way to hail A R Avaneendranathan of Payattuvila in Kottukal panchayat near Balaramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram.

From a small-time dairy farmer, he has emerged into a proud owner of a dairy unit by successfully adopting integrated farming.

Nathans Dairy Farm, comprising about 100 cows, has a daily production of over 600 litres of milk and caters to the needs of several households in and around Payattuvila. Apart from local supply of milk, Nathans dairy unit gives 350 litres of milk to MILMA every day. “My aim is to increase the production to 1000 litres per day,” says Avaneendranathan, who earlier had a mini homestead dairy farm.

The sheer passion for dairy farming and the innate ability to do experiments in farming are the secrets of his success. One may wonder how dairy farming can be profitable considering the skyrocketing prices of cattle feed, straw and grass and high labour charges. Here is where integrated farming comes to play.

“Don’t depend solely on cattle feed, straw and grass. This is the only way to run the show profitably,” Nathan says. He cultivates banana and tapioca on four acres of land. “Leaves and stem of banana and tapioca are the main feed for cattle. Coconut leaves are also given. And the cow dung is the main manure for banana and tapioca”. Nathan also uses brewery waste as a cattle feed, which is available at the rate of Rs 4 per kg.

According to Nathan, small scale dairy farming will only become profitable if the price of milk is increased to Rs 30 a litre. “See, a milking cow should be given 10 kg of cattle feed, 35 kg of grass and 10 kg of straw a day. One kg each of cattle feed and grass cost Rs 15 and Rs 2 respectively. Thus, it requires a minimum sum of Rs 225 for a cow daily, which produces over 25 litres of milk a day. On an average, we have a production of 600 litres a day. Though we have to feed 100 cows more or less in the same rate, only half of them will be in the milking stage. That’s where the economics of dairy farming goes wrong. The expense comes around Rs 22,000 and the income is only 15,000,” he said.

Nathan follows a definite pattern for feeding and milking the cows. For him, a day starts at 1 a.m. The first thing is to give feed to the cattle. By the time his employees join Nathan, he would have removed the cow dung and other waste from the shed. After cleaning the cows, the milking will start at around 3.30 a.m. “Machines are used for milking and at a time two cows can be milked,” Nathan said. Another group of employees will join at around 7 a.m. who will be engaged in feeding the cattle and cleaning. The second milking of the day starts at 3 p.m.

Cleanliness and hygiene are very important in dairy farming. “Before milking, cow’s udder is washed using potassium permanganate. The whole shed is washed using lotion or bleaching powder and maintained dry. Utmost care has to be taken to keep the cow’s hoof dry to prevent infection,” Nathan says.

Another highlight of Nathan’s dairy farm is the presence of traditional cattle breeds like Kapila, Kasargod Dwarf and Vechoor. The other breeds include HF (Holstein Freisian), Brown Jersey and Jersey. Besides, he owns a mini goat farm which consists of high yielding varieties like Malabari Goat, Jamnapari, Saanen and Vendoor. “Goat milk is mainly supplied for ayurvedic medicinal purposes,” he adds.

According to Nathan, the encouragement he got from Krishi Bhavan, Dairy Development Board and Animal Husbandry Department has helped a lot in his endeavour. Recently, he got a subsidy for setting up the heifer unit with 30 calves. But, he has also expressed some discontent over certain initiatives of the animal husbandry department.

“The only way to promote and support dairy farming and farmers is to provide subsidy to cattle feed. Now, the situation is worse. The expense is so huge that one does dairy farming even with five cows. Projects should be evolved through which the expense can be brought down. Farmers should be given 50 percent subsidy on cattle feed on the basis of the quantity of milk they supply to the milk societies. In states like Karnataka, dairy farmers are given a subsidy of Rs 2 for a litre of milk by the government in addition to its price,’’ Nathan points out.

(The New Indian Express, City Express, 2011)

Organic Crusader

His farms are a fitting reply to chemically-driven farm production. By successfully adopting organic farming as a way of life, he has broken the general notion that chemical fertilisers and pesticides are the only way for productive farming.

Meet K Mohanan, 44, the farmer who is into integrated farming, hailing from Bhagavathyvila in Kulathur near Neyyattinkara on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, who has evolved into one of the biggest propagators of organic farming over the last five years. “If someone gets inspired from these farms and adopts organic farming, it will be a great achievement for me,’’ says Mohanan, who once used toxic chemical fertilisers on his crops.

“Earlier, I used to apply pesticides and fertilisers for farming. But, due to the continuous application of chemicals, the soil began to lose its natural essence. Every time I had to apply more amount of fertilisers to maintain the desired quantity of harvest. This affects the environment also. Later, I came to know about some innovative ways for keeping away the pests and realised the importance of pursuing natural ways of manuring. When I tried, the results were positive,” says Mohanan, who can now be hailed as a master of organic pesticides and manures.

Recently, the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK) adopted Mohanan’s bitter gourd farm as a demonstration plot for organic farming. He had also bagged awards for the best vegetable farmer and the best integrated farmer given away by the Krishi Bhavan and the VFPCK respectively in the past. Last year, he missed the ‘Karshaka Mitra’ award instituted by the State Government by a whisker.

Everyday, Mohanan steps into his field at 6 a.m. Each plant will be examined carefully to check whether there is any pest attack or not.

“Sometimes, the monitoring will last till late night using the light from the mobile phones,’’ he says. Mohanan spends 12 to 14 hours daily in his farms along with seven labourers.

One has to be vigilant and patient to pursue organic farming, opines Mohanan. “It is not merely applying organic pesticides and manure. One has to be patient and spend a lot of time in the field. Monitoring should be done everyday. If pests are found, they have to be removed manually from the plant. Traps should be installed in the farm. Application of organic pesticides should be the last and final step,’’ says Mohanan.

Mohanan, who started farming on five cents of leased land at the age of 14, now carries out integrated farming in around six hectares of land and has emerged as one of the largest producers of vegetables and bananas in the district. Besides, he has a coconut farm and cultivates tapioca, vanilla and pepper.

What makes him more distinct is his genuine interest to experiment. He has a passion to cultivate different types of crops. Apart from bitter gourd, snake gourd, brinjal, lady’s finger, amaranthus, cucumber and elephant yam, Mohanan cultivates seasonal vegetables like cabbage, carrot, beetroot, cauliflower and the like. Once, he even tried to cultivate onion as well. Besides, Mohanan has a special love for traditional vegetables like ‘Churakka’ (Ridge gourd), ‘Kumbalam’ (Ash gourd) and ‘Kovakka’ (Little gourd) and ‘Chathura payar’ (Winged bean).

