Recreating timeless milieu in present day homes!
Published January 31, 2008 | 
Kannur: Kerala has always been famous of royal palaces, opulent family stead homes and traditional ‘tharavadu’, which radiate the traditional vasthu architecture and ethnic building plans. Typically the homes were built with wooden ceilings and walls, which ensure natural cooling even during summers. Tiled or thatched roof were just right for the sultry summers and rainy season which adds up to over 4 months in Kerala, every year.
The interiors will be decked with many traditional utensils and antique objects for prayer and day to day use. Sadly, the situation has changed a lot and with the onslaught of changing times many of these antiques objects were disposed off for a fortune or shoved into dark, dingy attics in contemporary homes. Most modern homes do not have enough space to accommodate these heavy objects made of brass and silver and this could be the main reason that rang its death knell.
Here is a home ‘Quintessence’, which flaunts all these priceless objects. The drawing room is done up in a stunning medley of modernity and antiquity. Located in the high end cantonment area of Payyamblam near here, it looks like a heritage museum at the first glance. Passed down four or five generations, most of these objects are steeped in history. These were once integral part of the joint family system, which lost its significance with the advent of nuclear families. Mostly sourced from their ancestral home, these articles are tell tales of the by gone glory opines .C. Chandralekha, owner of ‘Quintessence.
Some of the objects displayed are a large, round shallow utensil of an ‘uruli,’ in bronze used for cooking grains and a ‘valuruli,’ a version of brass frying pan with a long handle. The fabled china jar made of china clay kept at the corner of the room easily arrests your attention. It is used for storing mango pickles in the erstwhile Kerala ‘tharavads’. You cannot miss out the magnificent measuring pot for grains of ‘para’, and kindi’ (water container with a sprouting nozzle). In addition there is a winding gramophone that belts out some haunting melodies from the yore! The betal box and Vettila chellam’ (betal box) and an old hanging ‘nilavilakku, takes you on a nostalgic stroll down memory lane.
These antiques which were once part of Kerala culture has to be preserved for posterity as these shed light on our rich culture and history more than any encyclopedia.
Kannur to get an airport soon
Published January 18, 2008 | 
Kochi, January 18
Now the people of Kannur have a reason to smile and fly, this fourth largest urban agglomeration in Kerala is going to be gifted with a Greenfield Airport soon. This landmark decision was taken by the Union Cabinet yesterday. It is for sure that this project would bring a new transformation to the development of this district. It was known that over ten years have been over since the proposal was first made to establish an airport in lush 2000 acres of land here.
The people of Kannur are very much excited and delighted about this project which will give a new height to this district. The project was first thought of, in 1996 when C.M Ibrahim has the Civil Aviation Ministry, and under the Prime Ministerial-ship of I.K Gujral, since then the project was in the pipeline and all were looking forward to the plan to finally get executed as soon as possible.
It is believed that if this project gets over, it would be a new chapter toward the tourism and economic sector of Kerala. It was also told that the airport would also act as a cargo hub for perishable goods like flowers, fruits and other sea-foods. This airport would benefit a lot of tourist and travellers coming from all over the world to explore the charm of Kannur and other adjoining areas. Now all eyes are on the day when this airport gets its final shape and starts operating in full swing.