Tag Archives: Kerala

The look

Black and white portrait of an old man from Trivandrum

Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2012

Unwind yourself

A relaxed curly haired tourist girl sitting at Kovalam Beach in Kerala

Kovalam beach, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2011

Unaffected traditions

Black and white portrait of a tribal woman with a large ear plug from Wayanad in Kerala

Tribal Woman | Wayanad, Kerala, India | 2010

Hidden wrath

Black and white portrait of an old man from Chala market

Chala Market, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2011

Kalaripayattu demonstration with Kuntham (spear)

Kalaripayattu demonstration by Raam Kumar with Kuntham (spear)

Raam Kumar | CVN Kalari, East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2011

Kuntham or spear, a weapon with a wooden shaft and an iron blade in the shape of a leaf or bud, is used by kalari fighters in fighting the enemy through tactics of blows and hits.

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Kalaripayattu demonstration with Otta

Kalaripayattu demonstration by Raam Kumar with Otta

Raam Kumar | CVN Kalari, East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2011

Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest fighting systems is a martial art from Kerala, India. It comprises a series of strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods. Kalaripayattu is derived from the word Kalari meaning school or gymnasium and payattu meaning fight or exercise.

An Otta is a wooden stick of about 18 to 20 inches in length and resemble the shape of a spine. The rounded tip is used to strike the vital points of the opponent’s body.

Haggard

haggard face of an old man from east fort in trivandrum

East Fort, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2011

Raktha Chamundi Theyyam

raktha chamundi theyyam

Raktha Chamundi Theyyam | Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

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Behind the scenes of Kathakali

behind the scenes of kathakali

Behind the scenes of Kathakali | Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

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Infectious smile

infectious smile of a cute little girl from vizhinjam

Vizhinjam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

Tribal Woman

portrait of a paniya woman with a large ear plug

Paniya Woman | Wayanad, Kerala, India | 2010

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Paniya Woman

a paniya woman with ear plug made of manjadikkuru (circassian seed).

Paniya Woman | Wayanad, Kerala, India | 2010

A Paniya woman with ear plug made of manjadikkuru (Circassian seed).

A majority of the adivasis (tribal communities) that reside in Wayanad District of Kerala belong to the Paniya tribe. The word ‘Paniyan’ means ‘worker’. The women of Paniya tribe are characterized by their large ear plugs and broad noses.

Fisherman

a fisherman with rope on his shoulders at shankhumugham beach

Fisherman | Shankhumugham, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

Twilight

 silhouette of a man fishing at valiathura pier at twilight

Fishing | Valiathura Pier, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

Chuvanna Thadi (Red Beard)

chuvanna thadi (red beard) make-up of dussasana in kathakali

Dussasana | Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

Chuvanna Thadi (Red Beard) make-up is given to aggressive and demoniac characters like Baali, Kaalakeya, Sugriiva, and Dussaasana.The entire face is painted red and a thick patch of black is provided around the eyes. Lips are also painted black.

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Agni Kandakarnan Theyyam

agni kandakarnan theyyam

Agni Kandakarnan Theyyam | Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

Theyyam or Thirayattam is a ritual dance form of Northern Kerala, India. The word Theyyam has been derived from Daivam, meaning God.

Agni Kandakarnan is a theyyam having heavy torches around the waist of the kolam.

Reflection

reflection of kathakali artist kalamandalam ratheesan doing make-up

Kalamandalam Ratheesan | Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

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Whirling fog of emotion

man with umbrella standing top hill enjoying the beauty of nature

Om Prakash Varma | Kadalkanipara, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

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Lingering storm

two men looking at passing dark clouds over lighthouse from vizhinjam

Vizhinjam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

Nangiarkoothu backstage

margi usha getting ready for the nangiarkoothu

Margi Usha | Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 2010

Nangiarkoothu is a traditional art form of Kerala with its history dated back to 1500 years featuring a solo actress (nangiar) who narrates the story by Mudras (hand gestures), facial expressions and body movements to the accompaniment of the mizhavu (big copper drum).