Last year, Mohanan surprised everyone by doing upland farming in around 1.75 acres. “Actually, I want to show people that paddy cultivation can be done profitably amidst the coconut garden. Lots of people from various parts of the district came to watch the farming. There was a good yield and now I am thinking of continuing upland farming every year,” says Mohanan. He now has plans to venture into the dairy sector.

“Perhaps, he may be the only farmer in this modern world who has always said that farming is profitable. I have never heard him say that farming is a loss,’’ these words by Victor Raj, the agriculture officer of the Kulathur Krishi Bhavan, are a testimony to his passion.

(The New Indian Express, City Express, 2010)

Golden Mushrooms

Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, she quit her job at a publishing house around 12 years ago. She wanted to be free, wished to do something of her own and started doing something that others thought foolish – mushroom farming. As the small farm that she made in one of her bedrooms mushroomed over the years, little did she know that farming history was in the making.

Janaky, the 44-year-old agripreneur from PTP Nagar in Thiruvananthapuram has trodden a path of her own making. She recognised a new opportunity in every challenge. From fresh mushroom production, her venture ‘Swadishta Mushrooms’ flourished in a big way that she is now on the threshold of launching a one-crore farming project spread over six acres of land near Ooruttambalam. Apart from fresh mushroom farming, Janaky operates a spawn industry, supplies value added products from mushroom and runs a vermi-compost unit. Besides, she provides employment to 15 women.

Having been brought up in an agriculture family, Janaky, a post graduate in English has always loved farming. But, she was never interested in the usual sort of vegetable cultivation. It was her husband, Sreekumar, an Agriculture officer who introduced her to mushroom farming.

“Actually, I only thought of doing it in a small way that could fetch me some pocket money. Mushroom beds were set up in a portion of the bed room and I started cultivating Oyster mushrooms. Some time later, I took part in a mushroom cultivation training and it was very helpful to me,’’ she says.

The first challenge for Janaky was to find a market for her produce. “The concept of using fresh mushroom was not there when I began my initiative. Restaurants used the canned button mushrooms that came from Ooty or Himachal Pradesh. After much effort, one vegetarian hotel in the city agreed to try the fresh mushrooms on the condition that I had to provide recipes. It became so successful that they began to give orders everyday,” says Janaky, who used most of her produce to make various mushroom recipes. “You know, every non-vegetarian curry can be substituted with mushrooms. Right from chilly chicken to soups, you can substitute meat with mushroom,’’ she adds.

At the same time, she held cooking demonstrations with mushroom recipes in clubs, hotels and residential colonies. A small quantity of mushroom along with a recipe was distributed free of cost during those sessions. She also served the participants hot mushroom cutlets to sample. Gradually, the demand for her produce increased. She also began cultivating milky mushrooms. The farm expanded to the other rooms and later to a rented house nearby.

But, it has never been a straight path to success. She had to face several bumps and detours. “There was severe shortage of good spawns at that time. In order to meet the demands, we had to produce a definite quantity of mushrooms consistently. To tackle this, we started a spawn production unit in the rented house where spawns are packed in a sterile environment,” says Janaky who uses an inoculation chamber with UV light in her spawn laboratory.

She overcame the challenge of garbage disposal by starting vermi compost unit to manage the solid waste. Mushroom beds, usually made of straw and each weighing more than a kilogram, should be replaced every one-and-a-half month.

Mushroom farming gives sudden profit but it can collapse like anything, says Janaky citing the huge loss she suffered due to a pest attack. “Being a Saprophyte, it is highly sensitive. One single pest attack will affect the whole yield. It will spread quickly and the entire mushroom beds will have to be replaced,’’ she adds.

However, once she had to promise her mother that she would quit her venture – at the hospital bed when she was suffering from 20 percent burns following a burst in her spawn lab. “For creating a sterile environment to pack the spawns, we used a glass chamber fitted with a burner. One day it burst accidentally and I suffered serious burns. All the time while I was in the hospital, my mother asked me to promise her that I would not continue farming. She always said that I am a little abnormal. Soon after the completion of my treatment I resumed my activities,’’ she chuckles.

Now, ‘Swadishta Mushrooms’ caters to the mushroom requirements of major hotels in the city. It is also one of the biggest spawn suppliers in the state, having a production of around 2500 packets per month. About six tonnes of Vermi-compost is produced every month of which a major chunk is supplied to Agri Horti Society. Above all, Janaky conducts free training programme at her home on the last Saturday of every month. She believes her best is yet to come.

Presently, her business is in a transition stage. Everything is being transferred to the new farm in Ooruttambalam, where she aims to double the production. “Apart from year round production of mushroom and spawned mushroom beds, we are planning continuous production and sale of value-added mushroom products and their popularisation.”

Besides, the firm will serve as a demonstration unit, conducting training programmes and promoting contract farming with buy-back arrangement,” says Janaky, who has secured the progressive farmer award instituted by the Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan.

(The New Indian Express, City Express, 2010)

If music be the food of flowers...

Passing across Plamoottukada, a village nearly five kilometres away from Udiyankulangara on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, one would hardly miss the colourful terrace garden on a two-storeyed building.

Spread over the terrace and adjascent acreage is ‘Admatha’, the ornamental flower garden of J C Cicilchandran where Orchids, Anthuriums and Heliconia sway in full bloom, sporting vibrant hues.

Way back in the year 2000, Cicilchandran quit his job as a technician in the MILMA to start his own farming venture relying on the farming experiences, which he acquired from his father. Though a school teacher, Cicil’s father practised farming, especially paddy cutlivation. Like other farmers in the village, vegetable farming was his Cicil’s choice. The vegetable garden, which spread across the three-acre plot located at a few kilometers away from his home, reaped him much profits initially.

“As years passed on, farming expenses skyrocketed. There was acute shortage of labour as well. This made me think of venturing into floriculture,” he says.

Eventually, Cicil shifted his attention to the small Anthurium garden, which had been maintained by his parents at his house. “My parents were fond of flowers and they used to maintain a small garden in the courtyard. They had always urged me to start cultivation of ornamental plants along with vegetable farming. As it became hard to maintain the vegetable farm, I decided to try ornamental flower farming on an experimental basis,’’ says Cicil, 47, a graduate in Botany and a diploma holder in food technology.

