Latest Art & Culture
Google remembers Kamala Das on anniversary of her ‘My Story’
Google said the doodle, created by artist Manjit Thapp, celebrates “the work she left behind, which provides a window into the world of an engrossing woman”.
Google on Thursday remembered legendary Malayalam and English writer, Kamala Das, who dared to write about women’s sexual lives and marital problems at a time when open discussion about such topics was socially prohibited.
In a blog post released on Thursday, Google mentioned that the doodle, created by artist Manjit Thapp, celebrates “the work she left behind, which provides a window into the world of an engrossing woman”.
The release of Google’s doodle to honour the writer, popularly known by her pseudonyms Madhavikutty and Ami, coincided with the anniversary of the release of her autobiography, ‘My Story’, which was originally published in 1976. Though considered controversial by a few, readers of My Story – in which Kamala Das shared her life from childhood till marriage and beyond – “were enchanted by the lyricism and honesty of her writing.
Born in a Hindu family in Thrissur district of Kerala on March 31, 1934, as Nalapat Kamala, Kamala was brought up in Kolkata and primarily started writing in English. Born in the family of literates, Das’s father had been the Managing Editor of Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi, her mother Balamani Amma was a renowned poet and her uncle Nalapat Narayana Menon was a famous Malayalam writer.
Known for her multilingual writing skills, Das’ Malayalam works feature English phrases, while her English stories have a flavour of Malayalam and Hindi.
“Perhaps the greatest “work” of hers is the alter self whom she created, this mysterious and puzzling, ambiguous and sphinx-like “persona” that is Kamala Das, who emerges from her writings taking Protean forms – to fascinate and charm, to tease and torment, to hold and enthrall, and to reveal her world anew with each new reading,” the Hindu Friday Review mentioned about Kamala Das.
The popular feminist writer – who earned her the epithet ‘The Mother of Modern Indian English Poetry’ – was on news lately as a biopic on her, titled Aami raised controversies. And while the Kamal directorial is set to release soon, there has been petitions filed in the Kerala High Court. Stating that the movie justifies ‘love Jihad’, petitioners from Kerala sought for an ban on the movie and asked the court to direct the CBFC to not issue a certificate to the movie, which stars Malayalam actress Manju Warrier in a role which was earlier supposed to be played by Bollywood actress Vidya Balan.
And with extensive contribution to Indian poetry, Das was awarded the Sahitya Academy Awards in 1984. Kamala Das passed away at the age of 75 on May 31, 2009 – after days of suffering from acute diabetes and related illness.
Art
Tamil Nadu: Artist designs a 1.5 inch tall model of Chandrayaan 3 using 4 gm of gold
According to a video shared on X, the talented miniature artist from Tamil Nadu, Mariappan, has ingeniously fashioned a 1.5-inch tall representation of Chandrayaan-3, utilizing 4 grams of gold.
An astonishing video showcasing a miniature gold model of Chandrayaan-3 has left viewers in awe. The footage, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), highlights the craftsmanship of Mariappan, an artist based in Coimbatore. In the video, Mariappan meticulously crafts a 1.5-inch tall replica of Chandrayaan-3, complete with a miniature Indian flag.
According to a video shared on X, the talented miniature artist from Tamil Nadu, Mariappan, has ingeniously fashioned a 1.5-inch tall representation of Chandrayaan-3, utilizing 4 grams of gold. Chandrayaan-3’s Lunar Lander Vikram is slated for a soft landing on the moon on August 23rd.
Mariappan revealed that he employs gold to create miniature models during significant events. In this instance, he designed this remarkable model using 4 grams of gold as a tribute to the dedicated scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 endeavor. Crafting the miniature took him 48 hours of meticulous work, as he expressed his pride in this achievement for every Indian.
The post, which was shared just a few hours ago, has already garnered nearly 19,000 views and continues to attract attention. A flurry of comments flooded in, with some offering inspiring words, others marveling at the creation’s magnificence, and many expressing their admiration with heart emoticons.
According to ISRO reports, the Indian spacecraft has come closer to the moon and is preparing for a landing attempt at the lunar south pole. Launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, Chandrayaan-3’s journey has reached a crucial stage. A senior ISRO official noted that the final landing maneuver is complex, with the decision to proceed made two hours prior to the scheduled action. This decision can be delayed if unfavourable conditions prevail.