Gradually, he expanded the Anthurium garden. He also planted one hundred Jasmine saplings in his plot. However, some of his friends and relatives were against his new idea. They raised doubts about how floriculture can provide a regular income. “I visited several flower gardens and read several magazines regarding floriculture. From these, I understood that floriculture requires only one-time initial investment. Unlike vegetable farming, we need not have to replenish the soil between every intervals, which also spares the labour. Once they attain full growth, it will go on producing flowers and manuring and caring are the only things we have to continue to carry out,” says Cicil.

The technical expertise provided by then agriculture officer Nicholas Chandran boosted his confidence. ‘‘Nicholas sir helped me to attend training programmes at the Kerala Agricultural University. It was indeed a turning point. He also supported me in growing various varieties of ornamental plants,’’ Cicil recalls.

Soon, hundreds of Heliconia saplings replaced the bittergourds and snake gourds in his three-acre plot, and diverse varieties of Orchids and Anthuriums popped up on the courtyard and the terrace. At present, Cicil grows over 37 varieties of Heliconia, as many as 17 types of Anthuriums and 47 types of Orchids. Anthurium varieties include Tropical Red, Honduras, Hawaiian Orange, Agnihotri, Acropolis. 

“Customers used to ask for Orchids while they came to buy Anthuriums. That’s how I realised the market potential of Orchids and began growing them,’’ Cicil says. He manages to supply about 3000 ornamental flowers a month. Apart from this, he also sells saplings and bouquets.

Cicil supplies flowers to retailers of Nagercoil and marthandam markets. Besides, he serves the ornamental flower requirements of nearby churches and provides bouquets and does flower arrangements for wedding functions and occasions. Cicil’s wife Shobhanalatha and his daughter Anne, a plus two student of G R Memorial Public School, Neyyattinkara, craft bouquets for the purpose.

According to Cicil, success in floriculture depends on how fast you catch the techniques of growing ornamental plants and the diversity in plant varieties you can bring in the garden. “Bacterial disease is the major threat to Orchids and Anthuriums. However, growing Heliconia is easier when compared to Orchids and Anthuriums,’’ Cicil said. Kulathur Krishi Bhavan Agriculture Officer Victor Raj guides Cicil in the application of fertilisers and pesticides in his flower garden.

Every day, right from 5 am onwards, Cicil is with his plants observing their growth, closely examining them to remove the pests and supplying nutrients based on the requirements. “They are my good friends. Life with them refreshes my mind and makes me happy,” adds Cicil, who plays guitar and organ. On weekends, Cicil and Anne play guitar and violin sitting amidst Anthuriums and Orchids on the terrace garden.

Now, the flower farmer is all set to establish a 2000 sq. ft. hi-tech polyhouse, costing over Rs 10 lakh, for growing ornamental plants. “The idea of fully mechanised Anthurium and Orchid garden was suggested by the agriculture officer Victor Raj. We are actively working on the project. The plan is to grow Orchids and Anthuriums in controlled temperature conditions. Heat and humidity inside the garden will be regulated using exhaust fans,” he said.

Cicil secured third prize in the in the flower arrangement section of Flower Show 2011 held recently in the city. “My aim is to fetch a state award in floriculture,” says the agriprenuer, who got best farmer awards from the Agriculture Department in the Krishi Bhavan and at the district levels for vegetable farming.

( The New Indian Express, City Express, 2011)

A Farm Girl's Tale

Briteeshia A

‘Janitha’, the two-storey building in the middle of a four-acre plot situated on the banks of Vamanapuram River, is not just a home. For residents in and around Pandakasala near Chirayinkeezhu, the traders at Chirayinkeezhu junction and for several catering agencies, it’s an abode of fresh farm produce. In short, a one stop destination for their daily food basket.

Over a period of seven years, a young lady with a quaint name, A Briteeshia has succeeded in converting this four-acre land to an exemplary model of integrated farming. For the laborious achievement, this young agripreneur has recently been presented the state award for the best young woman farmer.

Unlike her odd name, she appears simple and restrained but full of vigour and enthusiasm. ‘’Initially, my parents thought of naming me as Patricia. But they wanted the name to start with the alphabet ‘B’ as my sister’s name was Beatrics. Finally, they settled for Briteeshia,” she chuckles.

Briteeshia has a coconut farm, banana plantation, vegetable garden, dairy farm, poultry farm and rabbit yard in the four-acre plot. Recently, she has started growing betel leaves, ginger and even fish!.

Everyday, Briteeshia wakes up to scores of customers queuing up in the courtyard to buy milk, right at 5 a.m. She has 10 milking cows. As the day becomes brighter and brighter, she will turn busier and busier selling eggs, banana, tender coconuts and the like. All these are done amidst getting her three children ready for school.

‘’If we are sincere, agriculture can be a profit-making profession. You should enjoy farming,’’ says Briteeshia, 35, who holds a diploma in agriculture.

A walk around her field would leave one awestruck. More than hard work, it’s smart work. A well-planned field divided into several plots, each of them irrigated using sprinklers.

She has effectively executed the inter-cropping strategy. Coconut garden is inter-cropped with banana and vegetables. One could see banana plants in its various growth phase. While one area is filled with ripened banana plants, shoots have just started to sprout in the other. And another one is being tilled for planting saplings. ‘’Coconut is the main crop. Banana saplings are planted in the coconut garden as the first inter-crop. Vegetables and pulses are cultivated around the banana plants as the second inter-crop. It will take around three months for the banana plant to develop big shoot system. The vegetables will get enough sunlight and by around 90 days, vegetables can be harvested,’’ she describes the pattern.

Later, Colocasia is planted in place of vegetables. ‘’As colocasia does not require much sunlight, it will grow well under the banana plants. This cycle is rotated every year. The vegetables will be rotated each time. It varies from bitter gourd, gram, ladies’ finger, cucumber and elephant yam. Last time, we had grown water melon,’’ she adds.

By evening, she shepherds the flock of geese along the shore of Vamanapuram river. Exploiting the advantage of the river nearby to the fullest, she recently ventured into pisciculture. Fingerlings are weaned in the pond in the farm premises. Later, these are transferred to the net cages submerged in the river water adjacent to the shore.

‘’Unlike in tanks and artificial ponds, this is ideal for pisciculture as fish can grow in a more natural environment. The only thing we have to do is to give food pellets at regular intervals,’’ she explains, while sprinkling grains to the geese after caging them.

The daylight has almost faded and its time for her to do a last round patrolling in the farm. She rushes to every cage to see whether it is locked or not. Finally, she returns to Janitha after handing over the duty to the watchman.

There are three employees to help her in looking after the cows. Her father looks after the rabbits. But, she gives all the credit to her husband, Jain, who is an NRI. ‘’Whenever he comes on leave, he joins me in farming. It is his support that enables me to carry out these activities well,’’ she says.

(The New Indian Express, September 2010)

Goodbye sloth, hello freshness!

The adage has it that the pouring rains bring forth a horde of health problems along with their rhythmic beats. As the Karkadakam, the lean month of the Malayalam calendar, sets in Kerala, amidst the heavy monsoon showers, Kalari centres have become active with the traditional treatment—‘Karkadaka Chikitsa’—to rejuvenate the human body.

From time immemorial, the people used to undergo this special rejuvenation therapy between mid-June and mid-August. According to traditional Kalari experts, the rainy season is the ideal period to cleanse the body, and to expel the toxins.

Somehow, this indigenous therapy got sidelined with the revolution in modern medicine which offered instant relief from diseases. The traditional method was practiced only in the households of Kalari experts and those who learn the martial art. Even successive governments treated it as a tool to promote the tourism sector. Consequently, the treatment became a luxury for the common man, as spa and massage centres sprouted all over the state.

“These days, the human body is hardly in tune with nature due to the busy and mechanical lifestyle,” says S K Rajesh Gurukkal of Bhargava Kalari Sanghom in Kottooli in Kozhikode. “Environmental pollution, and the intake of excessive fats through fish and meat products, clubbed with the consumption of alcohol, drugs and tobacco, lead to the accumulation of toxins, making the body vulnerable to diseases. Stress, lack of exercise and indiscriminate use of painkillers accelerate the chances of getting diseases.”

The toxins are flushed out through processes determined by the ‘Gurukkal’—the master of the Kalari—according to the ‘Prakriti’ (constitution) of the patient. ‘Darsana Sparsana Prasne’—detecting the problems by sight, touch and questioning—is the methodology adopted by the masters to detect the problems in the body, and to determine the type of treatment to be given.

“By watching the sitting or the standing posture of a person, we can understand which part of his body is weak,” says Rajesh. “While sitting, one may, unknowingly, put his hand under the cheek for a support. The person will not be aware, as it is purely due to a command given by the unconscious mind. This indicates a problem in his neck. And the reason may be very simple —a swelling in the neck due to a muscular spasm which causes accumulation of watery fluids in a particular area. Over the years, it will become thick and affect the blood circulation leading to fatal consequences. The only solution is to unfreeze this clot through exercise and massage.”

Every person who comes for treatment has to do certain exercises. After its completion, the master determines the mode of treatment, its duration and the dietary restrictions. The treatment involves Panchakarma, Uzhichil, steam bath, oil massage and Ayurvedic medicines.

“Usually, the treatment is carried out between 5 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. After that the person can go for work. But he or she should avoid non-vegetarian food, consumption of alcohol, smoking and sex,” says Rajesh.

As of now, over 80 Kalari centres exist in Kozhikode district itself offering various modes of ‘Karkadaka Chikitsa’. Besides, Kalari centres are also active in Kannur and Malappuram districts. “There is a 30 per cent increase in the number of youngsters arriving for treatment,” says Sudhakaran Gurukkal of C V N Kalari, Edakkad in Kozhikode. “It is the most encouraging trend this season.”

This indicates the re-emergence of ‘Karkadaka Chikitsa’, especially in the Kalaris of the Malabar region. And the customers are satisfied.

“I have lost six kg after the five-day therapy,” says a business executive, who is undergoing the traditional treatment at the Bhargava Kalari Centre.

(The New Indian Express, Sunday Magazine, 2011)

An Eternal Romance With Kathakali

It was the annual day celebration at the Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) in Kozhikode last December. The battery of events included a Kathakali performance—Duryodhanavadham. The tale from Mahabharata was indeed riveting. The real surprise came at the end. Patients, their companions and a majority of the hospital staff were astonished when they realised that Krishna’s character was performed by none other than their very own veteran Pediatrician Dr Sudha Krishnanunni.

Dr Sudha is daughter of P K S Raja, the present Zamorin (royal title) of Kozhikode has been doing a balancing act for the last few decades. For, she has been serving as a pediatrician and performing ‘Kathakali’ quite comfortably. The sexagenarian physician, before joining MIMS had a successful stint at the Government Medical College, Kozhikode. The pediatrician is now into her 25th year as an artist.

Sudha’s love affair with Kathakali began after witnessing the art at her mother’s house in Nilambur Kovilakam, the cultural heart of Nilambur, a place in Malappuram district. “Then we were based in Chennai and used to come to Kerala during school vacations. Kathakali recitals were common during festivals. We had a temple inside the Nilambur Kovilakam and the whole family used to regularly go to enjoy the recitals. I was amazed by the dancer’s expressions, movement of the eyeballs, eyelids and fingers.’’

Dr Sudha, then a 10-year-old girl conveyed her interest in learning Kathakali to her maternal uncle. “Initially, he thought it was just a fascination. Besides, a few women practiced the art at that time. But when he realised that I was deeply interested, he arranged a Kathakali teacher at our residence in Nungumbakkam, Chennai,’’ she said.

The outhouse of her residence soon became a Kathakali school. Around 25 students also joined the class and we started to perform in and around Chennai. “It was not just a passion or a hobby. Our Guru Balakrishnan was very particular and we received a proper basic course,’’ said Dr Sudha, who did her Arengettam (debut on-stage performance) at Guruvayur in 1960. She continued her practice even after getting admission to MBBS.

While doing her MD in Oxford University in UK in 1988, she performed Kathakali there as well. “It was really a wonderful experience. Students and faculty were keen to know about the art. After a brief enactment, I demonstrated them various Mudras and make-up of characters as they were very interested to learn Kathakali,’’ Dr Sudha added.

Besides, she performed at several stages in Mumbai, Trichy, Chennai, Coimbatore and Kerala. Dr Sudha, usually portrays lord Krishna’s character in Kuchelavritham, Duryodhanavadham, Rukmini Swayamvaram, Lavanasuramardhanam and Gurudakhina. She plays the role of Panchali in Keechakabadham, Lalitha in Kirmeeravadham and Uthara in Uthara Swayamvaram. She also excelled in solo Kathakali performance, Poothana Moksham.