The official further shared that if the landing is postponed, Chandrayaan-3’s operational time on the Moon might be reduced from the intended 14 Earth days to around 10 days. This implies that the lunar south pole landing of Chandrayaan-3 could potentially occur on August 26 or 27.
Art
Watch: Group of Kathak dancers perform to the tunes of Calm Down
Renowned dancer Kumar Sharma took to YouTube to share this remarkable creation, showcasing a group of Kathak dancers moving gracefully in harmony with the melodies of Calm Down.
The captivating and soothing melody of Calm Down by Rema and Selena Gomez has resonated deeply with fans all around the world, prompting numerous enthusiasts to share videos of themselves joyfully dancing to its rhythm. Recently, an awe-inspiring video surfaced on social media, featuring a group performing a mesmerizing Kathak dance routine to this chart-topping track. The enchanting allure of the performance is such that you might find yourself watching it repeatedly, perhaps even swaying along.
Renowned dancer Kumar Sharma took to YouTube to share this remarkable creation, showcasing a group of Kathak dancers moving gracefully in harmony with the melodies of Calm Down. The ensemble cast includes dancers such as Kumar Sharma, Anmol Sood, Rahul Sharma, Eshika Choomer, Meghna Thakur, Khushboo Gupta, Smriti Bhandari, Jidnyasa Kurtadkar, Nandini Sonavane, Enakshi, Yogesh Thombre, and Hriday Parash Kalita.
Unveiled on YouTube on August 4, the dance video has rapidly garnered over 22,000 views and continues to draw in a growing audience. A comment from a YouTube user resonated with enthusiasm, describing the choreography and execution as mind-blowing. The creative prowess demonstrated by Kumar and the Kathakrockers group in their interpretation of Kathak is truly remarkable. Their consistent excellence never fails to impress, consistently offering performances that are invigorating and bring smiles to faces. The admiration for their work is resounding, and the encouragement to continue the exceptional efforts is heartfelt. Three cheers for Kumar and the Kathak rockers!
Another commenter echoed a sentiment of precision, perfection, coordination, and seamless flow. They noted the absence of any misalignment in movements, and how each member’s speed harmoniously synchronized, a testament to the collective excellence of this accomplished group of artisans. The acclaim continued with a third person joining in, expressing awe at the meticulously composed brilliance of the performance. They were left virtually speechless by the impeccable choreography and the tabla’s flawless beats, appreciating the visual delight it offered.
Art
Social media hails artist who creates shadow portrait of Virat Kohli
In the video, Mourya dedicates three days to meticulously assembling a stack of matchboxes and thin wooden sticks, skillfully wielding a glue gun to bind them together. Once the masterpiece is completed, he places the intricate sculpture in front of a light source, resulting in a breathtaking shadow that remarkably resembles a portrait of Virat Kohli.
In today’s world dominated by digital art, it’s a delightful surprise to discover artists who embrace unconventional methods. Shintu Mourya is one such artist who recently gained attention for his extraordinary shadow portrait of former Indian cricket captain, Virat Kohli. What sets this artwork apart is that it was crafted solely using matchboxes and wooden sticks. A viral video showcasing the entire process of creating this remarkable shadow art has captivated audiences worldwide, and it’s easy to see why.
In the video, Mourya dedicates three days to meticulously assembling a stack of matchboxes and thin wooden sticks, skillfully wielding a glue gun to bind them together. Once the masterpiece is completed, he places the intricate sculpture in front of a light source, resulting in a breathtaking shadow that remarkably resembles a portrait of Virat Kohli.
The video, shared on Instagram on June 9, has since garnered immense popularity, amassing over 12.5 million views and more than 1.6 million likes. The post has sparked an influx of comments, with many users expressing awe at the artist’s remarkable talent.
Some users expressed their wish for Virat to witness this masterpiece. Others praised the artist’s unique talent and prayed for his continued success. The artwork was even referred to as a treasure, with one user hoping that Virat would have the opportunity to see the magic behind it.
However, not all users shared the same sentiments. Some suggested that the artist should refrain from gifting his creation to Virat, as they believed that the value of art may not be appreciated. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority marveled at the artist’s exceptional skill and expressed a desire to share the story widely, hoping it would eventually reach Virat Kohli himself. One social media user even suggested that the artist should make portrait of Shri Ram and Lord Krishna