Once in a while Dr. Sudha does a refresher course at the Cheliya Kathakali Vidyalayam in Kozhikode, founded by noted Kathakali exponent Guru Chemencheri Kunhiraman Nair. Dr Sudha feels that Kathakali is making a comeback in Kerala. “After the 1990s, I think, interest in Kathakali declined significantly. There was a period when it even disappeared from the temple festivals. Now, things have changed a lot,’’ she said.

Dr Sudha is the vice-chairman of ‘Navarasam’, a cultural organization based in Kozhikode which is working for revival of Kathakali. It also provides opportunities for talented children to learn the art. She is also the active member of Thodayam Kathakali Yogam and Sopanam, which work for promotion of traditional arts, forms particularly Kathakali.

Sudha is all praise for her husband Krishnanunni Raja for his support and appreciation. “Being her husband it’s unfair to comment on her performance, but one thing I must say. I appreciate her sincerity and dedication for taking a lot of pain and perform Kathakali even at this age,’’ added K Raja.

(The New Indian Express, Sunday Magazine)

A Sexagenarian Farmer with a 'Nutmeg Will’

Kadukanmackal Abraham Mathew (pic: K Shijith)

A sexagenarian farmer, who lives in the suburbs of Kozhikode, has taken special care of not just his children but also the nutmeg trees in his will. While dividing the four acres of land for his son and daughter, Kadukanmackal Abraham Mathew has added a clause that his children can exchange the property to a third party only 100 years after his and his wife Chinnamma’s death.

Abraham, who hails from Kallanode near Koorachundu, explains his will logically. He has single-handedly developed a high-yielding nutmeg variety, ‘Kadukanmackal nutmeg,’ which even fetched him a place in the Limca Book of Records besides various honours and awards from the state and union govts since 1995.

It is one among the crop varieties which the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations selected from Asia in 2010 under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

“If there is no 100-year clause, it is almost certain that my children or their kids would sell this fertile farmland for some other purpose. I don’t want to destroy this priceless asset,” says Mathew.

And what if the kids strike a deal trickily before the period? “Then, according to the clause, the whole land would automatically come under the hands of the state government,” he clarified.

 And did his wife endorse this unique agreement? “Actually, she wished to give the right to exchange the property soon after our death. But my son and daughter had no problems.”

Of course, ‘Kadukanmackal nutmeg’ was not developed in a day. Of the 100 nutmeg saplings that he planted in 1971, Mathew found peculiarities in one plant. Then he visited the farms of 80 nutmeg farmers in and around the state to find whether there was any variety that was better than the one he identified in his land. And Mathew could not find a better variety. Then he chopped all the plants except the one around half-way mark and started budding the stem of the unique variety with others.

“Overall, it took around 19 years to complete the budding process in all plants,” says Mathew. “The budding done in this plant became successful only in the 63rd attempt. The process clicked with other plants after around 40 attempts. That’s why this tree appears a little younger than others,” he adds.



(The New Indian Express, May 2012)

Thank You...Sachin

For that Hook Shot against Caddick at the Oval
For that Flick through mid-wicket against Shoaib Akhtar at Johannesburg
For that Paddle Sweeps against Ashley Giles
For that Straight Hits against Warne
For that `Olonga bashing' at Sharjah
For that Massive six against Glenn McGrath
For that Upper Cuts against Brett Lee
For that patriotic back-to-back 100s at Sharjah
For that tricky bowling at Kochi against the Aussies...
And
For that Bohemian Simplicity

Shortcut to wealth: Divorce 'n' remarry

Cashing in on the naivete of uneducated and conservative families, a shocking fraud where lakhs of rupees change hands with each ‘marriage transactions’ has been thriving in Kozhikode for the last few months. Legal experts and women NGOs like Anweshi and NISA are foxed by this alarming new trend in the ‘marriage trade’ where the bride-to-be is required to pay off her husband's current wife.

They may call it alimony in the civilised world but this is a crude version where the first wife would be lucky to get off with the money her family had paid her husband many years ago. In many cases, these hapless women are coerced to sign for a larger amount while only a fraction of it is actually paid to her. What is more, her husband has no future responsibility to look after the children from the marriage that has thus been annulled.

This is how it operates. A youngster from a relatively poor family manages to find a bride with a substantial dowry, though the word dowry is rarely used. He opens a business or lands a job using this money –  he might even manage to go abroad – the thought of acquiring a better social status and a new wife creeps in.

Taking advantage of the liberal marital laws existing in his community, he decides to remarry. Once he finds a girl who fits the bill, the negotiations begin. Getting rid of the existing wife and children becomes the major headache.

Finally, the new-found bride and her family are compelled to repay the first wife's dowry. Some families even do this without much compelling, said NGOs. All this is done under the cover of an ‘agreement’ entered between husband and wife.

What’s interesting is that this practice is not confined to a particular community in Kozhikode. The NGOs have stumbled upon the fraud in both Muslim and Hindu communities, but with slight modifications tailored to suit the different marriage laws. More than 100 such incidents have been reported by Anweshi alone.

Legal experts say that the majority of the cases are linked with the middle and lower middle class families of the Muslim community. “As far as Hindus are concerned, such an agreement is not legally valid until the divorce. So, the man would come to a tacit understanding with his prospective bride's family regarding the pay-off for his current wife,” said A C Ambika, senior advocate and legal advisor to Anweshi.

The agreement would be crafted in such a manner as to create the impression that the husband and wife had mutually agreed to the divorce and the former had gifted a substantial sum to the latter. Also it would emphasise that the wife was fully satisfied with the settlement and she would not question it in Court.

Ambika said that the agreement only serves the interest of the husband as he ensures his former wife does not drag him into trouble.

“What is shocking is the fact that the women come up with complaints not because their husbands divorce them without reason but because this so-called marriage contract has been violated. And, even after registering complaints both parties always try to make a settlement without our knowledge,” says Anitha, senior counsellor with Anweshi in Kozhikode.

Activist V P Suhara, who has been vocal against the misuse of Islamic marriage laws, said that the police cases are rarely registered since the girls are usually minors when they are married off.  “If you really want to end the exploitation of Muslim women, make marriage registration mandatory. Now, marriages are properly registered only for official purposes like getting a passport,” she said.

(The New Indian Express, November 2012)

THE REVOLUTION THAT COULD HAVE BEEN...

A screenshot of the blog of CCMS

After six long years I have started posting blogs again a few days ago, thanks to my colleague and room mate Reji. A web designer by profession, he is an avid social media enthusiast and a blogger. He gave a few good tips and now I am afraid I might become a blog addict.

It was Vijayakumar sir, former head of DCJ, who initiated me to the world of blogging. This blog was created way back in 2007 at the Centre for Convergence Media Studies (CCMS), Kerala University, under the Department of Communication and Journalism, Kariavattom Campus, and technically powered by C-DIT. CCMS was the brain child of V K sir.

Now, going through some of the posts, I could recollect VK's suggestions to make my blog a popular one. Looking @ the blog, then, V K said, "Athul, if you want search engines to list your blog, you should add certain key words in your text. For instance, you say that Attukal is near international beach Kovalam. So, if somebody searches Kovalam, he or she will probably see ur blog as well."

A futuristic person, V K sir used to talk a lot about Blogging, Citizen Journalism, Media Convergence and the like during his classes on reporting @ DCJ. I often wondered about his interests in new media despite being an elder person. I still remember his words that in the near future your watch or mobile would become a personal computer with data connection.

Though a faculty @ DCJ, V K sir was always busy with the work of CCMS, which was launched soon after my admission to MCJ course at DCJ in 2005. V K sir made a good speech followed by then DCJ head Subash Kuttan sir detailing V K's struggle for arranging the fund for CCMS. Later in 2006, CCMS hosted a seminar on New Media with lectures by eminent media personalities including Anand Parthasarathy. In the seminar that followed, Achuth Sankar S Nair predicted that text messages would change the character of languages in the near future. There was a debate but now it appears to be partly true.

One day, V K sir had asked all of us to come to CCMS and contribute some stories to the blog of CCMS. Honestly, we were hardly aware about what CCMS was all about. We were really surprised to see the class room. An air conditioned hall, with separate PCs - having latest configuration and broadband internet connection - for each student and an lcd projector. From the first batch students, we came to know that they are mainly learning web designing.

Now, after eight years, it is quite unfortunate to say that Kerala University had shut down CCMS. Whatever might be reason, I strongly feel K U authorities had totally failed to realise the importance of the course; market it properly or could not comprehend V K sir's vision in the correct sense.

By launching such a revolutionary course at a time when people of these part of the world were hardly aware about the scope of convergence, K U could boast off achieving a rare feat. But, definitely, KERALA UNIVERSITY would be blamed in the annals of history as a varsity, which killed the most innovative and farsighted course, perhaps, the whole state had ever witnessed.


(October 9, 2013) 

Isaac Busy Penning Success Story of ULCCS

Former Minister T M Thomas Isaac

Giving a short break to politics, former Finance Minister and MLA T M Thomas Isaac is busy penning a book.

At the tranquil premises of Government Guest House in Kozhikode, the leading economist-cum-politician is scripting the success story of Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS). “See, this is something to be celebrated. ULCCS is a marvel; a classic example of a democratic cooperative, which has developed without compromising on efficiency. Now, we need to showcase its success story nationally and internationally,’’ Isaac says.

The book is likely to be titled, 'Modernisation and Diversification in a Workers’ Cooperative — The Story of ULCCS.’ As of now, Isaac has completed five chapters and the book will have national and international editions. “Certain chapters of the book will be discussed in the upcoming international conference on ‘Cooperatives in Transition in the Era of Globalisation’ jointly organised by the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Limited, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, from September 18 to 20,’’ he says.

Surely, writing a book, which is more of an academic kind, is tedious. But Isaac appears passionate. His association with the ULCCS began when he was spearheading the 'People’s Plan Movement’ in the state as a Planning Board member in the E K Nayanar Cabinet, way back in the late 1990s. “We wanted to avoid contractors and were badly in search of labour cooperatives. Though we tried beneficiary samithis, it did not work out as they were benamis of contractors. Finally, we learnt about ULCCS in Kozhikode, having a turnover of around `5 crore and were surprised to see its style of functioning. They strictly followed an independent profit-loss line of activity with separate monitoring systems for financial flow and physical flow for each projects. We then declared it as a model society,’’ he says.

The rest is history. ULCCS Limited has now emerged as a cooperative with a turnover of around `200 crore. An ISO 9001:2008 certified organisation, the Society provides direct employment to more than 2,000 workers. More importantly, ULCCS Cyber Park is being constructed by the ULCCS IT Infrastructure Private Limited, a company promoted by ULCCS LTD. “Now the mission is to take its turnover to `1,000 crore in 10 years. For this, ULCCS has to follow the development model of the Mondragon Corporation in Spain, one of the largest worker cooperatives in the world, " Isaac says.

What should be done? “There should be a total revamp in the financial management and treasury management. The management should think of setting up a modern design centre and launch lab-testing consultancy services. Publishing a book, launching national and international campaigns and conferences are the other parts,’’ Isaac lists out.

(The New Indian Express, September 2013)

Inside the Other Garden of Eden

Wake up to the
chirping of birds
and open your eyes
to the unobstructed view
of the misty mountains

 

Let the dew drops kiss you. Let the gentle cool winds sing you a lullaby. Let the warmth of sunlight embrace you. In the simplest way, nature refreshes one’s body, mind and spirit at the ‘My Garden of Eden’ plantation resort.

Spread over 23 acres of lush greenery is a charming hill station, Meppady, in the unexplored Wayanad region of Kerala. Life at this premium plantation retreat, situated six kilometres from the Rippon Junction on the Wayanad-Ooty road, is incredibly unique. And Dr. Srikumar, a paediatric neurologist, could not find a better name for this natural extravaganza than ‘My Garden of Eden’.

Six years ago, it was a run-down plantation neglected by its owners. When Srikumar first visited the place, he felt that it would make a wonderful resort.

‘’For five years, we passionately worked to transform this property into a tropical paradise,’’ he says.

Night is an incredible experience here. The distant roar of the cascading waters of the Chaliyar river ally with the chorus of nocturnal insects. Sometimes, one experiences a little shiver when trumpeting elephants can be heard from the nearby woods. Gradually, everything becomes silent. And, unknowingly, you become part of nature’s tableau.
 

Wake up to the chirping of birds and open your eyes to the unobstructed view of the misty mountains. Walk around the cottage and feel the loveliness of the woods, looking like a silver line in the sunrise and watch the sparkling diamonds on the leaves, left by the sun rays, wet in the mist.

Amidst the woods, there lie seven independent luxury villas, all of them, overlooking the mountain range of the Western Ghats. The spacious verandahs offer a priceless panoramic view of the misty mountains as far as the eye can see.

Each cottage remains isolated amidst the verdant woods and has sloping red-tiled roofs. From every room, guests can have the best possible view of the surrounding landscape as well as enjoy their privacy.

For a regular workout, there is a badminton and basketball court, a swimming pool and facilities for cycling. Besides, one can practise yoga or enjoy reading, stretched out on a comfortable hammock in the nearby woods.

It’s an ideal spot for a romantic getaway, an amazing honeymoon, a writer’s haven, and a top choice for outdoor adventures in the wild.

(The New Indian Express, Sunday Magazine, June 2011)

Little Master of the Net

Krishna Narayan is popular on the web for his cricketing skills

Shot! Through the covers and... it’s a four.’’ Standing in a corner of the living room, a little boy is busy driving, flicking and punching with his Mongoose bat after tossing a tennis ball against the wall.

After every stroke, his commentary follows. At another time, he can be seen throwing the ball quickly against the wall and trying various modes of catching. He cannot live without cricket even for a minute inside his home.

Meet Krishna Narayan, a native of Vallikkunnu in Malappuram, and a Class II student of St. Paul’s School, Thenhipalam, perhaps the most illustrious seven-year-old Keralite on the web at present.

Playing every shot with natural ease, Krishna gives the impression that he was born to play this game, even though it is pretty early to make such predictions.

“This guy will break all the batting records,’’ said former West Indian captain Richie Richardson, in a written comment after seeing Krishna’s video on Youtube. Dav Whatmore and Anil Kumble too echoed the Windies maestro’s words. What’s more, Krishna is the only Indian cricketer who is sponsored by Mongoose Cricket Limited, London. Stanford Cricket Industries, Meerut, provides him custom-made playing equipment for free.

“All these are nothing but God’s grace,’’ says Rajesh Kumar, Krishna’s father who is a software programmer.

Nearly five years ago, Rajesh, an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, bought a mini plastic bat for his child during a visit to Guruvayur Temple. The living room soon turned into a cricket pitch, with Krishna playing textbook strokes with a straight bat, and with style and elegance. In course of time, tennis ball and wooden bat replaced the plastic equipment. And one day, Rajesh shot his son batting, using his camcorder, when he was three-and-a-half years old.

 “Actually, my intention was to evaluate his batting,” says Rajesh. “But my nephew Jithin insisted that I upload it on Youtube. Though a bit reluctant, I agreed. And now I believe everything happened because of that.”

Soon, there came the first comment from the United States for the ‘young little cricketer’ video. Later, a personal message arrived from Rejith Rajendran, an official of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) offering support. Later, Rejith introduced coach Biju George of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to Rajesh.

“My acquaintance with Biju Sir has been one of the most happiest and luckiest moments in my life,’’ says Rajesh.

Having seen the video, which now has 4.18 lakh hits, the Ireland-based Lekka Sports asked Rajesh to submit his son’s bat size to Stanford Cricket Industries (SF), with whom they have a business arrangement. But the reply from SF was an apology saying that such mini-size equipment was not manufactured by them.

Rajesh sent the link of the video to the company. SF official Anil Sareen was so impressed by the batting display of Krishna that the company offered to sponsor custom-made equipment for the wunderkind.

Then came another surprise—a complete sponsorship deal from Mongoose Cricket Limited. However, Rajesh accepted the equipment sponsorship only from Mongoose. “At that time he was playing with a tennis ball. I could not predict whether he would continue playing with a cricket ball in future. Besides, I did not want to compel him,” Rajesh says. “For Krishna, the greatest achievement was the selection to the National Cricket Academy, Bangalore, for a camp in the under-12 category in February 2010. Unfortunately, the camp was postponed to a future date and later called off.”

Meanwhile, the little-master-in-the-making is looking prim, even without his incisors. Where have they gone? The answer is a cute smile. He hardly speaks, and scurries over to where he likes to be the most: the practice pitch.

He is extremely happy at getting a chance to play in the nets for the photographer. “I hardly get any practice these days because of the rain,” the boy complains, as his father helps him to wear the chest guard and thigh pad. In his white T-shirt and white pants, and wearing custom-made pads and a helmet, Krishna looks impressive.

At the nets, Krishna is unstoppable. He hits with enormous power: the ball moves like a rocket. The cover drive is his favourite, but no shot seems difficult. “Krishna,” Rajesh says after nearly half an hour. “It’s enough. Only three more balls for you.” But Krishna is not willing to stop. “Father, I just want to hit those stumps,” the boy says, pointing at the wicket placed at the short cover position for taking photographs.

And just to prove that it is no empty boast, the little master’s stunning drive, off the third ball, knocks down the stumps with a bang. A big win for this little champion, who longs to meet Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble.

(The New Indian Express, Sunday Magazine, July 2011)

Royal Mansions Go Back to the Future

Praveen Maranat and his wife, the host of the Maranat Mana

 Till recently teetering on the verge of decay, they are now being revived by their owners. We are talking about the palatial kovilakams and manas of Kerala. These mansions, which once symbolised Kerala’s aristocratic tradition, are but leftovers of a regal past ever since the state seized property from the feudal lords during the land reforms of the 1960s — without compensation. Gradually, residences of erstwhile landlords and wealthy Brahmins, which epitomised traditional architecture with ornate wooden interiors, slipped into oblivion.

Though many of those imposing structures were demolished, a few defied the test of time. Now, they are becoming a boon to the inheritors who are turning them into homestays, courtesy ‘experience’ tourism — a new trend in north Kerala’s Malabar region.

The imposing Nilambur Puthiya Kovilakam in hilly Malappuram, residence of the local Samoothiri (Zamorin) rulers of Kozhikode, and Maranat Mana, a traditional Namboothiri Illam (mansion) of Pandikkad (around 90 km from Kozhikode), are among them.While the latter has been in business over the last two years, the Nilambur Kovilakam Heritage Homestay will become operational by August this year.

Tourists can experience and understand the rich tradition of the Brahmins and Kshatriyas. They can get a feel of the architecture using rosewood and teak, take part in customs and practices, watch traditional art forms and have rejuvenating ayurvedic oil baths.They will have to abjure smoking and alocohol, and eat only vegetarian, though.

“Guests have to adhere to the centuries-old customs and traditions we follow,” says Praveen Maranat, who runs the Maranat Mana Heritage Homestay. “Nothing is arranged specifically for them. If they come during Onam, they can join us in harvesting paddy and other rituals, or help in cooking. The atmosphere is very informal. They are served the same food, cooked that day. Nothing extra, not even chilled water.’’

However, not everyone is allowed to stay. “It may sound strange, but we have to ensure they understand our way of life. I insist every tour operator visit the place before sending guests,’’ says Praveen, who put the conditions on Mana’s website and brochure.

According to Praveen, this is the best way to maintain such buildings and preser ve religious customs.“My family has imposed on me certain dos and don’ts. As long as I don’t break any, they will cooperate with me,’’ Praveen says.
 

Guests stay in the refurbished three-storeyed Patthaayappura (out-house) of the 160-year-old house. The only place where guests are not allowed is the Ganapathy temple. It is a stopover for tourists from Wayanad, Bengaluru, Guruvayur and Gudalloor. Last season, Praveen had mostly European and American guests for 52 days, through various tour operators like Blue Yonder, Incent Tours, Le passage and Southern Journey. “As a beginner, tour operators feel it’s a big success,’’ he says.

Puthiya Kovilakam, more than 300 years old, is one of the finest examples of Kerala’s architecture.

It is based on nalukettu (four complexes around a rectangular courtyard) style. It’s a panthrandukettu structure with four nadumuttams (courtyards). Apart from 18 large rooms, there are two halls which can host 200 people.

C K Ravi Varma and wife Sreemathy Varma are the only inmates of this huge building. “We intend to preserve this traditional cultural monument,’’ says Ravi Varma. The maintenance is very costly and requires many servants. Besides, there is no point in renovating a building without inmates. We need only a small portion for ourselves.

So we thought of developing four rooms as homestay.” Queries are coming from across the globe. “Many foreigners have asked whether they can conduct Kerala-style marriages in the building. Now, we are thinking of renting it out for such purposes.

But guests will be restricted to 40,’’ he adds.

(The New Indian Express, Sunday Magazine)

Wholesome Healing for Body and Soul

Harivihar

Dr. Srikumar and his wife Dr. Neetha, hosts of the Harivihar

The place is hushed, footfalls fall softly on the ancient, cool floor.

The rooms are cool and dark with windows framed in dark wood.

Those who come from far and wide, seeking ayurvedic cures for their maladies, find solace in Harivihar, once a kovilakam—a feudal house in which the royal mistresses of Kerala lived—situated in Calicut. The 160-yearold Harivihar is an example of a growing trend in Kerala—palaces disowned by impoverished or disinterested nobility being passed on to new owners who turn them into pricey ayurvedic centres, attracting foreign clients and wealthy Indians.

Harivihar, once the ancestral home of the Kadathanad royals, is now one of the leading Ayurveda, Panchakarma and Yoga centres in North Kerala. The mansion now belongs to the ayurvedic doctors, Srikumar and wife Neetha, whose grandfather had bought it from the family in the 1950s. Situated in Bilathikulam, Calicut, and built in the typical Malayalee architectural style, Harivihar Heritage Homestead offers authentic ayurvedic treatments and a unique experience of pristine living in a heritage homestead set among ancient trees and undulating, landscaped lawns.

The corridors flanked by aged teak pillars are shady and pleasant for the convalescent to stroll along; the large pond at the rear of the palace with dark, stone steps leading down is an ideal spot for reflection.

“We have been getting good response from people across the world. Every season, guests from Europe arrive through tour operators such as Thomas Cook, Kuoni and Le Passage,’’ says Srikumar.

Harivihar’s expert ayurvedic physicians suggest treatments like Shiro Dhara, Kizhi, Shirovasti, Pizhichil or Njavarakizhi according to each patient’s need. A complete package of medicine, food and culture is calculated to attract the seeker of exotica—yoga, discourses on the Vedas and Indian mythology as well as performances of traditional art forms like Kathakali.

The food at Harivihar is vegetarian; elaborate and cooked according to prescribed ayurvedic methods, abjuring strong spices, thus retaining the natural flavours of the ingredients. Guests are also treated to cooking demonstrations.

The royals of Rajasthan are known to have turned their palaces into thriving hotels. Those of Kerala seem to prefer the calmer nuances of ayurveda.

(The New Indian Express, Sunday Magazine)

A Policeman and A Poet

Premadas Iruvallur

Premadas Iruvallur has been a serving in the state police force for the last 17 years.

But, the rigours of his serious profession have not managed to keep the 43-year-old away from his passion for the written word.

The senior Civil Police Officer, working at the office of the Kozhikode City Police Commissioner, is all excited, and the reason is the film ‘Breaking News Live,’ in which Premadas makes his debut as a lyricist.

The Mollywood flick, starring Kavya Madhavan and Vineeth, is all set to hit the screens this month, and for Premadas, who has already won laurels as a painter and poet, this is another dream come true.

 “I always wished to write songs for films and be a part of mainstream cinema. Of course, I am really excited,” he gushes. The three songs penned by Premadas for ‘Breaking News Live’, the directorial debut of Sudhir Ambalappatu, have been set to music by Mohan Sithara.

Premadas’ love affair with the Malayalam language and literature began during his college days.

Even after joining the police force in 1995, he continued writing poems and sending these to vernacular newspapers and magazines for publishing.

“Several poems were published and this encouraged me a lot. I also found time to visit sets of TV serials and films, and showed my literary work to directors. Somehow, I was invited by serial director Baiju Devaraj to write the title song for the popular megaserial ‘Ente Manasaputhri’. That was my big break,” he said.

Later, he wrote songs for six telly shows and got several awards, including the Malayalam Television Viewers Association Award (MVTA).

 A recipient of the Chief Minister’s Police Medal, Premadas feels that writing poetry and painting ease the tension and stress of the job.

“Definitely, there is tension related to job and often its redundant. But, doing this kind of creative work has a refreshening effect on me. Every day morning, I practice the art by doing some drawings and writing something. People always wonder how a police man can find time for this work. But, if you have the will and lead a disciplined life, you can find enough time. More importantly, I am getting good support from higher officials, colleagues and my family,’’ he said. About future projects? Premadas hates to be in a hurry in this new track.

"I believe in doing quality work and am least concerned about the quantity. I have immense love for my mother tongue. For me, lyrical quality is important and would like to associate with such kind of projects,’’ he said.